Read Margaret from Maine (9781101602690) for Free Online Page B

futile wait. To his way of thinking, even the rain counted. If it cooled the city, if it made her weekend more enjoyable, then he wanted it to rain. It was that simple. And if he could serve a little as the rain—that was stretching it, but it had a basis in truth—then he didn’t mind. He would pay attention. That was all. He had not counted on liking her so much.
    â€œWhat time is the signing tomorrow?” Margaret asked. “I know I know it, but I just need someone else to tell me.”
    â€œTen o’clock.”
    â€œAnd is it close to the hotel?”
    â€œA three-minute walk. We should allow for a little time to pass through security. It’s at the hospital, so the security attachment won’t be quite as smooth as it would be at the White House.”
    â€œIt was very smooth when we went for the Medal of Honor ceremony. That was all my father-in-law talked about for months afterward.”
    â€œAnd he lives with you?”
    â€œFor the time being. We’re a little in limbo. There’s a second house on the property that we’re renovating, but there isn’t much time or money. We’ll stay on the farm no matter what. It was to be Tom’s farm, but things don’t always turn out the way you expect. Of course, you know that. But I like farming. It sounds odd, probably, but I do.”
    â€œAnd I take it the farm in Maine is a lot like the farms in Iowa. Tough making a go of it.”
    â€œWe could sell the land and do a lot better.”
    â€œAre you tempted?”
    â€œOh, sure. Tempted. But we’ve had the farm through four generations. I think it’s four. I lose count sometimes. It’s never been flush. We’ve never made a lot of money at it, but you know how it is. It’s your way of life, everything. I’d hate for Gordon to grow up without experiencing it.”
    The car moved through traffic.
    â€œDid you grow up on a farm?” Charlie asked. “I hope I’m not asking too many questions. You don’t meet many farmers in Washington.”
    â€œNo, it’s fine. My dad leased a farm one town over. It’s been sold out for condos for, oh, I don’t know. A couple years, anyway. Maybe longer. My dad and mom moved to Tennessee. They couldn’t take the Maine winters any longer. Dad works at Home Depot and Mom does party cleaning. You know, if a woman is hosting a big party, then she calls my mom to come in and do a top-to-bottom cleaning. Before and after. She isn’t afraid to charge.”
    â€œGood for her,” Charlie said.
    â€œThey miss farming, though. They don’t say as much, but I can tell. If we can get the second house renovated, maybe they can come up and give a hand in the summers. I must be boring you to death with all this. I didn’t mean to go on about myself.”
    â€œNot at all.”
    She smiled. There it was again, Charlie told himself. He liked that smile a great deal and he felt it pull him in, draw him closer. He wondered if she had any idea how fetching her smile could be. Meanwhile, the driver managed to hit the highway and Charlie felt the car accelerate. The driver’s window, down a crack, made a high, noisy hum as they sped along. But the air felt good and Charlie smelled the rain. It was beginning somewhere. The leaves on the trees beside the highway turned their white sides over.
    â€œNow you know my life story,” Margaret said. “Not exactly an exciting life.”
    â€œIt sounds like a good life,” Charlie said.
    â€œWell, it has its moments. After Tom’s accident, his situation, I needed to stay busy and there’s no place on earth that will take more work from you than a farm. The schools are good and it’s safe. No crime at all, really, except a domestic blowup now and then. No one locks the door and people park and leave their keys in the ignition. That’s worth something, I figure.”
    â€œSure it