Excerpt from the Book
This feels pointless . . .
Hannah climbed out of bed and nestled into the big, comfy reading chair next to her open window. Sleep eluded her tonight. Her thoughts refused to shut down.
The discussion earlier that evening with her aunt had sent Hannah’s mind spinning with ideas. Her approach to asking Wyatt about exchanging his work for cooking lessons would begin by getting him to talk about his favorite foods. If he accepted, her wall dilemma would be solved.
But that wasn’t all that consumed her mind. The shop’s back room had also been remodeled multiple times in her head. Her back and shoulder muscles ached from nervous tension, and her stomach felt twisted into tight knots.
Of course she didn’t stick with one plan for improving the shop’s success. She had to go for it all, and she’d convinced Aunt Vicki that everything would come together like a complicated jigsaw puzzle. Financing was key, and that was only one corner piece.
How was she going to manage remodeling projects, design a candle-making class, run the shop, update the website, and prepare for the craft show? Her aunt would help as much as possible. But what if they couldn’t pull it off?
No—she couldn’t even entertain the notion they might fail.
At this late hour, the town lay quiet, and only lights illuminating the streets still glowed. Hannah pulled herself closer to the window and craned her neck to catch a glimpse of the night sky above the narrow alley separating Candlescents and Serenity Strings. Above the clouds, stars were sprinkled like glitter across the expanse, some sparkling brighter than the rest, as if vying for her attention.
Lord, I did it again, didn’t I? I ran ahead of you and made plans without seeking your guidance. Please forgive my impulsiveness. Hannah tucked her legs beneath her and propped her elbow on the soft armrest.
I don’t want to let Aunt Vicki down. I don’t want to fail her. She’s been so kind and generous. My goals—they’re not purely selfish. At least I don’t think they are. So, please, Lord, I’m humbly asking for your help and direction now.
Sweet, melodic notes drifted through her window. Where was that lovely music coming from?
Hannah peered across the alley at Serenity Strings, where she could see a few feet into a dimly lit room. Wyatt was playing the violin. She relaxed back into the chair, closed her eyes, and opened her heart to the emotion poured into the song. It seeped into her soul.
Since living in the Smoky Mountains, Hannah had grown accustomed to musicians playing bluegrass music on violins—fiddles—but she’d never heard anything so exquisite. It touched and moved her. There were no doubts. She was experiencing worship through the heavenly notes.
Want to know more about the book?
Sometimes it takes more than hard work and determination to fix matters of the heart.
When Hannah Bloom moves to Dogwood Creek, Tennessee, she’s determined to bring a fresh perspective to Candlescents, her Aunt Vicki’s struggling candle shop. Her happy childhood summers there fostered her deep love of creating pleasant, healing scents that evoke warm emotions and memories for others. Since she has no viable backup plan, Hannah prays her ideas breathe new life into the shop.
If Wyatt Stone can’t live up to his father’s expectations of joining the family legacy of professional, classical musicians, maybe he can earn the stubborn man’s respect. Skilled as a carpenter and passionate about working with his hands, Wyatt moves to Dogwood Creek to train with a master luthier who restores valuable stringed instruments. First, he must prove he has the patience and talent to perform the job well.
As shop neighbors, Hannah and Wyatt frequently cross paths. When he agrees to help with an important project in her store, spending time together is inevitable. Drawn to one another, their feelings begin to blossom amid unexpected challenges. Doing what’s right can sometimes be costly. Will they be able to overcome the daunting obstacles that stand in the way of their happily ever after?
Small-town charm and rediscovered dreams are always in season in Dogwood Creek, Tennessee.
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About the Author
Dawn Kinzer writes fiction because she believes in the power of story to comfort, challenge, and inspire. A mom and grandmother, she lives with her husband in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. Favorite things include dark chocolate, cinnamon, popcorn, strong coffee, good wine, the mountains, family time, and Masterpiece Theatre.
Scavenger Hunt Word Two: come
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