Mary E. Thompson's Blog, page 43

Temptation (Feb 20)

Charles kicked himself the whole way home. He should have known better than to try to reconnect with Becca. She didn’t need him in her life. She was obviously doing well on her own. She had people who cared for her. She would be fine without him. Probably better off.

Charles hated to admit that, but he knew it was the truth. Becca had always been strong. She’d been strong enough to stand up to him more times than he could count, especially the day she threw him out of her life. He hated that she did it, but he respected the hell out of her for being willing to push him aside for the sake of her family.

His stomach growled loudly and Charles remembered he hadn’t eaten breakfast. He was so wrapped up in Becca that he completely forgot he was going to the diner for breakfast. He couldn’t go back there, but he needed to do something, and sitting in his apartment feeling sorry for himself was not going to cut it.

He slung his bag back over his shoulder and headed out again. Maybe he could find a Starbucks or something like that. He knew as long as he kept buying stuff he wouldn’t feel bad stealing a table for the day. There was a Starbucks close to his apartment, one he’d never been to, and he decided to give it a try.

The cold air stung his face when Charles stepped back outside. He wished he was in the diner, talking to Becca, but he couldn’t go back. His pride wouldn’t take it and neither would his heart. He’d have to forget her again, move on with his life. Let her enjoy hers.

Inside the Starbucks Charles ordered a coffee and a muffin. He took a seat by the window so he’d have natural light for the day and set up his laptop. He sipped his coffee and devoured his muffin, trying to focus on work. But all he could think about was Becca. She was in the face of the woman on the street, looking around like she’d lost something. She was in the sway of the hips on the barista. She was in the sound of light laughter trickling through to his ear.

He was going insane.

The woman on the street looked up at the sky. She raised her hands as though she was asking someone up there for something. Charles watched her, mesmerized by the similarities to Becca. His mind was really doing a number on him. Then she turned and looked straight at him. Her lips curled up into a grin and she went for the door. She was standing in front of his table before he realized he wasn’t completely insane. It really was Becca.

The post Temptation (Feb 20) appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

#EggcerptExchange Shadows of the Past by Carmen Stefanescu

Carmen Stefanescu is visiting with us today, all the way from Romania! You have to check out her paranormal romance, Shadows of the Past!

Shadows of the Past

Carmen Stefanescu

from Wild Child Publishing

Anne’s relationship with her boyfriend Neil has disintegrated. After a two-year separation, they pack for a week vacation in hopes of reconciling. But fate has other plans for them.

The discovery of a bejeweled cross and ancient human bones opens a door to a new and frightening world–one where the ghost of a medieval nun named Genevieve will not let Anne rest. This new world threatens not only to ruin Anne and Neil’s vacation but to end all hopes of reconciliation as Anne feels compelled to help free Genevieve’s soul from its torment.

Can Anne save her relationship and help Genevieve find her eternal rest?

A touching, compelling story of tragedy, loss and the power of endless love and good magic.

The twists and turns in this paranormal tale keep the reader guessing up to the end and weave themselves together into a quest to rekindle love.

Excerpt from Shadows of the Past

The peal of the church bells from the abbey tower startled Genevieve. The sound added to her mounting anxiety.

The massive abbey loomed over the stone paved path.  All the nuns were at evening mass.  With a bit of luck her disappearance would go unnoticed for a few more hours. The Abbess would assume she was cleaning the toilets as ordered.

Fear skittered through Genevieve when she turned away from the abbey towards the path leading to town. Nothing stirred.  She hesitated.  Evil emanated from the forest surrounding the abbey. With a shiver, she leaned against the solid oak gates that flanked the abbey’s main path. They had hidden her from detection for the past couple of hours, but how much longer would she be safe?

The mountain shadows grew thicker and closer.

She moved her weight from one leg to the other. They ached from so much standing, but she lacked the strength to return to the gardener’s cottage and wait for Andrew’s arrival as planned. Genevieve closed her tired eyes. The image of old Ryan, slumped dead in his chair in his cubicle, caught life in her mind and made her whole body ripple with fear.

She’d rather wait for Andrew here, outside.

Had he forgotten his promise? What if something terrible befell him during the last three days, or he had changed his mind? Why should he risk all for an ordinary nun?

