A Home for Her Heart. Janet Barton Lee

      

      Love on Assignment

      Magazine writer Elizabeth Anderson has sparred with newspaper reporter John Talbot for years. Though they cover similar stories, John thinks Elizabeth’s writing is trivial, and she finds him too boastful. So when they must work together to investigate New York City’s worst tenement houses, they’re surprised by the great team they make.

      Boardinghouse Betrothals: Hearts taking shelter—and forging new beginnings

      “I don’t think I’ve ever told anyone about how lonely I was.”

      John reached out and gently touched Elizabeth’s cheek. Their eyes met, and the realization of how much she liked him scared Elizabeth into jumping up from the park bench.

      “Elizabeth. I didn’t mean to upset you. I—”

      “You didn’t. But—” She couldn’t let him say he was sorry for the tender moment. She didn’t want to hear that. “It’s just getting late, and we should get back.”

      He stood from the bench, and she slipped her hand through his arm before they began their walk back.

      “Thank you for listening, John.”

      “Anytime. I mean that, Elizabeth. I’ve opened up to you in ways I never have with anyone else.”

      His words warmed Elizabeth’s heart. This man whom she’d sparred with for over a year had suddenly become the person she shared all her deepest hurts and fears with. He was truly her best friend. But now she wanted for more.

      JANET LEE BARTON

      was born in New Mexico and has lived all over the South, in Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma and Texas. She loves researching and writing heartwarming stories about faith, family, friends and love. Janet loves being able to share her faith and love of the Lord through her writing. She’s very happy that the kind of romances the Lord has called her to write can be read and shared with women of all ages.

      Janet and her husband now live in Oklahoma and are part of what they laughingly call their “Generational Living Experiment” with their daughter and her husband, two wonderful granddaughters and a shih tzu called Bella. The experiment has turned into quite an adventure, and so far, they think it’s working out just fine. When Janet isn’t writing or reading, she loves to travel, cook, work in the garden and sew.

      You can visit Janet at www.janetleebarton.com.

      A Home for Her Heart

      Janet Lee Barton

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      Debate thy cause with thy neighbor himself; and discover not a secret to another.

      — Proverbs 25:9

      To Dan for encouraging me every step of the way,

      To Tina James for seeing the possibilities for this series,

      To Giselle Regus for helping to make this story better,

      To Tamela Hancock Murray for being such a great agent,

      & always to my Lord and Savior for showing me the way.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Bible Verse

       Dedication

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Chapter Thirteen

       Chapter Fourteen

       Chapter Fifteen

       Chapter Sixteen

       Chapter Seventeen

       Chapter Eighteen

       Chapter Nineteen

       Chapter Twenty

       Chapter Twenty-One

       Epilogue

       Dear Reader

       Questions for Discussion

       Extract

       Copyright

       Chapter One

      New York City

      June 1896

      John Talbot had barely reached the top step leading to Heaton House before Elizabeth Anderson rushed out the door and slammed into his chest. He reached out to steady her.

      “Whoa there! Are you all right, Elizabeth?”

      Her hazel eyes appeared a little dazed as she looked up at him and she seemed to be trying to catch the breath he was certain had been knocked out of her. He was nearly a foot taller than her and she was a trim woman. She had to be shaken by the collision. He felt a little breathless himself, looking down at her.

      “Elizabeth, are you all right?” he repeated, keeping a firm grip on her slender arms.

      She gave a short nod and took several deep breaths before finally finding her voice. “I’m fine. I think.”

      She looked fine—better than fine actually. He’d never been quite this close to her, near enough to notice how thick and long her eyelashes were or how much green shot through her hazel eyes. “Are you sure?”

      She gave a little nod.

      “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect you to come flying out the door that way.”

      “I know. It’s not your fault.”

      “Where are you off to in such a rush?”

      “I just received a call from my aunt letting me know my father is in town and insisting I come to dinner. I’m in a hurry.”

      “Would you like me to accompany