Love Me Again Read online

  Love Me Again

  A Willow Oaks Novel, Volume 3

  Melissa Crosby

  Published by iHeart Press, 2019.

  Copyright

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission.

  This novel is entirely a work of fiction. The names, characters and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or localities is entirely coincidental.

  Melissa Crosby asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

  ISBN 978-0-473-49769-9

  PRINT ISBN 978-0-473-49767-5

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  About This Book

  Dedication

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Epilogue

  THANK YOU

  SNEAK PEEK OF LOVE ME ALWAYS | Chapter 1 - Prologue

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  About the Author

  About This Book

  What would you do if you found out that your husband wanted a divorce?

  Thirty-eight-year-old Jenna Stewart was the quintessential 1950s housewife of the 20th century. And just as she’d learned at theater college all those years ago, she gave the role of wife and mother everything she had. So as she sat at the breakfast nook of her family home after she’d fed her troops and waved them off to work and school, the last thing she expected was to learn that her husband wanted a divorce.

  Top county surgeon Dave Stewart had everything—a loving wife, two beautiful children, a grand home, and a successful career. Despite all that, however, Dave couldn't help but feel as if there was something in his life that just didn't add up.

  When a foolish mistake threatens his marriage and family, Dave knows he needs to make a decision or risk losing the love of his life.

  Love Me Again is a second chance romance that tells the story of Jenna and Dave, who navigate the trials and difficulties of marriage. It is the third book in the Willow Oaks Sweet Romance series. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone.

  Read the series

  Willow Oaks Series - Sweet Romance

  Book 1: Love Me True

  Book 2: Love Me Maybe

  Book 3: Love Me Again

  Book 4: Love Me Always

  Book 5: Love Me Timeless

  JOIN THE MELISSA CROSBY SWEET ROMANCE ARC TEAM

  Would you like to join my ARC Team?

  As an exclusive member of the Melissa Crosby Sweet Romance ARC Team, you will be the first to get access to my new releases, previews, and freebies.

  To join, simply sign up here.

  Dedication

  To all of us... may sweet love always be present in our lives.

  To my husband... who is always by my side.

  To the Melissa Crosby Sweet Romance ARC Team... you all are so amazing! Thank you for all that you do.

  Prologue

  Then

  Dave dragged his feet as he walked back to his residence hall. It’s been a long day, and he was yearning to just kick his shoes off and get into bed. The last few days have been absolutely harrowing, and he desperately needed a weekend of doing nothing. Just nothing.

  Being in his final year in pre-med was soul-crushing. It wasn’t easy having to work to pay his way through college either. Trying to balance the two was a chemistry experiment waiting to explode.

  Determined to take the quickest route to his bed, he cut through Creek Lane. As he rounded the bend, Dave heard a harmony of voices coming from the front of Vicarage Hall, where he spotted the choir performing. It could have been a rehearsal. Either way, they sounded amazing singing Josh Groban and Charlotte Church’s duet, The Prayer.

  He couldn’t help it. Captivated, Dave had to stop and listen. Dave moved in closer and set his backpack down by his feet. He’d never seen her before—the girl singing. Not that he knew every single student, of course. But he passed by Vicarage Hall most days, and he’d never seen her there. He knew he would too, if she was around. She was just his type with her luscious blonde hair falling over her petite frame. She was as beautiful as her voice. If there ever was an angel to descend on Earth, Dave was certain he was looking at her.

  Like an idiot, he couldn’t stop looking—nay, staring. And she saw him too. He knew that. They’d made eye contact; he was certain. And that was why, despite his clammy hands and pounding heart, Dave stayed on until they finished so that he could talk to her. He needed a break anyway. And this was as good enough as any. His bed could wait.

  When the choir had finished, Dave picked up his backpack and slung it over his shoulder. He looked on as the solo singer stood at the top of the steps talking to some people. Should he go over? She glanced at him and smiled. Go, man! Go now, go!

  Dave cleared his throat and climbed the steps. He rubbed his hands on his jeans as he walked slowly towards her. He stopped and stood a meter or so away from where her friends were—just in case it wasn’t actually him that she’d smiled at. But she noticed him and he heard her tell her friends she would see them later.

  Dave squared his shoulders as she approached. Drat! He should have worn his lucky baseball cap. He ran a hand through his hair.

  “Hi,” she said. “I haven’t seen you around here before. Are you new?”

  Dave cleared his throat again as he tried to swallow his nerves away. “Yeah—I was just thinking the same about you. I mean, no, I’m not new—but yeah, I was thinking the same thing, I mean.” Dave shook his head. He wasn’t the kind to stumble and fumble over his words. He extended a hand out to her. “I’m Dave.”

  “Jenna,” she said with a smile.

  Man, she was hot! Dave shook her hand and noticed how his own almost completely covered hers. Jenna came up to just about his chest height and it drove him crazy. At that moment, all he wanted to do was to lift her in his arms and hold her close to him. Slow down, hotshot, he thought. “Hey, um, you sang really well up there,” he said, as he ran a hand through his hair again.

