Colters舗 Promise Read Online Free PDF

to her ear.
    “Hello?”
    “Lily, dear, it’s Holly. How are you?”
    “F-fine. I’m fine. How are you?”
    “I’m on my way over, actually. I hope you’re home! I didn’t even think to call before I left. You know how I am. Once I get an idea in my head, I act. And to be honest, I was more focused on being able to get past the husbands without the third degree. You know how they are about me driving myself into town.”
    Lily smiled, picturing Holly rolling her eyes as she always did when she talked about the three older Colter men.
    “Yes, I’m home.”
    “Oh good,” Holly breathed. “I have a huge favor to ask.”
    Lily let a sigh of relief. Her mother-in-law wasn’t calling because she knew Lily had been to the doctor.
    She stood rapidly, still holding the phone as she headed toward the back door. It wouldn’t do for Hollyto see the mess Lily was in. She’d latch on and there’d be no avoiding the issue.
    She wiped frantically at her face even as she murmured a good-bye to Holly. She tossed the phone onto the counter and then headed into the bathroom.
    She had about fifteen minutes to make it look like her world hadn’t just been tilted on its axis.

C HAPTER 4

    L ILY smiled broadly at herself in the mirror. She grimaced and then let her lips fall. The smile looked exactly the way it felt—fake and forced. When the doorbell rang, she sighed and turned away.
    Makeup did wonders, though Lily didn’t normally wear much—and she didn’t have much on now. Just enough to disguise the signs of grief that had ravaged her face earlier.
    She hurried to the door, putting on a genuine, warm smile before opening it.
    Holly bustled in from the cold, immediately pulling Lily into a huge hug. Holly wasn’t a large woman byany stretch, but she hugged like a bear. Lily felt it to her soul and closed her eyes as her mother-in-law soothed and patted and made Lily feel like she was bathed in sunshine.
    “Are none of those boys of mine home today?” Holly asked when she finally released Lily.
    Lily shut the door, took Holly’s coat, and shook her head. “Dillon went in early because Callie was working the bar last night. He never likes it when she does and neither does Max. Max called, wanting him to at least make sure she didn’t sleep on the couch in the office, so I’m sure he went in and made her go home.”
    “Ah,” Holly said. “Well, Max is home so he’ll take care of that, I suppose.”
    “I’m so glad they’ll be here this Christmas.”
    Holly’s entire face lit up. “Oh yes, me too. My whole family here for Christmas. I’m so excited, I can’t stand it.”
    As they entered the living room, Lily paused and turned to see Holly staring intently at her.
    “Are you all right, Lily? You look a little pale.”
    Lily swallowed and forced a brighter smile. “I’m fine.”
    Holly frowned but didn’t pursue the matter, andnow Lily worried that she’d mention her concerns to her sons. Impulsively, she reached for Holly’s hand and squeezed, feeling better for the contact.
    “Holly, I’m fine. Now tell me what favor you need. You know I’d do anything for you.”
    Her mother-in-law turned, took both of Lily’s hands in hers, her eyes dancing with excitement. “I want you to teach me how to cook.”
    Lily’s mouth dropped open. Of all the things that Holly could have said, this was the farthest thing from Lily’s mind. She stared at Holly for several long seconds before she finally found her tongue.
    “What on earth for?”
    Holly sighed, let go of Lily’s hands, and then settled on the couch. Lily took a seat next to her, tucking one leg underneath her and rotating so they faced each other.
    “It’s been a running family joke for years that I can’t cook and that my husbands have always provided the meals for our family—which is totally true, mind you. It’s never bothered me, but this year … This Christmas I’d like to put the food on the table for my family and know that I made