A Dream of Family

by Jill Weatherholt

  “I’ll help, Molly...but it will cost you.”

  Derek felt a grin pull at his cheeks. “Lasagna. You can pay me with the amazing lasagna you make.”

  Molly’s face reddened. “You want me to cook for you?”

  “Well, I can help.” Derek’s suggestion surprised him as much as it had probably shocked Molly. “Think of it more as a working dinner.”

  She remained silent. Derek clung to hope. She could go either way. “I’ll even do the dishes,” he added.

  Sweet laughter filled the room. “Okay. When do you want to do this?”

  “How about tonight?”

  Molly’s eyes popped. “Seriously?”

  “Yeah, we need to get your business booming in order to keep your store open. I want you to welcome Grace into your home and give her the life she deserves.”

  The idea of spending more time with Molly caused Derek’s insides to vibrate like a rattlesnake’s tail. But was that a good idea? Probably not. But he didn’t care what his mind was telling him. For the first time in years, Derek was listening to his heart...

  Weekdays, Jill Weatherholt works for the City of Charlotte. On the weekend, she writes contemporary stories about love, faith and forgiveness. Raised in the suburbs of Washington, DC, she now resides in North Carolina. She holds a degree in psychology from George Mason University and a paralegal studies certification from Duke University. She shares her life with her real-life hero and number one supporter. Jill loves connecting with readers at jillweatherholt.com.

  Books by Jill Weatherholt

  Love Inspired

  Second Chance Romance

  A Father for Bella

  A Mother for His Twins

  A Home for Her Daughter

  A Dream of Family

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com.

  A DREAM OF FAMILY

  Jill Weatherholt

  And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

  —Luke 11:9

  To my father, whose dedicated and loving role as caregiver to my mother personifies a real-life love story.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader

  Excerpt from An Amish Mother for His Twins by Patricia Davids

  Chapter One

  Past Due. Molly Morgan’s hand trembled. The invoice with its bold red block-style font taunted her. Delinquent. Until recently, she’d never been late for anything in her life. She placed the piece of paper facedown on the counter along with the other late notices and scanned the room. Bound to Please Reads was the bookstore she’d dreamed of owning as a little girl. Would she lose her dream?

  Books had saved Molly’s life. She’d sought refuge in the dark closets of countless foster homes, hiding from the adults who’d taken her in for the money. There had been a few nice families, but her time in those homes had been short-lived. She’d learned early not to get attached.

  Molly straightened her shoulders. She refused to think about the large chain bookstore that had recently opened its doors in a neighboring town. Within a week, their presence had quashed Molly’s once impressive sales along with her hopes of adopting a child.

  Outside, a truck’s engine rumbled. A piercing beeping sound filled the room. Molly breezed across the store. Her long fiery-red hair brushed her slender shoulders. With her nose pressed to the front door, she spotted a white-and-orange truck, absent a logo, parked along the curb. She glanced at her watch. Strange. It couldn’t be a delivery. Wilson’s Hardware didn’t open until nine thirty. The space on the other side of her bookstore had been vacant since the owner of Huggamugg Café had passed away. Was this the new tenant?

  The driver’s side door of the truck opened, and a long, jeans-clad leg extended to the pavement. Molly’s heartbeat doubled in speed at the sight of a tall, broad-shouldered man stepping from the vehicle. Wearing tinted sunglasses and with a head of dark, wavy hair, the stranger held her attention hostage. Whoa. He had to be new in town or visiting. She would have remembered seeing him.

  In four strides, the handsome man rounded the truck and opened the passenger side door. Her emerald-green eyes popped open. Wait—he wasn’t a stranger. What in the world? No way! It couldn’t be. But it was. Her stomach roiled. Cramming his hands inside the pockets of his fitted boot-cut jeans was Derek McKinney. Memories seared her brain. He was the reason she’d been left at the altar two years ago.

  Seconds later, a chocolate German shepherd puppy bounded from the vehicle. The animal danced at Derek’s feet while he removed a box from the seat and turned. Molly dropped to her hands and knees and then half laughed at herself. Why did she need to hide? He should be the one ducking. She pushed herself off the cold terrazzo tile, dusted off her hands and took another peek. Why was he standing in front of the vacant store next door with his face pressed to the glass? Unable to peel her eyes away, she watched as he placed the box on the ground and checked his watch. Next, he picked up the dog, gave it a quick peck on its forehead, and took it back to his vehicle. Although the kiss was sweet, Molly’s stomach twisted when he headed toward her store.

  Keep walking. The front door was unlocked for the day. Derek would see her if she attempted to relock the entrance. Don’t panic. Running her hand over her head to smooth the flyaway hairs, she bit down on her lower lip, scurried toward the counter and squared her shoulders.

  The bell chimed and footsteps tapped closer. Never in her wildest dreams had she imagined seeing Derek again. With her back to the door, Molly fingered through the nearby heap of papers from the adoption agency.

  “Hello. I’m sorry to bother you, but—”

  Derek’s deep voice trailed into nothingness. Molly sucked in a breath and whirled around to face the man who’d ruined what should have been the happiest day of her life.

