But it was his lips . . . The man knew how to kiss. She was pretty sure he’d ruined her for every other man.
But as perfect as this was . . . he hadn’t said the words. And she needed the words.
“Wait.” She pressed back, allowing just enough space for their breaths to mingle. “Wait, do you . . . do you feel the same way? I mean, it’s all right if you don’t, but I’m not going to lie, I definitely have a preference—”
He put his fingers gently over her lips, a twinkle in his eyes. “I thought the kiss made it fairly obvious. But yes, Molly Bennett. I loved you, and I love you, past and present—and also future.”
Her chest gave a snug squeeze and her eyes stung just a little. “Aw. That was really nice. Maybe you should be a writer or something.”
Somewhere on another planet a phone was ringing.
“Shoot.” Adam drew away, checking his watch. “I have another interview, and it’s live. I forgot to call in. Some crazy woman showed up on my doorstep, distracting me with talk of love.”
Lips twitching, Molly pushed him toward the phone. “Well, you’d better take it. Your public awaits.”
Her heartbeat began to steady as she watched Adam take the call. She heard him expound upon the story he’d written as well as the story of his life. All the while he watched her right back. And she couldn’t help but think that as much as she adored all of his stories, she would always love theirs the very best of all.
Epilogue
The hot summer months gave way to a cool, crisp fall. The leaves were turning shades of gold and red that made Molly stop and stare in wonder at the mountains surrounding her beautiful little lake town.
Business had fallen off a bit but not to the point that Levi was panicking. They’d anticipated this and set back some of their profits to make it through the slower season.
Grace had started her senior year, and volleyball season was underway. The slower pace allowed Molly and Levi to take turns attending her games. For senior night they’d closed the inn, and flanking Grace, they’d walked her proudly across the court. Though they wished their parents could’ve been there for the honor, they were a team, a family, and nothing was more important than being there for each other. There hadn’t been a dry eye in the house. And Molly may have blubbered like a baby.
As for Molly and Adam, they talked on the phone every day, Skyped often, and he even—be still her heart—sent her the occasional love letter in the mail. Those went a long way toward balancing the difficulties of a long-distance relationship. But the time spent talking from afar had also given them a chance to grow closer.
In early October she drove to Tennessee for a Bradford family reunion. There she met Adam’s mother, who immediately grabbed Molly and wrapped her up in a big Texas hug. They took Adam’s grandpa to Gatlinburg for the weekend and rented a “cabin,” which was actually an extravagant lodge. Adam obviously enjoyed spoiling his family.
Molly missed him as October flowed into November. His tour was over but he was still traveling for interviews and speaking engagements and writing when he had the chance.
The inn had hosted a wedding party over the weekend, which kept the Bennetts busy and helped their revenue stream. But seeing the happy young couple, so in love, made Molly long for her man.
Levi and Grace had tolerated her heartsick sighs with eye rolls.
Molly ran a dustrag carefully over the flower stand—yes, the very flower stand Adam had assisted her in assembling. A wistful grin tugged her lips at the memory of his entrance into the inn, into her life. She should’ve known she was a goner right then.
The stool behind the counter scraped the floor as Levi stood, stretching. “Can you watch the desk a few minutes? I have to go upstairs.”
“Can’t Grace do it? I was about to get my clothes out of the dryer.”
“This won’t take long.”
“Well, hurry, I don’t want my clothes to wrinkle. You know how I hate to iron.” She raised her voice because he was already halfway up the stairs.
“I think we got a package,” Levi called down. “Can you check the porch?”
“Sure, why not?” she mumbled to herself.
She dropped the dustrag and opened the door. Sure enough, a padded manila envelope sat midway between the door and steps. She stepped out and picked it up. The package was heavy and thick.
She turned it over, frowning at it. Odd. It didn’t have a return address. Or even a mailing address for that matter. Confused, she looked up, looked around.
And that’s when she saw him, sitting calm as you please on the porch swing.
Her lips parted. “Adam!”
He stood up just in time to catch her. His laughter rumbled right through her chest. “Glad to see me, are you?”
She hugged him hard. “Of course I am. What are you doing here? Why didn’t you tell me you were coming?” She caught his face and laid a big one on him. Oh, it was so good to see that face. “You could’ve called, you know. A girl likes time to put on makeup and maybe dress for the occasion.”
His blue eyes pierced hers, and her heart gave a heavy flop. “You couldn’t possibly look more beautiful to me than you do right now.”
Well. What was she supposed to say to that?
The heavy package was between them, poking her in the ribs. She eased away and suddenly things clicked into place. “Wait, did you . . . Is this from you?”
There was a mischievous look in his eyes. “Yes, ma’am.”
She squealed. “What is it?”
“Open it up.”
“I love surprises.”
He gave her a tolerant look. “You don’t say.”
She reached inside and pulled out a thick stack of papers, bound with a sturdy rubber band. The first page read simply Untitled by Nathaniel Quinn.
She sucked in a breath. “Your manuscript! It’s done already? You didn’t tell me you finished it. With all the traveling you’ve been doing?”
