Snowflake Sweethearts (Love Inspired) - Softcover

Turansky, Carrie

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0373816642 ISBN 13: 9780373816644

Publisher: Love Inspired Larger Print, 2012

Synopsis

Bringing her daughter to the one place she feels safe, single mother Annie Romano returns to Fairhaven, Washington. Though hoping to start a new life as a personal chef, Annie accepts a different job. Alex Jameson, the handsome man she secretly loved as a teenager, needs a live-in caregiver for his ailing grandmother. A big-city workaholic in town temporarily, Alex doesn't seem to realize how much he needs family—or love. But the holiday season, his grandmother's matchmaking friends and one fatherless little girl start pulling at both Annie's and Alex's heartstrings. Just in time for the most special Christmas ever.

About this title

About the Author:

Carrie Turansky is the author of fourteen inspirational romance novels and novellas and a winner of the Carol Award, International Digital Award, and Crystal Globe Award. Her latest Love Inspired release is Snowflake Sweethearts. Carrie lives in New Jersey with her husband, Scott. She leads women’s ministry at her church, and she enjoys gardening, reading, flower arranging, and cooking for friends and family. Her website is http://carrieturansky.com.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Annie Romano tucked the loose end of her red wool scarf into the front of her jacket and snuggled down into the soft lining. Puffing out a breath, she tried to warm her chilly face as she waited at the corner of Eleventh and Harris in the historic district of Fairhaven, Washington. A brisk, early-November breeze blew up the hill, carrying the fresh, salty scent of Bellingham Bay.

Clenching her hands in her pockets, she gazed across the street at Jameson's Bakery and lifted a silent prayer. Please, God, help me find a job. Not just for my sake, but also for Emma's.

With her stomach knotting in a tight ball, she stepped off the curb and crossed the street. It wasn't that she didn't want to see Irene Jameson, or that she was afraid to ask her for a job. The sweet, elderly owner of Jameson's Bakery had always treated her kindly. But seven years had passed since Annie left Fairhaven, and her life had taken some drastic turns since then.

What would Irene say about Annie's daughter, Emma?

A powerful mixture of love and guilt rose and battled in her heart, but love won. She pressed the guilt deeper away to deal with another time.

Straightening her shoulders, she pushed open the front door. A bell jingled overhead. The delicious scent of cinnamon and freshly baked bread filled the air. Her mouth watered, and sweet memories came flooding back.

It wasn't just Irene's kindness or the tempting bakery treats that had kept her working at Jameson's when she was a teenager. She'd had a huge crush on Irene's grandson, Alex, who also worked there. But Alex had left for college when she was only fifteen, long before she had the courage to tell him how she felt.

Regret burned her throat. She wished now that she'd made more of an effort to stay in touch with Alex and Irene. But when she'd left Fairhaven after high school, she hadn't thought she would ever come back.

Muted conversation drifted from the bakery kitchen. "Be right there," Irene called, then stepped through the doorway wearing her familiar smile. "Good morning." Her eyes widened and she gasped. "Annie? Is that really you?"

Annie smiled and nodded. "Hi, Irene."

The plump owner of Jameson's walked with a halting sway as she came around the end of the bakery case and enveloped Annie in a warm, fleshy hug. "Oh, it's so wonderful to see you."

"Good to see you, too."

Irene stepped back. "My goodness, just look at you. You're lovely."

Annie blushed and shook her head. Contacts had replaced her glasses, and her smile was free of braces, but she'd never classify herself as lovely.

"Oh, I'm so glad you didn't cut off all those gorgeous curls." Irene reached out and touched a strand of Annie's hair.

"I threaten to at least once a week."

"Well, don't you dare!" Irene motioned toward one of the four small tables lined up by the front windows. "Can I get you a cup of coffee? How about an apple fritter? I remember those were always your favorite."

"No, thanks." Annie didn't have any money to spare, though the thought of those melt-in-your-mouth treats made her empty stomach quiver.

Irene tipped her head, and her double chin sagged to the left. "Are you sure, honey?" She pulled a paper napkin from her apron pocket and swiped at her glistening nose and cheeks. "We've got some fresh pumpkin muffins or blueberry cake doughnuts if you'd rather have one of those." Her hand shook slightly as she tucked the napkin away.

"No. I'm okay." But Annie wondered if the same was true of her friend. She looked heavier and had aged quite a bit since she'd seen her last.

"Let's sit down." Irene pulled out a chair and lowered herself into it with a heavy sigh. "My poor old knees are complaining today." She smiled across the table, but it didn't erase the weary lines around her eyes and mouth. "How have you been, Annie? It's been ages since I've seen you. Are you back in town to visit friends?"

"Actually, I moved back to Fairhaven a couple months ago. I wanted to get settled in time for my daughter, Emma, to start kindergarten."

