Every Little Thing About You (Yellow Rose Trilogy 1) Read Free

matter of life and death.
    "Everything all right?" Kate asked her daughter.
    "Yes. He's new to town and didn't know the rules. He
    hesitated, and I felt I had no choice but to lift his weapon."
    Kate nodded. She didn't fear Liberty's being shot--the
    younger woman was very competent with a firearm--it
    was more the things men said to her that Kate objected to.
    No mother wanted vulgar things said to her children, but
    when the child was a young, unmarried woman, it was all
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    the harder. At times Kate wanted a different life for her
    daughter, a life without Griffin's refitted pants or a gun.
    Kate honestly believed that would be best, but for the
    moment, this was where God had them.
    "I washed," five-year-old Laura announced as she
    came to the dining room doorway.
    "Thank you, dear. Please tell your father we're all ready
    in here."
    "Papa!" Laura dashed from the room on that note, and
    both women turned as Zach entered. He was a serious six-year-old
    with a heart of gold.
    "Are you washed, Zach?" Liberty asked her young
    half-brother.
    "Yes, but I got my shirt a little wet."
    "It will dry," Liberty said kindly as she touched his fair
    head.
    Every Little Thing About You 17
    "Laura says we're ready!" Duffy Peterson, one of
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    Shotgun's doctors and Kate's second husband, said as he
    came on the scene just then, a platter of roast pork in his
    hands. He added it to the table, and in his warm, wonderful
    way invited everyone to sit down. He then asked
    them to bow in prayer.
    "Family is so special, Lord," he said reverently, "and
    we thank You for the ones You've gathered here. Thank
    You for the sweet fellowship we have in You. Thank You
    for this food, and for the strong bodies You've given to us.
    Help us to be filled without being greedy, and to remember
    that every bite is from Your hand. In Jesus Christ's name I
    pray. Amen."
    The meal began on that good note and only got better.
    Duffy had been called upon that day to deliver twins-- always fun news. He was peppered with questions for a good ten minutes; questions he patiently answered.
    "Boys or girls?"
    "One of each."
    "Who was born first?"
    "The boy. I think they're calling him John after his
    father."
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    "Did they cry hard?"
    "Yes, but we kept them warm, and they settled right
    down for their mother."
    "Is their mother all right?"
    "She's doing very well."
    "Will you see her again this week?"
    "If they call me, yes."
    "We'll have to get over with a basket of baked goods,"
    Kate suggested in an effort to stem the tide.
    "The pantry's full right now, so that shouldn't be a problem," Liberty said as she remembered she had not brought in the gravy. She rose to do this, giving husband
    and wife a moment to speak.
    "She brought a man in today," Kate said for her husband's
    ears alone.
    18 lori wick
    "Did it go all right?"
    "She said it did. Griffin is still at the jail with him."
    "I can bake," Laura put in suddenly.
    "Whaf s that, honey?" her mother asked/ needing to let
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    the other conversation drop. Her husband watched her for
    a moment
    "I can bake for the babies too."
    "Yes, you can, and we'll just do that. All right?"
    Laura nodded, looking pleased.
    'Tell me, Zach," his father said conversationally, "what
    was the funnest thing that happened in school today?"
    "We got to read outside."
    "Oh, that is fun. Did you all have books, or did Mrs.
    Murch read to you?"
    "She read to us first, but then the older kids took
    turns."
    "Very good. You'll be having your turn before you
    know it"
    Zach smiled up at his father, his favorite person in the
    world. While other boys wanted to chase after frogs and go
    fishing, Zach Peterson wanted to sit with a book and read.
    Some of the children at school had said that such things
    were sissy, but not Zach's father. Duffy had told him that
    reading was wonderful and that he should never feel
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    ashamed of his love for it. Right after that, Zach had found
    himself very interested in fishing, and he tried it with