The Wonder of Your Love - By Beth Wiseman Page 0,20

here in this weather this morning to find out about a letter from that . . .” She looked up at Katie Ann and huffed. “That woman.”

“I was going to tell you. After my visit with Lucy.”

Martha shook her head as her face shriveled into a frown. “I don’t even like to hear her name.”

“Well, it doesn’t please me to say her name either.” Katie Ann decided to try to change the subject. “You said you went to the doctor the other day. Did you have this cold then?”

“I don’t have a cold. I’m much sicker.” Martha pinched her lips together.

Katie Ann knew that Martha often exaggerated her aches, pains, and illnesses. Sometimes her friend even faked ill health for attention. When the women first became friends, Martha often complained of a backache. Katie Ann was never sure of the extent of the ailment, but Martha’s backaches always manifested when she needed something from Katie Ann, even if it was just companionship. And when Martha showed the slightest sign of a cold, she was worse than a child. But Katie Ann always showered Martha with sympathy and affection—sick or not sick. Because the woman truly was her best friend.

However, Martha disliked doctors. For all her aches and pains, Katie Ann couldn’t recall one single time Martha had visited a physician.

“I’m sorry you feel poorly. What’s wrong with you?” Katie Ann tapped her finger to her chin. “And what type of routine tests did you have?”

Martha stood up from the table, straightening the collar of her black velour pullover. “Once a year I force myself to visit that idiot doctor in Alamosa, and I let him run all those stupid tests on me. And every year, I’m fine.”

“Did you mention your cold?”

Martha slammed her hands to her hips. “Did you not hear me? I don’t have a cold.” She raised her chin. “I’m very ill.” She lowered her gaze. “I have to go for more tests tomorrow.”

Katie Ann eased closer to her friend. “What kind of tests?”

“Lung tests.”

That sounded serious to Katie Ann, but she tried to speak as though she wasn’t concerned. “I’m sure everything will be fine.”

Martha sighed. “I doubt it. But we all gotta go sometime.”

She didn’t say anything more as she turned and walked toward the living room.

“Martha . . .” Katie Ann caught up to Martha by the front door. “Do you want me to go with you to the doctor?”

“And cancel that fine visit with Lucy you have scheduled?” She grunted, rolling her eyes. “I wouldn’t dream of asking you to do that.”

Katie Ann grinned as she stuffed her hands in the pockets of her apron. “Martha, now you stop it. You know I’ll cancel with Lucy to be with you.”

“Do you even know where she’s staying?”

“Well, no . . . but . . .”

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll give you a full report tomorrow evening.” Martha frowned. “Kiss Jonas for me. I don’t think I should be too close to him until the doctor finds out what’s wrong with me.”

“I will. But please come over tomorrow evening and let me know what the doctor said.”

Martha cut her eyes at Katie Ann. “Only if you tell me what that horrible Lucy had to say.” She pulled on her gloves, then pointed a finger at Katie Ann. “I still say she’s here for money.”

Money was something Katie Ann had plenty of, thanks to a mysterious box of cash that had been left on her doorstep last year—money she suspected had originated from Martha, even though the woman denied it. But she couldn’t imagine Lucy coming all the way to Colorado to ask for money from Katie Ann, the woman whose husband she’d stolen.

“I don’t think she’s coming to ask for money.”

“No, you wouldn’t think that. You see the good in everyone.”

Katie Ann didn’t say anything, but she certainly didn’t see the good in what Lucy Turner had done. Or her husband. And forgiveness was much farther out of reach than Martha might realize. It was something Katie Ann struggled with daily.

“I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Hey, wait.” Martha lifted her chin. “You didn’t tell me about Eli. How’d it go after I left?”

“Fine.” Katie Ann grinned, intentionally fueling Martha’s curiosity.

Martha cackled. “Really?” She leaned closer and whispered, “I think that man’s got a thing for you.”

“Well, you’re wrong. We agreed to be friends, though. And that’s all. We are at two very different places in life.”

A full smile spread across Martha’s face. “The fact that you are