Secrets of the Heart Read Online Free Page B

stuff.”
    Eoin chuckled. “Well, it was just a suggestion.”
    Ross drove an elbow into his friend’s rib cage. “Yeah? Well, that’s for making the suggestion.”
    Hennie Killanin was a pretty girl of seventeen. As she approached the boys, she greeted them with a smile.
    “Hi,” said Eoin.
    “Hi,” echoed Ross.
    Hennie walked past them to enter the store, then hesitated as she put her hand on the doorknob. She looked back as if she wanted to ask them something, but all she said was, “See you at school tomorrow.”
    Ross and Eoin nodded.
    Kathleen was smiling at her customer and listening to a comment about the woman’s grandchildren when she saw Hennie enter the store. As soon as the customer picked up her package and moved away, Kathleen greeted her schoolmate.
    “Hi, back,” said Hennie, then made her way among the shelves.
    For a brief moment, Kathleen watched Hennie’s progress through the store. The girl had bright red hair worn in a long braid down her back. Today she had it tied with a large ribbon. Her pert nose and glowing rosy cheeks were covered with a dusting of tiny freckles, and she had a winning smile.
    Though Kathleen was a bit on edge in Hennie’s presence, she respected her sincere faith and counted her as a good friend. It was just that Kathleen had her own religion and was content with it and with her life.
    Hennie often spoke to the young people at school of their need to know Jesus but was never overbearing or obnoxious about it. She had a sweet way about her, and it bothered Kathleen when students at school called Hennie a fanatic behind her back.
    Moments later Hennie moved up to the counter, then glanced to her right and said, “Hello, Mrs. O’Malley.”
    Maureen, who was just thanking her last customer, turned toward the girl. “Hello, Hennie. Everything all right at your house?”
    “Sure is, ma’am, thank you.”
    Kathleen totaled up Hennie’s bill. “Comes to five dollars and thirty-six cents.”
    While Hennie was taking the money from her small purse, Kathleen placed the items into two paper bags, then pulled open the cash drawer and took out some coins. “There you are, Hennie. Your change is sixty-four cents.”
    Hennie dropped the money into her purse and said, “You’re still planning on going to church with us Sunday, aren’t you?”
    “Yes, I am.”
    “Both morning and evening?”
    “Yes. Mother and Dad said that even though we are of a different faith, its all right with them if I go this Sunday with you and hear D. L. Moody.”
    Hennie looked at Kathleen’s mother and said, “Thank you for giving Kathleen permission, Mrs. O’Malley.”
    Maureen smiled. “Kathleen thinks so much of you, dear. Shaemus and I don’t mind her going with you for a Sunday. I was reading last Sunday’s religious section in the
Chicago Tribune.
It told all about Mr. Moody’s engagement at your church, and it mentioned he has a singer coming with him.”
    “Yes. Ira Sankey. He’s a great gospel soloist, ma’am. They juststarted working together. I’d love for the entire O’Malley family to come and hear both men. Mr. Moody is a wonderful preacher.”
    “Thank you,” Maureen said, “but we won’t be coming. However, I am glad Kathleen can spend the day with you and your family.”
    The door opened and the tiny bell above it jingled.
    “Patrick O’Leary!” Maureen said as the tall, slender man entered the store. “What can we do for you?”
    “Well, Maureen, I don’t believe we’ll be needing any milk!” He ran his gaze around the store. “Shaemus here?”
    “No, he and Donald have been gone most of the day. They’re at the railroad yards, picking up a load of potatoes from our supplier in Idaho Territory.”
    Patrick pulled the grocery list from his shirt pocket and chuckled. “Too bad you can’t get your potatoes from Ireland.”
    “I’d love to, but I’m afraid the shipping cost across the Atlantic would be a mite prohibitive.”
    “Just a