For Your Love Read Online Free Page B

that pleasing. Going by what the foster kids experienced their first few months in town, the Dallas natives were in for some culture shock. She just hoped they didn’t find it too overwhelming.
    She glanced over at her daughter. “How do you think they’ll do here?”
    â€œI think they’re going to do okay. They were really impressed with the trailer. It’s a thousand times better than their old apartment back in Dallas.”
    While they were touring the fully furnished two-­bedroom place, there’d been smiles and sheer awe on their faces. The Ladies Auxiliary had provided everything from new beds for the twins to a fully stocked pantry and refrigerator.
    â€œThanks so much for letting them come here.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. Giving them a helping hand was an easy decision.”
    â€œBut you could’ve said no.”
    â€œTrue, but when you asked, I saw how serious you were, and how much it meant. I’m looking forward to getting to know them.”
    â€Bobby seems a little uncomfortable, though. I don’t think he’s ever had anyone be nice to him like this.”
    â€œPossibly.” She remembered how moved he’d appeared when he realized that the trailer was theirs rent-­free. The emotion she’d seen in his eyes said a lot about him. “Considering what you told me about his past, I’m sure he hasn’t, but he’ll get used to it.”
    â€œI hope so. I don’t want them to go back without giving this place a chance.”
    â€œNeither do I, so keep an eye on how they’re adjusting. They’ll probably be more comfortable confiding in you if they have a problem. If something comes up that you think I can help them with, let me know.”
    â€œOkay.”
    There was something else Bernadine had been wanting to talk with Crystal about, and she thought maybe now might be the time. Keeping her voice light, she asked, “So, how are you feeling about this whole college application process?”
    She saw Nathan’s eyes catch hers in the mirror. She didn’t mind that he was listening. Like everyone else in town, he and his wife, Lou, and their baby, Ethan, were family.
    Crystal shrugged. “Not being able to get into the places I want is kinda depressing.”
    Crystal had come to Henry Adams as a streetwise, mouthy fourteen-­year-­old runaway, and Bernadine adopted her a year later. She’d be graduating in the spring, and because she was also an outstanding artist, she’d applied to some of the major East Coast art schools. They’d all sent letters of: We regret to inform you . . .
    â€œMy SAT scores suck.”
    â€œOnly because of all the school you missed when you lived in Dallas. Academically you have some catching up to do, but you can enroll in the community college, work your butt off for those two years, and go from there. Easily fixed.”
    â€œI guess,” Crystal said gloomily. “When I was in Dallas, I didn’t want to go to college. Now that I do, I can’t get in.”
    â€œYou’ll get in—­just maybe not right away. Is your triptych almost done?”
    â€œAlmost.”
    One of the museums in California was sponsoring a contest for high school artists, and Crystal had been working for over a year on the three-­paneled project she planned to enter. First prize was scholarship money and the honor of having her work hung in the museum. When Crystal ran away from home this past fall, Bernadine had been afraid she’d turn her back on her art, along with everything else she’d gained since coming to Kansas. But now she was on track again in school, art, and life.
    â€œSubmissions begin in January, right?”
    â€œYes, and when I win, I can tell all the schools that turned me down to KMA.”
    Nathan’s smile was caught by the mirror.
    â€œNot sure that’s the mature way to respond,” Bernadine pointed out.