Small-Town Moms Read Online Free Page B

blurting out, “I don’t think He wanted me to pray.”
    â€œGod wants everyone to have the kind of relationship with Him that makes them want to visit with Him in prayer,” the older woman stated with quiet confidence.
    â€œVisit?” Maegan was taken back. “I hadn’t planned on visiting. I just asked Him for something.”
    Mrs. Hargrove nodded. “Like throwing a coin in a wishing well?”
    â€œI suppose.”
    â€œWell, that is the problem right there. God isn’t a wishing well.”
    It was silent for a moment, then the older woman spoke. “Lilly’s in my Sunday school class this morning. I thought you might like to sit in today so you can be with her.”
    Maegan forgot all about God as she thought about the invitation. This might be her only opportunity to see how her niece acted around other children. The girl had seemed so subdued yesterday and the time they’d spent together at the café had been short. Surely with her friends she would be more animated.
    Still, Maegan didn’t want to make anyone uncomfortable. “Have you asked Clint about that? He seems to keep a close eye on Lilly. I know he’s said I can see her, but I don’t think he’d want me to just show up someplace where she is. You know, without warning or anything.”
    Mrs. Hargrove smiled. “He loves his niece. But he’d agree everyone is welcome at the church.”
    â€œI hope you’re right.”
    The smile left Mrs. Hargrove’s face and she was serious. “Clint might not always come across as the most friendly man you’ll ever meet, but there’s not a man around with a better heart. He grew up hard, with a father who wasn’t much good for anything. Raised his younger brother, too. And he’d lay down his life for Lilly if he had to—”
    Maegan gave a curt nod. She knew she shouldn’t say anything to anyone, but she had never been too successful at holding her tongue. Besides, she didn’t have time to be subtle. “Clint’s not really the one with custody though, is he?”
    Mrs. Hargrove’s face went a little pale. “It would break Clint’s heart if you took that girl away from here.”
    â€œBut how about Lilly’s father?” Maegan pressed on. “How does he feel about being with her?”
    Mrs. Hargrove pressed her lips together. “Joe is still finding his way in life. But he means well—he’s just—”
    The other woman didn’t need to say any more. Maegan could write a book about parents who meant well. The foster care system was full of stories like that.She looked at Mrs. Hargrove. “I think I’ll take you up on your invitation. I’d enjoy getting to know Lilly better.”
    Mrs. Hargrove nodded. “We’re going to be talking about King Solomon today. Do you have a Bible with you?”
    â€œMe? No.” She didn’t own a Bible. After her prayer incident, she had avoided everything to do with church. Some years later, after she was on her own, she had looked up the Christmas story one December when she was in a hotel room in Milwaukee. She’d read it straight through, but hadn’t believed much of what she read. God really wouldn’t send a baby some place where the little one might be killed, would He? No wonder He hadn’t answered her prayer. Child Protective Services would be all over someone who did that today. Hopefully this King Solomon would know better than to endanger a baby.
    â€œI’ll be happy to lend you one of my Bibles for the day then,” Mrs. Hargrove said. “It helps to read the story for yourself.”
    Maegan was going to take the older woman’s word for it. She didn’t have time to start reading the Bible. She had to figure out what Lilly’s future should be. One thing she knew for sure, she wasn’t going to soften and say that Joe Parker was suited to being a