Laura Abbot Read Online Free Page A

your help.”
    “My pleasure. I’ll let you know when I hear something.”
    After she left the office, Laurel paused on the sidewalk studying the nearly deserted street. In her mind she fast forwarded to summer, picturing the broad canopy of leaves above, kids on bikes, the streets crowded with tourists. So much to accomplish in so little time. Despite the challenges, she couldn’t hold back a satisfied smile. Nothing she’d ever done had felt so right.
     

    I T WAS LATE AFTERNOON when Ben got back to his office. He’d made it to the courthouse in Lake City in time to file his brief in the Pendleton case. He didn’t like doing tort work, but he couldn’t be choosy. Not if he wanted his practice to thrive. Thrive? Survive was more like it.
    He checked his voice mail. Two calls from clients and one from Ellen Manion. Nothing urgent. He would return the calls in the morning.
    It was nearly six before he finished reviewing the trust document Janet had prepared in his absence. Since she had already left, he was surprised when he heard someone in the reception area call his name.
    He went to investigate. Ellen waited tentatively by Janet’s desk. “Ellen? Hey, I’m sorry. I got your message. I planned to call you tomorrow.”
    “It’s no big deal. I just wanted to thank you.”
    “For what?”
    She smiled broadly. “Referring Laurel Eden.”
    Laurel. He didn’t want to admit how often today he’d lost his concentration because of her.
    “Ben?”
    “Huh?”
    “Laurel Eden.” She snapped her fingers. “You remember.”
    He struggled to regain his poise. “What about her?”
    “She made an offer on a property today.”
    “She what? ” He had no idea why the idea both stunned and exhilarated him.
    “The cottage on Shore Lane.” Ellen was scrutinizing him. “The old Mansfield place.”
    “Oh.”
    “Is that all you have to say?”
    He found himself stammering. “Well, uh, congratulations.”
    “Congratulations are a bit premature. I haven’t heard from the owners yet.” She fingered the buttons of her coat. “But I hope it works out. Laurel is quite excited about her plans for the place.”
    “The gift shop?” He had a sudden urge to warn Laurel off. What she was undertaking was financially risky.
    “I think her ideas have real promise.”
    “For her sake, I hope so.” He had the feeling Ellen hadn’t said all she came to say.
    “If this sale goes through, I have you to thank. As a token of my appreciation for the referral, I was wondering if maybe I could take you to dinner tonight.” She smiled crookedly.
    Ben had known Ellen all his life. She’d played “Farmer in the Dell” with him in kindergarten, tutored him in Spanish in junior high and been his prom date their senior year. A guy couldn’t have a better friend. Buddies, that’s what they were. But in this pregnant silence, he had the uncomfortable notion she might have more in mind than a mere professional thank-you.
    “I appreciate the offer, but tonight’s out.” He waved a hand in the direction of his office. “I have work that has to be wrapped up before morning.”
    Ever so faintly, her face flushed. “It was just a thought.”
    “Maybe another time,” he suggested to fill the awkward pause.
    “Sure.” She opened the door, then looked back over her shoulder. “When you see your mother, tell her hello for me.”
    “I will.”
    After she left, he stood in the middle of the room wondering why he couldn’t be attracted to her. Someday he’d have time to consider marriage, though not before things evened out with his family and the practice. As a prospective partner, Ellen made all kinds of sense. She was a lovely, talented, generous woman. They had lots in common. His siblings liked her. His mother liked her. He liked her.
    But, improbably, it was Laurel Eden, about whom he knew almost nothing, who occupied his thoughts—from the very first moment he’d laid eyes on her.
     

    L AUREL PULLED ON flannel pajama bottoms