Of course, he’d told her he was writing their story and that he’d want her input when he was finished. But he’d started it less than two months ago.
“It just flowed right onto the page, and Rosewood wants to rush it to print to capitalize on the recent publicity. But first I want your input.”
She hugged the manuscript tight to her chest, beaming at him. “I love it! I absolutely love it.”
He gave her a wry look. “I’d feel more confident in that assessment if you’d maybe read it first.”
“Of course, I’ll read it. I can’t wait to read it. But I already know it’s your best book yet.”
He pulled her closer and nuzzled her nose. “Well, it’s already my favorite, but I might be a little biased, seeing as how I’m in love with the protagonist.”
“Hmm . . . What a coincidence, because I’m in love with the author. I can’t believe you came all this way to bring me this. You could’ve mailed it or even emailed it. Isn’t that the way you authors are sending things these days?”
“I wanted to deliver it in person. But there is one other thing . . .” Something shifted in his eyes, in his face. He poked his glasses up, looking a little shy. A lot adorable.
“One other thing . . . ?”
“It seems my studio lease will be up soon—at the end of December.”
Her heart raced. “Oh, yeah? And are you planning to renew it?”
“Actually, I was thinking a move might do me good. Perhaps someplace farther south. Studies show that southern residents are happier than people residing in most other states. In fact, New York ranks dead last in those studies.”
Molly squelched a smile. “Well, nobody can blame you for wanting to be happy.”
“Weather is also a concern. Manhattan has 3.5 warm months per year and averages 51.7 degrees, while North Carolina has 7.4 warm months and averages 59.8 degrees annually.”
“You make a good argument.”
“And I can’t overlook the cost of living. A two-bedroom apartment in North Carolina costs
roughly one-third what the same apartment would cost in Manhattan.”
“I see you’ve done your research.”
He slipped his arms around her waist. “Bluebell, in particular, holds special appeal to me.”
She quirked a brow. “Is it the mountains? The lake? The small-town atmosphere?”
“Naturally those are all draws.” He eased her closer, seriousness entering his eyes as they pierced hers. “But mainly it’s the big-hearted girl I want to be with every minute of the day, more or less. I’d very much like to live in the same town as my girl. What do you think?”
Molly’s heart heaved a happy sigh. “I think there’s nothing I’d like better. Only . . .”
He tilted his head. “Only?”
“Will you still write me love letters? Because I’d really miss them if you didn’t.”
His lips stretched into a big smile. “I think that can be arranged.”
“I’ll understand if you run out of things to say.”
“I’ll never run out of things to say about you. Read the manuscript and you’ll understand why.”
She couldn’t wait. Already she was itching to get started. “How long can you stay?”
“Three days . . . What’s wrong? You don’t look happy.”
“How am I supposed to decide between spending time with you and diving into this epic love story?”
His lips curled up in a grin. “How about if I hold you on the porch swing while you read it?”
Molly beamed as she pulled the rubber band from the manuscript. “That’s what I love about being with an intelligent man—all those clever ideas.”
He pulled her onto the swing, settling close beside her. His hand skimmed her arm. “Don’t you worry. I have lots of clever ideas.”
She grabbed his hand, eyeing him. “Oh no, you don’t. No distracting me. I have a very important story to read.”
The swing swayed gently beneath them. His breath stirred the hair at her temples, making her shiver.
“Go ahead and read,” he said. “We have all the time in the world.”
Discussion Questions
Which character did you relate to most? Why?
Have you ever found something old and precious? If you had found Lizzie’s letter would you have searched for the lovelorn couple? Why or why not?
Molly felt guilt and regret about how she’d handled her last conversation with her parents. What advice or scripture would you give a friend who found herself in a similar situation?
Adam’s father left him with insecurities about who he was. Has anyone ever made you feel insecure about your identity? What was the result? How did you overcome it?
If you owned an inn, which living author would you want to come for an extended stay?
Both Benjamin and Adam struggled with their self-worth. What are some things we often use to prop up our self-worth?
What parallels can you draw from the present story of Molly/Adam and the past story of Lizzie/Benjamin?
Discuss Romans 8:28 as it pertains to the events in the story. “We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose.” Discuss a time you have found this to be true in your own life.
Skye told Molly that fear is often a lack of faith. Do you believe that to be true?
Molly and Adam found “home” in each other. Discuss reasons why they each might’ve needed a person to call home.
Acknowledgments
You don’t write thirty-five books without realizing the monumental team effort it takes to get a novel from the page to the shelf! I’m so incredibly blessed to partner with the fabulous team at HarperCollins Christian Publishing fiction team, led by publisher Amanda Bostic: Jocelyn Bailey, Matt Bray, Kim Carlton, Allison Carter, Paul Fisher, Jodi Hughes, Kristen Ingebretson, Becky Monds, and Savannah Summers. Not to mention all the wonderful sales reps and amazing people in the rights department—special shout-out to Catherine Zappa and Robert Downs!
Thanks especially to my editor Kim Carlton for her incredible insight and inspiration. You help me take the story deeper, and I’m so grateful! Thanks to editor L. B. Norton, who saves me from countless errors and always makes me look so much better than I really am.
