“That was before you turned it into a survival sport,” Ethan said dryly.
“Lily needs clothes, and Callie and I are going to take her to get what she needs. We don’t need you anyway. ”
“I’ll drive you as long as I don’t have to go in,” Ethan offered.
Holly rolled her eyes and looked over at Lily. “You’d think after thirty-something years that I could drive somewhere by myself. Ethan still has a kitten when I want to drive into town without one of the menfolk. ”
“The weather’s supposed to get worse,” Ryan said with a frown. “It’s not a bad idea for him to take you ladies. Snow’s supposed to start in an hour or so, and there’s a chance of it worsening as the afternoon progresses. Could get more than a foot accumulation. ”
“Then I’ll let Callie drive,” Holly said.
Ethan and Ryan both winced.
“I’ll take you in the Rover,” Ethan said. “There’s plenty of room for everyone and you ladies can take your time. I’m in no hurry. ”
Holly looked at Lily as if to say, “See what I have to
put up with?”
Lily smothered her laughter, but the sound still escaped.
Holly’s gaze narrowed. “Just you wait, Lily. If you think you’re going to have it any easier with my sons, you’ve got another think coming. They’re chips off the old block for sure, and I’ll tell you right now that Michael and Dillon have two of the hardest heads I’ve ever encountered. It’s a wonder any of us survived their childhood. ”
“Amen,” Ryan muttered.
“I think you’re all pretty great,” Lily said in a low voice.
Holly beamed at her and walked over to pull her into a hug. “And I think you’re pretty great too. If you make my sons happy, this family will love you forever. ”
Ryan frowned. “Lily needs a coat. Do you or Callie have something she can wear into town?”
“Oh, of course. I’ll get her one from the closet. If one of you will holler at Callie, we can go. ”
Holly hurried away, leaving Lily in the living room with Ethan and Ryan.
“I’ll get Callie and warm up the truck,” Ethan said. “Tell Holly to come on out when you’re ready. ”
Lily waited in nervous silence for Holly to return. She could feel Ryan watching her.
“Lily,” Ryan said in a soft voice.
She looked up to meet his gaze.
“You don’t have to be nervous around us. I think you’ll find we’re pretty laid back around here. You’re important to my sons, so that makes you important to me. You’re part of this family and that means you have our support. All of us. ”
“Just like that?” she whispered.
He smiled. “Just like that. ”
She smiled back. “Thank you. I don’t know what else to say. It’s all so hard to believe. How did I get so lucky?”
He walked over to her and held out his arms. After only a moment’s hesitation, she went into his embrace. He hugged her tightly.
“I think my boys would say they’re the lucky ones. No reason to dissuade them of that notion, is there?”
She laughed and absorbed the wonderful feeling of home and acceptance.
“I think this will be perfect for you, Lily,” Holly said as she hurried back into the room carrying a heavy coat. “It might be a little big on you, but it’ll do until we get you a new one in town. ”
Lily took the coat, enjoying the feel of the warm sheepskin lining.
“You don’t have to take me shopping, Mrs. Colter,” she said. “Just taking me to the clinic is more than enough. ”
“First, call me Holly. Mrs. Colter sounds so…old. And second, you need clothes. My boys have given me strict instructions to buy you whatever I think you need. Notice, they were sure to say what I thought you needed and not what you thought you needed. ” Her eyes twinkled merrily as she teased. “And since I don’t want my boys to think I fell down on the job, you’re going to be fully outfitted head to toe by the time I’m finished. ”
Ryan let out a groan. “Thank God Ethan volunteered for chauffeur duty. ”
Holly elbowed him in the gut.
“And speaking of, Ethan said for you two to go on out when you were ready. He’s warming up the Rover. ”
“You ready?” Holly asked. “Get your coat on and we’ll hit the road. I don’t want you to be late for your appointment. ”
Ethan drove them into town, and as they pulled into Riley’s the first snow flurries started to swirl.
Holly climbed out of the front while Callie and Lily got out of the back.
“Riley’s has been around forever,” Holly explained as they walked into the general store. “More shops have opened over the years and I’ll take you there for clothes, but this is the best place to get coats and boots and jeans. ”
Callie grinned. “In other words, if you want something cute, you’ll need to hit the boutiques on Main Street. ”
“You should know that Callie’s idea of cute isn’t most people’s idea,” Holly warned.
Lily smiled. “I like her clothes. ”
“Oh, I dress to fit in here,” Callie joked as they started browsing the racks of jeans. “Anyone not in jeans, boots and western wear gets the eyeball from the locals. ”
Holly picked up a pair of jeans and held them up, looking skeptically at Lily. “You can try these on but they look a little big to me. You’re smaller-waisted than me and Callie. I figure you’re at least a size smaller if not two. We’ll start with these, though and see how they fit you. ”
Lily was hustled into a dressing room and never had to come out. Callie and Holly kept handing stuff in for her to try. In an hour’s time, she had an armful of jeans, two coats, one heavy and one a lighter windbreaker, plus two pairs of boots and two pairs of loafer-style shoes.
“It’s too much,” Lily protested as Callie and Holly hauled the clothing to the register.