Tomorrow's Promise (The Hawks Mountain Series) by Elizabeth Sinclair Page A

would want to break into her house? There certainly wasn’t anything here of value, and any burglar would leave sorely disappointed.
    She’d obviously jumped to the wrong conclusion and the door had been ajar simply because she hadn’t pulled it close when she’d left. Nothing more.
    Because of her apprehension about the open door, her anger at Cole had cooled and now lay in a big ball of disillusionment in her stomach. She’d thought him beyond lies and deceit, but once more her judgment of men proved to be less than accurate. When would she learn?
    She’d trusted Cole. Hadn’t she? No. She hadn’t. Not really. Despite everything he’d done for her and Lizzie, one indisputable truth remained. Cole Ainsley was a man. And her track record in that department left little room for trust in him, or any man.
    FAITH HAD JUST put a pot of water on to boil in preparation for making Lizzie’s favorite, mac and cheese, when a knock sounded on the door. She turned down the flame under the pot, wiped her hands on a paper towel, and then went to the door. Holding her breath and praying it wasn’t Cole, she swung the door open.
    “Momma!” Lizzie launched herself from Granny Jo’s arms into Faith’s.
    Faith kissed Lizzie’s sweet cheek. “Hello, my sweet baby girl. Did you have a good time with Granny?”
    “Oh, yes.” Granny stepped inside as Faith held the door wider for her. “We had a very good time. Didn’t we, Lizzie?” She chucked the child under the chin. Lizzie clutched her teddy bear closer, curled her chin into her neck, and giggled. “Lizzie and my old hound, Jake, became fast friends. He never left her side. You might think about getting her a dog. She sure loves them. Make a good playmate for her.”
    “I’ll think about it. We’ll be having supper soon.” Faith motioned for Granny to take a seat on the sofa. She sat next her with Lizzie on her lap. “I’d be pleased if you’d join us. Nothing fancy, just Lizzie’s favorite mac and cheese.”
    “Thank you for the invite, but Becky has asked me to come for supper. But I’ll take a rain check.”
    Faith smiled. “Anytime. You’re always welcome.” Just having Granny sitting in her living room eased the stiffness from Faith’s tangled nerves. She reminded her of her grandmother, the one person in her life who had made Faith feel worthwhile and loved. She shifted a squirming Lizzie to the floor. “So how was your day with my little hellion?”
    Granny didn’t answer. Instead, she studied Faith with those wise, knowing eyes of hers. “Suppose you tell me how your first day at your job went.”
    Granny’s word brought back all the animosity she’d felt about Cole’s deceit. A tight fist formed in Faith’s chest. She really didn’t want to talk about her day, but Granny’s gentle hand on hers coaxed the words from her. “I quit.”
    Granny sat up straight. “Well, that’s a bit of a surprise. May I ask why?”
    For a long moment, Faith refrained from explaining. How could she admit she’d been taken in again by a man, even to this compassionate woman? Some of the anger she’d felt when she’d discovered Cole’s lie rose up in her throat like sour bile. She swallowed it down. “He lied to me, Granny Jo.” She told Granny everything from the time she’d walked into Cole’s house until she’d slammed out of his car.
    “Darlin’,” Granny said softly, “men lie. It’s in their DNA. Poor dears can’t help it. Lord knows my Earl told his share of them. They think if they concoct some outlandish tale that it’s better than the truth, and it’ll get them out of trouble.” She laughed. “Most times, it just digs their hole deeper. From what you’ve told me, it appears that Cole might have been lying for a good reason.” She patted Faith’s hand. “My advice is, you should let him explain. You might be surprised at what he tells you.”
    Granny stood, and, after kissing Lizzie goodbye, walked toward the door. With her hand