“I’ll just wipe his paws with a damp cloth so he doesn’t track up the floor. He and his mama can do the rest.”

Moving slowly and murmuring endearments to the frightened kitty, Belinda made her way to the sink. Cradling the kitten against her with one hand, she turned her attention back to Paul and began to dab at the faint, tiny paw prints on his T-shirt with a damp towel.

“Leave it alone. It’s okay,” he said.

“It’ll just take a second….” she protested.

Paul’s hand closed around hers, stilling her efforts.

Confused, Belinda raised her eyes to meet his. He didn’t speak. He didn’t have to. The look in his eyes was enough.

VALERIE HANSEN

was thirty when she awoke to the presence of the Lord in her life and turned to Jesus. In the years that followed she worked with young children, both in church and secular environments. She also raised a family of her own and played foster mother to a wide assortment of furred and feathered critters.

Married to her high school sweetheart since age seventeen, she now lives in an old farmhouse she and her husband renovated with their own hands. She loves to hike the wooded hills behind the house and reflect on the marvelous turn her life has taken. Not only is she privileged to reside among the loving, accepting folks in the breathtakingly beautiful Ozark mountains of Arkansas, she also gets to share her personal faith by telling the stories of her heart for Steeple Hill’s Love Inspired line.

Life doesn’t get much better than that!

Second Chances
Valerie Hansen

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God.

—Matthew 5:9

This book is dedicated to all the special people whose calming influence and wise counsel brings daily peace to all our lives.

Contents

Prologue

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

Letter to Reader

Prologue

An orange glow danced across the night sky. Flames curled around the three-storey frame structure, licking the thick layers of old paint and bubbling them to ashes, then consuming the dry wood beneath. Firelight radiating through the window of eighteen-year-old Belinda Carnes’s bedroom turned the pale pink interior walls a sickly yellow.

Shocked awake, she bolted out of bed, ran to the window and stared at the fire next door. In the street below, her father was shouting, pleading, “Somebody do something. Dear God, do something!” The sound of his anguish tore at her heart, making her temporarily forget the terrible quarrel they’d had only hours before.

“Daddy!” Grabbing her robe, Belinda made a dash for the stairs. Their house was full of smoke, making it difficult to see or breathe. Maybe it was on fire, too!

She rocketed into the street, auburn hair flying, her robe clutched around her slim body, her feet bare. “Daddy! Where are you?”

The first fire truck was already shooting water on the flames as others arrived. “Get back!” someone shouted. Belinda ignored the order. She had to find her father. He was all she had left.

A team of volunteer firefighters ran by, dragging a bulging hose. Several of the men were part of her father’s congregation. Gasping to catch her breath, Belinda looked at the church that had been her second home since before her mother had died. She didn’t have to know much about firefighting to know the historic building, her father’s pride and joy, was beyond saving.

Blossoming spray from the hoses drifted over the appalled onlookers like icy mist over a river. Wending her way through the crowd, Belinda overheard more than one angry person place the blame for the terrible inferno on Paul Randall, the misfit teenage son of a convicted arsonist.

They were wrong. They had to be. She was sure Paul had left town right after her father had ordered him out of their house and out of her life for good. The bitterness of that altercation echoed in her throbbing head.

“Leave my daughter alone,” her father had shouted just hours ago.

Paul had stood his ground, feet planted firmly apart on the front walkway, fists clenched in defiance. “We’re in love. We’re going to get married, with or without your blessing. There’s nothing you can do about it.”

“We’ll see about that.”

“I’m leaving town tonight and Belinda’s coming with me,” Paul had said flatly.

“No, she isn’t.” Her father had held out his hand to her, his commanding voice as forceful as if he were warning his congregation about the wages of sin. “Belinda is going to go away to college in the fall, just like she promised her mother. By the time she gets her degree she’ll be wise enough to make the kind of choices that will affect her whole life. Right now, she’s far too young.”

Caught between her vow to her late mother and the angry young man who insisted they marry immediately and run away together no matter what the consequences, Belinda had felt trapped. Weeping, she’d stepped to her father’s side. No words were necessary. Her actions had spoken for her.

“Fine. I’ll go,” Paul had yelled, cursing to accentuate his mood. “But I’ll show you. You’ll be sorry. You’ll both be sorry. You just watch.”

Even now, Belinda imagined she could still hear the echo of Paul’s vehement threats. When he’d lost his temper and threatened her father she’d glimpsed a side of him she’d never seen before. A part of his character that had truly frightened her. And now the church was on fire. Thank goodness Paul was long gone! If he were still in town, he’d be the first one she suspected, too.

Belinda was so distraught she could hardly breathe, hardly think. Blinking back tears, she worked her way through the twisted maze of hoses lying in the street. Behind her, the upper windows of the old church began to shatter from the intense heat and the pressure of the water being hurled against them.

As she drew closer to her father she saw two men restraining him to keep him from trying to enter the burning building. “Thank you, God. He’s safe,” she whispered, grateful beyond belief.

All she could think about was getting to her father so she could tell him how sorry she was about the church and how much she loved him, in spite of their recent argument.

Suddenly, strong, masculine hands grasped her from behind. Held her fast. Told her, “It’s not safe to be out here barefoot.”

Panicking, Belinda twisted to stare at him. Her eyes widened. It couldn’t be Paul…but it was. She immediately tried to jerk free. “Let go of me!”

Scowling, Paul released her, held his hands in the air and took a step back. When he said, “Sorry,” it sounded a lot more like sarcasm than penitence.

“What are you doing here?”

“I heard the sirens so I came by to make sure you were all right.”

Fire reflected in the depths of his almost-black eyes, making him appear sinister, dangerous. Belinda’s already broken heart hardened at the sight of him, at the realization that all her wonderful excuses for his innocence were useless now that she knew he was still hanging around the area. “Stop lying, Paul,” she countered. “You came here to gloat and you know it.”

He combed his fingers through his long, thick, dark hair, pushing it back as he shook his head. “You have a really low opinion of me, don’t you?”

“I only know what I see. You said you were leaving town hours ago. Why didn’t you go?”

Paul’s jaw clenched, but he kept his outward cool. “I was packing. I knew your father banished me from this town but I didn’t know he was timing me or I’d have hurried.”

“Leave my daddy out of this. Haven’t you done enough to hurt him already?”

“Me? Hurt him? All I did was fall in love with his daughter!”

Paul saw Belinda’s tear-filled glance dart briefly in the direction of the burning church before returning to him. Suddenly understanding, he nodded. “I should have known. I thought you were different but you’re just like the rest of them, aren’t you?” His arm swept in an arc that took in the whole chaotic scene. “You blame me for this. All of you do.” He shoved his hands into the pockets of his worn leather jacket. “It figures. My father made a mistake and went to prison for arson, so I’m guilty by association. Right?”

The unfair accusation stung, made her even more defensive. “You said it. I didn’t.” Standing firm, she refused to let him off the hook. “You were supposed to be long gone by now. Admit it. You only hung around so you could watch my father suffer.” Pent-up emotion made her tremble. “Get away from me! I never want to see you again. Ever.”

“Fine with me. I’m glad your old man decided that I’m not good enough for you. He did us both a favor. Goodbye, Belinda. Have a nice life.”

With tears running down her cheeks, Belinda pressed her fingertips to her lips to stifle her sobs as she watched Paul elbow his way through the throng of hostile onlookers, mount his motorcycle and roar away. She realized she was saying goodbye to more than Paul Randall. She was also giving up the naive belief that her love was enough to change him, to save him from the negative effects of his dysfunctional upbringing.

Admitting she’d been wrong about him was breaking her heart.

Chapter One

Belinda Carnes was busy sorting local business files in the tall cabinet at the rear of her office when she heard the familiar ding of the electric eye that monitored the front door. She smoothed her skirt and breezed around the corner into the reception area with an expectant smile, recognizing her visitor immediately. “Sheila! Hi.”

