Read After the Frost for Free Online Page B

today."
    "Well now, I couldn't stay away." Belle smiled brightly at the two women standing beside her mother. "It's been so long since I saw everyone, I just had to pay a visit."
    "It has been a long time," Ernestine Dumont's blue eyes sparkled with malice. "What has it been? Five years? Six?"
          "Six years," Belle said. She looked at her mother. "Wouldn't you say so, Mama?"
          Stella Miller broke in before Lillian could answer. "You never told us Belle was comin' in, Lillian," she said, her tone faintly accusing. "Why, it's such a surprise."
          "For me too," Lillian said hastily. "I didn't know myself until yesterday."
          "I wanted it to be a surprise," Belle said. "Mama had just been naggin' me for months to come on home, but you know how it is."
          Stella and Ernestine murmured their assent.
          "But I finally managed to get away—and here I am."
          "Get away?" Ernestine said sharply. "From what, dear? We haven't heard from you in so long—we were concerned you might have fallen into trouble."
          Lillian broke in before Belle could answer. "It hasn't been that long, Teen, really. Why, it's not as if we haven't kept in touch."
          "Oh?" Stella frowned. "Lily, you never mentioned—"
          "Well, of course we did," Belle lied. "I'm surprised you thought otherwise. What kind of a daughter would I be if I didn't write my mama once in a while?"
          Both women looked discomfited. Lillian reddened.
          "I've had several letters," she said. "Belle wrote me from—"
          "New York," Belle supplied.
          "Yes." Lillian's glance was begrudgingly grateful. "From New York."
          Stella Miller looked thoughtful as she fanned herself with a small, gloved hand. "New York City? Why, Lily, I thought you told me Belle was with a cousin somewhere. I don't think you said New York, but of course that was a while ago—"
    Lillian stiffened.
    "You must mean Cousin Sally," Belle said, seeing her mother's surprise as she embellished Lillian's lie. "I was there for a while."
    "Yes," Lillian said reluctantly. "Sally—in Philadelphia."
    "Sally and I just didn't get on," Belle continued, ignoring her mother's warning glance. "You know how it is. And her husband—well, he's not much for family." She shook her head sadly, feeling a surge of amusement at their quick murmurs of understanding.
    "That's such a pity," Ernestine said, her concern as false as her sympathy. "But you know, Belle, we were talking about you the other day, weren't we, Stella? We were wondering what you were up to these days. Claudia Akers thought you must have a passel of little ones running around by now."
    I'll just bet that's what they were thinking. Belle forced her smile wider. "Not a passel, no," she said cheerfully.
    "How long are you plannin' to visit?"
    "I don't know." She plunged ahead. "In fact I was thinkin' I might just stay." She smiled at Lillian's appalled expression. "That is if you don't mind, Mama."
    "No, no of course not." Lillian recovered quickly. She smiled weakly, sweeping the other two women with her glance. "We're just delighted you could come back."
    "I imagine you are," Stella said drily. Her gaze was shrewd and measuring. "Belle, your mama and Rand are comin' over for dinner this afternoon. You'll join us, won't you? I mean, I assume you're stayin' at the house?"
    Now. Do it now . Belle threw a quick glance at Lillian. Her mother's face was so stiff, it looked like it might crack. The expression sent such a strong stab of satisfaction through Belle that her own smile was genuine. "Well, actually I'm stayin' in town for now. It just seemed easiest when I got in the other night. But now that I'm thinkin' I might stay awhile, I was hopin' Mama wouldn't mind if I came on home."
    Lillian's brown eyes widened in shock and surprise, and Belle saw the instant protest begin on her lips. Protest that died away the moment her mother saw the