Lauraine Henderson began writing as a child,
poems and journaling, until babies, building houses, and bookkeeping jobs
usurped her world. Now, well established in Oregon and with the children grown,
she devotes her time to writing her favorite genre, clean romance. Years of life experience translate into plots, calamities, and happily-ever-afters as she writes her inspirational and romantic stories about fictional people who seem so real, you’ll want to know what happens after the book ends!
Allison Lockwood and Gavin Hunt have
been offered the chance to take over the Lazy Daisy Inn and Campground so their
respective grandparents, the current owners, can retire and marry. It seems all
too easy for Ally and Gavin to prove themselves during the six-month probationary
period until they’re fighting disasters at the campground and failing at
over-optimistic baking expectations.As Ally and Gavin slowly explore their growing attraction, they help each other fight fires, endure raging storms, and share a few passionate kisses. But there’s more than fires to fight when Ally’s grandfather disapproves of their budding romance and Ally is convinced Gavin has a girlfriend in the wings…a girlfriend expecting his baby!
Ride along as the two unlikely innkeepers figure out how they fit in their new life and learn the lesson taught by the Daisies in the Driveway.
Snippet:
“They’re daisies.”
“Yeah, that doesn’t explain why we
need to keep them when they’re making the driveway look tacky.”
“Not tacky. They represent the spirit
of the inn.” Ally could see she wasn’t getting through to him by the lift of
his eyebrows and the smile hovering around his mouth. She struggled to find the
words and couldn’t explain, even to herself, why this was suddenly so
important. “The inn is this place where people can get away from the real world
and take time to relax. It’s a place where everyone fits in and can find
peace.”
A look of understanding crept across
Gavin’s face.
Ally trudged on. “The daisies that
grow wild are the same. They need to be able to flourish even when they land in
obscure places. The image of the inn…oh, how do I say this?”
“You’re doing fine. I’m all ears.”
Ally threw him a look, but she
couldn’t be sure if he was being patronizing or genuine. The episode in the
kitchen that morning was still echoing in her mind. “The daisies in the
flowerbeds are there because we planted them. They are welcome and cultivated.
They are like the people who’ve done everything right and have found their way
in the world.”
Gavin nodded and Ally took it for
encouragement.
“The daisies in the driveway are like
the people who are trying to fit in and they get close, but they’re a little
wild, yet desperate to be accepted. They need a place in this world, too. They
need the same love and care the cultivated daisies get. It’s like the story in
the scriptures of the seeds that fall by the wayside. If they land in good
soil, they still grow and bear good fruit, even though they’re not in the place
where the gardener wanted them originally. These daisies are still providing us
with beautiful flowers. They deserve the chance to succeed.”
“They do?”
“Yes. They need our love and care
because they’re trying harder and need more help.”
“Like people who are trying to fit
in.”
“Yes.”
“Like you and me.”
“Well, when you put it like that, yes,
like you and me.”
