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

the
season.”
    “And that’s got what to do with giving the
man a contract? Give Lucas some credit. He’s helping pay for
Megan’s education.”
    Lia narrowed her eyes. A ripple of unease
rode a rollercoaster from her brain to her heart. “Do you still
have a crush on him?” she asked quietly. “I thought you were long
over Lucas.”
    “Hey, sister!” a voice shouted, interrupting
her study of Zoë. Lia turned to see Zoë’s younger brother racing
toward them.
    Zoë hopped down from the barstool and let out
a squeal. “Whee!” She raced toward her brother. “Seth! How come you
never told anyone you were coming home?”
    The uniformed solider stopped, saluted, and
then grabbed Zoë around the waist and twirled her round and round.
The few customers in the bar clapped. Bethany reappeared from the
kitchen and joined in the applause.
    “Welcome home, Seth,” Lia called out, but she
couldn’t help but wonder if Zoë had purposefully avoided the
question about Lucas—their unrequited love during their high school
years.
     
     
     

Chapter 3
     
    Lia waved her hand. “Hello? Bethany. Another
of whatever beer Zoë’s drinking and the same for her brother,” Lia
said to the mesmerized bartender as Seth and Zoë walked toward her
spot at the bar.
    “I just love a man in a uniform,” Bethany
gushed. Lia worried the woman might fall into an old-fashioned
swoon, something like Scarlett O’Hara might pull. Lia’s mother had
endowed their Midwest family values with a smattering of southern
culture from her side of the family. An iconic swooning couch had
held court in the living room all of her life.
    Seth saluted Bethany, who blushed deep
pink.
    “Drinks coming right up. His is on the
house.” Bethany hurried away.
    Seth leaned over and hugged Lia. “The famous
artist comes to town. Good to see you.”
    “You aren’t the little runt who followed your
sister and me around. I’d salute you, but would probably make a
mess of it, and I don’t want to insult. How about a toast
instead?”
    Bethany placed a beer directly in front of
Seth and Zoë’s second one within reach.
    Lia stood and lifted her mug. “Here’s to all
brave men who serve with honor. And to you, Seth Marshall, for
making your family proud and coming home alive.” She clinked the
glass together with her friends and took a sip.
    “To Seth,” the other dozen patrons in the bar
shouted.
    Seth turned and waved to the well-wishers.
“Thanks. It’s good to be home.”
    “I’m going to leave. You two have some
catching up to do,” Lia said, picking up her keys from the bar.
    “But you haven’t finished half your drink,”
Seth pointed out. “Don’t go on my account.”
    “I feel even more inspired to paint now. It’s
all taking shape in my brain.” She hugged Seth, then Zoë. “I’ll see
you tomorrow,” Lia whispered. “About two. Rain or shine.” A touch
of sadness tweaked her heart. Celebrating Seth’s return, a brave
man home from war, and seeing the joy in Zoë’s eyes over his
homecoming made the ache of missing her parents and the family life
they’d shared greater in the moment. Not that she expected things
to be a hundred percent different tomorrow, but maybe getting past
the first anniversary of the funeral would be like finishing a book
about an epic journey. Starting a new story might lighten the
remaining sadness stuck in her heart.
    Walking out of the dark bar, Lia shaded her
eyes, allowing them to adjust to the sunlight. She crossed the
street in the shadow of the bar’s rocket steeple before turning the
corner and making her way back to her truck. She mused about the
differences between her and Zoë. She was taller, curvier, auburn
haired, with not much family compared to Zoë with her petite build,
model thin, blonde bobbed hair, blue eyes, and a large boisterous
family. Their goals in life were different, too. While she loved to
paint and enjoyed teaching, Zoë preferred the spotlight. Harvest
didn’t have a