"Dream a Little Dream" by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Title: Dream a Little Dream
Author: Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Final Thought: Pretty Good
Penniless and desperate, Rachel Stone returns to Salvation, North Carolina knowing full well that she will be an outcast. But determined to do what she has to do to survive and take care of her 5-year old son, she'll swallow her pride and take whatever the town will throw at her. Her return is off to a shaky start when her car breaks down on the edge of town in front of an old drive-in theater. She's soon confronted by the property's owner, a hostile Gabe Bonner who's in no mood for company. Gabe hasn't been the same since his wife and child died. The last thing he wants is a pesky lady and her kid hanging around, but before he knows it Rachel convinces him to hire her in helping renovate his theater and he finds himself become a surrogate father to her little boy. Gabe's family (which includes brother Cal) isn't thrilled by his association with Rachel who's reputation is far from stellar and they're convinced she's up to no good.