“Aren’t you going to say, ‘Welcome to Serenity. How can the Chamber of Commerce help you’?”

“Nope. I save that speech for the tourists.” Belinda’s smile widened. “And I leave out the part about the ticks and chiggers eating us alive all summer. What’s up?”

“You mean you haven’t heard?”

“Heard what? What are you talking about?”

“He’s back.”

“Who’s back?” The fine, auburn hair at the nape of Belinda’s neck began to prickle.

“Don’t play dumb with me,” Sheila said. “You know very well who I mean. Verleen saw that lawyer, Paul Randall, coming out of the market downtown. He’d been buying groceries. Bags of them. I’d say that means he plans to stay with those ancient aunts of his for quite a while.”

Belinda blinked rapidly and paused to digest her friend’s comments. The whole idea of Paul being anywhere nearby tied her stomach in knots, made her pulse speed. “I’d heard he was going to help the Whitaker sisters with the legalities of their real estate deal but I didn’t think he’d actually come here to do it. What gall.”

“What do you mean?”

“It’s a long, complicated story.” She sighed. “Let’s just say Paul didn’t turn out to be the wonderful guy I thought he was.”

“Oh? What makes you say that?”

“You mean you haven’t heard the gossip yet? Amazing. The way rumors fly in this town, I’d have thought you’d already know the whole story.”

“I’d rather hear it straight from you,” Sheila said with undisguised interest.

Belinda filled her in concisely, trying to leave out any supposition. She concluded with, “No one has ever proved who was—or wasn’t—responsible for setting fire to the church…but nobody had any real motive except Paul.”

“Wow. No wonder you don’t want to come face-to-face with him.”

“I’m glad you understand.”

“Yeah, well…” A sly smile lifted Sheila’s lips. “That’s really too bad. I hear Randall is the best-looking guy around. And rich. I was kind of hoping you might want to introduce me to him. There aren’t that many eligible men in this area, you know.”

Belinda was flabbergasted. “You’d be interested in him, even after what I just told you?”

“Why not? Lots of us do crazy things when we’re teenagers. It looks to me like he’s reformed.”

Shaking her head, Belinda made a face at her friend. “Not reformed. Just turned his talents to getting back at Serenity by legal means. Don’t forget the lawsuit against the town fathers a few years back. When he proved land-use discrimination and the councilmen had to back down, they all lost face. Half of them weren’t reelected.”

“So? That’s just business.”

“Not in a close-knit town like this one. Around here, it’s considered a vendetta. That’s another reason I don’t want anything to do with him.”

“Guilt by association, you mean? I’m surprised you don’t already have a problem with that. I hear that you used to tell everybody you were going to marry Paul.”

Belinda blushed. “I was just a high school kid with a stupid crush on the only boy in town my father refused to let me date. In other words, a typical teenager. Besides, that was ten years ago. Believe me, I’m cured and everybody knows it…especially me.”

“Being young doesn’t mean you can’t fall in love for keeps,” Sheila countered. “My mom got married when she was seventeen. She and Dad are still doing okay.”

“My parents had a wonderful relationship, too. Everything changed when my mother died, though. The only thing that saved Daddy’s sanity was focusing all his energy on his church.”

“The one that burned down?”

“Yes.” The memories of her late father’s subsequent slide into depression brought Belinda’s thoughts full circle. “The doctors said he died from a heart attack but I think he just gave up caring about anything, even his own life, after he lost the church.” She hardened her heart. “Getting back to Paul Randall. I don’t care where he stays or what he does while he’s here as long as I don’t have to deal with him. I’ll be delighted if I never lay eyes on him again.”

“You sound like you really mean that.”

“I’ve never meant anything more in my whole life.”

Paul managed to keep himself occupied all afternoon by strolling around town and stopping to make casual conversation whenever he got the opportunity. He was amazed at how few of the old-timers recognized him at first. And at how shocked they looked when he identified himself. Clearly, they remembered the punk kid with the perpetual chip on his shoulder and were having trouble believing the changes he’d made in his image. Good, he thought, satisfied. That was exactly what he’d intended.

Beginning at the Mom and Pop café and gas station located next to the only traffic light in town, he worked his way through the pharmacy and the farm bureau office, then strolled the last block to the town square. A green, close-cropped lawn surrounded the courthouse. Most of the benches in the shade of the maple trees were occupied by old men, heads nodding sleepily. As usual, Serenity was so serene it gave him the willies.

Paul snorted in self-derision as he entered the hardware store on the north side of the square. All the businesses on that block faced the old brick courthouse, which meant he could stand on the opposite side of the square and position himself to look directly at the door to the Chamber of Commerce without attracting undue attention.

Ever since he’d learned Belinda worked there, he’d been trying to ignore that particular office. And he’d failed miserably. It looked like he was either going to have to pay his old flame a visit and try to clear the air, or resign himself to his grinding gut and buy a giant supply of antacids to calm the ulcer that usually flared up when he was under a lot of stress.

Paul opted for the visit. He’d written dozens of letters to Belinda over the years but had never mailed any of them. Initially, he’d focused on defending himself until he’d realized how futile that was. Later, he’d simply apologized for his anger. The last attempt had been a letter of condolence when he’d heard that her father had died. Worried that it might seem inappropriate because of his volatile past association with the man, he’d torn it up instead of sending it.

Remembering, he paused near the front of the hardware store, just inside the door.

“Something I can help you with, mister?” the skinny, slightly stooped proprietor asked. “You’d best hurry. We’re about to close.”

Paul snapped out of his reverie and smiled pleasantly. “Sorry. I was just looking, anyway. Do you happen to know how late the Chamber of Commerce stays open?”

“Till five, like the rest of us,” the man said. “Why?”

“Just wondered.”

“You’re not from around here, are you?”

Chuckling, Paul shook his head. That was at least the tenth time that day he’d been asked the same question in exactly the same words. “Nope. I’m an outsider. Definitely an outsider.” He offered his hand. “The name’s Randall. The Whitaker sisters are my great-aunts.”

Accepting Paul’s hand, the proprietor shook it heartily. “Well, well. I didn’t know Miss Prudence and Miss Patience had kin in these parts. Where’d you say you was from?”

“I settled in Harrison after I got out of law school,” Paul told him. “I’m just visiting here.”

“Well, if you’re fixin’ to repair that old house of theirs, we got the best selection of plumbing and electrical parts in the county.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for your time.” When the man opened his mouth and began to add to his sales pitch, Paul headed for the door. “I can’t stay and talk right now, but I’ll be sure to check back with you later. I need to run over to the Chamber office before it closes.”

“Tell Miss Belinda I said howdy.”

“Right.” Waving a congenial goodbye, Paul crossed the wide, shady street at an angle and started to jog across the courthouse lawn. The digital clock in front of the bank on the north-west corner read four fifty-five.

All afternoon Belinda had fidgeted at her desk, eagerly awaiting quitting time so she could close the office. She’d already straightened the racks of brochures and maps several times and dusted everything in sight. All that was left to do was turn off the lights, lock up and make a dash for home. The sooner the better.

At five minutes to five, she started for the door, the click of her heels echoing in the empty office. Surely all the evenings she’d stayed open late would make up for leaving a few minutes early this time. One hand was poised over the Open sign, the other reaching for the lock, when a dark-haired, sophisticated-looking man in navy blue slacks and a sky-blue sport shirt appeared at the door.

He was tall, broad-shouldered and moved with an athletic grace. His hair was cut in the smooth, full style of a successful executive, except that it was long enough in the back to brush against his shirt collar.

Belinda’s heart recognized him a few seconds before her brain agreed. She froze in mid-motion, sorely tempted to slam the door and bolt it. She didn’t care if she did represent Serenity. That didn’t mean she had to be nice to the likes of Paul Randall.

He glanced at his gleaming gold wristwatch. “I thought I still had a few minutes.”

