On Magnolia Lane
PRAISE FOR DENISE HUNTER
“I have never read a romance by Denise Hunter that didn’t sweep me away into a happily ever after. Treat yourself!”
—Robin Lee Hatcher, bestselling author of Who I Am with You for On Magnolia Lane
“In On Magnolia Lane, Denise Hunter takes readers on a journey into love that plumbs the depths of identity. Daisy’s perception of herself and her family is shaken at a foundational level, while Jack believes the woman he loves will never see him as he really is. In the pages of this story, Denise Hunter invites readers to explore how their perceptions may be limiting their present and their dreams. A rich read with characters I will think about often.”
—Cara Putman, author of Beyond Justice
“Move over You’ve Got Mail because in Denise Hunter’s On Magnolia Lane you’ve got an e-romance with enough RAM (romance and magic) not only to sputter your software, but to tug at your heart while touching your soul. Easily one of the top romance writers in the CBA, Hunter is a master at inspirational love stories that linger in one’s memory—and hard drive—long after the last page.”
—Julie Lessman, award-winning author of the Daughters of Boston, Winds of Change, and Isle of Hope series
“Swoony, fun, and meaningful, [Honeysuckle Dreams] should come with a ‘grab your fan’ warning! A friends-to-lovers, modern-day marriage of convenience and Denise Hunter? Yes, please! Hunter’s skill at writing sizzling romance combines with two reader-favorite tropes to deliver a story that is both toe curling and heartwarming.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars
“Denise Hunter’s newest novel, Sweetbriar Cottage, is a story to fall in love with. True-to-life characters, high stakes, and powerful chemistry blend to tell an emotional story of reconciliation. Readers will sympathize with Josephine’s tragic past and root for her happy ending as old wounds give way to new beginnings.”
—Brenda Novak, New York Times bestselling author
“Sweetbriar Cottage is a wonderful story, full of emotional tension and evocative prose. You’ll feel involved in these characters’ lives and carried along by their story as tension ratchets up to a climactic and satisfying conclusion. Terrific read. I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
—Francine Rivers, New York Times bestselling author of Redeeming Love
“Hunter has a wonderful way of sweeping readers into a delightful romance without leaving behind the complications of true love and true life. Sweetbriar Cottage is Hunter at the top of her game—a rich, emotional romance that will leave readers yearning for more.”
—Katherine Reay, award-winning author of The Austen Escape
“I’ve been a longtime fan of Denise Hunter’s, and The Goodbye Bride has everything I’ve come to love about her romances: a plucky heroine with lots of backstory, a yummy hero, and a terrific setting. Highly recommended!”
—Colleen Coble, USA Today bestselling author of the Lavender Tides and Hope Beach series
“With her usual deft touch, snappy dialogue, and knack for romantic tension, inspirational romance veteran Hunter will continue to delight romance fans with this first Summer Harbor release.”
—Publishers Weekly on Falling Like Snowflakes
“Hunter is a master romance storyteller. Falling Like Snowflakes is charming and fun with a twist of mystery and intrigue. A story that’s sure to endure as a classic reader favorite.”
—Rachel Hauck, New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Dress and The Love Letter
“Skillfully combines elements of romance, family stories, and kitchen disasters.”
—Library Journal on The Wishing Season
“This is an emotional tale of overcoming the fear of loss to love again and God’s love, made manifest through people, healing all wounds.”
—RT Book Reviews, 4 stars on Dancing with Fireflies
“Jane Austen fans will appreciate the subtle yet delightful Austen vibe that flavors this contemporary cowboy romance. The Trouble with Cowboys is a fast, fun, and touching read with the added draw of a first kiss that is sure to make my Top 5 Fictional Kisses of 2012. So saddle up, ladies: We have a winner!”
—USAToday.com
ALSO BY DENISE HUNTER
BLUE RIDGE NOVELS
Blue Ridge Sunrise
Honeysuckle Dreams
SUMMER HARBOR NOVELS
Falling Like Snowflakes
The Goodbye Bride
Just a Kiss
THE CHAPEL SPRINGS ROMANCE SERIES
Barefoot Summer
A December Bride (novella)
Dancing with Fireflies
The Wishing Season
Married ’til Monday
THE BIG SKY ROMANCE SERIES
A Cowboy’s Touch
The Accidental Bride
The Trouble with Cowboys
NANTUCKET LOVE STORIES
Surrender Bay
The Convenient Groom
Seaside Letters
Driftwood Lane
Sweetbriar Cottage
Sweetwater Gap
Novellas included in Smitten, Secretly Smitten, and Smitten Book Club
On Magnolia Lane
© 2018 by Denise Hunter
All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.
Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Thomas Nelson. Thomas Nelson is a registered trademark of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.
Thomas Nelson titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please email SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.
Publisher’s Note: This novel is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. All characters are fictional, and any similarity to people living or dead is purely coincidental.
Epub Edition September 2018 9780718090555
ISBN 978-0-7180-9055-5 (ebook)
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Hunter, Denise, 1968-author.
