Seasons of Sugarcreek 03. Autumn's Promise Read Online Free PDF Page A

of western romances.”
    But instead of looking horrified, the corners of his lips lifted. “Do you have time to tell me about your book? Are you still on break?”
    She looked at her watch. “I have time.” She wrinkled her nose. “Are you sure you want to hear about it?”
    “Mighty sure,” he murmured.
    A flash of warmth settled in her as she began to talk all about the book. And as Robert Miller gazed at her like she was the most interesting person in the whole world.
     
     
    The following Tuesday, her work shift ended much too soon. With leaden feet, Lilly walked to her car. She wished she had somewhere else to go, but at the moment, the only place she really knew to drive to was home.
    What a day it had been. First her mom had been chirping all about her pregnancy. Again. Then the restaurant had gotten incredibly busy and she’d hardly had time to clear tables before more customers were seated.
    Now she was running on fumes. Barely holding on. When would her life ever settle down and get back to normal? Of course, what was normal?
    After pulling out onto Main Street, Lilly noticed the slow changes that were taking place around Sugarcreek. Some gift shops had fall flags out and other festive displays. Around them, mums were in bloom. A beautiful display of black-eyed Susans waved in the distance. And one or two elm trees had already begun to switch colors. The air was cooler…soon corn mazes would be advertised and pumpkin patches would be filled with children searching for their perfect jack-o’-lantern.
    No matter what happened, it seemed as if the seasons really did move on. She was just thinking about that when she noticed Miller’s Carpentry and Robert’s buggy parked to the side.
    Whether it was because she was willing to do anything to delay going home…or because she’d felt drawn toward Robert since the day she’d met him, or because she’d enjoyed their last conversation so much…Lilly made a sudden decision and pulled into his lot.
    Maybe it wouldn’t be too awkward if she simply went in and thanked him for his concern the week before? After all, it had been really nice of him to visit the restaurant just to see how she was doing.
    That would be the Christian thing to do. Right?
    The light was dim and the air smelled like oil and sawdust when she opened the door. She found him easily enough. He was sitting hunched over a desk, glaring at a stack of papers.
    His head popped up when she opened the door. The stunned look on his face when their eyes met was almost comical.
    “Hi,” she said. “I hope I’m not bothering you?”
    “ Nee . I mean…no.” His chair scraped the floor when he stood up. “Did you need something?”
    Since he looked glued to the ground, she walked forward. “Maybe.”
    That seemed to set him in motion. Clumsily, he walked around the desk. Cleared his throat. “Very well. Um, what may I show you?” He pointed behind him to a beautiful chest of drawers made out of oak and stained a rich walnut. “A bureau? Or maybe a rocking chair.”
    “It’s all beautiful, but I didn’t come here for furniture.” A line appeared between his brows. “No?”
    He looked so flustered, she almost smiled. Almost. “I just wanted to stop by to thank you.”
    “For what?”
    “For what you did last week, of course. Not only did you not mind that I pulled in here and cried, but you even came by the restaurant.” Because he was still looking at her so intently, she stumbled over her next words. Panic was setting in. Maybe stopping by had been the completely wrong thing to do? “I mean, I’m glad you stopped by and we talked.”
    Only one kerosene lamp aided the waning natural sunlight illuminating the room. But even in such conditions, Lilly spied a faint blush stain his cheeks.
    He swallowed again. “No thanks is necessary.”
    “I think otherwise.” Anxious to not belabor her mini crises to death, she gestured toward his desk. Papers and account books littered the