Hometown Proposal Read Free Page A

badly Seth had behaved. What had changed? The question continued to haunt her.
    Barbara retrieved a couple of dishes from the refrigerator and set them on the counter. “Ray and Juliane, please take these into the dining room and get everyone settled. Elise and I’ll bring in the rest.”
    â€œIs there anything I can do to help?” Seth asked.
    â€œNo, thanks. You’re a guest. We’ve got it covered, but I’vegot something for Olivia.” Barbara went into the pantry and returned a few seconds later with a bright red booster seat. She handed it to Seth. “You go into the dining room and get Olivia settled.”
    â€œThanks.” Seth took the booster seat, then glanced at Olivia. “Look what we’ve got. You want to help Daddy find a place at the table?”
    â€œâ€™Kay.” Olivia scampered ahead.
    Elise watched Seth follow his daughter, and her heart did a little flip-flop. She didn’t want to have this reaction to him. She didn’t want to feel anything for Seth—good or bad. She just wanted him somewhere else, but that was an impossible wish.
    â€œDo I sense a little surprise from you about Olivia?” Barbara grabbed a big platter from the nearby cupboard and put the roast on it. “He told your father that you knew he had a daughter, but you seemed thrown at seeing her with him.”
    Surprised at her mother’s perception, Elise stepped closer and put her back to the dining room so her voice wouldn’t carry into the other room. She didn’t want Seth to hear any of this conversation. “Do you intend to quiz me about Seth, or have me help you?”
    â€œBoth. You can put the potatoes and carrots in there.” Barbara handed Elise a bowl. “So am I right?”
    Elise didn’t want to talk about it, but letting her mother know the truth was probably best. Still, there was no way Elise could possibly tell her mother the whole story. She didn’t know the whole story herself. “Seth and I had a falling out just before I left my job on the cruise ship, and, yes, part of it had to do with Olivia. But at that time, he didn’t have custody. Seeing her was surprising.”
    â€œI had no idea he had a child until he came here to interview. When did you find out?”
    â€œThis isn’t the right time to talk about it.”
    â€œI agree, but for your father’s sake, please make this a pleasant evening.”
    â€œI have no other intentions.” Following her mother into the dining room, Elise prayed for God’s peace to settle in her heavy heart.
    When Elise reached the table, the only place left to sit was directly across from Seth. Still waiting for that peace she’d prayed for, she put the bowl on the table and took her seat. She didn’t know which was worse—looking at Seth or at Olivia. They both filled her mind with troubling images from the past. Purging her thoughts of all disconcerting memories, she focused her attention on her father, who sat at the head of the table.
    â€œIt’s so good to have my two girls here along with our guests. Let’s thank God for this food and fellowship.” Ray bowed his head.
    As Elise bowed her head, she noticed that Olivia had bowed her head and folded her little hands. The sight touched Elise’s heart. Was Olivia mimicking Ray, or had she learned about prayer from somewhere else? Elise doubted that Seth had encouraged Olivia to pray. When they’d been together, he’d had little use for God. Seth had never seen the point in believing in God or leaning on religion. She’d let him draw her away from the faith she’d known while growing up in Kellerville—a faith she had embraced again since her return—a faith that she hoped would see her through tonight and all future encounters with Seth Finley.

Chapter Two
    O livia giggled as Seth stood behind her chair, cutting the roast beef on her plate into little pieces