Amina Kelly broke Sergeant Maxwell Layton’s heart when she married his best friend. But the detective never forgot herβ¦or the sizzling attraction they never acted on. Years later, while Maxwell and Amina work together to find her ex’s killer, Maxwell finds his desire for the nurse stronger than ever. As he puts his life on the line to keep Amina safe, Maxwell realizes that the greatest risk of all might be to his heart.
*****
Excerpt:
βDo you think the break-in is connected to the mugging?β Amina asked.
Maxwellβs eyebrows shot up. If he didnβt know better, he wouldβve thought she was a mind reader. Earlier, when he considered the two incidences mightβve been connected, he hadnβt planned to say anything to her just yet. But in case they were, he needed to do some digging. What he didnβt want to do was scare her, but he also wanted her to be on alert.
βYes,β he said honestly. βItβs too much of a coincidence. Iβm even wondering if that botched mugging wasnβt an attempted kidnapping.β
Her hand went to her chest. βIf youβre trying to scare me, itβs working.β
βSweetheart, the last thing I want to do is scare you, but something is going on. Until we figure out what, I think you should stay here. In the meantime, can you think of anything you have that someone might want? A family heirloom? Gold? Bonds? A limited-edition book? Anything?β
βNo, nothing like that. I have a pair of diamond earrings that my parents gave me when I graduated from high school.β
βI might be way off with this next question, but I have to ask. Do you have anything of Jeremyβs?β
She frowned. βNot that I can think ofβwhy?β
βI donβt know. I might be way off, but I wonder if any of this has to do with his murder?β Maxwell wiped his hands and grabbed his cell phone off the counter. About a half an hour ago, Danny had texted him a still shot of the suspect.
Maxwell held up his phone to her. βDo you recognize this guy?β
Amina stared at the photo for a few minutes. The quality wasnβt great, and much of the manβs face was hard to make out, but she might know him.
She eventually shook her head. βHe doesnβt look familiar. Should I know him? Who is he?β
Nothing matters more to her when a child’s life is at stake.
Special agent Thea Lamb returns to her hometown to search for a child whose disappearance echoes a twenty-eight-year-old cold caseβher twin sister’s abduction. Working with her former partner, Jake Stillwell, Thea must overcome the pain, doubt and guilt that have tormented her for years and denied her a meaningful relationship. For both Thea and Jake, the job always came firstβ¦until now.
βWhile I was trying to fish the doll out of the pool, someone came from behind and hit me over the head hard enough to daze me. Next thing I know, Iβm caught in a whirlpool several feet below the surface. I lost my flashlight, so I was spun around underwater in complete darkness. No up, no down.β He paused. βFor a while there, I wasnβt sure how Iβd get out.β
Thea watched his expression as he spoke. He still seemed shaken from the experience. Sheβd never seen him like that. βI knew something bad must have happened.β
He summoned a brief smile. βI know what youβre thinking. I even thought so myself at the time. So much for my keen instincts. Someone came up behind me and I never sensed a thing.β
βThatβs not what Iβm thinking.β
βNo?β
βIβm thinking you could have died down there and I would never have known what happened to you.β
βThea.β He said her name so softly she might have thought the tender missive was nothing more than a breeze sighing through the treetops.
The sun bearing down on them was hot and relentless, but Thea felt a little shiver go through her. It hit her anew how much sheβd missed that tender glint in his eyes as their gazes locked. How much sheβd missed his husky whispers in the dark. The glide of his hand along her bare skin, the tease of his lips and tongue against her mouth. The way he had held her afterward, as if he never wanted to let her go. But he had let her go and sheβd done nothing to stop him.
She drew a shaky breath. βDonβt ever do that to me again.β
βGet caught in a whirlpool? Iβll do my best.β
She scowled at him. βDonβt make light. You know what I mean.β
βIβm fine, Thea.β He seemed on the verge of saying something else, but he held back. Maybe he thought she wanted his restraint. She did, didnβt she? They were in a precarious situation. Adrenaline and attraction could be a dangerous combination. Throw in unresolved issues and they were asking for trouble.
*****
Author Info:
Amanda Stevens is an award-winning author of over fifty novels. Born and raised in the rural south, she now resides in Houston, Texas.
