Love Thine Enemy

Love Thine Enemy
Patricia Davids

A promise to her sister sent rising ballet star Cheryl Steele temporarily back to the hometown she had fled years ago in disgrace.Then an unexpected snowstorm and an injured foot soon landed her in the home of Sam Hardin. Sam's two little girls wrapped themselves around her heart…while they schemed to make Cheryl not a guest or temporary nanny but their new mom.But staying with the Hardin family made Cheryl uneasy. She feared confessing past secrets to Sam, and she had even greater fear of the present. Because the more Cheryl stayed with Sam, the more it all felt so right….

He was everything her heart needed.

Cheryl relished the strength and the feeling of safety Sam’s embrace gave her. She rested against his tall, strong body, gathering comfort from his arms around her. It felt so right. She had promised to stay as long as Sam’s daughters needed her, but what on earth was she getting herself into?

She was so close to falling in love with this man. The earthy, masculine scent of him filled her with hopes and dreams she didn’t fully understand. The tender way he stroked her hair left her feeling strangely content. It would be so easy to let herself love him.

PATRICIA DAVIDS

was born and raised in the farm and ranch country of central Kansas. As a tomboy with four brothers, Pat spent an idyllic childhood where horses, softball, church activities and books formed the foundations of her rich imagination. Today, Pat works as an R.N. in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), spoils her grandkids and tries to find time to write down the stories roaming around in her head. She is president of her local RWA chapter and believes that helping new writers learn the craft is the best way to repay the people who helped her. After seven years of writing, she sold her first book to Steeple Hill in June of 2004. Dreams do come true—as long as you chase after them with hard work, determination and faith.

Love Thine Enemy

Patricia Davids

A time to weep, and a time to laugh;

a time to mourn, and a time to dance.

—Ecclesiastes 3:4

With endless thanks to my critique partners,

Deborah and Theresa. You girls rock!

So many words—so little paper.

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

Letter to Reader

Questions for Discussion

Chapter One

Cheryl Steele planted her hands on her hips. “Angie, in order to attend your wedding, I have endured the wrath of my director, risked losing the best role of my career and traveled miles out of my way. At this moment, I’m very close to regretting all that effort.”

In the small dressing room at the back of an old stone church on the outskirts of Wichita, Kansas, Cheryl’s sister ignored her ire. “You will go out to the ranch, won’t you? For me?” Angie coaxed again. “It’s practically on your way.”

“It’s fifty miles out of my way.” Exasperated by her younger sibling’s persistence, Cheryl tried changing the subject. “Your veil isn’t straight. Let me fix it.”

“My veil is fine. You didn’t answer my question.”

“Yes, I did. Two dozen times in the past two days. The answer is, no! Now, hush.” Cheryl adjusted the veil then stepped back and gazed in poignant wonder at the vision in satin and lace before her.

“Well?” Angie demanded.

“You look…radiant…beautiful…. I don’t think I can find the right words. Jeff is a lucky man. I hope he knows it.”

A mischievous grin curved Angie’s lips. “He does. I tell him every chance I get.”

Cheryl chuckled. “I bet you do.”

Angie’s smile faded. “Please say you will go out to the ranch before you leave the state. For me. Consider it a wedding present.”

Cheryl sighed. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“Not when it’s important.”

“There’s nothing important about a few acres of grass and some rundown buildings in the middle of nowhere.”

“It was our home. Our family is there.”