Second Chance at Sunflower Ranch (The Ryan Family #1) by Carolyn Brown

The citizens of the little town of Honey Grove turned out in masses to support the church’s Strawberry Moon Bake Sale every year. The money raised went to support the Clothes Closet and Kitchen, where folks in need could come for clothing or food. The clothing was secondhand, but several volunteers made sure each piece was washed, ironed, and put onto hangers so that the place looked like a department store and not a rummage sale. The food bank always had canned food, dry beans, and cake mixes on hand, and Pearl tried to be sure eggs and milk were in the refrigerator at all times. When Pearl first organized the bake sale twenty years ago, she wanted to make enough money to buy a washer and dryer for the Closet. This year, her goal was to replace those old machines with new ones and, if there was leftover money, to buy more supplies for the food bank.

Betsy pulled her chair over close to Addy’s and whispered, “I’m so glad Mia and Justine are talking. Justine has drawn away from all her friends, and today is the first time I’ve gotten her to get out in public like this.”

“I know exactly what you mean.” Addy got that antsy feeling that told her Jesse was close by, and then he appeared right behind her. He laid a hand on her shoulder, sending sweet little shivers sliding up her spine, and then leaned down to whisper in her ear.

“Thought I’d come by and tell you that Dad and I are going over to Bonham to look at a bull he’s got his eye on. We’ll be back in time for me to help y’all take care of putting the tables and chairs away.”

The warmth of his breath on her neck added to the sensation. “Sometime around five?”

“I’ll be here,” he said.

“Thanks,” she said.

He straightened up and smiled at Betsy. “Good to see you. Looks like Justine and Mia are having a visit over there.”

“Yes, they are, and we both think it’s great,” Betsy answered. “The other old men in the sanctuary will miss y’all.”

“I thought maybe it was best to get Dad out of there when Patrick O’Malley showed up,” Jesse said in a low voice.

“That’s why Danny opted to stay home with the baby,” Betsy whispered. “Best to avoid trouble when we can.”

“Yep.” Jesse tipped his hat toward them and left by a side door so he didn’t have to walk past the table where Lylah and Vivien were taking care of the cakes.

“I’ve always wondered why the men come to these things anyway,” Addy said.

“Tradition, I guess.” Betsy shrugged. “But they look forward to a couple of hours of talking politics, sports, and believe me, they gossip more than women.”

“Oh, really?” Addy asked.

“I’ll miss that part since Danny stayed home today,” Betsy giggled. “He always brings home all the dirt on everyone. Those men know things that I don’t even hear at the bank.”

“Since Jesse and Sonny are leaving, Pearl and I will have to rely on the old gossip vine right along with you,” Addy laughed with her.

“Honey, we are probably the topic of what’s being said in the other room,” Betsy said. “Our daughters have corrupted Ricky O’Malley, the poor thing.”

Addy laughed even harder and then stopped abruptly when she saw Lylah coming toward them. Her eyes were fixed on Justine and Mia, and her mouth was set in a firm line. Her light brown ponytail swung back and forth like a frayed flag in a hard Texas wind, and her hands were knotted into fists. Addy and Betsy both got to their feet, rounded the end of the tables, and met the woman in the middle of the room.

“Get out of my way, Addison Hall.” Lylah’s freckled face was scarlet with anger. “I’ve got something to say to those girls, and I intend to get it off my chest.”

“This is not the time or place,” Addy said low enough for Lylah’s ears only. “If you want to yell at them, accuse them, or anything else, do it somewhere other than the church. Matter of fact, you can come by Sunflower Ranch tomorrow afternoon and tell them off there.”

“But if you want this to be the time and place, I’d be glad to take the first swing,” Betsy told her.

Lylah looked down on them like they were something she had stepped on out in the pasture. “Get out of my way, or I’ll put you both on the floor.”

Pearl stepped between the two women and held out her hands. “We aren’t doing this here, Lylah.”

Lylah pointed at Mia and Justine. “Those two are spreading rumors about my boy, and your son fired Pete for refusing to work with Addison’s bastard kid.”

“Enough!” Pearl’s voice went all high and squeaky. “Either go man your table or get out of here, Lylah.”

“You would take up for her and that brat of a daughter she’s raised,” Lylah smarted off. “You’re not running me off. I’ve supported this church my whole life, but I will have my say one of these days. Those two over there have lied about my boy so much that he doesn’t feel like he can even come home.”

“What about the girl over in Bonham raising your other grandson?” Addy asked. “Is she lying about him, too, and what about the fact that he’s talked all three girls into getting the same tattoo on their backs, kind of like branding them as his property?”

“What are you talking about?” Lylah asked.