âI wanted to talk with you about something else, Annie.â
âWhat could you possibly have to talk to me about? Weâve only just met.â
âI have another reason for staying in Safe Harbor.â Russ peered at her.
âReally?â She laughed nervously. There was something about those unusual eyes. âWell, according to the Chamber of Commerce there are a lot of reasons anyone would choose Safe Harbor.â
âIt had nothing to do with the Chamber of Commerce. Iâd already decided to set up shop here, just not quite yet. But then my grandfather upped the ante. More particularly, his will did.â
Somethingâa fizzle of awarenessâshot through her. âYour grandfatherâs will said you had to live in Safe Harbor?â she whispered.
âNo.â He took a deep breath and looked her straight in the eye. âMy grandfatherâs will said I have to marry you.â
Safe Harborâ
The town where everyone finds shelter from the storm.
lives in a small Canadian prairie town with her husband, who, she says, is a âwanna-be farmer.â She began writing in self-defense, as a way to escape. She says, âCome spring, tomato plants take over my flower beds, no matter how many I âaccidentallyâ pull up or âprune.â By summer Iâm fielding phone calls from neighbors who donât need tomatoes this fall. Come September, no one visits us and anyone who gallantly offers to take a box invariably ends up with six. I have more recipes with tomatoes than with chocolate. Thank goodness for writing! Imaginary people with imaginary gardens are much easier to deal with!â
Lois is pleased to present her latest book for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired line. Please feel free to contact Lois at: Box 639, Nipawin, Saskatchewan, Canada S0E 1E0.
You are my refuge and my shield,
and Your promises are my only source of hope.
âPsalms 119:114
Dear Reader,
Hello again. Iâm glad you joined me for Inner Harbor. I hope you enjoyed Annie and Russâs struggle to know Godâs plan in their lives. Arenât we humans funny? We put such limits on ourselves, limits that God ignores. But isnât that the way it should be? In Him, our options are vast. He is always there, always listening, always waiting for us to come back, snuggle into His lap and listen. Then, when we know His way, weâre ready, like newborn lambs, to wobble onto our own feet and take tiny steps toward the life He wants for us. As spring brings rebirth, I wish for you new hopes and dreams, fresh plans and the chance to plant much joy in this world. And, of course, may God send you an abundance of love.
Blessings,
Prologue
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
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
The letter arrived by courier on Thanksgiving eve, a bulky missive with a legal firm listed as the sender.
A strange quiver of excitement rippled through Annie Simmons as she dropped the sandpaper block sheâd been rubbing against a battered oak table and tore open the envelope with trembling fingers.
What now?
A legal-size white envelope with her name printed on it lay tucked inside, along with a letter. She sank down on the floor and scanned the typewritten words from the executor of Wharton Willoughbyâs estate, informing her the envelopeâs sealed contents had been discovered on his desk, addressed to her. She noticed that the stamp had never been canceled. Why hadnât he mailed it?
Annie slit the envelope, slid out three pages covered in a thick black scrawl. She began to read.
Dear Annie
Itâs been several weeks since I last visited you in Safe Harbor. I expect that you are well under way with your renovations now. Soon your bed-and-breakfast will be welcoming folks through its doors. Congratulations!
Annie, youâve become the granddaughter I never had. Weâve shared so many things, allowed the other to pray over our worries. Perhaps thatâs why I trust you wonât be offended by this letter from an old man who dares to make an outrageous request.
My grandson is very precious to me, and yet Iâm afraid for him. R.J. has lost his way, lost touch with what really matters in this life. Heâs grown afraid of responsibility. He needs someoneâsomeone to help him face his past, his future and all the potential it holds. For some time, Iâve believed you are that person.
Iâve got a bad case of pneumonia, so I canât talk to you in person, and the phone seems too impersonal for what I want to say, so Iâve chosen to write. Tomorrow Iâll mail this. Perhaps youâll manage a visit to discuss it, and I can better articulate my hopes, but until then, here are my thoughts.
I canât allow R.J. to continue on the path heâs traveling, Annie. So Iâve taken steps to direct him toward Safe Harbor. Iâve stipulated in my will that he cannot inherit the money I so desperately want him to use to expand his businessâunless he marries you. Itâs presumptuous of me, and Iâm sure youâd scold me severely for my interference if you were here. Perhaps thatâs why Iâve cowardly chosen to write this letter instead of facing you.