Love Finds You in Last Chance, California by Miralee Ferrell

Author:Miralee Ferrell
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: California, Love Finds You in Last Chance
ISBN: 9781934770399
Publisher: Guideposts
Published: 2011-04-08T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Alex left the church on Sunday afternoon unsettled by her conflicting feelings. The sermon had challenged her heart and the gentle music had soothed her emotions. But the coolness of a number of the women as she’d taken her place in the pew near the back of the sanctuary had put a damper on her spirit. The stress of the past few weeks had taken its toll, and she felt no desire to visit. She picked up her skirt and stepped off the porch. A solitary walk in the woods would give her a chance to think.

She’d gone only a few dozen yards when a soft voice wafted across on the breeze. “Alexia…” It sounded like Elizabeth. Alex paused and turned to shield her eyes from the early afternoon sun. Elizabeth stood on the porch step with one hand raised.

Alex waved back and cupped her hand to her mouth. “I’ll come by later. I’m going to take a walk.”

Elizabeth nodded and turned back inside. What a blessing to have a friend who understood and didn’t judge. Alex hitched her skirts above her ankles, not caring who noticed. She headed through the scattered trees and down a slight hill behind town, toward the spring-fed meadow. The sound of water gurgling into the pond soothed Alex’s spirits. Her eyes drifted over the apple trees near the edge of the meadow which hung with almost-ripened fruit, the wildflowers blooming near the water’s edge, and the bees buzzing from flower to flower. A breeze blew the fragrance toward her, and she sucked in an appreciative breath.

Alex walked the length of the meadow away from the spring, passing behind the blacksmith shop and the corral housing the horses. Several mounts plunged away from the fence when she drew near then settled back to picking at scattered bits of hay. She drew her skirts up higher, no longer afraid of being seen this far from town.

The thought of her father tugged her up the hill to the cemetery. He’d chosen to be buried on his beloved ranch rather than here on the edge of town, but the peace and tranquility of the place drew her just the same.

She walked through the lightly forested glade, running her fingers along the tops of the white marble headstones marking the dozen or so graves. The town had been established only twenty-five years before and, thankfully, not many had died and been buried here in that time.

She sat down beneath a tree, careful not to disturb the nearest grave. So much had happened since her father’s death, and she still had so many unanswered questions. Not just about the recent trouble at the ranch, but about Justin and Carter and even Christy Grey.

A gray squirrel scampered up a tree, drawing her attention from the nearby headstone to the swaying branches above. He chattered his displeasure while racing back and forth on a low-hanging limb.

Alex leaned her head against a tree. “Hey, little fellow. I’m not going to hurt you.”

His antics continued and the volume increased.

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