CLEAN ROMANCE: Finding Peace (Christian Romance, Inspirational Romance, Second Chance Romance) (New Adult Contemporary Romance/Clean and Wholesome) by Grace Warren Read Free Book Online

began to sing at a muted volume. Come
follow, follow, follow, follow, follow, follow me.”
    It was Olivia’s
turn to look surprised. She started to sing with Lucy. “To the greenwood, to
the greenwood, to the greenwood follow me.”
    They fed the pony
another apple and continued their song out of the barn and back to the house. By
the time they entered the kitchen they were singing in a round and at the top
of their lungs. Each one’s face lit up with delight.
    “Olivia Ashley
McCain!” a stern voice shot out from a back room off the kitchen. “How many
times have I told you not to sing that?” Vanessa emerged from the pantry, her
features so tense she looked hard as stone. Her hands were filled with canned
goods and her eyes shot daggers when she saw Lucy standing behind Olivia with a
protective hand on her shoulder. “Oh, I didn’t realize…” Vanessa trailed off.
    “I’m sorry
Vanessa; we didn’t mean to disturb you.” Lucy apologized, although she was
confused as to why Olivia was being admonished.
    “Olivia, run down
to the stables and tell your father and brother lunch is served and wipe that
stuff off your mouth” Vanessa directed.
    “Yes Ma’am.” The
girl ran off without another word.
    Vanessa stirred a
pot of soup that was simmering on the stove top. “That one there has a stubborn
streak a mile long. Mind you, give her an inch and she’ll take a mile.”
    “Oh she was sweet
as can be. I’m sure she didn’t mean any harm.” Lucy tried to help by arranging
the stack of bowls and silverware that sat on the kitchen table.
    “You’re sure are
you? You come in here less than a day, let a child make her face up like a
harlot and you want to tell me about raising children you have just met?”
Vanessa restacked the bowls and carried them out of the kitchen to a separate
dining room. “We eat as a family in the dining room here, or would you like to
change that as well?”
    Lucy stood there
speechless, her jaw slack and her eyes wide with wonderment. How could she feel
so guilty for something she hadn’t done?

FOUR
     
    After a week had
passed, Lucy had met the ranch hands, the dog Rufus, Orange Kitty and the local
Post Master. She had spent every afternoon with Olivia and Galen, playing
games, reading and singing outside or in the barn, anywhere but near Vanessa.
Nash had kept his distance. He was up before the sun rose and went to his own
bedroom early every evening leaving Lucy to her own devices. Lucy had used her
time to unpack, text her few friends back east and learn the layout of the
house and ranch.
    Vanessa still
arrived early every morning, made breakfast, lunch and dinner. She continued to
do laundry and care for the children by making certain they bathed, cleaned up
after themselves and went to bed at a “proper” time. She had a knack for making
Lucy feel less than adequate and took every opportunity to condemn her just for
being in her presence. Nash never witnessed this, he was either out in the
fields or conveniently unavailable.
    If Lucy were
being honest, she had enjoyed her time on the McCain ranch so far, but she was
beginning to feel antsy and a little bit like a “moocher”. She wanted to feel
useful, and more than anything she wanted Nash to see that she wanted to be a
part of his family. In the seven days she had spent here she had fallen head
over heels in love with his children, they were polite, funny and pure joy to
be around, even when they were arguing about who’s turn it was to sit next to
her at meal times. Her only negative emotion, beyond Vanessa’s unexplained
loathing of her, was that she had not spent any real time getting to know Nash.
She understood their set up was one of convenience. She had agreed to take care
of the house and the children and he had agreed to support her, but in the back
of her mind Lucy had hoped for more.
    When Nash came in
for breakfast, Lucy decided to loosen her tongue and take the bull by the
horns. “I think it’s