Hearts In Bloom

Hearts In Bloom
Mae Nunn

When injury ended her dance career, Jessica Holliday became a landscape designer. A society wedding offered her the chance to make a name for herself, and she vowed to get the job done without help from anyone–especially handsome newcomer Captain Andrew Keegan.His neighbor might be beautiful, even up to her elbows in dirt, but Drew Keegan had to keep God's plan in sight–marriage to the socialite of his father's choosing would enable him to help those who needed it most. But when Jessica's designs were jeopardized, Drew began to see his goal–and Jessica–in a new light….

He caught Jessica to his chest, muscular arms wrapped protectively around her. She’d never felt such relief in her life. Suddenly there was a sense of completeness where there had been a huge void.

“What on earth is wrong?”

“The wedding is less than nine hours away, my work crew just canceled and I can’t even begin to tell you what’s at stake today. I know I don’t deserve it, but if you’ll help me, Drew, I promise I’ll explain everything tomorrow.”

He smiled, dimple and all, and guided her to the sidewalk.

“Let me make a couple of phone calls. I’ll meet you in the Commons in five minutes.”

He ran his hand down the back of her hair as she turned to walk away.

A glance over her shoulder sent a thrill of hope through her heart. He was still watching, tenderness etched in his features.

MAE NUNN

grew up in Houston and graduated from the University of Texas with a degree in communications. When she fell for a transplanted Englishman who lived in Atlanta, Mae hung up her spurs to become a Southern belle. Today she and her husband make their home with their two children in Georgia. Mae has been with a major air-express company for twenty-five years, currently serving as a regional customer service manager. She began writing four years ago. When asked how she felt about being part of the Steeple Hill family, Mae summed her response up with one word, “Yeeeeeha!”

Hearts in Bloom

Mae Nunn

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

In his heart a man plans his course,

but the Lord determines his steps.

—Proverbs 16:9

For my precious Maegan, who gave up so many

Saturday outings so her mama could write. For my

critique partner, Dianna, who is a gift straight from

heaven. For my friend Larry, whose incredible story

inspired me to get it started. And for my husband,

Michael, who makes it all worthwhile.

Dear Reader,

Five years ago I was amazed by the true story of a Green Beret’s survival after dropping 40,000 feet with a defective parachute. I was compelled to spin a tale around this real-life hero and I wanted to create an equally special heroine for him. A woman with a real-life body and all the real-life fears that go along with it. Picture me getting started: a laptop on my bathroom counter, my faithful dog draped across my lap. After two years of watching me spend my weekends in the bathroom, my very own handsome hero transformed a closet into a workspace, and I became a “real writer.”

My self-imposed rule was not to write anything that would offend my mother or my daughter. Try as I might, I couldn’t ignore the call to do more, to use my words to glorify our Heavenly Father. Hearts in Bloom is my debut Love Inspired novel. I hope spending time with Jessica and Drew blesses you as much as writing their story has blessed me. Share your thoughts when you visit me at maenunn.com.

Until next time, let your light shine.

Contents

Chapter One (#u9be285e1-4f08-53ca-8c8b-cef8fcced5d0)

Chapter Two (#u7ad04225-af2c-5bfc-990f-0cb469989da7)

Chapter Three (#uf3685ea4-66d5-5580-abeb-1072ba57a35e)

Chapter Four (#ufea65c14-eff7-5668-8d71-3e5705fa3eab)

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)

Chapter Sixteen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter Seventeen (#litres_trial_promo)

Chapter One

Dirt.

There was just something so appealing about dirt.

Jessica Holliday couldn’t remember a time in her twenty-six years when she hadn’t been fascinated by the stuff and the miracles it generated. She breathed deeply of its comforting smell and lightly massaged the site of her knee injury.

Atlanta’s top orthopedic surgeon had performed the anterior medialization, grafting bone and marrow, inserting titanium screws and closing the knee with thirty-five staples. But no amount of medical skill would ever restore full strength to her leg.