“Sorry. The office is closed.”

“Too bad,” he said with a wry smile. “I need some information about this interesting little town.”

Belinda was not about to let him get the upper hand. “Fine.” She grabbed a random handful of colorful brochures pertaining to the area and thrust them at him. “Here.”

“I’m afraid that won’t do,” Paul said, stepping through the half-open door.

She gave ground. “I told you. The office is closed.” The spicy aroma of his aftershave affected her strongly and made her want to put even more distance between them.

Paul’s smile grew into a self-satisfied grin as he looked her up and down. “Humor me. I have as much right as anybody to be treated with respect. All I want from you is a few facts.”

Whether she liked it or not, he’d made a good point. Fair was fair. Besides, it wouldn’t do to let on that she was still mad enough at him to make her blood boil. A contrary man like Paul Randall would probably enjoy seeing that she was upset, and she wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction.

Circling him widely, hurriedly, Belinda said, “All right. What can the Serenity Chamber of Commerce do for you? I’ll give you two minutes.”

Paul’s gaze met hers, challenged it, held it. “I’m good, but I’m not that good. Perhaps I’d better come back tomorrow when you have more free time.”

And make me go through this emotional turmoil all over again? No way! The smartest thing she could do was give him the information he wanted, right now, and be rid of him.

“That won’t be necessary,” she said, pleased at how calm and businesslike she sounded in spite of her quaking insides and righteous indignation. She rounded the end of the counter to put a solid physical barrier between them. “What is it you need?”

“Well… A list of the commercial property within four blocks in any direction from my aunts’ estate, for starters.”

“You need to go to the county office for that and you know it,” Belinda said, scowling. “What do you really want?”

Inwardly tense, Paul kept his posture relaxed, his smile as enigmatic as he could make it. He’d known that facing Belinda again would be difficult but he’d had no idea what a strong, gut-level reaction he’d have to her. That had been such a surprise he found he could hardly think straight, let alone come up with reasonable-sounding excuses for tracking her down while he was in town.

The most sensible option was probably to tell her the plain truth. The minute he’d set foot in Serenity again he’d felt he had to see her, to talk to her, to make her understand that he hadn’t been responsible for the loss of her father’s church. He was good at arguing court cases. It should have been easy to present a logical defense of his innocence.

Unfortunately, Paul had to admit he was currently standing on a foundation of emotional quicksand and sinking fast. Any notion he’d had about being permanently immune to Belinda’s charms had vanished the moment he’d faced her again. If anything, the attraction he felt now was stronger than ever. That conclusion didn’t astonish him nearly as much as the fact that the memory of her rejection still hurt.

If it hadn’t been for her cautious expression and stiff, standoffish posture he might have foolishly relaxed his guard and told her how he felt, then and there. Which would have been the dumbest thing he’d done for ten years. Sharing some information about his professional concerns, however, didn’t seem like such a bad idea. At least it would give him something intelligent to say.

“I was hoping you’d have time to bring me up to speed on the way Serenity is developing. You know. New business trends, population demographics, that kind of thing. Sort of an overview of what you see as the future of the town.”

“Why me?”

“Because you’ve not only lived here for a long time, your job has put you right into the center of commerce.” He quickly pressed on, hoping to sway her decision before she had a chance to think it through. “So, since you’re about to close the office, how about I make reservations at Romano’s for tonight? We can relax and talk over dinner.”

“You’ve got to be kidding. No way!” Belinda’s heart was racing and her mouth was as dry as the bottom of Lick Creek in mid-July! Didn’t he remember anything about their last day together? About their quarrel? About the things she’d said to him? The passage of time had not changed her mind. Too many unanswered questions remained. Important questions. Questions she wasn’t sure she wanted to ask because hearing the answers might prove too painful.

“Why not? Got a date with your doctor friend? I hear you two are quite a couple.”

Obviously, Paul had been prying. “That’s none of your business,” she said stiffly.

“I see.”

Belinda was surprised when he didn’t immediately argue or try to manipulate her. As a practicing attorney he was obviously used to getting the results he wanted. Waiting for his counterattack, she pressed her lips into a thin line.

“Well, maybe some other time,” Paul said, straightening and smiling woodenly. “I’ll call you.”

She noticed that his smile no longer brought a mischievous sparkle to his dark, compelling eyes. His gaze had grown shadowy, brooding, the way it used to be. The way it had been the night of the awful fire.

That memory was enough to keep her from holding back any longer. “No. I don’t want you to call.” Belinda shook her head firmly for emphasis. “We have nothing more to talk about.”

Smile fading, he turned to leave. His voice sounded emotionless when he said, “For once, you may be right.”

Belinda stopped by her grandmother Eloise’s that evening. Eloise had sprained her ankle and was supposed to stay off her feet as much as possible. She wasn’t behaving, of course. Belinda hadn’t expected her to listen to medical advice, not even Sam’s, which was why she’d decided to drop in and volunteer to cook the evening meal.

Standing at her grandmother’s stove, Belinda got more and more distracted as she began to contrast the differences between Sam and Paul. Sam was steady, comfortable, and he fit effortlessly into her daily life. She’d never had a moment’s worry about what he might be doing or who he might be with. On the other hand, being around Paul had always made her feel disquieted, as if she were standing at the edge of a precipice in a stiff wind and was about to be blown over the edge. Even now, though he’d looked as refined as any other professional man, his presence had sent a chill up her spine and made the hair on the back of her neck prickle.

Daydreaming, she nearly burned the black-eyed peas she was fixing as a side dish.

Eloise hobbled up to rescue the smoking pot and stirred rapidly. “Goodness me. That was close.”

“Sorry. I guess I wasn’t paying enough attention.”

“No problem. I got to ’em in time.” She paused, then asked, “So, tell me, how was Paul Randall?”

Whirling, Belinda stared. “How did you know I’d seen him?”

“Lucky guess.” Eloise set the pot off to the side and plopped her slightly overweight body into a kitchen chair. “Well? Was he polite? Did he show his raisin’, or did he manage to behave himself?”

“If you mean, did he grab me and kiss me senseless the way he used to, the answer is no. He’s more out-of-place in Serenity than ever, but he didn’t say or do anything embarrassing.”

“That’s a relief. You never know what might get back to Sam if somebody was to see you and Paul acting too friendly.”

“Don’t be silly. I’m not even friends with Paul. Not anymore. Besides, Sam’s not the jealous type. He may be practical to a fault but he’s also predictable. He’d never jump to conclusions.” Belinda turned off the stove and scooped thin strips of sautéed steak and onions from her frying pan into a serving bowl. “He’s completely logical. That’s why I believe him when he says Serenity’s going to boom. He’s even bought the building where his office is. Says he’s planning to add another wing to it.”

“Well, well. I suppose that explains why he was so keen on being voted president of the Chamber. I’m not real happy to hear he wants to start changin’ things, though.” She lowered her voice to add, “’Course, he’s not from around here, so you never know.”

Pensive, Belinda recalled what Paul had always said about not being accepted by the established core of Serenity’s population. In his case, he was right. It wasn’t that folks were cruel. Some newcomers just fit in better than others, especially if they made an effort to become a useful part of the community. Sam was making that effort. Paul and his father never had.

She remembered the first time she’d set eyes on Paul. His father had come to Serenity because of his late wife’s shirttail relation to the Whitaker family and landed a job as a mechanic at the local gas station.

Paul had shown up for his first day as a senior at Serenity High sporting threadbare clothes, a worn leather jacket and a sullen, uncooperative attitude. Belinda had viewed him more as a lost soul than a rebel and had offered friendship. In no time, she’d fallen head-over-heels in love. She sighed. Too bad Paul’s feelings for her hadn’t been strong enough to overcome their differences.

“I’d like some of that before it gets cold,” Eloise gibed, gesturing toward the bowl Belinda was holding. “Unless you plan on keepin’ it all for yourself.”

