Cameron, Paige - The Billionaire Maverick Bargains for a Wife [Wives for the Western Billionaires 3] (Siren Publishing Everlasting Classic) by Paige Cameron Page B

her mom and sister. That was one of the few bits of information she’d gotten out of her dad over the years. Someone would see the resemblance and help her. She hoped.
    The place was full. Several people looked her way. She wasn’t sure if it was because she was new in town, or that they connected her with her family. A tall, buxom, redheaded woman, carrying a coffee pot in each hand, walked toward her.
    “Welcome, honey. We have one small table in the corner.” She nodded her head toward a table for two. “Are you meeting anyone?”
    “No, that table will be fine.”
    “My name is Billie. I’ll just set these coffee pots back where they belong and bring you a menu.” She studied Lily for a moment. “You got family in town, honey. You sure look like Angie, enough to be her sister.”
    “I think I may be. Do you know where I can find her?”
    “Goodness, honey, you came to the right place. I’m part owner of this establishment, part cook, and part waitress. I know everyone in town. Angie lives about two miles from here. You go sit down. While you decide what you want to eat, I’ll draw you a map to her house.”
    “Thank you. You’re very kind.” Lily’s heart pounded with excitement. She had finally found her sister and hopefully her mother, although Billie hadn’t mentioned her. Lily knew anyone within hearing distance, from where they’d stood talking, had heard their conversation. A buzz went around the restaurant, and most of the patrons were looking at her.
    “Here.” Billie handed her the menu. "Look that over while I draw this map.” She sat in the seat across from Lily. When she finished her drawing, she wrote the address on the top. “Angie never mentioned she had a sister.”
    “I’m going to surprise her,” Lily said. She wasn’t going to add any more information to the local gossip. They’d probably find out everything eventually. First, she wanted to see her mother and sister. “Do Angie and Mom still live together?” She saw the change on Billie’s face.
    “What is it?” Lily leaned forward.
    “I don’t think I’m the one to be telling you this, but you’ll find out soon anyway. Your dear momma died about eight or nine months ago.”
    “But she’d only be in her fifties.” Lily tried to deny the woman’s words.
    Billie reached across and squeezed her hand. “Cancer don’t have no regard for age, honey. Angie took real good care of her right up to the end.”
    Anger swelled inside Lily. Angie knew her mother was dying and never contacted her. She’d never get to ask her mother why she left her behind. Why she didn’t love her enough to take her, too. Tears filled her eyes. All the people were staring, and this woman’s sympathy was too much to bear. Lily jumped up and ran out of the diner. She was right at her car when two men came out of the SUV parked beside her.
    “You need to come with us. My name’s Mick, and I’m going to take you to your sister.”
    “I can find my own way. Let go of me.”
    “I can’t do that, Lily.” He covered her mouth. The large van was parked where it prevented the people at the diner from seeing them put her inside. She was in the SUV riding away before anyone noticed what happened.
    Lily shook with fear. Who were these men, and what did they want?
     
    * * * *

    Brent’s man following Lily had called Brent to say they were a half hour away. Brent told him, as soon as he got to town to contact Mick. They were to pick Lily up and take her directly to Jackson’s private airport. He'd changed his mind about the sisters meeting first. It was too dangerous. The sooner he got her and Angie away the better. He sensed things were rapidly working toward the final showdown.
    Drake sat at his desk listening to Brent’s side of the conversation. He started to speak when Brent’s phone rang again.
    “Hi, Nate. Are you in town, too?”
    “I’m at this plat of land where you sent me. I’m calling to alert you that Yannell may already be