What else is there to do when it’s freezing outside and you’re waiting to schedule a second-round knee replacement surgery with your leg in the air? Think warm thoughts. Think of romance . . .
I’ve been going back through my older titles getting ready to start reissuing. The hold up – I get lost in the rereading! I love these books. Sigh! Historicals were my go-tos the last two times I was heavily sedated and in bed dreading that trip to the bathroom down a narrow hallway on a walker after two separate knee replacement. The romance hasn’t died out . . . but the artificial knees do wear out and that’s where I am now – hoping we can get the car started when I do get an appointment with my knee guy. So, what else is there to do but bask in the heat of West Texas with the Bass family.
DESTINED TO SAVE HIM
Wounded and left for dead by a band of savage Apaches, Texas Ranger Jack Bass thought his life was over -- until a white woman dressed in Indian clothing suddenly appeared. Before he could learn the identity of this green-eyed angel of mercy, she vanished into the night, leaving him with only the memory of whispered words and a gentle touch...
DESTINED TO LOVE HER
Ever since the terrifying day she was abducted from her husband's home and forced to live among the Apache, Emily Marcus knew she no longer had a place in the white man's world. But she couldn't forget the tender stranger she'd nursed back to life. Now, as fate conspired to bring them together once more, Emily found herself torn between honor and desire -- between vows made long ago and the love she'd risk her very soul to claim....
“I’ll get her back for you, Emily.”
He said it easily as if it was just that simple. She was about to call him on it when she happened to gaze into his eyes. There she saw a deep, steely conviction . . . and she believed, if only for a moment.
“I’ll get her back for you and see you’re a family again.”
Emily didn’t answer that. She couldn’t, because a sacrifice would have to be made in order to return to Neil Marcus, and it wasn’t one she cared to discuss with the compassionate Jack Bass . . . something that would weigh on her soul alone and she wasn’t sure she could stand it.
( . . . and a bit more . . .)
Jack watched her. She was trying so hard to be brave as she stared solemnly into the fire. No one should have to be as miserable and alone as she looked at that moment. So he opened his arm to her and patted his shoulder with his other hand, coaxing her to settle in without a word.
He told himself he was doing it because he felt sorry for all she’d been through. Or because she was the wife of his good friend. Or because he was just a decent human being. But the truth touched on none of those reasons. The truth was, he would have done anything in the world for Emily Marcus.
Because he’d fallen in love with her.
Oh, sigh . . . I feel warmer already! Happy New Year!!!
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Oh-oh, falling in love with the best friend's wife is never good!
ReplyDeleteOuch, regarding the knee surgery, that's never good. Sending you some Aussie warmth :-)
Thanks, Iris! Could use that positive energy (and warmth! It's Brrrrr outside!).
DeleteAnonymously Esther O'Neill, in a UK dead zone, still with no signal. Google expects me pick up texts, but I'd need to climb an icy hill first and wait till they send another. .
ReplyDeleteFascinated by romance, and 100% sure I can't write it. Thankfully, people like you can. Happy New Year.
You never know until you try. 80 books ago I didn't think so either!
DeleteGreat emotional snippet. Hope you buckle into writing and your knees don't under you. God bless.
ReplyDelete