Heart's Design: A Contemporary Christian Romance Read Online Free Page B

positioned in a pleasing arrangement, and the coffee table and end tables were constructed from sturdy pine. From what she could tell at first glance, all the pieces boasted high quality craftsmanship. Delicate brass as well as glass decorative accents and fixtures complemented the highly-polished hardwood floors. A large, brightly-colored woven rug covered the middle of the room. An inviting bookcase overflowing with books lined one entire wall.
    This place was nothing like the cold, impersonal marble-tiled front foyer in her Boston home that boasted one-of-a-kind, priceless works of fine art. Money could buy things of exquisite taste and design but couldn’t touch this room for pure appeal and charm. Here, she could have run and played like a normal child instead of being forced to wear fancy dresses and enduring reprimands by stern-faced staff admonishing her not to sit on that chair or touch that sculpture. Heaven forbid she’d ever slide down the banister or roller skate on those shiny, smooth floors. The one time she and Bryce dared to rollerblade in the front marble foyer resulted in her being grounded for a week—not the punishment her mother intended since it meant she missed functions she’d never wanted to attend in the first place.
    A plump, pleasant-faced woman with beautiful white hair hurried around the corner, nearly running into Kat. “Oh!” Visibly startled, the woman moved one hand to her chest, breathing heavily. “Sorry. I didn’t hear you come in.” Recovering her composure, she wiped her hands across a flour-covered apron worn over a cotton dress. “Welcome, girls. I’m Beverly Landon.”              
    Caroline smiled and stepped forward. “You have such a beautiful place here, Mrs. Landon.”
    “Why, thank you, dear. How kind of you to say. Randy and I bought it from my parents more than twenty years ago, so we’ve been here a long time. It’s a lot of upkeep, but we love it.” Judging from the well-etched lines surrounding her eyes and mouth, smiling was the most natural thing in the world for this woman.
    “We stopped at Mahoney’s Market,” Caroline said. “Clara recommended your B&B and suggested we stop here to see if you have a vacancy.”
    Beverly’s brows drew together over her dark-eyed gaze. “Dear Clara. I should call her and find out how her sweet little granddaughter is doing today.”
    “If you’re referring to Lacey, she woke up with the croup.”
    Caroline ignored the stares from her friends and Beverly didn’t appear surprised to hear this news from a stranger. “Well, now, I’m sorry to hear that. It’s a shame, but they were afraid that was going to happen. Seems like that poor child has suffered from one thing after another from the time she was born. Okay, now, girls. As it happens, your timing is great. We have one room available since we had a last-minute cancellation not even an hour ago. The room is spacious and has two double beds, if that’s satisfactory. Otherwise, we’re full up.” With a weary smile, Beverly glanced at each of them, her gaze finally resting on Caroline.
    Kat winked at Caroline. “Trust me, we’ve shared primitive conditions the last few days. I’m sure we can put up with each other. Not a problem.”
    “Wonderful. Then let’s get you signed in.” Beverly walked behind a desk in a corner alcove and pulled out a heavy-looking book.
    “I’m sure it’s a very busy time for you with all the wedding festivities. Clara told us your daughter’s getting married,” she added when Beverly glanced up from the book. “If we can get the key, we’ll find our room, and let you get back to whatever you need to do.”
    “Oh, it’s no bother.” Beverly waved her hand. “Everything’s under control for the wedding. We’re pretty simple around here, and I have lots of help. The good Lord must have known you’d be coming and needed a place to stay. Let me have you sign the guest register, and then I’ll take you