  A slight blush colored Jenna’s sweet cheeks. “Aw, thanks!”

  Beautiful teeth, he thought. “I doubt I’m the first one to tell you that. You probably know you sing like an angel. Sorry—that’s so lame.” Dave laughed. “I mean, or you wouldn’t have been singing a solo.”

  “Lucky dip, I guess. They pulled a name out of a hat, and it turned out to be mine.”

  “Really? That’s how they do it?”

  Jenna smiled a perfect smile. “No silly, we had to audition for our roles,” she laughed.

  “Thought so.” Dave sucked in a breath as her blue eyes pierced through him like an arrow. “Hey, uh”—he hesitated—“would you maybe wanna go out sometime? Grab a coffee or dinner?”


  “Yeah”—she titled her head slightly and grinned—“I would maybe wanna. That sounds good. I’d love that.”

  Jenna’s smile melted him and made him weak in the knees. “Is tonight too soon?”

  “Well, you’re straight on to it!”

  “Can I take that as a yes?” Dave’s heart was racing. He’d never been so forward—or this confident—with a girl before. Well, nah, not confident. But still. There was something about Jenna that inspired and gave him the courage to push past his insecurities. It was now or never.

  Jenna’s eyes twinkled as she looked up at him. “Yes, you can take that as a yes.” She bit her lip and nodded shyly.

  Dave put his right hand to his heart. He was sure his heart just burst with excitement. “You’ve just made my year.” He smiled at her.

  BACK IN HER DORM ROOM, Jenna jumped back from her closet. “Hang on,” she said as she punched a key on her phone. “Okay—go! I’ve got you on speaker now,” she told her best friend Charlotte.

  “So, what are you thinking of wearing?” Charlotte’s voice echoed from the bed where Jenna tossed her cell phone and rifled through her closet.

  “I don’t know”—Jenna rummaged through her dresses—“I was thinking... what about the red cocktail dress? You know the one I wore to Scott’s dinner party last Christmas?”

  “Hmmm... I don’t know. Do you wanna wear red on a first date, though?” Charlotte asked. “I mean, like, what are you guys going to be doing, anyway?”

  “What’s wrong with red? Is it too showy?” Jenna stepped back and placed her hands on her waist. She sighed. “I’m not sure. Maybe grab some coffee. We didn’t really get to talking about it.”

  “Well then, I wouldn’t wear a cocktail dress to grab a coffee. Know what I mean?” Charlotte laughed. “Okay, so what’s he like?”

  Jenna plopped herself on the bed. She took the call off speaker and brought the cell phone to her ear. “He’s absolutely gorgeous and oh, so dreamy.” Jenna sighed and smiled as she twirled her hair around her finger.

  “Oh my gosh”—Charlotte laughed—“you’re totally twirling your hair, aren’t you?”

  “No, I’m not!” Jenna untangled her finger from her hair and turned on her stomach. “I’m going to marry him,” she said dreamily.

  “You’re not going to marry him, Jenna. You’re going to get a coffee.”

  “Just you wait. I know it’s him. He’s the one. And we’re going to have lots of babies—little Daves and mini Jennas running around the house.”

  Charlotte groaned. “Don’t get too carried away there, Carol Brady.”

  Jenna sat up. “Who’s Carol Brady?”

  Charlotte laughed. “The mom on the Brady Bunch, you ninny.”

  Jenna sighed. “Hey, do you remember that dress that I picked up when we went thrift shopping a few weeks ago?” She climbed out of bed again.

  “The yellow one?”

  “Mustard—yes.” Jenna pulled the dress out of her closet and held it high in front of her, as she faced the mirror.

  “Oh yes, I love that! Wear that. It’s perfect!”

  Jenna jumped up and down in place. “Oh my gosh, I’m so excited! Okay, I’ve gotta go so I can get ready.”

  “What time is he coming?”

  “He’s meeting me at the front of the hall at 7:00pm.”

  “That doesn’t sound like coffee to me!” Charlotte laughed. “Go on then. Don’t let me hold you up! Go, go, go!”

  “I’ll call you when I get back in tonight.” Jenna giggled with delight. “Love you, babe!”

  Jenna clutched the phone to her chest. She closed her eyes for a moment and imagined herself walking hand in hand with Dave under the stars. The thought made Jenna’s heart do a little tumble inside her, as she grinned from ear to ear. There was no mistaking the feeling inside her—today was the first day of the rest of her life.

  Chapter 1

  Twenty Years Later

  Jenna Stewart was the quintessential 1950s housewife of the 20th century. And just as she’d learned at theater college all those years ago, she gave the role of wife and mother everything she had. So as she sat at the breakfast nook of her family home after she’d fed her troops and waved them off to work and school, the last thing she expected was to learn that her husband wanted a divorce.

