hints about the mild winters and how beautiful the ocean is every time we talk. Dad isn’t quite as subtle. ‘Grace Laurel Eversea. Massachusetts needs social workers, too. ’” She mimicked in a low growl.
Cole picked up a stuffed bear sitting in a rocking chair by the stone fireplace. “No wonder your nephews love to visit you. You even stock the place with toys.”
To his astonishment, color bloomed in Grace’s cheeks and she turned away.
“We should go.” Her voice sounded strained. “The competition starts in half an hour.”
* * *
Grace couldn’t believe how close she’d come to telling Cole, of all people, something she hadn’t even told her closest friends.
Six months ago, she’d filed the necessary paperwork with a private adoption agency and had recently been approved. The director had warned her it could take several years for an adoption to go through, but Grace trusted God’s timing. She would wait and trust that God would bring the right child into her life at the right time.
There were so many children who needed a loving home and nurturing environment. Grace was confident she could provide both.
She’d already started redecorating her sister’s old bedroom on the weekends, refinishing the hardwood floor and painting the walls a soothing shade of green.
Although Grace hadn’t given in to the temptation to purchase a crib, she hadn’t been able to resist picking up several of the cuddly baby blankets the Knit Our Hearts Together ministry had sold at a recent church bazaar. Grace had tucked them away on a shelf in the closet, away from curious eyes. And questions.
She avoided Cole’s gaze as she grabbed the calico bonnet—not quite as offensive as the dreaded corset—from a hook near the front door.
There was something about Cole that had always tempted Grace to confide in him. Even at seventeen he’d had a way of looking at her, a way of listening, that had encouraged her to share her secrets.
A mistake Grace didn’t plan to make again.
“Do you know anyone I can hire to clean Sloan’s house?” Cole held the screen door open. “The outside isn’t the only thing that could use a little attention.”
The glint in his eye told Grace he hadn’t forgotten the comment she’d made in front of Sissy about the property being neglected.
The comment that had made him decide to stay in Mirror Lake and partner with her for the competition.
“I can ask my friend Abby. She hires high school and college students to clean the cabins at the inn during the summer, so she would know who’s reliable.”
“That would be great. I don’t have time to replace the orange shag carpeting or paint the walls, but it will be an improvement if someone can scrape the top layer of dust off everything.” Cole held the screen door open for her. “Sissy Perkins will have to list it as a handyman’s special.”
There wasn’t the least bit of hesitation or anxiety in Cole’s voice when he talked about the sale. It was obvious he was at peace with the decision.
So why did the knot in her stomach tighten as she slipped into the passenger seat of his car?
“Grace?” His voice intruded softly on Grace’s thoughts.
She turned away from the window, which brought her closer to him. So close that she could see a small, crescent-shaped scar in the cleft of Cole’s chin. One that hadn’t been there before.
It should have reminded her again how many years separated the present from the past. How many experiences they hadn’t shared. How she shouldn’t be looking forward to the one ahead.
“What exactly are we doing?”
“I have no idea.” Grace sighed. A split second before she realized that Cole was referring to the competition. “The mayor insisted on keeping the details a secret until we’re ready to start,” she added hastily.
“I thought you were on the planning committee.”
“I am, but this particular event is the mayor’s baby, and he handpicked a group of people to organize
Cole picked up a stuffed bear sitting in a rocking chair by the stone fireplace. “No wonder your nephews love to visit you. You even stock the place with toys.”
To his astonishment, color bloomed in Grace’s cheeks and she turned away.
“We should go.” Her voice sounded strained. “The competition starts in half an hour.”
* * *
Grace couldn’t believe how close she’d come to telling Cole, of all people, something she hadn’t even told her closest friends.
Six months ago, she’d filed the necessary paperwork with a private adoption agency and had recently been approved. The director had warned her it could take several years for an adoption to go through, but Grace trusted God’s timing. She would wait and trust that God would bring the right child into her life at the right time.
There were so many children who needed a loving home and nurturing environment. Grace was confident she could provide both.
She’d already started redecorating her sister’s old bedroom on the weekends, refinishing the hardwood floor and painting the walls a soothing shade of green.
Although Grace hadn’t given in to the temptation to purchase a crib, she hadn’t been able to resist picking up several of the cuddly baby blankets the Knit Our Hearts Together ministry had sold at a recent church bazaar. Grace had tucked them away on a shelf in the closet, away from curious eyes. And questions.
She avoided Cole’s gaze as she grabbed the calico bonnet—not quite as offensive as the dreaded corset—from a hook near the front door.
There was something about Cole that had always tempted Grace to confide in him. Even at seventeen he’d had a way of looking at her, a way of listening, that had encouraged her to share her secrets.
A mistake Grace didn’t plan to make again.
“Do you know anyone I can hire to clean Sloan’s house?” Cole held the screen door open. “The outside isn’t the only thing that could use a little attention.”
The glint in his eye told Grace he hadn’t forgotten the comment she’d made in front of Sissy about the property being neglected.
The comment that had made him decide to stay in Mirror Lake and partner with her for the competition.
“I can ask my friend Abby. She hires high school and college students to clean the cabins at the inn during the summer, so she would know who’s reliable.”
“That would be great. I don’t have time to replace the orange shag carpeting or paint the walls, but it will be an improvement if someone can scrape the top layer of dust off everything.” Cole held the screen door open for her. “Sissy Perkins will have to list it as a handyman’s special.”
There wasn’t the least bit of hesitation or anxiety in Cole’s voice when he talked about the sale. It was obvious he was at peace with the decision.
So why did the knot in her stomach tighten as she slipped into the passenger seat of his car?
“Grace?” His voice intruded softly on Grace’s thoughts.
She turned away from the window, which brought her closer to him. So close that she could see a small, crescent-shaped scar in the cleft of Cole’s chin. One that hadn’t been there before.
It should have reminded her again how many years separated the present from the past. How many experiences they hadn’t shared. How she shouldn’t be looking forward to the one ahead.
“What exactly are we doing?”
“I have no idea.” Grace sighed. A split second before she realized that Cole was referring to the competition. “The mayor insisted on keeping the details a secret until we’re ready to start,” she added hastily.
“I thought you were on the planning committee.”
“I am, but this particular event is the mayor’s baby, and he handpicked a group of people to organize
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