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  Lydia sniffled as Ivy wailed. “Ivy, you’re much more important than any vacation. You and Scout, both.” She patted the girl’s faded turquoise hair until Ivy cried herself to sleep.

  CHAPTER 20

  The usual New Year’s Eve’s party, at the Millers, moved to the Everett’s. Lydia and Ivy could attend, and Scout didn’t have to go out in the frigid weather. Kat and Flora brought snacks. Hobo Joe dropped off fudge and carafes of fresh coffee before heading to the Senior Center. There he put on a guitar show for the Seniors’ Supper.

  The week before Emily peppered Lydia with inquisitive phone calls. She’d call and check on the baby. Then she’d ring and ask about Ivy. Eventually, she talked to Lydia. She spent hours asking hard questions about Jesus. Questions that every believer had to face.

  Lydia didn’t have a doubt that God was at work in the girl’s heart. Even as her mother failed her six-month inspection and the odds of their reuniting were slung backward, Emily responded with deep, earnest questions about her Heavenly Father. She was angry at Him, which was obvious. But to be mad at anyone, first, she had to assume that person existed. Lydia hoped it was a step in the right direction and prayed all the more for Emily.

  When she arrived at the party, Emily hugged Lydia and skipped off to find Ivy.

  Days before the party, the ladies of the community hosted a baby shower of gigantic proportions. Some women attended for the novelty of seeing the Honey Pot Christmas Baby but most came to encourage the young mother.

  Ms. Jacqui showed up, eyeing the real thief of her precious handmade quilts. She brought with her two brand new blankets made for the girls. The woman sweet-talked Scout, draping her in a precious, woodland creature quilt. Her hardened, down to business expression loosened and her eyes twinkled when she rocked the newborn baby.

  Ivy gushed over the quilts and apologized for absconding with the previous ones. “I don’t think I would have survived without your lovely quilts.” She said, meaning it and making Ms. Jacqui blush with pride. Kat loved seeing the gentle side of the B.F.F. pillar.

  The community lavished gifts on both girl and baby. Each store offered gift certificates and goods. Each church brought meals and baby supplies. The whole town came together, celebrating their newest citizen.

  Overwhelmed, Ivy spent most of New Year’s Eve resting with or nursing Scout. She did, however, make time to read and sign the family contract. The rules were plain and lightweight. No boys and no leaving without notice and explanation. Continuing school was a must. Going to at least one church service a week, no matter what Honey Pot congregation, was a house rule.

  Also, Ivy had to attend two counseling sessions a week. The first was a private session with Mr. Mike and the second a group session for kids without parents.

  Ivy worried over her decision. She feared living to regret it. But she had dreamt of a house that had the possibility of becoming a home. The Everett house was a surprising option and a liberating one.

  She prayed and prayed over her choice and signed the paper with a thankful heart. Ivy slipped it on top of Lydia’s pillow. It awaited discovery as the party continued downstairs.

  Gus brought news to the party. He shared every new detail as he munched snacks. While enduring questioning, Ben’s lawyer suggested, he turned on his business partner and thus save himself. Ben took the advice with gusto. He detailed every exchange he made with Martin. He gave the names of every girl the pair had harassed or hired. Ben, even, told officers where to find Martin’s account book and contact list.

  Martin traveled straight from the hospital to jail. His trial was due in court in late February. Ivy volunteered to testify against him, and she convinced two other girls to join her.

  Tammy, from the restaurant, visited Lydia, and met Ivy. She, too, would give the small amount of information she had to stop other girls from being hurt.

  Tammy’s mother was proud of her daughter. After prayerful consideration, Ida moved her family in with her sister in Baker. She regretted her sweet girl had come so close to being used, all in the name of helping her mother.

  Working only one job allowed Ida to pay more attention to both her growing daughter and son. It cost the family their apartment but giving up her independence for the safety of her children was a happy exchange, for Ida. Plus, it thrilled Tammy.

  As the party bloomed, Kat set out the food and treats. She sported her newest blue boot. Kat staggered and swayed, but that was much better than hobbling about on crutches. Sam and Jess rushed around the house with Eden, Ever, and Eloise, playing with their sacrificed toys, while keeping their joyful secret.

  Kevin seemed unable to keep his hands away from Flora’s belly. Now, in her fourteenth week, most of the worry over the coming baby had passed. He still asked his wife to take it easy. He took over laundry duty, afraid of making his wife bend and carry things up and down the stairs. Flora tried to help him relax, all while enjoying his delight and dedication. He wrapped his arms around her belly and kissed her forehead every time he was near her.

  At midnight, Honey Pot time, Ethan rang the house. “It’s eight in the morning, tomorrow, there,” Lydia explained. He was calling to announce that he was coming home early.

  Joan was doing great, and though his visit bonded them together, he was in her way. The young woman needed space to accomplish her goals. Lydia knew Ethan missed his wife and wanted to be part of the new happenings in the couple’s home.

