Boy Meets Girl…Again
It’s been more than ten years, but Allison True has never forgotten her high school crush, Sam Franklin. Back in Bygones, her only focus is keeping her new bookstore afloat—yet the single dad of twin toddlers is testing her resolve to be career minded. Getting involved with a man who vowed never to love again is a recipe for disaster in Allison’s book. But life with Sam and his twins could give her the happily ever after she’s always dreamed of.
The Heart of Main Street: They’re rebuilding the town one step—and heart—at a time
“I’m Allison True.” She held out her hand. “Long time no see, Sammy.”
Sammy? He blinked as the shock of recognition rolled through him.
“Oh, wow!” He took her small hand in his. Little sparks skidded along his arm as soon as they touched.
Sam cleared his throat. “I thought I knew you from somewhere.” His gaze roamed over her face, noting the hint of freckles across her nose and her cornflower-blue eyes. “But, man, have you changed.” Total understatement.
She rolled her eyes playfully. “Good! I would hate to still look like a gangly teenager.”
“Nope, you’re definitely not a gangly teenager anymore.” Far, far from it. In fact, she’d grown into a beautiful woman. Not that he was really noticing.
“Glad to hear it,” she said with an impish smile that he found far too appealing for a man who’d sworn to never fall in love again.
The Heart of Main Street: They’re rebuilding the town one step—and heart—at a time.
Love in Bloom by Arlene James,
July 2013
The Bachelor Baker by Carolyne Aarsen,
August 2013
The Boss’s Bride by Brenda Minton,
September 2013
Storybook Romance by Lissa Manley,
October 2013
Tail of Two Hearts by Charlotte Carter,
November 2013
Cozy Christmas by Valerie Hansen,
December 2013
LISSA MANLEY
decided she wanted to be a published author at the ripe old age of twelve. After she read her first romance novel as a teenager, she quickly decided romance was her favorite genre, although she still enjoys digging into a good medical thriller now and then.
When her youngest was still in diapers, Lissa needed a break from strollers and runny noses, so she sat down and started crafting a romance and has been writing ever since. Nine years later, in 2001, she sold her first book, fulfilling her childhood dream. She feels blessed to be able to write what she loves, and intends to be writing until her fingers quit working, or she runs out of heartwarming stories to tell. She’s betting the fingers will go first.
Lissa lives in the beautiful city of Portland, Oregon, with her wonderful husband, a grown daughter and college-aged son, and two bossy poodles who rule the house and get away with it. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, crafting, bargain hunting, cooking and decorating.
Storybook Romance
Lissa Manley
I can do all things in him who strengthens me.
—Philippians 4:13
This book is dedicated to my dad, Jerry.
You have been a wonderful influence in my life, and I’m glad you needed a travel agent so many years ago.
Contents
“Thanks for coming in, Mr. Fibley.” Allison True handed the dapper older gentleman his purchase. “I’d be glad to order more books on philately.” Which was better known as stamp collecting, but Mr. Fibley, a retired pharmacist, was serious about his stamp studies and seemed to like it when Allison used the technical term for his hobby.
Thanks to the town of Bygones’s Save Our Street Committee having faith in her entrepreneurial abilities, her life’s dream had now come true. She was now the official owner of Happy Endings Bookstore, and she wanted to do everything possible to find, draw in and keep customers. The survival of Bygones depended on her success.
And so did her own happiness and self-respect.
Mr. Fibley’s thin mouth curled into a smile. “Thank you, Miss True. I’m a dedicated philatelist, and as such, am hoping to increase my library of books on the subject.” He tucked the package under his arm. “Like most of the other people in Bygones, I’ve been quite skeptical of the SOS Committee’s plan to revitalize the town by awarding new businesses to newcomers. But I have to say, I do enjoy having a new, well-stocked bookstore here as a resource for my philately studies.”
Allison returned his smile, thrilled that Mr. Fibley had changed his tune about the committee’s plan. She only hoped the rest of the townspeople followed suit. Now that Randall Manufacturing had closed down, many Bygonians had been left without jobs, and many town services, such as the police force and the schools, had been put at risk. The new businesses’ success was essential.
She planned on working night and day to make sure Happy Endings stayed out of the red. After four jobs in the ten years since she’d left Bygones, she was determined not to flit away. Never mind she’d have to pay back the matching funds she’d been given to