Where There’s a Will
Page 20
Finished with her presentation, Kate clicked so that the picture faded to black. Ellen flipped on the overhead lights, and the students blinked.
“Thank you, Kate. That was nicely done.” Ellen beamed her approval, and Kate knew it was for much more than her final project.
After class, she and Ellen walked out of the building together for the last time.
“How’s the development in Harrington coming along?” Kate asked.
Ellen made a noncommittal noise. “Well, Oliver’s being difficult, of course. But Carol’s finally finding the gumption to stand up to him from time to time. It is her family’s land, after all.”
“And Anne?”
“She says she’ll go with whatever I want.”
“So you’ll get there eventually,” Kate said.
“Yes, we will.”
“Good. And I know I’m prying, but I have to ask. Paul said Bill called and asked for your phone number.”
Ellen blushed, which was all the answer Kate needed.
“I’m going to visit him in San Antonio over Christmas break,” Ellen said, then she laughed. “I feel like a schoolgirl again, much to my chagrin.”
“Good.” Kate stopped and turned to her newfound friend. “Just please don’t let him take you away from here. You’ve got a lot of work to do. And friends who would miss you.”
“Thanks to you.” Ellen gave her a quick hug. “You helped me reclaim my past, and now I have a future.”
“As do a lot more people around here.”
Paul had mentioned just that morning that Mike Rowland had been hired as a construction worker on the Harrington project. Luke Danvers had become an enthusiastic supporter of the idea. Kate had no idea if Oliver’s company would win the contract to construct the necessary railroad, but she hoped he would. She wanted him to have a second chance.
“What will you do with all your free time now?” Ellen teased.
“Oh, I’m sure I’ll keep myself occupied.”
Paul had rejoined the chamber of commerce after some cajoling on the part of Lawton Briddle, and Kate had agreed to coordinate the Christmas Craft Extravaganza. She had a feeling that would keep her busy through the end of the year, or at least until a new mystery came along.
“Well, you need to keep working on your stained glass,” Ellen said. “I’m sure we’ll want to carry your work in the company store once the town is up and running.”
Kate nodded. “I know of several local craftspeople who would be eager to talk to you about selling their work as well.”
Ellen smiled. “You know, I thought solving this mystery was just about me, but as it turns out, it was really about the future of our little part of the world in Harrington County.” Her expression sobered a little. “We’re all connected, aren’t we? Even when we don’t realize it.”
Kate thought of the little community of Copper Mill and the surrounding towns, of all the people she’d come to know and love. As difficult as it had been to leave behind the amenities of a big city like San Antonio, she would never regret the choice she and Paul had made.
“Yes, we are. Connected, all of us.” She smiled at Ellen. “Thank goodness.”
As Kate drove away from Pine Ridge College, she sent up a prayer of gratitude. Not only did she enjoy a number of blessings in her life, but she also had the opportunity to be a blessing to others.
What more could any minister’s wife want?
About the Author
BETH PATTILLO is the RITA award-winning author of Heavens to Betsy and an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her husband and two children. Visit her online at www.bethpattillo.com.
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