Read 0764214101 for Free Online

also beautiful. What was the use of it now? To try to sell his goods to people who didn’t know him, while his own neighbors and friends thought him to be a murderer? What good was that?
    Once he was through the gate, he slowed the horses again. Jimmy sat in the dirt ahead under an olive tree. Cradling something in his arms. The wind tugged for a moment on the light brown hair of Woody’s boy. And his heart ached. How could he possibly think of himself at a time like this? His son was suffering through the grief of losing his mama the year before. He’d suffered enough. He needed his father.
    Woody closed his eyes for a moment and offered a prayer of thanks as new strength took residence and chased the black cloud away. He didn’t understand God’s plan, but he knew that the good Lord had given Jimmy to him. Right then and there, Woody decided that no matter what, he would do everything in his power to help his son heal. He just wasn’t sure his power was all that useful.
    Woody pulled the wagon to a complete stop and hopped down. “Whatcha got there, Jimmy?”
    His son turned, a tear dripping down his cheek. He held the bundle in his arms up to his pa.
    As Woody stepped closer, he saw a tiny rabbit with a torn ear. The little guy seemed to be alive, if the little nose twitching up and down was any indication. “We should get him home. I bet Mrs. Goodman can help us find a box for him to place by the stove. We’ll get him all fixed up.”
    Jimmy nodded. But as he tried to stand, he couldn’t get up with the animal in his arms.
    Woody lifted his son and the rabbit in one fell swoop andheaded to the wagon. The boy weighed next to nothing. Dirt covered him and his small bundle. Woody settled Jimmy in on the seat beside him, then headed the wagon back toward the house. He looked down at Jimmy and squeezed his hand. They might all be damaged and grieving, but they wouldn’t give up.
    Mrs. Goodman knocked on the doorjamb into the library, which he used as his office. “Sorry to interrupt, Woody, but the mail was tucked into one of the supply boxes.” She laid it down on his desk. “Thought you might like to see it.”
    “Thank you, Mrs. Goodman.” Woody looked up at his housekeeper and felt the need to say more. “And not just for the mail. You’ve been wonderful to us all these years and have had to go through so much with us. Thank you. I don’t say it enough, but I’m grateful.”
    If he wasn’t mistaken, he’d shocked her, because his stoic and no-nonsense housekeeper had tears in her eyes. “I’ve hated watching you boys suffer. That’s for sure. And lately, you’ve had this dark cloud following you around. I’ve been quite worried.” She sniffed. “It’s much appreciated to hear your words of kindness.”
    “I’m sorry they’re so overdue.”
    “Stuff and nonsense. We both know that’s not true.” She straightened her shoulders. “Now before I head back to the kitchen, do you need anything? I promised Jimmy that we would check on the bunny before he went to bed.”
    “No, I’m fine.” Using a letter opener, he opened the envelope from Indiana, praying that it was what he hoped.
    “You just let me know, if you do.” Her feet shuffled away.
    “Wait, Mrs. Goodman?” A sliver of hope started in his chest after reading the first few lines.
    “Yes?”
    “Would you mind coming back after checking on the rabbit? I have some news.”
    “Not at all. I’ll be back in a little bit.”
    Woody nodded and went back to the letter. It seemed Miss Lillian Porter accepted his offer of the nanny position and was on her way. After weeks of waiting and no word, he’d given up hope. He glanced at the postmark. Apparently, it’d been his own fault. Had he not avoided town for so long, he could have gotten his mail sooner. He checked the calendar on the wall. Good grief! And she would arrive in just two days’ time.
    Woody jumped up from his desk and thought of all the things they’d need to