Wounded marine Trey Rothchild has returned to Polk Island. People call him a hero, but will he ever feel that way after losing his team? Reuniting with high school crush Gia Harris buoys his spirits. Though sheβs focused on making her physical therapy clinic a successβand avoiding romance with patientsβGia canβt bear watching the former athlete sit on the sidelines of life. Could helping Trey recover include loving him fearlessly?
Trey hadnβt felt this relaxed in months. He closed his eyes, allowing his body to become one with the water. Regaining this small sense of movement was a defining moment for himβhe felt a sense of freedom heβd thought was long gone.
βYouβre doing fantastic,β Gia murmured.
At every encouraging word and smile from her and Giaβs obvious faith in him, Treyβs heart turned over in response. There was no fighting it any longer. He wanted something more than friendship from her. Heβd been crushing on her at first like before, but what he felt now defied words.
However, reality sank in. What could he offer Gia?
Yetβ¦the way she looked at him motivated him to take a chance with her. After all, she was his biggest cheerleader and she often reminded him that he could continue to improve his quality of life, including having a family.
At the end of the aquatic therapy session, Gia assisted him back into his wheelchair.
He decided to take the leap. He didnβt just want to be her friend. He wanted more. He wanted Gia.
βHow do you feel about mixing business with pleasure?β
She dried herself off. βIβm not sure what you mean by that.β
His eyes traveled over her face, studying her expression. βWill you have dinner with me? As in a date.β
Gia gave a slight nod. βIβd love it.β She handed him a towel. βBut I canβt unless you fire me, or I quit. Itβs not ethical for me to date my patients.β
βThen youβre fired.β
Grinning, she responded, βIn that case, I have a replacement in mind for you.β
He was surprised. βWere you planning to quit on me?β
Gia laughed. βNo, I simply wanted to be prepared in case something happened to me, or if we decided to be more than friends.β
βWe have gotten pretty close,β Trey said. βIβve tried to keep it professional, but I really care for you.β
βI feel the same way,β Gia responded.
Her words thrilled him. Clearing his throat, he stated, βIf you donβt mind coming to the
βHow about I cook something?β she suggested. βIβll have to check your refrigerator to see what I have to work with.β
He chuckled.
*****
Author Info:
Jacquelin Thomas’ books have garnered several awards, including two EMMA awards, the Romance In Color Reviewers Award, Readers Choice Award, and the Atlanta Choice Award in the Religious & Spiritual category. She was nominated for a 2008 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Fiction in the Young Adult category. Jacquelin has published in the romance, inspirational fiction and young adult genres.
A veteran in need of a fresh start will get more than he bargained forβ¦
Veteran Micah Holland’s scars go deeper than anyone knows. An inheritance from his mentor could be a new beginningβif he shares the inherited goat farm with fiercely independent Paige Watson. Now the only way they can keep the farm is to work together. But first Micah must prove he’s a changed man to keep his dream and the woman he’s falling for.
βYouβre an inspiration, Micah.β She stared at him, as if the intensity of her gaze could convince him.
βNo, not even close. Iβm just a guy who was stuck in the mud and was handed a shovel to dig his way out. Someone reached out and gave me a hand up. I want to do the same for others. Because of Phil and Ian, I had the break I needed to change. Thatβs why itβs important to stay on track with meeting our goals. A Hand Up isnβt a handout, but a second chance. Everyone deserves that. Now I can be the one to hand out a shovel.β
βBut your compassion helps change lives. Thatβs evident by what youβre doing here.β She shrugged. βWho knows? Maybe God allowed you to go through everything you did so youβd be in a place to help someone else. Maybe you had to become homeless to understand their pain and give them the security they needed.β
Micah laughed, the tone a bit raw and ragged.
βSeems ironic that I had to lose an arm to give a hand up to others.β
βIβm sorry for everything youβve gone through.β Paige reached for Micahβs hand and gave it a squeeze. βGod has a purpose for you. For this house. And for the men who will be living here.β She tapped his chest. βAnd it started here. If you didnβt care, you wouldnβt have come home for Ianβs funeral. You wouldnβt be going through all this to get the transitional home set up. You wouldnβt be talking to men like Jerome, encouraging them to take the next step.β
And she wouldnβt need to guard her heart to keep from falling for Micah. Because he was rightβthey needed to stay on track to meet their goals. And she couldnβt lose sight of that, either, by doing something silly like falling for a man who had a hard time recognizing love in his own family.
