The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams

Author:Ellery Adams
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-09-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

Books are good company, in sad times and happy times, for books are people—people who have managed to stay alive by hiding between the covers of a book.

—E. B. White

“I don’t want to hear about towns in Texas,” Estella said, taking a seat in her favorite Miracle Books chair. “I want to hear about your date with Jed. And don’t be shy. I’m on a dry spell on the man front, so I need to live vicariously through you.”

Nora shot her a dirty look. “It’s not like you’ve been abstaining for months. It’s been a few weeks at most.”

Estella fanned herself with her clutch purse. “Don’t remind me!”

At that moment, June entered the circle of chairs, and Nora was relieved to see Hester trailing behind her. Hester sat down and immediately began to pick at the piece of duct tape covering a tear in the cushion.

“Thanks for coming,” Nora said. Though she was including all three of her friends in this remark, she directed it at Hester. “I know things have been a bit strained in our little society. That’s my fault. I’m sorry for being hurtful or insensitive. Especially to you, Hester.”

Nora waited for Hester to meet her gaze. When she didn’t, Nora went on. “I feel protective of you in the same way you feel protective of Abilene. I feel like your older sister. I’m not smarter or better than you. Just older. I worry about you, Hester. I worry about June and Estella too.” She shrugged. “That’s what happens when you care. Caring and worrying go hand in hand.”

When Hester still didn’t look at her, Nora glanced between June and Hester, silently asking for help.

Estella sighed. “I guess you’re not going to give us the dirt on your date. Other than that, you have nothing to be sorry for. I feel the same way you do. And Hester?”

Hester finally looked up to meet Estella’s eyes.

“We don’t feel as strongly as you about Abilene,” Estella finished. “How could we? We don’t know her. My question is, do you?”

Hester’s brow furrowed in anger. “I know she’s a good person. Bad people can’t bake the way Abilene does. She and I don’t just pump out loaves of bread or batches of cookies at the Gingerbread House. We put ourselves into everything we bake. Our food would never taste as sweet and light if there was evil in us.”

“Evil?” June was nonplussed. “No one thinks of her like that, honey. But Estella is asking a bona fide question. Do you know Abilene any better than you did the night she showed up in this bookstore?”

Hester bolted to her feet. “Is this your agenda? Is it gang-up-on-Hester night? Because I’d rather be at home, watching TV, than here, playing this game.”

June rose to her feet too. Very gently, she said, “We’re looking out for you. It might not feel that way, but we are.” She took hold of Hester’s hand. “Sweetheart, has all of this made you wonder about your daughter? Has she been on your mind a whole lot more since Abilene arrived?”

Hester crumpled.

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