Title: On Magnolia Lane / Denise Hunter.
Description: Nashville, Tennessee : Thomas Nelson, [2018] | Series: A Blue Ridge romance ; 3
Identifiers: LCCN 2018013464| ISBN 9780718090548 (trade paper) |
ISBN 9780718090555 (ebook)
Subjects: | GSAFD: Love stories.
Classification: LCC PS3608.U5925 O52 2018 | DDC 813/.6--dc23 LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018013464
Printed in the United States of America
18 19 20 21 22 LSC 5 4 3 2 1
CONTENTS
Praise for Denise Hunter
Also by Denise Hunter
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Nineteen
Twenty
Twenty-One
Twenty-Two
Twenty-Three
Twenty-Four
Twenty-Five
Twenty-Six
Twenty-Seven
Twenty-Eight
Twenty-Nine
Thirty
Thirty-One
Thirty-Two
Thirty-Three
Thirty-Four
 
; Thirty-Five
Thirty-Six
Thirty-Seven
Thirty-Eight
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
Discussion Questions
About the Author
ONE
Jack McReady had fallen in love with Daisy in one-hour increments. How many men could claim that? he thought as he swung his Mazda into the diagonal slot in front of her flower shop, his palms sweaty against the leather steering wheel.
This wasn’t his ordinary way of seeing her. Usually she came into his office to talk—hence the one-hour increments. It was the reason he knew more about Daisy than most, even their mutual friends.
But today he was getting flowers for his secretary, Gloria, as tomorrow was Administrative Professionals’ Day. Sure, he could’ve phoned the order in, but then he would have missed a prime opportunity to see Daisy.
Entering the shop was always a full sensory experience. The bells tinkled out a welcome as the cool, bright fragrance of flowers rose to his nostrils. The colorful array of flowers and knickknacks, so artfully arranged, begged the shopper to stop and touch and appreciate.
“Be with you in a minute!” Daisy called from the back.
The sweet sound of her voice made Jack’s heart thump harder. He knew she’d be working alone because today was Tuesday. Her mom was out delivering flowers, and her grandma only worked half days on Tuesdays and Thursdays. He knew—and retained—way too much about Daisy, he thought with a rueful shake of his head.
Jack stuffed his hands into his Docker pockets and perused the shop. When he was inside Oopsy Daisy he always felt as though he were meandering through the garden of Eden. Everything was arranged so perfectly, displayed so creatively. Who but Daisy would think to use an antique bicycle basket or a mailbox to display a lovely bouquet of flowers? Or an outdoor fountain to showcase a cascading arrangement of flowering vines? Everywhere he looked was another inspired idea.
“Pastor Jack!”
He’d given up on getting her to drop the title. Her appointments had started two years ago, rarely scheduled but always delightful. He loved that she was a little overly sensitive, and he knew no one more conscientious than she. It was one of her finest qualities.
His heart fluttered at the sight of her silky blond hair and the faint spray of freckles that dotted her nose.
“Hello, Daisy. How are you this afternoon?” His tongue felt thick and uncoordinated.
“Just fine. I’m working on an order for a Cinco de Mayo party, believe it or not.”
“Sounds intriguing.” Was it just him, or was it hot in here? He tugged at his collar.
“I can’t believe we’re almost to May,” she said.
“Step out onto the sidewalk; you’ll believe it soon enough.”
Her laughter was like a melody that plucked the strings of his heart. “I hear you.” He let his gaze drift around the shop. “It’s beautiful in here, Daisy. Every time I come in I’m just astounded by your displays.”
“Oh, it’s nothing really.” She waved a hand as she reached the glass counter that separated them.
She was the worst at accepting a compliment. He gave her a long, steady look, as he was in the habit of doing when she tried to sell herself short.
“What? Oh, right. I’m supposed to be working on that.” She pasted on a sweet smile. “Thank you ever so much, Pastor Jack. That is so nice of you to say.”
“There, was that so hard?”
“You’ll never know.” She tilted a smile up at him. “So let me guess—you’re here for Secretaries’ Day.”
“Got it in one.”
“I’ll fix Gloria up with a nice bouquet. Maybe some roses and daisy poms, some asters and purple delphinium? I have a large blue mason jar she’d just love. I can tie a nice big bow around it.”
He loved the way her green eyes sparkled when she talked flowers. He fought their magnetic pull and was grateful for the umpteenth time that his olive skin wasn’t prone to blushing. “Whatever you come up with will be perfect.”
Daisy wrote up the order as Jack signed a card for Gloria. His secretary had been with him since he’d taken the job seven years ago. He’d be adrift without her, and they both knew it.
“You want to wait while I make it up or should we deliver it for you tomorrow?” Daisy asked after he’d swiped his credit card.
“Whatever’s easiest for you.”
The bell tinkled as the door opened, allowing the entrance of a tall, slender woman with straight brown hair. She was well dressed and looked to be in her early thirties.
