A Mother at Heart Read Online Free

were standing on the porch. “What did you mean when you said you saw that lady’s picture in Mommy’s book? What book?”
    â€œMommy’s book. You know.” Taryn shook herhead at her father’s obtuseness. “Me and Grandma found it in the attic.”
    â€œWell, you’ll have to show me the book when I tuck you in.” He was curious, but knew it would have to wait.
    Jake gave her a quick hug, and, holding her tiny hand, walked back down the hallway.
    â€œYour supper is on the table, son.” Tilly smiled at Jake as he sat. “Taryn, you should run and get your pajamas on. It’s getting late.”
    Taryn dropped her head, her fingers fiddling restlessly with each other, her lip beginning to curl in a classic pout. “But I wanna talk to the lady,” she mumbled, lifting her eyes briefly to her father.
    Jake frowned at his daughter. She got the unspoken command, and, sighing, turned and left.
    Miriam was already ensconced on the bench against the wall, a cup of tea in front of her. Fred sat beside her, bringing Miriam up to date on what had happened in Waylen while she’d been gone.
    â€œHere you go, son.” Tilly set a plate of warmed-up food in front of him—fried chicken, creamed peas, mashed potatoes, and applesauce on the side. His mouth watered at the sight. “And here are your messages.” Tilly set an assortment of papers in front of him with scribbled names and numbers. “I should charge you secretarial fees,” Tilly joked. “Melissa Toews phoned three times. Said it was important.”
    Jake stifled a groan. Melissa could never be accused of being coy, he thought, flipping through the messages.
    â€œDo you want the cordless phone?” Fred asked, reaching behind him to take the phone off the cradle.
    â€œI don’t feel like phoning anyone tonight.” Jake set the papers aside. He often took care of his business during supper, but tonight he didn’t feel like it. All of them could wait. Especially Melissa.
    â€œAre you sure you don’t want any supper, Miriam?” Tilly asked her, setting a cup of coffee in front of Jake.
    â€œI’m fine, thanks.” Miriam smiled gently at Tilly and rested her elbows on the table, avoiding Jake’s look. “This kitchen looks the same as I remember it.”
    He wondered why she had come. Then, pushing aside his own thoughts, he bowed his head in prayer. He pulled in a slow breath, willing the negative thoughts away. He slowly let himself be open to God, thanking him for the food, for the day. He paused a moment, his thoughts turning to the girl sitting at the same table, and he sent up a prayer for Miriam, as well.
    Praying for her put everything into perspective. Praying for her changed her from an old girlfriend whom he had often thought about to just a person from his past. And as he prayed for her, he felt peace.
    He opened his eyes and unconsciously sought her out. She was watching him, her soft brown eyes full of a sorrow he hadn’t seen there before. But with a blink of her long eyelashes, it was gone.
    â€œAnd how is your mother?” Tilly asked, leaning forward. “We haven’t heard from her, either, since both of you left.”
    Jake stopped chewing, his own curiosity piqued by Tilly’s straightforward, but softly spoken question.
    Miriam looked down, running her finger along thehandle of the earthenware mug in front of her. “She died six months ago in Toronto. She’d had a stroke and was just getting worse. I think death was a relief for her.” Jake felt sudden empathy. He had never cared for Miriam’s mother, but he knew that Miriam had loved her. He wanted to catch Miriam’s gaze, to tell her he understood, but after his barely restrained hostility toward her in his truck, he felt he had no right.
    â€œOh, dear.” Tilly reached across the table and caught Miriam’s hand in her own. “I’m