All in Good Time: Silverton Lake Romance

By Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

She's clinging to the past. He's looking for a future. Can they find happiness together in the present?
Sandra's husband a Vietnam soldier was MIA and then declared dead years ago. She hasn't had a reason to let go until now. Her first love has returned to the small lake town, but he broke her heart once before. Can he be trusted?

 

A high school reunion brings Kevin back to his hometown. In senior year, he foolishly broke the heart of the girl he loved. Now he's widowed and so is she. Can he resurrect what they once had or at least get her to be friends?

 

Can she move beyond painful memories and let her heart feel again?

 

All in Good Time is the beginning standalone book in the Silverton Lake Romance Series of sweet Christian romances. If you like second chances, sweet and clean, and memorable characters, then you'll love CBA and ECPA best-selling author Diana Lesire Brandmeyer's powerful tale of forgiveness.

 

Buy All in Good Time today and discover what happens when you let go of the past.

• Language: English
• Publisher: DKD Books
• Release date: Nov 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781540120571

Diana Lesire Brandmeyer

Christian author Diana Lesire Brandmeyer writes historical and contemporary romances about women choosing to challenge their fears to become the strong women God intends. Author of A Mind of Her Own, A Bride’s Dilemma in Friendship, Tennessee and We’re Not Blended We’re Pureed, a Survivor’s Guide to Blended Families. Sign up for her newsletter and get free stuff. www.dianabrandmeyer.com  

Book preview

Prologue

1965

The October night sky exploded with stars magnified through Sandra’s tears. The crisp fall air nipped her nose and bare shoulders. They were the homecoming king and queen. Mom made her dress in pink satin and tulle. Her father called her his princess and twirled her around the living room. This should have been a night to remember. She supposed it would be, just not the way she anticipated for weeks. I can’t believe it. You are breaking up with me?

Guess so. He stepped away from her.

Because I want to get married and have a family? Since their relationship turned more serious last year, she told him at least a thousand times why she wanted to start a family early. Her parents gave up on having any children, then she surprised them when her mom was forty-two. She knew her parents loved her, but they were so much older than her friend’s parents. And that made a difference. Mom and Dad were often tired or didn’t want to do the activities her friend’s parents did. Instead, they would send her with her best friend’s family. She didn't want that for her children. She wanted to be a part of their lives, go on field trips, host sleepovers and be the house where her children’s friends wanted to be on the weekends.

No, because you won't wait to have kids. You want that house on the corner with the picket fence and a bunch of babies. I'm going to college, and you should want to go too. He touched her shoulder and letting his hand slide to her hand. You're smart and could be anything you want. Times have changed. You know, it isn’t the 1950s anymore. You’d make a good doctor or a lawyer even.

I want to be a mother.

Then there’s nothing else to say. He released her hand. I wish I could change your mind. He turned, walked away, and he didn't look back.

When he opened the gym door, I Can't Stop Loving You pummeled her heart as the words drifted through the air. Like the song said, she would live her life in dreams of yesterday, when he said he would love her for the rest of her life.

Chapter 1

Present-day…

Sandra Anderson pulled the yearbook off the bookshelf in the living room and settled into the nearest chair. She flipped the pages until she reached her class. The brittle memories sprang to life as if the homecoming dance occurred last night. She caressed the page, almost feeling the fabric of the dress her mother had made. She’d felt like Grace Kelly, the blonde beauty in the old movies she watched long ago with her mother. In the photo, Kevin still took her breath away as he had that night.

Should she go to the reunion? There were rumors he would attend this one. Why this time? He had never even bothered to respond to the other reunion invitations. The pain of their last date still lay etched in her memories after all this time.

Grams? Are you here? Footsteps padded through the entryway.

Lucy, her granddaughter, stepped into the living room. Why are you sitting in the dark? She flipped on the overhead light.

Weren’t you coming by tomorrow? I was looking through this yearbook and I must have slipped into a catnap. You know—exciting times in high school, not so much now. She closed the book on her lap and slid it onto the small end table next to the chair.

And you left the door unlocked again. Grams, you have to be more careful. This town isn't the same as when you grew up here. Don’t you watch the news? Crime is up everywhere.

Maybe you should move in and make sure I do. She wanted to take back the biting words. Waking up happy wasn't something she knew how to do.

Funny you should mention that, Grams. That's what I wanted to talk to you about at dinner.

Dinner. She raced through the last conversation she had with Lucy and relaxed. They were going out to eat. She didn’t have to prepare something. Is this something I want to hear?

I hope so. Lucy collapsed on the sofa. I might as well get it over with before we eat.

Had her father sent Lucy to encourage her to move into the new senior center? Both her children had been hinting that it would be good for her. As if she were close to being one hundred. They didn’t want her to mow the grass and clean the gutters. As if she wanted to. She hired out those chores, had for years. They seemed to have forgotten that. Well, they weren’t getting their way. This was her home, and it would always be. She sat straight in her chair. Let's have it.

Can I move in with you? Just for a little while? Since I've been away at school, I can’t stand the idea of moving back in with Mom and Dad. They see me as their little girl, and if I'm here, well, I could help you and—

Do you think I need taking care of? She knew it. Those twins were up to something.

No. Not really, but you forgot to lock the door. Lucy's smile trembled.

It won’t happen again. I usually lock it and had intended to go back out before the yearbook caught my attention.

That’s good, but you should make it a point to secure your door every time you come in. They make us practice that at the dorm.

Is there more to this story? It feels like you've left something out, something big. Sandra studied her granddaughter's face. You know I can tell.

Lucy groaned. How do you do that?

Years of practice. Now tell me, what's going on.

Evan and I broke up, and he'll be in Silverton all summer. I do not want to run into him. I know it’s just the next town over, but I don’t have to go there. I don’t want to see him with another girl or even ordering a burger at what used to be our favorite place.

She glanced at the yearbook. Sandra understood her granddaughter’s pain. It was as raw as if it had happened yesterday. Let's get dinner and discuss this move you're about to make.

image-placeholder

On the way to the restaurant, Sandra considered what it would be like to have someone in the house again. The idea appealed to her, some. She waited until the waitress placed the burgers and a basket of fries on the table before bringing up the subject. Lucy, when would you move in if I said yes?

So, I was thinking this week. Summer classes are over and I have to move out of the dorm. I could help with the shopping and cooking, if that was okay with you. We would be like roommates sharing the chores. We could take turns cooking too. Or I could cook if you want me to. Lucy stuck a fry in her mouth and then fanned her open mouth. Hot. She grabbed her soda and took a long drink. I can make healthy meals for us. I’ve been wanting to try some chocolate shakes made with okra.

Okra? Sounds strange to me. I think I might prefer to eat it instead of drinking it. And sharing chores with me won't keep you busy all summer. What do you intend to do with the rest of your time? Lucy would be a Space Invader—a term from a video game the twins often played when they were younger came to mind. She'd be sharing her routines and her home for more than