She slid her arms around his neck and smiled with intense satisfaction.“Tell me that seven months from now.I’ll need to hear it about then.”
“A child,” he murmured as if he was just beginning to fully comprehend this new life growing within his wife.“I have something beyond price: you, a child, and God’s love.You’ve given me everything a man could ever want.”
Jordan’s arm tightened around her waist, and Skye happened to catch a glimpse of the dining room table.Thanksgiving: She now understood the full meaning of the word.
* * ** *
Love Thy Neighbor
Dear Reader Letter
Dear Friends,
Welcome to a vintage inspirational Debbie Macomber story.I wroteLove Thy Neighboron a rented typewriter I set up on my kitchen table back in the early 1980s.Technology has certainly changed since then, hasn’t it?It’s hard to remember what our lives were like before cell phones, personal computers and the internet.I have a friend whose grandmother crossed the prairie as an infant in a covered wagon and before she died in the 1960s, she flew on a jet plane.Amazing, isn’t it?
Yet it doesn’t matter when a book is written; a good story remains a good story.I believe you’ll enjoyLove Thy Neighbordespite the fact no one has a cell phone or a computer.Think of it as a time capsule: a look back to the way things were back then...once upon a time.
These days, I am connected on just about every bit of social media available.You can reach me at my website, debbiemacomber.com, or on Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram and Pinterest.And as always, you can reach me via snail mail at P.O.Box 1458, Port Orchard, WA 98366.Choose any option—I do so enjoy hearing from my readers.
So, please, look beyond the obvious changes the years have made and simply enjoy this story.
Warmest regards,
Debbie Macomber
Dedication
To Les Carr,
the best chauffeur
a teenage girl ever had.
Chapter One
Lesley Brown watched as her newest employee struggled to maintain her poise.Fifty-year-old Charlotte Lewis had been hired at Statewide Savings Bank last month and had proved herself capable of dealing with every aspect of banking.But today was her first day handling new accounts.The older woman looked red-faced and flustered.Frustration drove deep grooves into her smooth brow as she cast Lesley a pleading glance.
Lesley’s natural reaction was to respond to Charlotte’s silent plea, but that wouldn’t help either of them.Every employee was left to deal with an impatient customer occasionally.Like everyone else, Charlotte would need to learn to react courteously and politely.Lesley realized this could sometimes be difficult, but she prided herself on the ability to keep a cool head and a calming demeanor.
Centering her attention on the loan application on her desk, Lesley ignored the raised voices from the other side of the room.With experienced skill, she ran down the printed form, checking to see that all the information had been completed.
“I’m sorry to bother you.”Charlotte stood at Lesley’s desk, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.“But Mr.Daniels has asked to speak to the manager.”
“What seems to be the problem?”
“Actually, there are several.Mr.Daniels has recently moved into the area and wishes to open an account with a check issued from Indiana.I explained the bank’s policy regarding checks issued from out of state, but he insists upon talking to someone in authority.”
“I understand, Charlotte.Don’t worry, you did the right thing.”Lesley rolled back her chair and stood.Her high heels tapped against the tile floor as she moved across the room.
“Mr.Daniels.”She extended her hand and introduced herself.“I’m Lesley Brown.Is there something I can do for you?”
His handshake was short and barely civil.“I want to speak to the manager.”The dark eyes became narrowed slits.
“Mr.Fullbright is out of the office.I’m the assistant manager.”
“I’ll wait for Mr.Fullbright,” he stated dismissively, and glanced at his watch.
“Mr.Daniels, I’m sure I can settle any problem.”
