All I Have Read Online Free Page B

way outside into the twilight and a covered swing. She patted a spot next to her, waiting to start the swinging motion until he was settled.
    "So, dad said you might have some questions?"
    "Yeah, I might. But why don't you go first?"
    "Me?"
    "Sure. You must have questions as to why my dad and I are here. Just ask and I'll answer."
    Ellie gnawed her lower lip. All day she'd thought about spending time with Nicholas and getting to know him, but now that the opportunity was here, she didn't have a clue as to what to say! She lowered her head slightly and peered upwards from under veiled eyes. Poised to speak, voices coming from the study stopped her. The swing was in a garden that lined the side of the white farmhouse. Shane and Jake were talking with the window open.
    "I'm glad you called me, Shane."
    "Yeah, me too."
    "I just wish you had called earlier. Annie and I would have come to visit. We could have offered support. You know we'd have–"
    "–I know you both would have bent over backwards to help, but trust me, there was nothing anyone could do. We tried everything possible."
    "I know you did."
    "When I called to tell you–"
    "Shane, don't be ashamed. You can stay as long as you want. I'm just glad to have a friend around."
    The tone of the conversation changed as Shane asked more specific questions about his responsibilities on the farm. Ellie watched emotions flicker across Nicholas' face. She felt sorry for him. He appeared so lost. She said, "I met your mom once." As soon as she said the words, she regretted them.
    Nicholas stared across the yard, crossed his legs at the ankles, and folded his arms across his chest. Ellie didn't know what to say and stared at the ground. Unexpectedly, Nicholas said with a catch in his voice, "I didn't know."
    "I visited for a few days while checking out a college. Your mom was terrific. She took me shopping, told me stories about my mother, and shared your baby pictures."
    Nicholas groaned. "Tell me she didn't."
    Ellie laughed. "She did."
    "All of them?"
    Chuckling, she said, "Well I don't know about that. I just know there were pictures of you growing up. Some from little league baseball, a photo from a karate tournament, a couple from graduation, stuff like that." When he didn't respond, she added, "She was proud of you, you know."
    "How do you know that?" he whispered hoarsely.
    The sadness in his voice tore her heart. Ellie did her best to explain. "Well, she talked about little else but you. She told me how you graduated at the top of your college class. How you were being promoted in the military. She said one day she expected you to call and tell her you'd made General."
    "That sounds like her, always exaggerating my accomplishments." They were both silent, the only sound the squeak of the swing. Then Nicholas said, "It appears you have me at a bit of a disadvantage."
    "You think so? I'm sure if you ask my dad to pull out my baby pictures he'll more than oblige. Trust me; it doesn't take much to get him started. In fact, if we go to the study right now we might find him in the middle of doing just that." She laughed and repeated his earlier words, "What would you like to know? You ask and I'll answer."
    His placed his arm across the back of the wooden swing and stared intensely into her eyes. "Why don't you tell me about school? Your dad said you just graduated?"
    "I did. I went to State and received a business degree in finance."
    "So what are your plans?"
    A half laugh escaped. "You know, I haven't a clue. I've put in a few applications at local banks, but other than that, I'm content to help dad and just spend time with him."
    "Sounds nice."
    Ellie avoided his gaze and stared at the house. "I know I'm twenty-two and I should want nothing more than to leave home and start a career, but right now, I just want to be home. Dad is all I have left." Her last words came out as a whisper. It was easy to expose her soul to Nicholas. She felt a sense of oneness with him.
    He shifted