River's End (9781426761140) by Melody Carlson Page B

didn’t want to argue about this. Mostly she wanted to resolve the question of where Sarah would stay once Hazel returned. “So . . . do you really have a problem with your old room?” she asked.
    Sarah shrugged. “I’ll move back to my old room. Hazel can have the cabin.” But something in her tone still sounded hurt.
    â€œI want to ask Clark about building some new cabins,” Anna told her. “Then you could have one of your very own. Just like Hazel.”
    Sarah seemed to brighten at this. “How long would that take?”
    â€œI’m not sure exactly. Probably a month or so. But you could ask Clark.” She turned off the light in the kitchen. “I can help you move your things into the house, if you want.”
    â€œThat’s okay. I don’t have much.”
    â€œAnd I’ll ask Diane to give it a good cleaning before Hazel arrives. I think she’s not due until late in the afternoon. I thought we could have a little welcome home party for her. You know she’s retired from teaching so she’ll be living here full time from now on.”
    Sarah just nodded.
    â€œAnd I’ll ask Clark to get started with a cabin as soon as possible,” Anna told her.
    â€œI told Janelle I’d help her in the kitchen this afternoon,” Sarah said. “I better go.”
    Anna wanted to tell her one more thing, but she just couldn’t force the words out. Not yet. She wanted to gently warn Sarah that Lauren was due to return to work in a few days. Anna had tried to talk Lauren into taking a third week off, but she’d insisted that she missed the inn and everyone . . . too much to stay away. “I’m already counting the days, Mom. I’m homesick,” she said sadly. “I’ve painted and cleaned and gardened,and I want to come back to work at the inn. Please, don’t banish me for another week.”
    â€œYou’re not banished, Lauren. Of course you can come back. It’s just that it’ll be a bit of a challenge. For Sarah, I mean.”
    â€œI’ll try not to cross Sarah’s path,” Lauren promised. “I’ll probably be in the office most of the time anyway. I’m sure there’s plenty to catch up on in there.”
    â€œYes, and Sarah is doing better.” Anna told her about some of the clothes Sarah had created. Of course she didn’t mention Sarah’s anxiety about wearing jeans. And, really, what did it matter if she only wore dresses? “But you need to understand that she’s still not the same as before. I can tell she still needs time . . . to work things out . . . and to heal.”
    â€œAnd I won’t force her to talk to me,” Lauren assured her. “I’ve thought this whole thing through, and I’m beginning to understand her feelings. Honestly, I don’t want to make things worse for her. I’ve messed up enough where she’s concerned. I realize this.”
    â€œGood.” Anna sighed. “And somehow we’ll get through this, Lauren.”
    With so much going on at the inn, caring for the multitude of guests, planning a little welcome home party for Hazel, Anna didn’t have time to be overly concerned about Sarah and Lauren’s upcoming reunion—and when worries assaulted, she simply prayed them away.
    Sarah got settled in her old room, and although she didn’t seem very happy about it, she didn’t complain either. Then, while Clark took the boat downriver to fetch Hazel, they set up an old-fashioned tea party upstairs, complete with the good china, silver, and fresh flowers. Anna even made Hazel’s favorite lemon bars. But Hazel’s best surprise when she came into the room was discovering that their long-lost Sarah had been returned to them. With tear-filled eyes, Hazel hugged the girlfor several minutes. “I’ve dreamed of this day,” she told