Valerie Comer lives where food meets faith in her real life, her fiction, and on her blog and website. She and her husband of over 35 years farm, garden, and keep bees on a small farm in Western Canada, where they grow and preserve much of their own food.
Valerie has always been interested in real food from scratch, but her conviction has increased dramatically since God blessed her with several delightful granddaughters. In this world of rampant disease and pollution, she is compelled to do what she can to make these little girls’ lives the best she can. She helps supply healthy food — local food, organic food, seasonal food — to grow strong bodies and minds.
Valerie is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner. She has been called ‘a stellar storyteller’ as she injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances.
To find out more, visit her website at www.valeriecomer.com, where you can read her blog, explore her many links, and sign up for her monthly email newsletter, where you will find news, giveaways, deals, book recommendations and more. You can also find Valerie blogging with other authors of Christian contemporary romance at Inspy Romance.
Other Titles by Valerie Comer
Garden Grown Romance Series
(Arcadia Valley Romance Multi-Author Series)
Sow in Love (Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley)
Sprouts of Love
Rooted in Love
Harvest of Love
Urban Farm Fresh Romance Series
Secrets of Sunbeams (also in audio)
Butterflies on Breezes
Memories of Mist
Farm Fresh Romance Series
Raspberries and Vinegar (also in audio)
Wild Mint Tea (also in audio)
Sweetened with Honey (also in audio)
Dandelions for Dinner (also in audio)
Plum Upside Down (also in audio)
Berry on Top (also in audio)
Save 30% when buying Farm Fresh Romance 1-3!
(also in audio)
Christmas in Montana Romance Series
More Than a Tiara
Other Than a Halo
Better Than a Crown
Riverbend Romance Novella Series
Secretly Yours
Pinky Promise
Sweet Serenade
Team Bride
Merry Kisses
The
Scent
Of
Romance
A Legacy of the Heart Romance
by Danica Favorite
© 2017 by Danica Favorite
All rights reserved.
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
All characters in this book are fiction and figments of the author’s imagination.
Find me on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/DanicaFavoriteAuthor/ and on my website at www.danicafavorite.com.
The Scent of Romance introduces the Legacy of the Heart series in Arcadia Valley Romance:
http://arcadiavalleyromance.com/posts/series/legacy-of-the-heart/
Dedication
To my fellow Arcadia Valley authors, thanks for making this a fun and exciting project.
Chapter 1
When Caroline Hearst walked through the doors of Arcadia Valley Community Hospital, her stomach didn’t twist in fear at the look on Dr. Sloan’s face as he met her. She’d already been apprised of Gram’s condition, and she had no doubt that Gram was already making the staff do her bidding. Rather, it was the fact that her parents trailed behind the doctor, closely followed by her other aunts and uncles, that made her want to vomit. They’d all been trying to put Gram in a home for years, and from the steam rising from the collective group of Bigbys, Caroline knew it would take a miracle to stop them this time.
“Caroline. So glad you could join us.” Dr. Sloan gave her an apologetic expression, like he knew she was being ambushed and felt terrible about the fact.
He should feel terrible, since the only reason Caroline knew about the ambush was because Amy Larson, one of the nurses taking care of Gram, called her to warn her.
Caroline’s mother, Camille Bigby Hearst, tugged at her precious string of pearls like she thought they would somehow protect her from Caroline’s wrath. Because clearly, something was up, and it wasn’t that any of them were concerned for Gram’s health. You didn’t fly from all corners of the globe just because your mother broke her leg.
And then Caroline spotted him.
“Who’s the guy in the suit?”
The aunts and uncles glanced at each other nervously. Mr. Suit stepped forward, but Caroline’s father held his hand up.
“Princess...”
Caroline glared at him. She hadn’t been his Princess since she was five years old, and now was not the time to relive her childhood.
“Look, Caroline, I know you care for your grandmother, but we’ve all been talking, and it’s time that we let the younger generation off the hook in taking care of Mother. We know we haven’t paid as much attention to her in recent years, but all that’s going to change.”
She hated the way she was immediately suspicious of her father, especially since she’d spent so much time praying to soften her heart towards him. But Stephen Hearst was a hard man to love, because to him love was all about dollars and cents, and money wasn’t a language Caroline spoke.
“Gram doesn’t need anyone taking care of her,” Caroline said, trying to soften her tone. “She’s more capable than any of us. She can milk the goats, feed the animals—”
“She broke her leg riding a horse!” Uncle Edward’s face was so red Caroline almost asked him if he’d been spending too much time in the sun.
Caroline sighed. “I’ll grant you that Demon was not the wisest choice of mount for Gram.”
“You let her ride a horse named Demon?” Aunt Mary, married to her Uncle Bart, joined the fray.
