Read Moonlight on the Millpond for Free Online

exclaimed, making a mental note to add that size to the order list. “Come on, Jace—come and meet Maddie—and then I’ll get that wire.”
    The two walked back out front, only to find that the woman at the counter was now debating among four fabrics. Maddie had moved off to help someone else and was just finishing with that man when her aunt caught her eye.
    â€œMaddie,” Cathy said, wasting no time, “meet Jace Randall.”
    â€œIt’s a pleasure, Mr. Randall. My aunt has written about you numerous times.”
    â€œPlease call me Jace,” that man said, thinking she was really quite beautiful.
    â€œI’ve decided, Maddie,” the woman suddenly called.
    Maddie smiled her goodbye at the two and went toward the customer. She measured and cut the fabric that was chosen and folded it for the woman to place in her basket. By that time Cathy was finding the wire and other customers had arrived. Maddie greeted the three young ladies who had entered and asked if she could help.
    â€œWe’re just looking right now,” she was told, and so she went about her business. It took Maddie several minutes to notice what kind of browsing they were doing. All their looking seemed to be directed at Jace Randall.
    While she was still watching, Jace caught their attention, nodded briefly in their direction, and then glanced at Maddie. Maddie couldn’t stop the way her eyes lit with laughter. Wanting to laugh as well, Jace only shook his head in Maddie’s direction and turned back to Cathy.
    And with no warning, the store grew busier. Two more customers arrived, and Maddie was very occupied. Cathy was run off her feet as well, and when things calmed nearly 30 minutes later, Maddie found herself outside, having just helped a woman load a box of supplies into her wagon. On her way back inside, she found Jace just emerging.
    â€œDid you get everything you needed, Mr. Randall?”
    â€œYes, and it’s Jace.”
    Maddie nodded, smiled, and suddenly teased, “Did you realize when you came into town that you would also be part of the merchandise?”
    Jace only laughed as two young men came out the door behind him. They were doing some looking of their own, only it wasn’t at him.
    â€œI see you’re also mistaken for dry goods,” Jace returned when the men had moved on.
    â€œOnly on occasion,” Maddie said dismissively, and Jace knew that it was probably more along the lines of daily.
    â€œI’d better get back inside.” Maddie was the one to break away.
    â€œHave a good day, Miss Shephard,” Jace said with a respectful bow of the head.
    Thinking he was as kind as her aunt’s letters had indicated, Maddie thanked him and slipped back into the store.
    Neither one realized their entire conversation had been observed. Doyle Shephard, sitting by a window in the parlor and working to stay rested and calm, found his pulse quickening. Why had it never occurred to him how perfectly suited Maddie and Jace were? He didn’t have an immediate answer, but the question occupied his mind for the remainder of the day.

    â€œYou’re wondering about the cost of boards, Mr. Muldoon?” Woody clarified.
    â€œThat’s right. We might be entering into a building project in the foreseeable future, and I was just trying to get an idea. Do you have any prices for us?”
    Woody had never talked to this man. When he went to services, it was to the Center Meetinghouse. When he went. However, he patiently explained the cost of cut boards versus the cost of the customer providing his own logs to be cut. If the prices were a surprise, the pastor gave no indication.
    Douglas Muldoon listened intently, thanked the sawyer for his time and information, and went back to town. He had brought the small wagon he owned and now drove his horse back in the direction of home.
    Douglas reminded himself that he could not worry about this. God had provided the