Read Saving Sara (Redemption #1) for Free Online

door. Townsfolk knew she stored and dispensed her remedies from a small room branching off her sunroom at the back, so that’s where they came.
    Heck. Was it Bryce again?
    She didn’t want to think about his dinner invitation. Didn’t want to dwell on how put out she felt after he’d left yesterday because she hadn’t accepted. Didn’t want to rehash all the names she’d called herself, ranging from cougar to stupid old biddy.
    If this was Bryce she’d send him away again, with a sterner warning this time to leave her alone. Yes, she’d definitely do it. But she opened the door to a tall, thin blonde woman dressed in city clothes. A leisure suit, but citified nonetheless. She was beautiful in that elegant, timeless way that only some women could pull off. With her big blue eyes and elfin features, she had the kind of face that turned men’s heads.
    There was something familiar about her. Something about her tentative smile . . .
    “Can I help you?”
    “I hope so.” The woman held out her hand. “I’m Sara Hardy and I’ve moved in next door.”
    “Oh my word.” Cilla’s hands flew to her cheeks. “I should’ve known. You’re the spitting image of Issy.” Cilla waved her in. “Please come in and I’ll put the kettle on.”
    “Actually, I can’t stay. There are some important documents I need to post in town and I was hoping you could do me a favor.” Sara spoke quickly, like she was used to doing everything in a hurry. City folk were like that.
    “Sure. What is it?”
    “I’m expecting a delivery that needs to be signed for. I’ve left a note on my door asking if they could deliver it here if I’m out . . .” Sara sounded almost desperate and Cilla quelled the urge to bundle her into her arms for a hug.
    “Not a problem; I’ll take care of it for you,” Cilla said, saddened by the shadows in Sara’s eyes.
    She knew what it felt like to be haunted by memories.
    “Thanks. I appreciate it.” Sara turned to go, then paused on the top step and glanced over her shoulder. “Did you know my grandmother?”
    Cilla nodded. “We were friends. She was a lovely lady.”
    Sara smiled and it transformed her face from pretty to beautiful. “I’d love to hear your stories about her one day, if you’ve got the time?”
    “I’ve got all the time in the world to talk about Issy,” Cilla said. “And get to know you.”
    An unexpected joy lit Sara’s cautious gaze and it struck Cilla anew how fragile the girl appeared.
    “I’d like that,” Sara said, before turning away and continuing toward her car, a small red hatchback.
    “See you soon,” Cilla called out, and Sara responded with a wave.
    Cilla watched Sara drive away, pondering the strangeness of her week. She didn’t get many visitors, bar the townsfolk wanting remedies. Yet so far, she’d had Bryce and Sara drop by, and soon Jake would arrive.
    For a woman who valued her peace and quiet, it had been an eventful few days. As she glanced at her watch and realized she had to make those oatmeal cookies she’d promised Jake, plus her signature brownies as a treat, she thought it was nice to have h er stai d life shaken up every now and then.

7.
    A re we there yet?” Olly whined for the umpteenth time and kicked the back of Jake’s seat.
    Like every other time he’d been asked on this interminably long trip, Jake forced his jaw to relax so he wouldn’t grind his teeth to dust, and remembered that Rose needed his help.
    “Almost, buddy. Another five minutes or so.”
    “That’s what you said last time.” Olly blew him a raspberry. “I hate you.”
    Jake had put up with worse insults from his father but the hint of vulnerability in Olly’s voice slayed him. He’d seen the distrust in Olly’s eyes when Rose had explained she had to go away for a while to get better and that Uncle Jake would be taking care of him.
    Olly had fixed those big, brown eyes on him in accusation, as if to say, “What the hell would you know about