Her Heart's Desire (Sunflower Series Book 1) by Linda Joyce Read Free Book Online Page A

the mural had mostly blistered and peeled.”
    “She’s got great talent,” Lucas said.
    “Who’s Karl?”
    Lucas drew back. A simple question, but the
answer was complicated. “Mr. Turner’s nephew. This is his younger
sister’s son. From Chicago. He’s trying hard to fit in. Levi’s.
Tony Lamas. Charlie One Horse straw hat. If he’s been on a horse,
it had to be at Turner’s place and long ago. He was asking me about
asking Amelia out before she walked in the storeroom and asked him
out herself.”
    “Hmm.”
    “Hmm, what? I let it slip that you might not
be happy about the idea. I’m not interfering with your sister’s
life anymore. The two of you have to work it out.”
    “Okay.”
    “I’m going to punch you. Okay, what?”
    “I’ll let her ruin her life. Marry some guy
who doesn’t understand her art, wants her for the land and will
give her lots of kids. That’ll make her real happy, don’t you
think?”
    Lucas narrowed his eyes. “You think a local
guy can’t give your sister a good life and love her for who she
is?”
    “Well, maybe. But it would be just too
weird.”
    Crystal arrived with the food on a tray so
large she struggled setting it down. Lucas rose to assist. The tray
made it to the table without food sliding from the plates. Crystal
placed the full slab of ribs, side items, and extra plates in front
of them, along with a roll of paper towels.
    “Always the Boy Scout, Lucas,” Craig
said.
    “Always the gentleman,” Crystal replied
smugly. She picked up the empty tray and winked at Lucas before
leaving.
    “Have you gone out with her?” Craig
asked.
    “Long ago. After her tonsillectomy from you,
but before we graduated college.”
    “Back to Amelia. I guess for her to ask a man
for a date, either she’s grown up more than I thought, or gotten
pure lonely at the farm by herself. I hadn’t considered that
eventuality.”
    “I’m glad to finally hear your ‘Amelia light
bulb’ is turned on,” Lucas muttered. Maybe grief had clouded
Craig’s judgment, and now it was returning.
    “Well, look.” Craig pointed to a spot over
Lucas’s shoulder.
    “Hey!” Zoë called out. “Look who it is. CB.
How ya doin’?” She dropped down in the booth next to Lucas causing
him to make room for her. Zoë reached for a piece of garlic bread,
all the while grinning at Craig.
    “I’d kiss you, girl, but I’ve got barbecue
lips.” Craig puckered and kissed the air. “How’s your family? Seth
doing okay?”
    “Arrived home on leave today. I’m sure you’ll
see him. So...Houston, we have a problem. Lia’s got a date next
Saturday night. Plus, Helen told me Lia’s already been by the café
and ordered her own birthday cake. I’m going to have to let Karl in
on the surprise if we hope to get her to the party,” Zoë said
between chews of bread.
    “Karl seems to get around.” Craig said.
    Zoë elbowed Lucas. “Yeah, I hear you tried to
put the kibosh on their date. What’s up with that? Karl’s a good lookin’ guy. Been around, traveled a lot. Knows more
than how to grow corn or fix a tractor. He’s the white-collar type.
Like our friend here who only wears suits now. Karl could be good
for her.”
    “I was following orders,” Lucas grumbled.
    “Huh? Craig, that was your fault? I don’t
want to believe it, but Lucas never lies.”
    “So, can Karl be trusted or do we stage a
kidnapping?” Craig asked.
    The suggestion must have been to Zoë’s
liking. She smiled and drummed her fingers, playing a drum roll on
the table. “A staged kidnapping sounds exciting.”
    Lucas groaned. “No. Too undignified. Amelia
would hate it, which would ruin the party for her. Remember, the
whole reason we’re doing this is for her.”
    “Well,” Craig interrupted. “If you think we
can trust a newbie like Karl, then we’ll let him in on the secret,
but you’d better be real sure he can keep a confidence. Amelia
refused to celebrate her birthday last year. Too close after