*****
Author Info:
Heart, home and faith have always been important to Lisa Jordan, so writing stories with those elements come naturally. Happily married for over 30 years to her real-life hero, she and her husband have two grown sons. Lisa enjoys family time, good books, and creative time with friends. To learn more about her writing, visit http://www.lisajordanbooks.com.
Healing his physical wounds is just the beginningβ¦
Seeking a break from her nursing duties, Miriam Stoltzfus returns home to Lost Creekβand encounters her most difficult patient yet. Her childhood neighbor, Matthew King, is suffering after an accident left him injured and his younger brother dead. But he doesnβt want anyoneβs help. Can Miriam guide him through his grief to prove heβs still the strong, confident man she remembers?
βIt takes time to come back from lying in bed,β Miriam said, as if she knew his thoughts. βIβve heard a therapist say a week of exercise for every day in bed.β Sheβd moved closer, and as he tried again, she put her hand on the middle of his back, pressing.
He could feel how much easier that made it to pull up. And he could also feel the shape of her palm and the warmth of her skin through the thin cotton of his nightshirt. He looked at her, feeling that awareness move between them.
βHere, let me help.β Betsy charged in, inserting herself between him and Miriam.
Jealous? He couldnβt be sure.
βThatβs right.β Miriam, unruffled, moved Betsyβs hand slightly. βGood. Now donβt push. Just use your hand for a little extra support. We want his muscles to work but not strain.β
βYah, I see. I can feel it.β Betsy sounded pleased, her antagonism slipping away.
With the two of them behind him, he couldnβt see either of their faces. But he didnβt like the idea of them ganging up on him.
βBetsy, do we have any lemonade?β
βI donβt think so. Do you want some? I can make it.β All her eagerness to please him rushed back.
βWe could all use some after we finish here, ainβt so? Why donβt you make a pitcher?β
βRight away.β She hurried off.
βDonβt worry about it.β Miriam seemed amused. βSheβs still your willing servant.β
βThat wasnβt the idea,β he said stiffly, his temper flaring that she could read him so easily. βIn case you havenβt noticed, it makes her happy to do things for me.β
βI noticed.β She looped the handles back up over the bar and pulled down a pair of stretchy bands. βAs long as sheβs helping you to get stronger, I donβt object.β
βStronger.β He almost spat out the word. βStronger for what? None of this is going to do any good. Itβs useless. I canβt be the person I was.β
She seemed unaffected by his anger. βWeβll never know that if you donβt try, will we?β
He glared at her for a long moment as
He glared at her for a long moment as a thought formed in his mind. He turned it over, looking at it from all angles. Would it work?
βIβll tell you what,β he said. βIβll make a deal with you.β
βWhat kind of a deal?β Miriamβs expression was cautious.
βI promise to do everything you sayβ¦to try my hardestβ¦for a month. If Iβm not much better by then, you agree to quit.β
Miriam stood very still, considering before she spoke. βI canβt speak for Tim. Just for myself.β
βYah. Just for yourself.β
βWhoβs going to decide whether or not youβre much better?β she said. βYou?β
His jaw hardened. She wasnβt going to make this easy.
βNo,β he said abruptly. βHow aboutβ¦ Betsy?β
Her lips twitched. βDonβt you think Betsy has her own reasons for wanting to be rid of me?β
He raised one eyebrow, a gesture that used to attract the girls. βIf youβre really making progress, youβll have won her over by then. Whatβs wrong? Donβt you have any confidence in your work?β
She seemed to wince at that. After a long moment, she nodded. βAll right. Itβs a deal.β
*****
Author Info:
Marta Perry realized she wanted to be a writer at age eight, when she read her first Nancy Drew novel. A lifetime spent in rural Pennsylvania and her own Pennsylvania Dutch roots led Marta to the books she writes now about the Amish. When sheβs not writing, Marta is active in the life of her church and enjoys traveling and spending time with her three children and six beautiful grandchildren. Visit her online at http://www.martaperry.com.
