LITMIR.BIZ

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horse was hitched up and ready to go.

      “I could have gotten the wagon pulled around but your help made it much easier. Thanks.” He grinned at the Irishman.

      “Happy to help. I suppose I should feed the hogs. I can hear their squeals from here.” He walked away.

      The hog pens were farther away from the house. Asher scooped up two slop buckets as he passed the bunkhouse and then disappeared around the corner.

      Jacob grinned. He liked Asher and couldn’t imagine that he’d harm man or beast. Still, he’d get to know him better before he trusted him or anyone else on the ranch other than Caleb. He walked back into the barn, where Caleb sat with Daisy on a bale of hay. “What are you two doing?” he asked. Then he saw the small fur ball in Caleb’s hands.

      “Looking at the kitty,” Daisy whispered. “This is the one I want to keep.”

      The kitten was still small and its yellow fur wasn’t very thick. “Aren’t you going to keep them all?” Jacob asked as he sat down across from them on a large bucket.

      She shook her head. “No, Lilly only keeps two kitties on the ranch at a time.”

      Caleb grinned. “The other two will go to the Lawrences, they own the farm to our right.”

      The mother cat chose that moment to let her disapproval come through. She meowed loudly. “Sounds like you better put that baby back,” Jacob said as he stood and stretched.

      He looked forward to this trip to town. Even though he’d come through it on his way to the Johnson ranch, Jacob planned to ask again about his mother. The sooner he found her, the sooner he’d have answers to his questions and get on with his life.

      * * *

      Knots filled Lilly’s stomach as she hurried back to the barn. The wagon looked ready to go. She placed the basket full of food and a couple of Daisy’s favorite toys behind the seat. Lilly inhaled deeply. Anticipation of Jacob’s reaction ate at her. Lilly tried to ignore the feeling, knowing she was doing the right thing.

      She’d prayed earnestly, asking God what to do with the new knowledge that Jacob’s mother and her stepmother were one and the same. Lilly didn’t want to tell him because she feared he’d want to take over Daisy’s upbringing. She also feared he’d think the ranch belonged to him, too. But, after much prayer, Lilly felt it wouldn’t be right to keep the truth from Jacob.

      The thought of him continuing his search for his deceased mother saddened her. Knowing would be better for him than not knowing. This was something she had to do. She released the pent-up air.

      Lilly walked the short distance to the barn and stepped into the doorway. Jacob stood. He stretched out his back and flexed his wide shoulders. She quaked at what his reaction might be to the news she’d been holding onto for the last few days.

      Jacob had given her no reason to fear him and yet she did. Lilly knew the fear wasn’t for herself but for Daisy. Not that he’d hurt her, but that he’d take her away.

      Jacob turned as if sensing her nearness. “About ready?” he asked.

      Lilly nodded, unwilling to speak in case her voice gave out on her. She had to get these emotions under control.

      Daisy ran around Jacob and looked up at her sister. “I know which kitty I want.” She bounced around like a happy puppy.

      “You do?” Lilly smiled as the little girl’s braid flopped about her shoulders.

      “Uh-huh. The orange one.” Daisy grabbed Lilly’s hand and pulled.

      Lilly stood her ground. “Daisy, what have I told you about pulling on people?”

      Daisy dropped her hand and her head. “Not to.”

      “That’s right. Where were you going to pull me to?” Lilly asked, as she tried not to smile at her sister’s antics.

      Daisy looked up at her with big eyes. “I was going to show you my kitty.” Her bottom lip pouted out.

      Lilly kneeled down beside the little girl. “I think that is very sweet but I also think we should leave the kittens alone for a few more days.” She saw Daisy inhale and a protest form on her little mouth. Lilly interrupted quickly. “It won’t be that long and you don’t want the mama to hide them, do you?”

      “No.” The dejection in the little girl’s voice tugged at her.

      She stood. “I tell you what, when we get to town you can buy a small sack of lemon drops. How does that sound?”

      The bouncing began again. “Come on, Mr. Jacob.” Daisy ran around Lilly and started climbing into the wagon.

      At the sound of his warm chuckle, Lilly shook her head. It amused her that he found Daisy comical now, but just wait until he had to deal with one of her crying spells. Then he wouldn’t be laughing. She followed Daisy to the wagon.

      Jacob hurried around her and offered his hand to assist her up. Surprised by his speed, she lay her hand in his. Lilly told herself that it was because of the skirt and her fear of catching the tips of her boots in the hem that she allowed him to help her.

      His warm, callused palm held tightly to hers as she raised herself into the wagon. “Thank you.” Lilly sat down and made sure her skirt covered her legs. The warmth of his touch remained on her hand, making the other feel cool.

      Within moments he was on the seat beside her. He looked over his shoulder at Daisy, checking to make sure she remained seated in the back of the wagon, and then quirked a brow at her. “Everyone ready?”

      “I am.” Daisy smoothed the yarn on her rag doll’s head.

      Lilly nodded. She folded her hands in her lap and stared straight ahead, wishing he wasn’t quite so nice because she had to figure out how to break the news to him. She couldn’t quite fathom what that had to do with anything, but then these days her mind was a crazy mixture of hope and fear; hope that she was wrong that someone wanted to hurt Daisy and fear that someone truly did.

      Jacob gently slapped the reins over the horse’s back and clicked his tongue to get her to go. The wagon lurched and the wheels ground the dirt as they took off. Lilly tried to choose which of the several ways she’d thought through on how to broach the subject of his mother.

      She could hear Daisy talking to her doll and the little wooden horse that she’d brought along to play with. Should she say something in front of her little sister? After all, Daisy and Jacob shared the same mother. Lilly had no idea how Daisy would feel. Could someone that small—that young—even understand what it meant? Would Jacob want to tell Daisy himself?

      Jacob’s rich voice broke the silence. “This is a nice ranch. I hope you don’t mind but I rode the fence lines and checked out some of the ravines on the property.”

      Lilly glanced at him. “No, I don’t mind.” She nibbled at her bottom lip.

      They fell into silence once more. Daisy told her doll and horse all about the kittens in the barn. Lilly listened as she chattered about the yellow kitty and how they were going to be the bestest of friends.

      She glanced in Jacob’s direction and saw the soft smile on his face. He was either listening to Daisy, too, or deep in his own thoughts. Lilly looked across the pasture they were passing. It had recently been cut and the grass gathered for feed. The sounds of birds in the nearby trees chirping their happiness soothed her troubled thoughts.

      In a quiet voice, Lilly said, “Jacob, I’d like to stop someplace for lunch before we get to town.”

      Daisy piped up from behind them. “I’m hungry.”

      Just as she thought, the little girl had been listening to them. Lilly answered, “Me, too.” She hadn’t eaten much breakfast. Worry had consumed her and the thought of food hadn’t appealed at the time.

      “I could use a bite to eat, too,” Jacob agreed. “If I remember right,

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