Page 1 of Love's Cure

CHAPTER ONE

On this summer day, Crystal Owen stood in the middle of the Lilac Lake Café in the center of Lilac Lake, a small town in the Lakes District of New Hampshire. At thirty-two, she was the proud owner of a thriving business on Main Street. She brushed back a curly lock of purple hair and let out a sigh of satisfaction. Her success hadn’t come easily, but then she’d had a hard life growing up and sometimes felt as if she was hanging onto this dream with bruised fingers.

And now it was time to do something for herself.

Alone, Crystal sat on a bar stool and sipped her cup of coffee. She wanted to settle down in a way she’d been unable to do in the past. She’d married and divorced Nick Woodruff under the best of circumstances. She and Nick would always be friends. They’d married for all the wrong reasons—loneliness and the ease of living in the same town. Besides, Crystal had always known Nick loved Whitney Gilford enough to let her go to Hollywood and become a movie star.

Crystal set down her coffee cup and shook her head. Life sure could get complicated. In the community, she was known as “the poor Owen girl” who’d grown up with an alcoholic, drug-addicted mother and a younger sister to care for. Few people knew that if it hadn’t been for Genie Wittner, her best friends’ grandmother, “GG,” she would never have had the funds to buy the tired old Café several years ago. She’d long since paid the loan back to Mrs. Wittner but she’d never forget her generosity.

After spending summers with GG, Whitney Gilford, her best friend, was now living in Lilac Lake and had married Crystal’s ex-husband, Nick Woodruff. Whitney’s two sisters, Dani and Taylor, also lived in Lilac Lake. Dani was married to Brad Collister, and Taylor, the youngest of the sisters, was married to Cooper Walker, an editor at a publishing house in New York City. Taylor spent as much time as she could at the cottage the three sisters owned jointly. Someone tapped on the door.

Crystal turned and smiled when she saw Whitney. Any awkwardness about being married to Nick had long since been worked out, made easy because Nick was one of the nicest guys around. He had always been that way.

“Hey, girlfriend,” said Crystal opening the door. “What are you doing up at the crack of dawn?”

Whitney gave her a quick hug. “Nick got an early call about a possible robbery at the Beckman Lumber Yard, and I thought this would be a good time to take an early morning walk with Mindy and the baby.”

Crystal observed the black-and-tan dachshund, Mindy, and grinned. “Those short legs can’t carry you too far, huh?” She bent over and peeked into the baby carriage, smiling at the sleeping little boy named Timothy. “He’s adorable,” whispered Crystal, feeling a momentary pang of jealousy. Lately, she’d been thinking about children of her own.

Mindy wiggled with excitement when Crystal rubbed her ears. “C’mon, you know where I keep treats for the dogs who visit our patio.”

The dog trotted behind Crystal, and Whitney followed, pushing the carriage.

“I’ve got time for a quick cup of coffee. The sweet rolls are rising, the cookies and pies are cooling off, and I’m pretty much ready for the day.” Crystal sighed. “This early morning work can drag you down. I’m glad the Café closes at 4 P.M.”

Whitney chuckled softly. “You’re so positive all the time. I don’t know how you do it.”

“Practice, practice, practice,” said Crystal.

Whitney sobered. “I admire you, Crystal. What are you doing for fun? Are you doing any summer theater work?”

“Not now. Maybe later. The Ogunquit Theater in Maine keeps me informed about small parts that become available from time to time.” She poured Whitney a cup of coffee, sat down on a bar stool again, and faced her. “I’m ready to settle down in a way I wasn’t able to do before. My mother is gone, my sister is happy teaching in Florida, and with the Café doing well, I’m freer since I can remember.”

“By settling down, do you mean finding the right man for you?” Whitney asked, gazing deeply into her eyes.

“Maybe. I’m thinking of taking some vacation time, getting away for a while, giving myself a break, and letting life happen. See new places, new faces.”

“Who would you get to run the Café?” Whitney asked.

“I’m not sure. I’d have to wait until early spring after ski season has ended when the Café is slowest.”

“Good for you,” said Whitney. “I’d be glad to help you in any way I can, but it’s difficult with the baby.”

“Thanks. I’m very happy for you and Nick,” she said sincerely, though a fresh pang of regret rolled through her. She hadn’t wanted children earlier with Nick, but now she was ready.

Crystal rose. “I’ve been overthinking things. I’ve got a Café to run. That should be enough for me right now.”

Whitney stood and wrapped an arm around her. “It’s never wrong to think of finding love and having a family. You’re going to make a wonderful partner for the right man. Someone who deserves you.”

“Thanks,” said Crystal. “You truly are my best friend. You’ll never know how much I looked forward to having you and your sisters visit your grandmother and the Lilac Lake Inn each summer.”

“It certainly made our summers special while we were growing up. You and the other local kids meant the world to us. You still do.” Tears shone in Whitney’s eyes, and she fanned the air in front of her face. “Maybe it’s my hormones making me teary, but I mean every word. I’ve always loved my time here.”

Crystal faced Whitney. “We loved having you be part of our summers. Those few weeks were magical. Maybe that’s what I’m looking for. Something magical. Am I being foolish?”

“No,” said Whitney firmly. “We all need a little magic in our lives, something to heal us from the wounds of the world.”

Crystal gave Whitney a wry smile. “Are you saying I need love to be my cure?”

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