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Praise for A Marriage in Middlebury
Praise for A Marriage in Middlebury
“Nothing makes for a better romance novel than second chances, misunderstandings, and tension-filled bad timing, and that’s exactly what tearoom owner Charlotte Rose Hill experiences in Anita Higman’s lovely new novel, A Marriage in Middlebury. When Charlotte’s old beau returns to the quaint town, fiancée in tow, you’d think the old sparks would be snuffed out. Think again. Higman has created an ensemble of characters both romantic and quirky, and the greatest pleasure in reading the book is that all of their stories matter.”
—Trish Perry, author of The Perfect Blend and Tea for Two
“An exquisite love story! Marriage in Middlebury offers readers the perfect blend of sweet and savory with a variety of humorous twists and intriguing turns throughout. This beautifully written tale touched me in deep places while lifting my spirits every step of the way. Highly recommended!”
—Janice Thompson, author of the Weddings by Bella series
“Anita Higman is an up-and-comer in Christian fiction. Her storytelling has an appealing light touch that blends beautifully with interesting and quirky backgrounds and all the drama good romance should have. In A Marriage in Middlebury, you’ll almost see the flickering candles, taste the tearoom delicacies, and sway to the rhythmic music that pleasantly transports you along Sam and Charlotte’s star-crossed road toward the happy ending Charlotte’s been dreaming about her whole life.”
—Sandra D. Bricker, award-winning and best-selling author of Laugh-Out-Loud fiction, including the Another Emma Rae Creation series
“What a delightful story! From the first page of A Marriage in Middlebury, I cared about the characters, and I felt right at home in this charming setting. I would love to join her heroine, Charlotte, for an afternoon tea and chat about her past and current feelings for Sam. I’ve been a longtime Anita Higman fan, and this book delivered everything I’ve come to expect.”
—Debby Mayne, author of the Class Reunion series—Pretty Is as Pretty Does, Bless Her Heart, and Tickled Pink
“Delightful characters, a setting that draws you in and holds you in a hug, and the perfect Higman plot all add up to a most satisfying read. I hope this is a series! Novel Rocket and I give it our highest recommendation.”
—Ane Mulligan, President, Novel Rocket, www.novelrocket.com
Other books by Anita Higman
Love Finds You in Humble, Texas
A Merry Little Christmas
Winter in Full Bloom
Title Page
A Marriage
in
Middlebury
Anita Higman
Copyright Page
A Marriage in Middlebury
Copyright © 2013 by Anita Higman
ISBN-13: 978-1-4267-7809-4
Published by Abingdon Press, P.O. Box 801, Nashville, TN 37202
Published in association with the MacGregor Literary Agency.
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form, stored in any retrieval system, posted on any website, or transmitted in any form or by any means—digital, electronic, scanning, photocopy, recording, or otherwise—without written permission from the publisher, except or brief quotations in printed reviews and articles.
The persons and events portrayed in this work of fiction are the creations of the author, and any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Higman, Anita.
A marriage in Middlebury / Anita Higman.
pages cm
ISBN 978-1-4267-3387-1 (book - pbk. / trade pbk. : alk. paper) 1. Marriage—Fiction. I. Title.
PS3558.I374M37 2013
813’.54—dc23
2013014478
Printed in the United States of America
Dedication Page
To Betty McDonald—a beloved cousin
who lit up our family and our world with Christ’s love
and who now resides in heaven
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
Much gratitude goes to my editor, Ramona Richards, at Abingdon Press, for her excellent editorial work on this manuscript.
Many thanks go to Sandra Bishop, my agent at MacGregor Literary, for all the time she spends working on my behalf. You are appreciated.
Happy cheers go to my friend, Martha Marks, who offered her help and encouragement.
And a big hurray goes to my beloved husband, Peter Higman, who has been taking care of the dishes for decades so I can go back to my office in the evenings for another round of play with my characters.
Epigraph
Homecoming means coming home to what is in your heart.
—Author Unknown
Chapter 1
1
Charlotte Rose Hill always said that a good tearoom should be a gathering place where customers were like family, troubles melted like butter on hot scones, and homemade was a given. Of course, it was also the place where the local grapevine got its bloom. As well as its blush.
Charlotte yoo-hooed to her cook, “Remember, use a light touch folding those capers into the chicken salad, Lil. Think of them like lovers whose hearts you can’t bear to break.”
One of the younger waitresses, Eliza, pulled Charlotte to the side and said in a blustery whisper, “Got two problems already. Our jolly old elf, Mr. LaGrange, is hiding by the fireplace again, and he’s packing a flask of something that he keeps pouring into his tea. Man, you could fuel a flame with that breath of his.”
“Yeah, he’s been spiking the tea with schnapps for years.”
Eliza’s facial muscles, which usually got a workout, went deadpan. “You mean you knew about LaGrange and his drinking?”
“Someday when I find the right words I’ll say something to him. Hmm. It’s a good thing it’s springtime and there’s no blaze in the fireplace. Otherwise he might blow himself up. What’s the other problem?”
“Oh, it’s not a problem, but I saw a guy on the street earlier when I set out the tearoom sign for today’s specials.”
“Yeah, well that happens a lot in Middlebury. You know, men and women milling around, living their lives.”
“Cute. But this guy . . . well, he looks just like Jude Law. Didn’t you say one time you had an old sweetheart that looked a lot like him?”
Charlotte leaned against the doorframe to steady herself.
“Wow, you’ve gone as pale as those daisies on the tables,” Eliza said. “You okay?”
“I’m fine.” Was it Sam? After all these years, could it be her Sam?
“So you think it could be this mystery guy you refuse to talk about? I want