The Lakeside Inn by Leeanna Morgan (ebooks children's books free .txt) 📗

uncertainly in the doorway was the little red-headed boy he’d met the other day.

“Hi, Pastor John. Mrs. Devlin said to tell you the basketball game has just started.”

John grinned. “Thanks, Jack. I’ll be there soon.”

Jack’s bright blue gaze connected with Wyatt’s. “When are you painting the walls?”

“We’ll start planning what we’ll paint at the end of next week.”

“Dad is nearly okay with me helping. Can you talk to him?”

Wyatt glanced at John. He knew nothing about Jack and his dad or what might make Jack’s dad hesitate.

“Your dad probably has other things on his mind.” Pastor John knelt beside Jack. “Once we have the place and time we’re meeting, I’ll ask your dad if it’s okay if you come.”

“Thanks. Dad likes you.”

John ruffled Jack’s hair. “I like you both, too. You’d better hurry back to Mrs. Devlin or she’ll wonder where you’ve gone.”

Jack lifted his arm in a silent wave to Wyatt before rushing out of the office.

“He’s a good kid,” John said. “He’s been living in the tiny home village with his dad for the last six months.”

“How did his dad end up in a wheelchair?”

“Richard’s army truck hit a land mine in Afghanistan. His right leg had to be amputated.”

“That must have been devastating.”

“It changed his life in ways he never imagined. They gave him a prosthetic leg, but he has a lot of trouble with it. When the pain is too much, he uses a wheelchair.”

“Can the leg be modified so it’s more comfortable?”

John looked through the window. “His insurance only covered the first leg. Anything after that is seen as cosmetic. Richard has a few options, but he would have to see a specialist at a private clinic. That’s beyond his finances, so he makes do as best he can.”

Wyatt stood beside John. Jack was running across the yard, heading at full speed toward the basketball court. “Is there anything I can do?”

“Encouraging Richard to be part of the art project will help him and his son. Richard will feel more connected to the community, and Jack loves to be involved in everything.”

A roar of applause filled the air. “You’re missing a great game.”

“You’re right.” John picked up his baseball cap. “If you’re not doing anything you could join me.”

“Maybe another time. I need to spend the rest of the day painting.”

“Will you finish everything in time for your exhibition?”

“I hope so. Enjoy the game.”

Wyatt followed John out of the building and headed toward the parking lot. Halfway to his truck, another cheer filled the air.

He enjoyed basketball. But, apart from the art project, he hadn’t taken time off work in so long that he felt guilty just thinking about it. His work consumed him, filled the darkest part of who he was with hope, and put food on his table.

Without it, he worried that he’d go back to the person he was after his wife died—and he never wanted to be that person again.

Chapter 5

For the tenth time that day, Penny checked her emails. After she’d arranged to take another week off work, her boss had told her he was emailing everyone about the vacant management position in her team.

There were four new messages, but nothing from work. With a heavy sigh, she left the kitchen. As she grabbed her coat from the hallway closet, Charlie skidded to a stop in front of her.

Penny patted his head. “Hi, boy. Where’s Diana?”

Charlie’s head swung toward a room opposite them. She should have realized that’s where her sister would be. As well as being Penny’s favorite room, it had now become her sister’s, too.

Their grandmother had affectionately named the special room the tower because of its circular wall and high ceiling. When they were younger, Diana refused to cut her hair. Her one and only goal was to become Rapunzel and dangle her long golden locks from the highest window.

Penny smiled when she saw Diana. She was sitting in a pool of late afternoon sunshine, sorting through some old photographs.

“I’m going for a walk around the lake. Do you want to come?”

“I’m okay here. I want to sort through these photos before I go into town tomorrow. Have you heard from your boss?”

“Not yet.”

Diana checked her watch. “You should hear from him soon.”

“That’s what I’m hoping, too. I’ll be back in the next hour.”

“Don’t rush. Barbara’s making dinner.”

Penny had already seen the meat marinating in the refrigerator and the salads sitting on a shelf. Her sister was so organized, it was scary. “Do you want me to take Charlie for a walk, too?”

As if sensing an opportunity to escape, the Golden Labrador sat at her feet, his big brown eyes focused entirely on Penny.

Diana laughed. “It looks as though he’s decided for both of us. Enjoy your walk.”

By the time they left the house, a gentle breeze was drifting across the lake. Penny breathed in the clean, crisp air. It was wonderful to be outside, to let go of all the thoughts that were racing around her head.

She looked either side of her. With no one else in sight, she let Charlie off his leash and followed the path that would take them farther away from town.

When her cell phone pinged, she opened her emails. With a pounding heart, she read the message from her boss. This couldn’t be right. He’d told her they would start the recruitment process next month. But, for some reason, they’d moved a manager from a different department into the role.

She read the email again, wondering if she’d missed something. There was no way anyone could do the job without having previous experience in property management. A sinking feeling hit her stomach. Had asking for more time away from work been a mistake? Did her boss think she wasn’t committed to the organization? That she’d changed her mind and didn’t want the promotion?

Charlie barked and she looked over her shoulder. Wyatt was walking along the same path. But instead of being able to enjoy the peaceful serenity of the