Second Chance Hero Read Online Free

she’d have to save up more money before she could even get started. And what if she failed? Besides, the one time she’d mentioned it to Uncle Grover, he’d counseled her about all the pitfalls she could face and she’d gotten the impression he didn’t think it was something she should even attempt.
    Still, every time she allowed herself to dream about the future she wanted for herself and Joy, the yearning to take more control of her life grew.
    â€œHave you heard about the plans for the Founders’ Day celebration?”
    Verity pushed away her daydreams and focused on Hazel’s question. “You mean there’s going to be more to it than the town picnic this year?”
    â€œA
lot
more. Ever since Mayor Sanders realized this is the seventy-fifth anniversary of Turnabout’s founding, he’s wanted to do something special, which to him means something bigger and flashier.”
    That was Mayor Sanders, all right. Some things about this town never changed.
    â€œHe’s talking about a grand festival,” Hazel continued, “sort of like a county fair, with games, contests, food, performances. He’s even talking about bringing in a traveling circus or an acting troupe.”
    Verity listened with only half an ear as Hazel recounted the discussion from yesterday’s town council meeting. Instead, her thoughts drifted back to Mr. Cooper.
    Hazel was wrong. She wasn’t taken with the man. Well, not exactly. She was merely curious about him. When she looked into his intense eyes, she still got the sense of something controlled but dangerous. Yet seeing him with that little lapdog had contradicted that impression. Showing kindness to a small animal and speaking of putting down roots seemed to indicate a man who was compassionate and responsible.
    Which was the real man? Or was it possible he could be a combination of both?
    The sound of a dog barking outside made her think again of the small dog itself. Beans—what a whimsical name for the animal.
    Perhaps someday—there was that nebulous
someday
again—if she could find a similar lapdog, one that she knew was well behaved, she could get it for Joy.
    Verity glanced over her shoulder to check on her daughter again, but neither the five-year-old nor the cat was in the same spot any longer. She turned fully around. “Joy?” Where had the girl gotten off to?
    Hazel paused midsentence and glanced quickly around the shop. “She probably followed Buttons to one of his hiding places. Check behind the counter.”
    â€œJoy!” Verity said the name louder this time, using her no-nonsense, answer-me-now voice. She knew it was probably an overreaction, but she couldn’t help herself. Her late husband’s violent death had given her a terrible lesson on how tragedy could strike in the blink of an eye. And she’d found herself wanting to hold tighter and tighter to her daughter ever since.
    When there was still no response, Verity’s focus sharpened. If Joy was just behind the counter, why wasn’t she answering? “Joy, this isn’t a game. Come out this minute.”
    Still no answer. Could she have gone upstairs? Verity had half turned in that direction when Hazel spoke up, halting her in her tracks.
    â€œShe’s out on the sidewalk.”
    Verity spun around and headed for the door. Why hadn’t she kept a closer eye on Joy?
    A warning shout sounded just as she stepped outside, closely followed by a gasp from Hazel.
    She watched in horror as her daughter, intent on chasing Buttons, darted in front of an oncoming wagon. Verity raced forward screaming Joy’s name. The child turned, then froze as she saw the horse bearing down on her.
    Verity stumbled and realized with shattering clarity that she would never reach Joy in time.

Chapter Three
    F or an agonizing heartbeat, as the wagon bore down on her daughter, time froze. Verity felt every irregularity in the pebble