Had his folks talked him into giving her up, made him see reason? Helping her out of her predicament meant a huge risk for him — losing his family, his friends and his position among his peers. His words echoed in her mind. “I will risk everything for you, even life, if necessary.”

* * * *

“Anne, Anne, wake up. Wake up, please,” the insistent voice whispered next to her ear.  The touch of a hand, on her shoulder, startled Anne.

She opened her eyes, still half between sleep and reality. Her gaze stopped on a stranger, a woman, by her side.

The moon’s pale face, the only light, filtered through a small gap in the tent’s entrance; yet the stranger’s whole body emanated a kind of soft ray, a yellowish halo making her figure and face easy to discern.

A long, dark robe, similar to those worn by nuns in monasteries centuries ago, covered her body. No traditional headdress covered the woman’s red hair, which fell loosely over her shoulders in long, heavy tendrils and continued down her chest and back.

Anne stood up and studied the intruder with open curiosity. The stranger’s wax pale face looked corpse like. Anne opened her mouth to ask her who she was. She looked Anne straight in the eyes, placed her forefinger on her lips and whispered, “Hush, come. Follow me.”

Anne’s eyes widened.

The woman, moving away from the sleeping bag, appeared to glide above the ground. Her bare feet didn’t make a sound.

As if hypnotized, Anne followed the illuminated silhouette heading into the forest, without questioning her own actions.

An onrush of sensations unfamiliar to her followed. Dizziness and a malevolent feeling of unreality suffocated her. The presence of evil, creeping up and enveloping her, became almost palpable. Her throat turned dry, and she gasped for air.

Buy now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, All Romance, or Wild Child Publishing.
Get to know Genevieve!

Please, have a seat. Make yourself comfortable Miss…

Genevieve. My name is Genevieve, but Sister Clementa, the Abbess,  and some of her followers call me The witch.

Tell me, Genevieve, where are you living?

Genevieve (a small sigh escapes her lips, then she shrugs): Well, for the moment I reside at St. Mary’s Abbey. On top of a mountain in Britain, in the…cursed forest.

Do you have any schooling?

Genevieve (nods and pats and invisible crease of her dress): Kind  Old Bertha, who took care of me after my family perished, taught me to read and write. Not only English but also Latin. And, most important, she taught me how to prepare healing potions from plants and herbs. Perhaps that’s why the Abbess hates me so much. A peasant girl of the 13th century is dangerous if she knows more than her superiors, I think.

What are your worst fears or nightmare?

Genevieve (throws a shy look around her. She shivers and her voice is small.): I fear the cursed forest. This forest is responsible for what happened to my family. My father’s odd behavior, the death of my siblings. All the evil that lurks in it.

My nightmare – the Abbess, sister Clementa, who threatens me all the time with sending me to the stake. I can’t understand why she wants me out of the way.

Is it anything that you secretly desire?

Genevieve (blushes and wrings her hands. Then she looks me directly in the eyes. Her voice is strong now.): To become Andrew’s wife and grow a family. If his family agrees….If the Abbess lets me go… If God  forgives me for giving up being a nun…..If I escape alive from the forest…. If….

About Carmen

Carmen Stefanescu resides in Romania, the native country of the infamous vampire Count Dracula, but where, for about 50 years of communist dictatorship, just speaking about God, faith, reincarnation or paranormal phenomena could have led someone to great trouble – the psychiatric hospital if not to prison.

Teacher of English and German in her native country and mother of two daughters, Carmen Stefanescu survived the grim years of oppression, by escaping in a parallel world, that of the books.

She has dreamed all her life to become a writer, but many of the things she wrote during those years remained just drawer projects. The fall of the Ceausescu’s regime in 1989, and the opening of the country to the world meant a new beginning for her. She started publishing. Poems first, and then prose. Both in English.

Shadows of the Past, paranormal/light romance/light mystery/light horror was released at the end of 2012 by Wild Child publishing, USA.

Connect with Carmen

Blog

Twitter

Pinterest

Facebook

Goodreads

Google+

Amazon

To get to know the other authors involved in the Eggcerpt Exchange, search social media for #EggcerptExchange. You just might find your next favorite author!

The post #EggcerptExchange Shadows of the Past by Carmen Stefanescu appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Temptation (Feb 18)

Becca saw Earl talking to Charles and grinned. She knew he’d give Charles a hard time for her. He probably didn’t deserve it, but she couldn’t help but be a little happy that she had someone watching out for her.

