Free Just Above a Whisper by Lori Wick

recite words we say without thinking.”
    “We’re not going to pray?” Peter double-checked with a perplexed furrow of his brow.
    “We might at the end of the meal, but not right now. Will you please pass me the bread plate, Hillary?”
    Reese wanted to laugh. She wasn’t all that accustomed to praying before a meal, so the shock for her was mild. The Muldoon children, however, looked as though their father had suggested something criminal.
    “Who wants to be first?” Douglas asked as he buttered the bread in his hand.
    “I’m thankful that Reese could join us,” Alison said, breaking the silence and smiling down the table at her spouse.
    Douglas grinned back before looking to his children. They were still taking it in when Douglas said, “A verse on thankfulness works too.”
    This got things moving. One by one the children chimed in with a verse or a word of thanks until they were interrupting each other. It made for a delightful meal. And Douglas remembered what he had said. When the meal was over, he asked everyone to bow their heads so he could pray.

     
    “This is the key to the Kingsley house,” Mr. Jenness said the following morning, dangling the key but not handing it to her. “The house is to be cleaned from top to bottom. I want it spotless. You have a week.”
    The irritation had returned the moment she stepped into the bank—it was swiftly followed by shock. He was holding the key out to Reese now, but she didn’t reach for it.
    “What’s the matter?”
    “A week?” she asked softly, her tone belying her severe gaze. “It’s the largest house on the green. It’s the largest house in town!” she amended. “And it hasn’t been occupied in all the years I’ve lived here.”
    “I am well aware of the status of the Kingsley house, Miss Thackery,” Mr. Jenness began pompously but tempered his tone when he noticed Reese’s eyes. She was, for the most part, a willing worker. But he was learning that she had her limits. He was tempted to bring up the subject of her papers, but in truth the house had to be done. He had also learned that although Reese was a hard worker, she was just one woman.
    “What about the stable and the outbuildings?” Reese asked. “Am I cleaning those as well?”
    “No. I’ll have someone else see to that. Just come back before we close today,” Mr. Jenness commanded, amending the original order, “and give me a report on what you accomplished.”
    Reese finally took the key, reminding herself she was supposed to be praying for this man and that he had retracted his original order.
    “I’ll be going to Mrs. Greenlowe’s for dinner today,” she felt a need to tell him. “Is that a problem?”
    He opened his mouth to tell her not to take much time, but his wife’s observation came back to him. He also wondered if she’d been fed enough over the years. Not even he could be so cruel.
    “No,” he said shortly and turned to sit behind the desk, effectively putting an end to the conversation.
    Reese didn’t linger. Sitting halfway down the green, the largest house in town awaited her. She knew she had not a moment to spare.

     
    “You’re filthy,” Mrs. Greenlowe observed when noon rolled around and Reese stepped into her kitchen from the porch.
    “What does he have you doing today?”
    “I’ll tell you all about it during dinner, if you’ll allow me into the house looking like this.”
    “Of course I will,” she returned, becoming all at once brisk.
    “Get yourself in here.”
    “I’m starving,” Reese said as she sat down, trying not to move too much.
    “Well, go ahead and pray!” Mrs. Greenlowe said with excitement. “I’ve got to know where you’ve been.”
    Reese had to control her laughter first. She had never met anyone like her landlady. She was unfailingly harsh to the unjust, but to the hard-working she was completely accepting.
    “Heavenly Father,” Reese began. “Thank You for this wonderful food and for all of Mrs.