The comment brought her back to the present with a jolt. “Of course not. I…I was just afraid it was too hot for you to handle, that’s all.”

“Oh? With that faraway look in your eyes I figured you might be thinking about how you felt when you ran into your old boyfriend today.” She grinned. “Was he too hot to handle, too?”

“Gram! Shame on you. Wash your mouth out!” Cheeks flaming, Belinda took her place at the table and refused to acknowledge her grandmother’s triumphant expression. It was impossible to ignore her jubilant comments, however.

“Aha! I thought so. Good! Maybe now we’ll see some action around here. A little honest competition should shake up Sam Barryman and get things moving. He may not be perfect but he’s the best catch around…and a doctor, to boot. You two have been courtin’ for a whole year. It’s time he got serious and asked you to marry him. Fish or cut bait, I always say.”

Belinda stared at her plate without seeing it. Sam had already asked her to be his wife—more than once—and she’d put him off. At the time, she hadn’t realized what was stopping her. Sam was personable and reliable, he went to her church, and she was truly fond of him. So why not make a commitment? Why, indeed. Now that she’d been around Paul again, she was beginning to understand that the problem lay with her, not with Sam.

And she didn’t like that conclusion one bit.

The Whitaker estate was a run-down relic from a bygone era. It was also a prime piece of real estate, which was why Paul had decided to spend a few extra days poking around in Serenity. He knew his elderly twin aunts had no spare funds with which to have the place independently appraised. He also knew that the sale of the property was their last chance to provide for the fulfillment of any dreams beyond day-to-day subsistence. At eighty-three, they didn’t have the option of going back to work teaching if they wanted anything more than the basic necessities.

He wheeled his black Lexus into the circular driveway of the old frame house and parked. The narrow track branched so that visitors who had arrived by carriage in the old days could enter by the front door, then send their driver to the back to stable the horses without having to turn the team around. The carriage house in the rear had eventually been converted into a garage.

Pausing in the quiet of the late evening, Paul gripped the steering wheel and took a deep, settling breath. Maybe he’d made a mistake by coming here. Even Aunt Patience, usually the sprightly, happy twin, had been acting reserved. Prudence, on the other hand, had always moped around as if she’d just lost her best friend, so he couldn’t tell if she was glad he’d responded to her request for legal help or not.

But that wasn’t his real reason for questioning the wisdom of his decision to visit Serenity, was it? He immediately pictured Belinda. They’d had some really good times together. On her eighteenth birthday she’d snuck away to spend the afternoon at the river with him. Her auburn hair was longer back then, with golden highlights glistening in the sun, and she’d pinned it up because the weather was so hot and sticky.

They’d walked beside the slow-flowing water, pausing in the shade to share a tender kiss. Paul remembered her wide, innocent, blue eyes looking at him as if he were the perfect man. Faint freckles had dotted her pale skin.

She’d wrinkled her nose and made a silly face, pleading with him. “Come on. It’s just a picnic. Please? Promise you’ll go with me?”

“A church picnic,” Paul had said.

“So? Daddy won’t bite.”

“I’m not so sure. He didn’t look real pleased when I sat down next to you last Sunday.”

She giggled. “I know. Wasn’t he funny? It was like he preached his whole sermon right to you.”

“Yeah. I noticed.” Paul grimaced. “I felt like a bug under a microscope.”

Belinda slipped her arms around his waist and stepped into his embrace. “I’m so sorry. That was partly my fault. When Daddy asked me why I was spending so much time with you, I told him I was trying to get you converted.”

“I don’t need saving,” Paul recalled telling her. Back then, he’d seriously considered walking the aisle some Sunday just to please her and make points with her father. Fortunately, he’d decided there was no way he could fake salvation, any more than he could convince the sanctimonious residents of Serenity that he was just as good as they were.

Pensive, he sighed. Funny how things had worked out. His father had ruined his own life by making lousy choices, had left the stigma of a convicted arsonist on his only son and had seen to it that they stayed ostracized by living a transient, antisocial life.

Yet it was that same miserable existence that had made Paul so determined to succeed, to earn enough money to change his lifestyle and make himself into someone entirely different. A professional man people could look up to. Respect.

And that strategy had worked until he’d faced Belinda Carnes again and sensed her continuing distrust. He’d hoped she’d give him some sign that she might be willing to forgive and forget. Maybe even take up where they’d left off. After her clear rebuff today, however, he knew better.

Innocent until proven guilty didn’t apply to him. Not in Serenity. Belinda obviously still blamed him for setting fire to her father’s church. Chances were, so did almost everybody else in town, even if they didn’t have the guts to say so to his face.

Paul’s jaw muscles tightened, and his forehead furrowed. He didn’t care what the others thought of him, but Belinda’s opinion mattered. A lot. Whether they ever got back together or not, it was imperative that he prove to her he’d been innocent of any wrongdoing.

He sure wished he knew how he was going to do that.

Chapter Two

Belinda smiled and waved when she saw Sam Barryman’s sporty red Camaro pulling into her driveway at precisely nine-thirty on Sunday morning. It was hard to remember exactly when Sam had started taking her to church. He hadn’t asked. He’d simply begun showing up. For the past six or eight months she’d accepted his presence without question. This morning, however, she found it strangely annoying.

Tall, blond and athletic, the doctor bounded up the front steps to her house and held the door open for her. “Good. You’re on time. I’m glad to see my suggestions worked.”

“I beg your pardon?” Belinda wrinkled her brow.

“My suggestions. About getting you organized,” he said, ignoring her negative expression. “Can’t have my future wife running around being late all the time.”

Belinda couldn’t decide which assumption she wanted to object to first. Having spent the past few days soul-searching, she decided on the farthest-reaching one. “I told you, Sam. We’re good friends. There’s no reason to spoil a great relationship by getting married.”

“So you say.” He slipped his arm around her waist and escorted her down the porch steps, not letting go until they reached his car. As he opened the passenger door for her he said, “If you weren’t such a prude we could be having a lot more fun right now, though.”

Belinda rolled her eyes. “We’ve been over and over this subject, Sam. It’s not open to discussion.”

Chuckling, he circled the car and slid behind the wheel. “Okay. But I’m not going to wait for you forever.”

“I’ve never asked you to wait for me at all. That was your idea.”

“Because you’re worth it.” He flashed her a toothpaste smile and reached over to pat her hand as he drove. “All I have to do is figure out how to make you wake up and realize I’d be the perfect husband for you.”

Belinda wanted to refute his claim but something held her back. Was it possible Sam was right? Could she be making a terrible mistake? It was conceivable. Sam was a nice enough person, and according to her late father she’d never shown good judgment where men were concerned.

Lost in thought she smoothed the skirt of her silky teal blue dress, admiring the beautiful fabric. The dress was one of her favorites, even though Sam had admitted he didn’t care for it. He preferred she wear tailored outfits in more subdued colors, especially when she accompanied him to Chamber dinners or other business functions. She didn’t really mind.

When it came to attending church, however, she wanted to feel uplifted, joyful. Bright colors helped her do that. So did singing. When the organ, piano and choir voices filled the sanctuary with heavenly music, she was transported to a time of carefree childhood, when her family had been intact and she hadn’t imagined she’d one day feel so alone. So abandoned. So…

Oh, stop! Belinda ordered in disgust. You’re being ridiculous. You have much more to be thankful for than a lot of people do. You should be ashamed of yourself.

She truly was ashamed. After all, she still had Eloise and a whole church-full of dear friends, not to mention the other people in Serenity who cared about her. It was a wonderful place. Even with its small town politics and petty rivalries it beat living in a big city, where most neighbors didn’t even know each other’s names. Or care to learn them.

Sam’s voice jarred her reverie as he wheeled the Camaro into the church parking lot. “Well, we’re here. What are you thinking about? You looked awfully serious just now.”