When Charles’s shoulders slumped down in defeat, Becca frowned. He wasn’t going to argue? The Charles she knew always got his way. He would argue until he passed out if that was what it took. So why wasn’t he arguing with Earl?

Becca watched as Charles turned and walked out the door, not even glancing around to find her. Her heart pounded, seeing him leave for the second time in as many days. She had to stop him. Letting him leave, and possibly never come back, was not going to work for her.

When Becca tried to run past Earl he stopped her with a firm hand on her arm. “What?” she asked sounding as exasperated as she felt.

“Who was that guy? He made you cry yesterday and now you’re chasing him out the door. Talk to me.” Earl was kind and sweet, over-protective like a big brother, just like Jeff used to be. His larger than life personality and welcoming attitude were what made her take the job as a waitress. She knew he’d always be there for her. She just had to convince him to let he go.

“He was my brother’s best friend,” Becca told Earl.

Earl looked as confused as Becca expected him to. She knew she would have to explain the whole situation to him one day, but she wasn’t sure she could manage it. At least not if she wanted to catch up to Charles before he vanished. “You told me you didn’t have any siblings.”

Becca shook her head. “I don’t. My brother died when I was 16. Charles, the guy you just threw out of here, was his best friend. They were seniors in high school. Charles was driving when Jeff died. I haven’t seen him since a few days after the funeral, when he told me he was responsible for my brother dying.”

Earl wrapped her up in a hug and held her close. The smell of grease clung to him and comforted Becca in some strange way. She adored Earl, and his hug let her know she was right to assume he’d always protect her.

“That had to bring up a lot of emotions. How ya holding up?”

Becca shook her head. “Not that great. But I feel like I need to talk to him. He’s the only connection I have left to my brother. And he just walked out the door.”

“Well, then, go get him!” Charles said with a grin.

Becca raced out the door and looked down the street where Charles had headed. But he was gone.

The post Temptation (Feb 18) appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Temptation (Feb 17)

Charles didn’t know what to do. He wanted to turn and leave, but Becca saw him so he knew he couldn’t do that.

Besides, the other guy left, so that was good.

Right?

Charles didn’t have any claim over Becca. He knew that logically, but he still felt territorial toward her. She was his best friend’s little sister. A friend he promised he’d always look out for her. A random guy kissing her on the street wasn’t a good thing. He needed to find out if the guy was a threat. That’s what he told himself as he forced his feet to move toward the diner.

Inside the scent of greasy food assaulted him. His stomach flipped, anxiety churning within him. His relationship with Becca was tumultuous at best, and he didn’t want to screw it up. But he had to know who she was kissing and why she talked to the guy instead of punching him.

“You can’t come in here,” a deep voice said from right next to Charles. He looked up to find a menacing overweight man wearing a white apron over black shorts and a white t-shirt. Charles instinctively took a step back, worried the guy might actually hit him with the spatula in his hand.

“Why not?” Charles asked, genuinely confused.

The guy grinned an evil, threatening grin, as though he was both happy and surprised Charles questioned him. “Because yesterday you made one of my girls cry. She’s in the back right now putting up her stuff, and I’m not going to have you ruin another day for her. So you need to leave before I toss you out of here.”

Charles smiled. A misunderstanding. He could clear it up and everything would be fine. “Oh, that’s all done. Bex and I talked last night. She knows why I’m here. She told me to come back. Said she’d be working this morning. I’m a friend of her brother’s.”

The man crossed two arms the size of small trees over a chest that could have rivaled a redwood. He glared down at Charles and made him squirm. “Now I know you’re lying. Becca doesn’t have any siblings. She told me that her first day here.”

Charles’s heart sunk. She considered herself an only child. And it was his fault she was. “I’m sorry,” Charles said, defeated. “I’ll go.”

 

The post Temptation (Feb 17) appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Fat & Fine first kiss

Sam and Brady have a rough relationship. When she meets him she is curious about him, but a little intimidated by him. But when he decides he wants to kiss her, Sam has a hard time doing anything but respond. How could she not?

