Blue Ridge Reunion

Building A New Start

Chelsea Barnes never expected to see her high school rival, golden boy Paul Barrett, again. But when Paul applies for a loan to renovate his family’s historic mill, it’s Chelsea who the bank sends to her tiny hometown to assess the property—and Paul. It’s her chance to prove herself to her boss, and Chelsea won’t let Paul stand in her way. Paul would do anything to restore the mill for his ailing grandfather. Even allow the lovely Chelsea to help. Together, they just might build something beautiful…a happily-ever-after.

Barrett’s Mill: In the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains, a family legacy leads to love.

“Whattaya say, partner? Wanna go make nice?”

He glanced down at Boyd. His canine buddy was stretched out in a patch of late-morning sunlight.

Groveling really shouldn’t be all that tough for him, but because she was brighter than most, she’d see right through his usual I’m-just-a-guy approach. That meant he’d have to go with the truth.

Hoping to appear contrite, he shoved his hands in the pockets of his jeans and trudged down the steps. In the yard, he intercepted Chelsea.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” she countered tartly. “Being you? Please.”

“For being out of line. I hope you can forgive me.”

The change in her was remarkable. He’d braced himself for a scolding, but what he got instead was a slowly dawning smile. By the time it reached her eyes, he glimpsed a sparkle in them he’d never seen before. How many guys had gotten that view of her? he wondered briefly before slamming the door on his curiosity. He had no intention of going anywhere remotely personal with her, so there was no point in even asking the question.

MIA ROSS

loves great stories. She enjoys reading about fascinating people, long-ago times and exotic places. But only for a little while, because her reality is pretty sweet. Married to her college sweetheart, she’s the proud mom of two amazing kids, whose schedules keep her hopping. Busy as she is, she can’t imagine trading her life for anyone else’s—and she has a pretty good imagination. You can visit her online at www.miaross.com.

Blue Ridge Reunion

Mia Ross

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in

due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

—Galatians 6:9

For Mom and Dad

Acknowledgments

To the very talented folks who help me make my books everything they can be: Elaine Spencer,

Melissa Endlich and the dedicated staff at Love Inspired.

More thanks to the gang at Seekerville

(www.seekerville.net), a great place to hang out with readers—and writers.

Thanks to RL for your insights

into the banking world—and for the lunch.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

Chelsea Barnes really hated Mondays.

Especially Mondays like this, when the July sunshine and warm breeze tempted her to stay home from work and enjoy the beautiful summer day. But her father had taught her that people who played hooky never amounted to anything, so she refocused on the narrow two-lane road. Following it as it meandered under the leafy canopy of oaks, she kept an eye out for the turnoff she needed. Around a bend, she located the weathered sign dangling from one rusty hook: Barrett’s Sawmill, est. 1866.

She drove slowly down the pitted track, avoiding the largest ruts and hoping the pinging gravel didn’t take too much paint off her darling convertible. At the other end, she pulled up alongside a beat-up red pickup with the sawmill’s faded logo stenciled on the driver’s door. It was so old she wouldn’t be surprised to discover it had rolled off the assembly line when Henry Ford was still in charge.

Seeing it here was odd, she thought as she stepped from her car. While reading through the loan application file, she’d gotten the impression the property had been abandoned since the Barretts closed down their bankrupt company ten years ago. She surveyed the place with a glance but didn’t notice anyone. What she did see was the millhouse, stubbornly clinging to the bank of the creek that once powered its waterwheel and looking every minute of its considerable age.

Deciding it was best to get this over with quickly, she shouted, “Hello? Is anyone here?”

Her greeting unleashed an unmistakable baying, and a huge red bloodhound came bounding from a nearby grove of trees, ears flapping as he made a beeline for Chelsea.

He wasn’t snarling or showing his teeth, but she’d rather not find out the hard way that he wasn’t friendly. Keeping her eyes fixed on him, she retreated to her car and fumbled behind her for the door handle.

Unable to locate it, she scrambled onto the hood. “Hello? A little help out here!”

No one appeared, but a commanding voice boomed from inside. “Boyd, that’s enough!”