Cranberry Point (Cedar Cove #4)(40)

"Do you really think so?" Hannah asked.

Peggy nodded.

"I...think I was drawn back here because of you and Bob." She smiled fleetingly. "When Sheriff Davis brought me to your house, you were so helpful and so nice to me. I felt...oh, I don't know, that you were just the kind of family I wish I'd had."

The young woman's words gladdened Peggy's heart, and saddened her at the same time. Obviously Hannah's childhood had been lacking in some crucial ways. Peggy felt a stab of longing for her own children. She saw her daughter so rarely that Hannah's warmth and gratitude made up for some of what she was missing with Hollie.

"I'll stay," Hannah said decisively, "but only on one condition."

"You're welcome without any conditions," Peggy assured her.

"I want to pay you rent, just as if I was any other guest. I'll need to find a job first, of course, but that shouldn't be too hard. I have lots of experience."

Peggy thought it was important for Hannah to pay rent; it would allow her to feel a sense of pride and self-sufficiency. "I understand Grace is planning to hire someone at the library for the summer," she said. "Why not apply there?"

Hannah considered that for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm not much of a reader, unfortunately. I don't know how good I'd be at helping people find books, you know?"

Peggy wasn't easily discouraged. "What jobs have you held in the past?"

"I worked all through high school at a fast-food place. I didn't really like it, but it gave me a little bit of money. My dad..." She paused and let whatever she'd started to say fade.

"What about working in a day care center? Little Lambs recently advertised for help."

Again Hannah shook her head. "I don't have a lot of patience around little kids. I worked at a Laundromat once, too, but only briefly. I think I'd be good as a store clerk, though."

"I think you would, too," Peggy agreed and Hannah brightened immediately.

"I'll check the Help Wanted listings as soon as we get back to the house," Hannah said eagerly.

"Good idea. We'll pick up a Chronicle right now."

Peggy paid for their lunch, and when they arrived back at the house, Bob was there to help her unload the minivan.

"Hannah's decided to live with us for a while," she told her husband, making a point of expressing her pleasure at the girl's decision.

"I plan to pay my own way," Hannah insisted. Clutching her newspaper, she followed Bob into the garage, where he set down the thirty-pound bag of fertilizer. "First thing Monday morning, I'm going to apply for a job."

Bob nodded, but he didn't reveal nearly the enthusiasm Peggy had. She wanted to kick him for his obvious lack of interest. Peggy watched as Hannah's face fell, annoyed that her husband was so blind to how badly the girl needed their approval. Hannah was fragile and needy, and it wasn't that difficult to give her some of the attention she craved.

"I don't want to be any bother." Hannah nervously stepped back.

"You're no bother, Hannah." Bob returned to the minivan. Well, at least he'd said that much and his voice wasn't unfriendly.

"Would you like to help with dinner, Hannah?" Peggy called as she headed into the kitchen.

"Yes...of course." Hannah scurried after her. "I want to do whatever I can."

She was so eager to please and so eager to fit in. She agreed to prepare the potatoes with every sign of happiness.

While Hannah stood at the kitchen sink and peeled potatoes, working carefully and methodically, Bob walked in through the back door.

"We have a visitor," he announced.

Peggy automatically dried her hands on the kitchen towel as Pastor Dave Flemming entered the kitchen.

"Hello, Peggy," he said, smiling broadly.

Pastor Flemming and Bob had become friends over the past year or so. Max Russell's death had shaken Bob and Peggy badly, and they'd started going to church again, something they hadn't done in years. They still attended regularly. Peggy felt it had been a good decision; the services brought her a sense of peace and calm, and she was thankful for that.

"This is Hannah Russell," Bob said, gesturing toward Hannah.

"Hello, Hannah."

"Hello," she said softly, her gaze lowered.

The girl had trouble making eye contact, Peggy noticed, and hoped that with time and lots of attention she'd get over being so timid and self-conscious.

"Bob tells me you're staying here for a while."

Hannah nodded. "Mr. and Mrs. Beldon have been very kind."

"I'd like to invite you to join us on Sunday for worship service. The Beldons attend. You could go with them."

Her eyes flew up. "I don't think I'd be comfortable with that."

"Any particular reason?" Pastor Flemming asked. "It's our goal to make every visitor welcome."

Hannah just shook her head. "No, thanks."

Peggy hoped she'd eventually change her mind. It would do Hannah good, the same way it had them, but she wouldn't pressure her. When and if she attended services, it would be her own decision.

Twenty

Cliff Harding walked out to the barn to take a look at his new filly, Funny Face, born just two weeks ago. Cal, his trainer, was working with the sire in the paddock.