Excerpt from Fat & Fine

“I’m not beautiful, Brady. I know that, I’ve accepted it. I’ve been told enough lately that I’m horrible to look at and it’s sinking in-“

“No!” Brady yelled again. “God dammit it’s not true. When I look at you I see your curves, yes, but I love your curves. But there’s so much more to you than your looks. You have gorgeous eyes and a laugh that lights up the room. Those guys are stupid fucking assholes who’ve never bothered to know you. You’re amazing, Sam, and I want you to keep coming here because I like seeing you. I don’t want to miss out on a chance to share even a few minutes with you.”

My head was spinning. It was only a few minutes after I’d fallen for another guy flirting with me only to tell me he was disgusted by me. Could I believe anything Brady was saying?

“Please, Sam, believe me. I know it’s hard to trust someone, especially right now after what those assholes said to you, but it’s the truth. Jesus, I need to… fuck, I can’t stop.”

Before I could ask him what he was talking about his lips were on mine. He pressed me against his closed door and pinned me in with both hands on either side of my head. He leaned into me, his firm body pressing against my soft one. I felt his desire for me in his kiss, on his lips, in the pressure of his tongue against my lips, silently seeking passage into my mouth.

My lips fell apart, letting him in. His tongue dove into my mouth as though he was afraid I’d close it again. He tasted like sweat and heat and something fresh. It was something I knew I’d never forget, a taste that would be with me forever, long after Brady decided I was just another fat girl when he needed a skinny one.

Our tongues played together, learning each other’s mouths, where the other reacted, how the other felt. I wanted to kiss him forever, feel his body against mine forever.

My hands drifted up his shirt, over his muscles. I felt the skin twitch beneath the thin cotton. I loved feeling a man come undone, losing control of his muscles and his grip on himself. Brady trembled against me, leaning his hips against me and letting me feel how much he wanted me. I moaned at the feeling of him, as though I didn’t believe he could want me until I felt the proof of it against my stomach.

Brady broke our kiss and drug his lips down my sweaty neck. “Jesus, Sam, you taste amazing,” Brady whispered against my skin. “I can’t get enough of you, baby.”

Preorder now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, or Smashwords!

The post Fat & Fine first kiss appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Temptation (Feb 15)

Becca pushed back from the assault. She didn’t want him kissing her. He was relentless though, and he held her tight.

Becca wouldn’t give in. She didn’t want to. Not after everything that happened with Chris the night before. She didn’t know if there could be something between her and Chris, but she wasn’t willing to throw it away on something she knew wasn’t a sure thing.

He finally gave up and pulled back, ducking down to look in her eyes. “Are you okay?” he asked.

Becca tried to smile at him, but she knew it wasn’t really working. She shook her head and bit her lower lip. “I’m sorry, Ted, but I’m not okay. I ran into someone yesterday, an old friend, and I’m sort of an emotional mess right now.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked, draping an arm around her shoulder and leading her toward the door to the diner. As he did, she glanced down the street and saw Charles, watching them. He looked like he’d been punched, a feeling Becca knew all too well.

Her eyes stayed locked on Charles’s as she shook her head. “No, Ted. I… Not right now. I don’t really know what I want.”

“How about you go in there and tell them you’re sick. Come home with me and I’ll take care of you. We can talk, if you want. If you don’t want to talk we can watch TV or do something else.”

Becca shook her head again. “I can’t. I need the money and I need to talk to him.”

Ted looked down the street, finally noticing that Becca wasn’t looking at him. “Is that him?” he asked as he followed her eyes.

Becca nodded. “Is he an ex?”

“No.”

“Should I be worried?”

Becca finally broke eye contact with Charles and looked up at Ted. He was so sweet. She’d only been out with him a few times, but she liked him. If Charles hadn’t shown up in her life, she knew she could have been blissfully ignorant falling for Ted. But Charles did show up.

“I don’t know,” she answered honestly. “We have unfinished business.”

“Will you call me?”

Becca nodded.

“Then I’ll wait to hear from you.” He kissed her softly on the lips. “Goodbye Becca.”

The post Temptation (Feb 15) appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Happy Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is like a mini-party for romance authors. It’s a day when everyone gets what we do every day. Personally, I think those of us who love romance novels, authors and readers, every day is like Valentine’s Day. We know you don’t have to wait for the calendar to tell you that you should show or tell someone you love them.

