Free Mountain Sanctuary by Lenora Worth Page A

harshly, Adam.”
    “I’m not judging anyone,” Adam replied. “It’s not my place to judge.”
    “Good, then you and me will get along just fine.”
    Adam knew Wally was being sincere. And he also knew that he’d just been warned to tread lightly around Stella Forsythe. And her father.

Chapter Seven

    L ater that night, Adam was back out in the garden enjoying the merging scents of honeysuckle, wisteria and jasmine as he strolled silently around the dark house. Soon the towering magnolia tree out from the carriage drive would be blooming. He could see the iridescent white buds in the moonlight. The smell of flowers made him miss his grandmother’s garden back in New Orleans. His whole family had lived on the outskirts of the city and now, most of them were trying to rebuild after the floods and storms. He’d called his mother earlier, just to reassure her that he was doing fine. Of course, everyone wanted to know when he was coming home.
    “I’m not sure, Mom,” he’d told her. “I like it here and I’ve found a temporary job. Just some handyman work.”
    “You always did like to putter with wood and paint. Just take care of yourself, son. And remember, we all have storms to get through. Both from the weather and from life. Don’t forget that we all love you. And your brother sends his love and, Adam, he’s really sorry. You need to forgive him.”
    “I already have, Mom.”
    Adam could forgive his brother for getting them both caught up in the bad of this world, but he wouldn’t forget what had driven him away from his home. And because he was all alone and nearly broken from all the grief of those storms, he had needed to get away for a while. Maybe that was why he felt so safe and centered here, so far away from the waters surroundings New Orleans. He glanced up at the looming shadow of the mountain that served as a backdrop against the town. That mountain seemed so solid and sure, so formidable. It felt like a great wall of protection around him.
    But how long can I just sit here, wishing on a mountain? Maybe his mother was right; maybe he needed to come back home in order to get on with his life.
    It occurred to him that Stella and he hadn’t really discussed the length of his work here. He couldn’t just stay in the Sanctuary House indefinitely, could he? Stella needed to rent that space to make money, not give it over to him for as long as he needed. And while the room and bed were both comfortable, the decor was a touch too feminine and dainty for his liking. But he sure didn’t want to leave just yet. There was so much to do around here. Gardening, carpentry, cooking, mending here and there, helping Kyle with his homework, helping Stella get her dad to the doctor. Not to mention getting to know all the interesting guests who came through those doors.
    Whoa! Adam stopped his train of thought, halting his restless pacing as he reached the end of the long driveway. All of that sounded kind of long-term and full of commitment. Adam wasn’t so sure he was ready for any kind of permanent arrangement.
    He shifted back toward the house, hoping sleep would come easy now that he’d had some fresh air. He was stepping up on the side porch underneath the carriage drive when he saw a light click on in the old garage out back. Wondering who could be out there at this time of night, and knowing his cop’s instincts wouldn’t allow him to just ignore the light, he headed toward the carriage house then peeked through the paned windows.
    Stella stood at a worktable staring at a set of old white dishes. Intrigued, Adam watched as she pulled out a carrying case full of paints and started rummaging through them until she seemed satisfied with her choices. He’d heard Wally mention she liked to paint, and he recalled her saying something about that the day they’d met.
    Was she about to get serious with some moonlighting on her hobby?
    Not wanting to disturb her, Adam turned to leave but his foot hit an old