Read Online Her Baby Dreams by Debra Clopton - Free Book Online Page A

photo made, and to put one in a safe-deposit box. His mother had been a special lady, and the thought of not being able to show his some-day children a picture of their grandmother was unbearable.
    He’d never known a stronger woman than his mother. She’d risked everything for him, her only child, even her life…. Her grandchildren would need to see a picture of her, and thanks to the Lord’s timing, they would…that is, if he ever had any.
    â€œMan, I’m really sorry,” Clint said, coming to stand beside him. “This is a cryin’ shame. Did I hear Brady tell you it was a faulty lamp cord?”
    â€œCan you believe it? Plugged into the outlet beside my bed.” Dan met his friend’s sympathetic eyes and pulled a smile up despite the situation. “At least no one was hurt.”
    â€œWell, there is that. Though you took a big risk. You feeling okay?”
    Dan nodded.
    â€œI wish there had been more we could do,” Clint added.
    Dan knew he was in shock to an extent, and that tomorrow he might feel differently, but…“It’s just stuff, Clint. I’ve never been big on creature comforts, anyway.”
    â€œYeah, well, I agree with you on that.” He glanced toward Lacy, who was chatting with a group of women. “As long as I walked out of something like this with Lacy alive, that’s all that would matter to me.”
    Dan nodded. “You’ve got your priorities straight.”
    â€œLook, I was serious about coming to stay at the house for as long as you need to.”
    Dan had received so many offers they were all a blur, but this time he accepted. “Thanks, buddy, I’ll take you up on it tonight. I’ll figure something else out tomorrow. Now, help me get everyone to go on home. I know they all want to pitch in but there’s nothing anyone can do now.”
    It took them a little while to get the townsfolk to listen, but eventually they all walked back out to their cars and headed home for the evening. Dan got hugs from all the women and plenty of back slaps from the guys. They were good people.
    He watched everyone leave, promising that he was going to go out to Clint’s right after everyone left. But even though he loved them all dearly, he was glad to see them go. He needed a few moments alone.

Chapter Seven
    â€œA re you sure you don’t need me anymore?” Rose asked, excitement lacing her voice.
    Ashby looked up from where she was working on her Web site.
    â€œYes, go. You have more important things to attend to today. It isn’t every day that your son turns fourteen.”
    â€œTell me about it! There isn’t much more that needs to be done. Living in a house full of bakers and candy makers has its advantages.”
    Ashby could only imagine the treats Max and his friends were in for tonight. She laughed. Dottie oversaw the shelter, and taught the women the trade of candy making and baking, along with basic business skills. Her ministry was working out wonderfully for the ladies. And Mule Hollow.
    â€œYou’re coming, right?” Rose pulled her purse from beneath the counter beside where Ashby sat studying the computer screen.
    â€œSeven o’clock. I’ll be there.”
    Rose checked out the dress Ashby was considering. “Beautiful. Are you ordering that for the store or is it going to be exclusive to the Web site?”
    â€œIt’s for the site, but I’m thinking I’ll bring a couple in for us here.”
    Rose glanced around at the eclectic mix of fashionable merchandise Ashby had filled the store with.
    â€œThis place is amazing,” she said.
    Ashby smiled proudly. Because she’d started a successful Web site that catered to a wealthy clientele, she was able to mix a few of those items in with a wonderful variety of merchandise in a price range more accessible to the average shopper, many of whom Mule Hollow was now drawing on a regular basis.
    Ashby