Scandal leads to wedding bells in this uplifting, emotional marriage-of-convenience romance by Louise Fuller!
The one thing not on her Christmas list? A convenient winter wedding!
Louis Albemarle has tried to bury the pain and guilt of his fatherβs death with his playboy antics. So when a photo of his stolen moment with figure skater Santina Somerville proves one scandal too many for his companyβs shareholders, Louis must contemplate the unimaginable: marriage!
Marrying Louis is the only way to save Santaβs pristine image. But after a past betrayal, itβs not the gossip she really fears. Itβs the burning attraction between her and Louis that might just make resisting her convenient husband impossibleβ¦
Santa stared at him, groping for some way for his words to make sense.
Marry him!
But of course he was being stupid againβmocking her, trying to punish her for what he saw as a problem of her making.
βGood idea,β she snapped. βWhy donβt we fly to Vegas? We could get married with Elvis as the celebrant and afterwards we could invite all our new paparazzi friends to the reception.β
His face hardened. βIf you likeβalthough I thought the whole point of getting married was to get them off our backs.β
She felt her face dissolve, her mouth forming an O of shock. He was being serious. βAre you out of your mind?β
Marry Louis? The idea was absurd, and wrong on so many levels, and yet she couldnβt stop a hectic pulse from leapfrogging across her skin, or deflect a sudden vivid memory of the moment when his mouth had fused with hers.
βNo!β Shaking her head to clear the image from her head, she took a step backwards. βI wouldnβt marry you if my life depended on it.β
βWhat about your reputation?β
His voice was coldβbut, looking into his eyes, she saw the heat of wounded male pride.
Louisβs pride was the last of her worries right now.
βWe canβt get married,β she said firmly.
βWhy not?β he shot back. βIt would solve our immediate problems. Unless, of course, youβre already married.β
His eyes locked with hers and she stiffened. βIβm not married.β
βAnd you donβt have a boyfriend right now, do you?β
Her cheeks were flaming with a shame she hated feeling. βI would hardly have kissed you if I did.β
Something shifted in his faceβsomething she hadnβt got a name for.
βItβs not always an obstacle,β he said silkily.
βOnly for someone like you.β
βIf you say so.β
He tilted his head back, the coldness in his eyes making her shake inside.
βOkay then, as there appears to be no legal impediment as to why I, Louis, may not be joined in matrimony to you, Santa Somerville, letβs get married.β
She stared at him, trying and failing to read his expression. No legal impediment maybe, but what about a moral one?
βYou canβt just use marriage as some kind of sticking plaster to fix this mess.β
He shrugged. βThatβs exactly what I want to use it for.β
Her head was starting to spin. Why was he being so contrary?
βWell, I donβt. It would be dishonest, wrongββ
βIt would also be expedient and mutually beneficial. And itβs not as if itβs going to be till-death-us-do-part. Weβll be lucky if we last a month without killing each other.β
And what about kissing each other?
*****
Author Info:
Louise Fuller was a tomboy who hated pink and always wanted to be the prince. Not the princess! Now she enjoys creating heroines who arenβt pretty pushovers but strong, believable women. Before writing for Mills and Boon, she studied literature and philosophy at university and then worked as a reporter on her local newspaper. She lives in Tunbridge Wells with her impossibly handsome husband, Patrick and their six children.
When show business leads to secret pleasures, how can they resist in this Devereaux Inc. novel by LaQuette.
Their daytime partnership sets the night on fire. Who said they canβt have it all?
Lyric Smith didnβt become the nationβs most successful lifestyle guru by losing focus. Yet Josiah Manning, daytime televisionβs hottestβand sexiestβyoung Black producer makes her do just that. Publicly, Josiah wants Lyric to star in a new talk show. Privately, heβs headlining her sexiest fantasies. But when their explosive chemistry leads to complications instead of contracts, will Lyric find the ultimate partner to help her crush her rivalsβ¦or exit stage left alone?
