Free A Love All Her Own by Janet Lee Barton Page A

engaged to was her widowed brother-in-law. From all accounts, she’d been in love with him for a very long time. And now he was set to marry someone else.
    Leaning back in his chair, Marcus could see how that would be a devastating blow one would want to run from. He folded the letter up and slipped it into the envelope. He couldn’t understand it. Abigail was lovely. She seemed a little brittle at times, but after all she’d been through, that seemed understandable.
    There wasn’t much he could do about the hurt she’d suffered except pray for her, and he bowed his head and did just that.
    “Dear Father, I don’t know the facts on Abigail’s hurt, and perhaps I’m not meant to. But You know I’m a have-to-know kind of person, and I’ll try to find out so that I can understand her better. In the meantime, I just pray that You help her through the pain she must be feeling. Please help her to get over her broken engagement and be able to have the kind of life You want for her. Please help us to make her feel welcome here, and while You are at it, Lord, I have a feeling I’m beginning to care a little too much for her. Please help me not to lose my heart to her. She’s not likely to return any feelings I might have for her. Not right now, anyway. Please just help me to help her and keep her safe while she’s here. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
    ❧
    Abigail was surprised at how much she enjoyed the evening at the Wellingtons’ on Saturday night, considering how nervous she’d been when she found out that it was a party in her honor. Mrs. Wellington was so gracious and kind to do something like this.
    She’d been introduced to Dr. O’Malley and his wife and to one of the pharmacists in town, a Mr. Primm, and his wife. . .Donna, Abigail thought her name was. She knew she’d never remember them all, but by the end of the evening, she had a feeling she’d met most of the people she might need to know if she stayed for very long. She’d already met the minister on Sunday, but tonight, besides a doctor and a pharmacist, she’d met a lawyer and a banker and their wives. They were all very nice.
    She had a feeling she’d be receiving invitations for other dinners and outings very soon. Once the last guest left, she turned to her hostess. “Mrs. Wellington, I can’t thank you enough for having me tonight. My mother will probably cry when I write her about your kindness.”
    Mrs. Wellington patted her on the shoulder. “I just want you to feel at home in our town, dear. And I hope you will feel you can drop in on us anytime.”
    “But—”
    “And don’t you worry about formality. You are always welcome in our home. Always. If we are not here, you feel free to come in and stay as long as you’d like. In fact, I think you should just stay with us instead of at the Arlington, although it is a very nice hotel.”
    “How sweet of you. But I can’t impose that way.”
    “Abigail Connors.” Mrs. Wellington sounded so much like her mother that Abigail found herself fighting tears. “You are my dear friends’ daughter. That means you are family. You would not be imposing in any way, but I will try to understand your need to be on your own. Or at least accept it.”
    She smiled, and Abigail couldn’t help but chuckle.
    “But,” Mrs. Wellington continued, “I will be very hurt if you don’t visit often and keep in touch.”
    “I can’t think of anything I’d rather do,” Abigail answered honestly.
    “Good. Now, how would you like to come with me to a meeting at church next week? We are trying to find ways to help those who come here to make use of the springs but can’t afford to stay in the hotels.”
    Marcus had told her about the free bathhouses, but Abigail hadn’t really thought about those who might not be able to afford to stay indefinitely. And even if she had, at one time she would have put it to the back of her mind. She was a bit surprised to hear herself answer, “Yes, I’d be glad to go