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Authors: Sheila Athens

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BOOK: The Truth About Love
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“What is it?” he asked.

She nodded toward the baggie. “Look at it.”

His questioning eyes finally left hers as he dumped the item into the palm of his hand. “My mother’s bracelet.” He turned over the charm and touched his engraved name with his fingertip. His eyes glistened with unshed tears. “I . . . didn’t think I’d ever see this again.”

“Suzanne had told them she wanted to get it to you as soon as she could.” She reached up and touched it. “She wanted you to have it.”

He smiled. “She’s brought a lot of good to me this summer.”

Gina grinned. “Maybe you should apologize for yelling at her that first day you met her.”

“I think we’re going to have to name our first child after her.”

Gina’s eyes widened. He laughed.

“You’re already thinking about having babies?” she asked. A warm feeling blossomed through her chest. He really did want to spend his life with her.

He nipped at the end of her nose. “I think the Seminoles are going to need a good quarterback in another eighteen or nineteen years.”

“But what if
she
wants to go to Tennessee instead?”

“Let’s argue about this later,” he said as his lips settled on hers. His tongue explored her mouth. Though their previous kisses had been hot, this one was different. This one had the certainty of love. It held more promise of the future.

With her back against the wall, she could feel every hard ridge of his body as he pressed against her. He raised her hands above her head and held them there with one of his while his other hand glided down her rib cage and her hip.

“We need to get this slushie off our chests,” he whispered as he nibbled at her earlobe.

She reveled in the tenderness of his mouth against her neck. “It’s a Frappuccino.”

“Whatever.” He flicked the sensitive spot behind her ear with his tongue. “We need to get it off.”

“Did you have something in mind?”

“Come with me.” He took her hand and led her toward his bedroom. “I’ll show you.”

A
CKNOWLEDGMENTS

T
hough writing is a solitary venture, no author travels this path alone. Special thanks to the following people:

  • Thriller writer Steve Berry (
    www.SteveBerry.org
    ), whose down-to-earth presentation at my first writers’ conference convinced me that I could do this. Also, because he led me to Frank Green.
  • Frank Green, whose weekly writing workshop has produced forty-five-plus published novels; thanks also to the various writers who populate Frank’s living room every Wednesday night and who helped me learn the craft.
  • Jill Marsal for her ability to show me how to make this story stronger.
  • Maria Gomez for taking a chance on an unpublished writer.
  • The First Coast Romance Writers, the Lucky 13s, and Romance Writers of America.
  • The many accomplished romance writers who have shared their wisdom along the way, including Lena Diaz, Valerie Bowman, Alyssa Day, Renee Ryan, Mary Buckham, Vanessa Kelly, Terri Ridgell, Madeline Martin, Ava Milone, Lisa McKinney, Eileen Ann Brennan, and many others.

A
BOUT THE
A
UTHOR

Photo © 2014 Michael Straley

A
s a child growing up in the Ozarks, Sheila Athens developed a love for the natural beauty of the outdoors and the quiet reflection involved in writing. Her earliest pieces included character sketches for her dolls and theatrical works for the neighborhood children. After many years—which included marriage, a couple of careers, and earning a master’s degree—she bought her first romance novel in a hotel gift shop and her new dream was born. Now she writes stories that celebrate the power of love. In 2013 she became a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart contest. She currently resides in the South with her husband of twenty-five years and their two teenage sons.

BOOK: The Truth About Love
4.88Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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