Never Give Up by Barbara Andrews

Author:Barbara Andrews [Hanson, Pam; Andrews, Barbara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-0-8249-4942-6
Publisher: Guideposts
Published: 2011-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Jane could hear laughter in the dining room Tuesday morning. All the guests had gathered at the same time for an early breakfast, which made it easier to present her favorite cheese soufflé. She’d served it with steak strips and buttermilk-chive biscuits to their six guests: Ann Baldwin, a Buffalo salesperson, and two couples who were traveling together. The sisters were grateful for the prospect of a full house for several weeks to come.

Ann was at the center of their merriment. She had a gift for involving people in conversation and entertaining them with humorous stories. Jane was looking forward to a full day of her company. They were going to travel back roads and seek out small-town antiques dealers. Ann had planned a route that would allow time to “follow their noses,” if they were so inclined.

It had been Jane’s idea to pack a picnic lunch, and Ann had readily agreed. The night before, Jane had scrubbed out a cooler and put ice in sealed plastic bags. Everything was ready. All she had to do was add bottled water to the cooler and grab her purse. Louise and Alice would take care of everything else, including the breakfast cleanup.

Jane was relieved that the fawn was no longer the sisters’ direct responsibility, and that Louise hadn’t scheduled the third—and she hoped last—driving lesson until Thursday. It made it easier for her to leave with a clear conscience.

As soon as the guests dispersed to go their separate ways, Jane hurried up to her third-floor bedroom. She was dressed for whatever the day brought, whether it was poking around ancient barns or investigating dusty shops. Her jeans were faded but not yet ragged, and she’d compensated with a new summer top, a muted rose knit with a scoop neck. As an afterthought, she slipped into a blue checkered shirt, worn open like a jacket in case it was still cool outside. Her shoulder bag was packed with everything a traveler might need, including hand wipes, sunscreen, sunglasses and tissues. And cash.

Ann was waiting in the entryway, dressed in another long skirt and flowing top. Today her color scheme ran to orange and olive. She had a gift for making the most outrageous combinations work, and no doubt she wouldn’t let yards of material interfere with her antiquing.

“Ready to go?” she asked as Jane came down the stairs.

“All I have to do is get the cooler. I’m not going to tell you what I made for lunch. It’s a surprise.” “If it’s as good as breakfast, it will be most welcome. So far, your food has been the highlight of my vacation. I’ve had no success at all finding postcards for my hunger project. Maybe you’ll change my luck.”

Ann seemed to have an uncanny knack for directions. She glanced at her map when they started, then drove confidently to their first destination about an hour away.

“I’ve covered all the closer places that looked promising,” she said. “I hope you don’t mind riding.”

“Not at all.

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