Lakeside Redemption
Fresh Start FamilyZoe James is starting over. She's worked hard to get past the foolish mistakes that landed her in trouble four years ago. Now the young mom is back in Shelby Lake and ready to reconnect with her son. When she bumps into old friend Caleb Sullivan and his two adorable girls, she sees the possibility of a happy future. Caleb has always secretly loved Zoe, but her turbulent past brings up tough memories of his own. As they spend time together training his girls' new puppy, Zoe and Caleb will learn that if they can forgive themselves, they might have a chance at a new life–and new love–together.Zoe James is starting over. She's worked hard to get past the foolish mistakes that landed her in trouble four years ago. Now the young mom is back in Shelby Lake and ready to reconnect with her son. When she bumps into old friend Caleb Sullivan and his two adorable girls, she sees the possibility of a happy future. Caleb has always secretly loved Zoe, but her turbulent past brings up tough memories of his own. As they spend time together training his girls' new puppy, Zoe and Caleb will learn that if they can forgive themselves, they might have a chance at a new life– and new love–together.
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Fresh Start Family
Zoe James is starting over. She’s worked hard to get past the foolish mistakes that landed her in trouble four years ago. Now the young mom is back in Shelby Lake and ready to reconnect with her son. When she bumps into old friend Caleb Sullivan and his two adorable girls, she sees the possibility of a happy future. Caleb has always secretly loved Zoe, but her turbulent past brings up tough memories of his own. As they spend time together training his girls’ new puppy, Zoe and Caleb will learn that if they can forgive themselves, they might have a chance at a new life—and new love—together.
“You’re a natural, Zoe.”
She dropped her gaze to her feet and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “I love animals, especially dogs. Always have. They’re forgiving and eager to please. I get them, and they get me.”
“I can see why.” He trailed a finger down her cheek.
Her eyes shot up, and he dropped his hand. Something flashed across her face, but before he could decipher it, she turned and headed for the front door.
“Thanks, Zoe. For everything.”
She placed a hand on his forearm and squeezed. “My pleasure, Sully. I’m really looking forward to this.”
“Me, too.” He curled his fingers over his arm where her hand had been, to lock in the feel of her tender touch against his skin.
Maybe, by working together, they’d have an opportunity to revive the past connection they’d once shared. Maybe he could be the one to alight her eyes with joy once again. Would she ever give a broken has-been like him a chance?
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 overflows her cup of blessings. In her spare time, she loves reading, knitting and hanging out with family and friends. Learn more about her at lisajordanbooks.com.
I have swept away your offenses like a cloud,
your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.
—Isaiah 44:22
For my mom who is a daily testament of God’s redeeming grace. I’m so honored to be your daughter.
For my fairy godmother agent Rachelle Gardner and wildly talented editor Melissa Endlich—thank you for picking up the pieces and walking alongside me during the writing of this story. I couldn’t have done it without you. I’m so blessed to have you on my writing team.
Thanks to the Love Inspired publishing team
for helping me bring another story into print.
Susan May Warren & Rachel Hauck—
thank you for answering the call of the pineapple and speaking truth into my life. You’re amazing friends and the best mentors.
Carolyn Vibbert, Amanda W., Cathy West,
Mindy Obenhaus, Michelle Lim, Reba J. Hoffman and Beth K. Vogt for your brainstorming, feedback and encouragement.
MBT Core Team, MBT Ponderers, Coffee Girls,
Spice Girls and Sisters in Stitches for your words of encouragement and prayers that kept me going when I lost my way. I love you all!
Chandra Smith of Best Friend Dog Training—thank you
for your dog training advice. Any mistakes are my own.
Pat, Scott, Mitchell—
you are my anchors. I love you forever.
My Heavenly Father—You give me an endless supply
of grace to endure the challenges that come my way. Thank You for loving me unconditionally. Thank You for redeeming me. I am nothing without You.
Contents
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
Dear Reader
Questions for Discussion
What was Caleb Sullivan doing in Shelby Lake?
Although Zoe hadn’t seen Sully in ten years—not since the day he graduated from Bartlett University and headed off to the police academy—she would have recognized his smile anywhere.
Zoe pulled her pink Canine Companions baseball cap lower on her forehead and slipped her sunglasses back on her face.
Hopefully he wouldn’t recognize her.
It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see him. She just didn’t want him to see what she’d become. She fingered the blue-and-silver butterfly pendant hanging around her neck.
Holding hands with two little girls—his daughters, maybe—Caleb approached the Canine Companions booth centered in the middle of the park for Shelby Lake’s annual Paws in the Park event.
Leona, her boss and owner of Canine Companions, had chosen the worst possible time to take a break from manning the booth and promoting her business while Zoe tried to stay in the background by overseeing the puppies. She hated being in the public eye, on display for everyone’s personal scrutiny.
With the late-August afternoon sunshine at their backs, they stopped in front of Harper, her black-and-white border collie, who was sitting at her feet and watching the park activity. Her brother, Ian, and sister-in-law, Agnes, had given her Harper for her birthday last year.
