The Trustworthy One by Shelley Shepard Gray (English) Paperback Book

Description: The Trustworthy One by Shelley Shepard Gray "New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray returns to the charming and evocative Walnut Creek Series with an unforgettable novel following one broken young woman whose search for peace leads her back to her hometown, where she rediscovers her faith and reconnects with those she loves most"-- FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Shelley Shepard Gray returns to the charming and evocative Walnut Creek Series with "this sweet Amish love story" (Womans World) following one broken young woman whose search for peace leads her back to her hometown, where she rediscovers her faith and reconnects with those she loves most.Kendra Troyer always knew she would leave Walnut Creek the first chance she got. When she was accepted into design school, she tried her best not to look back at the four siblings she was abandoning, but ahead to Columbus, where she was determined to stay—far away from her abusive home and far away from Nate Miller, the boy she vowed to despise for the rest of her life. Though she suffered through dark times in Columbus, Kendra found her faith in the Lord again, and years later, when she learned one of her good friends had died, she realized it was time to go home to those she left behind. Back in Walnut Creek, Kendra has a life she never could have imagined: her own design shop, a pretty little house, and a tight-knit group of friends. After she settles down, though, unexpected visitors come knocking and dark memories begin to resurface. Complicating things even further is the ever-present Nate Miller, who now owns the hardware store two doors down and whose very presence stirs in Kendra a fierce need to turn away and hide from her past. But Nate is persistent in setting things right between them. As Kendra tries to come to terms with the anger she holds from her childhood, will she be able to open her heart to forgiveness and find the comfort she has always longed for in Walnut Creek? Author Biography A practicing Lutheran, Shelley Shepard Gray is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than one hundred novels, translated into multiple languages. In her years of researching the Amish community, she depends on her Amish friends for gossip, advice, and cinnamon rolls. She lives in Colorado with her family and writes full time. Review "Grays biblical themes are nuanced and well integrated into the narrative." * Publishers Weekly *"Hope is found in unexpected places as this sweet Amish love story unfolds." * Womans World * Review Quote "Hope is found in unexpected places as this sweet Amish love story unfolds." Excerpt from Book Chapter One ONE "So, its been a little over a year since Andy died," Katie began to a large group of friends in the gathering room of her bed-and-breakfast. "Im sorry I didnt plan something last month, but to be honest, I just couldnt do it." "I dont ever want to gather on the day of Andys funeral," Kendra said. "He wouldve hated that." TEN YEARS LATER SEPTEMBER "What do you think, Miss Troyer? Will these improvements suit your needs, or would you like us to make some additional changes?" Kendra walked farther into the recently painted and carpeted storefront and ran her hand along the countertop that had just been installed. It was refurbished wood and had been sanded and polished until it shone. It was the final component that shed needed to complete her vision for Tried and True Furnishings. She intended to sell both vintage and new eclectic pieces of furniture, rugs, and accessories to make any house a home. Just looking at it all, she felt a burst of pride. This place was quite an accomplishment for a girl whod grown up in a place that was barely two steps up from a shack. "I dont think anything else will need to be done, Mr. Grayson," she replied as calmly as possible. She so wanted to sound like a lady. "It looks just as I had hoped. Thank you so much." Mr. Grayson, who was fond of wearing overalls and flannel shirts no matter what time of the year, stuffed his hands in his back pockets. "So, should I tell Jan to send you the contract?" "Yes. Im ready to sign a lease." He grinned. "Thats real good news. I know youve been back for a while now, but this feels official. Welcome back to Walnut Creek, Miss Troyer." "Thank you. Im glad to be here." And it really was almost the truth. After they shook hands, Clyde Grayson gathered up his backpack and strode out of the building. Leaving Kendra to stand alone for the first time in her very own shop. It was the culmination of what felt like a lifetime of hard work. After struggling through school for most of her life, things had finally clicked well enough for her to get her GED and eventually apply to a small design school outside of Columbus. Miss Wilson, the volunteer whod helped her with her coursework, had been her angel. Shed boosted up Kendras low self-esteem, encouraged her when everyone else hardly looked her way, and even found additional scholarships and grants for Kendra so she could have free room and board at school. Remembering the day shed left on the bus for college, Kendra shivered. Shed been so scared to venture out to the big city. Almost as scared as shed been relieved to leave Walnut Creek. After boarding the bus, shed stared out the window, not thinking about anything other than the fact that she was about to change her life. And she had. Shed gone to design school but had lasted only two semesters until shed let the pressure and insecurities get the best of her. Shed started drinking, sometimes even trying pills. Anything to help alleviate the guilt shed felt for leaving her siblings--and to help block out the memories of what shed endured in that house. Feeling the familiar weight of remorse press on her chest, Kendra shook it off. It did no good to dwell on the bad. Especially since shed gotten sober, found a good job, and had started a new life for herself. Shed been determined to stay in Columbus, too, until Andy Warner had died and her little sister Naomi had called her one evening crying, saying that she missed her. As always, Kendras