The Time Under Heaven by Laurinda Wallace

Author:Laurinda Wallace
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: christian fiction, women's christian fiction, adoption, christian family, missionary
Publisher: Laurinda Wallace
Published: 2012-05-30T00:00:00+00:00

22

Beth and Melody strolled down the bustling sidewalks filled with summer tourists. Parents with overtired children, sullen teens, and a few elderly couples went in and out of candy shops, galleries, antique shops, and the rest of the assortment that made up Wellfleet. They had stopped for lunch at The Bean Pot, where hearty fare was popular. They’d ordered lobster salads that came with cornbread shaped like ears of corn. Now they were walking off lunch and window shopping. Nan was spending the day at the house, ostensibly to catch up on emails from the Academy.

“Let’s check out this antique shop,” Beth said, taking in the window display of Amy’s Antiques.

“All right,” Melody agreed. Her interest was in the designer clothing shops across the street. The price tags were far more than she ever spent on clothes, but a splurge was in order after what she’d been through in the last week, she reasoned. The cast was beginning to itch, and she wished for a pencil to slide through the narrow opening to take care of the problem.

The musty smell of old upholstery and beeswax greeted them when Beth pushed the door open. A little bell jangled merrily, announcing their arrival. The shop was gloomy after the bright sunlight outside. Beth headed for a display of teacups, while Melody wandered over to a black velvet board pinned with old brooches and necklaces. The prices made it obvious the pieces were costume jewelry, although one necklace caught her eye. It looked like an amethyst. It was in a silver teardrop setting with tiny diamonds around it. She fingered it and noticed a white-haired man with a distinct stoop crossing to her, a pleasant smile on his face. His eyes crinkled with good humor behind his glasses.

“Good afternoon, young lady. See anything you like?”

Melody smiled back. “This is a very pretty necklace,” she said, pointing at the pendant. “I don’t see a price tag though.”

“A-ah,” he said in typical New England fashion. “It’s probably fallen off.” He rummaged around behind the velvet board without success. Beth appeared with a cup and saucer decorated in yellow roses.

“Did you find something you like, Mel?”

“I thought this necklace was really pretty. It actually reminds me of a necklace Grandma wore. He’s looking for a price tag right now.”

“It is pretty. I’m not sure I remember Grandma having a necklace like this. It’s your favorite color though.”

“That’s what caught my eye, of course.” Melody smiled, remembering how she’d insisted on everything being lavender in her bedroom when she was in high school. The walls, the bedspread, the sheets, everything was lavender. Mama had finally given in to the monochromatic décor choice.

“Of course. Do you have any idea what you want for it?” she asked the elderly man, who had lifted the excess black velvet fabric that draped the table before carefully laying it down again. He looked up, the smile still on his face. His gnarled hands gently lifted the necklace from the pins that held up the fine silver chain.

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