“Serenity,” Belinda said, smiling. “The town, not the frame of mind. Sometimes I can hardly believe how perfect this place is.”

“Hold that thought,” he teased. “It’s excellent PR for the Chamber of Commerce.”

“I know.” She looped her purse strap over one arm, cradled her Bible and got out. “Remember that the next time I ask for a raise.”

“I will.” As they started for the large, redbrick church he offered her his arm, waited until she took it, then leaned closer to add, “Of course, if you were my wife, you wouldn’t have to worry about working.”

Belinda decided it was wisest to treat his comment lightly. She batted her lashes, gazed at him melodramatically and said, “Oh, sugar pie, you mean I’d get to stay home with all twelve of our kids?”

Sam’s resulting chuckle sounded more like choking than laughing. “How about we start with one or two?” He raised an eyebrow. “Or were you kidding?”

Stifling a giggle she told him, “I was kidding. I can’t believe you thought I was serious.”

“I never know with you. Your moods can be really hard to read sometimes.”

“Oh?” Belinda was about to ask for clarification when she felt a tingle at the nape of her neck. She shivered. Looked back. A dignified man wearing dark glasses and driving a shiny black Lexus was pulling into the parking lot. She didn’t have to stare to know it was Paul Randall.

Her ire rose. How dare he follow her to church!

Inside the sanctuary, Belinda tried to forget who she’d seen arriving. She and Sam were seated in the third row, as usual. Since she couldn’t see Paul in front of her, she assumed he had to be somewhere behind. Was he far away? Close by? If she peeked over her shoulder, would she spot him? Catch him watching her so she could give him an appropriately disapproving look in return? The thought of meeting his intense gaze sent a frisson of electricity zinging up her spine.

The congregation stood for the first hymn. Sam offered to share his hymnbook, but Belinda didn’t need it. She’d memorized the words to most of the songs as a child because if her father’s church door had been open, she and her mother were expected to be there. Truth to tell, she hadn’t concentrated on her father’s sermons nearly as well as she should have. The beautiful, inspiring music, however, had always captured and held her attention.

“Blessed assurance…” Voice clear and sweet, she sang the first few words, then suddenly quieted. Directly behind her an accomplished baritone was harmonizing with so much feeling and skill it took her breath away. He sounded familiar. Acting on impulse, she glanced over her shoulder, certain she had to be mistaken. She wasn’t. Paul Randall was standing in the next row back, singing his heart out!

“…of glory divine…” Sam elbowed her and thrust the open hymnal at her again. Hands trembling, Belinda grasped one side of it and stared at the printed page. Looking at the words didn’t help a bit. Her mind was whirling so fast she couldn’t focus. All she could do was listen in awe.

It was like a miracle! Paul sounded as if he really meant what the song was saying. Whenever she’d managed to drag him into church as a teen he’d acted so sullen he hadn’t even opened his mouth, let alone shown any musical talent. What a magnificent voice he had! She could listen to singing like that all day and never tire of it.

The hymn ended. Belinda followed Sam’s lead and quietly sat down, but her spirit was still soaring. Paul’s voice had touched every nerve in her body, echoed from the corners of her heart and lifted her soul to a higher plane.

What a shame he isn’t in the choir, she thought absently. Logic immediately contradicted the notion. Bad idea. It would strain her already tenuous emotions if she had to see Paul sitting with the other members of the choir every Sunday. Good thing he didn’t actually live around here! Imagining him as an active member of her church was probably nothing more than emotional regression, she reasoned, wishful thinking left over from her youth.

Taking a shaky breath, Belinda decided that was exactly what was happening. At eighteen, she’d hoped and prayed that Paul would join her father’s church, settle down and become a productive member of the community, someone she could introduce to everyone, including her dad, without feeling she had to make excuses.

Now, all that had changed. She had matured. Her father had died. Whether or not Paul Randall had truly bettered himself was no longer her concern. If he hadn’t returned to Serenity she might never even have thought of him again.

Her conscience immediately disagreed, forming a stern but silent, Ha! Focusing on the stained-glass window behind the preacher, she escaped into silent prayer.

Oh, Father, forgive me. You’ve blessed me so much. Why can’t I be satisfied and thankful and not want things that are bad for me? Sighing, she added, Things like Paul Randall.

As if the timing were preordained, the congregation began to sing a second hymn. There was no way Belinda could fight the emotional impact that Paul’s impressive voice had on her, so she gave up trying. Closing her eyes, she drank in the deep vibrations the way the thirsty Ozark hills soaked up the first spring rains.

When she finally opened her eyes, Sam was staring at her as if she’d just committed an unpardonable sin.

In a way, she agreed with him.

Paul decided to linger in the parking lot outside the church and lay in wait for Belinda and Sam after the service concluded. When he’d chosen a seat behind them he’d convinced himself he was only doing it to force Belinda to introduce him to Sam. That was partially true. He did want to meet the doctor for the first time on a social level so he could size him up better.

What Paul hadn’t anticipated, however, was how being so close to Belinda for a whole hour would affect him. Or how his thoughts would wander and his perception intensify whenever he looked her way.

He noticed she was wearing her hair shorter these days. It lay smoother and curved under gently, just touching her shoulders, with the sides tucked behind her ears. Delicate pearl earrings reflected the shimmering blue of her dress. The color was like sunlight reflecting on rippling water. It reminded him of the summer days they’d walked along the banks of the Strawberry River, holding hands and stealing kisses. At that time, he’d assumed they were simply seeking privacy, which was just fine with him. The more chances he could get to kiss her, to hold her, the better. In retrospect, he supposed Belinda had wanted to go to private places like that because she’d been ashamed to be seen in public with him.

And speaking of public, Paul mused, she and her boyfriend had just come out of the church and were headed his way. He purposely stepped forward to block their path. When Belinda looked at him their eyes met. Held. Paul called upon his battle-seasoned courtroom smile. “Good morning, Ms. Carnes.”

Cheeks reddening, she mumbled, “Good morning.”

He continued to smile amiably. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your friend?”

Why not? Maybe then Paul would believe she and Sam were a steady couple and leave her alone, like she’d asked. Belinda managed to tear her gaze from Paul’s long enough to look over her shoulder at Sam. “Dr. Sam Barryman, Paul Randall.”

Paul was the first to reach out. “Pleased to meet you.” He wondered for a long moment if the doctor was going to refuse to shake his hand.

“Same here,” Sam finally said, grasping his hand firmly, briefly. “You’re that lawyer, aren’t you? I’d heard you were in town.”

Paul chuckled. “I imagine everybody has. Word travels pretty fast around here. Actually, I came to advise my aunts on the sale of their property.” Striking a deliberately casual pose, he shrugged. “But I guess you know that, too.” When Sam didn’t comment, he went on. “Folks tell me you’ve managed to make a place for yourself in Serenity. That’s not an easy thing to do. Congratulations.”

“Thanks.” Sam slid his arm around Belinda’s waist and urged her away. “Well, nice to have met you, Randall.”

“Same here.” A cynical smile lifted one corner of Paul’s mouth. Now that he’d met the doctor, he had the advantage, which was how he liked it. Sam Barryman was a smooth operator. Everything about him looked good—his professional demeanor, his expensive suit, his perfectly styled hair…the home-town girl he was courting. But something about him wasn’t quite right. When Paul had looked into his eyes he’d seen a brief flash of wariness that didn’t belong there, assuming the man was as honest as his reputation implied.

Thoughtful, Paul watched him hurry Belinda away. For a guy who had nothing to hide, good old Sam sure was in a rush to leave. Maybe it was time to press him a little harder and see how he reacted. He started after the retreating couple.

Belinda disengaged herself from Sam’s possessive grasp as they approached his car. “What’s the matter with you?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

She saw him glance toward the church, so she did the same. Her heart skipped a beat. Paul was rapidly following them! Could Sam be getting jealous, just like Gramma Eloise had predicted? It sure seemed like it. And by the way, where was Eloise? She rarely missed a Sunday service.