Irene's eyebrows rose, but her smile didn't falter. "Oh, that's wonderful. I didn't realize she was already five. Do you have a picture of her?"

Annie's heart lifted. She should've known Irene would be as warm and caring as she'd always been. She took a photo of Emma from her purse and handed it to Irene. "That was taken at our church's Fourth of July picnic in Portland, before we moved up here."

"Oh, she's beautiful. She looks just like you with those big brown eyes and dark curls."

"Thanks." Annie tucked the photo back in her purse. "I want Emma to grow up here in Fairhaven, where it's safe and she'll get a good education."

"Of course you do. I'm sure you're a wonderful mother."

Annie shifted in her chair. She needed to get to the point of her visit. "I worked my way through culinary school in Portland, and I've started my own business here in Fairhaven as a personal chef."

"Oh, that's great. You always were creative in the kitchen. How's it going?"

"I have a few clients, but not enough to support us. I need to find a part-time job." She hesitated, hoping Irene would understand where she was going, but the older lady simply nodded and waited for her to continue.

"So...I was wondering if you need any help here at the bakery."

Irene's smile faltered. "Oh, honey, I'd love to hire you again." She glanced toward the kitchen and lowered her voice. "But the truth is, business has been pretty slow. I'm barely able to pay Harry, and I had to cut back on Janelle's and Clyde's hours. I'm sorry."

Annie's hopes deflated, but she forced a small smile. "It's all right. I'm sure I'll find something."

"Of course you will. You're a good worker. I'd hire you in a minute if I could." Her smile returned. "Say, why don't you put me down as a reference? I'll give a glowing report to anyone who calls."

Annie forced a smile. "Thanks, I'd appreciate that." But she had few other connections in Fairhaven and no idea who else might hire her.

Irene patted her hand with cool, clammy fingers. "Now, don't worry. Just pray and trust the Lord, and something will work out. You'll see." She glanced toward the kitchen again. "Why don't I tell Harry you're here? I'm sure he'll want to come out and say hello." She rose and stepped away from the table, then swayed slightly. Her hands shot out as if she was trying to regain her balance.

Annie's heart lurched. "Irene, are you all right?"

Irene lifted a trembling hand to her forehead. "I'm sure I'll be fine...in a minute." But her face had gone pasty pale, and her eyes fluttered as she searched the room.

Annie jumped up and reached for her friend. "Irene, what is it? What's wrong?"

"Oh...Annie." Irene grimaced and clutched her apron over her chest. Her eyes widened and anguish flashed across her face, then she crumpled.

"Irene!" Annie lunged to catch her before she hit the floor. Adrenaline shot through her as she grasped Irene's shoulders and lifted her head. "Harry! Harry, come quick!"

"What's going on?" The old baker hustled through the kitchen doorway, spotted Annie and Irene on the floor, and gasped.

"Call 9-1-1! Hurry!" Annie's stomach roiled as she searched Irene's pale face. Oh, God, please have mercy.

Alex Jameson strode through the main entrance of St. Joseph's Medical Center and headed for the front desk. "Can you tell me the room number for Irene Jameson?"

The elderly woman behind the desk pushed her silver-rimmed glasses up her nose then slowly tapped the computer keys. A few seconds passed before she finally looked up. "She's not listed."

A huge fist lodged in his throat. Was he too late? No, he couldn't be. "I'm sure she's here. I just spoke to the nurse about two hours ago when I landed in Seattle."

The woman sniffed and looked down at her computer again. "How do you spell that?"

"J-A-M-E-S-O-N." Alex clenched his jaw and prepared to vault over the desk if she didn't hurry up and give him his grandmother's room number.

She stared at the computer for a few more seconds. "Here it is. She's in the Cardiac Care Unit, room 417. The elevator is just..."

He charged down the hall without waiting for the rest of her directions. He didn't like to be rude, especially to elderly women, but he had to find his grandmother and make sure she was all right.

He punched the up button and glared at the unmoving numbers above the elevator doors. Maybe he should take the stairs. But the elevator slid open, and he hustled in and punched the fourth-floor button.

Closing his eyes, he tried to slow his breathing and calm down. He had to prepare himself to see his grandmother. The nurse he'd spoken to said she'd had a heart attack. They weren't sure how much damage it had done. They were still running tests.

At least it had happened at the bakery when there were people around to help. What if she had collapsed at home when she was alone? If that had been the case, he would have gotten a very different kind of phone call.

He gritted his teeth and pushed that terrible thought away. Everything was going to be all right. This hospital had a great reputation. They would give his grandmother the best care possible. He'd make sure of it.

His thoughts rushed back to that morning and the frantic phone call he'd received from his old friend Annie Romano. It was strange that she had been the one to call. He thought she'd left Fairhav...

About this edition

• Publisher: Love Inspired Larger Print
• Publication date: 2012
• ISBN 10: 0373816642
• ISBN 13: 9780373816644
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• Number of pages: 288