Hometown Hope

by Laurel Blount

  But then he looked back into her eyes. There was a soft, clouded wonder in them that made something he’d buried deep in his heart wake up and sing out like a choir on Easter Sunday.

  The joy was overwhelming. And he just couldn’t help it. He grinned down at her. “Why? Why did I kiss you? You don’t already know? Well then, that proves what I’ve been saying all along, doesn’t it? Books are way overrated.”

  Anna’s eyes widened and then narrowed. “You seriously want to pick a fight with me about reading? Now?”

  “Come on now, Anna. You have to give me this one. How many romance books have you read in your lifetime? Like a million, right?”

  “Not a million, for crying out loud. Some.”

  “Plenty. And even after reading all those books, you still can’t tell when the man standing in front of you is head over heels in love with you.” His voice shook a little on that last part, and he had to whisper the rest of it. “It’s true. I love you, Anna, with everything that’s in me. I do.”

  * * *

  Anna stared at him.

  It was the oddest thing. She knew the Bible said that hope deferred made a heart sick. Apparently hope realized made your knees turn to jelly.

  Hoyt Bradley was in love with her.

  “I thought—I thought you said you couldn’t be in a relationship because of Jess.”

  “I said I couldn’t be in a short-term relationship.” If she hadn’t been watching him so closely, she’d have missed the change in his face. His expression went from gentle to guarded in a split second. “That hasn’t changed, Anna. I have to be straight with you. I know—” He stumbled to a stop in midsentence but for once, Anna had no words to offer.

  She just had to stand there and wait him out.

  He freed one hand and raked it roughly through his hair. Then he reclaimed her hands and started again. “Nobody has to tell me that I’m not the kind of man you saw yourself ending up with, Anna. I never went to college, I have a bad habit of using books for coasters, and if you sit me down at a table with more than one fork, you’d better hand me a cheat sheet because I’m going to be clueless. I’m all wrong for you. I may not have a bunch of letters after my name, but at least I know that much.”

  Hope kindled its sweet, incredulous glow in Anna’s heart. “I really hope there’s a but coming after all that,” she prompted gently.

  “But, Anna, I love you like fury.” The words tumbled out in a clumsy rush. “I may not be even close to what you’re looking for, and that’s really not fair because you’re absolutely everything I want. You’re strong and sweet. You’re smart and kind. And I know you’re not going to believe me when I tell you this, but you’re so beautiful you knock the breath right out of me.” He leaned forward and traced a finger down the side of her cheek. “All those things you hate about yourself? This gorgeous, crazy hair you’re always fighting with, the freckles on your nose, those eyes of yours... Those are the things that make you beautiful. You never had to try so hard to be perfect, Anna. You already are.”

  The words were unbelievable, but sincerity thrummed in Hoyt’s voice. He meant what he was saying.

  “Hoyt, I—” The hope in her heart was burning so strongly now that she desperately needed to put some of what she was feeling into words.

  But Hoyt shifted his index finger until it rested very gently on her lips. She could feel it vibrating just the tiniest bit.

  It was so strange. Hoyt was shaking.

  And nothing scared Hoyt Bradley.

  “You’d better let me get this out. If I don’t say the rest of this now, I’m going to lose my nerve. You’ve got to be sure, Anna. I’m playing for keeps here. If you can’t see a long-term future with an ordinary guy like me, and I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t, then I need to know up front because—”

  Enough was enough. Anna spoke from behind Hoyt’s finger. “Fair warning, Hoyt. You may want to move your finger. Because if you start up again with that nonsense about how wrong you are for me, I might just bite it clean off.”

  The shocked look on his face was priceless. Then, just as she’d hoped, the worry lines eased into humor. He prudently removed his finger and grinned at her. “Is that right?”

  “It most certainly is.” She tried to keep her face stern, but her lips kept betraying her by tipping upward. “It’s ridiculous, really, the way you underestimate yourself. I mean, look at you. You’re a successful businessman, you’re an incredible dad, not to mention you’re so good-looking it’s not even fair. That smile of yours should come with a warning label.”

  He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Keep going. This is getting interesting.”

  She made a face. “On the negative side, you’re an awful tease, and you’re not nearly as funny as you think you are. But I have to say, on the whole, deep down, you’re just—” for the first time her voice cracked “—you’re just the kindest, strongest, gentlest man in the whole wide world, and the idea that any woman wouldn’t fall in love with you is absolutely—” She was going to say ridiculous, but that didn’t begin to cover it. After a second, she gave up searching for the right word for how crazy that idea was and just shrugged mutely.

  Maybe sometimes finding the right words just didn’t matter all that much. After all, Hoyt wasn’t saying anything right now, but he was looking into her eyes in a way that said everything just perfectly.

