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

what woman can live like that?” She gave Mamie an arch look, underlining the irony of her comment.
    Mamie smiled sadly, clearly understanding what Chloe was saying and her slightly sarcastic inference.
    â€œThat can be hard,” she said.
    â€œI’ll put this munchkin down and then I’ll head out.”
    â€œI’m going to lie down,” Mamie said. “I haven’t been feeling well.”
    â€œI’m sorry to hear that,” Chloe said, giving her a concerned look. “I can stay in the house if you want.”
    Mamie shook her head. “No. Cody will sleep. You go bring those boys some muffins. I’m sure they miss all the fussing they usually get from Martha Rose. I’ll be fine.”
    Chloe nodded, then left with the little boy, but as she walked up the stairs she felt another wave of nausea and wondered how long she could keep her condition a secret.
    And if it was fair to the Stillwaters to do so.
    I just need this for a few more months , she promised herself. Just until I can figure out what to do and where to go.
    The thought clung to her with icy fingers because at the moment she had no idea.
    * * *
    â€œThat was a short break,” Saul said, looking up from the horse he had just tied to a rail.
    â€œChanged my mind,” Grady said brusquely.
    â€œThought you said you needed a rest.”
    He had. His leg bothered him and while he resented resting it, part of him had been hoping to see Chloe. Until he’d overheard what she said.
    ...couldn’t provide for her, and he had his injury, and what woman can live like that?
    Though he didn’t know the context of the words, it wasn’t hard to infer what she meant, and it underlined his view of himself. Sure, he could take care of someone financially, manage the ranch from a desk like his father had, but that hadn’t turned out well for his father, either.
    A nasty wind with a bite to it swept through the alleyway, making Grady shiver. The forecast was for unseasonably cold weather. They would have to increase the cows’ feed to compensate.
    Josh Carpenter, one of the hired hands, led the horse Saul had just worked on back to the pasture. When he saw Grady, he stopped.
    â€œHey, boss, just wondering if I can take a day off this week?” he asked. “My dad needs my help setting up some surveillance cameras on his place.”
    â€œHas he been hit, too?” Josh’s father wasn’t even a rancher. He lived on acreage on the edge of town.
    â€œNo. He’s just getting paranoid that he might. Must have bought seven of those cameras. I tried to tell him that no one would want his old stuff, but to him it’s precious.”
    â€œShould be okay.” Emilio and Lucas would be around, so he could certainly spare Josh.
    Josh gave him a goofy grin, which puzzled Grady until he realized the hired hand was looking at someone past him. He caught the same whiff of baking he had in the house and from the way his neck prickled he figured Chloe had just arrived.
    â€œHey, Chloe, good to see you,” Josh said, threading his fingers through the reins of the horse he was still leading in a nervous gesture. He looked somewhat smitten and Grady couldn’t blame him. Chloe seemed to have the same effect on him, except he tried a little harder than Josh to hide it.
    â€œGood to see you, too,” Chloe returned, stopping right beside Grady. In one hand she held a plastic bag, in the other a plate of muffins covered in wrap, their warmth creating a cloud of vapor on the covering. “I though you all might enjoy a snack.”
    â€œJust let me bring this cayuse away and I’ll be right back,” Josh said with a bright grin.
    Though it had been only a couple of hours since breakfast, the smell of the baking made Grady’s stomach growl. However, the thought of sitting all cozy and cute sharing some muffins with Chloe after what he had overheard was too difficult.
    His mind