Opposites Attract
Widowed contractor Logan Burkett knows exactly what troublemaking teens need: discipline. A former rabble-rouser, Logan had his life turned around by firm guidance and hard work. But try telling that to Pippa Gallagher. The softhearted event planner runs a skate park ministry for troubled teens and thinks a place to be themselves is the answer. As he and Pippa work together renovating the space, they seem to disagree about everything. But when disaster strikes, Logan finds himself feeling very protective of the beautiful planner and surprised to discover they share one very special thing in commonâ¦love.
Second Time Around:
Widowers find that love can bloom againâ¦
âI work with kids that arenât always considered socially acceptable,â Pippa said.
She glanced at Logan and continued, âIâm wondering whether you thought those kids were up to no good based on how they looked.â
âPartly,â he said. âIf I remember right, the rest of what I said was that they reminded me of myself at that age. I wasnât exactly socially acceptable, either.â
Pippa nodded. âThatâs why Iâm so passionate about the skating outreach. These kids are outcasts, or at least they look like it, and they need a place to go where theyâre off the streets.â
âI donât think that would have worked for me, so Iâm not sure I can agree with your method.â
She opened her mouth to argue and then decided taking a bite of pie was the better course of action. Obviously Loganâs opinions and hers were in direct opposition.
He met her gaze. Oh, but the man was handsome, even if he was completely wrong about the best way to win wayward souls to the Lord.
KATHLEEN YâBARBO
is a multipublished bestselling author of Christian fiction and nonfiction with over thirty books to her credit. She writes historical novels for Waterbrook Press and is the coauthor of two nonfiction books on divorce and empty-nest syndrome. A tenth-generation Texan, she holds a marketing degree from Texas A&M University and a certificate in paralegal studies. Kathleen is the proud mother of a daughter and three grown sons.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
âRomans 10:14
For skaters and their parents.
And to my skaters, Andrew and Jacob YâBarbo.⦠And finally, thank you to the real Logan for allowing me to borrow your name.
Chapter One
Every detail of this afternoonâs fund-raiser for the Vine Beach Senior Center had been handled well beforehand, leaving Pippa Gallagher with plenty of time to scan the crowd. It appeared that everyone who was anyone in this little slice of Texas beach had accepted the invitation to come and bid on originals and prints of the celebrated artist Pearl.
Because the last childrenâs book Granny had worked on was set on Oahu, Pippa had settled on a party to match. The tropical theme had gone over well, as evidenced by the plethora of citizens dressed in floral attire that made the room look as if it were a neon garden. The addition of palm trees and tropical touches to Grannyâs otherwise traditional décor gave the oversize reception room an island feel. With the doors thrown open, the sea air and sounds of the waves crashing nearby added to the ambience.
Waitstaff in Hawaiian garb passed through the crowd, offering fruit drinks and appetizers while Don Hoâs ukulele music played softly through the sound system. Though Pippa had borrowed the ideas from an oil company executiveâs retirement party she had planned before sheâd left the corporate world, the addition of Grannyâs paintings and the mayor in the costume of a Hawaiian chief was all Vine Beach. Mayor Murdoch caught her watching and lifted his spear in greeting.
âHow you managed to get that man to wear that outfit is beyond me, Pippa.â
She turned to see her friend Leah Berry-Owen grinning. âThe same way I got Popâs Seafood Shack to provide the sushi.â
Leah chuckled. âPop would have a fit if he knew any fish was leaving his kitchen in a condition other than fried or grilled.â
âItâs just for the party,â Pippa reminded the restaurantâs owner. âUnless youâre considering putting it on the menu. The guests are certainly enjoying it.â
âIt does seem to be disappearing.â Leahâs gaze slid past her to fix on something near the door. âAnd speaking of disappearing, look who is back in Vine Beach. And at a party, no less.â
âWhat do you mean?â Pippa turned in the direction that her companion indicated but found her view blocked. âWhoâs back?â
âWell, I mean Ryan said heâd been going to Starting Over group for the last couple of months, so technically I knew he was back, but this is the first time Iâve seen him out socially.â Leah paused to address Pippa. âYou know about Starting Over, right?â