She seemed slightly dazed, and he couldnβt tell if it was because his hand was still lingering on her arm. He was a perfect stranger, and just because he was boys with her play cousin Jeremiah didnβt mean he had a right to touch her or barge his way all up in her mix.
He dragged his hand away. βIβm sorry, I didnβt mean to overstep.β
Josiah let his hungry gaze slide down her body, then brought it back up to meet hers. βIf this is a hot mess,
then I donβt think the world is ready for when you get glammed up. Youβre breathtaking.β
She nodded, smiling playfully as her laughter filled the cozy space between them. βYou are a charmer, arenβt you? I bet all the Hollywood starlets fall at your feet when you pay them those kinds of compliments.β
He lifted a brow and pursed his lips. βYouβd be wrong. I donβt pay compliments easily. And trust me, thereβs no one in Hollywood that looks like you, so no, Iβm not usually this charming.β
He could see the brown of her cheeks burn into a deep mauve as she blushed. βThen thank you,β she responded. βAnd on that flattering note, Iβm gonna call a car and head home.β
βCall a car?β His question stopped her mid-turn. βYou didnβt come in your own?β
βNo, my cousin Amara and I had business earlier, and I hitched a ride with her. But as the family lawyer, thereβs no way she can leave now.β
βThen let me take you home.β
Her cute smile as she dipped her gaze and blushed again tore down all his defenses. As a producer, he was around beautiful women all the time. But none of them disarmed him the way Lyric did.
βIs βtake me homeβ just an offer of transportation or a euphemism for sleeping with me?β
Pump your brakes, man.
He wasnβt thinking with his head at the moment, so he simply said, βWhichever you want it to be.β
He braced himself for the slap he knew he deserved. But it never came. Instead, she stepped closer to him, filling his senses with the light fragrance of citrus and coconut she wore.
βTake me home, and Iβll use the duration of the trip to decide.β
Well, Iβll be damned.
*****
Author Info:
An activist for DEIA in the romance industry, LaQuette writes bold stories featuring multicultural characters. Her writing style brings intellect to the drama. She crafts emotionally epic tales that are deeply pigmented by reality’s paintbrush. This Brooklyn native’s novels are a unique mix of savvy, sarcastic, brazen, & unapologetically sexy characters who are confident in their right to appear on the page. Find her at LaQuette.com & at LaQuette@LaQuette.com.
The halls are decked for holiday romance in nationally bestselling author Rochelle Alers’s latest book in the Bainbridge House series!
Christmas dinnerβs on the table, and it’s being served with a side of romance!
Executive chef Viola Williamson has to have the kitchen up and running by the time the Bainbridge House restoration is complete. Working closely with Dom Shaw, Viola is struck by her hotter-than-mulled-cider attraction to her family estateβs handsome caretaker. Itβs obvious that he feels it, tooβyet Dom keeps his distance. Can Viola convince him that with all this cooking going on, heβs the only one stirring her heart?
Dom turned his head, successfully hiding the smile struggling to emerge. He didnβt know why, but he hadnβt expected to overhear the ribald curse that had flowed so effortlessly from Viola. βThatβs good to know because that would definitely negate us becoming friends.β
Viola narrowed her eyes, reminding him of a cat ready to attack. βDo you always test your friends?β
βMost times I do.β
βWhy, Dom?β
βBecause I have trust issues.β The admission had come out unbidden. But if he were completely forthcoming with Viola, then he wouldβve said his distrust was with women. It didnβt matter whether they were platonic or intimate, heβd made it a practice to keep their relationships at a distance.
βBad breakup with a girlfriend?β
βNo,β he said truthfully. βIt was a marriage that ended with irreconcilable differences.β
She blinked slowly. βWell, youβre not the only one with trust issues. And mine are not with an ex-husband but with the men Iβve dated. They say one thing and do something entirely different.β
This time Dom did smile. Sheβd just given him the opening heβd needed to discover more about her. βAre you saying youβre not currently involved with anyone?β
βThatβs exactly what Iβm saying. Iβm not involved and donβt want to become involved. Right now, my sole focus is getting these kitchens renovated so that I can be ready once the hotel opens for business.β
It appeared as if they were on the same page when it came to relationships. Neither wanted one. And for him, it would make her presence on the property a win-win. Although heβd found Viola attractive, just knowing she didnβt want anything more than friendship would make it easy for Dom to relate to her as a friend.
