Falling for Toni

By Mildred Colvin

Someone was either trying to drive Toni crazy or make it appear she already was! But who?

Toni Duncan, with her young daughter, left the heartache of Chicago after her husband and his mistress died in a boating accident. Then her past, namely Justin Elliott, moves into the house next door with his daughter who’s the same age. The two girls become fast friends while Toni does her best to ignore Justin and concentrate on the opening of her new bookstore. Until a strange letter arrives, immediately disappears, and someone breaks into her house but takes nothing. Then her brother-in-law shows up with romantic intentions, her purse is stolen, and the unusual break-ins continue into her house and her bookstore, sure to convince the police it’s her sanity that’s at risk. Justin is handy and willing to offer protection and comfort, so now her heart is also in danger.

Justin Elliot may have married the wrong woman too quickly, but his heart has always belonged to Toni. He’d have bought the house next door, after his wife died, if it had been a shack, because Toni needs him, and he’s determined to keep her safe while he wins her heart once more. And her brother-in-law needs to find romance somewhere else. But Toni’s daughter loves her Uncle Philip, and Toni seems to like him too much for Justin’s peace of mind. How can he compete with such a successful fellow who already has more than his foot in Toni’s door? Justin refuses to give up easily. There’s too much at stake in his love for Toni and for her little girl who he’d love to call his own.

This sixth book, FALLING FOR TONI, is the conclusion of Mildred Colvin’s Second Chance Love series, set in the small town of Pleasant Spring, Missouri. If you like heartwarming, clean and wholesome, small town romances, you’ll love visiting these ordinary men and women of the Midwest who struggle to find their way in life and are rewarded with true love to last a lifetime.

Download your copy of FALLING FOR TONI today and find out exactly what strange happenings are going on in the small Midwestern town of Pleasant Spring, Missouri. While you’re there, remember a special love from your past as Toni and Justin take a second look at what might have been.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mildred Colvin
• Release date: Mar 2, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370220977

Mildred Colvin

Mildred Colvin is a wife, mother of three, and grandmother to three beautiful girls. She started writing when her children were young as they asked for stories. Not from a book. No! They were only satisfied when she made up stories. As the stories grew, she wrote some down and sent them off to magazines. Eight were published before her imagination turned toward love stories, which is what she enjoys reading.She has been writing Christian or clean and wholesome romance since 2001. Over the years several readers from pre-teens to older kids in their eighties and nineties have written expressing their interest in her books. She always loves to hear about one of her stories touching someone's heart. Her purpose in writing is to encourage, entertain, and bless someone else.She lives in the United States and sets her characters in the middle states from Texas to Nebraska and Iowa and reaching across Illinois to Colorado. She also has an Oregon Trail series, but the Great Plains states are her favorite setting.She is active in a very special critique group and has written and published over 60 books in both historical and contemporary themes, and plans to continue writing as long as God allows. He has been good in giving her many ideas for stories. Maybe more than she will be able to finish, but she enjoys each one.Please take a moment to visit her website at www.mildredcolvin.weebly.com, and sign up for her Romantic Reflections Newsletter to learn when new books are released. Also learn of promotions and free books through her newsletter.And take a look at her books. You might find something you don't want to put down.

Book preview

Falling for Toni

Mildred Colvin

Contemporary Christian Romance

Falling for Toni

by Mildred Colvin

Copyright © 2018 by Mildred Colvin

All rights reserved

Cover Photo Copyright © Auremar | Dreamstime.com

Smashword’s Edition

Scripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted by any electronic or mechanical means without permission in writing from its author except in the case of brief quotations used in printed reviews.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to events, is entirely coincidental, other than those established by history and of necessity those have been fictionalized.

Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

DEDICATION

To my Savior who gives me words when I can’t find any that make sense. Without You, Lord, I’d have no story to tell. Thank You!!

Chapter 1

"Amber, let’s go. Toni Duncan grabbed the stack of books she’d brought home the night before to review for the juvenile section of her bookstore. She opened the door and leaned out, pulling several envelopes and fliers from the mailbox. You don’t want to be late for school."

Her nine-year-old daughter dipped under her arm, and Toni closed the door, checking to be sure it locked. She settled the books more securely and began flipping through the mail.

Just one more week of school, and I can go to the store with you. Amber ran down the front steps and turned to skip backward, her long brown braids bouncing, as she chattered.

Toni listened with only half attention. She shuffled through store flyers and bills until an envelope with her name scrawled across it caught her eye. She didn’t get many personal letters, and she didn’t recognize the writing on this one.

She looked in the upper left-hand corner. John Downing? She remembered the name. He was Kyle’s friend. But why would her husband’s friend write to her? Especially when Kyle had been gone two years now. The name of the man she’d met only briefly brought unpleasant memories rushing through her mind.

Lost in thought, she stepped automatically while following the sound of Amber’s voice across the yard to the car. Frowning at the letter in her hand, a shiver ran down her back. How silly to feel intrusion from a letter. But that’s exactly what she felt. Why, after so long a time, would anyone from the past write to her? And of all people, a man she barely knew.

