Read Tomorrow's Promise (The Hawks Mountain Series) for Free Online Page B

and flashed a knowing smile. “Well, you do now. You tell me what time tomorrow, and I’ll be there with bells on.”
    Faith shook her head. “Oh, I couldn’t ask you to do that. Besides, I can’t pay you.”
    “Did I say anything about money?” Granny Jo frowned. “Goodness, I’ll do it just to spend some time with that little sweetheart. For me, that’s payment enough.”
    Gratitude flooded Faith. Tears burned her eyes. She wasn’t sure she’d ever get used to the benevolence of the goodhearted people of Carson. “Thank you, Granny Jo.”
    It was becoming harder and harder to stick to her vow of independence and not depend on anyone else for her and Lizzie’s well-being. Besides, considering she’d accepted a house and groceries from Doc Amos, transportation from Cole, and lunch from Terri, Faith decided that ship had already sailed.
    GRANNY JO HAD offered to take Faith and Lizzie home, but Faith had declined for a couple of reasons. She was determined to hit every store on Main Street in hopes of finding work. Besides, Granny didn’t have a car seat for Lizzie.
    However, by the time Faith had carried a sleeping baby’s dead weight up and down the street and been turned down by all the shopkeepers, she wished she’d accepted Granny’s offer of a ride. She knew she couldn’t walk home while carrying Lizzie, and that left her one alternative . . . Cole Ainsley.
    After shifting her sleeping daughter to a more comfortable position on her hip, Faith crossed the street and reluctantly headed toward the sheriff’s office. By the time she stepped through the door and into the office, putting one foot in front of the other took concentrated effort.
    The man at the desk, who Faith recognized immediately as Laureene Talbot’s husband Graylin, looked up from what he’d been doing. “Yes, ma’am, can I help you?”
    “I need to see Sheriff Ainsley.” Her voice betrayed her fatigue. She swayed on her feet.
    Deputy Talbot shot from his chair and rounded the desk. “Why don’t you sit down here, and I’ll get the sheriff.” He guided her to a straight-backed chair against the wall.
    Faith sank into it gratefully and positioned Lizzie on her lap. “Thank you.”
    The deputy nodded and then hurried off down a side hall. Moments later, he returned trailing behind Cole.
    “Are you okay?” Cole kneeled down in front of her. Her obvious exhaustion tore at his heart.
    Without any resistance from Faith, he lifted Lizzie from her arms. The child’s clothing was damp with perspiration and a dark sweat stain showed on the front of Faith’s blouse. Deep blue circles beneath her eyes showed vividly against her creamy skin. The worry lines he’d seen on her face the first day he’d met her seemed to have deepened. From her defeated expression, he guessed that her job hunt had been a flop.
    Placing his free hand under her elbow, he pulled her to her feet. “Let’s get you two home.” As he guided Faith toward the door, he paused and turned to Graylin. “Watch the store. I’ll be back in a bit.”
    Graylin gave his boss a sharp salute. “Yes, sir.”
    Under other circumstances, Cole would have explained to Graylin, again, that he did not have to salute him, but at the moment, that was the least of his worries. Getting Lizzie and Faith home topped his to-do list.
    He slid his arm around Faith’s shoulders and hurried her from the office. Lizzie snuggled into the crook of his neck and closed her eyes. He inhaled her baby scent and allowed a new contentment to wash over him.
    As soon as that soft, sweet smell filled his nostrils, the familiar dreams of a family took shape in his head. He quickly pushed them aside. No sense starting something he couldn’t finish. Faith had made it clear that she wasn’t interested, and he wouldn’t be in Carson long enough to put down roots. As soon as the election was held and a new sheriff took office, he’d be gone.
    Oddly, that didn’t feel as satisfying as it once had.