Cherish Collection January 2014 (Books 1-12). Rebecca Winters

my girls are,” her mother said as she entered the house with bags of groceries. “Let me help you with those,” Stacey said and pulled out a quilt for Piper. “Looks like you bought out the store.”

      Her mother laughed. “This was my big trip. I went to Vicker’s Corners. Of course, if you add in gas, it may be a wash. But the grocery store there has a much better selection, and the prices are a little better.”

      Stacey rushed to her mother’s sedan to help bring in the rest of the bags of groceries. “I see that you picked up some baby formula and baby food. I can reimburse you for that since I had my first tutoring session,” Stacey said proudly.

      Her mother smiled at her. “I forgot about that. How did it go?”

      “Okay, except I hope that little boy wasn’t sick. He sure didn’t act like he felt well. I hope it will go better next time,” she said.

      “Oh, dear,” her mother said. “I’ve heard there are a couple things going around. One is a quick but nasty stomach virus. Make sure you wash your hands.”

      “Good point. And I’ll wipe down the table,” she said. Stacey cleaned her hands and the table and helped put the groceries away as quickly as possible. She knew Piper would be wanting some food. Sure enough, just as Stacey unloaded the last bag, Piper let out a squawk.

      “You go ahead and get her. I can take care of the rest,” Mama Jeanne said.

      Stacey put the baby in her high chair and pulled out a jar of pureed green beans. “Yum, yum,” Stacey said. “Green vegetables.”

      Not Piper’s favorite, but she must have been hungry because she eagerly consumed the first few bites. “She looks like a little bird when she eats from the spoon.”

      “She’ll be reaching for that spoon any time now, and every mealtime will turn into a mess. Mark my words,” her mother said.

      “No problem. I’ll just need a washcloth or paper towel. Oh, I meant to tell you that Piper and I will be riding with Colton to the Rothwell wedding on Saturday. The Rothwells are lucky that the Jergens offered them the use of their heated barn for their reception. I’m sure that’s why they were able to invite so many people.”

      “Seems as if you and Colton are spending more and more time together,” her mother said.

      Stacey hesitated, then glanced at her mother. “You may as well offer your opinion on it, since everyone else has.”

      “Well, I wouldn’t dream of interfering,” her mother said. “Colton is a fine, fine young man. I just hope you two won’t rush into, well, the physical aspect of a relationship. After all, you have a young baby.”

      Stacey gaped at her mother. “Mama, do you really think I would turn around and get pregnant again?”

      “We’re a very fertile family,” her mother said. “Colton is likely quite the virile male and—”

      Stacey covered her ears. “I don’t want to discuss this anymore,” she said. “It’s not like Colton and I have lots of opportunities, between him living at his parents’ house and me living at mine. Add in a baby and, oh, my gosh—”

      “It’s not that I don’t approve of Colton because I very much do,” her mother continued as if Stacey hadn’t spoken. “I just don’t want you to get into a situation where—”

      “Stop,” Stacey said. “Stop, stop, stop. Please.”

      Her mother pressed her lips together. “I like Colton,” her mother said. “I like him better than I ever liked Joe. Your father does, too.”

      “Did you run into anyone interesting at the store?” Stacey asked because she had to change the subject, and it seemed that her mother knew everyone within a thirty-mile radius.

      “As a matter of fact I did,” her mother said. “Laurel Fortune was buying avocados in the produce department when I was there. She’s such a sweet girl. Gave me a hug right away. I asked her how married life was, and she said the married part was great, but that she and Sawyer are very upset about the recent accident at their flight school.”

      “Oh, that’s right. Did she say how Orlando is doing?” Stacey asked.

      “He’s still in the hospital, but they think he will recover. It may take a long time. She said how thankful she and Sawyer were that you were able to come and help stabilize Orlando until the paramedics arrived.”

      “I was glad I could help, but I was very concerned when I left,” Stacey said.

      “Don’t dare tell anyone, but Laurel confided in me that the investigation has just started, but she and Sawyer are worried that it may not have been an accident.”

      Stacey gasped. “Oh, no. That would have been horrible. She thinks someone may have deliberately done something to cause the crash?”

      “They don’t know, but they’re suspicious. Not everyone is happy about Fortunes coming to Horseback Hollow,” her mother said, a worried expression on her face.

      “Oh, that’s ridiculous. It’s not as if the Fortunes are trying to take over the whole town. And why would they? They’re all about making money, and there’s not that much money to be made in Horseback Hollow.”

      “The Fortunes aren’t all about money,” her mother corrected her. “They’ve made the best from their opportunities and profited from them. Don’t forget they are very active in charitable causes.” Her mother took a breath. “And there’s the fact that my brother James tried to give me a huge sum of money, although I probably shouldn’t bring that up because the whole subject can get some people worked up.”

      Stacey couldn’t help thinking of her brother Chris, who was still upset that her mother hadn’t accepted the Fortune money; but she didn’t say it aloud because she didn’t want to add to her mother’s misery.

      “Stacey, are you angry that I turned down that money?” her mother asked in a quiet voice.

      Surprised that her mother would ask her, Stacey shook her head. “You did what you thought was right. Do I wish I had the financial assurance to make sure that Piper will always have what she needs? Sure, but I know I can take care of that. Maybe not right now, but I’ll make it happen. In the meantime, Piper and I both have something much more important than money. We have your love and support, and that’s worth far more than money.”

      Her mother sniffed and walked across the room to hug her daughter. Stacey closed her eyes at the sensation of her mother’s loving arms around her. This, more than anything, was what she wanted to be able to give Piper the rest of her life.

      “It makes me so proud to know what a good heart and soul you have. It makes me feel as if your father and I did something right,” Jeanne said.

      “Mama, I can assure you that I’ll make plenty of mistakes, but you gave me a good heart and a strong sense of right and wrong. I also appreciate the value of hard work. Piper and I will be fine,” she said, thrilled because she was finally starting to believe it.

      * * *

      Colton put on his tie and jacket and took one last glance in the mirror. This would be his first planned, semiformal evening with Stacey and Piper. He wanted it to go as well as possible. He hoped Piper was in a good mood because that could make a big difference.

      He strode toward the front door.

      “Woo-hoo, you look great,” his mother called.

      Colton smiled and turned to meet her gaze. “Thanks, Mom. You look great yourself.”

      “Well, thank you, sweetheart,” she said, and moved toward him to give him a kiss on his cheek. “You going to pick up Stacey and her baby?”

      “I am,” he said. “I’ll see you at the wedding and reception.”

      “You look good,” his mother said. “She’s