personal goals had been no match for her brothers and sisters needs. Soon after that phone call, shed begun to make plans for her new life in Walnut Creek. And it was a new life. She was now good friends with the remainder of the Eight, had a pretty little house shed gotten for a song, and was about to open up her own business. She was just a few minutes away from her siblings, in case they needed her. That was what was important. Shed just begun a list for office supplies when the glass door opened and Nate Miller strode in. Just like it had been for the last decade, she felt a twinge of dismay at seeing him. And, maybe, a fierce rush to turn away and hide. "Hey, it is really you," he said. "I saw Clyde walking down the sidewalk, and he shared that Pretty Miss Troyer had just decided to lease this building." His hazel eyes looked almost green in the morning light. They were just as sharp and perceptive, though. Every time he looked her way, she felt like he was searching for all her secrets. She needed to keep a firm hold on her composure. To do anything less would let him see all the chinks and cracks in her armor. And if that happened? Well, hed see that her insides were just as flawed as her outside was. Turning her face away from him, she ran a finger along the countertop. "Theres a lot of Troyers around. Im surprised you thought of me." He laughed. " Jah, there are a lot of Troyers, for sure. Theres not a lot of pretty ones, though." The comment was so irreverent and surprising, she looked back at him. Meeting her gaze, his grin deepened. What could she do? She smiled back in spite of her better judgment. "I suppose theres a compliment in there somewhere." "Come now, Kendra. We both know its not hidden. I put that out there as bold as brass." He walked closer, reminding her just how good he looked in his dark pants, boots, and white shirt. Yes, he was wearing the same clothes most any Amish man in the county wore. But somehow, he managed to wear them better. He was practically daring her to look anywhere but into his eyes, and realizing that it was getting harder and harder not to let her eyes stray, Kendra coughed, then looked back down at her list. She reckoned it was an almost believable stance. Well, it might have been, if there were more than two items on the list. Nate shifted. "Kendra, Clyde also told me something else that I found interesting." She picked up a pencil. "And what is that?" "That youve been visiting this shopping center for a while now. Several weeks, in fact." Her chin popped back up. "Its no secret that I moved back to Walnut Creek." Shed been all over the area with her friends. "What Im getting at is that my hardware store is just two doors down. And since Walnut Creek Hardware was started by my grandfather and we have a lot of the same friends, you had to have known that I was running it now. Didnt you?" "I did." She looked at him curiously. "I thought you wouldve stopped by." "There was no reason for me to." She picked up a hammer from a counter. "I already have enough tools." "Come on. You still couldve come in to say hello. I mean, were friends, right?" Suddenly, all of his words just made her feel awkward. He was acting too sure of himself. Too slick. "Nate, though weve known each other for a long time now, weve never really been friends." "Are you serious?" As much as she wanted to act like nothing he ever said about her had bothered her, she couldnt do it. "I wouldnt lie about our past." All the humor faded from his expression. "Maybe we should talk about that," he said slowly. There he went again. Looking at her too intently. Seeing too much. Feeling trapped, she stepped away from the countertop and stuffed her notebook back in her purse. "I dont think so. I mean, theres nothing to say that hasnt been said before. Now, I think Id better get on my way home." "Hold on a sec, wouldja?" Looking troubled, he spoke again. "Kendra, Im sorry, but I think there might be some things that need to be said." He stepped closer, bringing with him the scent of soap and peppermints. "For years, youve acted like you want nothing to do with me, even though we have all the same friends. Every time youve come back to town, youve hardly ever said a word to me--even when Ive tried to ask about your job or how your family was." "Nate, Id rather not talk about you and me." "I really wish you would, though." Looking at her directly in the eye, he said, "What did I ever do to ya?" Hed embarrassed her. Made her feel like she was less than everyone else. And that had hurt so bad that shed tried to avoid him at all costs. In short, Nate Miller was a constant reminder of how badly shed wanted to fit in and how impossible that goal had seemed back when she was fourteen. But to dwell on that made her feel churlish and petty. Theyd all moved on. "I dont think theres any reason for us to start rehashing things that happened ten years ago." His eyes lit up with triumph. "So, I did do something. When? Ten years ago?" Ugh. The conversation was not only awkward, but she was also somehow making things even worse. "Dont worry about it. Its not important anymore." He stepped closer. "Sure it is." He lowered his voice. "Kendra, what exactly did I do? I honestly cant recall when I hurt you so bad." "Nate, you used to laugh about me to your friends. You put me down. You would point out how I wasnt smart and had to go to special classes." When he opened his mouth, she talked over him. She couldnt help herself. "You used to remind everyone that I didnt have any money. That my family was poor. That I had to go to the food Details ISBN1982100931 Author Shelley Shepard Gray Pages 304 Publisher Simon & Schuster Series Walnut Creek Series, The Year 2020 ISBN-10 1982100931 ISBN-13 9781982100933 Format Paperback Imprint Simon & Schuster Place of Publication New York Country of Publication United States DEWEY 813.6 Language English Series Number 4 Publication Date 2020-05-05 NZ Release Date 2020-05-05 US Release Date 2020-05-05 UK Release Date 2020-05-05 AU Release Date 2020-05-31 Alternative 9781982133832 Audience General We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. 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