Merrillee Whren - Second Chance Reunion

A Mom’s Redemption

Annie Payton’s lost everything she once held dear. The Village of Hope is her last chance to rebuild the life she’s frittered away so needlessly. But as she works to regain custody of her children, she never imagines an unlikely advocate in her corner—ex-husband Ian Montgomery. Ian’s always willing to help those down on their luck, but his ex-wife’s a different story. Her past betrayal is still a painful memory. As the Village’s lawyer, he’ll represent her—but that’s as far as he’ll allow his feelings to go. Can Annie show Ian that she’s changed in every way but one—the love she still has for him?

Village of Hope: A community built on love

“So here we are again.”

Annie turned, expecting a frown but finding a wry smile instead. “Yeah, probably not what you really want to be doing.”

“I didn’t say that.”

“But you were thinking it.”

“So now you’re a mind reader?” Ian raised his eyebrows.

“No.” She dropped her gaze. He always used to say that when she would tell him what he was supposedly thinking. Why did she have to keep remembering things from their past?

Ian headed for the door, then turned. “Let’s drop these documents off with Melody.”

Unlike Melody, he didn’t outpace Annie. Did he remember her short legs couldn’t keep up with his long strides? He used to call her “short stuff” and would stand with his chin resting on the top of her head to prove it. Another recollection. How was she going to overcome the constant barrage of memories?

“You know,” he said as they walked, “just because I think it’s better for someone else to represent you in court doesn’t mean I’m going to turn my back on you completely.”

He didn’t say it, but he might as well have finished the sentence with “like you did to me.”

MERRILLEE WHREN

is the winner of a 2003 Golden Heart Award, presented by Romance Writers of America, for best inspirational romance manuscript. In 2004 she made her first sale to Love Inspired Books. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas and Chicago but now makes her home on one of God’s most beautiful creations, an island off the east coast of Florida. When she’s not writing or working for her husband’s recruiting firm, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking the beach, where she does the plotting for her novels. Please visit her website, merrilleewhren.com.

Second Chance Reunion

Merrillee Whren

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Above all, love each other deeply,

because love covers over a multitude of sins.

—1 Peter 4:8

This book is dedicated to Bev and Dan Fritz, who spent many years working at Cookson Hills Christian Ministries. I would also like to thank Jeanette Soltys Quinlan for her help with family law in Georgia. All mistakes are mine.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Mom’s Redemption Annie Payton’s lost everything she once held dear. The Village of Hope is her last chance to rebuild the life she’s frittered away so needlessly. But as she works to regain custody of her children, she never imagines an unlikely advocate in her corner—ex-husband Ian Montgomery. Ian’s always willing to help those down on their luck, but his ex-wife’s a different story. Her past betrayal is still a painful memory. As the Village’s lawyer, he’ll represent her—but that’s as far as he’ll allow his feelings to go. Can Annie show Ian that she’s changed in every way but one—the love she still has for him? Village of Hope: A community built on love

Introduction “So here we are again.” Annie turned, expecting a frown but finding a wry smile instead. “Yeah, probably not what you really want to be doing.” “I didn’t say that.” “But you were thinking it.” “So now you’re a mind reader?” Ian raised his eyebrows. “No.” She dropped her gaze. He always used to say that when she would tell him what he was supposedly thinking. Why did she have to keep remembering things from their past? Ian headed for the door, then turned. “Let’s drop these documents off with Melody.” Unlike Melody, he didn’t outpace Annie. Did he remember her short legs couldn’t keep up with his long strides? He used to call her “short stuff” and would stand with his chin resting on the top of her head to prove it. Another recollection. How was she going to overcome the constant barrage of memories? “You know,” he said as they walked, “just because I think it’s better for someone else to represent you in court doesn’t mean I’m going to turn my back on you completely.” He didn’t say it, but he might as well have finished the sentence with “like you did to me.”

About the Author MERRILLEE WHREN is the winner of a 2003 Golden Heart Award, presented by Romance Writers of America, for best inspirational romance manuscript. In 2004 she made her first sale to Love Inspired Books. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty-plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas and Chicago but now makes her home on one of God’s most beautiful creations, an island off the east coast of Florida. When she’s not writing or working for her husband’s recruiting firm, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking the beach, where she does the plotting for her novels. Please visit her website, merrilleewhren.com .

Title Page Second Chance Reunion Merrillee Whren www.millsandboon.co.uk

Bible Verse Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. —1 Peter 4:8

Dedication This book is dedicated to Bev and Dan Fritz, who spent many years working at Cookson Hills Christian Ministries. I would also like to thank Jeanette Soltys Quinlan for her help with family law in Georgia. All mistakes are mine.

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

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Extract Конец ознакомительного фрагмента. Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес». Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес. Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

Copyright Конец ознакомительного фрагмента. Текст предоставлен ООО «ЛитРес». Прочитайте эту книгу целиком, купив полную легальную версию на ЛитРес. Безопасно оплатить книгу можно банковской картой Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, со счета мобильного телефона, с платежного терминала, в салоне МТС или Связной, через PayPal, WebMoney, Яндекс.Деньги, QIWI Кошелек, бонусными картами или другим удобным Вам способом.

Chapter One