Last night hubby and I went to dinner. It wasn’t anything extravagant or unusual, but it suited us. If you ever thought ‘Sand In Your Shorts’ was no fun, you haven’t been to Red Robin and sampled their drink. It was so yummy! (Yes, that’s a picture of it, after about two minutes!) My burger and fries were pretty spectacular too, but the best part was having some time with my honey. It’s rare that we have time to ourselves, but when we do, we enjoy it. We love our kids, but it’s nice to connect to each other too. We’re crazy grateful that our friends were willing to watch the kids for a few hours for us.

Even though my Valentine’s Day was pretty basic, I do have fantasies about the perfect Valentine’s Day date. What are they? Well, you’re going to have to wait and see. Over on Angela Scavone’s blog she’s asking romance writers about their perfect date. On February 23 you’ll get to see what mine would be!

I hope you have a great day with your loved ones today. It’s a perfect day to say I love you, I miss you, or I need you. But then again, so is every other day!

The post Happy Valentine’s Day appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Temptation (Feb 13)

Charles didn’t know what to do with the new information. Becca had always captivated him. He hoped, when they were younger, that she had a crush on him, but he assumed that ended the day she told him to leave her life and never return. 

Knowing she still cared about him, loved him even, was almost too much for him to handle. 

Shortly after Becca’s confession they all decided to push forward. Charles insisted on buying dinner for Becca and Abby, even though they protested. They exchanged small talk, learning bits and pieces, but kept the conversation light. 

Charles wasn’t sure he could have handled more weight. 

When Becca and Abby left, Charles promised to stop by the diner the next day. He sat at the table and watched them go, wondering what he was going to do. 

First thing in the morning Charles pulled himself from bed. He showered and dressed then headed for the diner. He knew Becca was working early and he didn’t want to waste any time before seeing her again. 

He walked the few blocks from his apartment to the diner, rushing when he saw Becca waiting outside. Charles wondered if she was waiting for him until another man walked up, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her. 

The post Temptation (Feb 13) appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

#EggcerptExchange The Captain and The Cheerleader by Elaine Cantrell

This week I’d like to welcome Elaine Cantrell! She’s the author of The Captain and The Cheerleader. Check it out!

The Captain and The Cheerleader

Elaine Cantrell

Susan English can’t stand Robin Lanford! She’s so full of herself she irritates everyone on the faculty of Fairfield High. When Robin bets Susan fifty dollars that she can’t get a date with Kurt Deveraux, the head football coach, Susan jumps at the chance to put the little heifer in her place. She had no idea that teaching Robin a lesson would irrevocably change her life, strain treasured friendships, and throw two families into chaos.

Excerpt from The Captain and The Cheerleader

Robin Landford swept into the room and plopped down into an orange plastic chair beside Susan English. “I think Kurt Deveraux is gay.”

It was Friday afternoon, but Robin’s statement halted the teacher exodus from the faculty lounge.

“Why do you say that, Robin?” Susan asked. Yeah, her voice sounded chilly and a bit snooty, but she couldn’t help herself. Robin was fresh out of college and seemed to think she was God’s gift to men; she flirted with anything in pants. This annoying little creature had probably made a play for Kurt’s attention and been rejected. Of course, in Robin’s defense, she’d have to say that not many women could ignore Kurt Deveraux. There might be a man somewhere who had more sex appeal than the blond, blue-eyed coach, but Susan doubted it.

She watched as Robin tossed her hair and pouted. “If I can’t get his attention he isn’t interested in women.”

Several people rolled their eyes. “Oh, I don’t think that’s the problem at all.” Susan smiled her most serene smile at her irritating colleague. “You just don’t know how to attract a man like Kurt.”

“And you do?” Robin’s eyebrows shot straight up. “If that’s true why haven’t you already gone out with him? Don’t tell me you wouldn’t be interested. He’s hot.”

“Until recently I was involved with someone else. I had no desire to see Kurt or any other man socially.”

“Well, I think you’re full of it,” Robin sniffed. “If I couldn’t get him to notice me, I know you can’t.”

Around the faculty lounge a murmur of delighted, horrified voices broke out.

Susan finished her soft drink and tossed the can into a nearby recycling bin. “I could make Kurt ask me out if I wanted to.”

“Yeah? Prove it. Get him to ask you out. I’ll bet you fifty dollars you can’t do it,” Robin taunted. “All he’s interested in is football.”

