Page 32 (2/2)

“Going for a walk?” Lily shrugged and offered a fake smile “You know since I can't drive for another month?”

“Sure That sounds alirl a hard stare “Get in the car I've got to pick up your brothers”

Lily’s shoulders sluot into the car She belted herself in and stared at her dusty tennis shoes saying nothing

Mia just put the car back into gear and continued toward the ranch One of the big horse barns was visible co up over the hill Mia was headed for the h She had been to the ranch once for a fundraiser, so she at least had so

“Mia?” Lily bit her lip as dark hair fell across her furrowed brow “How much trouble are Grayson and Alexander in?”

Mia kept her eyes on the road, looking for the sign that pointed to theto beat the cops there, but I'm about thirty seconds late at this point”

“Cops?” Lily shrank in her seat and wrapped her arms around her small frame

“Yes, cops,” Mia replied “You were supposed to be watching them”

“I don't knohat happened We were all in the kitchen together, and then they said they were going to watch a movie” Lily shrank a little further into herself as her hair fell further in front of her face “I ca one of the scary ones that gives Grayson nightone They'd left cartoons on so I wouldn't hear them leave”

“And you didn't callat Lily “Your foster mom should have been the first call”

“Margie was at her bridge game, and you kno hard it’s been for her with the three of us in her house,” Lily explained “I didn't want to bother her I thought I could find theot into trouble and no one would ever know”

Mia stopped sharply in front of the big far both of them lurch in their seats She turned and looked at Lily “Cops, Lily They are going to call the police on your brothers You should have called me”

“I' at her feet “Please don't let them take my brothers away from me”

Mia recognized the tone of Lily's voice Heartbreak with a touch of terror It nearly broke Mia's heart The two boys were all Lily had, and Lily was all those boys had If she were just a few years older, Lily would have taken custody of both of the to keep her sether

“I' a hand on the girl's shoulder “I don't want theether That's why I got Margie out of retirement to take the three of you when no one else would”

Lily nodded and looked at Mia with big brown eyes “I know you'll help us, Mia You're the only one since Gran who has ever helped us”

Mia gave Lily's shoulder a reassuring squeeze and put on a confident set your brothers out of trouble”

“Can I come in with you?” Lily asked, her brown eyes fierce “It's my fault that they were out here”

Mia paused, about to tell her to stay in the car, but she changed herLily as a backup to help keep her brothers calm while Mia dealt with the adults would be useful

Luckily, the only cars in front of the farmhouse appeared to be security hired by the ranch rather than police cruisers Mia breathed a sh of relief as she walked up to the front door and rang the bell She squared her shoulders and put on her best 'I'e' face

The door swung open, revealing a tall ear He was tall and obviously built for hard labor His plaid shirt hugged his shoulders down to a trim waist orn cowboy boots on his feet Blue eyes peered at her from a sun-tanned face and hipped dirty blond hair

“These your boys?” thehis arms He opened the door a little wider to reveal Alexander and Grayson sitting nervously on a couch surrounded by four aruards It seeiven that this was a billionaire's play ranch, she wasn't too surprised A billionaire could afford the best