LITMIR.BIZ

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to fill in the gap.

      When Kayla decided to sell the house she’d shared with Shane, Lily had encouraged her to move into her place and house-sit while she and her kids spent the summer in Ouray. Four months later, she was still there.

      Kayla puffed out a laugh. She never would have imagined that her friend would decide to stay in Ouray, let alone fall in love with the brother of the man who’d captured Kayla’s heart seven years ago and given her a glimpse of how good life could really be.

      She was surprised, if not a little disappointed, to see that Jude was a police officer, though. With his woodworking talents and love for historic buildings, she’d thought for sure he’d follow his passion.

      Slowing her speed as she entered town, she tried to ignore the question that had been plaguing her brain. But like a nasty mosquito bite, it refused to be ignored. Was Jude married?

      Not that it mattered. Their time together was water under the bridge. He’d made that clear during their last phone conversation. He’d said he was done. Then he’d hung up. And she never had the opportunity to talk to him again.

      She had no doubt Jude assumed she was married, though. The way his gaze moved from her left hand to her baby bump.

      Taking in Ouray’s Main Street, she was happy to see not all that much had changed. Sure, the names on some of the businesses were different, the paint colors may have been altered, but the essence of the town remained the same. Warm, inviting... The kind of place she’d longed for her entire life. A place she could not only call home, but where she felt at home.

      Looking back, she wished she’d had the guts to tell her parents to leave Ouray without her. But she’d been too immature.

      In Denver, though, she’d finally put her foot down, thinking that staying there would satisfy her desire. No more traveling around the country in an RV. Then she’d married and Shane owned a house. Something she’d never had. Yet her longing was far from fulfilled, and her dream turned into a nightmare.

      If only she’d made better choices. If only—

      “Would you stop thinking about Jude already?” Pounding her fist against the steering wheel, she made a left turn onto one of the side streets. “You’re here for Lily, not to relive seven-year-old might-have-beens.” She wasn’t that carefree young woman Jude had once known. Her two years with Shane had changed her. Made her more cautious and unable to trust her own judgment.

      A right turn one block later had her searching for the bed-and-breakfast where she would be staying. According to Lily, Granger House Inn was a historic home owned by another of Jude’s four brothers and his wife. Fortunately, she’d never met this brother, so there’d be no need for explanations. Yet.

      She eased her truck to a stop in front of an impressive sea-foam-green Victorian home with loads of intricate millwork and a gracious front porch. Since Lily’s SUV was parked in the drive, this had to be the place.

      Kayla turned off the ignition, stepped out of her vehicle and stretched as she drew in a deep breath of mountain air. The clouds had disappeared, leaving a beautiful autumn day in their wake.

      She moved up the walk, onto the porch and rang the bell.

      A few moments later, Lily swung the antique-oak-and-leaded-glass door wide. Her long reddish-blond hair was pulled back in a ponytail and her smile was wide. “Kayla!” She hugged her. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

      “Me, too.” It did her heart good to see her friend so happy. In recent years, Lily had endured some tough times. Yet, through it all, she’d clung to her faith. And now she’d found a man who shared that faith and recognized Lily for the special woman she was.

      Kayla could only hope to be so fortunate.

      Lily released her. “Where’s your stuff?”

      “In the truck.”

      “Well, let’s get you unpacked because I have something I can’t wait to show you.”

      “Such as?” Kayla watched her friend as they started off the porch.

      “You’ll have to wait and see.”

      When they returned with her things, another woman stood just inside the door, holding a tiny baby.

      “Look who’s finally awake.” Lily grinned at the child, setting Kayla’s suitcase on the wooden floor. “Kayla, this is Carly, my soon-to-be sister-in-law.”

      “It’s nice to meet you, Kayla.” The woman had blond curls and smiled warmly, her countenance one of contentment.

      “And this little guy here—” Lily reached for the babe’s fisted hand “—is Lucas.”

      Moving closer, Kayla couldn’t stop staring. From his downy dark hair to his barely there nose and slow-motion movements... “He’s so little. How old is he?”

      “Five weeks tomorrow,” said Carly.

      Kayla could hardly believe that in only four short months, she’d be holding her own baby.

      “When are you due?” Carly noted her belly.

      “February.”

      “Do you know what you’re having?”

      “No, she does not.” Lily frowned. “And the suspense is killing me.”

      Clearing her throat, Kayla regarded her friend. “As a very wise person recently said to me, you’ll just have to wait and see.”

      “Fine.” Lily rolled her green eyes and reached for the suitcase. “Come on, I’ll show you your room.” She started for the stairs that swept up one side of the parlor.

      “Kayla, I put you in the Hayden Room,” Carly called after them from the parlor below. “Not only does it have a great view, it’s the farthest away from our room down here, so you shouldn’t hear the baby.”

      “I’m sure it’ll be perfect. Although, I guess I should get used to hearing a baby’s cry.” She’d be alone, after all. A truth she sometimes found rather terrifying.

      “Ah, don’t rush it.” The blonde looked lovingly at her child, then back to Kayla. “Enjoy the uninterrupted sleep while you can.”

      Entering the room at the end of the hall, Lily set the suitcase on the plush gray carpet. “What do you think?”

      Kayla moved behind her. “This is gorgeous.” From the magnificent view through antique glass to the four-poster queen bed with luxurious bedding...

      “Check out the claw-foot tub in the bathroom.” Lily nodded in the general direction.

      Dropping her hanging clothes and overnight case onto the antique settee, Kayla hurried into the adjoining bathroom with its black-and-white mosaic floor, white beadboard wainscoting and, yes, a claw-foot tub.

      “Lily, I may never want to leave this place.”

      Her friend appeared in the doorway. “Are you referring to your room or Ouray?”

      “My room. Though Ouray is pretty inviting, too.”

      “I’m glad to hear you say that.” Turning, a grinning Lily moved back into the bedroom.

      As if Kayla wouldn’t follow. “Why?”

      Lily crossed to the clothes Kayla had left on the settee and picked them up. “Because I have a proposition for you.” She opened the door of the small closet and hung them on the rod.

      “What kind of proposition?” Kayla eased onto the side of the bed, her fingers digging into the softness.

      “Are you familiar with the old Congress Hotel?”

      “White wooden structure on the other side of town?”

      “That’s the one.”

      “I think I went inside it once.

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