Seasons of Sugarcreek 03. Autumn's Promise by Shelley Shepard Gray Page A

pregnant.”
    Pure relief filled her. As did embarrassment. “Oh. Sorry.”
    “Please don’t be sorry for caring.” Her arm still around Lilly’s shoulders, her mother walked her into the master bedroom. “I appreciate it.”
    “I care. I’ve just been having a hard time.”
    “I know you have. I promise, we’ll get through this.”
    “I’m sorry I haven’t tried to help you more.”
    “It’s okay. I’m just glad we’re talking. I told your dad I was afraid you were going to be mad at me for six more months.”
    “I haven’t been mad at you. More like stunned.”
    “You and me both, honey.”
    “Can I make you something to eat?”
    Her mother grimaced. “I don’t think I can stomach food right now. But do think about planning a trip to see Cassidy. Spending time with friends would do you good. You spend too much time working, I think.”
    “I think I will.” Before she lost her nerve, she blurted, “On Saturday, when I went to the farmer’s market and got the kitten…I went with somebody.”
    “Actually, I heard something about that. You went with a man, didn’t you?”
    “Yes. He’s just a friend, though,” she said quickly. “His name’s Robert.”
    “And did you have a good time?”
    “We did.” Lilly’s mouth went dry as she recalled their time in the corn maze. Kissing him, being in his arms—even for a few minutes…It had been very good.
    Then she noticed that her mom wasn’t acting all that surprised. “Hey, Mom, how did you know?”
    A secretive smile played on her lips. “Elsa told me. She heard all about it from Gretta.”
    “Not Joshua?”
    “She said Gretta, but it could have been both of them, I suppose. I guess you saw them at the market?”
    “I did. Um…actually, Josh didn’t act real thrilled to see me there with Robert.”
    “Why was that?”
    “Because Robert’s Amish.”
    “I heard that, too.”
    Again, her mother didn’t seem all that shocked by any of what Lilly was revealing. Lilly wasn’t quite sure what to make of that. She so wanted to be able to talk to someone about everything she was feeling…but she sure hadn’t expected it to be her mom.
    Could their relationship be finally mending…? “Robert is older than I, but not that old. He’s twenty-four.”
    “Still pretty young. And you’re eighteen.”
    “Nineteen now,” Lilly corrected. “I just had a birthday, remember? Anyway, Robert has been through a lot. He’s a widower.”
    “Well, you’ve had your share of difficulties. It’s nice to know you made a new friend.” She paused significantly.
    “Is that what you are? Just friends?”
    “Maybe. Maybe more…I don’t know.”
    With a tender smile, her mother murmured, “Don’t worry, Lilly. I’m not going to lecture you. I’ll just say that I hope you won’t get hurt.”
    She knew what her mother meant. Alec had said he’d loved her, but he obviously hadn’t. When he’d rejected her, and her pregnancy, it had been especially painful. “I don’t think he’s like Alec. I don’t think he would ever say something and not mean it. But we’re not anywhere like that,” she said in a rush. “All I know is that I like his company.”
    “He must like yours, too, if he bought you that little kitten that’s been scratching up our couch…and cuddling on my lap.”
    “So, Elsa told you that he bought me the kitten, too?”
    “I’m afraid if you go to the farmer’s market with Robert, you’re not going to return with many secrets.”
    She hoped her mom was wrong. Having everyone know about the kitten was one thing. But if anyone ever guessed that she’d kissed him, Lilly knew people even as sweet as Elsa Graber wouldn’t be so kind. They walked into the kitchen. “As I said, I, for one, am glad you’re making some friends. That’s important. Just take care that you’re choosing good ones, right? You deserve to be around people who will be nice to you.”
    “Robert is.”
    “Good. And that’s probably another