Brooke has only loved one man, her late husband. Owen’s rebuilding after a painful divorce. Can a mysterious house bring them together for a second chance at love? In the charming town of Smithville, Texas, Brooke Holloway is raising two young children on her own, supporting them by running the family hardware store. The last thing on her mind is falling in love. But she’s intrigued when a stranger moves to town and buys the old Hadley mansion. She’s always heard that house holds a secret—maybe even a treasure—and she can’t wait to see inside. When she meets the new owner and they spend time together, she can’t deny the attraction. Could God be giving her another chance at happiness? Or is she betraying her late husband’s memory by even thinking that way? Owen Saunders bought the Hadley place to spite his cheating ex-wife. She’d always wanted to restore an old house in Smithville. Now he’s going to do it without her. But if anything needs restoration, it is Owen’s heart. Then he meets Brooke and her kids and finds himself tempted by love. Can he bring himself to trust a woman again? Throw an eccentric uncle into the mix, along with the town’s teenage troublemaker, and even a finicky cat—and one thing becomes clear: God is bringing them all together for a reason. 'The House that Love Built engages right from the start with insight and authenticity. Wiseman once again delivers a warm, touching story straight from the heart.' --Denise Hunter, best-selling author of The Convenient Groom Bestselling and award-winning author Beth Wiseman has sold over two million books. She is the recipient of the coveted Holt Medallion, is a two-time Carol Award winner, and has won the Inspirational Reader's Choice Award three times. Her books have been on various bestseller lists, including CBA, ECPA, Christianbook, and Publishers Weekly . Beth and her husband are empty nesters enjoying country life in south-central Texas. Visit her online at BethWiseman.com; Facebook: @AuthorBethWiseman; Twitter: @BethWiseman; Instagram: @bethwisemanauthor The House That Love Built By Beth Wiseman THOMAS NELSON Copyright © 2013 Elizabeth Wiseman Mackey All right reserved. ISBN: 978-1-59554-889-4 Chapter One Brooke Holloway woke with a start, then felt her stomach lurch when she recalled her dream. She rolled over and threw her arm across Travis's side of the bed, wishing she could will him to be there. She lay there a few more minutes before forcing herself to get up and dressed before she went downstairs. She pressed the button on the coffeemaker before facing off with the calendar that hung on the wall to the left of the refrigerator. She reached for the black marker dangling on a string nearby and drew a big X across today's date, as she did every morning, then scribbled "45" in the upper-right-hand corner of the square. The kids liked to keep up with the countdown to July 10. Two cups of coffee later she still yawned as she headed back upstairs and down the hall to Meghan's room. "Up, sleepyhead." Brooke flipped on the light and walked toward her precious six-year-old, whose blond hair crumpled in a mass on the pillow. "Time to get up." Brooke sat on the bed and kissed Meghan on the forehead, Travis still fresh on her mind. He used to wake up the kids each morning, said that seeing their faces first thing always made for a better day. "Two more days of school after today." Meghan sat up and pulled down the pajama pants that had inched up her calves during the night. "I know." Brooke stood and clapped her hands together. "So let's don't be late." She headed down the hall to Spencer's room. Brooke had learned, after being reprimanded more than once, to always knock first. "Come in." Spencer was already sitting on the side of the bed when Brooke took two steps into his room. He no longer wanted her hugging and kissing him in the morning. Or any other time, for that matter. He'd grown up too much these past couple of years. Brooke wondered how much of that was her fault, if she'd handled Travis's death correctly with the kids, particularly Spencer. Either way, her ten-year-old son had made it clear she couldn't be "huggy and kissy" with him anymore. "Glad to see you're up. I'm going to make some eggs and bacon, so I'll see you downstairs. Okay?" Spencer nodded as he rubbed his eyes and yawned. Thirty minutes later they were eating, and running late as usual. Brooke glanced at her watch, hoping the kids wouldn't miss the bus. Again. "I miss Grandma," Meghan said through a mouthful. "I know. Me too." Brooke stuffed the last bite of bacon in her mouth, chewing as she got up and tossed her paper plate in the trash can. "We'll go see her tomorrow after school. She's playing bingo this afternoon." "She'd rather play bingo than see her grandkids?" Spencer stood up and also tossed his plate in the garbage. Brooke looked at her watch again and grinned. "Yes. I believe she would." She snapped her fing