Courting Hope. Jenna Mindel

was too old to still live at home, but how could she leave her folks? Her father refused to talk about what had happened, and her mom did her best to keep things even-keeled. And Hope got lost in the mix of trying to please them.

      Glancing at the dozen flowerpots she’d helped her mother fill with red geraniums, Hope opened the screen door and went inside. The door closed with a snap behind her.

      Her mom caressed her shoulder and smiled. “Give him time, Hope.”

      Time? They’d been doing this agonizing dance for too long. She silently followed her mother to the kitchen sink to wash her hands for dinner. No matter how much it might hurt her parents, Hope wasn’t about to quit. Not when the preschool hung in the balance. She’d walked away from so much in her short life, she couldn’t walk away from that. Not without a fight.

      Chapter Two

      The next morning, Sinclair rushed through the office entrance. He had a box of his sister’s cherry almond scones ready for a peace offering. He glanced at the clock on the wall and grimaced. Nine-thirty. He’d wanted to make it in by nine.

      Hope stood near the coffeemaker, looking pretty in a filmy blue top over a white skirt that kissed her knees. The girl he remembered wore shapeless clothes that hid everything. Part of him wished for the old Hope who didn’t have this power to distract him.

      He stepped forward, but kept his voice soft. “Morning, Hope.”

      She finished stirring creamer into her coffee before turning to glare at him. “How could you do that?”

      He didn’t bother with the pretense of asking what she meant. He knew. “I had to face them.”

      “Did you really? On your first day? You couldn’t let Judy’s news sink in a little and give them a chance to process it?”

      “They deserved to hear it from me.”

      “So you go on a search-and-destroy mission to make the Petersens bleed all over again?”

      He set the box of scones on her desk. Did he get it all wrong? He’d prayed so hard before making the decision to go to Hope’s house. He’d wanted to clear the air and offer his remorse. Show them that he meant business and was serious about his calling. Looked like he’d botched it. “I’m sorry.”

      She made a rude sound. She’d always been able to make him feel like an idiot.

      “I’m trying to do the right thing here.”

      Her shoulders drooped and all the fight blew out of her as quickly as it had raged. “I wish I knew what that was.”

      He stepped forward to touch her shoulder, but he let his hand drop to his side instead. He’d lost the right to offer her comfort when he’d lost her as a friend. When Sara had died.

      “They want me to quit.”

      “Your parents?” Of course that’s who she was talking about.

      She nodded but wouldn’t look at him.

      He’d seen a glimmer of softening in Teresa Petersen’s eyes last night. There was hope for forgiveness yet. But he couldn’t rush. That had always been his problem. He rushed too much.

      “You still do everything your parents want you to?” He didn’t mean to lower his voice, but his challenge came across pretty clear if the scowl on Hope’s face was any indication.

      She still toed the family line. Always responsible, Hope had a servant’s heart that could be taken advantage of. Sinclair regretted that he’d been on the using end far too many times in the past. He remembered calling on Hope for a ride home after he’d partied too hard on summer break. He’d even asked her to pick out Christmas gifts for his mom and sister a couple years in a row. And she’d done what he’d asked because she was a giver instead of a taker like him.

      She looked at him with wide eyes. “Who do you think you are?”

      The blue of her top made her eyes an icy gray color that looked translucent. Protective and fierce. Sinclair couldn’t look away.

      The phone rang, interrupting the moment, but he ignored it. He remained focused on her. “I’ve known you longer than I haven’t.”

      “You don’t know anything.” She reached for the phone. “Three Corner Community Church, how may I help you?”

      He watched the graceful way she cradled the receiver between her chin and shoulder while she grabbed a pad of paper and a pen. He didn’t know this new Hope who appeared completely in charge. The urge to get to know her on a very personal level took him by surprise. He didn’t want this attraction to Hope. It complicated everything—but what could he do?

      “Yeah, he’s right here.” Hope caught him staring and her cheeks colored. “It’s Judy. She’s headed out of town for a couple of days and wants to know if you need anything before she goes. You can take it in your office.”

      “Here’s fine.” He sat on the edge of her desk and reached for the phone.

      Hope gave him a pointed look. She wasn’t handing over the call until he moved off of her desk.

      Without looking away, he slipped from the edge and accepted the phone. “Hey, Judy...”

      Hope peeked inside the box of scones and smiled. Finally, a glimpse of his old Hope.

      Reassuring Judy that he’d get the budget and building plans, he cut the conversation short. “I’ll be fine. Thanks. Have a safe trip.”

      He leaned forward, catching a whiff of Hope’s flowery perfume as he hung up. “I know you like scones.”

      Hope looked annoyed. Obviously pointing out her weakness for baked goods hadn’t scored him any points. She grabbed a scone and then pushed the box toward him.

      “They’re from my sister.”

      “How is Eva?” Hope took a bite.

      “Engaged.”

      Hope headed for the coffee station and grabbed a napkin. “Good for her. I didn’t see anything in the paper.”

      “It’s pretty recent. She’s marrying the guy who bought the orchard.” Sinclair followed her and helped himself to coffee.

      “I’d heard that your parents sold and moved. How are they?”

      “Here for the summer to help bring in what’s left of the harvest.” He’d returned home after severe thunderstorms had ripped through area orchards. His sister was determined to salvage a decent crop, and he’d do what he could to help.

      Hope nodded. “They must be glad you’re home.”

      “Yeah.” He bit into a scone, but the flavor was lost when he thought of his brother’s cold reception. His family had eagerly welcomed him, but not Ryan. More amends to be made. Sara Petersen had been Ryan’s fiancée.

      “Well, thank you for these.” Hope settled into her office chair with a look that said she was determined to get back to work.

      Sinclair didn’t want their conversation to end. He used to pour his heart out to her when they were kids. Breakups with girlfriends, trouble with his father, dreams about his future. He used to tell Hope everything. Back then, she’d been more than a sympathetic listener. More times than not, she’d tell him flat out that he was wrong and make him see the other side. She gave him balance.

      He didn’t feel too balanced around her today. Giving her his best pleading look, he asked, “Does this mean you’re not going to quit?”

      * * *

      Hope stared into Sinclair’s eyes and didn’t answer right away. She liked holding her employment future over his head. Even though she’d never quit, she wanted to punish him. As if it’d matter.

      She hadn’t counted