Paul slowed as he approached. “Whew. I didn’t realize how muggy it was out here.” He shed his suit jacket and loosened his tie as he smiled at Belinda. “I meant to tell you, that dress looks great on you. It reminds me of summer days like today.”

Since Sam was standing so close, it was easier to relax and casually accept the compliment. “Thanks. It’s a favorite of mine.”

“I can see why.”

Behind her, Sam opened the car door. “Belinda?”

“Sorry,” Paul said quickly. “Don’t let me keep you. We can always arrange a time to get together later and talk.”

Belinda couldn’t believe his arrogance! She’d innocently acknowledged one comment about her dress and he immediately assumed that was all it took to win her over. What conceit! She stiffened defensively. “I told you before, Paul. I don’t think you and I should have anything more to do with each other.”

He nodded. “I’m afraid you misunderstood me. I meant that Dr. Barryman and I needed to have a private talk. I suppose it is inevitable that I’ll bump into you again, though. This is a pretty small town.” The corners of his mouth lifted in a smug-looking smile. “Tell you what. I promise to do everything I can to avoid you. How’s that sound?”

“Wonderful.” Feeling like an idiot, Belinda shaded her eyes and focused her attention on Sam. “Okay. What’s going on here? Why does Paul want to talk to you in private? I’m starting to feel like I’ve come in halfway through a complicated movie and can’t make sense out of the plot.”

She saw the doctor set his jaw stubbornly, so she turned back to Paul. “Well? I’m waiting. Which one of you is going to fill me in?”

“I have no objection,” Paul said, maintaining his casual air. “It has to do with the sale of the Whitaker estate.”

“Why do you need to talk to Sam about that?”

“Because your boyfriend, here, is up to his eyeballs in the deal. I’m surprised he didn’t tell you.”

Frowning, Belinda said, “So am I.” It was bad enough that Sam was keeping an important secret from her. To learn about it from smug, gloating Paul Randall was much worse.

At that moment, if someone had asked her to choose which of the two men was more irritating, she’d have been hard-pressed to decide.

By the time Sam dropped her off at home, Belinda had managed to find out very little about his plans. All he’d say was that he had some wealthy silent partners whose interests he needed to protect, and that what he was trying to accomplish would be good for Serenity. She’d been around him long enough to know he couldn’t be badgered into revealing more details until he was ready.

Since he hadn’t offered to take her out for Sunday dinner the way he usually did, she assumed he was miffed. Well, too bad. If he expected her to ever consider him husband material, he was going to have to accept the fact that she expected to be treated as an equal partner in any serious relationship.

She opened the passenger door and stepped out as soon as Sam stopped his car in her driveway. “Thanks for the ride.”

He leaned across the seat. “Belinda?”

Pausing, she bent down to see what he wanted.

“Is it true?” he asked.

“Is what true?”

“You and Randall. I’d heard a few rumors but I didn’t pay much attention to them. I figured you’d never go for a guy like that. I mean, his father was a bum with a prison record, wasn’t he?”

Belinda’s stomach tightened, though not from hunger. “Paul’s father was an auto mechanic when we met. What the man may have done before he and Paul moved to Serenity is none of my business.” Or yours.

“And they lived in a shack out behind Butch’s gas station where the old man worked?”

“It was a trailer, not a shack,” she answered. “It was the best poor Mr. Randall could do, under the circumstances. Paul worked odd jobs to help out….” She paused, then added, “Until he went away to college.”

“I’ve heard all about the night he left,” Sam said, “but I won’t go into that because I don’t want to bring up memories that are painful for you.”

Oh, right, Belinda thought. As if you haven’t already. “Why are you asking me so much about Paul?”

“I’ve found it pays to know my enemies.”

“Paul’s not your enemy. Besides, there’s absolutely nothing between us. Not anymore.”

Sam began to smile at her. “I know that, honey. I just wanted to see if you were in a good position to help me out. I think you are.”

“Help you? How?”

“I need to find out what Randall’s plans are for the Whitaker place and how close we are to coming to terms during negotiations.” His grin grew. “If you and I work together, we’ll have a definite advantage.”

Belinda refused to believe he was asking her to become some kind of amateur spy. Sam would never do that. He might be overly practical but he wasn’t nefarious.

“What I have in mind is for the good of Serenity,” Sam added. “I promise. You’ll see. The whole town will benefit.”

“From what?”

Chuckling, Sam straightened, making her bend lower to look him in the eye. “Oh, no, you don’t. I’ll let you in on my plan when the time comes. Until then, it’s my little secret. All you have to do is be your charming self and report whatever Randall tells you about my project.”

“Didn’t you hear what I said to Paul this morning? I never intend to see him again, let alone talk to him.”

Sam looked triumphant. “On the contrary. You’re going to see Randall this coming Wednesday night.”

“I am? How? Where?” Her heart began to pound at the thought. The sticky afternoon air no longer seemed to contain enough oxygen, no matter how rapidly she breathed.

“At the business dinner I told you about last week. We’ll be representing the Chamber, remember?”

“Yes, but…”

“I guess I forgot to mention that it’s at the Whitaker house. That location wouldn’t have been my choice, but we’ll make the best of it. Now that I’ve seen what kind of man Randall is, I’m certain he’ll be there.” He paused and slipped the car into gear. “I know he said he liked that dress, but wear that simple black dress of yours instead, so he keeps his mind on the deal, will you? I’ll pick you up Wednesday at six-thirty sharp.”

As Belinda watched him drive away, she was surprised how aggravated she was. Sam’s attitude made her feel like blurting out a few colorful phrases that had never before passed her lips. She wouldn’t do it, of course. It was wrong to curse, even if what she said didn’t actually take the Lord’s name in vain.

But after the morning she’d just had, she certainly understood what drove people to say such things!

Boy, did she.

Chapter Three

Restless, Belinda immediately changed from the teal dress to shorts and a loose shirt, then walked over to her grandmother’s house rather than phoning to see why she hadn’t been in church that morning. Eloise had ventured into the garden in spite of her sore ankle and was carefully watering a bed of new seedlings. She smiled a greeting.

Belinda pushed her bangs off her forehead. “Whew. I can see why you’re out here watering. It’s sure hot today.”

“No kidding.”

“So, what’s new? How come you missed church?”

“I didn’t miss it.” Eloise shot her a brief glance, then squeezed the trigger of the sprayer again and went back to watching the spritzing water.

“You were there this morning? I didn’t see you.”

“I sat way in the back with Verleen and Miss Mercy. We get a much better view of all the goings-on from there. And now that the church has those hearing assistance doodads, we don’t have to be so close to the front to keep from missing the important stuff.”

Eyes twinkling, Belinda gibed, “You three never miss a thing, and you know it. I’m surprised you don’t sit up in the sound booth and train binoculars on the rest of the congregation through that little window.”

“Ooh, good idea!”

“I thought you’d like it.”

Eloise waited a moment, then said, “So, tell me all about your morning.”

“It was interesting, to say the least.” Belinda blew a noisy breath. “Paul Randall showed up in church, but I’m sure you know that already. I don’t understand why he didn’t just go to services with his aunts.”

“And have to choose whether to go to Patience’s big, fancy church over in East Serenity, or Pru’s little one? That’s a no-win situation. The boy’s not crazy.”

“He’s also not a boy anymore.” She pulled a face. “You were right about Sam getting jealous of him.”

“Aha! I knew it. Wonderful!”

“Not exactly,” Belinda said cynically. “I don’t think I like Sam as well when he’s acting so possessive.”

“Nonsense. That’s a man’s way of showing you he cares. They’re not very good at putting it into words, you know.”

