Two Guardians for Little May Read Online Free Page A

fair jam tasting contests for fifty years straight."
    "What
kind?" Layton raised an eyebrow.
    "Strawberry,
of course. I'll get you some." She was gone before either man could
protest.
    "I
am sorry that we never had the opportunity to meet you. Why did he keep you a
secret?" Caine asked, biting into a hot biscuit covered with fresh
strawberry preserves. "Oh, this is ambrosia."
    "Pop
was always a bit on the paranoid side. That's probably why he lied about
selling the place. He needed to convince Mother that it would resolve their
financial problems." Layton wiped his mouth and reached for a second
piece.
    "The
only financial problems they had was that she loved to shop. They were fine
until they bought the new place five years ago. He sunk every penny he had in
it for her."
    "Both
of you are correct," Clara sighed. "The house you're currently living
in was her dream home. He sold his cattle ranch to get the down payment for the
place because he wanted to give your mother her dream before she died. Lyle was
a good man, very simple in how he liked to live, and very clear in how he
believed people should be treated. He was one of the best, and he would have
wanted both his sons to follow his footsteps. That is why he wrote this
letter." Clara dabbed her eyes. "I'm going to miss him."
    Silence
filled the room, broken only by an occasional sound of a bird tweeting outside
the picture window.
    "So,
what is the plan here?" Layton asked softly, as he turned to his brother.
"Still interested in moving in? I can get an agent to list the other place
tomorrow. I have no desire to stay there any longer than I have to."
    "Me
neither. This place feel like Pop and I like it. We promise you this,"
Caine touched Clara's hand, "you all still have a home. This place looks
plenty big for all of us."
    "You
don't have to worry about me. I have my own place out in town that I share with
my sister. May lives here alone."
    "Well,
we can't have that. How is she going to learn to trust again if she stays in
hiding?" Caine asked. "I have a friend of mine who works with victims
of sex crimes. She might be around to help."
    "Dr.
Adul already brought her in to speak with May. The girl refused to talk to
anyone but Lyle."
    Caine
looked surprised. "Dang, I wonder what other surprises Pop has in store
for us."
    "Not
many. There is a locked trust account allocated strictly for the maintenance of
this property, guests and staff. It is very generous and the interest provides
sufficient income to take care of everyone's needs. You won't have to concern
yourselves for any financial obligations related to living expenses."
    "A
locked account? What does that mean?" Caine asked Layton.
    "It
sounds like no one can touch it for reasons other than the estate operations.
I'll look at the documents later."
    "Let
me show you boys around." Clara smiled as she rose to her feet. "Will
you stay for dinner?"
    "Miss
Clara, you just loaded us up on the most cunning form of bribery known to
mankind," Layton patted his stomach. "Tonight won't be possible, but
I'd like to return tomorrow and check things out. Would that be okay?"
    "I
am taking the day off tomorrow, but I will leave you a pot of Texas Chili. It
won't be ready until late, but it will give you some time to get to know the
place and our special resident."
    The
temptation of Texas Chili was one that no urban cowboy could ignore, and both
men nodded eagerly. Layton glanced to see May standing in the doorway, and
raised his eyebrow at her frantic gestures telling Clara to cut off the
interaction.
    "I
have to fix some fences around the ranch in the morning, but we should be here
around two."
    "Perfect!
Here," Clara handed Layton a jar of jam. "There is lots more where
this came from. Enjoy."

Chapter 2
     
    May
muttered obscenities to herself as she turned away from the sitting room and
made her way to the upstairs bedroom. The deep cut on her leg stung like the
dickens, and she sat on the edge of her bed to let it rest for a