Her Secret Son by Linda Goodnight

Author:Linda Goodnight
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2022-08-02T19:25:56+00:00

* * *

That afternoon, Harlow once again drove Monroe’s Jeep, this time to the grocery store in Sundown Valley. Davis came along for the ride and the hope of scoring a pack of gummy bears.

She still ached from the decision to sell Mama’s jewelry and the trip provided a much-needed distraction.

Nestled deep in the Kiamichi Mountains, Sundown Valley was a typical, friendly small town where everyone knew everyone, at least by name. Surrounded by wilderness, lakes, forests and low, rolling mountains, the town was remote but thriving, due to a determined population. Even though they lived on the outskirts, Harlow’s family was involved in local events, church and Friday night football games such as those Nash had starred in.

Driving down Main Street, she approached the Bea Sweet Bakery, a favorite hangout when she was a teenager. Today, the business produced light meals and delectable sweets. Cakes, cupcakes, sweet rolls. Pie. Nash loved pie.

When the thought struck, she pulled against the curb and took Davis inside to buy dessert for tonight’s dinner, a rare treat, but Nash could afford it. She added a cinnamon roll for Poppy, a bear claw for Monroe and a blue frosted cupcake for Davis.

Ms. Bea, the bakery owner, asked about Monroe’s leg and Poppy’s injuries as she settled up the bill. The woman had her finger on the pulse of the entire county.

Winking, the baker tucked an extra cinnamon roll in the bag. “Tell Gus that one’s payback.”

Harlow tilted her head. “For?”

Bea laughed. “He’ll know. Tell him I’ll drive out Sunday after church if he’s up for a visit.”

Did Poppy have an admirer? She liked to think so, especially if the admirer was a nice, Christian lady like Bea Cunningham. As part of the same Bible study group, the pair saw each other every week.

Harlow left the bakery, stopped at the newspaper office to buy Poppy a paper and then headed to the grocery store.

Nash, whether by accident or design, had given her something besides her own trouble to think about. His invitation and request that she shop for steaks kept her too busy to dwell on the sold rings. It was done. Time to stiffen the spine and move on.

Change the things you can. Accept the things you couldn’t. Good advice, she thought.

The key was to know the difference between the two.

Which was where she waffled. The issue of Davis and Nash was never far from her thoughts.

As she pushed Davis around the IGA in the grocery cart, filling it with Nash’s order and a few items of her own, she ran into numerous people she knew. That was one of the pleasures of small towns.

Nash was fortunate no one had discovered his presence.

When a lanky cowboy rounded the end of an aisle and almost wiped her out, they both laughed. He touched the brim of his hat.

Wade Trudeau, owner of the area’s largest ranch, pushed a basket brimming with groceries.

“How you doing, Harlow? I see you’re traveling in fine company today.” He tapped the top of Davis’s hand.

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