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    Love Finds You: The Helena's Grove Series, #1
    Love Finds You: The Helena's Grove Series, #1
    Love Finds You: The Helena's Grove Series, #1
    Ebook149 pages2 hours

    Love Finds You: The Helena's Grove Series, #1

    By Ivy Alexander

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    About this ebook

    Jennifer Berkley is a straightforward, ambitious, soon-to-be lawyer in the fast, driven city of New York. She doesn't have the time or patience to deal with people who can't or won't give her what she wants. When her father asks her to visit her aunt in Ohio as her last dying wish, Jen is immediately resistant, but reconsiders when her father makes her an offer she can't refuse.

     

    Jen finds Ohio a much different pace than New York, and is beginning to enjoy country life when she meets Zack LaFaye, a good-looking, helpful man who is adored by her aunt. Each encounter with him leaves Jen flustered and annoyed. The question is glaring: does she have feelings for him, or does she hate him so much that she can't decide?

     

    Amidst a country backdrop, Jen discovers feelings and experiences no city girl is prepared for. As the summer unfolds, she finds herself questioning everything. Using her skill and training as a lawyer, Jen uncovers a trail of deceit she didn't see coming. With a vengeance, she is determined to find out the truth. Someone is lying to her, but who?

     

    Love Finds You is a clean romance novel full of charming intrigue, with twists, turns, love, romance, and drama that will leave you breathless as Jen must decipher her feelings, and the truth.

     

    Note: This book was previously published under "Love is Thicker Than Blood" by Ivy Alexander. New content has been added including an extended ending, with twists and turns you'll be sure to love!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherIvy Alexander
    Release dateJun 11, 2014
    ISBN9781498927161
    Love Finds You: The Helena's Grove Series, #1

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      Book preview

      Love Finds You - Ivy Alexander

      Chapter 2

      Three weeks later Jen was seated in first-class on a flight to Ohio. She had never been there and wasn’t sure what to expect. Cows. She imagined cows, picket fences and iced tea. She had called Aunt Gabby the week before to let her know she was coming. Jen recalled the friendliness in her voice. For a woman of seventy-five who was battling cancer, she sounded very upbeat.

      The seat belt sign blinked off. Jen unbuckled herself and tried to get a little more comfortable. Planes were such a hassle. Even in first-class the seats were ridiculously uncomfortable. The stewardess walked by and asked if Jen needed anything. She shook her head and the stewardess moved on, asking the other people in first class if they had any needs. Jen didn’t hear their reply. She slid on a pair of headphones and let music take her away from her surroundings. Slipping in and out of sleep, she was finally awakened by the seat belt sign flashing and the pilot announcing their descent into Cleveland.

      Good. This seat is awful! She would be sure to make a complaint to the airline about charging people for a first-class seat when it was as irritating as it was. Pulling off her headphones, she became aware they were cheap and didn’t have the greatest sound. Strike two; she wouldn’t be flying this airline again.

      The plane landed and Jen was off in the direction of baggage claim. Aunt Gabby had told her someone would be there to pick her up, but she had no idea who. She walked into the terminal, looking around at the people. Would they have a sign with her name on it? That would be a first for her. On the many business trips she had been on, those picking them up had known who her father was and had never kept them waiting.

      The terminal wasn’t too crowded at that moment and after grabbing her luggage, she found a bench and sat down. She pulled out her cellphone and began searching for Aunt Gabby in her contacts. Suddenly a hand was on her shoulder. She whipped around to see a brown-haired girl, about her age, with dark brown eyes smiling down at her.

      Jennifer? she asked with a friendly grin.

      Yes, Jen replied, standing as she reached out her hand.

      I’m Annie LaFaye, the girl said, shaking her hand firmly. I’m glad I found you! Her tone was overly cheery, and she had a slight southern accent. The terminal is so busy today I was worried you’d get lost! She giggled out loud and Jen laughed uncertainly. She wondered if Annie had ever been to New York City. More people lived in her apartment building than were in the terminal at that moment.

      Annie helped Jen with her luggage and they began their walk through the airport and out to the car with Annie talking the entire time.

      So, you’re Aunt Gabby’s niece? Annie asked, her eyes bright with enthusiasm.

      Huh? Yes, yes, I am. Are you her niece too? Jen asked, wondering if maybe Annie was one of her long-lost cousins that she knew nothing about.

      Oh, goodness! Annie laughed out loud. No, I am no relation to her. She is just Aunt Gabby to me. She is Aunt Gabby to everyone actually! Well except the younger children, she is more Grandma Gabby to them. She’s a real sweetheart and a treasure to our little town. Everyone is so excited to meet a real true-blue relative of hers! We were beginning to wonder if she even had any! She laughed again and Jen felt a headache coming on. There was no reason for anyone to be this cheerful. She briefly wondered if Annie was on something but kept that thought to herself.

      Aunt Gabby asked me to come pick you up since she was planting her garden today. She is very particular about her schedule and getting things done on time. But why am I telling you that? she giggled. You’re her niece, I’m sure you know her as well as anyone.

      I actually don’t know her very well. I haven’t seen or talked to her for quite a few years, Jen stated flatly.