Belinda shook her head. “No, I don’t know. Dad was always hugging Mom and telling her he loved her. He used to hug people in his congregation, too. I don’t remember him doing it much after Mom died, though.” She hesitated, then decided to go on. “At home, he acted like he was mad at me all the time. I would have given anything to get one of his big bear hugs in those days.”

“Oh, honey…” Eloise laid aside the sprayer and enfolded her in a motherly embrace. “Your daddy didn’t mean anything by it. He was just hurting and afraid.”

“Afraid?” She stepped back to study her grandmother’s expression. “Of what? He was always preaching about the strength we should draw from our Christian faith. How could he have been afraid?”

“Because he was human. Preachers are, you know. I think he pulled away from everybody because he couldn’t bear to be hurt again.” She caressed Belinda’s cheek. “He loved you very, very much. That was why he acted so strict about everything. He was just trying to protect you.”

Sniffling, Belinda made a wry face. “Well, it worked. I’m probably the only twenty-seven-year-old virgin in Serenity…or in the world, for that matter.” The rosy color rising on Eloise’s cheeks made her laugh.

The older woman giggled, too. “I don’t know how you’ve managed to avoid getting carried away.” The pink in her cheeks darkened, and her eyes were bright. “I was a very respectable girl, but I’m not sure I could have resisted your grandpa much longer than I did. We were too much in love to want to wait.”

Belinda sighed, shrugged. “I suppose that’s the key. Love, I mean. Sam says I’m a prude. He’s right.”

“You haven’t been tempted?”

“Some,” Belinda admitted. “But we always managed to stop before it was too late.”

“Was Sam upset? Men have very fragile egos, you know.”

With a smirk and a quick shake of her head, Belinda looked bravely into Eloise’s eyes. “Sam didn’t have a thing to do with it,” she said. “He wasn’t the man I was with when it happened.”

Belinda would never forget the night she and Paul had almost stepped across the line. The balmy spring evening was so lovely it was as if it had been made especially for lovers. For them. She’d ridden close behind him on his motorcycle, reveling in the perfect opportunity to wrap her arms around his waist and lay her cheek against his back.

Paul had pulled over just outside Sylamore, on a bluff overlooking the river. Reluctantly, she’d released her hold on him and they’d strolled hand in hand toward an immense, flat-topped boulder at the edge of the scenic-view parking area.

Sighing, she’d said, “Look how clear the sky is. You can even see the Milky Way tonight.”

He’d drawn her into his embrace then, and kissed her soundly, passionately. “All I want to look at is you.”

Weak in the knees, she’d slipped her arms around his neck and held tight. “Oh, Paul. I love you so much.”

“I love you, too, Belinda. I just wish…”

“What?” she whispered against his lips.

“Let’s go sit down.” Paul led her to the boulder, climbed it and reached to pull her up beside him. He took off his leather jacket and spread it out. “Here. Sit on this so you don’t get your clothes all dirty.”

So filled with happiness she thought she’d burst, Belinda did as he asked and snuggled as close to him as she could get. She’d just begun to imagine what it would be like to spend the rest of her life in Paul’s arms when he said, “I may be going away soon.”

That was unthinkable! “No!” Throwing herself at him, Belinda held on as if he were bidding her a final goodbye that very night. “You can’t leave. You can’t. Please don’t go!” Frantic, she threaded her fingers through his long, thick hair and began raining kisses over his face, his neck, his chest.

Paul had managed to keep his youthful urges pretty much under control until that moment. She heard him moan and felt his hands start to rove over her back, then come up under her arms to touch her where no one else ever had.

“Run away with me,” Paul begged, an emotional catch in his voice. “Marry me, Belinda. Marry me.”

She’d almost said yes to more than marriage that night. Breathing hard, her heart pounding, she’d fought her own desires until the immense effort had brought tears to her eyes. One kiss, one forbidden touch, had led to another and another and another.

That was when she’d opened her eyes, looked at the canopy of stars, recognized God’s magnificent handiwork and been reminded of her vow to her Heavenly Father. Somehow, she’d mustered the strength of will to push Paul away in spite of his protests.

To this day, she didn’t know how she’d talked herself into it.

Paul spent the next two days shuttling between Serenity and his office in Harrison, checking tax records and trying to find out if Sam Barryman had the financial backing he claimed. By late Tuesday afternoon he was back in Serenity, waiting for his secretary to call with more information. He poured himself a tall glass of the lemonade his aunts had made and took it out to their front porch.

Prattling, Patience trailed him. “Can you believe it? She went shopping and was so late for her hair appointment she had to go straight to Angela’s!”

“Who? Aunt Prudence?” He tipped the frosted glass and drank half its tangy contents.

“Of course. Who else is the bane of my existence? I made her the appointment because I wanted us both to look decent for tomorrow night. Oh, the lovely parties our family used to host in this very house. And now we’ll get to do it again, right here, one last time.”

“It’s not exactly a party,” Paul reminded her. “It’s a business dinner.”

Patience flipped a hand in the air, bracelets jingling. “Oh, who cares. We’re entertaining. That’s all that matters to me. You’re such a sweetheart to offer to pay for it all.” She patted his arm and smiled wistfully. “I can’t wait to get my money out of this old place and take off on a world cruise.”

“It might be best to invest the profits and use the interest instead of dipping into the principle.”

“Oh, pooh,” Patience said. “My sister can stick around here and sulk away her life if she wants to. I’m going to get out and have some fun.” She smoothed her cap of silver hair. “Which reminds me. Since Prudence has our station wagon, can you give me a lift to the beauty salon?”

Paul checked his watch. “In another half hour or so. I’m waiting for an important call. I told my secretary I could be reached at your number.”

“Oh! Oh, dear. I’m afraid that won’t do. I have to be there in fifteen minutes,” she said, casting him a bright grin. “I have an idea. I can borrow your car.”

Paul nearly strangled on his lemonade. “My new Lexus?”

“Yes! I’ve always wanted to drive a beautiful car like that. It’ll be the thrill of my life.” Displaying a pitiful expression she said, “I don’t have a lot of time left to collect great experiences like that, you know.”

What could he say when she put it that way? Patience’s reflexes still seemed keen enough to cope with a short trip across town. She was quick-witted and sprightly, which made her seem more youthful than her twin, even though Prudence always stressed that she was eleven minutes younger.

Sighing in resignation, he reached into his pocket and held out his keys. “Promise you’ll be careful?”

She drew an imaginary X across her chest with a long, lacquered fingernail. “I promise. Now be a dear and back it out for me, will you? I have trouble judging distances in those fancy mirrors.”

“How do you know you do?”

Patience giggled behind her hand. “I’m afraid I’ve been naughty. I’ve been sitting in your lovely black car and pretending to drive it.” She clapped her hands. “This time, I won’t have to pretend!”

Paul rolled his eyes and sighed. Great-Aunt Patience certainly knew how to get whatever she wanted. In her prime, she must have been a real femme fatale. He couldn’t help wondering why she and her twin had turned out so differently.

“Prudence tells me Patience is having the whole affair catered,” Eloise informed Belinda when she stopped by after work the following Tuesday. “All except for my special carrot cake. Pru wanted me to make one as a surprise.”

“Great. If dinner’s no good, I’ll just wait for dessert and fill up on your delicious cake.”

Grinning broadly, Eloise got up and started for the kitchen. She was limping noticeably. Belinda frowned. “How’s your ankle?”

“Fine. It hardly bothers me at all if I stay off it. Just makes me mad is all. I’d like it better if I didn’t have to act my age.”

“Sixty-five isn’t old,” Belinda argued. “What if you were in your eighties like the Whitaker twins? Besides, since when did you act your age?”

Eloise laughed. “Probably never. I suppose that’s what keeps me feeling so young. At least most of the time.” Wincing, she plopped down in a kitchen chair and pointed to the refrigerator. “I’ve got to sit a spell. The cake’s in there. Take a peek.”

Opening the refrigerator door, Belinda immediately spotted the lavish dessert and lifted it out with great care. “Oh, it’s beautiful! You really outdid yourself this time.”

