Read Online Love Without End by Robin Lee Hatcher - Free Book Online Page A

door alerted her to Tara’s arrival. Anna turned around to see the girl and her mother in the doorway.
    “Good morning,” Kimberly Welch said, stepping in behind her daughter. “I hope we haven’t kept you waiting too long. It’s entirely my fault. I got a late start.”
    Anna waved her hand in dismissal. “Didn’t mind waiting. I have nowhere to be.”
    Kimberly looked around the room. “There is a lot to go through. Isn’t there?”
    Quite the understatement.
    “Indeed,” Anna answered.
    Kimberly lowered her voice, saying to her daughter, “Don’t let Ms. McKenna do any heavy lifting.”
    Anna almost announced that her hearing was excellent and she was stronger than she looked. But better not.
    “Call me if you need me to come sooner,” Kimberly continued. “Otherwise, I’ll be here at three.”

    “It won’t be sooner, Mom. I’m gonna get to ride today, when we’re done here.”
    “You’re going to ride your horse?” Tara’s mother sounded alarmed.
    “No. He’s not ready for that. I’m gonna ride one of Mr. Leonard’s saddle horses.”
    “Isn’t it awfully soon for that? You’ve barely started your—”
    “Mom!”
    Anna turned away, pretending not to notice the sudden tension between the pair. Through the years, friends had talked about mothers and their teenage daughters, about the push and pull that happened between them. Anna didn’t pretend to understand it much. She’d spent most of her life around men and boys. There never had been much that was girlish about Anna McKenna. Except for her red hair, which she’d worn long in her younger days. She’d been more than a little vain about it—and keenly aware of the effect it had on men when she’d let it flow loose down her back.
    Foolish old woman , she scolded herself. Those days are long gone. It had been eons since any man had made note of her. Except perhaps to offer an arm to help her across the street.
    “Ms. McKenna?”
    She turned again. Tara’s mother had left the guesthouse, and the girl was now standing a short distance away, looking at her questioningly.
    “Where do we start?” Tara asked.
    “How about with that stack of boxes over there?” Anna pointed. “That should keep us busy until lunchtime.”
    C HET CAME OUT OF THE BARN IN TIME TO SEE Kimberly Welch walking to her car. When she noticed him, he waved and started in her direction. She waited by the driver’s side door.
    “Morning,” he said, stopping on the other side of the automobile.
    “Good morning.”
    “Heard you got a job this week.”
    “Yes.”
    “Chris Russell’s a good man.” Chet removed his hat and raked his fingers through his hair. “You’ll like working for him.”
    “Mr. Russell is very nice, but the job is only temporary.”
    “It’s a start.”
    “Yes,” she said softly. “A start. Hopefully one that will lead to something better.” She drew in a deep breath, her slender shoulders rising and falling. “How is Tara doing?”
    “All right. She’s eager to learn. Does what she’s told. This is her first day to help Anna.” He glanced toward the guesthouse.
    “You’re lucky she wasn’t here at six this morning. She was so eager to get started. Too bad she isn’t as excited about cleaning her own room or doing her homework.”
    Chet grinned as he met her gaze once again. “Kids.”
    After a moment, she returned the smile. “Kids.”
    He wondered, suddenly, what had happened to Mr. Welch. Where was he now? Had he walked out on Kimberly, the way Marsha had walked out on him? Or was Kimberly the one who did the walking? Not that it was any of his business.

    “I’ll be back to pick Tara up around three.” She opened the car door. “Have her call me if she needs to leave earlier than that.”
    “Will do.”
    After he watched her drive away, Chet went to where his horse was tied. He stepped into the saddle and rode out to check some fences. But the pretty Mrs. Welch wasn’t soon forgotten.
    A NNA AND T ARA HAD BEEN