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.
Lakeside Sweethearts
Lisa Jordan
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
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