Friday, September 2, 2022

A Fortune in the Family - Kathy Douglass (HSE #2906 - May 2022)

Series: Fortunes of Texas: The Wedding Gift (Book 5)
 
There's something brewing between them…
 
Contractor Josh Fortune is happy to be Kirby Harris's Mr. Fixit. Repairing the roof of Kirby's Perks is a cinch, but healing her heart is a trickier process. For three years the beautiful widow has been doing everything on her own, and she's afraid to let down her guard. She thinks Josh is too young, too carefree -- and way too tempting for a mom who has to put her kids first…

 
Good book. Josh is the youngest in this branch of the Fortunes. He moved to Rambling Rose from New York to be with his siblings but also for a new start after a relationship ended. He could have joined his brothers' construction business but prefers to be his own boss. He set up his own contracting business and often takes on smaller jobs that his brothers don't want to deal with. One day he gets a call asking him to do repairs on the leaking roof at Kirby's Perks, a local coffee shop.
 
Kirby is a single mom of two girls, Lily (5) and Violet (7). Since her husband's death three years earlier, her daughters and work have been the center of her life.  While she isn't against the idea of loving again, she doesn't see it happening any time soon.
 
Josh felt like he'd been struck by lightning when he arrived at Kirby's Perks. Kirby is a beautiful woman with a warm smile and an outgoing personality. Josh has the reputation in his family of falling in love at the drop of a hat and rushing his relationships. He promised himself he would change his ways and take his time with any new relationship but finds it hard to stick to his resolution. Kirby is just as attracted to Josh but is wary. He's younger than she is and a carefree bachelor, while she has two children to think about.
 
I loved watching the development of their relationship. Josh sticks to his resolution, though it is difficult when he's never felt this strongly about a woman before. Kirby isn't sure what to make of the feelings Josh stirs in her. I loved watching them get to know each other, with and without the girls. It was fun to see Josh find ways to spend time with Kirby, from helping her paint to building a playset for the girls. Josh is convinced that Kirby is the one for him and can see himself as part of the family.
 
Kirby is more cautious. She's aware that her feelings for him are growing stronger, but she's not the only one she must consider. Lily takes to Josh right away, but Violet is more standoffish. I loved Josh's patience and acceptance of Violet's feelings. He doesn't try to force anything, leaving Violet to adjust in her own time. I ached for him when Violet's attitude became an obstacle in his pursuit of Kirby. Both he and Kirby have some soul-searching to do, and each gets some good advice to help them along the way. I loved their big moment at the end and the subsequent revelation of the fear at the root of Violet's attitude.
 
In keeping with the overarching mystery in the series, another mysterious gift shows up. This time, a package for Josh is mixed up in Lily's birthday party gifts. He receives a travel book about Texas, with instructions to pay close attention to a specific chapter. Showing the book to his family members in the epilogue reveals another clue that adds to the mystery. I look forward to the next book and discovering what it all means.


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