Love Inspired January 2016, Box Set 1 of 2 by Carolyne Aarsen Page A

left, Grady looked up, unerringly finding Chloe across the room. Their gazes locked. Chloe’s breath slowed and her heart raced. She pulled her eyes way only to find Eva watching her with a bemused expression.
    â€œSomeone just like you,” Eva said with a self-satisfied smile. “I think you’re exactly what my cousin needs.”
    Chloe’s heart twisted at Eva’s words. She knew she was starting to like Grady too much. She wished she knew what to do about it.

CHAPTER SIX
    â€œS mells wonderful in here.” Mamie Stillwater stepped into the kitchen carrying a pile of dish towels that she had just washed and folded.
    Chloe set the pan of freshly baked muffins on the counter, smiling at the results. “I thought I would bring some of these out to the hands. I’m sure they miss Martha Rose’s cooking.”
    â€œI’m sure they do, though the boys can certainly manage without her until she gets back.” Mamie set the towels in a cupboard beside the pantry and walked to the high chair Chloe had set close to the counter so she could watch Cody while she baked. “He looks tired.”
    Cody was rubbing his eyes, a piece of banana stuck to the back of his hand.
    Chloe wet a cloth and quickly wiped him down. “He is. I just wanted to finish up here before I put him in bed. Sorry I didn’t do it sooner.”
    Mamie waved off Chloe’s excuses. “Honey, I wasn’t trying to criticize you.”
    Chloe gave her a tight nod, realizing that her protest was automatic, hearkening back to her life with Jeremy. His constant criticism and harping had made her become overly aware of her shortcomings. It made her angry that he still had some influence on her behavior. She had promised herself she wouldn’t be defined by his treatment of her.
    Mostly she had kept that promise, but from time to time remnants of her old self returned.
    â€œI can lay him down if you want,” Mamie offered.
    â€œNo. I need these muffins to cool anyway.” Chloe shucked her oven mitts and set them neatly aside, then pulled Cody out of his high chair.
    A sudden and strong wave of nausea washed over her and she grabbed the edge of the counter to support herself. This was the worst she’d endured yet.
    â€œAre you okay, child?” Mamie asked, suddenly concerned.
    Chloe swallowed and swallowed, praying fiercely this would pass.
    â€œJust feeling a little light-headed,” she said as the vertigo receded. “I think I forgot to eat breakfast. And yes, I know breakfast is the most important meal of the day. My mom used to tell me that.”
    Mamie put the last towel in the cupboard and leaned back, her arms folded. “Do you remember much of your mother?”
    â€œBits and pieces. I was only ten when she died.”
    â€œThat must have been hard for you and your father.”
    Chloe shifted Cody in her arms, tucking his warm head into the crook of her neck as her mind sifted back. “It was. My father was adrift without my mother. I think he barely remembered he had a daughter at times.” She shook her head as if dislodging the memories, disliking the self-pity creeping into her voice.
    â€œAnd then he remarried,” Mamie said.
    Chloe held Cody even closer as she recalled that moment when she’d realized Vanessa’s mother did not see her as an asset, but rather as a rival for her father’s affections. “That wasn’t a good situation.” She gave Mamie a wry smile. “Very Cinderella but with only one stepsister. And my dad didn’t die. Etta left before that.”
    â€œCan I ask why she left?”
    â€œA number of reasons,” Chloe said, her voice growing hard. “She thought my grandfather would leave my father a boatload of cash, and when he died that was a disappointment. And then my father had his accident. He couldn’t give her what she needed. Couldn’t provide for her, and he had his injury, and