“No one lets Gram do anything.” Caroline shook her head as she looked at her relatives. “Gram is a grown woman who makes her own decisions. And yes, the horse’s name is Demon, which is actually an ironic name, because he’s as docile as a turtle. And about as fast. Which is how the whole accident happened. Gram likes to go fast, asked how to make Demon go, and one of the little boys thought it would be funny to throw some pebbles to try to spook Demon into going, only it worked too well. He threw Gram, and she landed funny. Happens to the best of us.”
Her explanation didn’t seem to make any of them calm down. Uncle Bart turned to her father. “Can that lawyer of yours go after the kid for damages?”
“Are you kidding me?” Caroline turned to her father. “Is that who the suit is? You brought a lawyer to visit your mother-in-law in the hospital?”
Glaring at the suit, she said, “I’m sorry they wasted your time. But Gram is not going to sue a seven-year-old.”
Unfortunately, the suit must be fairly decent at his job, because his expression betrayed nothing. He just stood there, all GQ, with his expensive suit and slicked back dark hair. She supposed he must think pretty highly of himself, from his cocky posture, aloof and watching.
“We’re not suing anyone,” her father said quietly. “But we are going to be discussing our options as a family. Clearly your grandmother isn’t capable of taking care of herself anymore, and it’s time we discussed making her comfortable for her last years.”
“She has a broken leg. She’s not dying.” Caroline tore her gaze from the suit and turned her attention to the doctor for confirmation, and he nodded. “The only reason Gram even stayed overnight was because they had to do surgery to put some pins in and they wanted to be sure there were no after effects. Andrew should be on his way to pick her up at any time.”
At least that’s what Caroline hoped. She and her cousins lived on Bigby Farm, Gram’s farm, and her cousin Andrew agreed to pick her up this afternoon. Only Caroline had gotten the call about her family and dropped what she was
doing to race over.
She took a deep breath and said a silent prayer that Andrew would come quickly. At least Andrew was on her side, no, Gram’s side.
Her father cleared his throat. “We’ve decided that your grandmother isn’t going home. We’ve found a bed for her in a rehabilitation facility, and then she will be transferred to an assisted living home.”
“Does Gram know?” Caroline couldn’t muster the kind of glare her father deserved. A death ray would be the only appropriate expression.
“Sweetheart, your grandmother is not well. It’s time you faced the truth and let us take over.” He gestured to the suit. “This is Hayden Donnelly. He’s the attorney for a company specializes in transforming rundown properties into vacation destinations. The Bigby name will live on as part of a planned resort community.”
He did not just call the farm that had been in their family since 1910 a rundown property. Caroline felt her temperature rise.
The aunts and uncles all murmured their agreement with her father’s plan, as though this was going to be the best thing ever, instead of the end of Gram’s life. Like any of them ever spent time on the farm.
“Does Gram know?” Caroline asked again.
The suit, Hayden Donnelly, stepped forward. “That’s why we’re all here,” he said, his voice as smooth as his silky slicked back hair.
Disgusting.
“We thought it would be best to share news that she might find difficult while under the care of qualified medical professionals.”
He sounded so reasonable, but Caroline knew this was all a game to him, and to the rest of her family. They’d been trying for years to get Gram to sell Bigby Farm. People from all over the world flocked to Arcadia Valley, not just for the incredible nearby falls, but for the wonderful outdoor activities and natural beauty. Maybe that was tourism-speak, but in Caroline’s opinion, Arcadia Valley was the best place on earth, but rather than enjoy it, her family was always scheming to wrest the farm from Gram’s control to have it be pillaged by others.
Caroline gave Mr. Slick Suit Hayden Donnelly a smile. “So what you’re saying is that you’re going to provoke Gram by giving her the worst news ever in hopes that she’ll come unglued in front of medical professionals who are willing to testify that she’s not of sound mind, and then you and my family will take control of her estate and raid it by force.”
“Now, Princess, that’s not at all what we’re trying—”
“Don’t lie to me.” She turned to position herself so she was facing her family. All of them. “And don’t any of you pretend that you’re here because you care about Gram. All you see are the dollar signs that will come from selling the one thing that’s kept her going all these years.”
“Sweetheart, it’s not just about us, but for you. Think about it. You could finally have your own place, and get a real job instead of wasting your life in her hovel.”
And that was exactly why Caroline had to spend every day praying, asking God to help her find a way to love her father. He just didn’t get it. Never had.
“I do have my own place,” she said calmly. “I live at Bigby Farm because that’s where I want to live. The whole second floor of the farmhouse is all mine. And I do have a real job. I help Gram run a working farm that is also a living history museum where children can come and learn about farming and...”
The looks on their faces said it all. They weren’t listening. Nor did they care. Bigby Farm barely broke even most years, but if they sold the land, the family would have millions.
Hayden stepped forward, a sympathetic look on his face. “I think if you hear me out and you see what we’re trying to do here, you’ll see it’s a good thing. Parks. Outdoor activities. Places for families to connect.”
