Prodigal Cowgirl by Lacy Williams

Author:Lacy Williams [Williams, Lacy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lacy Williams Books LLC

* * *

Courtney followed Eric's pointing finger to the brick bungalow on the corner. Even as she watched, a curtain in one of the front windows twitched, like someone was watching.

Her stomach sank like a ball of lead.

Eric had said this wasn't a traffic stop, but he hadn't ever said he wasn't here on official business.

"Somebody called the sheriff's office on us?" That strangled whisper must've come from her mouth, because Lily was rummaging in the canvas bag they'd packed all the cookie boxes in.

"Don't worry about it," he said softly. "I doubt she even knew it was you in the car. Two weeks ago, she called in about a burglar at her next-door neighbor's. Turned out to be a possum rummaging in the garbage during the night. Before that, it was a noise complaint when the guy two doors down was mowing his lawn." He aimed his gaze at Lily, across the console. "I think Mrs. Edwards gets a little lonely. I'll bet having some cookies would cheer her up."

His words were an attempt to make Courtney feel better, but nothing he could say was going to loosen the rock that was her stomach.

Why did she even try changing people's mind about her? She'd grown up here. She knew that once the folks of Redbud Trails set their mind about something—or someone—it would take an act of God to change them.

But that one lousy kernel of hope had sprouted in her heart. She'd wanted...everything.

The friendship that Eric dangled in front of her—she couldn't focus on what he'd said about wanting her to fall in love with him. That was too much of a leap.

She'd wanted Lily not to be punished because of her mother's mistakes.

She'd wanted a fresh start.

She should have known it was impossible. Someone had called the cops on her for delivering Christmas cookies with her daughter.

He seemed to read her emotions straight off her face, and she wished she hadn't let him take her glasses.

"Why don't both of you make the delivery to Mrs. Edwards, and I'll come with you," he offered.

Courtney glanced at Lily, who wore the stubborn look she seemed to reserve only for the sheriff. Courtney had no idea what the girl's problem was, but it would have to be solved sometime later.

She shored up a smile for her daughter's sake. "Sure."

She opened the car door and got out, Lily scrambling out behind her.

Lily walked in front but shot suspicious glances over her shoulder at both Eric and Courtney as they followed her across the street and up Mrs. Edwards' walk.

Lily knocked.

"Hey, Mrs. E.," Eric said when an older woman opened the door a crack.

"Did you arrest the culprits?" The voice emerged weaker than Courtney had expected.

"I did find the car that was loitering in the street."

Courtney found her gaze drawn to him. Loitering?

"But it wasn't any bad guys. You want to open the door a little? Meet Lily and Courtney Sutton."

The door opened maybe another inch. But it was enough to let sunlight stream in.

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