Finding Love in Orange Valley: Hearts Unveiled, #2

By Aminata Coote

He's searching for redemption, but she's not interested in a second chance.

Kelsey Dupont's world tilts when she comes face-to-face with her high school sweetheart, Nate Hawkins, in the last place she expected. When the principal mandates her to work with him at a basketball camp, Kelsey's resentment simmers as she recalls Nate's betrayal.

 

Once a man consumed by selfish desires and poor choices, Nathaniel Hawkins is determined to prove he's changed. Accepting the role of head coach at his alma mater, Nate hopes to rebuild more than just his career. He longs for redemption and a chance to win back Kelsey's heart.

 

As Kelsey and Nate navigate the complexities of their shared history, Kelsey struggles to overcome her unforgiveness. Yet, with each passing moment, Nate demonstrates his sincerity and commitment to being the man she deserves.

 

Amidst the storm of emotions and external pressures, Kelsey and Nate must confront their past hurts and the possibility of forgiveness.

 

In this tale of second chances and the power of love to heal, they must learn to let go of the past and embrace the promise of a brighter future together.

 

Hearts Unveiled Reading Order

 

Book 1: Finding Peace in Orange Valley

Book 2: Finding Love in Orange Valley

Book 3: Finding Joy in Orange Valley

 

Each story in the Hearts Unveiled series is a Christian contemporary romance with strong faith themes. Each novella is a complete story but is best enjoyed in the reading order above.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Hopelight Publishers
• Release date: Apr 16, 2024
• ISBN: 9789768334268

Aminata Coote

Aminata Coote is a wife, mother, author, and follower of Jesus Christ. She is passionate about helping women to run their race. She encourages women to first know God, and then know themselves while getting on with the business of running their race.  You can read more from Aminata at www.Hebrews12Endurance.com. You may also connect with her on Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

Book preview

Aminata Coote

Finding Love in Orange Valley

First published by Hopelight Publishers 2024

Copyright © 2024 by Aminata Coote

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

Cover design by Hopelight Graphics

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

First edition

ISBN: 978 976 8334 26 8

This book was professionally typeset on Reedsy

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Contents

1. Kelsey

2. Nate

3. Kelsey

4. Nate

5. Kelsey

6. Nate

7. Kelsey

8. Nate

9. Kelsey

10. Nate

11. Kelsey

12. Nate

13. Kelsey

14. Nate

15. Kelsey

16. Nate

Epilogue

Author’s Note

Bible Verses for Anxiety

About Aminata

Other Books by Aminata

One

Kelsey

Kelsey DuPont was counting down the hours until summer vacation. She needed the break. She checked the home economics room to ensure her students had turned the burners off and returned the equipment to their place.

Kelsey had a date with her recipe books and her streaming service. Her K-Drama binge sessions began on the first day of her summer vacation.

You’re not listening to me, are you?

Kelsey closed the fridge and peered at her friend, Wilhelmina Barnes. She and Willa had been best friends since the first day of high school, though they couldn’t be more different.

Her petite friend was outgoing and friendly and had never met a stranger. Her short, blonde wig clung to her skull, highlighting Willa’s pixie-like features.

Kelsey towered over her friend by at least six inches, which made borrowing clothes from each other impossible.

Kelsey usually wore her corkscrew curls in a ponytail when she was cooking, otherwise, she left them loose around her face. The only thing they had in common was their dark complexion.

I am listening.

Uh-huh. Willa folded her arms across her chest. What did I say last?

Kelsey scrolled through her memories. Something about basketball.

Willa narrowed her eyes. What about basketball?

Uh… She had nothing. Come on, Willa. You know how I feel about the sport.

I do. Willa crossed the room and rested a hand on Kelsey’s arm. But that was a long time ago.

Kelsey swallowed. She hated being the only teacher who refused to attend the school’s basketball games. No matter how often she tried to convince herself otherwise, attending games never got easier for Kelsey.

Besides, it’s Coach Walton’s last game. It would look bad if the school nurse and food and nutrition teacher didn’t show.

Is that your only reason? Kelsey frowned at her friend.

Willa always wore scrubs for work. Today she wore a pair of jeans with a pretty coral blouse. The only nod to her profession was the lab coat.

The coat she normally claimed was too hot to keep on, especially in the summer. It was July, and the heat neared record temperatures.

This wouldn’t have anything to do with Coach Hudson, would it? Kelsey slanted her friend a teasing glance.

Of course not. Why would you think it had anything to do with Ben? Willa smoothed her eyebrows. He may have seen me in the hall yesterday and asked if I was coming to the game. I may have agreed.

Willa’s deviation from her usual uniform made sense. Since Benjamin Hudson started working at Orange Valley High, her friend had acted like a lovesick puppy over the assistant coach.

It had been a long four months during which Willa had obsessed over Benjamin. Kelsey had lost track of Willa’s favorite of Ben’s attributes since they changed every time she saw him.

I don’t understand you. Kelsey grabbed a dishcloth and began wiping a table. It was her last practical for the school term, and she intended to leave the home economics room spotless. You’ve never acted this way over a guy. Why don’t you ask him out?

Because. Willa grabbed another dishcloth and went to the other end of the table. I can’t.

You’ve asked men out before.

Willa’s willingness to go after what she wanted was a trait Kelsey admired.

I know. Willa concentrated on scrubbing a spot on the table. It’s strange—I get tongue-tied whenever I’m around Ben. I have all these things to say, but when I’m near him, I can’t speak. Unless we’re talking about a student—then I talk his ear off.

So, you want me to speak to Ben for you?

Willa’s head snapped up, her eyes filled with hope. Would you?

Are you serious? I’m supposed to go to the assistant coach and tell him my friend likes him?

Willa’s head bobbed. Kelsey propped her hand on her hip and smirked. What is this? High school?

Well, Willa gestured to the rows of tables and grinned.

Kelsey rolled her eyes. Fine. I’ll go to the game with you.

Thanks! Willa rushed over to hug her, almost slapping Kelsey with the damp cloth.

But I’m not talking to Ben for you.

Willa stuck out her tongue, and Kelsey laughed.

Guess she was going to the basketball game. It would be her first game in over five years.

* * *

Kelsey shifted on the hard, wooden bleachers. When she’d agreed to attend the game with Willa, she’d planned to sit at the top of the stands. That would have made it easier for her