Billionaire Flawed 1(127)

“I am.” Angelica nodded emphatically.

Adam pressed his lips together and looked at Cody. “I value your opinion, Cody. You have heard what has happened. What are your thoughts?”

“I’m sure not gonna make a decision for you, boss,” Cody answered, turning his eyes to the women. “But I don’t see why you can’t give them a chance to show you they are good women.”

“I didn’t ask for two,” Adam grumbled.

Cody’s response was laughter. “You’d be the first man not to want two beautiful women in your house.”

Adam kept himself from smiling though he was amused by Cody’s statement. He glanced back at the women and noticed that Lilly was watching Cody, an interesting look in her green eyes. Cody caught the look and smiled at Lilly, who blushed furiously and dropped her eyes.

It was as if a light turned on in the darkness of Adam’s mind. He hadn’t even thought about it. Cody was also a God-fearing man.

Perhaps He sent the two women, one for him and one for Cody.

A double answered prayer? The thought amused Adam.

They would have to see.



Over the next week, Lilly and Angelica proved they were, at least, able to keep a house clean. There was often dusting to be done, and the women spent much time going through the garden, cooking and cleaning for both men. Adam spoke to John about the arrangement, asking if the Lord was frowning on their cohabitation, even though he had set up the women in separate bedrooms on the other side of the house while he decided if he would go through with the marriage.

“I don’t think you should back out now,” John said firmly. “It sounds like you do have good women there and you are correct, you are not obligated to the second one, but you are showing acts of kindness and compassion by taking her in. You need to remember that God judges the heart. He knows your intentions.”

“He works in strange ways.”

“He does. I think it’s a good plan to see if Cody is interested in this other young lady. It sounds like they get along well.”

“She does spend a good deal of time with him.”

“Tell me something. Have you had the opportunity to speak to Angela alone?”

“I have.”

“What is your impression of her?”

“She is intelligent and friendly. Very soft-spoken.”

“Can you see yourself loving her?”

Adam thought about it. Her beauty was a big factor, because it was difficult not to be attracted to her for that and that alone. But he wanted to do right in the eyes of the Lord. “Yes. She is a good woman, I do believe.”

“Then why are you questioning it? You have prayed about it for so long. Don’t reject the blessings God gave you. It’s true that it wasn’t the best first impression to make, but I do feel they did it with the best intentions. Lilly was trying to protect Angela and Angela did not want to leave Lilly behind. She would probably never have answered the ad on her own.”

Adam agreed.

“Go home and make your intentions known to her, Adam. She is probably still as fearful as you are confused.”



As he rode up to the farm, he saw Lilly and Cody standing by the barn talking. Angelica was nowhere to be seen. They seemed to be having a serious conversation. He didn’t stop at the house but continued on to where they were. They saw him approaching, waved and continued talking. He could hear their conversation as he got closer.

“It’s the worrying. That’s what’s done it to her.” Lilly said, shaking her head. “I don’t know what will make her feel better, but it’s nothing I can do.”

“What are you talking about?” Adam didn’t get down from his horse. He sat in the saddle looking down at them with a worried look.

“Angel is not feeling well. She’s running a temperature and is lying in her bed refusing to get up.”

“You think she is worried about being sent away?” Adam asked bluntly.

Lilly hesitated before answering, looking up at Cody for reassurance. He nodded at her.

“Yes,” she finally answered. “She has tried to be very confident, but she grows more nervous as the days pass and it’s causing her to lose weight and not eat. Have you not noticed?” Lilly’s question was spoken softly and sadly.

Adam realized that Lilly was right. He hadn’t seen Angela eating much of late though he was used to noticing such things. There had never been a woman around to worry about.

Suddenly his heart went out to the woman. He pictured her in his mind and without speaking another word, he turned his horse back around and galloped to the house. He tossed the reins over the hitch and took the steps up on to the porch two at a time.