Free Turner's Rainbow 2 - The Rainbow Promise by Lisa Gregory

whatever you want, that it doesn't matter how you started out or what your name is. She's made me believe it, too. She's given me so much—I don't mean the farm, but inside. She showed me what I can do. She gave me a chance when there wasn't another soul on earth who would have."
    "She sees who you really are, like I do."
    "Yeah." Luke grinned. "And she doesn't even hold that against me."
    "Oh, Luke." Julia made an expression of mock exasperation. "She must be a saint to put up with your teasing."
    "She probably is."
    "But even a saint couldn't be happy about having a strange woman suddenly living in her house. I don't want to make trouble between you and Sarah."
    Luke smiled and touched Julia's cheek. "I can't imagine a woman less likely to make trouble than you."
    "But it's hard to have a stranger in your house, especially one with two children. Sarah won't like that."
    "You don't know Sarah. She's happy that you're here. She came out to meet me tonight, glowing all over, like she had a wonderful secret. She loves me, Julie." Luke's voice roughened, and he glanced away. "She loves me so much I can't believe it. She wants me to be happy, and she knows how happy it makes me to have you here. Sarah's good; she's generous." He paused and shrugged. "There's no way to tell you. You'll just have to see it for yourself. But for now, take my word for it. You won't be a burden. You won't create trouble. Sarah and I want you here."
    "Thank you."
    "Besides, Sarah's six months along; she could use a helping hand. The housework is a lot for her to do by herself, even when she's feeling good. But with her getting heavier and tireder and with summer coming on—well, it'd be impossible. The Crowleys, our neighbors, were going to send their oldest girl over to help starting next month, but you being here will be better."
    "That's true. I could do a lot of things for her." Julia's spirits brightened. This house and alt the extra work that went with summertime would be too much for a pregnant woman. Julia realized that she would be useful, not a burden. If Sarah really was as nice as she seemed, maybe she wouldn't look down on Julia and think she was ignorant and low class. Maybe they could even be friends. And by the time Sarah was able to handle all the housework and the new baby by herself, Julia would have had plenty of time to look around for some kind of work. Perhaps she could even build up a little nest egg by taking in sewing in her spare time.
    "There. See? You're a blessing, not a problem. Now, tell me how you got here. Who is this Micah fellow?"
    "I walked," Julia replied simply.
    "You what? All the way from Gideon?"
    "Yes. How else could I come?"
    "Why didn't you telegraph me? I would have come and gotten you."
    "I didn't think of it. It would have cost money, and I . . . I didn't think of it."
    Luke grimaced. He guessed a few years ago he wouldn't have thought of it either. "I'm sorry."
    Julia shrugged. "It wasn't that bad. But it was tiring, and we didn't bring enough food. A mile or two from your house, I—well, it was silly, but I fainted. Micah happened along, and he helped me. He carried me part of the way, until I came to, and after that, he carried the suitcase and let me lean on him; my knees were watery."
    Luke sighed. "I'n sorry this happened to you. Things will be better for you now. I promise." Luke rose from his chair. "I'm going out to talk to this fellow who helped you. And you better go on up to bed. You need the rest."
    "All right." Julia stood up, too, and reached out to take Luke's hand, "Thank you."
    "No need to thank me, I'm glad you're home."
    "So am I."
    ❧
    When Luke returned to the house, Sarah was already upstairs getting ready for bed. She sat in a chair, bending down to unlace her high-topped shoes and slip them off. She smiled up at Luke, and be brushed his hand against her cheek.
    "Julie's husband's dead."
    "What?" Sarah had thought of other reasons for Julia to be here, but not of that. "But he's