Lucky's Choice(14)

“Are you mad at Leanne and Sissy?”

Willa shook her head. “I don’t get mad. I just want to take care of you and your cousins.”

Charlie’s eyes drooped as she turned out his light, closing the door softly as she left.

Willa knocked on Leanne’s door, opening it when she heard the girl’s reply. The fifteen-year-old was sitting at the desk Willa had purchased for her.

“It’s almost bedtime.”

“I’m almost finished. I was about to take my shower.”

When Willa turned to leave, she saw that Leanne was about to say something, but didn’t. The girl knew she had made a mistake, yet like her older sister, she wasn’t ready to take responsibility for the house being in chaos when Willa returned.

“Good night, Leanne.” Willa left, wishing the girl would learn to trust her. It was going to take time, and Willa realized the adjustment was clearly as difficult for her as for Sissy. Just because she was the least troubled, it didn’t mean her emotions weren’t in turmoil.

Willa went down the steps as Sissy and Rachel were closing the laptop.#p#分页标题#e#

“Thanks, Rachel.” The friendly tone in the usually abrasive girl had Willa raising her brow.

“Sissy, I left a plate for you in the kitchen,” Willa told her, hoping her better mood would save her from another of Sissy’s stinging retorts.

“I’m not hungry.” Sissy brushed past her as she went to the steps.

Willa moved to the side of the couch, seeing Rachel’s concerned gaze. It was the same expression everyone always gave her. They believed she was weak and helpless. She wasn’t, though. She simply didn’t like confrontations, preferring to go out of her way to avoid them, but that didn’t make her a wimp. It made her cautious.

“Is there anything else I can do to help out?” Rachel offered.

“No, I have everything under control.” Willa kept her voice firm.

“All right then. Don’t hesitate to call if you do. I imagine it can be overwhelming with five children and a business to run. I don’t mind pitching in if you need me.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

Willa walked Rachel to the door where Rachel paused with a confused frown directed at her.

“Can I ask why you didn’t help Sissy?”

“She didn’t think I could.” Willa refused to show that her feelings had been hurt by a teenager. After all, everyone knew teenagers were difficult to deal with.

Willa tried to be understanding. If Sissy needed to spill her venom in her direction, then she could tolerate it until her relative could be found.

“You didn’t tell her that you won the science award four years in a row?”

“Sissy wanted you. I think she wanted an in with your cousin Jace.”

Rachel shuddered. “She asked me several questions about him, which I avoided. Those two together would not be good.”

Willa stiffened. “You think Sissy would be a bad influence on Jace?”

Rachel shook her head, laughing, and then placed her hand on her arm. “Relax, mother hen. Jace would be a bad influence on Sissy. Drake is constantly getting him out of trouble.”

“In that case, I agree.” Willa smiled back. “The last thing I need is to deal with a teenager whose hormones are going crazy over a bad boy.”

“Take it from me; some bad boys are worth the trouble,” Rachel quipped.

“I’ll take your word for it.” Willa said tiredly, already thinking of the baking she was going to have to do before she could go to bed.

A strange look crossed Rachel’s face. “I have a feeling you’re going to find out for yourself.” Her hand dropped to her side when Willa took a step back. “Goodnight.”

Willa closed the door after Rachel left, shivering at Rachel’s words. She didn’t need any more trouble in her life. She was almost at her breaking point.

“God, if you’re listening, please … please let me get these children settled before anything else can go wrong. If not, then give me the strength to bear whatever you have in store for me because, from that look on Rachel’s face, I’m going to need all the help I can get.”



Lucky stared out the window into the darkness of the mountains, seeing a lone figure walking across the backyard. He watched as Lily stood, staring out at the mountains with her head bowed, and he felt a lump rise in his throat. No other parishioner had more faith than the woman who was obviously praying.

As a flicker of movement caught his attention, he turned his gaze to where Shade stood in the shadows of the gazebo, keeping his wife within view. Lucky’s mouth quirked. The lucky bastard kept Lily on a tight leash she was unaware of, or if she was, she didn’t mind. Lucky hadn’t figured out which one it was yet.#p#分页标题#e#