Dorothy Garlock Read Online Free Page A

and then at Jill. “I regret that I'm so much trouble.”
    “When you take care of someone dear to you, it's not trouble.” Jill patted Justine's hand.
    “I'm so glad you're here.” There was a tear in Justine's voice.
    “I'm glad, too. Can I get you something? ”
    “You can brush my hair. The brush is over there on my dresser.”
    Jill fetched the hairbrush, moved behind the chair and drew the brush through her aunt's hair.
    “That feels good.” Justine sighed contentedly. “I've not been able to brush my own hair for months.”
    “When you feel up to it, I'll bring in a pan of rainwater and wash it.” Jill stroked the gray-streaked hair from her aunt's scalp to the ends. “Would you like for me to make you a couple of pigtails? ”
    “Ralph used to call me his little squaw when I braided my hair.”
    “It must have been wonderful to be so much in love as you were.”
    “When I first saw him, I knew that he was the one I wanted to be with for the rest of my life. I went after him and never regretted it for a minute.” A little laugh caught in her throat. “Don't ever settle for second best, honey, when it comes to choosing your life's mate. Get a man who'll want you to stand beside him and not behind him.”
    “I've not seen anyone yet that I'd want to spend the rest of my life with.”
    “You will.” Justine chuckled and her eyes lit up. “It'll happen when you least expect it.”
    “Aunt Justine, do you really think I should go to the town meeting tonight? ”
    “It's a merchants 'meeting. You've got as much right to have your say as any of them. This hotel may not be fancy, but it's been here a lot longer than most businesses and it's important to the town.”
    “I'll go and listen, but I doubt if I'll say anything.”
    “I used to enjoy the meetings.” Justine's body was losing its strength, but her mind was sharp. “How many paying guests did we have last night? ”
    “Eight with the three on the weekly rate.”
    “You wouldn't have any trouble renting out more on a weekly basis. It's sure money. But you have to leave at least seven rooms open for travelers or Byers wouldn't be considered a hotel.”
    “I'm learning about the hotel business. Aunt Justine, why have you not offered meals? ”
    “Martha, who owns the restaurant across the street, nursed me through a time when I didn't know if I wanted to live or die. I don't want to take any of her business. Besides, it would be too much work for Radna.”
    “You think a lot of Radna, don't you? ”
    “You bet. She was the nearest thing to kin I had until you came. I wish she could find a good man who would appreciate her, ”Justine said wistfully. “A woman isn't complete without a mate.”
    “There are plenty here to choose from.”
    “Radna makes no bones about her colored blood. That narrows the field considerably.”
    “I'd never have guessed it and was surprised when she told me. I thought she was only part Indian.”
    “She is …mostly. She loved her mother and won't deny her blood.”
    “Aunt, will Martha be at the merchants 'meeting? I don't want to be the only woman there.”
    “I expect she will. She and Flora Hadley usually go. Why don't you go over and ask her? ”
    “I think I will.
    “Call Radna, honey. She'll help you get me up from this chair, and I'll lie down.”

Chapter 2
    J ILL FELT CONFIDENT IN A FRESHLY IRONED blue print dress with a ruffled oval neckline and a calf-length full skirt, but she was glad for the company of the big woman who ran Martha's Restaurant. They made their way down the wooden walk bordering the unpaved main street of Rainwater. This was the busy section of town. They had to pass through it in order to reach the schoolhouse, where the meeting would be held.
    Day or night, there was activity on the streets of Rainwater and even more on Saturday night. Jill wondered if everyone in the entire county had come to town. Loitering on the walks were roustabouts, loafers, roughnecks, men