Swan's Way Read Online Free Page B

lingered beyond the swan pond, hidden by the gilded Virginia woods that smelled of sun-warmed holly and pine. A breeze stirred the branches of the huge tulip poplar, making them whisper secrets of long ago days and dreams gone awry. She felt herself drawn to the path that led to the house and to her friends. Something sharp and bittersweet beckoned to her soul, something not to be denied.
    In some odd way, it seemed she remembered this feeling from the distant past, yet she could not interpret its meaning. Tears blurred her vision suddenly. Her heart raced. Was it the wind whispering, or did she hear a voice? It seemed to say, “He has come home. Home, at last!”
    A shiver ran through her. A warm shiver, like the feel of spring rain on bare flesh. She stared again at the three women in the distance, nodding and whispering over the old silver teapot. She felt a tug at her heart.
    Could it really be? Was he home, after all these years?
    The strange thought puzzled her. Who had come home? And why would his return fill her with such keen anticipation and joy? Dismissing the questions, which obviously had no answers, she headed up the hill, almost running.
    “Look!” Sister cried, pointing toward the woods.
    The other two women turned to see the great tulip poplar shimmering ghostlike in the golden afternoon light. A moment later, they caught sight of a slight figure clad all in scarlet and white, gliding along the path past the pond. The pair of swans poised motionless on the mirror surface, their graceful necks bowed together to form a heart.
    “It’s Ginna,” Pansy said, with a sigh of relief and satisfaction. “She’s come. I knew she would.”
    “At last!” Sister added.
    Elspeth said nothing. She got a queer feeling in the pit of her stomach at the first glimpse of Ginna, the same kind of flesh-creeping, hair-raising sensation she got when she looked out her window on moonlit nights and saw the shimmering blue and gray ghosts of soldiers moving silently about in the woods. There was a change in the air, as always, when their young friend appeared. But this time, something was different. She sensed sorrow ahead. It took all her willpower to keep from shouting, “Go back—back wherever you come from!” Only her eagerness to tell Ginna their news stayed the impulse.
    “You’re late, dear!” Sister scolded gently, as Ginna, glowing like fresh morning dew, took her seat at the table.
    “Something kept me away.” Ginna wasn’t sure why she had hesitated so long at the edge of the woods. She still sensed a strangeness all about her.
    “You young people lead such busy lives,” Pansy said, brightly. “We’re just thankful you can make time to visit us on Mondays.”
    Elspeth poured a fourth cup of tea and handed it to Ginna. Pansy and Sister remained silent. Now that their guest had finally arrived, they could savor the anticipation a moment longer. How sweet it was to have real news to tell for a change!
    Usually, the minute that Ginna arrived, all three women began talking at once. Unnerved by their extended silence, she urged, “Tell me everything that’s happened this week. I see you’ve all had your hair done. Have you had any visitors? Did the handsome young pastor from Front Royal come yesterday to preach and lead the singing?”
    The three of them sat staring at her, smiling like cats that had just polished off the last of the cream.
    “Well, tell me!” Ginna said, laughing at their pleased-as-punch expressions.
    Pansy and Sister both turned to Elspeth, offering her the chance to be the first to break the news. After another pregnant pause, she said, “A young man’s come to Swan’s Quarter.”
    “A mysterious young man,” Pansy put in.
    “A handsome man,” Sister added. “And he’s very young.”
    The women’s eyes danced with excitement, as they all stared at Ginna, eager to see her reaction to their news. It wasn’t often that anyone under the age of sixty came to Swan’s Quarter,