Melissa Taylor, Susan’s best friend, cleared her throat. “How long would she have to get the date?”

“Two weeks ought to be enough for an old pro like Susan.” Robin snickered as her gaze swept around the lounge. “Would the rest of you like to get a piece of the action?”

All at once a carnival atmosphere permeated the room. They chose Don Brooks who taught art to keep track of the bets, and everyone hurried to put money on his or her favorite.

From the corner of her eye, Susan watched as Robin smirked at everyone in the room. Why did Mr. Dennis hire such an undisciplined, annoying child? It would be a pleasure to give Robin her comeuppance.  

Buy Now on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, or Kobo.

Meet Susan

Good morning, Fairfield High! I’m your student body president, Dawn Stewart, and today I’m interviewing Susan English who teaches English here at the school.

Dawn: Thanks for talking to us, Miss English. Did you always want to teach?

Miss English: Thanks for asking me, Dawn. Yes, it was always my goal to be a teacher. My dad was a teacher and football coach for thirty-five years so I guess he’s my inspiration.

Dawn: Cool! Were you scared the first time you walked into a class?

Miss English: Not too much. Like I said, I grew up around schools and teachers.

Dawn: Do your students have any nicknames for you?

Miss English: (laughs) I don’t know. If they do, I hope the names are good.

Dawn: As a teacher, what’s your most important goal?

Miss English: I want my students not only to learn English from me, but to also become lifelong learners. I want them to love knowledge for the sake of knowledge.

Dawn: (giggles) That’s a hard one. Okay, what’s your favorite food?

Miss English: Ice cream. Strawberry flavored.

Dawn: Thanks, Miss English. We appreciate the time.

Miss English: You’re very welcome.

About Elaine Cantrell

Elaine Cantrell was born and raised in South Carolina. She holds a master’s degree in personnel services from Clemson University. She is a member of Alpha Delta Kappa, an international honorary society for women educators and is also a member of Romance Writers of America. Her first novel, A New Leaf, was the 2003 winner of the Timeless Love Contest. When she isn’t writing or teaching, she enjoys reading, traveling, and collecting vintage Christmas ornaments.

Connect with Elaine on her website, blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Amazon!

The post #EggcerptExchange The Captain and The Cheerleader by Elaine Cantrell appeared first on Mary E Thompson.

Temptation (Feb 11)

Becca knew the last time she’d seen Charles. Almost to the second. She’d never been so gutted in her life as the day he walked out of it. The day she realized he was responsible for her brother losing his life.

She’d hated him when he confessed what had actually happened that night. He’d taken her brother, the one person who had always been there for her. She was alone. No longer a sibling, but an only child.

And it was all because of the man she’d fallen in love with as a child.

“I’m sorry,” Charles said softly. “For so many things, Bex.”

Becca looked at him closely. No one called her Bex. No one ever had except Charles. It was like his private pet name for her. A name that made her skin tingle when she was young. And after all the years it still made her tingle.

She hated how much she still wanted him. Of course she’d never had him, she was too young before, but she couldn’t deny the ache that she felt imagining his hands on her.

“I know. I’m sorry, too.”

Charles blanched. “What would you have to be sorry for?”

Becca glanced at her friend, sitting silently beside her, offering support Becca knew she needed. “You lost your best friend. I treated you like you’d done something wrong. It was an accident.”

“I don’t deserve to be let off the hook that easily, Bex. I wish it’d been me,” Charles admitted.

Pain and fear swamped Becca. She never wanted to lose her brother, but imagining losing Charles hit her just as hard as losing Jeff had. There was no either/or option for her. She wanted them both alive. “Don’t say that,” she told him softly. “Don’t ever say that.”

“Why not, Bex? I do. If I’d died that night instead of Jeff your life wouldn’t have been destroyed. Your family. Everything you loved.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. I loved you too. Still do. So don’t sit there and tell me you wish you’d died. I hate that Jeff isn’t here, but don’t let his death become an excuse for you to sit in diners all day and not live your life.”

“I am living. I was desperate for any connection to you when I saw you walk in. I couldn’t leave if I’d wanted to.”

“I don’t want you to,” Becca admitted carefully, knowing how her confession would change things, and not caring if it did.

The post Temptation (Feb 11) appeared first on Mary E Thompson.