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“I’et up early for church,” Lily said evasively

“You can go to the evening service,” Shade countered amicably

Lily flounced angrily out of the room

“Ten to one she’s calling Beth as soon as she gets horinned

Shade grinned back, taking his phone out of his pocket, quickly texting athe phone back in his pocket

“Lily’s going to be furious at you for telling on Beth,” Cash warned

“I’rin

Chapter 26

Rachel knocked firmly on Willa’s door, deter church about her reclusive behavior She had stopped answering her phone, and Evie had called Rachel thatto tell her Willa had missed her last delivery of desserts Evie was just as worried as her; therefore, Rachel had promised to check on Willa as soon as church was over

Maybe she was overreacting and Willa was simply ill Several —Lily, Winter, Beth, and Diamond rarelyaround and Willa was sick

Rachel froze in shock at the little boy answering the door

“What do you want?” The belligerent boy, who judging fro open in shock

“Is Willa here?”

Had the woman moved and not told anyone?

Her eyes irl behind hi at her with baleful eyes

“Charlie, what did I tell you about opening the door?” Willa ca her hands on a dish towel

“I’lass”

“Uh, okay” Rachel took a step into the house, colliding with the srubby hands to grab hers

“Move back, Chrissy” Willa gently pried the small hands away from her

Rachel closed the door, staring at the three children Her eyes lifted to Willa, recognizing the children staring up at her

“Willa…”

“Charlie, take Chrissy and Caroline to their room and put a movie on for them”

“Why?” Stubbornly, the boy stared back at her

“Because I asked you to,” Willa pleaded “It won’t take long, and then I’ll fix lunch All right?”

“Grilled cheese?”

“Yes,” Willa agreed

The three children went up the stairs, leaving Willa trying to smooth back her hair

She lifted her hand at Rachel “I already knohat you’re going to say,” she said before Rachel could open herto be separated I couldn’t let that happen when I was the one responsible for their father getting killed”

“You had no choice, Willa He had gone off the deep end He would have killed me if you hadn’t shot him”

Aher loud words when she saw the teenager listening to every word Willa turned to stare at the teen girl

“Sissy…”

“I finished cleaning up the o to my friend’s house now?”

“I don’t kno long were you planning on staying?”

“I’ll call and let you know” The girl passed Rachel, going out the door without waiting for Willa’s reply

“Want a glass of tea?” Willa offered

“Yes, thanks” Rachel went into the kitchen, stepping over the toys lying on the floor Willa’s usually immaculate home was a mess with toys everywhere and dirty dishes on the table