Free Miracles and Dreams by Mary Manners

deserved? She’d always leaned on her own perception of what was best for her and Allie. Control—her need for control in everything—was a daily struggle. Perhaps it was time to surrender that control to the One who truly knew the desires of her heart. Even if it meant swallowing her own pride…as well as whatever doubts and insecurities remained.
     
     
     
     

11
     
    Jack wound his way through the sleepy town toward the Landing. Mist rose from the river, giving an ethereal look to the waking morning. Through the length of the park and across the road, floodlights illuminated the grounds around Precious Miracles preschool. A glow through the windows of the hardware store told him Old Man Lawson was already at work there, as well. Saturdays were always good for business.
    A neon sign in the window of Julian’s Bakery announced the pastries were fresh and hot. He parked the car and went inside where small talk with Mrs. Julian was followed by an order for a half-dozen donuts. Jack was sure to get a few of the chocolate-glazed cream puffs Misty loved, as well as several dusted with rainbow sprinkles for Allie. He was particular to the jelly-filled, so, as an afterthought, he implored Mrs. Julian to toss in a couple of those, as well.
    The morning was perfect for a walk. Jack placed the pastry bag in the rental car and started along the river, following the jogging trail until he came to Myers Drive. A quick right brought him to the sign—and the property—Old Man Lawson had mentioned. Jack surveyed it from the road before stepping into the bush-hogged weeds to walk the length of it. He knew, from experience, that a good walk was the only way to get a true feel for the land. It didn’t take long to realize that this parcel was exceptional, prime commercial. The old man was spot-on. Jack grinned as he made a mental note to phone Luke in a bit and gather some details.
    Back in the car, he drove toward Misty’s place. It was early, sure, but he’d promised to stay with Allie while Misty went to her meeting this morning for the Web-design project.
    With Spence Tucker. He and Spence had once been friends, so it wounded that Spence had swooped in with Jack barely out of the picture. Was the project Spence’s way of trying to claim Misty for his own? Jack didn’t like the idea—no sir, not at all.
    Soft lamplight glowed through front windows, washing over the lawn as Jack rounded the corner and approached Misty’s house at the top of the quiet cul-de-sac. He pulled into the drive and sat for a moment, surveying the Currier and Ives scene. OK, maybe not so Currier-and-Ives…the lawn needed a mow and the detached garage could use a coat of paint. Blossoms from a trio of Bradford Pears scattered along the gutters and a few shingles had come loose from the roof in the recent storm.
    But Jack would rather be inside than sitting out here in the drive, alone. The house had a certain personality, and the woman inside…well, he loved her.
    How could he make her see?
    The front door swung open, and Misty loped across the yard to meet him. “Good morning, Jack. Are you going to come in?”
    He was captivated as the breeze caused dark wisps of hair to dance over her cheeks. The linen suit she wore hugged her curves in all the right places while silver teardrops that dangled playfully from her earlobes caught the sunlight.
    “You look beautiful.” Jack swallowed the lump in his throat as he slipped from the car. “Do you always dress like this for meetings?”
    “Depends on the meeting…and the client. I’ve worked hard to build my business, and Spence is my most important client, thus far. I strive to maintain a professional image where he’s concerned.”
    Jack caught one of the teardrops between his fingers and watched it reflect the light. His gaze shifted to her mouth. It almost seemed a shame to mess up the perky pink gloss she’d applied oh-so-perfectly along the plump outline of her lips.
    “I want to, Misty…I