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Lakeside Sweethearts
Lisa Jordan
From Friendship to RomanceAgnes Kingsley can hardly bear to walk past the house she lived in as a married woman. It's full of bad memories she's never shared–not even with her best friend, Ian James. But now Ian wants her help to restore that old home for a community project. Agnes knows it's for a good cause, but as their work brings them even closer together, she's afraid to trust–in herself or in the feelings she's secretly harbored for her childhood friend. Yet as they chip away at the house, walls come down around both their hearts…uncovering a foundation to last a lifetime.
From Friendship to Romance
Agnes Kingsley can hardly bear to walk past the house she lived in as a married woman. It’s full of bad memories she’s never shared—not even with her best friend, Ian James. But now Ian wants her help to restore that old home for a community project. Agnes knows it’s for a good cause, but as their work brings them even closer together, she’s afraid to trust—in herself or in the feelings she’s secretly harbored for her childhood friend. Yet as they chip away at the house, walls come down around both their hearts…uncovering a foundation to last a lifetime.
“I would never hurt you.”
“I know, Ian.” Agnes’s voice sounded raspy.
She bit her bottom lip to steady her trembling jaw, a tear slipping over her lower lashes and trailing down her cheek.
Ian crushed her to his chest. “Why didn’t you come to me? I would have protected you.”
She should move away. But, for that moment, she just wanted the strength of his embrace, and to rest her ear against his chest and listen to his beating heart.
Ian pulled back and cradled her face with both hands, his fingers threading in her hair. He kept his gaze steady with hers. “You are safe with me.”
As his words soaked in, Agnes searched his face and cupped his jaw. “I know.”
He placed his hands on her shoulders. His questioning eyes searched her face. “Red—”
She pressed a finger against his lips. “You’re my protector, Ian. I feel safe here because of you.”
LISA JORDAN
has been writing for over a decade, taking a hiatus to earn her degree in early childhood education. By day, she operates an in-home family child-care business. By night, she writes contemporary Christian romances. Being a wife to her real-life hero and mother to two young adult men overflow her cup of blessings. In her spare time, she loves reading, knitting and hanging out with family and friends. Learn more about her at www.lisajordanbooks.com. (http://www.lisajordanbooks.com)
Lakeside Sweethearts
Lisa Jordan
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.
—Ecclesiastes 3:11
To Dr. Reba J. Hoffman, who inspired Agnes’s character.
You, my friend, are amazing. Thank you for your prayers, wisdom and encouragement. May your Road to Freedom impact others as much as you’ve impacted me.
To Dianne Sherman, whose passion and vision for the
House of Hope ministry inspired this story. May God bless
your ministry and the women in a way that leaves you breathless.
Acknowledgments
Susan May Warren, Rachel Hauck, Michelle Lim,
Beth Vogt, Reba J. Hoffman, Edie Melson, Melissa Tagg,
Alena Tauriainen, Roxanne Sherwood Gray, Sue Nebbe, Carolyn Vibbert & Amanda W.—thank you for your brainstorming, additional sets of eyes and feedback
that helped to make this a stronger story.
Rachel Hauck & Lindsay Harrel—
thank you for sharing your love stories as I strived to
create the romance between Ian and Agnes.
Jude Urbanski—for sharing your story of how God
triumphed through tragedy. Bill Giovanetti—for helping me
to create Agnes’s car trouble. R. Herrick, the
Honorable Maureen Skerda, Reba J. Hoffman,
Patrick Jordan and Jessica Koschnitzky—for information about the Pennsylvania Motor Vehicle Code, prison system, sentencing and parole information. Any mistakes are mine.
Melissa Endlich & Giselle Regus—my two incredible editors whose encouragement and revision notes challenged me to write the best story possible. Thank you to the rest of the Love Inspired team who had a hand in bringing my book to print.
Rachelle Gardner—my fairy godmother agent
who tied the knot and encouraged me to hold on
when my rope unraveled unexpectedly.
Patrick, Scott & Mitchell—your constant encouragement
helps me to keep living the dream. I love you forever.
Most importantly, thank you, God, for loving me unconditionally in spite of my flaws and scars.
Contents
Chapter One (#uc760dffb-e871-5013-9d4f-dd252039ac56)
Chapter Two (#ucb09d6cc-872a-5b54-ad9b-b879c47fc6cb)
Chapter Three (#u36e21448-7e3d-519e-aaeb-fee523eb7906)
Chapter Four (#u2104fc07-2119-5033-8990-fe7915141686)
Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)
Questions for Discussion (#litres_trial_promo)
Extract (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter One
Red had to say yes. Restoring his family depended on it.
Ian James opened the door to Cuppa Josie’s and entered Shelby Lake’s finest coffeehouse, ushering the sun-soaked May breeze in with him. The wind ruffled the edges of the Shelby Lake Gazette splayed across the large storefront window counter. As he closed the door, the tattered bells rattled against the glass.
