Free Foxfire Light by Janet Dailey Page A

prefer to be independent rather than to rely on someone else to support me.”
    Joanna had the vague impression there was some kind of a dig in the last statement. “I must admit I agree with your philosophy.”
    This time Rachel didn’t make any comment at all to Joanna’s remark. Again she sensed that it was the mention of Reece. But why? If only she could get the woman to open up, maybe she would learn something. With an inner sigh. Joanna returned to the only safe topic she knew—the woman’s pride in her business.
    â€œFrom what I saw the other day, your shop seems to be very successful. That can’t happen without a good deal of time and effort.”
    â€œIt has taken several years to establish a reputation and acquire a clientele that keeps coming back,” Rachel agreed that it had required an effort.
    â€œHow long have you had the store?” she asked. “I know it’s been more than six years, because Reece bought me a Kewpie doll. At the time, I wasn’t overly enthused about it. I was trying so hard to be accepted as an adult and here was my uncle bringing me a child’s gift—or so I thought at the time.”
    â€œHe is your uncle?” The question appeared to be startled from Rachel, a wary and surprised look in her eyes.
    â€œOf course, he’s my uncle,” Joanna laughed with some surprise at the question and noticed the sudden flush that colored the woman’s cheeks. “Who did you think he was?”
    â€œI’m sorry. Of course I knew he was your uncle.” Rachel insisted forcefully and did an excellent job of recovering her poise.
    It was beginning to register what the widow had thought. “You didn’t believe I was his niece, did you?” she accused thoughtfully. “You had convinced yourself I was his lover masquerading as his niece for the sake of propriety.”
    â€œIs it so illogical?” Rachel no longer attempted to deny it. “Your uncle is an extraordinarily charming man, wealthy—sophisticated. It isn’t that unlikely he would have a young mistress, is it?”
    â€œIt isn’t unlikely,” Joanna admitted. “But it doesn’t happen to be true either. And I doubt very much if Reece would try to hide the fact. If he cared enough about a woman to have an affair with her, he certainly wouldn’t treat her with the disrespect of a false claim that they were related. He simply isn’t made that way.”
    â€œI don’t know your uncle all that well,” Rachel asserted in defense of her wrong conclusion.
    â€œFrom what I can gather, it’s your fault that the two of you haven’t become better acquainted,” Joanna murmured.
    She lowered her gaze, losing her air of self-containment. Joanna was startled to see how unsure the widow seemed, almost vulnerable. But her voice was steady when she replied to Joanna’s subtle jibe.
    â€œConsidering the circumstances, there has hardly been time to become acquainted with your uncle. Running my business requires most of my hours and the summer is my busiest season. I barely have time for close friends and your uncle is only here one month of the year. That is hardly the basis for a stable relationship, even discounting the fact that we have nothing in common.”
    â€œNothing in common,” Joanna repeated, a little puzzled. “It would seem to me that you have several things in common, not the least among them would be that you both own and manage your own company.”
    â€œPlease, Miss Morgan,” the widow protested in a scathing tone. “Let’s not pretend that my little store in any way compares to the large organization Reece runs. He lives in a sophisticated world of high finance and I’m just a little shopkeeper. We hardly travel in the same circles.”
    â€œI don’t think we’re talking about the same person,” Joanna said with a vaguely amused look.