Courting Hope

Courting Hope
Jenna Mindel

The Man Was No Stranger… When Hope Petersen looks up to see Sinclair Marsh standing in her office doorway, it brings back bittersweet memories. She can’t forgive him for the terrible accident that changed both their lives. Now that her girlhood crush is the new pastor of the church she runs, Hope is forced to work with him—and her old feelings resurface.Sinclair seems determined to show her and their Michigan hometown that their minister is a changed man. Is Hope ready to move beyond the past and risk her future on the man she never stopped loving?

The Man Was No Stranger… When Hope Petersen looks up to see Sinclair Marsh standing in her office doorway, it brings back bittersweet memories.

She can’t forgive him for the terrible accident that changed both their lives. Now that her girlhood crush is the new pastor of the church she runs, Hope is forced to work with him—and her old feelings resurface. Sinclair seems determined to show her and their Michigan hometown that their minister is a changed man. Is Hope ready to move beyond the past and risk her future on the man she never stopped loving?

Sinclair turned around and saw Hope with tears streaming down her cheeks.

“It’s no one’s fault.” Her voice sounded raw with emotion. “Sara’s death was an accident. I finally get that.” She rushed forward and wrapped her arms around him.

His shoulders shook, but he held on tight to the lifeline she offered. She didn’t know how long they stood there crying. Sinclair’s arms around her made her feel safe, like the strong ties of docking rope that gave a ship stability in a storm.

The party blared in the background. She could hear laughter and music, but both were muffled by Sinclair’s warm shoulder. Then the band played a slow song she remembered from high school dances.

She’d always lingered on the bleachers, wishing…

“Dance with me,” he said.

Hope swallowed sudden panic.

But he gave her a hint of a smile and brushed her cheek with his thumb. “Have I ever told you that you’re beautiful? Because you are, Hope, inside and out.”

JENNA MINDEL

lives in Northern Michigan with her husband, Steve, their two dogs and one sassy guinea pig named Aunt Bea. She enjoys a career in banking that has spanned over twenty-five years and several positions, but writing is her passion. A 2006 Romance Writers of America RITA® finalist, Jenna has answered her heart’s call to write inspirational romances set near the Great Lakes.

Courting Hope

Jenna Mindel

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

There is a time for everything and a season for

every activity under heaven. He has made everything beautiful in its time…

—Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11

To EEC’s very first coed softball team

and our glorious 1-13 season!

What we didn’t win in games, we won in fun!

Acknowledgments:

I’d like to thank Pastor Mark and Tanya Drinkall

for sharing with me their journey and calling

into the ministry. You guys are awesome!

To my agent, Karen Solem,

for not giving up on me.

And my editor, Melissa Endlich,

for giving me another wonderful opportunity

to write for Love Inspired. Thank you both!

Contents

Chapter One (#u3edcdb87-be12-5945-9a3a-1c8892a9f455)

Chapter Two (#ua454e95f-d535-556e-b1f5-b03d95f5cc3d)

Chapter Three (#u7a29a5f5-86cb-500f-a901-22a5c7de8095)

Chapter Four (#u425480c5-27d8-5adc-8a73-e4e7a24add69)

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)

Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader (#litres_trial_promo)

Questions for Discussion (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One