Gardens of Covington by Joan A. Medlicott
2nd in the Ladies of Covington series
Amelia, Grace and Hannah are happily living in their beautiful old farmhouse in the foothills of North Carolina, but when developers threaten to turn Cove Road into a condo haven, all 3 worry what will their future will be. Grace and her lover, Bob, are busy preparing to open a tearoom. Both have to deal with Bob's son, Russell, who has fallen in love but not thought about how his young son would react. Amelia's photography talent continues to bloom and in a fender-bender she meets the man of her dreams, but the new romance isn't all sweetness and light. Her housemates quickly determine his mean side while Amelia senses it but allows his smooth ways and glitzy gifts to blind her to his true nature. She starts to neglect her friend Mike and her photography. Hannah has troubles of her own as she trys to rally the community to save the valley, and at first she has their support but when she tries to stop a local from selling his farm to developers "it's Yankee go home!". But during this she befriends an ill and lonely woman at the farm next door. Sadly Mrs. Maxwell dies before all three ladies can meet her. Grace continues her friendship with one of the very elderly local old maids who decides to marry one of the local old men nicknamed "old Man". National News gets involved as they come to cover the wedding, it's never dull ds
Times goes by, Grace loves the tearoom and her relationship with Bob, but worries about what to tell him regarding his request to build a cabin on the women's property. Russell and his son Tyler finally come to terms with his new love and finally decide it's ok for Dad to get married or "hitched" as the locals say. Grace's son Roger and his partner offer to decorate for the wedding and come out a few weeks before the wedding to get everything ready. Grace has to deal with all this plus the bride's mother. Throw in some flooding and you have a grand old read. Entertaining and not terribly taxing to read I enjoy catching up with the Ladies of Covington.
More in the series
From the Heart of Covington
Spirit of Covington
At Home in Covington
Christmas in Covington
Two Days after the Wedding
An Unexpected Family
Promises of Change