“Welcome!” Daisy said, peering past Jack with a friendly smile. “Let me know if I can help you with anything.”
“Actually, I’m just looking for a bouquet. Maybe you can point me in the right direction.”
Jack stepped back from the counter, nodding at the woman before turning back to Daisy. “Go ahead and help her. You can just deliver the flowers tomorrow.”
“Sounds great. Thanks, Pastor Jack.”
“Sorry if I butted in line,” the woman said.
Daisy’s eyes slid from Pastor Jack to her new customer. She looked as if she’d stepped straight out of a Dove soap commercial with her creamy complexion and natural beauty. Intelligence flashed in her blue eyes as she took in the small shop.
Daisy smiled. “Not at all. We were finished. Would you like to look at our fresh bouquets, or did you have something specific in mind? I’m Daisy, by the way—one of the owners.”
The woman gave her a crooked smile. “Ah, Daisy . . . hence the name of the shop. I’m Julia.”
“Nice to meet you. The name wasn’t my idea, believe me. My grandma started the place when I was young enough to think having a store named after me was the best thing since sliced bread. Can I help you find something?”
“I’m not really sure what I want. Let me look a minute, I guess.”
Julia wandered over to the floral display case, grace in her movements. She wore quality black slacks and a trendy top. The bag and shoes looked like designer wear. In other words, she wasn’t from around here.
Daisy wiped the lacquered counter and restocked the floral cards and envelopes. When she was finished, the woman was still perusing the case.
Daisy stepped out from behind the counter. “What’s the occasion, Julia? Maybe I can help.”
“Well . . . I guess you could say they’re for an old friend.”
“Man or woman?”
“Man, but . . .”
“Hmm. Something cheery, maybe? Spring’s a great time for colorful blooms.” Daisy slid open the case and pulled out a cellophane-wrapped arrangement of yellow roses, white lilies, and blue delphinium. “What do you think? This one isn’t too feminine. I love the lemon leaf with the roses.”
“That’s the very one I was eyeing.”
She smiled. “You have great taste.”
“Let’s do it then.”
Daisy carried the bouquet to the counter and began ringing up the purchase. The cellophane crinkled as Julia picked up the bouquet and took a whiff.
“What brings you to Copper Creek? Just visiting your friend?”
“Kind of. I’m just passing through. I’ve never been to Georgia before. To be honest, I didn’t even know there were mountains here.”
“It’s all we have up north. The Appalachian Trail starts not far from here. We get a lot of people passing through town, especially in the summer.”
“It’s a lovely town.”
“Well, it’s small, but it’s home. I love the people and the familiarity of it all. You know how it is . . . Everybody knows everybody.”
“And their business?” Julia gave her a wan smile as she pulled a bill from her wallet.
“Sometimes.” Daisy laughed. “Okay, most of the time. But the pros outweigh the cons, to my way of thinking. Where are you from?”
“North Carolina, the Winston-Salem area.”
“You’re a ways from home then. Well, I hope you enjoy your visi
t.” Daisy made change and counted it back to Julia. “And I hope he enjoys the flowers.”
Julia blinked before giving a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. “Thank you.”
Just as Daisy’s customer left the shop, a series of thumps sounded on the staircase at the back of the store. She got there in time to hold the door open for Ava Morgan, who was carrying a box of old junk from the upstairs apartment.
“Thanks.” Ava edged past Daisy on her way to the Dumpster out back.
The eighteen-year-old had added a subtle auburn rinse of some kind to her dark hair. The color was a striking contrast with her pale skin and blue eyes. Today she wore it back in a messy bun, exposing her long, slender neck. She was lovely, inside and out, so it had been no surprise when she was crowned Miss Georgia Peach at last year’s Peachfest.
A longtime resident of the Hope House, a local girls home, Ava was graduating from high school in a month and had asked about renting the small apartment above the shop. It was full of junk the old owner had left behind and had been sitting empty for years. The deal was, if Ava cleaned it out, it was all hers. The girl had jumped on the offer.
“I’ll help you after the shop closes,” Daisy said when Ava returned from the Dumpster.
The girl wiped her hands on her black yoga pants. “Believe it or not, I should be done by then.”
“Wow, you’ve really put in the hours. I don’t know how you’ve had time with school and work.”
“They kind of go easy on the seniors. They know we’re seriously burnt out.” Ava looked up the stairwell, smiling. “The place just needs a good cleaning now, and it’ll be ready to move into. I can’t wait.”
Daisy remembered the stained grout in the bathroom and the thick layer of dirt on the windowsills. Ava still had a huge job ahead of her.
“It’ll probably be great having a place of your own, huh?”
Ava rolled her eyes. “You have no idea. I share my room with a twelve- and fourteen-year-old.”
Daisy laughed. “No wonder you’re in such a hurry. A young woman needs her privacy. What are your plans going forward? Will you be working full-time at the Peach Barn once school’s out?”
“For the summer, yes. Then I start classes part-time at Dalton State.”