Free Whispers from Yesterday by Robin Lee Hatcher Page A

She’d even started helping with some of the chores around the place. She would have been completely inept if it hadn’t been for Billy. He never pointed out how stupid she was for not knowing something. He just calmly told her how to do this or where to find that, and then he continued with whatever story he’d been telling before the interruption.
    It surprised her, this friendship with the boy. She hadn’t spent much time around children. She’d believed kids were better cared for by nannies or shipped off to boarding schools, as she’d been.
    But she liked being with Billy. His smile alone could brighten her entire day. She couldn’t help wondering what the “miracle” had been that gave him back his ability to smile, not because it was expected of him but because he was truly happy.
    Maybe someday she would ask him.
    It was Friday evening, and Dusty, his assistant, Grant Ludwig, and the four boys had returned from the Yuli Basterra farm where they’d been baling hay the past week. They were a dirty, sweaty bunch, if Karen had ever seen one. And yet, she found herself smiling as she watched the good-natured pushing and shoving that went on while they stood on the porch and gave Sophia a quick rundown of their day.
    “All right, fellas,” Dusty said at last. “Time to wash up for supper. Unless my nose is totally out of whack from too much hay dust, I’d guess Miss Sophie’s got a roast in the oven.” He winked at the elderly woman.
    “It’s a roast, all right,” Sophia replied, “but I didn’t have anything to do with it. Karen made supper tonight.”
    Dusty’s eyes widened as he looked at her. “You did?”
    Indignation welled in her chest. He didn’t have to sound and look so surprised. But before she could tell him to jump off a bridgeor something, he grinned, and the sting was removed from his words.
    “We’d better hurry, boys. I don’t know about you, but I’m starved.”
    “So’m I!” Billy exclaimed before he took off running toward the bunkhouse. “I get the shower first.”
    The other boys followed him.
    “Will you stay and eat with us, Grant?” Sophia asked.
    “Thanks, Miss Sophie, but I’ve got a date tonight. I’d better get home and clean up or Wendy won’t want anything to do with me.” He bent his hat brim at Karen. “Evening, Karen.” He turned. “See you on Sunday, Dusty.” Then he strode toward his pickup.
    “That’s a man in love,” Sophia said as they watched him walk away.
    “Grant?” Dusty asked. “You think so?”
    “Without a doubt. Wendy Aberdeen is a lucky girl. He’ll make her a wonderful husband. He has the heart of a servant and will cherish her.”
    Her gaze still on Grant as he got into his truck and drove away, Karen felt a twinge of envy for the “lucky girl.” What was it like to be cherished? To be loved and accepted? The entire concept was outside Karen’s realm of experience. She didn’t know if she believed in it.
    “Are you all right, my dear?”
    Karen blinked, then glanced at her grandmother. “I’m fine,” she lied. “I’d better check the roast.” Without looking at anyone else, she hurried inside.

    The supper was surprisingly good. Dusty wouldn’t have believed it if he hadn’t tasted it himself. He suspected Sophia had given plenty of advice to her granddaughter.
    Finished with his dessert, Dusty shoved his plate away and let out a sigh of satisfaction. “That was great, Karen,” he said, not for the first time.
    “I’m glad you enjoyed it.” Blushing, she rose from her chair and reached for his plate.
    He stopped her with his fingers on the back of her wrist. “It’s Hal and Billy’s turn to clear the table.” When she met his gaze, he said, “Sit down and relax. You deserve it.”
    Her blush intensified, but she did as he’d asked.
    He tipped his chair back on two legs. “Hal’s got some good news for you.”
    “Good news?” Karen glanced toward Hal. “About my car?”
    “Yeah,” the boy