  With saucerlike eyes, he strolled closer. His brow arched. “Molly? What are you doing here?” He half smiled and moved forward.

  She could ask him the same question. Molly took a step back, but not before a whiff of his spicy aftershave tickled her nose. She refocused on the problem standing in front of her. This was her town. He didn’t belong here. “I own this store.”

  “So you live in Whispering Slopes? That’s great.” Derek took in his surroundings, turned his icy-blue eyes back to her and flashed a smile.

  Molly nodded and gripped the edge of the granite countertop. Why was he acting as though they were long-lost friends? Back in their college days, Derek had never showed interest in where she was from or anything about her. He’d been her fiancé’s best friend, and she’d tolerated him. But she’d known the truth. He hadn’t thought she was good enough for Ryan. Why the sudden interest? Did he feel guilty? Well, she hadn’t just fallen off the turnip truck, or however the saying went. “Yes, since I was in junior high. So I should be the one asking you what you’re doing here.”

  “I’m opening up a coffee shop next door.” He pointed to the door. “It looks like we’re going to be neighbors.”

  Was he joking? No. This couldn’t be true. Th
ere had to be a mistake. Maybe she was dreaming. She pinched her arm. Nope. He was still here. Rats. “But my landlord said he was renting the space to a big-time franchise owner.”

  Derek’s cheeks flushed. “I wouldn’t call myself ‘big time,’ but I do own quite a few shops.”

  Could her Monday get any worse?

  The front doorbell tinkled for the second time.

  Molly’s stomach twisted when she spied her landlord, Rusty McAllister, stepping inside. Had he come with hopes of collecting his money? Over the past two months, her sales numbers had taken a dive, prompting his recent late notice. Guilt gnawed at her insides. Rusty had been a great friend to her adoptive mother. He’d also been a strong shoulder for Molly to lean on after her mother lost her battle to cancer three days after Molly was left at the altar.

  “Just the people I was looking for. Hello, Molly.” Rusty headed toward them and extended his hand. “You must be Derek. It’s good to meet you in person, son.” After they shook hands, he reached inside the pocket of his tan slacks. “Here’s the key to your new space. I can speak for the entire community when I say we’re thrilled you have decided to set up shop in Whispering Slopes. I’ve read a lot of articles on your expanding franchise. Your coffee is famous.”

  Unlike Rusty, Molly wasn’t exactly doing cartwheels over her new neighbor. She bit her lip and hoped her landlord wouldn’t inquire about her late rent payment in front of Derek.

  “I’m happy to be here. If things go well, I’m hopeful I can sign a permanent lease agreement,” Derek said before pocketing the key.

  Molly’s ears bent in the direction of Derek’s response. Had he only signed a month-to-month lease? Yes! There was still hope. “So you’re not sure you’ll stay?” Her tone probably sounded giddy. But after what he’d done to her, why should she care what he thought?

  “Mr. McAllister was kind enough to allow me some flexibility with the rental contract.”

  “Please, call me Rusty.”

  Derek nodded. “Rusty agreed to give me some time to test the market demand in the area.”

  Molly’s hopes popped like a quick pinprick to a balloon. The locals in Whispering Slopes lived for their coffee. After Huggamugg closed, everyone in town flocked to Buser’s General Store for their caffeine fix. Poor Elsie Buser, Molly’s mother’s best friend, struggled to keep up with the volume. Molly had no doubt Derek’s store would be successful.

  Rusty leaned against the counter. “That’s something I need to talk about with both of you.” Her landlord’s brow furrowed.

  Molly had known Rusty since she’d first moved to Whispering Slopes as a teenager. Something was on his mind.

  “Let’s take a seat.” Rusty pointed to a nearby table with four cushioned straight-backed chairs.

  Derek pulled out a seat and motioned to Molly.

  She prepared for the worst. “Thank you,” she muttered and sank into the chair. The two gentlemen followed her lead.

  “What’s up, Rusty?” Derek splayed his hands on the table.

  Rusty turned his attention away from her and onto Derek. Phew. He wasn’t going to address her struggles with her rent. At least not today.

  Rusty cleared his throat. “Derek, the day after you signed your lease, I received a phone call from a real estate developer interested in my property. He has this idea about turning it into office space. He’s part of a large company investigating some commercial properties in and around the Shenandoah Valley. Several months ago, I put out a few feelers since I hope to retire in the near future. When I didn’t get any interest, I thought your plan to not get locked into a long-term lease would be perfect for both of us. I know you want to buy some time to see if your coffee shop produces a generous profit, and if it does, you’re interested in purchasing both of my stores. You also mentioned a specific dollar amount you would be willing to pay.”

  Molly gasped out loud. “Both?” Derek wanted to buy the real estate he planned to rent and the space that housed Bound to Please Reads?

  Derek looked at Molly before nodding to Rusty. “That’s my plan. I feel it’s time to expand my investment portfolio.”

  “I want to be up-front with you, Derek. The developer’s offer is substantially more than yours, but I have other things to take into consideration.” Rusty paused and glanced at Molly before he continued. “Since the investor’s offer will expire in thirty days, we all have some time to see what happens. Fair enough?”

