Restoring Her Faith. Jennifer Slattery

      

      She left belief behind...

      Yet this family could change her mind

      With two boys to raise, a fledgling contracting business to run and a family ranch to keep afloat, widower Drake Owens finds his hands aren’t just full—they’re overflowing. When Faith Nichols is hired to help him renovate the church, he’s drawn to the beautiful artist, but he can’t fall for a woman who isn’t a believer. Can love restore her faith...and his heart?

      JENNIFER SLATTERY is a writer and speaker who’s addressed women’s and church groups across the nation. As the founder of Wholly Loved Ministries, she and her team help women rest in their true worth and live with maximum impact. When not writing, Jennifer loves spending time with her adult daughter and hilarious husband. Visit her online at jenniferslatterylivesoutloud.com to learn more or to book her for your next women’s event.

       Also by Jennifer Slattery

      Restoring Her Faith

      Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

      Restoring Her Faith

      Jennifer Slattery

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ISBN: 978-1-474-09631-7

      RESTORING HER FAITH

      © 2019 Jennifer Slattery

      Published in Great Britain 2019

       by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

      All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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      Version: 2020-03-02

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      The cowboy blocked the sun with his six-foot-plus self.

      “You okay?”

      She looked back at her trailer, her lungs tight.

      “I’m fine. And hopefully, all my supplies are, too.” What would she tell the restoration committee?

      The truth—that some cowboy had totaled her vehicle and overturned her trailer.

      He made a visual sweep of the overturned trailer behind her. “I’ll round up a couple of fellas to help me right this thing.” He lifted his Stetson, revealing caramel-colored hair, and wiped the sweat off his forehead. “Hope you don’t have anything fragile in there.”

      She fought to keep her frustration—and anxiety—in check. “Just glass.”

      “Like the kind they use in windows?”

      “Yes, why?”

      He scratched his jaw. “You wouldn’t be from

      Leaded Pane Restoration, would you?”

      So he knew about the church, then? And about the company she’d bid against. “No. I’m a private contractor and artist.” She donned her most professional smile. “Faith Nichols.”

      He continued to study her, expression stiff, as the two shook hands, his grip strong. “Drake Owens. Good to meet you.”

      Why did she get the feeling that wasn’t exactly true?

      Dear Reader,

      The backdrop of this story emerged one day when I encountered an article about the historic Painted Churches of Texas. Though I don’t have an artistic bone in my body, I have great admiration for those gifted with such creativity and skill. It might not surprise you, then, that I received great enjoyment from writing Faith’s story as she works with all three mediums—and more!

      My most enjoyable experience, however, came while researching the processes related to stained glass artwork. Through an Internet search, I discovered a stained glass store about an hour away that teaches patrons how to cut and design stained glass. I immediately signed my daughter and I up, and together we spent seven Saturdays cutting glass, and finding much to laugh about—often due to my frequent mistakes! I was also able to ask the staff at Architectural Glassarts all my story-related questions regarding the restoration of historic stained glass windows like those Faith encountered.

      Each window, with its unique and perhaps even jagged pieces, reminds me of the beauty available through community. We’re all different, and we all have our rough edges and chipped areas. Our individual colors are unique and vibrant, but when we come together, learn to lean on one another, and support each other, as Sage Creek residents do, we become a beautiful tapestry that reveals God’s love and grace.

      May we each find our place in such a life-giving community.

       Jennifer

      Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

      —Hebrews 11:1