  Jenna’s heart banged against her chest as she sifted through the papers Dave had accidentally left behind that morning. Her eyes blurred as she turned the pages. Did he really want a divorce? Have the last thirteen years been a lie? No, actually, make that twenty years! Weren’t they supposed to be the sweetest, picture perfect American romance of Willow Oaks? They were college sweethearts, for goodness’ sake!

  Jenna put a hand to her neck and swallowed whatever was welling up at the back of her throat.

  How could it be? Jenna shook her head. They just had breakfast. She kissed him goodbye, sent the children off to school. They said I love you to each other. And now—this?

  For as long as she could remember, all Jenna ever wanted was to be a wife and a mother. Not just anyone’s wife, mind you—but Dave Stewart’s wife.

  She read it again. Irreconcilable differences. Tears gathered in her eyes and it didn’t take long for that dam to break. Did they have irreconcilable differences? What does that even mean? Dave had been so busy at the hospital and was hardly ever around. At least not enough for them to have any fights—much less, irreconcilable differences.

  The more she read it, the less it made sense.

  Jenna carefully put the papers back into the manila folder that Dave left behind. She took it to the den, which Dave used as his home office, and set it on his desk.

  As she turned to leave the room, Jenna did a 360 and grabbed the folder again. She hurried to the kitchen and left it in the breakfast nook—on Dave’s side—where he usually sat. Just in case he might soon realize, if he hadn’t already, that he’d left it at home and suddenly come barging through the door.

  But what if he left it on purpose for her to find it? Blasted coward!

  Couldn’t he even tell her himself? Jenna grabbed the folder once again and stormed to back to his office. She threw it on his desk and turned around. But then she stopped.

  “What else are you hiding?” she murmured to herself.

  Jenna went around to the back of his desk and began opening and shutting—no, slamming—the drawers. “I gave you my life, you wormhole! My entire life!”

  Jenna fell to her knees and leaned her head against the side of Dave’s polished teak desk. She looked around the office and exhaled. The dark walls matched the horrible feeling that pierced her breaking heart. Her tears spared no effort as they pushed past her eyelids and streamed down her face. “Why, Dave, why?” she whimpered.

  Jenna heard the phone ring. She slowly got to her feet and smoothed her hair away from her face. With a straightened back and squared shoulders, she cleared her throat. But before she could pick it up, the answering machine went on.

  Hi! It’s Jenna—and Dave—and Macy and Rory.

  Their recorded voices echoed through the house. It took them at least four tries as a family to get that single line right.

  We can’t come to the phone right now. Leave a message after the beep.

  It all sounded hollow and false now.

  Dave’s voice sounded from the kitchen where the answer phone sat. Jenna leaned on the edge of the desk as she listened.

  “Hey Jen, it’s me. Are you home?” Dave paused. “Call me when you get this okay?”

  And shortly after Dave hung up, her cell phone rang.

  Jenna pulled it out of the back pocket of her jeans. Without even looking at the screen, she knew it was Dave. She cleared her throat once again and took a deep breath in through her nose and exhaled through her mouth. “Hello?”

  “Oh, hey honey—it’s me.”

  Jenna remained quiet.

  “Are you there?” Dave asked.

  “Yes.” Short—keep it short, she told herself.


  “Right-oh. It’s just that I called the home phone earlier and got the machine. Is everything okay?”

  “Yes.” Why wouldn’t it be? Oh wait, is it because you left some divorce papers in the breakfast nook? Where we—and our children—have bacon and eggs together every doggone day?! “Right—yeah. Well, I was just finishing up my morning yoga.” Jenna managed to say as she kept one hand over her stomach. “What’s up?”

  “I accidentally left a folder in the kitchen after breakfast. Uh... did you happen to see it?” he asked with a tentative voice.

  “Yes.”

  “Yes—you did?”

  “Yes.” Of course, I did you lying piece of—Jenna contained herself. “I put it on your desk.”

  “Oh...” Dave paused. “Um—thanks. Yeah, thanks for that.”

  “Do you want me to do anything with it?” Jenna traced her fingers along the corners of the folder.

  “No! Um—what do you mean?”

  “Is there anything you need me to do with the folder?” If she rolled her eyes anymore, she’d see the back of her head. “Do you want me to take them to you? To the hospital?”

  Dave spoke quickly. “Oh no—look, that’s okay. Thanks, honey. It should be fine. I just—I just wanted to make sure I hadn’t misplaced it.”

  Jenna tossed the folder back on his spotless desk. She’d always liked how tidy he kept his desk. Even on days she’d see him working late into the night; his desk was always immaculate in the morning. As was the rest of his office. Now she knew why—he was a blasted psychopath!

  “Hey babe—uh—are you okay?” Dave’s voice challenged her thoughts.

  “I’m A-OK!” She could have easily fooled herself with her perky voice. And the award for Best Actress goes to me, she thought. Sarcasm was never her style. But what style suited this particular situation? Chin up, back straight, don’t let him see you cry? Grovel, beg, get down on your knees and cry? What in the hall of styles would suit this very occasion? “I’m fine and dandy,” she sang.