His Small-Town Family

Healing Their Hearts

Nicki Latimer never expected to be back in her tiny Mississippi hometown—much less running a store with a baby on her hip. But when her father falls ill, Nicki will do anything to save the family business…even putting her dreams on hold. And she’s found just the person to help her. Ethan Stone is strong and reliable, but also haunted by his past as a war photographer. He’s convinced he could never be the man Nicki thinks he is. But with Ethan by her side, Nicki’s dreams of love and family are closer than she thinks.

Home to Dover: A small town with a big heart

“I’m looking forward to working with you, Miss…?”

The woman’s cheeks turned a pretty shade of pink. She tucked a strand of her wavy hair behind one ear. “Oh, I’m sorry. My name is Nichelle Latimer.”

She grasped his hand. Her fingers were small and delicate and sent an awareness like a sudden sugar rush through his system.

“My family owns this store.”

Questions popped into his mind. Why wasn’t her family here helping? She must have sensed his curiosity because she tugged her hand away.

“Which way to the stockroom?”

She pointed toward the back. Ethan nodded and attempted a smile, but he couldn’t quite manage it. Sometimes he thought he’d forgotten how to smile.

He turned and walked toward the rear of the building. Nichelle. It was a lovely name for a lovely woman. But the guarded look in her eyes suggested she was protecting herself from something.

The lady had secrets.

But then, so did he.

LORRAINE BEATTY

was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, but has been blessed to be able to live in Germany, Connecticut and Baton Rouge. She now calls Mississippi home. She and her husband, Joe, have two sons and six grandchildren. Lorraine started writing in junior high and has written for trade books, newspapers and company newsletters. She is a member of RWA and ACFW and is a charter member and past president of Magnolia State Romance Writers. In her spare time she likes to work in her garden, travel and spend time with her family.

His Small-Town Family

Lorraine Beatty

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.

—Proverbs 3:5–6

To my brother Ken Carswell. I miss you every day.

Acknowledgment

A special thank-you to Dr. Ronda Wells

for her medical help with Sadie’s fever.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

About the Author

Title Page

Bible Verse

Dedication

Acknowledgment

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Nicki, how long do you think you can keep this up? Running the store, taking care of a new baby, then going home at night to help your parents. You’re wearing yourself out.”

Nichelle Latimer could feel the disapproving eyes of her friend Debi Gordon on her back as she straightened the display of spiral notebooks in her family’s office-supply store. They’d been friends since junior high, and Nicki knew the concern was sincere. Just not welcome at the moment.

“I don’t have a choice. I’m the only one who can help right now. Mom has to focus on Dad’s recovery. He’s doing well after his kidney transplant. He doesn’t need to worry about the store.”

But Nicki was very worried. Since coming home to Dover, Mississippi, six months ago, she had willingly stepped in to help run Latimer’s Office Supply. The work had kept her busy and focused on something other than the death of her husband and the legal and emotional trauma he’d left behind. It hadn’t taken long to realize that business was slow and customers few and far between. But it wasn’t until she’d returned to work after having her daughter, Sadie, and assumed management of the store that she’d realized the extent of the problem. If something didn’t change soon, Latimer’s Office Supply would be out of business.

The old brass bell over the door jingled, announcing the arrival of a much-needed customer. Nicki gave her friend a quick hug. “Don’t worry. I’ll be fine.”

Debi gave her a skeptical frown before turning to leave. “Call me if you need me.”

Nicki dealt with the customer, then reached for her cell phone to check on Sadie. She missed her so much. It was the first time she’d let her mother babysit, and that was only because she needed time alone to examine the store’s accounting files.

As she did, her heart sank. If she didn’t find a way to increase business soon, her parents would be ruined. They were counting on her. What she needed was a full-time employee, someone she could depend on. She’d placed a Help Wanted sign in the front window three days ago, but no one had even inquired. Strange, considering the bad economy. Surely someone needed a job. As soon as the store was closed, she’d draft an ad for the Dover Dispatch.