  Joan came on the line and wished her mother a Happy New Year. “I’m so proud of you, mom. Many of the girls here are in Ivy’s situation. They would love to have a friend like you.”

  “Well, they’ve got you.” Lydia bragged and boasted over her missionary daughter.

  “Yeah, except I thought I had to go half the world away to help someone. You found someone to help right there at home. In fact, you helped a whole group of girls you might never meet. You helped set them free. I’m proud of you, mom.”

  “I’m very proud of you, too,” Ethan added. Joan blew her mother a kiss and left her parents to say goodbye.

  “She’s such a wonderful kid,” Lydia gushed.

  “Yup, and I know where she gets it. I’ll see you in a couple weeks and can’t wait to help you with your mission.”

  “My mission?”

  “Yes. You’re my hot, Honey Pot, hometown missionary.” He winked at her. She reddened with embarrassment. “And don’t think I’ve forgotten about the surprise in my luggage.”

  Africa hadn’t calmed Ethan’s resurfacing youthful spirit. Lydia smiled to herself after closing the laptop. He will need all the energy he can get. She thought, counting, on one hand, the hours she’d slept in the last two days. But not for the reasons he thinks.

  Lydia looked around at her house. It was bursting with friends and family. The baby monitor crackled as Scout woke up startled by countdown cries and noisemakers.

  “I’ll get her,” Lydia volunteered. Ivy smiled her consent and gratitude. Lydia trekked up the stairs pleased and privileged to participate in the new adventures God prepared for her. Who knows what will happen next?

  Thank You

  Want to see what happens after the snow melts? Revisit Honey Pot in Lethal in Lavender.

  Please consider subscribing to my cozy mystery newsletter, for access to my Sneaky Peeks page. There you’ll get glances at up and coming mysteries and more. (Can’t click through? Join my Facebook Group - Sarah's Cozy Mystery Mamas - Reader & Reviewers)

  If you enjoyed your time with Lydia and Ivy please help other readers find this book by leaving a review wherever you picked it up. It would make my day.

  About the Author

  Sarah lives in California, in a home that brings her happiness and hay fever. She has a husband who cooks, a son who stop animates, a daughter who loves animals, a dog that follows her everywhere, and a turtle who scowls at her condescendingly. She enjoys writing new adventures for her imaginary friends and is thrilled when friends in real life enjoy reading her work. She lo
ves God, loves her family, and loves freshly brewed coffee with a side of pastry. At the moment, she’s homeschooling Jr. High and High School. How? She has no idea! God sustains it all.

  Acknowledgements

  My heart is so full there aren’t enough words to express my gratitude. God is amazing. He uses my little gift and makes it great. All praise to Him and, any good that blooms from this work, the glory is all His.

  God, I thank you for this book and the friends I’ve discovered in it and through it. I praise you for my family who have been patient and encouraging. Thanks for E & Z who talked plot points and ideas out with their mama. Thank you, dearly, for my hard-working husband. I pray You will help me to pay back his kindness with interest.

  Father, my family is amazing. Those who live near and far. Thank you for designing me to be a part of this blood line and legacy. Help me walk with integrity.

  Lord, my spiritual family is ever present and ever uplifting. Thank you for each of them.

  God bless my homeschool mama friends and every reader who dares to try out this book. From CHS, Small Group, Blog Life and throughout the world. Bless them each with a tender gift, designed just for them.

  Thanks for sending Patti E to me. She rescued my work.

  Thanks for my amazing street team members. They offered the audible encouragement as You did the spiritual.

  Thank you, Sovereign Lord Almighty. You are too good to me. Thank you with all my heart.

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  Did you love Missing on Main Street? Then you should read Lethal in Lavender by Sarah Hualde!

  "He can't have followed me here!"States away from her home, the Shadow Man stalks out of the hotel bathroom and straight toward ASMR artist Averie Stardust. Days later the internet celebrity is found, bleeding in the middle of a lavender field.

  Just like that, a weekend of relaxing family fun slips away. Finding out who hurt Averie becomes Lydia's main focus. With her friends behind her, she races to find Averie's attacker before they can claim another victim. Book #2 in The Honey Pot Mystery series stars Lydia, Kat, Flora, and Ivy searching for clues and getting into trouble. You'll love this small town cozy mystery series starring homeschooling moms and written by a homeschooling mom. Get ready to stay up late.

  More Honey Pot Mysteries:

  #1 Missing on Main Street

  #2 Lethal in Lavender

  #3 Farmers Market Fatality (coming soon)

  #4 Death by Donation (coming soon)

  Also by Sarah Hualde

  Honey Pot Mysteries

  Missing on Main Street

  Lethal in Lavender

  Farmers Market Fatality

  Death by Donation (Coming Soon)

  Standalone

  Diary of a Dyslexic Homeschooler