The Ride of Her Life Read Online Free PDF Page B

closed her eyes, and the gingerbread-clad toy structure came into view. “I wanted a big, white, grand house too, with pretty carpets and velvet draperies.”
    “And a nursery for the baby.” Mama touched her hand. “You had those fine things at the Harts’, but it still wasn’t a home.”
    “It wasn’t my home. Ben’s mother made that perfectly clear. But I promise you, Mama, I’ll earn enough money to make a home for you and Levi. After the season at Lake Manawa is over, I’ll get a job at Woodward’s Candy Factory, and I’ll work hard. I don’t want my son growing up feeling like he has no place to call his own.”
    “Like you did?”
    “Mama, you did your best. What else could you do after Daddy died before we could head West? The Westings were good to us most of the time. And you made sure I always felt loved.”
    “But you were always afraid Mrs. Westing would get in a snit and send us away.”
    Lilly dropped her head. “Not us, Mama. Me.”
    Levi waved his paper in the air. “Done. Wanna see, Grammy?”
    “Sure do.” Mama leaned over the picture and touched the boy in it. “This must be you. Look how handsome you are with your brown hair and blue eyes. But who is this?”
    “That’s Mr. Nick. He has blue eyes like mine, but his hair is black like coal.”
    Lilly smiled. “You drew him very well.”
    “And why is Mr. Nick holding a spider?”
    “’Cause he’s my friend, and we hunt bugs. Mama don’t like him, but I do. And Mr. Thorton told her she has to be nice to him. That was before the sheriff came and we had to move in with Emily and crying baby Katie.”
    “You don’t say?” Mama turned to Lilly. “Well, I guess you can go in the house and get yourself a paring knife after all. It looks like you’re gonna be here awhile fillin’ me in on your life at the lake, so you might as well make yourself useful.”

    Staring at the massive Hart mansion, Lilly took a deep breath. How her mother had convinced her to visit her former in-laws, she’d never know. Actually, she did understand her mother’s point. They were Ben’s parents, and if she loved him, then it was her duty to make sure they had a chance to have a relationship with their grandson—even if it made Lilly uncomfortable.
    And it certainly did. Her stomach churned like the lake on a stormy day. Would they take her visit as the peace offering she hoped it would be?
    She knelt in front of Levi and straightened his jacket. “Remember, use your best manners when you see your grandparents.”
    “They don’t like me.”
    “Yes they do, honey, but they aren’t used to being around little boys.”
    Levi cocked his head. “But wasn’t Daddy a little boy once?”
    “Yes, but he had a nanny who took care of him most of the time.” She stood and lifted the latch on the heavy iron gate. It creaked as she opened it far enough for the two of them to pass through. The ominous clang as it shut behind them made her shiver. Taking Levi’s hand, she started up the walk.
    “But why didn’t Grandmother take care of Daddy?”
    “She didn’t think it should be done like that.” Lilly squeezed his hand.
    “Did I have a nanny when I lived here?”
    “When you were little, you had a nurse your grandmother hired, but your daddy and I let her go. Your daddy and I never wanted you to be away from us. We wanted to take care of you all by ourselves.”
    “Didn’t Daddy like his nanny?”
    “Daddy loved his nanny a great deal. He said her name was Rosy. He used to call her Rosy Posey.” Lilly gave the brass knocker on the front door two solid whacks. “Now, remember your manners.”
    The door opened, and Jerome, the Harts’ butler, motioned them inside. He took Lilly’s cape and draped it over his arm. “I’ll let the Harts know you are here, ma’am, and may I personally say you and Master Hart are greatly missed here.”
    “Thank you, Jerome.” She smiled down at Levi. Lord, please help me say and do the right thing today for