When globe-trotting photographer Allison
Cain comes home to her family ranch in Montana it’s to get to know her nephew
and to make amends with the widowed brother-in-law she’s left alone to raise
his young son.
Evan Carver could never deny his late
wife’s younger sister anything, despite the fact she’s been conspicuously
absent over the past three years since her sister’s death. Now she’s home again
on what she’s called an extended vacation. Evan’s first concern is for his son,
Cody, and how his aunt’s visit will affect the five year old when she decides
to return to her high profile career.
Allison has no intention of going back to
work. In addition to getting to know Cody, she needs to confess her biggest
secret to Evan. How do you tell the man you’ve always loved that you’re not
just his son’s aunt, but also his mother?
Excerpt:
Slowly she raised her head. Unshed tears
filled her eyes, making them glisten like liquid stars. Evan felt a lump form
in his own throat. She blinked rapidly in what Evan suspected was a conscious
effort to hide her emotions. A knot tightened his gut. He had the sudden urge
to take Ali in his arms, as he’d done the day she arrived, and bury her face
against his chest, preferably without the argument that followed.
In the very back of his over-used
imagination, he could see her coming willingly into his arms. He could feel the
heat of her tears against his chest. His reaction surprised and frightened him
in equal measure. He didn’t want to feel this way about her, especially when he
knew she wouldn’t stay.
“Me, too,” she admitted softly, drawing
Evan’s attention from her teary eyes to her soft, pink lips. The tears she’d
been fighting back so tenaciously now pearled on her lashes, threatening to
spill forth at any second.
Evan moved away from the tree, inching his
way around Cody and close to Allison’s side. Cautiously, he lifted his hand and
caught the first tear on his thumb, uncertain of exactly what had made her cry,
yet knowing he selfishly welcomed the chance to offer her comfort.
“When I left South America, the only thing
I could think of was coming here. I wanted desperately to feel the lush grass
beneath my bare feet and to smell the fresh, clean air.”
“I don’t care what made you decide to come
home. You’re here now and welcome to stay as long as you like.” Drawing her
into his arms, he held her close and tilted her chin up with his fingertips
until their gazes met.
At the first touch of his lips to hers,
Evan tasted the cinnamon and apple of the dessert they’d just consumed. He
pressed his lips more firmly to hers. She hesitated only briefly before returning
his kiss with one of her own. He barely had time to consider what they’d done
when Ali’s trembling voice broke through his consciousness.
“Evan,” she whispered. “Don’t, please.”
Pressing her hands to his chest, she pushed lightly. Yet, when he would have
backed away, she clenched the front of his shirt tightly in her fists. “We
can’t . . .” she warned, still seemingly unwilling to let him go.
“Ali, it was only a kiss.”
She looked up at him with tear-filled eyes
and Evan knew if he didn’t let her go he’d likely do something they’d both
regret. Gently, he grasped her hands in his and pulled them from the death grip
she’d taken on his shirt. With his thumb he wiped away a final spent tear then
released her completely. A moment later he was on his feet and walking back
toward the damaged fence. It would take every ounce of strength he possessed,
he realized, to keep from turning around and taking her into his arms again.
Author Bio:
Like most authors, Nancy Fraser began
writing at an early age, usually on the walls and with crayons or, heaven
forbid, permanent markers. Her love of writing often made her the English
teacher’s pet, which, of course, resulted in a whole lot of teasing. Still, it
was worth it.
When not writing (which is almost never),
Nancy dotes on her five beautiful grandchildren and looks forward to traveling
and reading when time permits. Nancy lives in Atlantic Canada where she enjoys
the relaxed pace and colorful people. She invites you to visit her website (www.nancyfraser.ca) and follow her on
Twitter (@nfraserauthor). Or, more importantly, just enjoy what she writes.
Media:
Website: www.nancyfraser.ca
Twitter: https://twitter.com/nfraserauthor
@nfraserauthor
Facebook: http://facebook.com/nancyfraserauthor
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