Cynthia Thomason - The Bridesmaid Wore Sneakers

It takes courage to fall in love

To everyone in her rural Ohio community, Jude Foster O’Leary’s dead husband is a war hero. Yet how can she forgive him for choosing the military over his family when they needed him most? And now the charitable foundation she established in his name is in danger of going belly-up, until Liam Manning comes to the single mother’s rescue. But the financial adviser’s arrival in Dancing Falls wasn’t happenstance. Despite her attraction to the driven professional in his three-piece suit—and Liam’s winning way with her young son—Jude has to protect herself from this caring, contradictory man who takes dangerous risks. And from the treacherous feelings Liam’s awakening.

“Jude, I’m your man, financially speaking, if you’ll have me.”

She appeared uncertain, as if she was going to turn him down.

“I really do know what I’m doing. All you need to do is...give me a chance,” Liam finished.

And then she completely surprised him. “I guess I could.” She looked up into his eyes. “You really will try to understand, right?”

The question made her seem so vulnerable, as if she’d trusted before and her faith had disappointed her. Guilt stabbed him. He’d made a deal with her father even though he hadn’t been comfortable doing it. Liam didn’t like keeping secrets. And yet here he was, working undercover for Dr. Foster.

But why should he feel guilty? The foundation, and Jude, would benefit from his advice. And once he helped her, just maybe this normally strong, determined woman would accept an invitation for dinner.

An unexpected breeze kicked up from the woods. Strands of Jude’s hair tickled Liam’s nose.

Most likely she wouldn’t go out on a date with him. How could he forget that she loved another man?

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 CHAPTER FOURTEEN CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN CHAPTER TWENTY CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE EPILOGUE Extract Copyright ,

In my last book, I told the story of Alexis, the firstborn daughter in the series, The Daughters of Dancing Falls. As firstborn, much was expected of Alex, and she more than met expectations in grades and accomplishments.

In this book, I concentrate on Jude, the middle daughter, whose life was fraught with mistakes and risks. Writing this story, I thought a lot about middle children. Had my sister not died very young, I would have grown up a middle child. I discovered that middle children often act out, because they feel underappreciated or have a difficult time finding their niche in the family. But I also discovered one very interesting fact. If you look at pictures of three siblings, the middle child is usually in the middle of the photo. That should make the “middles” feel special. They are the center, the focus of the picture. “Middles” unite. You are the center of the family. You ground the others with your determination and will to stand out on your own merits.

I hope you enjoy this book about the middle child in the Foster family. I certainly enjoyed writing it for you.

I love to hear from readers. You may contact me at cynthoma@aol.com or visit my website, www.cynthiathomason.net.

Cynthia

Heartwarming

The BridesmaidWore Sneakers

Cynthia Thomason

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CYNTHIA THOMASON inherited her love of writing from her ancestors. Her father and grandmother both loved to write, and she aspired to continue the legacy. Cynthia studied English and journalism in college, and after a career as a high-school English teacher, she began writing novels. She discovered ideas for stories while searching through antiques stores and flea markets and as an auctioneer and estate buyer. Cynthia says every cast-off item from someone’s life can ignite the idea for a plot. She writes about small towns, big hearts and happy endings that are earned and not taken for granted. And as far as the legacy is concerned, just ask her son, the magazine journalist, if he believes.

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This book is dedicated to Lisa Beaumont, my rugged and beautiful stepdaughter, who, like the heroine in this book, finds as much comfort in the company of four-legged creatures as she does the two-legged variety.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text It takes courage to fall in love To everyone in her rural Ohio community, Jude Foster O’Leary’s dead husband is a war hero. Yet how can she forgive him for choosing the military over his family when they needed him most? And now the charitable foundation she established in his name is in danger of going belly-up, until Liam Manning comes to the single mother’s rescue. But the financial adviser’s arrival in Dancing Falls wasn’t happenstance. Despite her attraction to the driven professional in his three-piece suit—and Liam’s winning way with her young son—Jude has to protect herself from this caring, contradictory man who takes dangerous risks. And from the treacherous feelings Liam’s awakening.

Introduction “Jude, I’m your man, financially speaking, if you’ll have me.” She appeared uncertain, as if she was going to turn him down. “I really do know what I’m doing. All you need to do is...give me a chance,” Liam finished. And then she completely surprised him. “I guess I could.” She looked up into his eyes. “You really will try to understand, right?” The question made her seem so vulnerable, as if she’d trusted before and her faith had disappointed her. Guilt stabbed him. He’d made a deal with her father even though he hadn’t been comfortable doing it. Liam didn’t like keeping secrets. And yet here he was, working undercover for Dr. Foster. But why should he feel guilty? The foundation, and Jude, would benefit from his advice. And once he helped her, just maybe this normally strong, determined woman would accept an invitation for dinner. An unexpected breeze kicked up from the woods. Strands of Jude’s hair tickled Liam’s nose. Most likely she wouldn’t go out on a date with him. How could he forget that she loved another man?

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 CHAPTER FOURTEEN CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN CHAPTER TWENTY CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE EPILOGUE Extract Copyright , In my last book, I told the story of Alexis, the firstborn daughter in the series, The Daughters of Dancing Falls. As firstborn, much was expected of Alex, and she more than met expectations in grades and accomplishments. In this book, I concentrate on Jude, the middle daughter, whose life was fraught with mistakes and risks. Writing this story, I thought a lot about middle children. Had my sister not died very young, I would have grown up a middle child. I discovered that middle children often act out, because they feel underappreciated or have a difficult time finding their niche in the family. But I also discovered one very interesting fact. If you look at pictures of three siblings, the middle child is usually in the middle of the photo. That should make the “middles” feel special. They are the center, the focus of the picture. “Middles” unite. You are the center of the family. You ground the others with your determination and will to stand out on your own merits. I hope you enjoy this book about the middle child in the Foster family. I certainly enjoyed writing it for you. I love to hear from readers. You may contact me at cynthoma@aol.com or visit my website, www.cynthiathomason.net . Cynthia