Guilty of Love

By Mildred Colvin

Nicholas Bradshaw had a crush on Julie St. Clair in high school, only she was already taken. When their paths crossed a few years later, they fell in love and married.

The only problem is her old boyfriend, Darrell, who married her best friend, Heather, lives nearby and the two men carry on a frenemy-type competition. Nick knows secrets about Darrell, and he believes his rival still carries a torch for Julie.

Julie Bradshaw takes a job at Darrell’s insurance office against Nick’s wishes hoping it will keep her truck-driving husband home more with her and their three sons. When Nick is late coming home for Christmas, Julie fears something terrible has happened and tells Heather. He walks in as Darrell is consoling Julie and gets the wrong message. Or is it the right one?

In an attempt to patch things up in their friends’ marriage, Heather and Darrel trick Julie and Nick into spending three days together alone in an isolated cabin far from home. Only Heather hasn’t counted on needing them to help her at the worst time in her life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mildred Colvin
• Release date: Jan 30, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463398234

Mildred Colvin

Mildred Colvin is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother to three beautiful girls. She started writing when her children were young as they asked for stories. Not from a book. No! They were only satisfied when she made up stories. As the stories grew, she wrote some down and sent them off to magazines. Eight were published before her imagination turned toward love stories, which is what she enjoys reading.She has been writing Christian or clean and wholesome romance since 2001. Over the years several readers from pre-teens to older kids in their eighties and nineties have written expressing their interest in her books. She always loves to hear about one of her stories touching someone's heart. Her purpose in writing is to encourage, entertain, and bless someone else.She lives in the United States and sets her characters in the middle states from Texas to Nebraska and Iowa and reaching across Illinois to Colorado. She also has an Oregon Trail series, but the Great Plains states are her favorite setting.She is active in a very special critique group and has written and published over 60 books in both historical and contemporary themes, and plans to continue writing as long as God allows. He has been good in giving her many ideas for stories. Maybe more than she will be able to finish, but she enjoys each one.Please take a moment to visit her website at www.mildredcolvin.weebly.com, and sign up for her Romantic Reflections Newsletter to learn when new books are released. Also learn of promotions and free books through her newsletter.And take a look at her books. You might find something you don't want to put down.

Book preview

Guilty of Love

Mildred Colvin

Guilty of Love

Contemporary Christian Romance

Copyright ©2020 by Mildred Colvin

All Rights Reserved

Cover photo copyright © Aniram | Dreamstime.com

Smashwords Edition

Scripture portions are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events is entirely coincidental.

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except for brief quotations in printed reviews. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

Contents

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Epilogue

About the Author

Note From the Author

Preview of Learning to Lean

Other Contemporary Romances

DEDICATION

Driving a truck across our country day after day is not an easy job. I can only imagine the problems a truck driver faces not only on the road but in his or her personal life as well, yet the men and women who do this serve a great need and benefit all of us.

I dedicate this story not just to those of you who drive but also to the families who wait at home until you are safely back with them. God bless you all!

Chapter 1

Julie Bradshaw locked her car and shoved the keys into her jeans pocket. Heather Conway, the best friend she’d ever had, sat at a picnic table nearby, and from the sound of her voice on the phone a few minutes ago, she had a problem.

She’d be useless solving anyone else’s problems since she couldn’t seem to do anything about her own, but she could certainly listen. If it took her entire day, that’s what she planned to do.

You must’ve hurried. Heather greeted her with a smile. I just got here.

Julie went to the other side of the table and sat, facing her friend. I hurried because from the sound of your voice, you need one-on-one talk without a pack of boys running around yelling.

Heather’s laughter peeled out. Oh, my, you just described both of our houses. Only the boys are in school right now, so we could’ve met at either place.

Julie lifted her gaze to the orange, gold, and red colored leaves surrounding them. And miss this beautiful fall weather? It must be seventy degrees out here. I love coming to this park. It’s always so peaceful.

Remember when we used to bring Brad and Rodney here when they were little so they could play together?

Yes, those were good days, weren’t they? Julie sighed. Not so long ago, either, but now they’ve got other activities to keep them busy. Rodney has Webelos this year in scouts, and he’s playing football already.

Brad is too. Heather leaned forward. His practices remind me of when our husbands played football in high school. Especially Darrell. You were his girl then, but I still noticed him. She laughed. That was before Nick took you from him.

Julie felt like rolling her eyes, but laughed instead. What is it with Nick and Darrell? Their competing is childish. Not that it’s so obvious now. And trust me, I’m thankful for that. Or would be if it wasn’t still lurking in the big houses and nice vehicles. You know, I’m surprised Nick didn’t go to college.

Heather’s frown showed she wasn’t following Julie’s line of thought. What does that have to do with competing? Oh! In the next breath, her eyes widened. You mean because Darrell did. And you have a point. Why didn’t he?

His folks didn’t have that kind of money. She tapped a finger against the table. Nick worked on their farm, saving as much as he could until he was out of high school. He got his CDL and joined a trucking company that trained him on the job. He said it was better than four years in college because he started earning right away.

And after that, he talked you into marriage. Heather smiled. I remember. Did you realize how young you were?

