Read Online Tying the Knot by Susan May Warren - Free Book Online Page B

didn’t say another word as they climbed out and strolled toward a two-story Victorian. Peonies in bloom edged the stone walk, up to a railed front porch. “I saw this bookstore on my way into town.”
    “It’s also a pottery shop. Liza Beaumont is our resident potter, and Mona Michaels runs the bookstore. You’ll like them, Anne. They know all about moving to Deep Haven to build a new life.”
    Anne’s mouth slacked open. “How much did my aunt tell you?”
    Sandra shrugged, but her eyes twinkled. “Let me just say that you’re not the first person to find refuge here. You have a sort of . . . edginess. As if you are waiting for the bomb to explode.”
    Anne laughed. “Oh no, I left all my bombs behind. Deep Haven may have lobbed a few grenades at me, but I’m smarter and wiser now. Besides, I seriously doubt there are ticking bombs in my backyard.”
    Sandra raised her eyebrows. “Deep Haven isn’t a war-free zone.” She tucked her arm through Anne’s. “Just ask Mona. One of our locals once tried to burn this place down.”
    Anne climbed the porch stairs and took in the row of round tables dressed in bright yellow tablecloths fluttering in the breeze. Planters overflowing with red, white, and pink impatiens hung between the porch columns. A lush lilac tree perfumed the yard with serenity. “Looks like Mona came out on top. She must be a hard worker.”
    “Well, yes. And God is a giver of good things. She has a wonderful faith-building story if you ever have time to listen. He not only put this shop on the map, but He also brought her husband, an author, right to her doorstep. She calls Joe her ‘flesh-and-blood hero, right off the pages,’ whatever that means.”
    Sandra called out Mona’s name as they swung open the screen door. Anne stood a few paces behind, mesmerized by the entryway, the luminous shine of the oak railing spiraling upstairs, the wrought-iron light fixture sending a warm glow along the floor. The smell of something baking coaxed her inside, toward the bookstore on her right.
    Sandra made a trail toward a young blonde seated at a gleaming walnut table. The woman looked up and greeted her, a warm smile on her pretty face. Anne wondered at Sandra’s words: God, giver of good things . She had to admit, that hadn’t been her experience of late. In fact, although she knew God had given her the grit to climb back to her feet and finish her degree, He certainly hadn’t made it easy. And where was He that hot summer day when she’d been blindsided by a gangbanger? More than that, why did God keep plunking her right in the middle of her worst nightmares? Why couldn’t He, just once, arrange for her a safe, easy life?
    Anne sighed, wishing she could escape the residue of Noah’s words tugging at her heart. I just assumed you’d want to help. She did want to help. She simply wanted to have a choice. It would be easier to write Noah off as a gorilla if he hadn’t looked so genuinely sorry when she’d left, staring at her until she churned up a good cloud of dust, his hands in his pockets, his heart bleeding on his sleeve.
    But the man was dangerous. Everything about him screamed “warning!”—from the grimy work attire, to his waiting-for-someone-to-pounce posture, to the secrets prowling behind those intense brown eyes. He reminded her of what she’d left behind, and the last thing she wanted to do was return to the life she’d escaped from. So Mr. Bear had a sort of rough-hewn appeal, an attractiveness that could paralyze an unsuspecting woman. But she wasn’t that woman. Even if his soft tenor, as if spoken over velvet, did do painful, confusing things to her pulse rate. She would belt him and run for the hills before giving in to his humble words.
    “Mona, I’d like you to meet Anne.” Sandra grabbed Anne’s elbow. “She’s new in town. A nurse. She’s working for Dr. Simpson.”
    Mona’s green eyes sparkled with sincere warmth when she shook Anne’s hand. “Glad