Harlequin Love Inspired March 2021--Box Set 2 of 2 by Patrice Lewis (best large ereader .txt) 📕

Iris beamed at the compliment. “Ella, it’s such a pleasure to meet you. It’s wonderful to see a young person like yourself planting roots here.”

“Your place is lovely, Iris. Every time I walk by it just pulls me in,” Isabelle said. “Your interior decorating aesthetic is fantastic.”

Iris beamed. “Thank you. In my youth I wanted to go to design school, which wasn’t possible, so I was able to fulfill all of my decorating dreams right here at my shop.”

“Iris’s son, Gabriel, is one of my husband Hank’s closest friends,” Sage explained. “And he recently got married to Rachel, who is a dear friend and an amazingly skilled nurse. She’s helping me plan Piper’s bash.”

“And along with Rachel came two beautiful little girls, Faith and Lizzie. We’re all so blessed,” Iris said. “Our family has blossomed in the last few months.”

“It sounds like it,” Isabelle said. Family was everything. Watching it grow and expand through marriage and children had always been so gratifying for Isabelle’s own mother. She felt a pang at the thought of missing out on motherhood.

“Well, why don’t the two of you take a seat?” Iris asked. “I just made the most enticing batch of lemon bars.”

Isabelle wished she could take Iris up on her offer. “Any other time I would love to, but I really have to get back to work. I’ve been away all morning.”

“That’s a shame.” She wagged her finger at Isabelle. “I’m going to give you a rain check. Come back anytime and there’ll be a table waiting for you. In the meantime, I’m going to wrap up some lemon bars for you to take with you. On the house. It’s my welcome to Owl Creek gift.”

As Iris quickly made her way back to the kitchen, Isabelle turned toward Sage. “The owner is just as lovely as the establishment.”

“She must like you,” Sage said. “Iris has a bit of a sharp edge at times. She’s a little like my grandmother in that regard,” she confessed.

“Something tells me they’re both strong women.” Isabelle wished she could be a little bit more like the two older women. These days she always felt as if she was coming apart at the seams. She needed to dig down deep and draw strength from God. Ever since this ordeal began, He had been with her. Back when she was working at the club in Miami, Isabelle hadn’t lived a faith-filled existence. That had all changed after witnessing a murder.

Lord, please grant me strength. I have miles to go on this journey. If I’m going to stay in Owl Creek, I need fortitude. I need to be as strong as an oak tree.

“Hey!” Sage said in a raised voice that drew Isabelle out of her thoughts. “I just had a great idea. Why don’t you come to Piper’s bridal shower?”

“I know who Piper is. She’s a sweetheart. I met her at the Snowy Owl. She’s the owner, right?”

“Yes. That place is her pride and joy. Piper is my husband Hank’s sister. She’s marrying my brother, Braden.”

Isabelle shook her head, feeling confused. “So, wait. Does that mean she’ll be your sister-in-law twice over?”

Sage chuckled. “Yes, it does. It’s a little confusing, but I couldn’t ask for a better friend than Piper. She already feels like my sister.”

Isabelle experienced a twisting sensation in the region of her heart. She knew all too well about the powerful bonds of sisterhood. Not being able to talk to her own sister made her feel as if she was missing her right arm. She fought past the lump in her throat. “That’s wonderful. A sister is a lifelong treasure.”

“I agree,” Sage said with a smile. “She would be thrilled to have you there. Please join us.”

“Oh, no,” she exclaimed. “I wouldn’t want to intrude on such an intimate gathering of friends and family.”

“You’ll be an invited guest, Ella. In Owl Creek we don’t stand on ceremony.” She crossed her hands in prayerlike fashion. “Please come. It will give you an opportunity to meet some very special people. I know firsthand what it feels like to be a stranger in a new town. It’s not easy.”

Isabelle heard the sincerity in Sage’s voice. It sounded like she had been in Isabelle’s shoes at one point in her life. That knowledge made her feel even closer to Sage, even though they had only recently met. And although she didn’t want to admit it to herself, she yearned to find friends in Owl Creek. The idea of attending a party at the tea shop and meeting the residents in a festive setting was extremely appealing to her.

Just then Iris returned with a little white box tied up with black ribbons. “Here are the lemon bars. Enjoy them,” she said, handing them over to Isabelle.

“Thank you, Iris,” Isabelle said. “What a thoughtful gesture.” With every kind act performed by one of the residents of Owl Creek, her heart began to open up a little more to the idea of becoming a member of this community. Their generosity filled up her soul.

“I hope to see you at the town festivities this weekend. Dog mushing. Crepes. Ice cream. Arts and crafts.” She clapped her hands together. “You’ll have a ball!” With a smile, Iris turned back toward the dining room and began stopping at tables and checking in on her customers.

Isabelle looked over at Sage. “If you’re sure it’s okay, I’d love to come to the party,” Isabelle said. Joy fluttered in her chest. It was so nice to feel included. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d attended a social event. Her entire life had collapsed in an instant back in Miami, and her world had gotten very small.

“Great!” Sage said, clapping her hands together. “The party is a week from this Saturday at noon. Don’t worry about bringing a present. Only your presence is required. And don’t forget it’s a surprise.”

“Perfect. I really need to get to the shop before