Ever After at Sweetheart Ranch Read Online Free Page A

to see you in the park, enjoying the fresh air.”
    Mrs. Sweet leaned forward to kiss Mrs. Ludlow’s cheek. “Connie, dear, we all only wish we could be as health conscious as you.”
    Will seemed to notice Lyndsay’s surprised expression at all the congeniality. Why did he keep looking at her? It was making her think he knew her secrets.
    â€œApparently,” Kate whispered, “not all the widows have a problem with Mrs. Sweet.”
    â€œPoor Mrs. Ludlow—­a divided loyalty can’t be easy in this town,” Lyndsay pointed out.
    Ignoring the other widows, Mrs. Sweet spoke directly to Mrs. Ludlow. “I’m surprised to learn of Rosemary running against me like this.” She gestured to the sign. “Rather ostentatious, isn’t it?”
    â€œIt gets the point across,” Mrs. Thalberg said.
    Mrs. Sweet’s gaze was glacial as she said, “You could have spoken to me if you had a problem with how I run the historical society.”
    â€œAmazingly, it’s not supposed to be a monarchy,” Mrs. Thalberg said in a pleasant voice. “I did voice my concerns, and I was ignored.”
    â€œIgnored?” Mrs. Sweet echoed coolly. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    â€œIt’s hard to hear us common folk when your head’s up in the clouds,” Mrs. Palmer said, her Western accent strong.
    Lyndsay looked around for the woman’s grandson, Adam Desantis, but noticed that he and his wife, Brooke, were nowhere to be seen. Not that she blamed them.
    Lyndsay’s dad approached and gave Mrs. Sweet a big smile. “Good evenin’, Eileen. Guess Rosemary’s going to make the race interesting this year.”
    â€œSo she is,” Mrs. Sweet answered. “I will have to run the race in my own way.”
    â€œBring it on, Eileen,” Mrs. Thalberg challenged, her expression brimming with confidence.
    â€œGrandma, how ’bout we go for an ice cream?” Will asked, sticking out his elbow to Mrs. Sweet. “You always took me for ice cream after my games—­time I returned the favor.”
    â€œVery well, William. Perhaps you will be a good sounding board for my election ideas.”
    Will hesitated only a fraction of a second, but Lyndsay noticed it. She almost felt sorry for him.
    â€œOf course, Grandma. Sounds like fun.”
    The two of them, along with Steph, walked off together, leaving the widows to stare after them.
    Wearing matching frowns, Mrs. Thalberg and Mrs. Palmer studied Mrs. Ludlow.
    Mrs. Ludlow held up a hand. “I’ve already told you, I am not getting in the middle of any altercations. The election is a democratic process—­let us treat it without emotion.”
    â€œWithout emotion?” Mrs. Palmer said, aghast. “When have we not had emotion with Eileen?”
    Mrs. Thalberg glanced at Lyndsay and Kate, still avidly listening. “We can finish this discussion in private.”
    â€œI’ll drive you ladies home,” Mario said, then gave his daughter a kiss on the cheek. “Have a good night, babes.”
    â€œHey, Mom!” Ethan called. He was playing catch with his father on the other side of the stands. “You coming?”
    Kate looked at Lyndsay. “Come on and walk home with us. We can have our own ice cream.”
    â€œNo, but thanks. Gotta grade papers.” And write. The next book was due to her editor in two months, and she still had a ­couple chapters to go. Lyndsay raised a hand good-­bye as Kate left to join Tony and Ethan.
    She turned to start around the far side of the stands and came to a sudden stop. Will was still there, talking to a middle-­aged ­couple. They seemed familiar, but Lyndsay couldn’t place them. Mrs. Sweet had already reached her car across the field and was seated inside, waiting for him. Lyndsay backed up and considered walking the long way around the ball field.
    â€œWill,