A Path Toward Love by Cara Lynn James

the love he’d stored up over the years. It took great willpower to steady his racing heart and pretend to care for her only as an old friend.
    â€œSometimes I’m unsure about my future. Usually I forge ahead convinced I know what’s best, but every once in a while I feel lost and alone.”
    Katherine sounded so uncertain that he longed to reassure her. “The Lord will show you the road He wants you to take, but sometimes it’s not the way you may want to go.”
    When she tightened her lips and lowered her gaze, he knew she still struggled with her willfulness. It was one thing to rail against her mother, but quite another to battle with the Lord. She’d face a long and difficult walk if this was the path the Lord had laid out for her, and if Andrew could do one thing, it’d be to stay beside her every step of the way.

Chapter Four

    A ndrew waited for the best time to speak to Mr. Wainwright privately, but he didn’t find him alone or in the right mood until after breakfast the next morning. The temperature and humidity hadn’t yet risen to unbearable, but they still headed for the library, the coolest room in Buena Vista. A giant oak just outside the window blocked the sunshine from streaming into the room and heating it to oven temperature.
    They were both reading over business contracts when Andrew laid his papers down. “I’m sorry to interrupt you, sir, but I’d like to speak to you about Katherine.”
    Apparently surprised, his employer cocked a bushy gray eyebrow. “Of course.”
    Andrew hesitated, unsure where to begin. He should’ve planned exactly what to say before he’d disturbed his boss. “Katherine told me last evening she still hasn’t decided about whether or not she can come to Camp Birchwood.”
    â€œI hope we persuade her soon, because I can’t tolerate much more of this infernal heat.” Mr. Wainwright mopped his brow, as if to emphasize his point.
    Andrew nodded with sympathy. “She obviously needs the loan, but with Mr. Herne gone, she feels she ought to stay here to run the groves herself. She’s in a real quandary.”
    Mr. Wainwright grunted. “She’s out of options, but that’s a good thing, Andrew. Does she ever look in the mirror? She’s a rack of bones, the poor girl. Whatever happened to my beautiful, high-spirited daughter who took New York by storm? This business is crushing her.”
    â€œI think she’s aware of the toll it’s taking,” Andrew said. “It’s partly why coming home for a visit entices her.”
    â€œListen, I realize she’s disappointed that I won’t hand her the money without strings. A father wants to give his daughter everything she needs and wants. But in this case, I can’t.” He narrowed his eyes. “What she wants isn’t good for her. These misguided efforts will ruin her health and eat up her years. Her mother and I won’t allow it.”
    â€œThere is the fact that managing the groves makes her so happy,” Andrew said lightly. “And she is of age to make her own decisions . . .”
    â€œYou know as well as I that Katherine has often made impulsive and ill-conceived decisions. Staying here and struggling against all the odds is just another mistake in a long series. Can you deny it?”
    Andrew couldn’t. “That remains to be seen, doesn’t it? Unfortunately, it will take years to find out. But . . .” Andrew pretended to pick lint from his trousers and then dared to meet his boss’s gaze. “I’ve found that Katherine’s matured, sir.”
    Mr. Wainwright let out a huff. “Perhaps. We’ll be better able to assess that when we all return to New York.”
    â€œYou won’t reconsider, then? Helping her out financially, but allowing her to remain here?” Andrew couldn’t believe he had the audacity to ask his boss such a personal