Bluegrass Courtship

Bluegrass Courtship
Allie Pleiter

The celebrity host of TV's Missionnovation, Drew Downing is comfortable with his fame. He's become accustomed to the cheering, star-struck townfolk that usually welcome him as he renovates churches countrywide. Usually. Then he and his crew set up in tiny Middleburg, Kentucky, to rebuild the church's storm-damaged preschool.The very lovely, very no-nonsense hardware store owner Janet Bishop is suspicious of Drew's true motives. It looks like Janet Bishop's faith–in God, in herself and in love–needs some serious rebuilding. And Drew Downing is just the man for the job.

“Maybe we skip the small talk,” Drew said, “and you tell me what’s on your mind.”

Janet decided to take him at his word. “Look, I’m glad the preschool’s getting an overhaul. But that doesn’t change the fact that Middleburg’s problem is about to become prime-time entertainment.”

“You don’t trust us to get the job done right.”

“As a matter of fact, yes.”

“Well, Janet Bishop, I’ll make you a deal.” Drew pulled out a checkbook and wrote out a check. “This here’s a blank check made out to your store. After we’re gone, if plaster cracks, if the pipes leak, we’ll cover the cost for anything the church needs to order. I don’t want you all to feel we’ve taken advantage of Middleburg in any way.”

Janet stared at the check.

“I believe in what I do, Janet, and I mean to prove it to you.” He extended his hand. “Will you let me?”

ALLIE PLEITER

Enthusiastic but slightly untidy mother of two, RITA

Award finalist Allie Pleiter writes both fiction and nonfiction. An avid knitter and non-reformed chocoholic, she spends her days writing books, drinking coffee and finding new ways to avoid housework. Allie grew up in Connecticut, holds a BS in Speech from Northwestern University, and spent fifteen years in the field of professional fund-raising. She lives with her husband, children and a Havanese dog named Bella in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.

Bluegrass Courtship

Allie Pleiter

Unless the Lord builds the house,

its builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city,

the watchmen stand guard in vain.

—Psalms 127:1

To my late father, Joe Stanko, who built things

Acknowledgments

Returning to Middleburg always means a return trip to charming Midway, Kentucky. Everything good about Middleburg comes from Midway. Everything “quirky” is definitely of my own invention. My thanks again to the lovely people—readers included—who’ve helped me fall in love with this part of the country. I’m so happy to be back and eagerly awaiting my subsequent returns.

My thanks, as always, to my family—especially Mandy and CJ who endured another one of those “research vacations.” To the inventors of the DVR, who saved my family from sitting through dozens of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition episodes. To Jim Griffin and Alana Ruoso in the art department at Steeple Hill for giving me a delightful cover. And to all of you, for your kindness, your letters and prayers. You are all proof that God can bless abundantly across the airwaves and the miles.

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

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six