Caroline nodded, forcing herself to be pleasant to this man who clearly cared only about the bottom line. “It sounds like the copy from a really nice brochure. But you see, we already have all that at Bigby Farm. And if you, or any of these people who call themselves family, actually came out to enjoy the farm, you’d know that.”
Looking around, she realized that they were all standing in the waiting room of the hospital. People were watching them. More than anything, Caroline hated scenes, hated being a part of this. Even if it was in defense of Gram.
She turned to the doctor. “Is there a private place where you can send the family to wait? I’d like to speak to Gram alone.”
Dr. Sloan looked uncomfortable. Her father cleared his throat again.
“Your grandmother is being evaluated right now to see if she’s able to continue making decisions for herself.”
How could she be related to this man? A man who had no compassion or genuine love for his mother-in-law?
Except this was one battle Caroline knew she’d win. She smiled. “Then it’s a good thing I have full medical and legal power of attorney for Gram should she be declared incapacitated.”
The best part of the horrified expressions on her family’s faces was that none of them had seen that one coming. Even poor slimy Hayden Donnelly looked outmaneuvered.
Caroline turned to Dr. Sloan. “Now if you don’t mind, I’d like to see my grandmother. If, in fact, they are having her mental capacity tested, I would like to be present.”
Dr. Sloan nodded. “Of course. Follow me.”
* * *
Caroline Hearst was something else, Hayden would give her that. Even though her dark brown hair was falling out of the braids she’d pulled it into, and her face had smudges of dirt, she was a sight to behold. And not in a bad way. It didn’t matter that she wore faded jeans, and that as she followed the doctor down the hall, she left behind clods of dirt from boots caked with the stuff. It was her eyes, he decided. The fire that warned anyone against messing with her — or her gram.
Someone like Caroline, Hayden didn’t want to mess with her even on one of his best days.
Besides, the woman clearly loved her grandmother, and clearly loved the farm. How was he supposed to fight that?
Hayden took a deep breath. Because he had to, that’s why. It was his job. And if he was ever going to prove his worth at Carpenter and Donnelly, he had to do his job. The son of Mark Donnelly didn’t get handouts, didn’t get the easy jobs, no, he had to claw his way up and fight for his rightful place at the table. Even if it meant stepping on someone who seemed like a nice person.
Stephen Hearst turned to Hayden. “What now? This was supposed to be easy, proving my mother incompetent, then sealing the deal. If Caroline’s in control, there’s no way we can sell.”
The trouble was, based on what Stephen had said, Hayden thought the old lady sounded pretty crazy. But Caroline?
“Is she taking advantage of her grandmother in any way? Mismanaging funds?”
Hayden couldn’t understand why he felt relieved at the shake of Stephen’s head. “There’s no money. It’s all in the land.”
Bart Bigby stepped forward. “It’s true. I caught a peek when my son Andrew did Mom’s taxes. She barely cleared ten grand last year. Ten grand. What do they live on?”
Family members began bickering among themselves, and a nurse approached. “Dr. Sloan has made a conference room available for you all to wait where you’ll be more comfortable.”
Hayden forced back a grin. Yup, Caroline Hearst was something else. He had to give her credit, she’d at least tried hearing out her family before dismissing them.
As they followed the nurse down the corridor, he spotted Caroline walking next to an elderly woman being pushed in a wheelchair.
“Elder abuse,” the woman yelled. “That’s what this is! You can’t let an old woman live in peace. I want to go home where you can’t make me take your poison!”
“Gram!” Caroline gave her grandmother a quick glance and then looked at them. “That’s enough.”
“I’ll say when it’s enough.” Enid Bigby, the topic of the debate, finally looked over at the family group that had gathered. “Ah, yes, the vultures. Coming to pick at
my leavings. Well, I’m not dead yet, you greedy fools. And I’ve put it all into a trust so you can’t have it even when I do kick the bucket.”
“Gram!” Caroline’s voice was sharp, and even she seemed to realize it as she put her hand over her own mouth.
“No sense in denying it, girl. They all want me gone so they can sell off the farm to some fancy schmancy developers who will turn it into a golf course or something.”
Hayden had never felt bad about making a deal, but as she described exactly what they were going to do, he found that he did. Actually, quite a lot. Granted, it was going to be more than a golf course, but the way the old woman said it, it was like it was a swear word or something.
“Mother...” Stephen stepped forward, a smile on his face. “It’s so good to see you. I’m so glad you’re all right. We’ve missed you.”
“Missed me?” Enid turned to Caroline. “When was the last time your father came for a visit?”
Caroline shifted, frowning. “I don’t know, Gram. A few years at least.”
“Ha!” Enid’s wrinkled face showed even more lines as she grinned. “If you missed me, you’d have come to visit more often. You haven’t been here since 2003, and that was only to drop off Caroline to come stay with me.”
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