She shrugged. Only one way to find out. Again adjusting the books under her arm, she turned the letter over and pushed her fingernail under the sealed flap when her foot landed on something hard.

Her surprised scream pierced the calm morning as her feet flew out from under her.

Amber’s skateboard!

Mail and books scattered into the air as she threw her hands up for balance, and lost.

~*~

The scream sent adrenaline rushing through Justin Elliott’s body, while his thoughts raced ahead to Toni.

With his mail clutched in one hand and his briefcase in the other, he leapt through a weak spot in the hedge separating their driveways. Another leap caught his foot on the edge of a skateboard, sending it, his mail, and briefcase airborne while he landed in an undignified heap on his face beside the only woman he’d ever truly cared about. He could think of better ways to impress her.

Oh, my! Wide eyes with irises the color of milk chocolate stared at him. I’m so sorry. Are you hurt?

Justin pulled his light blue tie, now freshly grass-stained, from under his arm so he could sit up. With a quick brush at his white shirt, he grinned at her. So much for my Superman impersonation, huh? Besides, that question should be mine, unless I’ve run to the aid of the wrong lady in distress. You did scream, didn’t you?

A becoming pink touched her cheeks. I didn’t intend to. She scrambled to her feet. I only scream when I step on skateboards that move.

Justin watched her brush off her black slacks before he stood and did the same with his dress pants.

A snort caught his attention. Two little girls beside Toni’s car in identical poses with their hands over their mouths, barely suppressed the giggles that obviously wanted to burst forth. Amber overcame her amusement long enough to look contrite. You aren’t hurt, are you, Mommy?

No, I’m not hurt. Physically, anyway. She brushed a lock of dark blonde hair, dangling in front of her forehead, to the side and gave her daughter a raised eyebrow. My pride may be another matter.

Amber ran the short distance to hug her mother. I’m sorry I left my skateboard out. I won’t ever do that again. I promise.

See that you don’t. Toni hugged her daughter, dropping a kiss on the top of her head. Mr. Elliott could have been hurt, too.

Justin sharpened his gaze. Why did she call him Mr. Elliott? For her daughter’s benefit? What would Amber think if she knew he and her mother were old friends? Strange how their daughters had become fast friends almost as soon as he and Deanna moved in. They managed to spend several hours together each week in one yard or the other when they weren’t running in and out of the houses. No, strange was Toni allowing Amber to come near him. He wouldn’t complain though. She was a sweet kid.

He glanced at his watch and then at the littered driveway. The girls are going to be late for school if we don’t get a move on. How about letting Amber ride with Deanna as soon as we sort our mail?

Mommy, can I, please? Amber looked up at her mother with pleading eyes.

I suppose it would be all right. She started picking up envelopes then looked up at Justin. That is, if you don’t mind.

He grabbed a handful of mail and forced a smile. If she wanted to play the polite game, he could too. Not at all. I’m going anyway. We should have been carpooling all along. I’ll take this week, you can have next then we’re done until fall.

That would be so cool, Mommy! Amber and Deanna scampered around picking up the rest of the mail. Can we, please?

Toni laughed. I suppose so. She looked up from the letters she was sorting. Are you sure you want a couple of chatterboxes in your car all the way to school?

Can’t think of anything I’d like better. Justin held out the envelopes belonging to her. That was more like the Toni he remembered.

Amber and Deanna shoved some rather rumpled store fliers at their parents before running through the hedge. Justin heard two car doors slam. He picked up his briefcase. Guess I’d better be on my way, then. By the way, Mr. Elliott sounds too formal. Why don’t you call me Justin? It isn’t as if we’re strangers.

An emotion he couldn’t identify flashed through her eyes. Maybe pain, although he’d prefer guilt. Fine, Justin. But in front of my daughter, you’re Mr. Elliott. She looked toward his chest. I’m sorry about your tie. Grass stains are hard to get out.

He shrugged. Hey, don’t worry about it. I’ve been told teachers can be a little intimidating on test day. The green streaks on my blue tie may be just the thing to ease someone’s tension.

And then again, maybe you’d better change your tie. Toni arched an eyebrow toward him.

He wanted to stay and talk, but he needed to leave and get the girls to school on time. He’d have stepped across the hedge a month ago when he first moved in, but Toni needed time to adjust to him living next door. And that was the best excuse he could think of to cover his fear of rejection. The skateboard had been a good icebreaker. Someday he’d get Toni to talk. He was ready to forgive and forget even if she wasn’t.

Thanks again for giving Amber a ride, and thanks for coming to my rescue. Toni opened her car door and set her books and mail inside. I need to get to the store.

Yeah, maybe we can talk some other time. Sorry it’s taken me so long to be neighborly. Justin turned away with a wave over his shoulder, being careful to avoid the skateboard that had yet to be put away.

He opened the car door and tossed his briefcase on the passenger side. His mail followed, landing between the seats before some slid off into the floor. He started the car, ignoring the mail. None of it was important anyway. He backed out of the driveway while the two girls in back chattered about the end-of-school picnic with their class next week. Shutting out their voices, Justin thought of his new neighbor and a chuckle began deep in his throat. He’d have to tell Travis about this one. He couldn’t help wondering what his friend would have to say. He’d already become a good friend in the short time Justin had lived in Pleasant Spring and would likely be interested.

