Of Body And Soul Read Online Free Page A

meant to be.”
    "I know. If my friend didn’t change her mind, I wouldn't be on this plane," Grayson said.
    "Then you’re not sure when you’re leaving for Taos?"
    " Possibly in a couple of days. I shouldn’t stay much longer. I think I’m going to sell the Taos property. I can’t make up my mind as what to do. Uncle Charles loved that place," she smiled.
    "I have wonderful paintings that Mom and Dad purchased when they went to visit you. Those paintings inspired me to become an artist."
    "Oh, how delightful. Pl ease come visit if I keep the estate. It's about twenty-five acres of beauty, with a wide stream that runs along the property. It also has six large out-buildings encircling a beautiful lake. When our friends from Manhattan came to visit, we’d use the buildings as guest cottages."
    "I'd love to visit and do some painting. Most of my work has been of upstate New York. I seem to capture the Catskills the best."
    "Isn't that something?" Grayson said, as she squeezed Andrea's arm. "Rita a nd Andrew loved the Catskills. Especially the charming town of Windham.”
    "I know. My memories of that area are like a film rolling on, and as long as I keep these pictures in focus, I'm able to express them on canvas.” Andrea blinked away the tears that welled in her eyes. “When I go to the mountains, I drive by the Inn where we vacationed, but I haven’t stayed there since they passed away. That area is wonderful, no matter what the season."
    "Is the Inn still there?" Grayson asked, pressing her fingers to her temples, as she tried to remember the name. "I can't believe it," Grayson sighed and shook her head. "Uncle Charles and I also stayed there. The Wyndemere. That's it.
    “ There were many summers when the four of us drove from the Catskills to Saratoga. We always stopped at this one restaurant in downtown Albany. Oh, what's the name of that place?" she hesitated, as her mind flipped through her memory file. "I got it, Jack's. Jack’s Oyster House on State Street."
    "You have some memory, Grayson. My friend, Emily and I had dinner there just the other night."
    Grayson closed her eyes as tears rolled down her still-beautiful face. "Oh how young we were, we two: Sizzling girls in those glorious summers!"
    "Oh, Grayson, I didn't mean to make you sad."
    "No dear, these are tears of joy. You know, it's a miracle we met today," she sniffled and dabbed at her eyes.
    "Grayson." Andrea paused a moment, hesitant about s aying her next thought. "The real reason I never kept in touch . . . ."
    Grayson searched Andrea's face. "What is it , dear?"
    "W ell, you know you looked so much like my Mom. At times, I couldn't bear to think of you, let alone talk with you or see you." She tried to avoid eye contact, even after all those years.
    "Don't fret over it. Everyone who met us for the first time thought Rita and I were sisters, and besides, it's a wonderful compliment," Grayson said happily. "From here on, it will be as if no years have passed between us. I'll be here for you whenever you need me." She reached over and patted Andrea's hand.
    Andrea took Grayson's hand in her own and felt a wonderful sense of being home. A blush of pleasure rose to her cheeks. She moved Grayson's things to the aisle seat then settled in next to her. "You know, God timed our meeting perfectly." Andrea smiled and held on to her old friend tightly.
    The engines roared . “Ladies and gentlemen,” the captain announced. “We will be taking off in a few minutes.” The passengers sighed with relief as the flight attendants walked up and down the aisle tightening seat belts and securing trays.
    When the attendant approached their aisle, she said. “The carryon must be stowed under the seat or in the overhead compartment.”
    Andrea nodded and gathered Grayson’s belonging and tucked them under the seat in front of them.
    “ Thank you, dear.” Grayson patted Andrea's hand once again to make sure she wasn't dreaming. "I think I'll listen to some