In Plain View Read Online Free Page A

guess.”
    Annie wondered how many times she and her mother would have to go around this loop.
    “I wanted to leave a message on your phone,” Myra said, “but you have all these rules about what is a true emergency.”
    “It seemed the simplest thing to drive out here,” Brad said.
    “I’m sorry I wasn’t home.” Annie reached for the pot and warmed up her coffee.
    “We can take you back with us in the morning,” Myra said.
    “You’re staying the night?”
    “Certainly. Not here, of course. We’ve already checked in at Mo’s.”
    Annie nodded. Mo’s motel. Where they had electricity. And complimentary Wi-Fi.
    “I’m sure you’ll be comfortable there.” She paused. “I’m not sure about going back with you, though.”
    Myra’s fork hit the bare plate. “But you have to. I told you. Penny’s coming. It’s hard for her to get away.”
    “It might be hard for me to get away on short notice, too, Mom.”
    “But Penny’s only going to be here for a few days. She’s coming all the way from Seattle. Can’t you come seventy-five miles? I’d like to have You both home at the same time.”
    “I know, Mom. I’m not sure about tomorrow, that’s all. I’ll have to figure out my work schedule.”
    Myra waved a hand. “You don’t even need that job.”
    “I need work for reasons other than money.”
    “If you need something,” Brad said, “you let me know.”
    “Don’t be silly, Brad.” Myra pushed her empty plate away. “She has more money than you and I can ever dream of.”
    Annie groaned. “Mom, we’ve been through this. I only have what I made when I sold my condo. I have to be careful. It has to last me indefinitely. All the profits from the sale of the business went into a charity foundation. I can’t touch it.”
    “Your compassionate humanitarianism is admirable, but why you left yourself in need, I’ll never understand.”
    “I’m not in need,” Annie said. “I’m just living more simply, and it’s good to have work.”
    “But in an antiques store? Why don’t the Amish rules let you make money with what you know how to do—technology?”
    “This is what I want, Mom. You have to accept it.”
    “But they put such value on family. We’re your family. Surely They would want you to see your sister.”
    “I do want to see Penny.” Annie missed her sister, who had not written so much as a thank-you note in at least five years. They used to communicate by texting most of the time. Annie had written two letters explaining the changes in her life, but she heard Penny’s reaction only through their mother on the phone. “How long will she be here?”
    “Just until Thursday. It’s a short visit. You must come home.”
    “Please come,” Brad said. “We can have dinner together a few times and catch up.”
    As determined as Annie had been over the winter to live without electricity and a car, and to learn to cook her own food instead of ordering takeout every night, she would be lying if she said she did not miss her family. But Mrs. Weichert was counting on her to look after the shop in the morning, and Franey Beiler was expecting her tomorrow afternoon.
    “I’ll figure something out.” Annie’s eyes suddenly ached to close, and she clamped her jaw against the urge to yawn.
    Brad stood up and started stacking dishes, a habit Annie had always admired in her father. If she did not stop him, he would take the dishes into the kitchen and insist on washing them.
    “That’s a beautiful shelf.” Brad glanced at a white oak shelf fixed to the wall beside the dining room window.
    “Thank you. Rufus made it.”
    Brad inspected the carved pattern along the front ledge. “He’s quite skilled.”
    “I know.” Pride flushed through Annie, and she reminded herself. Humility, humility, humility .
    “And these books?” her father asked. A dozen or so volumes in various colors and thicknesses populated the shelf.
    “Various genealogy books,” Annie said. “Several have