Falling for the Teacher. Dorothy Clark
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Love Is Never Where You Expect.…
Though she once fled from Pinewood, Sadie Spencer can’t stay away when her ailing grandparents need her. But she never expected to come face-to-face with the brother of the man who caused her to leave town. Sadie doesn’t care how honest or kind Cole Aylward may seem—she isn’t about to let him continue managing her family’s business.
Cole has worked hard to prove he’s nothing like his brother. All he wants is to try to make up for the hurt Payne caused her family. But slowly Sadie’s quiet determination and bravery helps him face his own fears. Can Cole convince her he’s a man worthy of the trust she longs to give?
“I want no wages.”
Cole’s voice was gruff, the words more brusque than he’d intended, but she’d touched a sore spot.
“I don’t understand.” A tiny vertical frown line formed between Sadie’s delicately arched brows. “It’s only fair. I’m certain Poppa would insist.”
He shook his head. “My compensation is in making up for the pain my brother caused. I wish I could change what he did, Sadie, but I cannot. This is all I can do.” He took hold of the ledgers, careful not to touch her hands, and turned to leave before he said more than he ought.
“Cole…”
“Yes?” He looked back at her. There were tears in her eyes. They might as well have been knives the way they pierced his heart.
“It’s not your fault.” She blinked her eyes and smiled, but her lips trembled. “Thank you for your kindness.”
Her throat worked, her hand rubbed her arm, and everything in him wanted to hold her, to comfort her.…
DOROTHY CLARK
Critically acclaimed, award-winning author Dorothy Clark lives in rural New York, in a home she designed and helped her husband build (she swings a mean hammer!) with the able assistance of their three children. When she is not writing, she and her husband enjoy traveling throughout the United States, doing research and gaining inspiration for future books. Dorothy believes in God, love, family and happy endings, which explains why she feels so at home writing stories for Love Inspired Books. Dorothy enjoys hearing from her readers and may be contacted at [email protected].
Falling for the Teacher
Dorothy Clark
The fear of man bringeth a snare:
but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.
—Proverbs 29:25
This book is dedicated with admiration and appreciation to the assistant editors, the art department and all the others at Love Inspired Historical who diligently work to make my books the best they can be. Thank you, all.
A special thank-you to Sam. I’ve run out of words, but not out of gratitude for your faithfulness, humor and friendship.
“Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
Your Word is truth. Thank You, Jesus.
To You be the glory.
Contents
Chapter One
June 1841
Pinewood Village, New York
Pinewood. Sadie crowded back into the corner and tugged her bonnet forward as her hired carriage rolled through the village. The news of her return would spread like a brush fire if she was recognized. Sadie Spencer is back. Sadie Spencer is home.
Her stomach quivered. In two weeks it would be four years since the incident. Memories surged. She closed her mind to the bad ones—or tried to. Perhaps returning to Pinewood would exorcise them—and the fear. How she wished she could live without that fear! Please, Almighty God, grant that it might be so. She took a breath to calm her stomach and pulled the small purse dangling from her wrist into her trembling hands.
The driver’s polite touch of his hat brim sent her pushing deeper into the corner where she would not be seen by two women standing at the edge of the road waiting to cross. A wagon