Tags
Emily March, Eternity Springs series, Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas, Jackson, The McBrides of Texas series
After reading this sneak peek I’m heading out to get my hands on this one right away!
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Eternity Springs: The McBrides of Texas
by Emily March
Blurb:
Fromย New York Timesย bestselling author Emily March comesย Jackson, the newest novel in the critically acclaimedย Eternity Springsย series.
Sometimes it takes a new beginning
Caroline Carruthers thinks she buried her dreams along with the love of her lifeโฆuntil a stranger named Celeste dares her to chase a dream all on her own. Moving to Redemption, Texas, is chapter one in Carolineโs new life story. Opening a bookstore is the next. Finding love is the last thing on her mind as she settles into this new place called home. But when she meets a handsome, soulful man whoโs also starting over, all bets are off.
to reach a happily-ever-after
Jackson McBride came to Redemption looking only to find himself, not someone to love. Ever since his marriage ended, heโs been bitter. Sure, he used to believe in loveโhe even has the old song lyrics to prove itโbut the Jackson of today is all business. That is, until a beautiful young widow whoโs moved to town inspires a change of heart. Could it be that the myth of Redemptionโs healing magic is trueโฆand Jackson and Caroline can find a second chance at a happy ending after all?
http://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250314918
*****
Excerpt:
Chapter One
Nashville, Tennessee
Bang. The judgeโs gavel fell and officially crushed Jackson McBrideโs heart. He closed his eyes. Bleak despair washed over him. Up until this very moment, he hadnโt believed sheโd take it this far.
Heโd thought sheโd come to her senses. Heโd thought she would recognize that this proposal was not only nonsense, but truly insane. Heโd believed that somewhere deep inside of her, she still had a spark of humanity. That she wouldnโt do this to him. To them. Heโd been wrong.
Damn her. Damn her and the yes-men she surrounded herself with. Damn them all to hell and back.
The enormity of what had just happened washed over him. Oh, God, how will
I survive this?
On the heels of his anguish came the rage. It erupted hot as lava, and it fired his blood and blurred his vision with a red haze of fury. Heโd never hit a woman in his life. Never come close, despite plenty of provocation from her direction. In that moment had she been within reach, he might have lived up her accusations.
It scared the crap out of him. Thatโs what sheโs brought me to.
Abruptly, he shoved back his chair so hard that it teetered, almost falling over. He strode toward the courtroom exit. โJackson? Jackson, wait!โ his attorney called, hurrying after him.
Jackson waved her off and didnโt stop. There was nothing left to be said. Nothing left to be done. No place left to go.
No little girl waiting at home to hug and cuddle and kiss good night.
The tap on the toes of Jacksonโs boots clacked against the tile floor of the courthouse as his long-legged strides ate up the hallway. He shunned the elevator for the stairs and descended three flights at a rapid pace, then headed for the buildingโs exit. In a foolish bit of positive thinking, heโd driven his SUV to the courthouse this morning. Now the sight of the safety booster seat in the back seat made him want to kick a rock into next week.
He didnโt want to go home to a quiet, empty house. He shouldnโt go to a bar. Alcohol on top of his current mood could be a dangerous combination. Somebody probably would get hurt.
He got into the car and started the engine. For a long moment he sat unmoving, staring blindly through the windshield, his hands squeezing the steering wheel so hard that it should have cracked. When his phone rang, he ignored it.
A couple of minutes later, it rang a second time. Again, he ignored it. When it happened a third time, he finally glanced at the display to see who was calling. His cousin. Okay, maybe he would answer it.
โHello, Boone.โ
โHow did the hearing go?โ
Jackson couldnโt speak past the lump in his throat, so he said nothing.
Following a momentโs silence, Boone got the message. He muttered a curse, and then said, โIโm sorry, man. So damn sorry.โ
โWell, it is what it is.โ
โYou can take another run at it.โ
โYeah.โ In three years. Three years. Might as well be three decades. He cleared his throat and changed the subject. โSo, how are things in Eternity Springs?โ
โGood. Theyโre good. My friend Celeste Blessing visited my office a few minutes ago and spoke of her granite-headed cousin. Naturally, I thought of you.โ
โNaturally,โ Jackson dryly replied. But he felt a little less alone.
โDo you have plans this weekend? I could use your help with something.โ
Pretty convenient timing. Knowing Boone, he had a spy in the courtroom. But Jackson wasnโt in the position to ignore the bone heโd been thrown. โIโm free. Whatcha got?โ
โIโd like you to meet me at home.โ
Jackson straightened in surprise. โYouโre going back to the ranch?โ
โNo. Not there. Iโm never going back there. However, I am talking about Texas. The Hill Country in particular. A little town west of Austin called Redemption.โ
โRedemption, Texas?โ Jackson repeated. For some weird reason, his heart gave a little skip. โWhy there?โ
โItโs a long story. Too long for a phone call. Iโll give you the entire skinny when I see you. When can you get there?โ
After todayโs debacle, Jackson had absolutely no reason to remain in Nashville. โWhen do you want me there?โ
โIโll be in later today. Iโm in Austin now. Iโve been helping a friend with a project. I have a flight back to Colorado Sunday evening. The earlier you can get here the better, but Iโll make anything work.โ
Jackson figured the distance and the drive time. โIโll meet you tomorrow afternoon. Where?โ
โGreat. Iโll text you the info when we hang up. Bring camping gear.โ
When a sound behind him had Jackson glancing up into the rearview mirror and the booster seat caught his notice, he made an instant decision. โCanโt. Iโll be on my bike.โ
โYouโre gonna ride your motorcycle all the way from Nashville?โ
โYes, I think I am.โ
โOkay. Iโll bring stuff for both of us.โ Boone hesitated a moment and added, โHang in there,
Jackson. Itโll get better.โ
No, I donโt think it will. โIโll see you tomorrow.โ
Jackson ended the call and finally put his SUV in gear and backed out of the parking place. With the distraction of the call behind him, fury returned, and by the time he reached home, he felt like a volcano about to explode.
He threw a handful of things into his tail bag, filled his wallet with cash from his stash, and ten minutes after his arrival, he fired up his bike and took his broken heart and headed out of Nashville. He left behind his home, his work, and his one reason for living, his six-year-old daughter, Haley.
Fromย Jackson. Copyrightย ยฉย 2019 byย Emily Marchย and reprinted with permission from St. Martinโs Paperbacks.
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Emily March is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the heartwarming Eternity Springs series. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Emily is an avid fan of Aggie sports and her recipe for jalapeรฑo relish has made her a tailgating legend.
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