Love Inspired September 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Pamela Desmond Wright

Author:Pamela Desmond Wright
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2021-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINE

Neil chuckled at Maggie’s choice of words. No, it wasn’t perfect. It was—What was that word his prim grandmother had been so fond of?

Tacky.

He’d thought his new shirt was bright in the shady cabin, but out here in the intense June sunshine, it went way beyond that. He’d chosen it with Maggie in mind, figuring they’d have a good-natured argument about which of their shirts was the most obnoxious. Even though this was easily the most over-the-top thing he’d ever laid eyes on, he’d had no confidence that he’d win the contest. Maggie, he knew, tended to go all out.

She had again today, but she’d taken it in a whole different direction. Instead of a silly getup, she’d gone with a rosy floral dress that clung gently to her curves, and she wore her hair down in a cascade of ruddy curls. A large white flower drooped sweetly beside one ear, and she wore a matching garland around her neck.

No, today Maggie didn’t look silly at all. She looked incredible.

The woman standing in front of him sure didn’t belong in a high school parking lot. She belonged on some tropical beach at sunset. He could picture her walking along the surf while seagulls dipped over the ocean, catching the last of the light on their wings. He saw the scene clearly in his mind’s eye... Maggie, sandals dangling from one hand, laughing up at the man she loved, bumping into him playfully as she dodged a wave.

Knowing Maggie, she’d smell like coconut macaroons, and she’d have packed a picnic lunch.

“Neil? Is everything okay?” He blinked. Maggie was looking at him funny.

“What? Oh, yeah. Absolutely.” If you don’t count the fact that every time I look at you in that outfit, I feel like a boxer just sucker punched me in the stomach.

He couldn’t remember the last time he’d felt so bowled over by a woman.

No, that wasn’t true. He remembered, all right.

It had been an ordinary day, and he’d been running late, as usual. He’d strode out to his car, coffee in hand, leather case full of graded papers slung over one shoulder. He’d glanced back and seen Laura standing in the doorway, her hands cupped over her rounded belly.

Slow down, Prof, she’d called. You’re forgetting something.

He’d grinned and jogged back up the steps to kiss his wife goodbye. And for a second, looking down into her face, he’d felt...awed. Standing there on the doorstep, Neil had thanked God with his whole heart for the blessings he’d been given.

Now get to work. Laura had given him a playful push. Those kids aren’t going to teach themselves.

So he’d left for school—his wallet forgotten on the bedside table. And the next time he’d seen Laura—

He flinched from the memory. “I guess we’d better get to work,” he said abruptly. “Am I on drink duty again?”

Maggie shot a look at the table. Angelo was presiding behind it, swathed in a large apron, his bald head perspiring.

“The kids can get their own drinks today.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.