Little Lily's mother was Charlotte Atherton's best friend after the nine-year-old enrolled at the exclusive school where Charlotte taught. Upon Mrs. Dorchester's death, she granted guardianship to Charlotte away from Lily's wealthy and overbearing grandfather.
When the school is shut down Charlotte knows Lily is in danger and - along with two of the school's boys who have nowhere to go - escapes to property left to her by her parents and far from Austin and the Dorchesters's grasping. She doesn't know why exactly Mrs. Dorchester wanted to keep Lily from her grandfather, but Charlotte isn't willing to give up the girl she's come to love.
It's no surprise that Dorchester sends a tracker after them, but Stone Hammond is not what Charlotte expects--under his handsome, but overwhelming exterior. Stone isn't willing to allow an abductress to run Lily's life or those of the two boys who escaped the school's closure. But he's surprised by the little family he finds in Charlotte's care.
He is likewise surprised by Charlotte herself. She very clearly cares for Lily, Stephen, and John; and she is intelligent enough to recognize the threat he poses to their life together. Yet, Charlotte cares for him when he is injured and trusts him with the truth of Lily's guardianship.
Dorchester and his somewhat illegal actions toward Charlotte are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his reasoning for bringing his granddaughter back. Stone and his conscience cannot allow the man to use his granddaughter's photographic memory to his advantage.
Somewhere between helping Dorchester, finding the truth, and scheming with Charlotte to allow Lily a proper childhood, stone finds a home with the pretty teacher and her rag-tag family. But Charlotte has demons of her own and trusting Stone will not come easily. The two bond over caring for and protecting the children from the minions Dorchester sends after them and their camaraderie turns into something more.
A Worthy Pursuit blends the action of dime-novels Lily Dorchester is so fond of with a romance rooted in faith and trust suitable for readers of all ages. Charlotte and Stone face challenges and must accept that life doesn't always go as planned, sometimes it does better.
