A Daughter's Legacy

A Daughter's Legacy
Virginia Smith

To receive her inheritance and make peace with her late mother, Kelli Jackson must abide by the woman's will. Even though it means working as a zookeeper for six months–with animals that terrify her.How can she possibly explain her fears–and her past–to her handsome boss, Jason Andover? The glimpses of kindness–and painful secrets–she sees in his eyes slowly have her sharing everything. But then she makes a startling discovery–one that may tear them apart forever. Unless she can return the gift of love he's given her.

“I don’t know what happened between you, but I know she loved you very much.”

The happy images blurred as tears filled her eyes. Was it true? Did the mother she’d always thought indifferent really love her?

A tear slid down her cheek, followed quickly by another. Kelli couldn’t bear to put the pictures down long enough to wipe them away, so she let them go.

Oh, Mom! Why didn’t we fix this before it was too late?

Or was it too late? Would this crazy condition of Lillian’s trust help her to finally understand what had gone wrong between them?

Jason put an arm around her shoulders and squeezed. She found his silent embrace oddly comforting, and leaned into his warmth.

Still clutching the photographs, she lifted her face to look up at Jason. “I’ve changed my mind. I’m staying.”

VIRGINIA SMITH

A lifelong lover of books, Virginia Smith has always enjoyed immersing herself in fiction. In her mid-twenties she wrote her first story and discovered that writing well is harder than it looks; it took many years to produce a book worthy of publication. During the daylight hours she steadily climbed the corporate ladder and stole time late at night after the kids were in bed to write. With the publication of her first novel, she left her twenty-year corporate profession to devote her energy to her passion—writing stories that honor God and bring a smile to the faces of her readers. When she isn’t writing, Ginny and her husband, Ted, enjoy exploring the extremes of nature—skiing in the mountains of Utah, motorcycle riding on the curvy roads of central Kentucky and scuba diving in the warm waters of the Caribbean. Visit her online at www.VirginiaSmith.org.

A Daughter’s Legacy

Virginia Smith

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

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear.

—1 John 4:18

This book would not exist without the assistance and encouragement of the following people:

The employees of Utah’s Hogle Zoo, especially Celeste, Stephanie and Holly. Your passion for animals is inspiring—and contagious.

The members of the Utah Christian Writers Fellowship, who provided encouragement and support for every idea I came up with.

My agent, Wendy Lawton, for partnering with me in this crazy industry.

My editor Tina James and everyone at Steeple Hill for their tireless efforts to make this (and every) book the best it can be.

My daughter, Christy Delliskave, who loves zoos and zoo animals as much as I do.

My husband, Ted, for believing in me.

And of course, the Lord Jesus, who never ceases to whisper to me, “Fear not!”

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