Lakeside Sweetheart by Lenora Worth Read Free Book Online Page A

his work and his life. No way did he want to go back.
    And yet, when he saw his friends finding true love, he wanted to go back. He wanted to fall in love again. But at times, the bitterness reared its ugly head, and he felt envy and anger pushing at his hard-fought-for peace.
    So he understood what Vanessa was fighting.
    A knock at his partially open office door brought Rory out of his musings. His secretary, Barbara Rowan, peeped inside. “Hey, you awake in here?”
    Rory grinned. “Barely. It’s too pretty outside to be in here pushing a pencil.”
    Barbara, petite, with a brown bob and a blunt attitude, put her hands on her hips and gave him a mock stare, her flamingo lapel pin blinking at him in shades of pink bling. “Well, I feel so bad for you, stuck in this stuffy old office. But you have company. Blain and Rikki are here.”
    â€œOh, right.” Rory glanced at the clock again. “Send them in. This will make my day better.”
    Barbara nodded and opened the door wide. “Here they are.”
    Rory grinned at seeing Blain and Rikki holding hands, smiles on their faces. “Hello, you two.”
    Blain shook his hand and Rikki hugged him. “We’re here for the premarital counseling you suggested,” Rikki said.
    â€œDid I suggest that?” He chuckled and motioned to the floral chairs across from his desk. “So a few more weeks, huh?”
    Blain nodded, his dark blue eyes moving over his bride. “Yes. Wedding here in the church and reception out at the Alvanetti estate.”
    â€œGot it marked in red,” Rory said. “Any questions?”
    Rikki gave Blain a sweet smile. “How do we get past everything we went through? I mean, I’ve forgiven my family but...how do Blain and I keep my family issues out of our marriage?”
    Blain squeezed her hand and glanced at Rory. “We want to make this work. We love each other but sometimes the world can get in the way.”
    Rory loved his friend Blain and he liked Rikki, too. So he leveled with them. “It’s not easy. But loving each other is the first line of defense. Loving the Lord helps. Your faith is important, and that shows with you two. Be open and honest with each other, of course. Seek help when you need to. I’m always here for either of you, and I won’t repeat anything said in this room. But you need to talk to your families, too. And other friends you can trust.”
    He glanced out the window and saw Vanessa getting into her car. She was wearing a colorful patterned sundress and tall, strappy sandals. When he glanced back at Blain and Rikki, Blain was giving him a one-eyebrow-lifted knowing stare.
    Rory tried to cover. “And...uh...you should be honest with your families, too. Don’t hold grudges. Talk things out. Remember the good times and try to get past the bad.”
    He groaned inwardly. He was talking in clichés today.
    After a few more questions, he went over the wedding arrangements with them and gave them some pamphlets and books to read. They both asked more questions, and Rory said a prayer with them. “I think you two will be fine.”
    Blain glanced at Rikki. “Can you visit with Barbara for a minute? I need to ask Rory something.”
    â€œSure.” She gave him a brown-eyed smile, her long dark hair flowing around her shoulders. “Already keeping secrets.”
    â€œIt’s more guy stuff,” Blain said. “Regarding my bachelor party.”
    â€œOh, right.” She grinned at Rory and went into the reception area.
    â€œWhat’s up?” Rory asked, his mind still on Vanessa. “You know we’re having a low-key party out at the camp house, right?”
    Blain laughed. “Yes, I know all about that, surprises not withstanding.”
    â€œOkay, did you need something else?”
    â€œAre you scouting the house across the street for a reason?”
    Blain was on to him. “I might be