Season of Dreams

Season of Dreams
Jenna Mindel

Longing for a simpler life, wealthy businessman Adam Peece buys a cherry orchard in Michigan.Problem is, he has no idea how to run it! So he asks Eva Marsh to teach him the ropes. Cherries are in Eva's blood. Her family owned the orchard for generations before selling it to Adam. But she doesn't trust people easily, especially tall, dark and handsome city slickers.However, one look into Adam's caring eyes convinces her to give the city boy a chance. Could their working relationship blossom into love before season's end?

Adam recognized a fire in Eva’s eyes. No one cared more for this orchard than Eva.

Adam had fallen in love with this land, too, only he needed to learn how to make it grow and produce a living.

She gestured for him to come near. “Watch how I make the cuts.”

He peered around her shoulder. “Looks easy enough.”

“Once you get the hang of it.” She turned to look at him, but leaned too far back and slipped. Adam grabbed her arms to keep her from toppling.

She slipped down onto the bottom step, landing on his foot. Her eyes went wide and Adam caught a flicker of panic race across her face. “You can let go.”

He stepped back and raised his hands in surrender. “I didn’t want you to fall. Worker’s comp isn’t good on the first day.”

Adam smiled, but was curious to know what pulling her close would feel like. He suspected that she’d fit pretty well in his arms.

JENNA MINDEL

lives in Northwest Michigan with her husband and their two dogs. She enjoys a career in banking that has spanned more than twenty years and several positions, but writing is her passion. A 2006 Romance Writers of America RITA

Award finalist, Jenna has answered her heart’s call to write inspirational romances set near the Great Lakes.

Season of Dreams

Jenna Mindel

The fruit of righteousness will be peace;

the effect of righteousness will be

quietness and confidence forever.

—Isaiah 32:17

To the Frys,

Thank you for sharing your gifts and talents

with those who need them most.

(Especially your cherry pecan bread pudding

shared with the Mindels.)

Acknowledgments

I’d like to thank Randy with Runge Industries Inc for his time spent answering my many questions about cherry farming. I hope I got it right! And the folks at NWMHRS for their research help as well. My sincere thanks!

To my agent, Karen Solem, for believing in me. And my editor, Melissa Endlich, for her encouragement. Thank you both!

To my red-pen-wielding husband, for his endless patience and support. You speak my Love Language!

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

Epilogue

Letter to Reader

Questions for Discussion

Chapter One

Eva placed a tray of cut dough in the oven and then peered out the window. The wind moaned, making snow swirl against a gray January afternoon sky. The weather might not be as horrible as predicted, but it was bad enough to cancel school on a Friday. In northern Michigan that was pretty bad. As she cleaned off her flour-covered workspace at the island counter, a knock at the door made her jump.

Wiping damp hands against the back of her jeans, Eva crossed the kitchen floor and opened the door. A man with blue eyes the color of laser beams stood on the porch.