Mending Fences
Laura Toivo's never been a success at love. The high-powered exec has always been better at dealing with clients than family or friends.When she's called home to Michigan to care for her ailing mother, she finds herself in uncertain territory. Then handsome widower Jack Stahl moves in next door. Jack has realized that life is too short and wants to focus on his kids and his faith, not a woman who's as career-hungry as he used to be. Can Jack show Laura that life is all about connections, and that love is the greatest of God's gifts?
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“You’re here early.”
He scanned the picture Laura presented, starting at her bare feet with toenails painted bright purple. She wore khaki shorts and a matching T-shirt.
He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. The door to the barn is locked. Can I have the key?”
“Give me a minute and I’ll join you. I need to go through my dad’s stuff anyway.”
Jack shifted his box. He didn’t want her invading his space, distracting him. “It’s dirty out there, I can handle it.”
“What, I can’t get dirty?” Laura reached for a key tied to a faded blue ribbon and handed it to him. “I’ll meet you in a few minutes.”
Jack stood staring at the doorknob, key in hand. It’d been a long time since he’d noticed another woman with interest. It was impossible not to notice Laura Toivo. Losing Joanne had left a gaping hole in his life, but he was finally putting it back together. Building a secure environment for his daughter Angie. He didn’t have the time or energy to date.
If only he didn’t find tall, blue-eyed blondes attractive…
JENNA MINDEL
Originally from central New York State, Jenna Mindel lives in northwestern Michigan with her husband and their three dogs. She loves activity that’s conducive to daydreaming, whether it’s walking the woods, picking mushrooms and berries, fall leaf peeping or zipping along nearby snowmobile trails on her Polaris 600 Classic.
Jenna’s always been a dreamer. From the time she was a kid, she relished the dashing heroes and feisty heroines found in fairy tales. She completed her first illustrated novel, a romance, in sixth grade.
In a rush to grow up, Jenna graduated high school a year early and went to college in pursuit of a career—changing majors faster than the seasons and forgetting all about her love of story. After marrying her college sweetheart, Jenna landed a job in banking that has spanned more than twenty years and several positions.
In the midst of her corporate climb, Jenna joined Romance Writers of America and her love for romantic stories was reborn. Ten years later in 2001, her first Traditional Regency was published, and in 2006 Jenna became a RITA® Award finalist. But the world of contemporary Christian romance beckoned, and Jenna answered the call to write the books of her heart.
“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures.”
—Proverbs 24:3–4
In memory of a dear friend, Amber Schalk
Contents
Chapter One
Laura Toivo stopped by her assistant’s desk before she went home to change. “Cindy, are the reservations for tonight’s dinner meeting set for eight o’clock?”
“They are.” Cindy, at twenty-six, was five years Laura’s junior, but every bit as hungry for success. “Close the Albertson deal and you’ll get promoted to senior sales exec.”
Laura drummed a pencil against her lips. Everyone knew she’d thrown her name in the hat. She wanted to move up. A promotion might be hers if she succeeded. After years of proving herself, it boiled down to the outcome of tonight’s meeting. “That’s what I’m hoping for.”
Closing a deal was the sweetest side of sales. When everything clicked, it was like celebrating a lucrative marriage—one she hoped to make happen with Albertson Manufacturing.
Not that she knew anything about marriage. Once upon a time, she’d longed for a husband, house and kids. But that was before she’d had a taste of domestic life. After a brief engagement fraught with tension due to her fiancé’s young daughter, Laura had had enough. Or rather, her fiancé did by breaking it off nine months ago.
Laura scanned her list of cell phone messages. Too many to follow up on tonight. She rolled her shoulders to stretch out the knot of tension that had become a permanent fixture in the middle of her back. There was only one person she could count on. Herself.
“Laura? Anthony from corporate is on line three,” Cindy said.
The knot pulled tighter. Speaking of her ex-fiancé… “I’ll take it at my desk.”
Stepping into her gunmetal-gray cubicle, Laura slipped off her headset and picked up her phone. “Hey, Anthony.”
“I knew you’d be working late.” His voice was soft, but carried a hint of regret. Or maybe it was condemnation.
“I heard you’ve got a big deal going with a plastics company. Keep it up, you’re getting noticed.”
“Thanks.” Laura traced the buttons of her phone with her fingertip.
“I called because…well, I’m getting married.”
Laura closed her eyes. He’d set a speed record, even for a rebound relationship.
“Aren’t you going to congratulate me?”
“Congratulations.” Her well wishes sounded dull. Lifeless.
“She’s Brooke’s teacher. You’d like her.”
Brooke was Anthony’s obnoxious seven-year-old. Laura couldn’t please the girl no matter what she did or didn’t do. Obviously, the kid had bonded with her teacher. So had Anthony.