~*~

Miranda hadn’t arrived by the time Toni got to the store. She parked in the alley behind the building they’d leased for the enterprise they called Book and Coffee Nook. She pulled the key from the ignition and stared at the brick wall in front of her while her heart, still racing since her fall and even more since Justin landed beside her, slowed.

He’d bought the house a month ago, but she hadn’t gotten a good look at or known the name of her new neighbor until Amber brought Deanna home a week later and introduced her. Justin Elliott. Why? Lord, why is he here? Couldn’t he have at least stayed on his side of the hedge? She’d make sure she didn’t scream again. Then she wouldn’t have to talk to him. With a tremor in her sigh, she opened the car door and gathered her books and mail.

As always when she stepped into the bookstore, Toni felt pride in their accomplishment. Miranda, who had always loved to bake, ran the coffee shop while Toni took care of the bookstore. Together they’d realize their dreams.

Toni placed her load on the checkout counter that doubled as a display case then riffled through her mail. Now would be the perfect time to see what was in that letter. She glanced at the store ads and the ever-present bills as she set them aside. Taking them up again, she flipped carefully through each piece, but it wasn’t there. The letter from John Downing wasn’t there. Maybe it had become separated from the others in the car.

She met Miranda coming in the back door as she went out.

Hey, you’re going the wrong direction. Miranda joked.

I know. I need to look in my car. Toni didn’t take time to explain. That letter was starting to concern her. What could John possibly have to write to her about? Even more important, where had it gone?

Five minutes later she returned to the store minus the letter. Miranda smoothed a red-checked tablecloth over one of her round café tables. She looked up. So, did you find what you went for?

No, but that’s probably because it’s still in my driveway.

Your driveway?

Toni laughed. You have got to hear what my sweet little girl did. While they performed the tasks to open for the day, she told her friend of Justin running to her rescue when she screamed. So I would assume the letter was under the car, and we didn’t see it. What other explanation is there?

Miranda looked thoughtful. I don’t know unless Justin took it by mistake.

I suppose, but we sorted everything, and I don’t have any of his mail. She unlocked the door and turned the open sign over to face the street. Speaking of mail, did you get the open house ads out to all the newspapers?

Sure did. Miranda smiled. The local paper and some surrounding towns took the article I wrote as a news item so that didn’t cost. Most others, especially in Springfield, Kansas City, and St. Louis, didn’t consider us newsworthy, so I took out small ads. It cost plenty, but it should be worth it. We’ll have the biggest open house ever.

Toni sighed. I sure hope so. I’ll gladly toss my red pen for a black one anytime.

Oh, don’t worry. We’ll be in the black before you know it, her friend promised.

The bell over the door jingled, and the two women went to work. Toni forgot her letter until late in the afternoon. At a few minutes until three, she ran out to pick Amber up from school. When they got back to the bookstore, Amber headed to the children’s section with a couple of Miranda’s chocolate chip cookies and a glass of milk. She walked through the door of the castle that distinguished the children’s books from the rest of the store and sat at the table inside to finish her homework and her snack.

Toni turned to help a customer, knowing she couldn’t have found a better job. Where else could she do something she loved and keep Amber with her while she worked? Well, other than the daycare, but now she was her own boss. Her life might not be perfect, but it was pleasant, and she wouldn’t change anything about it if she could. Unless she could move Justin back to Booneville where he’d grown up. But she refused to think about him and why he’d decided to move next door to her just when things had finally calmed down. After the hardest two years of her life, the future held a promise of blessings to come.

A customer at the end of the day exclaimed when she saw the Colonial bookends in the display case. Now aren’t those just beautiful? The elderly lady looked up at Toni. They are for sale, aren’t they?

Yes, of course. Toni opened the back of the case. Would you like to see them better?

Oh, yes, please.

Toni took the pewter lady and her gentleman friend out of the case and set them on the counter. The older woman reached with blue-veined hands and picked up the lady. She set it down after careful examination and turned to the gentleman bookend. After looking it over, she set him beside the lady. I’ll take them.

Toni silently rejoiced. The bookends didn’t come cheap and provided a healthy profit for the store. She made the sale and started to wrap them in newspaper. As she slapped the Kansas City paper on the counter, the name John Downing seemed to leap from a small article near the bottom. Without taking time to read the article, Toni pulled the top sheet off and stuffed it under the counter for later.

As soon as she locked the door after the last customer, she pulled the page out and spread it on the counter. As she read the short article, an icy tremor ran down the back of her neck. John Downing had been found shot to death in his home in a northwest Kansas City suburb three days ago apparently during a burglary.

She lifted stricken eyes toward Miranda, but her friend was busy cleaning and putting things away. She couldn’t help her anyway. No one could because she had no clue what this all meant. Only one thing she knew, she had to find that letter.

Chapter 2

Toni stared at the printed page that now blended into a blur. John Downing was dead? Did she or did she not just get a letter from him? Three days ago he died. How long did it