Of course we didn’t then. Julie chuckled. We were both nineteen and very much in love. He didn’t have to talk me into marrying him. I said yes before he finished asking. Kennon was born two weeks after our first anniversary.

Twenty years old and parents. Heather shook her head. I can’t imagine how hard that must have been.

It wasn’t easy. Julie thought back to the early years. She’d learned to be self-sufficient in a hurry after marrying Nick. If not for her mother-in-law, she didn’t know what she’d have done when Kennon was a newborn. Nick was on the road a week at a time. He wouldn’t take the longer jobs. Said he had to see us on the weekends. Two years later, Nathan arrived. Then Rodney came in another two years. We were so happy. She brought her gaze back to Heather. On weekends at least.

Heather smiled.

But this isn’t why you called. Julie pulled her mind from herself. What’s going on, Heather? Why did you sound so upset earlier?

A combination of things. Heather looked down at her clasped hands. Darrell’s receptionist quit, and he was hoping I could fill in, at least until he found someone else.

He has a job opening? Julie’s heart picked up its pace. Did Heather and Darrell know how much she’d like to have a job? Probably not. Nick would have a fit if Darrell ever found out they could use the extra money. But if she had an income, maybe Nick could be home more weekends. As it was, he’d been taking longer hauls, and it seemed they never saw him. The boys needed their father more than they needed to keep up with the Conways. And that’s exactly what Nick tried to do. Live in a rich-man’s house in the same exclusive neighborhood and drive a new car. Only hers was showing its age since they’d been forced to hang on to it. But why not? There was nothing wrong with her car.

I just can’t. Heather’s voice penetrated her thoughts.

You can’t? What had she missed?

No, even if I wanted to, and I don’t, he wouldn’t let me now that we know for sure. Heather hugged her waist. He wasn’t happy about it at first. You remember Gary’s delivery wasn’t an easy one like Brad’s. He thinks I should stay home with my feet up.

Julie looked at her friend, the way she rubbed her stomach and the things she’d been saying about the boys. Are you? Heather? Congratulations! I had no idea.

Neither did I. Heather didn’t look miserable, but she didn’t look overly happy either. I first thought it was a fluke. You know, I’ve been late before, and it meant nothing. But three weeks later and still nothing? I checked it out. When I told Darrell the doctor had confirmed what we thought, you should’ve seen his face. I guess this, and his receptionist walking out was a little much.

He isn’t happy about the baby? Julie could understand the shock he must have suffered, but still. You’re happy, aren’t you? I’m thrilled!

Heather sighed. Obviously, we didn’t plan for this one, but yes, I’m also thrilled. I already love him or her, and I want my baby very much.

I’m so glad for you. Julie reached across the table and took Heather’s hands in hers, giving them a gentle squeeze. Maybe you’ll have a girl this time. How would you feel about that?

I wouldn’t know what to do with her. Heather laughed. But a girl would be nice. There’s an overbalance in our house sometimes.

Tell me about it. Julie shook her head. Having a girl would be different, but won’t it be nice to buy little frilly dresses and ribbons for her hair?

Until she’s old enough to refuse them? Heather grinned. And you know that’s exactly what would happen.

Yes, I’m sure. A chilly breeze blew past as the sun ducked behind a cloud. As quickly as the shadow appeared, it moved on, but the goosebumps stayed on Julie’s arms. She rubbed one, then the other and shivered. A sure sign winter’s coming. It may feel warm and sunshiny, but there’s a chilly wind waiting to remind us that summer can’t stay forever.

Julie, that sounds prophetic, and it’s giving me a chill I don’t want. Let’s talk about something fun and interesting now. I’ve told you my news, and I’m sure Darrell will soon be as happy with our new little surprise as I am. He just needs to get used to the idea.

Of course, and he will. Julie looked into Heather’s eyes. You said he has a job opening in his insurance office. I only have one year of college, but surely a receptionist doesn’t need a degree, does she?

No, she doesn’t. Remember, I didn’t finish college either. Heather’s eyes opened wide. Why on earth didn’t I think of you? Other than I’d have never guessed you’d be interested, of course. Are you sure you want to work? Don’t you have enough to do?

Oh, you mean trying to be mother and father both to three growing boys, keep up a big house without help, and volunteering for scouts and Sunday school? Julie placed her index finger on her cheek as if thinking. Oh well, if I forgot something, it’ll probably come to me later.

Heather laughed. Yes, I guess that about sums it up. The question is, do you have time for a full-time job? Darrell will send you to training if you decide to do the insurance part. Answering the phone and running a computer isn’t hard. So when can you start?

This is Friday. How about Monday? Julie laughed. But don’t you think we should consult with Darrell first? And what of you? You don’t have any unresolved jealousy from our high school days, do you?

About you and Darrell? Heather snickered. Why on earth would I? You don’t have the hots for my husband, do you?

Now it was Julie’s turn to snicker. Honey, I never had the hots for your husband. It takes chemistry for that, and Darrell and I just are not a good mix. We were good friends who dated. It was convenient, so we kept it up for a couple of years simply because there was no one else. When he left for college, I suggested we break up and date other people. He jumped at the chance. She touched Heather’s arm. "I hate to tell you this, but I think he planned to look for someone else when he got to school. Remember your first date