Author Colleen Coble is my first reader and sister of my heart. Thank you, friend! This writing journey has been ever so much more fun because of you!
I’m grateful to my agent, Karen Solem, who’s able to somehow make sense of the legal garble of contracts and, even more amazing, help me understand it.
The town of Bluebell was inspired by the little town of Lake Lure, NC. Don and Kim Cason, innkeepers of the beautiful historic Esmeralda Inn (which once functioned as a post office!), were so kind as to host my husband and me for a few days and answer all my pesky questions. If you’re looking to visit Chimney Rock and Lake Lure, I highly recommend it! Visit theesmeralda.com for more information.
Kevin, has it really been thirty years? You’ve supported my dreams in every way possible, and I’m so grateful! To my kiddos, Chad, Trevor, Justin and Hannah, and my beautiful new granddaughter, Aubrielle. Every stage has been a grand adventure, and I look forward to all the wonderful memories we have yet to make!
Lastly, thank you, friends, for letting me share this story with you. I wouldn’t be doing this without you! Your notes, posts, and reviews keep me going on the days when writing doesn’t flow so easily. I appreciate your support more than you know.
I enjoy connecting with friends on my Facebook page, facebook.com/authordenisehunter. Please pop over and say hello. Visit my website at the link www.DeniseHunterBooks.com or just drop me a note at [email protected]. I’d love to hear from you!
About the Author
Photo by Neal Bruns
Denise Hunter is the internationally published bestselling author of more than thirty books, including A December Bride and The Convenient Groom, which have been adapted into original Hallmark Channel movies. She has won the Holt Medallion Award, the Reader’s Choice Award, the Carol Award, and the Foreword Book of the Year Award and is a RITA finalist. When Denise isn’t orchestrating love lives on the written page, she enjoys traveling with her family, drinking green tea, and playing drums. Denise makes her home in Indiana, where she and her husband are currently enjoying an empty nest.
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Praise for Denise Hunter
“Nobody does summer romance better than Denise Hunter, and book one in her new Bluebell Inn Romance Series—Lake Season—is proof positive. A curious heroine, a reluctant hero, and an age-old love letter sets love afloat and hearts aflutter in this poignant story that provides the perfect ‘season’ for love.”
—Julie Lessman, award-winning author of the Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Isle of Hope series
“In Lake Season, Denise Hunter has created a story with characters so real, I feel like I know them and a setting so rich, I want to visit and stay in the Bluebell Inn. It’s a book I couldn’t put down. This novel is perfect for romance lovers and book clubs.”
—Cara Putman, bestselling and award-winning author
“Denise Hunter writes with a deep understanding of complex family dynamics in Summer by the Tides. A perfect blend of romance and women’s fiction.”
—Sherryl Woods, #1 New York Times bestselling author
“Denise Hunter once again proves she’s the queen of romantic drama. Summer by the Tides is both a perfect beach romance and a dramatic story of second chances. This novel is Hunter at the top of her game. If you like Robyn Carr, you’ll love Denise Hunter. I couldn’t put it down!”
—Colleen Coble, USA Today bestselling author of the Lavender Tides series
“I have never read a romance by Denise Hunter that didn’t sweep me away into a happily ever after. Treat yourself!”
—Robin Lee Hatcher, bestselling author
of Who I Am with You for On Magnolia Lane
“Swoony, fun, and meaningful, [Honeysuckle Dreams] should come with a ‘grab your fan’ warning! Hunter’s skill at writing sizzling romance combines with two reader--favorite tropes to deliver a story that is both toe curling and heartwarming.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars
“Denise Hunter’s newest novel, Sweetbriar Cottage, is a story to fall in love with. True-to-life characters, high stakes, and powerful chemistry blend to tell an emotional story of reconciliation.”
—Brenda Novak, New York Times bestselling author
“Sweetbriar Cottage is a wonderful story, full of emotional tension and evocative prose. You’ll feel involved in these characters’ lives and carried along by their story as tension ratchets up to a climactic and satisfying conclusion. Terrific read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
—Francine Rivers, New York Times bestselling author
“Hunter has a wonderful way of sweeping readers into a delightful romance without leaving behind the complications of true love and true life. Sweetbriar Cottage is Hunter at the top of her game—a rich, emotional romance that will leave readers yearning for more.”
—Katherine Reay, award-winning author of The Austen Escape
“With her usual deft touch, snappy dialogue, and knack for romantic tension, inspirational romance veteran Hunter will continue to delight romance fans with this first Summer Harbor release.”
—Publishers Weekly for Falling Like Snowflakes
“Hunter is a master romance storyteller. Falling Like Snowflakes is charming and fun with a twist of mystery and intrigue. A story that’s sure to endure as a classic reader favorite.”
—Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress and The Love Letter
“A tender story of faith cast adrift and lives brought together by currents that can only be God-sent. Barefoot Summer is a satisfying tale of hope, healing, and a love that’s meant to be. Sail away with Denise Hunter’s well-drawn characters on a journey that is at once romantic and compelling.”
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