Read Online IN FOR A PENNY (The Granny Series) by Nancy Naigle, Kelsey Browning - Free Book Online Page B

she young? Strong?” Lillian asked. “Might be nice to have someone able-bodied to help around here.”
    Maggie stepped back and stared at Lillian the same way she’d looked at Teague. “What am I, chopped liver? Whatever I am, it’s apparently not able-bodied.”
    Should’ve let Deputy Barnes take the damn call.
    “Hush, Maggie,” Lillian said. “You know that’s not what I meant. But one woman…I mean two women…can only do so much. Wouldn’t hurt to have another pair of hands.”
    Maggie went on tiptoes to peer over Teague’s shoulder. “I’m not sure about her hands, but her feet are nimble.”
    Teague spun around to see Sera hitting poses that only circus performers should be able to do. Shit. Didn’t I tell you to stay in the car?
    “What in the world is she doing out there?” Maggie asked.
    “I’m pretty sure that’s called Downward Facing Dog—” Lillian tilted her head to the side, “—only with a leg in the air.”
    Maggie locked her arms over her healthy bust. “You ask me, she looks like Dog Planning to Pee.”
    That couldn’t be easy. Teague pushed his hat up to get a better look. Almost looked like a pole dance without the pole. Wonder if Jenny Cady does yoga? “Her name is Sera. She’s very…nice.”
    “And very flexible,” Maggie added.
    Lillian skirted Teague and headed down the steps.
    “Lil, you can’t be serious,” Maggie protested.
    But Lillian just kept marching toward the yellow van, with Maggie and Teague on her heels.
    “Hello there,” Lillian said as they got closer.
    Serendipity slowly returned to a standing position. “Hey! You must be the widow. I’m Serendipity.”
    Lillian look gobsmacked and Teague stiffened. Please don’t say anything about her chakras. “Sera. Her friends call her Sera,” he interjected.
    But Serendipity didn’t seem to realize she’d been rude and took Lillian’s hand in both of hers.
    Teague could hardly believe his eyes. As Sera held her hands, Lillian seemed to soften and a look of peace came over her.
    “I’m Lillian, and this is my best friend, Maggie.”
    Sera finally released Lillian’s hand and grasped Maggie’s arms. “So nice to meet you both.”
    “Teague says you need a place to park,” Lillian said.
    “I’d planned to get a few odd jobs in town and visit for a short while, but I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.”
    A tiny smile hovered around Lillian’s lips. “It might work out yet. Summer Haven needs a little maintenance work. Do you have any experience?”
    “I’m a quick learner and a good cook.” Sera grinned. “I’m an excellent painter. I once helped a very famous artist, who shall remain nameless, with a mural that got national attention. Well, mostly I filled in the blanks and cleaned his brushes but I learned a lot. I’m very handy. Count me in.”
    Maggie had disappeared around to the back of the van. She returned looking skeptical. “Lil, before we strike a bargain here, we should ask a few questions.”
    Lillian was already beaming at Sera. “Like what?”
    “You’ve come quite a long ways,” Maggie said to Sera. “California?”
    “Yes. I’ve been mapping my way state-to-state across the country doing some…soul-searching. I don’t stay in any one place too long.”
    Maggie gestured to the back of the van. “Quite a bumper sticker collection you have there. Not only are we staunch Republicans, something you might want to know, but I saw that Legalize Marijuana sticker.”
    Lillian slapped a hand to her chest.
    Teague felt like he’d swallowed that cup of night crawlers. Hell, he’d never get to the fishing hole at this rate.
    “You don’t do drugs, do you?” Maggie asked.
    “Very rarely,” Sera said. “I try to find natural ways to heal my body.”
    “What does that mean?” Maggie asked. “Yes, you do drugs or no, you don’t. Which is it?”
     
    Lillian knew that hands-on-the-hips stance of Maggie’s and quickly tugged her to the side. “Maggie, let’s chat