  “Here’s the thing, Anna.” There was a new tone in Hoyt’s voice that had her pulse tripping so crazily she wasn’t sure any blood was actually making it up to her brain. She was finding it hard to think about anything except that look in Hoyt’s eyes. “I hope you mean all that. Because I’m not in love with any woman. I’m in love with you. So I need to know. Have you fallen in love with me?”

  She knew she should make him wait, prolong the moment, the way the heroines always did in the best movie love scenes.

  Instead her eyes teared up, and she could feel her nose starting to run a little. “Oh, yes.” The words stumbled out along with a sobby little hiccup. “Yes, I love you, Hoyt.” She sniffled, and the sound was the most unromantic thing in the world. “A whole, whole lot.”

  The words weren’t perfect. And she couldn’t have cared less.

  He squeezed her fingers tight. “For keeps, Anna?”

  She nodded. “For keeps.”

  The joy that spread across his face was contagious. She could feel it beaming on her face, too. For a second they just smiled goofily at each other. Then Hoyt leaned forward and kissed her again, gently.

  He drew a few inches back, his hazel eyes looking deeply into hers, questioning. Double-checking.

  “This is it then, right? For both of us? From here on out, we’re a team. Me and you.”

  Bless the man, he sounded so uncertain. He still couldn’t quite believe she meant it, and somehow that made her mean it even more.

  “Yes, Hoyt. That’s right. We’re a team.” She smiled up at him. “Me and you.”

  Epilogue

  A chilly winter rain pelted the sidewalk, and Anna Bradley had to sidestep puddles as she hurried from her car to the shelter of her freshly reopened bookstore.

  She didn’t care.

  The weather could be just as dreary as it wanted to be. Nothing could dampen her joy today.

  The store was so crowded that she had to open the door in small nudges to edge people away from the display of audiobooks she had close to the door. Those were turning out to be popular; she’d better relocate them to a more spacious area.

  If she could find one.

  “Anna! There you are!” Mrs. Abercrombie angled her sparse frame to slide through the milling crowd. She made an apologetic gesture. “I’m just going to start off by saying I’m so sorry. I’m afraid this chaos is all my fault. When I mentioned I was bringing my after-school literacy class to tour the bookstore, all the other instructors asked to c
ome along. I’m afraid we’ve overwhelmed your poor new assistant.”

  Anna glanced toward the register as she shrugged off her coat. A long line of customers stretched nearly halfway down the length of the newly expanded store. Carlie was hurriedly ringing up purchase after purchase, and she cast a desperate look in her employer’s direction.

  Help, she mouthed.

  Anna offered an encouraging smile and held up one finger. In a minute.

  “I may as well make my full confession while I’ve got your ear. I’m sorry to say one of my students had a contraband chocolate pudding pack in his pocket. He took off his jacket and sat on it in the children’s area—”

  “Please don’t worry about it.”

  “It was quite a lot of pudding, I’m afraid. And all over that lovely brand-new rug.”

  Anna laughed. “Good. That’s the only thing wrong with this store right now. Everything’s just a little too perfect. A few chocolate stains and some grubby fingerprints are just what we need. I really want people to feel at home here.”

  “Well.” Her former teacher arched a thoughtful eyebrow. “I’m glad to hear you say that. Although it looks to me like people are feeling pretty comfortable here already. I admit, when I heard you were taking over the space next door, I worried that Pages would lose its cozy feel. But it really hasn’t, has it?”

  “No.” Anna scanned her new domain with mingled gratitude and pride.

  When Trisha had heard the results of the fire chief’s investigation, she’d quickly dropped her lawsuit. Then she’d offered to sell her damaged building to Anna for a surprisingly reasonable price.

  That wasn’t the end of the surprises, either. It was amazing what an insurance settlement, a lot of community support and a handy husband could accomplish in just a few short months.

  Pages, now renamed Turn the Page, was absolutely beautiful.

  Honey-colored bookcases lined the walls, stuffed with an array of tempting books that were constantly in need of replenishing. Colorful and attractive displays scattered here and there announced new releases and upcoming community events. Comfy armchairs invited readers to linger, and the seating areas were artfully angled to encourage quiet conversations.

  Mrs. Abercrombie slipped one arm around Anna’s waist and gave her a squeeze. “Your father would have been so pleased.”

  “Yes, I honestly think he would,” Anna agreed, her voice wobbling.

  “Oh, my dear, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  Anna flapped one reassuring hand as she wiped her cheeks with the other. “Happy tears, Mrs. A. Happy tears.” And maybe...hormonal ones.

  That reminded her.

  “Where’s Hoyt?”

  “Over there, listening to Jess read aloud to some of my students. She’s been chattering up a storm for months now, but I don’t think he’ll ever get enough of hearing that child’s voice.” Mrs. Abercrombie breathed out a happy sigh. “The Lord has done some amazing things in this place, Anna.”

  “Yes, He has!” Anna gave her teacher a quick hug before heading off in search of her husband.

