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WHEN LOVE WINS
The Fitzpatrick Family Book 5
BY JUDYTHE MORGAN

Blurb

WHEN LOVE WINS
The Fitzpatrick Family Book 5
BY JUDYTHE MORGAN

Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Faith Fitzpatrick rested her chin on the steering wheel and stared at the Greenvine Boys’ Home gazebo. The bright white structure was the perfect setting for her best friend’s wedding. Happiness gushed through her then faded into a sigh. Being Mara’s Maid of Honor had pushed her into a very precarious emotional place. 

He would be her brother’s best man. Blake Robbins, the man who had captured her eight-year-old heart, then crushed it. Everything would be fine, she promised herself for the zillionth time.

It had to be. 

A strand of hair blew across her cheek when she climbed out of her Mini Cooper. She brushed it away with a quick prayer that the cool breeze would hang around for tomorrow morning’s ceremony. Texas in June could be such a scorcher. Rounding the car, she opened the trunk and lifted out a box filled with tablecloths, ribbons, sconces, and candle wreaths. Stuff the Fitzpatrick women would use to transform Greenvine’s multi-purpose gym into a reception wonderland. 

“Let me help with that, Sprite.” The sound of the too-familiar voice made her heart race the same as her traitorous body had all those years ago when Blake coined that ridiculous nickname for her. To this day, every time someone ordered a Sprite, she heard Blake’s voice. 

She turned stiffly, keeping her focus on his chest to avoid the eyes that haunted her dreams. Somehow, she found her voice. “I’m a little old for the nickname, don’t you think?”  

He shrugged “Maybe. I’ll decide after I’ve been around for a while. Here, let me carry that.” His fingers slid over her hand as he reached for the box.

His touch sent ripples of adrenaline up her arm. Her eyes drifted to his face. Pure insanity too. He hadn’t even noticed what he’d done. She pulled the box closer to her chest.

 “What are you doing here anyway?” Disappointed that she’d allowed his presence to affect her after she’d promised herself she wouldn’t, her tone came out a bit sharper than she intended.

 “Your mom asked us to hang around after the rehearsal and help with the heavy stuff.” His eyes blared contradict that! 

As much as she’d hoped to avoid him until the service, that wasn’t to be. Relax. You got through the rehearsal. You’ll get through this too. Faith forced a small smile. The one reserved for funerals and unexpected encounters. 

“Then you should see what Mom wants. This isn’t heavy. I will come back for the other one.”

“No. I carry one. You carry one.” He removed the other box from her Mini then closed the hatch. 

 “Fine.” She turned away from his know-it-all-smirk and walked toward the gym.

Blake matched her steps. “Josh and Mara finally tying the knot. I thought any chance of that died a long time ago.” 

“I think it’s wonderful they’re back together.” 

 “Still the romantic, huh, Sprite?” He gave her the half-hitch smile that always made her stomach do cartwheels. “I remember the little girl who sat on the porch planning weddings with her sisters while we guys played basketball.” 

“Well, for your information, the twins did have their wedding. Exactly the way they’d planned.” She returned his earlier so-there look with one of her own. “Proof that happy endings do happen.” 

Blake shook his head. “For some people, maybe. Not me. I’ve learned my lesson. Once bitten, twice shy.”

Something flashed in his dark eyes. As quickly as it appeared, it disappeared. “What about you? You gonna execute your wedding plan any time soon?”

“Not me. Once I pass the bar exam, it’s my career, full speed ahead.”

“When’s the exam?”

“July 7.” 

His eyebrows arched. “That’s coming up pretty fast. You ready?” 

“I’m working on it. I have a lawyer helping me.”

“Anyone I know?” 

“George Wilson. He’s the legal advisor for the boys’ home and Dad’s church.” 

“Oh.” Blake pivoted toward the gym. “The bar exam’s the most challenging test I’ve ever taken. But I know you’ll pass.” He nodded with emphasis. “It’s what you’ve always wanted. Good luck.”

Faith shifted the box in her arms and dropped her shoulders. That was the thing with Blake. One minute he irritated her, the next disarmed her with his charm. Always had. His keen ability to draw emotional reactions from others must serve him well in closing arguments. 

She followed behind, doing her best to ignore his broad shoulders and long legs in pressed jeans. As tall and handsome as ever, his military years added a bearing of confidence and authority even harder to resist. Being around him was putting her on an emotional roller coaster she didn’t need at this point in her life. Not after what he’d said three years ago. 

About Author Judythe Morgan…

Links to Judythe’s websites, blogs, books, #ad, etc.:

**On Sale July 12-14 for $.99**