βDo you have an idea as to what you want to offer your guests?β he asked, deftly changing the topic of conversation.
βThat all depends on the clientele. If itβs a wedding, then that would be at the discretion of the bride and groom. However, for guests coming for a business conference, the food would be different from what would be served at a wedding reception. Then there are folks that may just want to stop by to hang out at the lounge for drinks and to watch sports. For them, I would have a special bar menu.β
βIt sounds as if you have everything planned out in advance.β
Viola flashed a dreamy smile. βI would have to. I canβt afford to wait until weβre ready to open for business to begin creating menus without taste testing every item beforehand.β
Dom grinned from ear to ear. βI wouldnβt mind becoming one of your taste testers.β
She laughed. βIβll definitely keep that in mind.β
Dom sobered. βWhen do you intend to come back here again?β
Viola also sobered. βWhy?β
*****
Author Info:
Hailed by readers and booksellers alike as one of today’s most popular African-American authors of women’s fiction, Ms. Alers is a regular on bestsellers list, and has been a recipient of numerous awards, including the Vivian Stephens Award for Excellence in Romance Writing and a Zora Neale Hurston Literary Award.Β Visit her Web site www.rochellealers.com
Is she a mistaken targetβ¦or next on an enemyβs hit list?
Sandy Lynn Forrester’s Christmas holiday takes a terrifying turn when someone breaks into her home and attacks her roommateβ¦thinking it’s her. But no one believes that an imprisoned man from Sandy Lynn’s past is behind the attacksβexcept for her high school heartbreak, ex-cop Clay Danforth. Can she trust Clay to keep her safe in the Ozark wilderness long enough to stop a ruthless criminalβs vengeance?
The lack of explanation from Clay caused her to glance over at him. Instead of paying attention to her, he was frowning and looking in the car mirrors.
Sandy Lynn whipped around as far as her seat belt would allow. Since the snow had stopped, more people had ventured outside, evidently to take advantage of the respite. The street was crowded. βWhat? What do you see?β
βProbably nothing.β
βOkay,β she drawled, βthen why are you making scary faces?β
βIβm not.β Clay flashed her a lopsided smile. βThis is my normal face.β
βMaybe itβs the black-and-blue eye socket that makes you look odd,β she said, not believing that excuse for an instant.
Again he stayed silent. She felt the car begin to accelerate. The tires slipped in the slushy street, and they fishtailed several times before Clay got it under control.
βOkay. That does it. What is going on?β
βWeβre being followed,β Clay said as he sped up, sliding again and again. βIβm heading for the police station.β
βFinally, something that makes sense.β Bracing with her left hand on the dash, her right gripping the over-the-door assist handle, Sandy Lynn did her best to anchor herself on the seat.
Clay turned corner after corner until she was unsure of their position. βI thought you saidββ
A hard smack jolted her car and snapped her head back against the support at the top of the seat. She wanted to shout orders at him, to tell him how to get them out of this situation, but truth to tell, she didnβt have a clue.
Prayer would be good, she reasoned, if she had the words to pray or knew what to ask for.
Survival leaped into her thoughts as she called out wordlessly to her heavenly Father.
The car was hit again. Clay righted it.
A harder smash followed quickly.
Clay hollered, βHang on!β
They went airborne, diving nose-first into a drainage ditch.
Sandy Lynn saw his head snap forward just as the airbag engulfed him. The passenger side of the dated vehicle was not equipped with crash protection, so the seat belt was the only thing keeping her from flying through the shattering windshield.
Breathless and shocked, she just sat there, wondering if this was as bad as it was going to get or if their pursuers were going to stop to finish them off.
*****
Author Info:
Valerie Hansen resides in the rural Ozarks where she writes the books of her heart, primarily for Love Inspired Romance and Suspense. She is married to her childhood sweetheart and has worked as a teacher’s-aide, EMT, fire dept. dispatcher, dog breeder, commercial artist, dulcimer builder, Veterinarian’s asst., 4-H leader, Sunday School teacher, antique restorer and certified Storm Spotter, etc. See ValerieHansen.com for more!
