Sleigh Bells for Dry Creek by Janet Tronstad

Author:Janet Tronstad
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-05-15T00:00:00+00:00

Amy watched him. She’d been telling herself that she didn’t know Wade well enough anymore to know if he would murder someone. But then she realized it wasn’t the Wade of today who was in question. It was her old friend, the Wade she had known as a child, who was standing accused. She’d known that Wade better than she’d known anyone before or since. His heart had been good; she’d have trusted him with her life.

Besides, she’d known when he’d lied as a boy. He didn’t do it often, but sometimes he wouldn’t tell her how he’d gotten a bruise on his arm or a scratch on his face. She thought he was having adventures without her. Later, she knew he’d been ashamed of his father. Wade had cause to be upset with the man. But she could not believe he had done something so terrible as to kill him.

She thought Wade might say something, but he didn’t. He just walked over and slid onto the bench next to her. There was no more room for the two of them this time than there had been last time. Wade’s left arm still touched her right arm, and she was still pressed to the wall. But instead of making her anxious, she found it comforting this time.

“I’m afraid the food isn’t as hot as it was,” Mrs. Hargrove apologized as she sat back down in her chair and gave Amy an approving nod. “But it should still be fine. And I’m sure we’re all hungry enough that we’d rather not put it back in the oven and wait for it to warm up.”

Amy murmured in agreement with everyone else. She was surprised to realize that she did have an appetite.

“I wouldn’t mind saying grace again,” Charley added, and they all bowed their heads willingly.

“Father, we are truly grateful to You for bringing us together today,” he said, his voice gruff with emotion. “Bless this food to our bodies and give us wisdom in what we should do about this whole situation with Gracie and Wade. I’m not about to tell You what to do, Lord, but if You could help us figure out this puzzle, we’d be mighty grateful. I know You have a purpose for us in this, so help us to appreciate that, too. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

After the prayer, Mrs. Hargrove picked up the platter of pot roast and passed it to Gracie saying, “Take all you want, dear. There’s plenty more in the kitchen.”

They were all silent as they passed the food around and then started to eat, but it wasn’t an awkward silence. Everyone seemed to be thinking, and Amy guessed that they were all going back to their memories of the time of the murder, wondering if they had overlooked some kind of a clue.

She glanced over at Wade. She hoped he never knew, but the biggest thing in her mind during that time was wondering if he was old enough to marry her. She had actually thought he would stay in Dry Creek and work his family’s ranch with his brothers.

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