Lily's Cowboys Read Online Free PDF Page A

hide off those two younger boys. Next day, Ethan stuffed both boys in the dumb waiter and wouldn’t let them out.”

    Lily laughed at the idea of the mischief the boys had gotten into. She could just imagine them horsing around. She couldn’t wait to meet all three of them and wondered if they still had some of that mischievous behavior left in them.

    “ Let me show you around. The kitchen is this way.” Lily followed Maggie around for the next hour learning where everything was and how everything was set up. Maggie told her the boys usually ate breakfast around five thirty every morning and she would pack a lunch for them if they weren’t able to make it back during the day. Dinner was usually around six o’clock. Allen hadn’t been eating much since he came home and Maggie was concerned about his health.

    “ Allen was in the military. He was in South America on some mission and it went bad. He was captured and tortured. By the time they got him out he was almost dead. He’s been home for six months now and hardly ever leaves the downstairs bedroom. All his meals are taken to him and left.”

    “ Why hasn’t he left his room?” Lily asked curiously her heart going out to a man she hadn’t even met yet.

    “ His legs were broken pretty bad. The doc’s were able to patch him back up and he can walk now but it wasn’t always easy for him, especially when he was tired. He refused to work with the physical therapist so it has been a little harder on him. He’s better now physically but mentally. Now that’s another story.”

    “ Why did he refuse the help from the physical therapist?” Lily asked wondering if there was something she was missing.

    “ Allen wasn’t the only one captured. Two of his buddies were captured as well. They were beaten and tortured too. They weren’t as lucky as Allen. They didn’t make it out alive.” Maggie said sadly. “One of the boys was from here. He went in the military at the same time as Allen. Allen feels responsible for his death. He feels like he was the one who talked him into joining. Now, he just drinks to forget. He still has nightmares at night.”

    “ Hasn’t anyone tried to help him? Surely the military has someone who can help him deal with the grief and anger he is feeling.” Lily couldn’t begin to imagine how difficult it must have been to watch two friends die in such a horrible way.

    “ He won’t let anyone in. Everyone they’ve sent has walked out. I don’t know what else to do and neither does his brothers. We’ve all tried to help but nothing seems to work.” Maggie wiped a tear away as it coursed down her withered cheek. “I’m hoping maybe you can help him, help his brothers, learn to live again but I’m afraid he will just drive you away too.”

    Lily stared out the windows at the mountains for a moment before replying, “Sometimes you have to face death before you can appreciate what it means to live.” Turning to look at Maggie, Lily gazed into the older woman’s eyes and said quietly, “He just needs someone to show him the way. Maybe he just needs to realize his brothers need him as much as he needs them.”

    Maggie grabbed Lily’s hands and squeezed them gently, “If anyone can help those boys learn to live and love again, it’s you. They need you Lily. I don’t understand how I know, I just do. They need you.”

    Lily smiled sadly at Maggie and nodded. She knew what her mission was here. She needed to help the three brothers understand that no matter what life throws at them, if they stick together they can overcome any obstacle. It would take time, patience, and a gentle push to get them heading in the right direction but at least she knew what needed to be done. That was the first step in the right direction.

Chapter 4

    Early the next morning, Lily hummed as she finished cleaning the living room area. Maggie had done her best but the house had been neglected for quite some time. Now, a lovely warm fire burned