      Oh, well how wonderful of you to come and visit her! I’m sure you’re busy, living in New York and all. I’ve never been there but I hear it’s pretty wild. Annie said the words ‘pretty wild’ in a hushed tone, as if she didn’t want anyone else to hear. Then she winked at Jen like the two of them had a secret. This girl was strange. Jen hoped everyone in the town wasn’t like Annie, she could only handle so many bubbly personalities at once.

      They arrived at Aunt Gabby’s house about an hour later – the longest hour of Jen’s life! She could never have imagined that someone could say so much in so little time as Annie had. Never, ever, could have imagined.

      They pulled up to a small country house. It was painted yellow, and there were white shutters on the windows. A white picket fence surrounded the property, and a stone pathway led up to a porch that appeared to wrap completely around the house. A wooden porch swing sat on one side of the front door and it swayed slightly, as if the breeze was sitting on it. It was charming, if you were into that sort of thing.

      Annie opened the fence and she and Jen walked up the pathway which was lined with rose bushes dotted with tiny buds just beginning to bloom. As they approached the house, Jen again realized how small it was. But then, it was just Aunt Gabby living here, or so she assumed. She hadn’t even thought to ask if she was married or if anyone lived with her. As they walked up the porch steps, Jen noticed pots of flowers hanging from the rafters and a pretty orange cat perched on the top step.

      Hello Carmen, Annie cooed as she reached down and scratched the cat’s head. That’s Carmen, she said to Jen as if she didn’t hear her talk to the cat. You can pet her, she’s a real sweetie. Her accent thickened on the last sentence and Jen nodded but didn’t take her advice. She didn’t particularly like cats. In her experience, cats lived in alleys, ate rats and garbage, and usually carried a disease.

      Aunt Gabby? Annie called as they entered the house. You can set your bags right on down there, she instructed Jen. I’ll bet ya Aunt Gabby is out in the back working in the garden.

      The two of them walked out the back door and onto the back patio. Jen was astonished. The yard displayed before them was immaculate. Flower beds lined the white fence all the way around the yard. A stone pathway, the same as the one in front, went straight through the yard to the end of the lot where an arch covered in yellow flowers led to what Jen assumed was the garden. Jen followed Annie down the path and through the archway, down three stone steps and stopped in front of many rows of perfectly mounded dirt. Jen could tell the garden had just been planted, but much like the rest of the property, it was perfect. Not a weed in sight! Jen hadn’t seen many gardens in her lifetime but ventured a guess that her aunt’s would be the most pristine she would ever see. Clearly Aunt Gabby had an immense amount of help from the community in keeping up her place.

      Aunt Gabby! Annie called. A woman stood up and turned to look. She waved slightly and began walking toward them. She wasn’t hunched over, but walked briskly and with purpose. She wore a large sun hat, a bright pink t-shirt and khaki shorts to the knee. She stopped in front of them and Jen was surprised how much she resembled her father; the same piercing blue eyes.

      My goodness, Jennifer, you have grown into quite a beautiful young lady! Aunt Gabby was gracious and charming.

      It’s so good to see you again Aunt Gabby, said Jen, smiling politely.

      No need to be so formal my dear, I’m just family, Aunt Gabby said waving one of her garden gloves in a dismissive manner. Let’s all go in and have some iced tea. You can tell me all about yourself. Her smile was beautiful, and her eyes twinkled. Jen liked her already.

      A few minutes later, they were seated around the table in Aunt Gabby’s kitchen. So, she started as she poured homemade iced tea into Jen’s glass, it looks like New York is treating you well.

      Thank you, Jen replied. I work...

      However, we’re going to have to do something about your figure, Aunt Gabby interrupted.

      Jen was taken aback. My... um, I beg your par...

      No need to beg my pardon my dear. I meant what I said. Your figure; you’re far too thin. Aunt Gabby walked into the kitchen, talking as she went. I know all you girls think you have to be nigh unto death before you look good but I’m here to tell you, it’s not so!

      Jen felt warmness wash over her cheeks. Never in her life had she been told she was too thin. She didn’t think there was such a thing in New York City. She suddenly felt the need to justify herself. I walk a lot, it is New York after all. And I work so I don’t always have time to eat...

      Before she could finish her sentence, Aunt Gabby had returned, placing a plate with an enormous piece of apple pie and a large scoop of vanilla ice cream in front of her.

      Eat up! she demanded.

      Jen stared at the mass of calories before her. She couldn’t think of the last time she had eaten a piece of pie. Aunt Gabby, I’m appreciative but I can’t eat this.

      Why ever not?

      Jen looked at Annie for help, but she was already enjoying her own piece of pie and seemed completely oblivious to the conversation.

      Because, I rarely eat dessert and I don’t eat carbs.

      Aunt Gabby blinked at her. Well heavens child, what joy does your life have if not a good piece of apple pie?

      Jen didn’t answer, nor did she pick up her fork.

      Just try one bite, Aunt Gabby insisted.

      Not knowing what else to do, Jen picked up her fork and scooped a bite of pie onto it. It oozed on the sides and smelled delicious. I’m going to have to run five miles to burn off this one bite! Feeling Aunt Gabby’s eyes on her, she lifted the fork to her mouth. Jen had eaten at some of the top restaurants in the entire nation, but never, never had she tasted something as good as that apple pie. Her eyes shot to Aunt Gabby, whose eyes twinkled with triumph. Good, isn’t it? she said as she took a bite of her own

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