  Her heart hammered with happy anticipation as she sidled through the crowded store toward the children’s area. Just as Mrs. Abercrombie had said, Hoyt was lingering on the edge of a sea of cross-legged children, toying absently with the tape measure he held in his hand as he listened to his daughter read aloud in a clear, lilting voice.

  Anna had planned out just how she’d tell him the news. She’d pull him into the storeroom, and she’d hand him the tiny ultrasound picture she had tucked in her pocket. And she’d say—

  He turned before she’d quite reached him, and a grin—the one that never failed to stop her pulse in its tracks—lit up his face.

  “So?” He reached down and tipped up her chin, his hazel eyes searching hers. “What did Doc Peterson say?”

  “Hoyt! How’d you know that’s where I went?”

  “Abel saw you ducking in the office and mentioned it when he came by with Emily and the twins. Emily swatted him, so I figured something was up. At least I hoped something was up.” He paused, waiting. “I’m dying here, Anna. Have mercy on a guy. Is something up?”

  Anna couldn’t help it. The love and hope she saw on Hoyt’s face made her insides go all gooey, and she couldn’t help smiling. “Apparently so. Why don’t we go somewhere private so we can talk about—”

  That was all she got out before the metal tape measure in Hoyt’s hand hit the floor with a loud clatter. Her husband swept her up in his arms and swung her around with a whoop that echoed through the store.

  Chester left his post by Jess’s side and ran over, scampering in a circle around them with ear-piercing yaps.

  As he set her down gently, Anna’s cheeks were flaming. Every eye in the store was on them. “Hoyt!” she whispered, “I had this all planned! This was supposed to be a really sweet, really private moment.”

  “Sorry.” He didn’t look a bit sorry. In fact, the man was grinning from ear to ear.

  “Daddy!” From her stool in the corner, Jess shot her father an outraged look any librarian would have been proud of. “Why are you hollering? I’m trying to finish my story! Don’t you want to hear the happy ending?”

  “Sorry, baby. I guess happy endings aren’t really my thing.” Hoyt kept his eyes on Anna’s, and the love shining in his gaze made her embarrassment blur into a soft, happy mush. He kissed her on the tip of her nose. “Happy beginnings. Now, those I like.”

  * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from The Amish Widower’s Twins by Jo Ann Brown.

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  Dear Reader,

  Hello! Thanks so much for joining me on my third trip back to Pine Valley, Georgia! I hope you enjoyed our visit there as much as I did!

  This sweet little town definitely holds a special place in my heart. I had fun catching up with old friends—the characters from my first two books, A Family for the Farmer and A Baby for the Minister. And of course, I loved writing Hoyt and Anna’s story. It features one of my favorite themes—how creatively God sometimes answers our prayers, often through very unlikely people and situations!

  I’m planning to visit Pine Valley again before too long—I have my eye on our feisty grocery store owner Bailey Quinn. I think she needs a romance of her own, don’t you? I sure hope you’ll come along for that trip, too—you’re such good company! In the meantime, let’s stay in touch! You can reach me via email at laurelblountwrites@gmail.com and through my website, laurelblountbooks.com. Oh, and while you’re there, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter—that way we can enjoy a visit every single month!

  Looking forward to hearing from you, sweet friend!

  Laurel Blount

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  The Amish Widower’s Twins

  by Jo Ann Brown

  Chapter One

  Harmony Creek Hollow, New York

  “Do you sell the milch from your goats?”

  Leanna Wagler raised her left hand to acknowledge the man’s question as she continued milking Faith. The brown-and-white doe was the herd’s leader and most days waited patiently while Leanna squirted milch into the small bucket on the raised platform. Today, the goat had taken it into her head that she didn’t want to stand still.

  “Just a minute,” Leanna said without looking back. “I’m almost done.”

  It took less time than that. Drawing the pail out from under the goat, she patted Faith on the haunches, the signal the goat should jump down. Leanna set the pail on the ground and smiled as Charity, the goat who always wanted to be milked after the herd’s leader, stepped up onto the platform.

  “Sorry,” Leanna began as she turned in the direction of the man’s voice.

  She didn’t finish.

  Instead, she stared at the man standing on the other side of the fence.

  How could it be Gabriel Miller, the man who’d held her heart in his hands when she lived in Lancaster County? He’d tossed it aside to marry another woman without letting Leanna know of his plans.

  It had to be Gabriel. Who else had unruly red curls that refused to lie flat in a plain haircut? His ruddy beard, still patchy, followed the strong line of his jaw. Dark brown eyes, which she had once believed were as sweet and loyal as a puppy’s, widened as his gaze swept from the top of her kapp to the rubber boots she wore while milking.

  She fought her fingers, which wanted to wipe goat hair and stains off her apron. She didn’t need to try to look her best for a man who’d dumped her.