Mountain resort owner Angelina Cunningham has her hands full with a massive winter storm. Which is exactly when her ex-husband arrives, injured and suffering temporary amnesia. Ben King has always been her weakness. Though he doesnβt remember her, heβs still as charming and sweet as ever, and Angelina is falling for him all over again. But can their rekindled love outlast the storm and the return of their past mistakes?
βAngelina,β he said. βI sense there are some hard feelings between us. I mean, I donβt remember it, but you seemβ¦uncomfortable with me.β
βItβs fine,β she said with a shake of her head.
βWhat did I do?β he asked. βBecause Iβm looking at you, and I see a beautiful, successful woman Iβd be proud to be with. Soβ¦what happened with us?β
Her green gaze flicked over to meet his. βYour family happened.β
What had his father said? And perhaps expect some jealousy toward our family.
βWhat did they do?β he asked.
βThey hated me.β She said it so matter-of-factly, with no emotion behind it.
βI find that hard to believeβ¦β He smiled, hoping that sheβd soften her stance there. βFor what?β
βFor being beneath the quality standard they set for you,β she said. βThey wanted you to marry someone who came from a family equally well situated. Iβm just a regular woman.β
βNot so regularβ¦β
Sheβd achieved an awful lot to consider herself ordinary. And look at her! She drew every eye in a room.
βYouβd be surprised.β She didnβt return his smile, and her gaze didnβt waver. This wasnβt a joke. He was inclined to believe her.
βSo my family hated you, and we broke up?β he asked hesitantly.
βI got tired of trying to prove myself,β she said. βAnd I think you got tired of fighting for us. A manβs family is a part of him, Ben. Remember them or not, they formed you. They raised you. Their DNA flows through you. And I wasnβt acceptable.β
Ben felt her words spinning through his mind like that blinding snow outside. His family had been the cause of their divorce? Was that why his father had given him that warningβhe saw Angelina as a threat?
βWhy did I come here?β he asked.
Angelina shook her head. βI have no idea.β
βWe didnβt have plans toβ¦talk?β he asked. βBecause I donβt know why else Iβd be driving this way. Do I know anyone else here or have any business to take care of?β
Angelina shrugged. βI wouldnβt know. Iβm not a part of your life.β
βBut you said we talked sometimes,β he said.
βWe did,β she said.
βMaybe I wanted to talk again. You said we broke up? Maybe that was weighing on me.β
βMaybe.β She met his gaze. βI wouldnβt know, would I?β She was silent for a moment. βWe always have held on to some feelings for each other. I wonβt deny that. I think you regretted how things ended with us. But we arenβt friends. You canβt feel the way we did for each other, go through that kind of heartbreak and be friends afterward. It doesnβt work.β
No, he could see that. Knowing next to nothing about her, heβd felt drawn to this woman. And even now, knowing that nothing had worked between them, he still found himself wanting to keep her close.
βBut I came here,β he said. βWith a storm
at my back, no less. That has to mean something. I feel absolutely certain that I was trying to reachβ¦this place.β
As she looked at him, he could see that her resistance was up. She didnβt have his answers, and maybe he was asking too much of her to expect her to know why heβd come out here.
βDo you want me to have your clothes laundered tonight, or do you want to have them dry-cleaned?β she asked.
Right. She was backing away from the personal.
βIββ He shook his head. βI have no idea. Letβs try and wash them, I guess.β
She smiled faintly. βYou were particular about your shirts. I should warn you.β
He thought about it for a moment. βIβm not right now. I wouldnβt mind having my own clothes back. Letβs see how it goes.β
βAll right.β She turned toward the door.
He wanted to stop her, ask her more questions, convince her to stay awhile, but he could sense that wouldnβt be appropriate. Whatever theyβd been, it was well in the past.
βGood night,β he called after her.
βGood night, Ben.β Her voice was soft, cutting off when the door shut behind her.
***** Author Info:
Patricia Johns writes from Alberta, Canada where she lives with her husband and son. She has her Honors BA in English Literature and writes for both Harlequin and Kensington books. She loves prairie skies and time with her family.
Romantic Reads and Such 