Lightning and Lace Read Online Free PDF Page A

there, but he’d watched a lot of widows get overrun by strong-willed sons. The situation reminded him of wildflowers in a briar patch.
    A man wanted a pretty wife with good children. Made him feel fulfilled and happy. And children needed a father. But unless Mrs. Kahler found a way to settle down her oldest son, she’d have nothing to look forward to but heartache.
    He’d pray for Mrs. Kahler and her little family. He’d also shepherd Piney Woods Church and do a little carpentry work. Nothing else. Praise God, he had enough sense not to step into her life with two left feet.

Chapter 4
    That evening after dinner, Bonnie sat in the parlor with Michael Paul and Lydia Anne. She tried to concentrate on her middle son as he read his little sister a story, but Zack hadn’t returned, and her mind and body churned with every ticking of the clock. Michael Paul said nothing about his brother’s absence. Why should he? She’d already broken her promise. If she couldn’t stop Zack from going fishing, how could she stop him from bullying his brother and sister?
    Outside, she heard a wagon stop in front of the house. Her worst fears assailed her. What if something had happened to Zack, and she’d been unable to hinder his plans? He could have slipped on the riverbank or been bitten by a cottonmouth. Why hadn’t she gone looking for him? Had she become so afraid of confrontation that she didn’t care what happened to her son?
    “Would you like for me to answer the door?” Michael Paul said.
    She glanced his way and saw the compassion in his eyes. Dear Michael Paul, at eight years old, wanted to shelter his mother. “I’ll see who’s come to visit,” she said. “But thank you. Your reading is very good.” Although she hadn’t heard a single word.
    She made her way to the door. Footsteps sounded on the porch, and then the knock startled her. Bonnie took a deep breath and opened the door.
    Oh, no, not the Hillmans. “Good evening, Sylvia, Lester. How kind of you to stop by.” She opened the door wide and smiled as they walked into her home.
    “Oh, we won’t be long,” Sylvia said with a voice so soft and sweet that it must rival the heavenly host. “We simply wanted to see how you and the children are doing.”
    “We’re managing very well. Come on into the parlor. Michael Paul has been reading to us.”
    Lester glanced around, his contemptuous attitude dominating the room. “Where is that other strapping son of yours?”
    “Zack went fishing and hasn’t returned.”
    “I always catch the best fish at night.” Lester seated himself beside his wife on the sofa.
    Bonnie held her breath and hoped her daughter didn’t say anything that Lester and Sylvia Hillman didn’t need to hear. “Lydia Anne, would you like to help me with coffee and apple pie for our guests?”
    Juanita stood in the doorway. “No need, Miss Bonnie. I’ll bring it for you.”
    “Thank you.” Bonnie continued to smile after Juanita disappeared. “I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
    “I’m glad Mr. Kahler was able to provide for you long after his passing,” Sylvia said.
    “Yes, ma’am.” Oh, why couldn’t she have visited without Lester like she’d done in the past?
    Lester cleared his throat. “How is the ranch?”
    “My foreman, Thomas Reynolds, does an excellent job of running things—and keeping me informed.”
    “I’d be glad to go through the books for you,” Lester said. “You could bring them to me at the bank, or I’d be glad to ride out here.”
    “I appreciate your offer, Lester, but I’m really fine. My time of grieving needs to end, and that means becoming more involved with the ranch. Actually, I’m excited about it.”
    Bonnie didn’t need or want he town banker meddling in her affairs. She had enough problems without adding more.
    “Your children are beautiful,” Sylvia said. “And they always look so nice.”
    “Grandma made me a new dress,” Lydia Anne said.
    “I’d love to see