  Derek extended his hand. “Works for me. Thank you, sir.”

  So Derek could be her landlord? This day was getting worse by the minute. It was one thing to have Derek running his shop right next door to hers, but paying him rent? Of course, it was a moot point. At the moment, she didn’t have the money to pay either man.

  Molly’s shoulders slumped. Seeing Derek again had triggered a flood of painful emotions from her past, feelings she’d struggled for so long to forget. She couldn’t allow Derek to reopen those old wounds. And becoming her landlord—no way. But what other choice did she have? As much as she didn’t want to admit it, having Derek as her landlord would be better than losing her store and having it turned into office space. Maybe she could try to get a loan and purchase her shop? If she didn’t find a solution, everything she’d worked so hard for, everything she loved, would be lost. And what about her plans to adopt? Would the adoption agency give a child to someone with no income?

  * * *

  Derek stepped inside his latest investment, Insomnia Café. He closed the door and fell back against the glass. Releasing a slow and steady breath, he shoved his hands deep inside his pockets. Molly Morgan. Could the world get any smaller? He closed his eyes, and his mind flashed back two years to the stunning, hopeful bride.

  It had been a perfect June afternoon, and the day had belonged to Molly. Her wedding day. There was no forgetting her gorgeous red hair swept off her shoulders with a demure clip. But a lace veil draped over her flawless porcelain skin couldn’t hide the tears he’d seen running down her face after Ryan had whispered in her ear in front of the entire congregation.

  Guilt gripped Derek’s insides. He owned those tears, and he’d never forgotten them. On numerous occasions, he’d wanted to call Molly to explain. But back then, he’d turned away from God. It had been a dark time. If only he could turn back the clock.

  Twenty minutes later, in the back of the store, Derek filled the water dish for Duke, his three-month-old shepherd. “Yeah, I know you’re thirsty, bud.” He placed the bowl on a rubber floor mat. A rap at the door sent Duke racing to the front of the shop. Derek followed and spotted Rusty peering through the window. Welcoming the company to help erase his thoughts of the past, he opened the door. “If you’ve come for a cup of coffee, you’re early. My new equipment hasn’t been delivered.”

  The older man shuffled inside like a swarm of bees were on his tail. “I’ve already had my two cups for the day.” He glanced down at the dog jumping against his leg. “Well, who is this little fella? You sure are energetic.”

  “This is Duke.” Derek smiled. “He’s a rescue puppy.”

  “It’s nice of you to take him in.” Rusty scratched the animal behind its ear. Once the old man pulled his hand away, Duke ran to his bowl of water, his oversized paws sliding out from under him. The man directed his focus back on Derek. “Do you have a few minutes? There’s something I need to speak with you about.” He paused and took a breath. “It’s more of a favor for Molly.”

  Rusty’s solemn expression caused a knot of uneasiness to take hold. Was Molly in trouble? It wasn’t his place to pry, so Derek remained silent.

  “I won’t take up too much of your time. I know you’re busy, but I hope you can help me out, son.” Rusty tipped his head toward a table in the corner of the room, next to a window.

  “Sure, what’s up?” Derek took a seat, and Rusty followed his lead. The morning sun streamed through the wi
ndow, creating a glare off the tabletop.

  “I’ve known Molly since she was a young girl. She’s like a daughter to me. Her adoptive mother, Shelley, was a wonderful person and a dear friend of mine. Before she passed away, I made a promise I would keep an eye on Molly. Shelley didn’t want Molly to ever struggle financially like she had.” Rusty ran a hand across his forehead.

  “Molly seems pretty independent to me.”

  The landlord laughed. “Bullheaded is more like it. But you’re right. The problem is she’s never been able to ask for help, even when she needs it. She wants to do everything on her own.”

  “I guess there’s nothing wrong with being self-sufficient.”

  “True, but sometimes we all need help.” Rusty paused and scanned the room before turning back to Derek. “You’re obviously a brilliant businessman, Derek. I’ve read articles about the growth of your franchise in this part of the country. I think you could help her. Please know, I’m not one to gossip, so what I’m about to share with you is out of my concern and love for Molly.”

  Derek nodded in understanding.

  “Through no fault of her own, her store is in trouble. Big trouble,” Rusty shared in a hushed tone.

  Derek considered the man.

  “She’s up against the big guys. A large chain bookstore opened nearby a couple months ago. Molly won’t discuss it with me, but I know her sales have declined because she’s behind on her rent. I thought you could take a closer look at her operation. Give her some suggestions on how she could increase sales,” Rusty pleaded.

  Derek tightened and released his fists. He was the last person in the world she’d go to for help, but how could he say no to Rusty? The old man clearly cared so much for Molly. “I’m not so sure Molly would want my assistance.” He blinked. “We have a history that I think she’d rather forget.”

  “Earlier, Molly told me you were Ryan’s best friend, but it’s all in the past. She needs help. I think she might be desperate enough to listen to your advice. If she doesn’t turn things around, I’m afraid she might have to shut down her store.”