He slid off his sunglasses and slipped them in the breast pocket of his untucked button-down shirt, giving his eyes a minute to adjust to the abrupt change in lighting.
Today’s special blend—crème brûlée according to the sign on the front door—mingled with the spicy aroma of Josie Brennan’s signature white chicken chili, causing his stomach to grumble. The Saturday special on the chalkboard easel near the register boasted chocolate macadamia nut brownies as the dessert of the day.
Once he finished talking with Red, he’d grab lunch before heading back to the insurance office to go over a couple of claims with Dad. Then he needed to head out to Carl Winston’s place to determine the extent of his recent garage fire.
Being a claims adjuster might not be a glamorous job or his dream career, but he liked helping people get what they needed.
Rustling newspapers, ringing cell phones and the buzz of conversations couldn’t drown out Red’s laughter that touched his ears before she appeared from the side dining room.
Ian swallowed back the knot in his throat that always seemed to form every time he saw her.
Agnes Kingsley, his best friend since her family moved next door from Texas to Shelby Lake about twenty-five years ago, had captured her ginger-colored hair in a ponytail that did little to keep a few curls from escaping and spiraling around her face.
The Cuppa Josie’s apron tied twice around her narrow waist failed to hide her long legs and the slight curve of her hips. Large hoop earrings dangled from her ears.
Their first meeting was imprinted in his memory—she was ten and he was twelve. The pop fly he’d missed had rolled into her yard next door. She’d stepped from behind her family’s moving van cradling the baseball between two fingers and her thumb. She’d smiled, her crazy mop of ginger hair askew. When she refused to give her name, he dubbed her “Red,” and the rest was history.
The baby she cradled in her arms released a wail that jerked Ian back to the present. Red patted his back while talking to Lindsey Chase, Josie Brennan’s stepsister.
Lindsey tucked a blond strand of hair behind her ear and touched her son’s pajama-covered leg. “You’d make a great mom someday, Agnes.”
A shadow flickered across her eyes. “As much as I love the little darlings, being a mama isn’t going to happen.”
“You say that now, but some guy will turn your head, and then you’ll be holding your own little one before you know it.”
Despite Red’s laughter, he recognized the hollow tone. And when she turned on the Texas charm, he knew to watch out...or rescue her, depending on her target.
He skirted past the couch in front of the unlit fireplace where some dude wearing headphones tapped his pencil against his laptop to the beat of his music. Winding through the square tables filled with the lunch crowd, Ian reached Lindsey and Red.
He caressed the newborn’s soft head. “Hey, Linds. Congrats on your little guy. Sorry to interrupt, but can I steal Agnes from you?” Without waiting for her response, he touched Red’s elbow. “You got a second? I need to talk to you about something.”
“Sure.” She breathed in the infant’s scent once more, then handed him back to Lindsey. “Thanks for stopping in, Linds. Bring him back so I can hug his sweet little neck again.”
To be that baby’s neck...
Turning her attention to Ian, she nodded toward the side dining room. “Mind if we talk in there? I need to finish setting up for a private luncheon. Abby can handle the register.”
Ian glanced at the seventeen-year-old flirting at the coffee counter with one of the Shelby Lake High football players. Yeah, she had it covered. He shook his head and followed Red into the side dining room. He half closed the door for a little privacy. “You okay?”
She smiled wide. “Just dandy. Why wouldn’t I be?”
He leaned against the wall and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Maybe because of your Texas charm? Or maybe the fact that you won’t look at me? Or maybe the way your hand is trembling while you fold that napkin?”
She tossed the yellow napkin on the table and crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m just fine, Ian James. Either speak your piece or leave me be. I have work to do.”
Ian rounded the long tables covered with white cloths and cupped her chin, lifting her face to meet his gaze. Sadness fringed her electric blue eyes. He caressed her cheekbone with his thumb. “You’re better than fine, Red. I’ve been telling you that for years. But something upset you. What’s going on in that stubborn head of yours?”
Red’s shoulders slumped as she pressed her forehead against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, breathing in the scent of her expensive perfume—the one gift he bought her every year because she refused to spend the money on herself.
“Why does everyone think a woman needs a husband and a baby to be complete? There’s more to life than being some guy’s doormat and changing diapers.”
“Being married doesn’t make you a doormat. Besides, I’m sure Lindsey meant nothing by her comment. You’re just a natural when it comes to kids. From teaching your teen Sunday school class and overseeing the nursery—it’s obvious that you love them.”
“But not every woman can—I mean—wants to raise a passel of babies.” She pushed him away and waved her hands, as if dispersing with that conversation. “What are you doing here anyway? Weren’t you supposed to go to some craft fair with Emily?”
After being best friends with Red for so long, he knew when to back off.
He didn’t really want to talk about his change in plans for the day either, but Red needed to hear the news from him instead of from some customers’ gossiping.
