Love Inspired January 2016, Box Set 2 of 2 by Jo Ann Brown

Author:Jo Ann Brown
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459295261
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2016-01-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

When Lily arrived at the farm Monday afternoon, the front door to the farmhouse was open to let in the June breeze. An upbeat pop tune was playing somewhere inside, and she knocked on the weathered frame of the screen door. “Hello?”

After a few seconds, Maggie appeared in the hallway, a laundry basket on one hip and a bright, welcoming smile on her face. “There’s no need for you to knock, Lily. You’re working with Mike now, so like it or not, you’re pretty much one of the family. Come on in.”

One of the family, Lily echoed silently, enjoying the sound of it. The casual comfort of the rambling farm and the people who ran it appealed to her greatly, and she enjoyed knowing they considered her part of it. In her very next thought, however, she wondered if they’d be so fond of her if they knew she’d been lying to them for weeks about who she was. Eventually, she knew she’d have to come clean with them. She just had to wait for the right moment to shatter their image of her with the truth.

And then pray they could find a way to forgive her for deceiving them.

Firmly pushing that troublesome problem aside for another day, she opened the door and followed Maggie into the kitchen before setting down the two large bags she was carrying.

“Are those the T-shirts the art teacher at school made for us?” the older woman asked, enthusiasm sparkling in her eyes. “How did they turn out?”

In answer, Lily took one from the top and shook it out for her to see. Bright pink, it sported the horse-and-child-rider logo Abby had designed. Printed over the farm’s name in Gallimore’s signature emerald green, it looked just the way Lily had envisioned. With one small difference.

Flipping it around to show ABBY on the back in bold script, she grinned. “I couldn’t resist. I got them with the names done for our first group, too, as a thank-you for getting us started. Sandy said if other kids want theirs customized, she can do it later on for an extra dollar. Kids love to have their name on things, so I’m assuming most of them will want it done.”

“No doubt. Our girl’s playing over at the neighbors’ right now, but I’ll make sure she gets it as soon as she comes home. Would you like something to drink?”

“Some ice water would be great.” While Lily refolded Abby’s shirt, Charlie waddled in from wherever he’d been, yawning big enough to make her laugh. He plopped down on the floor in an exhausted heap, resting his chin on Lily’s foot with an adorable groan. “How’s our little scamp doing?”

“He acts like he’s been living here all his life,” Maggie replied, handing her a glass before sipping from her own. “Abby’s in love with him, and he obviously feels the same way about her. I have to admit I’m a bit jealous.”

“Oh, Maggie,” Lily teased. “Would you like a puppy, too?”

Her smile had a nostalgic tinge to it.

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