Read Online Lonestar Angel by Colleen Coble - Free Book Online Page A

taste one?”
    “Um, I don’t think so, India.” Eden exchanged a rueful grin with Clay.
    She held Katie and Madeline by the hand as they hiked up the desert mountain where they’d been told they could see into Mexico. The sun was bright and hot on her arms. The landscape was so different from Indiana.
    “I’m hungry,” Madeline said.
    “I have a granola bar in my backpack,” Eden said. She stopped and shrugged it off her back. None of the other girls wanted a snack yet, but Madeline scarfed hers down in six bites and asked for another. “I think you have hollow legs,” Eden said, handing the little girl another one.
    When they reached the peak, they stopped and stared at the panorama. No people, just endless desert and, in the distance, a ribbon of blue that was the Rio Grande.
    Clay set down the picnic basket he carried. She dug into her backpack and pulled out a tablecloth and spread it on the ground. He began to set out the sandwiches and chips Rita had packed for them. When the children finished eating, they began to collect wildflowers.
    Clay leaned on his elbow on the tablecloth as he watched them. “They’re all so different,” he said. “It’s fun watching them interact. I’ve been imagining first one then the other is Brianna.”
    “Me too,” Eden admitted. “Just when I think I have it figured out, I change my mind.”
    His expression as he watched the girls filled her with warmth. She’d always thought he would be a good father, but he hadn’t had the chance to show how good.
    His gaze went from the girls to her face. “I don’t like the note left on our door last night. There seemed to be animosity toward you in it.”
    She raised a brow. “I don’t think so, Clay. I’m guessing someone wants me out of the way so I don’t get hurt. You know how the police always said the kidnapper was likely someone close to the family. Maybe it’s someone who likes me and hates you for some reason.”
    “That would mean he is likely a friend of yours. Or a relative.” He shook his head. “I’m not convinced that was the intent of the note, though. I don’t want you wandering off alone here. Stick close to me. I’ll protect you.”
    “Just like you protected Brianna?” She wished she could call back the words when his eyes shuttered.
    “You still blame me, don’t you?” he asked, his voice soft.
    She bit her lip. “You knew what you were doing in Colombia was dangerous.”
    “All my missions are dangerous. And I didn’t know that one would be dangerous to my family! You’re not without blame either, Eden. If you’d been paying attention that day . . .” He inhaled. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that.”
    She blinked at the sting in her eyes. These same arguments were the ones that had sent her fleeing the moment he left the country. And she didn’t really blame him. Not anymore. If losing Brianna was anyone’s fault, it was hers.
    She laid her hand on his. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t even mean it. I’d rather fight sometimes than admit the pain I feel.”
    He studied her expression. “Tell me what’s been going on in your life.”
    Her face heated and it wasn’t from the sun. “Just life,” she said.
    His smile vanished. “You lower the mask for a fleeting second, then slap it right back into place.”
    Maybe she did tend to be too secretive. She wished she could be more like Allie, laughing and open about her feelings. Maybe it came from being a foster kid. She ached for these five little girls.
    “Earth to Eden.”
    She blinked and smiled. “Sorry, I was woolgathering.” Could she let down a small corner of her veil with him? Maybe it was worth a try. “I’m working on being more open, but it’s hard for me. Is there something in particular you want to know?”
    “I’d like to know how you became a Christian.”
    “When Brianna . . . died, it was either go crazy or look for meaning. I chose to look for meaning.”
    His smile came.