would feel if his brother didnât bother to show up. Thatâs why Clint was going to drop a hint or two that there was money involved for Joe. Significant money. That would bring his brother running.
Chapter Eight
M aegan lay in bed the morning of Joe Parkerâs birthday and wondered if the promised thundershowers were going to come this morning. She didnât need to look out the windows to see everything was unusually dark. Besides, the air felt heavy and the glass in the windows appeared damp. She should be getting up, but she didnât want to move. She was trying hard not to be depressed.
Then, again, why should she bother being happy? Clint had finally told her that he was planning to offer his brother money to raise Lilly, on the condition that he would move to the ranch so Clint could keep an eye on the girl. At first, Maegan thought the idea had some merit. But then Clint explained he would probably not be living on the ranch with Joe and Lilly; he didnât think his brother would compromise that much. Besides, the ranch would be the bulk of the payment to Joe.
Instead, Clint would rent a place in Dry Creek. When he said that, she expected him to make some remark about her moving to the small town, too. But he didnât. So she assumed heâd decided they had no future together.Of course, heâd probably expect her to visit Lilly sometimes, but that would be the end of it. The thought of a string of Christmas cards tying her to Clint and Lilly, year after year, seemed almost worse than no contact at all.
Almost, but not quite. In her deepest heart, she knew sheâd take whatever scraps she was allowed. She had never come so close to having her dreams come true and that made seeing them crumble hard. But she still wanted whatever she could get. Her new Bible, a gift from Mrs. Hargrove, was sitting on the stand beside her bed and Maegan knew she only had to start to read its pages to feel her sorrows ease. Somehow, in all of this, God had a purpose.
So, she swung her legs around to the side of the bed and stretched her arms high. First, she would be thankful that God had blessed her with a niece like Lilly. Even if she wouldnât be able to spend much time with her, she could pray for the girl throughout the years and maybe she would grow into a faithful woman of God. That was no small thing.
In the meantime, Maegan had cheese to grate and refried beans to cook. She was helping Lilly make a Mexican meal for her father and she insisted everything be ready for her to finish by the time she came home from school today. Theyâd baked the chocolate cake last night so it was ready to frost. Mrs. Hargrove was sending over some homemade flan and Maegan had bought a small can of chilies to put in the enchiladas and the beans. Clint claimed he could make a good Mexican rice so he was in charge of that. The rest was in Lillyâs hands.
Fortunately, Maegan thought, the paint had dried inthe living room and yesterday she and Clint had driven to Billings to get a whole box of Mexican-themed decorations. The bold red-and-black stripes of some blankets theyâd also bought would make the white room look festive.
If Joe didnât fall down in astonishment at all the trouble his daughter had gone toâthat all of them had gone toâMaegan figured sheâd be entitled to have some words with the man, somewhere in private so she didnât have to watch her tongue. She had no doubts that the man was used to getting what he wanted in life. He was a charmer from all sheâd heard. But he didnât know who he was up against if he thought she would give him a pass on manners. Especially not today.
Clint came to pick her up after heâd delivered Lilly to the bus. The two of them had fallen into the habit of going back to the café and having a cup of coffee or tea once Lilly was off to school, but they didnât today. It wasnât just that they had a lot to do.
Chapter Eight
M aegan lay in bed the morning of Joe Parkerâs birthday and wondered if the promised thundershowers were going to come this morning. She didnât need to look out the windows to see everything was unusually dark. Besides, the air felt heavy and the glass in the windows appeared damp. She should be getting up, but she didnât want to move. She was trying hard not to be depressed.
Then, again, why should she bother being happy? Clint had finally told her that he was planning to offer his brother money to raise Lilly, on the condition that he would move to the ranch so Clint could keep an eye on the girl. At first, Maegan thought the idea had some merit. But then Clint explained he would probably not be living on the ranch with Joe and Lilly; he didnât think his brother would compromise that much. Besides, the ranch would be the bulk of the payment to Joe.
Instead, Clint would rent a place in Dry Creek. When he said that, she expected him to make some remark about her moving to the small town, too. But he didnât. So she assumed heâd decided they had no future together.Of course, heâd probably expect her to visit Lilly sometimes, but that would be the end of it. The thought of a string of Christmas cards tying her to Clint and Lilly, year after year, seemed almost worse than no contact at all.
Almost, but not quite. In her deepest heart, she knew sheâd take whatever scraps she was allowed. She had never come so close to having her dreams come true and that made seeing them crumble hard. But she still wanted whatever she could get. Her new Bible, a gift from Mrs. Hargrove, was sitting on the stand beside her bed and Maegan knew she only had to start to read its pages to feel her sorrows ease. Somehow, in all of this, God had a purpose.
So, she swung her legs around to the side of the bed and stretched her arms high. First, she would be thankful that God had blessed her with a niece like Lilly. Even if she wouldnât be able to spend much time with her, she could pray for the girl throughout the years and maybe she would grow into a faithful woman of God. That was no small thing.
In the meantime, Maegan had cheese to grate and refried beans to cook. She was helping Lilly make a Mexican meal for her father and she insisted everything be ready for her to finish by the time she came home from school today. Theyâd baked the chocolate cake last night so it was ready to frost. Mrs. Hargrove was sending over some homemade flan and Maegan had bought a small can of chilies to put in the enchiladas and the beans. Clint claimed he could make a good Mexican rice so he was in charge of that. The rest was in Lillyâs hands.
Fortunately, Maegan thought, the paint had dried inthe living room and yesterday she and Clint had driven to Billings to get a whole box of Mexican-themed decorations. The bold red-and-black stripes of some blankets theyâd also bought would make the white room look festive.
If Joe didnât fall down in astonishment at all the trouble his daughter had gone toâthat all of them had gone toâMaegan figured sheâd be entitled to have some words with the man, somewhere in private so she didnât have to watch her tongue. She had no doubts that the man was used to getting what he wanted in life. He was a charmer from all sheâd heard. But he didnât know who he was up against if he thought she would give him a pass on manners. Especially not today.
Clint came to pick her up after heâd delivered Lilly to the bus. The two of them had fallen into the habit of going back to the café and having a cup of coffee or tea once Lilly was off to school, but they didnât today. It wasnât just that they had a lot to do.
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