Free Where Azaleas Bloom by Sherryl Woods

know.”
    “We surely will,” Alicia promised.
    Kelly Ann gave Lynn another hug before they left. Lynn stared
after them. While it grated to recall how the encounter had begun, she felt
better about how it had ended. It had been a revelation, in fact.
    Maybe people in town really would take her side over Ed’s.
She’d wondered about that. He was the son of a beloved insurance executive whose
company handled policies for most everyone in town. Ed was now the big shot in
charge, a position that commanded a lot of respect. She’d been so intent on
running their home and being involved in a few things at school that her own
circle of friends had grown smaller.
    Just thinking about the possibility that she could have moral
support while this awful mess played out buoyed her spirits. It was possible
that the deliberate attempts to isolate herself to avoid the judgments she
thought people might be making had been unnecessary. It was time to hold her
chin up and start facing people.
    * * *
    When Raylene returned from the bank, she looked at the
receipt book and whistled. “Nice sales!”
    Lynn chuckled. “Guilt sales,” she said, then explained what had
happened.
    Raylene shook her head. “I’m glad it turned out okay and you’ll
make a nice commission, but I hope those two learned a lesson.”
    “I doubt it,” Lynn said with a shrug. “You grew up in this
town, same as me. People talk. It’s not going to change.”
    Raylene sighed. “I suppose, but I don’t have to like it,
especially when I see one of my friends hurt by their thoughtlessness.”
    “I’m not hurt, not really,” Lynn said. “In fact, it was
eye-opening. I assumed everyone was going to take Ed’s side, so I’ve been
avoiding people. He’s the big wheel in town. He prides himself on knowing
everybody and taking real good care of them.”
    “He’s not taking such good care of you, though, is he?” Raylene
said knowingly. “That will matter to people, Lynn. Family counts in this town,
and the way a man treats his family says a lot about his own moral character. It
wouldn’t surprise me a bit to see him lose business over the way he’s handling
this divorce. Carter was saying just last night that once the insurance policy
for the police department is up in a few months, he wants to negotiate with
another company.”
    “You’re kidding,” Lynn said, astounded. “Because of me and the
kids?”
    “Because a man who screws up his personal life can’t be trusted
with other people’s business,” Raylene said. “And that’s just about a direct
quote. Of course, Carter is one of those stand-up guys with a strict moral code,
which makes him a fantastic police chief but a little tough for those of us with
flaws. You remember how we met, the day Sarah’s little boy ran off while I was
supposed to be watching him? Carter didn’t think much of me then.”
    Lynn recalled the terrifying incident all too well. “Give the
man a break. He didn’t understand about the agoraphobia at that point. And he
did apologize for his judgmental attitude after Travis filled him in.”
    “He did,” Raylene said, smiling, “And proved he had plenty of
redeeming qualities.”
    “The man adores you,” Lynn said. “Flaws and all, assuming you
have any. He certainly stuck right by you while you were fighting the
agoraphobia and couldn’t leave the house. I think we all marveled at that.”
    “He was a saint, no question about it. And he’s been a rock for
his sisters since their parents died, but he has his judgmental moments. Of
course, when it comes to dealing with Ed, I happen to agree with his decision.
I’m moving all my policies the first chance I get, too.”
    Lynn gave her a wry look. “Much as I love the idea of
retribution, you do realize that if Ed’s business goes under, my situation will
get even worse.”
    Raylene stared at her with dismay. “Well, fudge! I hadn’t
thought of that.”
    “Believe me, I have,” Lynn said. “I have