“I wanted it to be extra nice so I used slivered almonds and made a sweet cream cheese icing. Putting it on that footed glass plate dresses it up a lot, too.” She carefully propped her ankle on the chair next to her. “So, can you deliver it for me?”

“Me?” Belinda’s heart did a back flip and landed in a lump in her throat. “When?”

“Well, I suppose you could take it with you when you and Sam go to dinner at the Whitakers’, but it would be much better if it was already there when the caterers arrive. That way, we can be sure Pru won’t be disappointed.”

Reflecting upon the time of day and the fact that the spinster sisters would undoubtedly be home, Belinda got control of her vivid imagination and forced herself to calm down. Paul had kept his promise to avoid her. She hadn’t seen him since Sunday morning. There was no reason to assume he’d be at his aunts’. And even if he was, so what? The problem wasn’t Paul, it was her.

“Okay,” Belinda said with a nod. “I can drop it by on my way to the city council meeting.”

“Uh-oh. I forgot this was Tuesday. No wonder you didn’t change your clothes after work. Never mind, dear. I’ll take it myself.”

“No, you won’t. You’ll stay right where you are and rest that ankle. Is there anything else you need before I leave?”

“No. I’m fine. I’ll have a pizza delivered for supper. Stop by after the meeting if you like and we can share the leftovers.”

Belinda chuckled. “Are you sure? The way those meetings drag on it could be midnight before I’m free.”

“I don’t mind a late visit as long as it’s you,” Eloise said fondly.

Carefully balancing the cake, Belinda leaned sideways to kiss her grandmother on the cheek. “Wow. Love and pizza. An unbeatable combination. I have the perfect life.”

“I think you’ll find there’s a little more to a perfect life than that.”

“Oh, I hope not.” Belinda made the exchange into a silly joke to keep from taking herself too seriously. “I was just getting the pepperoni part figured out.”

Belinda parked her white Tercel on the tree-lined street in front of the Whitaker house, immensely relieved to see that there was no black Lexus in the narrow driveway. She closed her eyes and whispered, “Thank you, God.”

Not that she was scared of running into Paul. She just saw no reason to face him again unless she was forced to. Clearly, the Lord agreed, because the man was gone.

Balancing the heavy glass cake plate, Belinda detoured around an overgrown cedar and made her way along the side of the dilapidated old house. A fat yellow cat sat in the middle of the back porch, licking its paw to wash its face and regally ignoring her presence.

Belinda didn’t want to put the cake down or balance it in one hand to knock on the kitchen door so she called through the screen. “Miss Prudence? I brought your cake.”

No one answered. By nudging the bottom of the warped wooden frame with the toe of her shoe, she was able to pry the screen door open and duck through safely before it banged shut behind her. Except for the tabby cat roosting on top of the refrigerator and the black-and-white kittens playing with a catnip mouse under the table, the house seemed deserted.

“Oh, well. No problem,” Belinda told herself, easily deciding what to do. She’d just tuck the cake into the refrigerator where it belonged and be on her way. That would preserve the freshness of the cream cheese icing and also keep the house cats from helping themselves to a taste after she left.

She yanked open the refrigerator door. Her jaw dropped. So did a package of wilted lettuce and a roll of premade biscuits. The cardboard cylinder around the biscuits popped open as it hit the floor. Startled, Belinda almost made the terrible mistake of jeopardizing the cake in her efforts to stem the avalanche.

At her feet, biscuit dough was slowly expanding through the break in the package. One of the black-and-white kittens was sneaking up on it as if it were dangerous prey. Looking from the crammed refrigerator shelves to the large, footed glass plate, Belinda muttered, “What in the world am I going to do with this?”

Her gaze centered on the odd bowls and half-empty packages of food she could see near the front of the shelves. Could she ever clear a big enough place? Maybe. In an hour or so. Give or take a day.

One thing was certain. She was going to be late for the council meeting.

Paul was upstairs, on the phone to his secretary, when he thought he heard the back door slam. Relieved, he assumed Patience had finally brought his car home.

As soon as he finished his conversation he started downstairs to give her a chance to tell him about the fun she’d had with his poor Lexus. It was insured, of course, but that didn’t mean he’d welcome a dented fender. Or a dented great-aunt!

His running shoes made little sound on the carpet. It wasn’t until he was almost to the kitchen that he heard the soft singing of a woman. That wasn’t Patience. Or Prudence. It sounded like… Belinda?

Slowing his pace, Paul approached with caution. After her insistence that she didn’t want to see or talk to him, Belinda couldn’t possibly be there. It had to be a trick of his imagination. Or a singing burglar with a high, sweet voice, he countered, purposely mocking himself.

He reached the doorway. There was no need to look. Now that he was close enough to hear every word of her gospel song, he was certain his visitor was Belinda Carnes. But why? What was she up to? And why give herself away by making unnecessary noise?

Frowning, Paul leaned against the doorjamb, silently watching her. She was poking around in the refrigerator, a no-man’s-land if he’d ever encountered one. Open bowls, cups and plates were stacked on the closest end of the counter. Wrapped packages of food were piled high on a chair she’d pulled over beside her and she was cautiously sniffing the contents of a large Mason jar, apparently checking them for freshness.

He waited until he thought she was about to step back, then calmly said, “Hello.”

Belinda screeched, jumped and whirled around, all at the same time. The quart jar she’d been holding slipped out of her grasp. It hit the floor flat on its bottom, broke and spurted spaghetti sauce straight up in the air like a garlic-flavored geyser. What didn’t get on her splattered all over the chair, cabinets and floor.

Heart pounding, she confronted Paul. “What did you do that for!”

“Me?” It was all he could do to keep from bursting into laughter. “I’m not the one who got caught raiding somebody else’s refrigerator.”

“I wasn’t raiding it!”

“Oh? It looks to me like you were.” He gestured toward the food she’d spread out. “What’s all that?”

“It’s…” Her anger increased when she saw the runny red splotches dotting everything, from the floor to the top of the counter and beyond. “A mess.”

“That’s true.”

“This is not funny, Paul.”

“Oh, I don’t know.” A broad grin was spread across his face. “It looks pretty funny from over here.”

“Oh, yeah? Well, it doesn’t from where I’m standing, and I’ll thank you to butt out.”

He shrugged nonchalantly. “Okay. If that’s what you want. I suppose it won’t hurt the floor much more if you walk over to the sink to get the paper towels yourself.” With a chuckle he added, “You might want to slip your shoes off first, though. I hope they were red to start with.”

“No. They were white,” Belinda snapped, disgusted. “White linen. And new. I’ll probably have to throw them away now.”

“Not to mention chucking a lot of the stuff on the chair,” he said, pointing.

“I can’t do that. It’s not mine.” Worried, she surveyed the chaos, unsure where to begin.

“Well, I can,” Paul said firmly. “I’ve been looking for a good excuse to dump a lot of those scraps before my aunts make the mistake of eating them and wind up with food poisoning. Wait there. I’ll go get a big trash can from outside.”

He returned almost immediately and set a black rubber trash can at the perimeter of the exploding sauce circle. “Here you go.”

“Thanks.” Belinda’s conscience was really starting to bother her. She’d snapped at Paul and told him she didn’t want to even talk to him, yet here he was, volunteering to help. “It’s really nice of you to pitch in like this.”

“I beg your pardon?” Arms folded across his chest, he stood back and stared at her.

She didn’t like the shrewd look in his eyes or his posture of authority. “You were going to help me.”

“I don’t think I said that, exactly.” The corners of his mouth lifted in a sly smile. “I believe I said I’d bring you a can. I did. I trust you to decide what’s worth keeping and what should be tossed out.” He raised one hand as if administering an oath. “I hereby promote you from refrigerator raider to garbage sorter. Go for it. Get busy. I’ll just watch.”

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