Her Small-Town Romance

Her Small-Town Romance
Jill Kemerer

Finding Her Way HomeCozy Lake Endwell, Michigan, seems the perfect place for Jade Emerson’s new t-shirt shop—and perhaps a fresh start. After a lifetime of letdowns, she is finally ready to face the future on her own. So when local wilderness guide Bryan Sheffield offers to help Jade overcome a past trauma, she warns him they will remain strictly business. But soon, with the help of Bryan’s big, complicated family and a boisterous St. Bernard named Teeny, Jade’s frozen heart begins to thaw. Now, Jade wonders if she can return the favor, bringing a little happiness to a man who has long kept his own sorrow under wraps…

Finding Her Way Home

Cozy Lake Endwell, Michigan, seems the perfect place for Jade Emerson’s new T-shirt shop—and perhaps a fresh start. After a lifetime of letdowns, she is finally ready to face the future on her own. So when local wilderness guide Bryan Sheffield offers to help Jade overcome a past trauma, she warns him they will remain strictly business. But soon, with the help of Bryan’s big, complicated family and a boisterous St. Bernard named Teeny, Jade’s frozen heart begins to thaw. Now Jade wonders if she can return the favor, bringing a little happiness to a man who has long kept his own sorrow under wraps…

“I’m not going to stand in your way.

It would be a mistake for you to blow off this opportunity.”

“What if I don’t get the job?” Bryan asked.

Blackness fell over Jade’s heart, which was ridiculous due to the perfect summer day. But how was she supposed to answer that? If he didn’t get the job, he might be willing to explore a relationship with her?

“You’ve been clear all along on two things. You’re moving, and you aren’t dating.”

He narrowed his eyes. “And you’ve been crystal clear that we’re just friends.”

“What do you want?” Jade shifted her weight to one hip. “You kissed me, knowing full well you plan on moving to Canada. I love Lake Endwell. I’m happy here. If you need to move, I get it, but I don’t want to be your backup plan.”

Hurt flashed in Bryan’s eyes, but she couldn’t, wouldn’t feel guilty. She twisted, unable to face him a second longer. Her mouth tasted of copper at the thought of being his second choice.

Just once in her life, she wanted to be someone’s first choice.

JILL KEMERER writes novels with love, humor and faith. Besides spoiling her minidachshund and keeping up with her busy kids, Jill reads stacks of books, lives for her morning coffee and gushes over fluffy animals. She resides in Ohio with her husband and two children. Jill loves connecting with readers, so please visit her website, jillkemerer.com (http://jillkemerer.com), or contact her at PO Box 2802, Whitehouse, OH 43571.

Her Small-Town Romance

Jill Kemerer

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.

—Psalms 56:3

To my writing team.

Shana Asaro, I’m a better writer because of you. Rachel Kent, thank you for your friendship and for guiding my career. Wendy Paine Miller, you’re the real deal and I treasure you. Jessica R. Patch, for holding me up with joy as we journey together.

Contents

Cover (#u0c6fcdf2-ddc5-5a13-a361-bc04cb6ebd00)

Back Cover Text (#uac517b4f-47da-5ce0-8310-b89a36e68588)

Introduction (#u1e63e576-a9ca-5eb8-8231-a5e260a2bad7)

About the Author (#u8f58ab22-ee84-56a3-bbaf-71216cfcc288)

Title Page (#ub95a1bd7-8240-56f9-93bd-8f345ad6940b)

Bible Verse (#uf1698393-c64e-567e-ae8e-962a5f9cbc9d)

Dedication (#u19cf9a09-2e8a-55ba-b294-9bb0141453bb)

Chapter One (#uca956ed6-7de0-5a35-a150-584e409d0b04)

Chapter Two (#u2193767a-ca6a-5005-8b5a-45ffd7ab73a5)

Chapter Three (#u12b6dd31-0f88-5e50-a26e-ca4d28596dfc)

Chapter Four (#ucc3704b8-9eab-5d89-81ab-20ee3e95038f)

Chapter Five (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Six (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eight (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Nine (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Ten (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Eleven (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Twelve (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Thirteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fourteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Fifteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One (#ulink_c42e307f-c251-5c92-8386-bd52e75fcd77)

Bryan Sheffield scanned the parking lot as he paced under the pavilion at Evergreen Park. His students, most likely retirees and a few college kids, should be arriving any minute. He had no idea how many people would show up for the free outdoor course. Ideally, ten or twelve. If teaching this class every Saturday morning helped him land an interview at Blue Mountain Retreat, he’d gladly instruct fifty people.