Whispers of the Heart Read Online Free

know I’d do anything for you.”
    “That isn’t love, Marsha.”
    “What makes you think I don’t love you, Dalian? You can’t see inside my heart.”
    “Because of how hard you try to get my attention.”
    “I don’t understand.”
    “And I don’t have the time to explain it to you. I need to get going, but do us both a favor, will you?”
    “What’s that?” Marsha huffed, the exaggerated pout more pronounced.
    “Go back to your dad and tell him he’ll have to find another way of laying claim to my land and to stop wasting his time, and yours, on trying to snare me. I’m not on the market and neither is my property.”
    “That’s just plain wrong, Dalian.” Marsha stomped her tennis shoe lightly on the ground and Dalian shook his head in wonder.
    She’s such a child, he thought, but refrained from speaking it aloud. He wasn’t in the habit of deliberately hurting children. Instead, he just shrugged . “Maybe. Maybe not. But I’ll make a deal with you, Marsha. Come see me in ten years. If you still feel the same way after growing up a bit, I’ll give you a second look.”
    “You don’t really think I’m going to wait ten years for you, do you, Dalian Rivers? Well, I’m not. In ten years, you’ll be kicking yourself in the ass for not catching me when you could. You know what? Go on your stupid vacation, and I hope you never come back. I don’t care if I never see your ugly mug again,” Marsha huffed, turning and heading back toward the house.
    “I only wished it was that easy to get rid of you, Marsha,” Dalian whispered to her retreating back, “but something tells me you’ll be back the very day I return. Unfortunately, your dad wants my land too much to quit that easily.

CHAPTER SIX
    March 2061
    Covington, Georgia
     
     
    “The book signing is set for next week,” Janet said, settling in across from Kathryn. “Honestly, Kat, I think this is one of your best yet. It’s only been out for a month, and already it’s receiving rave reviews. Good work!”
    “Hello to you too, Janet,” Kathryn said. “I’m glad that the book is being well-received.” She pulled out her pocket calendar from her purse and flipped it open. “Days and times on the book signing?”
    “Next Tuesday through Thursday at the Reader’s Nook bookstore around the corner,” Janet said, consulting her own calendar. “Two o’clock to four o’clock each day. I’ll have information on your book tour later this afternoon. I’m just waiting to hear back from Covington Today .”
    “Okay,” Kathryn said, slipping her calendar back into her handbag. “Perhaps one day though, you’ll see fit to ask me before actually scheduling anything. Just in case.”
    “Why? It’s not as if you ever do anything, anyway. Except write, that is.”
    “Funny.”
    “True.”
    “Well, I may have been that way once, but no longer,” Kathryn said. “In fact, I’ll be leaving week-after-next on an extended vacation.”
    “Knowing you, you’ll take your laptop and continue pounding away on whatever idea you come up with while you’re away.”
    “Possibly, or maybe I’ll actually put writing behind me for a change and take an honest to goodness holiday,” Kathryn quipped.
    “Doubt it! Now, when did you say this so-called vacation of yours was going to take place?” Janet asked, pulling her electronic organizer from her briefcase.
    “Week after next,” Kat said.
    “Oh, that’s just great! I was hoping to get you on the Covington Today show week-after-next. Perhaps you need to be filling me in on your forays before I start scheduling things. Maybe I can get in touch with Tara. See if she can’t squeeze you in next week, or maybe we can do it after you get back. How long will you be gone?”
    “Eight weeks.”
    “Eight weeks! Where are you going? An African safari? Now I’ll definitely have to schedule a bulk of your promotional tours next week, so you better prepare to stay busy.”
    “I will, Janet. I