Winnie Griggs Read Online Free Page A

opened. He glanced up to see Adam Barr, one of the three men who’d traveled with him from Philadelphia to Turnabout last summer.
    Everett pushed to his feet, at the same time pushing away his faint disappointment. He took a moment to slide the tray back into place and then greeted his visitor.
    “You’re early today,” he said as he grabbed a rag to wipe his hands. Most days, Adam stopped by on his way back to the bank after having lunch at home with his wife, Reggie. He and Adam had an ongoing chess game that they both enjoyed and took quite seriously.
    “Reggie has my afternoon planned out for me,” Adam responded. “Jack’s seventh birthday is tomorrow, and she wants my help planning a small surprise for him.”
    Jack was Reggie’s nephew, and she and Adam had adopted him after their marriage last fall.
    Adam headed toward the chessboard that was set up on the far end of the room with their game. “If I remember correctly, it was my move.”
    Everett followed him. “It was. And I’m looking forward to seeing how you’ll answer my last move.”
    Adam sat down, studying the board. “I hear you have a new neighbor,” he said as he fingered one of the pawns he’d captured.
    “Word gets around fast. If you haven’t heard a name yet, it’s Daisy Johnson. You remember her—the daughter of the peddler who was arrested for stealing the money from the fair last year.” Adam had been instrumental in getting the man cleared of the charges.
    “ Falsely arrested,” Adam corrected. “Yes, I remember her. Spirited young lady, if I recall.”
    Everett agreed with that assessment but decided to change the subject. “So how is Reggie faring?”
    “As stubborn as ever. She refuses to accept that she needs to curtail her more vigorous activities until the baby comes.”
    Adam set down the captured pawn and slid his bishop across the board. “There,” he said as he stood. “That should keep you busy for a while.”
    Before Everett could study the move, the door opened and in came his new neighbor, carrying the broom he’d loaned her last night, and a small parcel.
    While she still wore a dress that had seen better days, there was a pleased-with-the-world smile on her face that overshadowed her dearth of fashion sense. From the bounce in her step it appeared she’d managed to sleep just fine last night. There was no hint of cobwebs in her hair this morning; rather, it was well combed and neatly pulled back in a loose bun.
    And, like a shadow, her dog was once more right beside her. In the daylight, the animal looked only marginally more presentable than he had last night. Black and white with a shaggy coat, the mutt had obviously led a less-than-pampered life. One ear was torn, and there was an old scar on one hind leg. And if Everett wasn’t mistaken, the dog had one blue and one brown eye. Very disconcerting.
    He took all that in within the few seconds following her entrance. It was the reporter in him, trained to notice even the smallest of details.
    That quickening of his pulse—that was due to nothing more than curiosity as to what had brought her to his office.

Chapter Three
    D aisy paused when she saw that Mr. Fulton wasn’t alone. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were busy.”
    Mr. Fulton’s visitor turned, and she smiled in recognition. “Mr. Barr! How nice to see you again.”
    Adam executed a short bow. “The pleasure is mine. I understand you’ve decided to take up residence in our fair town. Let me add my welcome to the others I’m sure you’ve already received.”
    Now this welcome seemed genuine. “Thank you. I’m looking forward to setting down roots here.” The idea of finally having a permanent home was more than enough to carry her through all the work ahead of her.
    “I’m sure I speak for my wife as well as myself when I say we’d be pleased to have you join us for supper one evening when you’re available.”
    Her cheeks warmed in pleasure. “Why, thank you. I’d like