Page 25 of A Sunny Sweetheart for the Cowboy

“I’m glad we hurried over after church,” Cadence agreed. “Now tell me more about that Pot of Gold thing.”

“It’s a summer-long geocaching event hosted by Creekside Fellowship. Hundreds of people participate. Lots even come in from out of town.”

Cadence’s eyebrows tilted up. “Really? They come here?”

“You make it sound like no one would want to spend a summer in Jewel Lake.” Paisley laughed.

“Eli started this like five or six years ago. It’s become quite popular.” Kaci chuckled and elbowed Paisley. “Lots of couples have met and fallen in love while searching for treasure together.”

“Who’s got time to drive down to Jewel Lake for something like that after a long day of work?” Paisley asked. “Not me. Not you… unless you’re looking for a guy?”

Kaci shook her head. “Not me. But I thought it might take your mind off Weston.”

Was Paisley that obvious? Probably. “I don’t think so.”

“And poor Maxwell. Heather left a few days ago. I think she’d hoped they might get together one of these days.”

“Then he shouldn’t have taken her for granted.” Paisley forced her gaze to remain on the people she was with, not roaming the café to see if Weston had noticed her yet.

“Who says he did?” Kaci countered.

“Can we not gossip about my cousins?” Graham shifted uncomfortably in his seat.

“Good reminder,” Kaci said primly. “I don’t want anyone gossiping about me.”

“And your not-relationship with Jude,” Paisley muttered.

Kaci jabbed her with a pointed elbow. “Or we could talk about Weston, except Graham doesn’t want to hear gossip. Although it’s not gossip if you tell us, since it’s about you and not someone who’s not here.”

The server set glasses of water and napkin-wrapped flatware on the table.

“Or we could talk about the sermon,” Cadence suggested. “There’s so much richness in Philippians four that I’m not surprised he’s going to get an entire series out of that chapter.”

“Rejoice in the Lord always,” Paisley mused. “That verse has been my motto for the past few years.”

“I kind of figured.” Cadence smiled at her. “It seems like a scripture you’ve taken to heart.”

“And here I thought it came naturally to you.” Kaci glanced at her.

Paisley shook her head. “Mind over matter. I spent some time wallowing in the injustices of life, but you know what? That didn’t change the circumstances. It sucked me down until I decided no more. I knew God was in control, and I was going to act like I believed that.”

“Really?” Kaci arched a brow at her.

Paisley didn’t know Kaci all that well. She’d never told the head housekeeper all the sordid details of her upbringing. And there was no need today. “Yep. Really. You know the saying: choose joy. So, I chose joy. At first, I chose it a thousand times a day. It became easier as time went on, since I’d formed a habit.”

Kaci shook her head. “Who knew.”

“There are a few ways we can handle hard times.” Cadence glanced at Graham. “I ran from my problems, but eventually I had to face them. Thankfully Graham was there to hold my hand when I needed him most.”

“And God,” Graham prompted.

“Absolutely and God.” Cadence pointed at Paisley. “You cover up your troubles with happy thoughts. Graham submerges them and pretends they don’t exist. Sort of the same thing.”

“I do not cover them up,” Paisley protested. “I let light shine on them and then they disappear.” It was a nice dream, anyway.

Cadence looked at Kaci. “What’s your style?”

“Running. And changing the subject. Paisley, did you notice the Klines across over there?” She pointed.

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