Sherryl Woods - Dream Mender

New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods brings readers a beloved tale of hope and second chances

When a tragic fire landed Frank in the hospital, all he wanted was to be left alone. His hands were injured, the very way he made his living destroyed. How could he face life—or his sprawling, well-meaning family—again?

Then Jenny Michaels waltzed into his room and claimed she was going to bully and badger him until he got on the road to recovery. The pretty, pert occupational therapist claimed she, too, had faced adversity—and won! And though Frank said he didn’t want her pity, he knew deep down that Jenny was a dream come true…and perhaps in more ways than one.

Praise for New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Sherryl Woods

“Sherryl Woods writes emotionally satisfying novels about family, friendship and home. Truly feel-great reads!”

—#1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Debbie Macomber

“Sweetly satisfying, clever characters and snappy, realistic dialogue…a delightful read.”

— Publishers Weekly on About That Man

“Woods is a master heartstring puller.”

— Publishers Weekly on Seaview Inn

Praise for bestselling author Allison Leigh

“Allison Leigh’s honest, beautifully rendered story doesn’t depend on any tried-and-true plot devices, and it’s a joy to read.”

— RT Book Reviews on All He Ever Wanted

“A love story packed with emotion…Ms. Leigh gracefully moves her richly textured characters through a plethora of emotions.”

— RT Book Reviews on Stay…

SHERRYL WOODS

With her roots firmly planted in the South, Sherryl Woods has written many of her more than 100 books in that distinctive setting, whether her home state of Virginia, her adopted state, Florida, or her much adored South Carolina. She’s also especially partial to small towns, wherever they may be. Dream Mender is a rare foray into a West Coast setting, but Woods’s distinctive heartfelt emotions are still very much at the core of the story.

A member of Novelists Inc., Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America, Sherryl divides her time between her childhood summer home overlooking the Potomac River in Colonial Beach, Virginia, and her oceanfront home, with its lighthouse view, in Key Biscayne, Florida. “Wherever I am, if there’s no water in sight, I get a little antsy,” she says. Sherryl also loves hearing from readers. You can join her at her blog, www.JustBetweenFriendsBlog.com, visit her Web site at www.SherrylWoods.comor contact her directly at Sherryl703@gmail.com.

Dream Mender

Sherryl Woods

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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For Karon Gorham, with thanks for her insights and technical expertise and for sensitive burn-unit experts everywhere

Cover

Back Cover Text New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods brings readers a beloved tale of hope and second chances When a tragic fire landed Frank in the hospital, all he wanted was to be left alone. His hands were injured, the very way he made his living destroyed. How could he face life—or his sprawling, well-meaning family—again? Then Jenny Michaels waltzed into his room and claimed she was going to bully and badger him until he got on the road to recovery. The pretty, pert occupational therapist claimed she, too, had faced adversity—and won! And though Frank said he didn’t want her pity, he knew deep down that Jenny was a dream come true…and perhaps in more ways than one.

Praise Praise for New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Sherryl Woods “Sherryl Woods writes emotionally satisfying novels about family, friendship and home. Truly feel-great reads!” —#1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Debbie Macomber “Sweetly satisfying, clever characters and snappy, realistic dialogue…a delightful read.” — Publishers Weekly on About That Man “Woods is a master heartstring puller.” — Publishers Weekly on Seaview Inn Praise for bestselling author Allison Leigh “Allison Leigh’s honest, beautifully rendered story doesn’t depend on any tried-and-true plot devices, and it’s a joy to read.” — RT Book Reviews on All He Ever Wanted “A love story packed with emotion…Ms. Leigh gracefully moves her richly textured characters through a plethora of emotions.” — RT Book Reviews on Stay…

About the Author SHERRYL WOODS With her roots firmly planted in the South, Sherryl Woods has written many of her more than 100 books in that distinctive setting, whether her home state of Virginia, her adopted state, Florida, or her much adored South Carolina. She’s also especially partial to small towns, wherever they may be. Dream Mender is a rare foray into a West Coast setting, but Woods’s distinctive heartfelt emotions are still very much at the core of the story. A member of Novelists Inc., Sisters in Crime and Romance Writers of America, Sherryl divides her time between her childhood summer home overlooking the Potomac River in Colonial Beach, Virginia, and her oceanfront home, with its lighthouse view, in Key Biscayne, Florida. “Wherever I am, if there’s no water in sight, I get a little antsy,” she says. Sherryl also loves hearing from readers. You can join her at her blog, www.JustBetweenFriendsBlog.com , visit her Web site at www.SherrylWoods.com or contact her directly at Sherryl703@gmail.com .

Title Page Dream Mender Sherryl Woods www.millsandboon.co.uk

Dedication For Karon Gorham, with thanks for her insights and technical expertise and for sensitive burn-unit experts everywhere

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Copyright

Frank Chambers prowled the narrow hospital room, feeling like a foul-tempered bear awakening from hibernation with a thorn in its paw. He stared at his own bandaged hands and muttered an oath that would have curled his mother’s hair and earned him a sharp rap across his already-injured knuckles. He wanted to smash something, but settled for violently kicking a chair halfway across the hospital room. It skidded into the pale blue wall with a satisfying crash, but did nothing to improve his overall mood. His mother, a wise woman with little sympathy for self-pity, would have said it would have served him right if he’d broken his toe.

The door opened a cautious crack and yet another nurse peered in, an expression of alarm on her face. “You okay?”

“Just dandy,” he growled.

When he didn’t throw anything, she visibly gathered her courage and stepped inside, marching over to his bed and folding her arms across her chest, assuming a stern posture clearly meant to intimidate. Considering her tiny size, it wouldn’t have been an effective stance even if he hadn’t been feeling surly.