Can they build a future on hope alone?
For years nurse and grief counselor Christie Bates has been
teaching her patients to confront their fears, express themselves and trust in
hope. But as her feelings for cancer survivor Eli Roberts and his two children
grow, can she overcome her own fear and love a man who lives every day with the
possibility of recurring illness?
Tackling cancer and single parenthood simultaneously has
turned Eli into a devout realist. Which is why he finds Christie's perpetually
upbeat attitude so aggravating. Still, despite himself, she's making a place in
his heart. If only he could offer Christie more than an uncertain future.
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Excerpt:
“So, why were you two talking about me?” Eli
probed, shifting in his shining black Oxfords. In the background, the piano
keys banged out the song “Let’s Do It,” an off-key chorus accompanying it.
Gran’s husky contralto rose above the rest,
belting out the lyrics, “Let’s fall in love…” as she gazed down at an eyebrow-waggling
John. Why was life so uncomplicated for them? They were enjoying each other’s
company, plain and simple. So why, when it came to her and Eli, did their
distance seem insurmountable?
“Something about Becca thinking we like each
other.” Christie’s voice came out unevenly—he was standing very close to her,
near enough that she could feel the warmth of him.
“Hmm. Guess she knows how to read her dad, at
least.” He ran a hand through his hair, the intensity in his eyes making her
flinch and turn away.
Her chest rose and fell, colored dots appearing on
the edge of her vision.
“Christie. Talk to me.”
She shook her head mutely, unable to meet his
gaze. There were too many secrets her eyes might tell.
He cupped her elbow and steered her farther from
the party guests until they stood alone in a far corner. A sign outside the
window cast red light on his pale face.
“Am I really alone in this?” His voice sounded as
tattered as a retired flag. “I didn’t want to press you after our run in the
rain because you looked so…surprised by my admission that I want more. But can
you really tell me you’re not feeling something for me, too? Because I’m losing
my mind, losing sleep. Every waking moment is me thinking about you…about us.”
His urgent tone made her look up into his pleading
eyes, the surge of hope in their depths making her heart leap.
She nodded and felt his hand tighten, his hold
draw her close. Her eyes shut, and she shivered at the caress of his breath
against her temple. This was it. All this time, imagining what it would be like
to have Eli’s arms around her, to feel him against her, their hearts beating together…it
was close to coming true and she wasn’t going to deny it any longer…even though
she knew she didn’t deserve any of it. And Eli needed to know why.
She wanted to admit what was in her heart before
things went further, but she became suddenly conscious of the quiet crowd and
the dimmed lights.
“Time to sing everyone,” Mary said. She carried a
chocolate sheet cake with loopy writing and a blaze of candles. Luckily
everyone was looking her way and not theirs.
John pounded out the opening notes to “Happy
Birthday.” Christie avoided Gran’s speculative gaze as she and Eli stepped from
the shadows and joined the assembly. Her voice blended with the rest, her body
relaxing against the warm arm encircling her waist. Time to tuck away her
rational self and live in this perfect, happy moment. There’d be time enough
for doubts later.
“Make a wish, Eli” John called. “You’ll need a big
breath to blow out all those candles.”
The group laughed then hushed as he closed his
eyes and inhaled long and deep. Christie stepped aside to join Becca, Tommy and
a tail-wagging Scout. Eli’s breath exploded from him, obliterating every
pinpoint of light and smearing some of the candle wax on the frosting. Wow. Whatever
he’d wished for, he meant it.
“What happened to Mister I-don’t-believe-in-wishes?”
John wheeled closer and ruffled Scout’s ears.
Eli shrugged. He picked off the candles and
dropped them on a paper plate. “Guess I’ve seen the light.”
“So, what’d you wish for, Dad?” Becca asked,
grabbing hold of Tommy’s finger as it inched toward the cake.
When the lights came back up, his eyes leveled on
Christie.
“Something I can’t live without.”
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Karen Rock
Since Karen Rock’s
grandmother passed her shopping bagfuls of Harlequin Presents as a teen, it’s
been her dream to add her voice to the Romance genre. Now an author of
Harlequin’s latest contemporary line, Heartwarming, Karen is thrilled to pen
wholesome, tender, deeply romantic stories that all can relate to. Her first
novel, WISH ME TOMORROW, is out in September 2013 and her next, HIS HOMETOWN
GIRL, is out in spring 2013. Additionally, Karen is a young adult contemporary
romance co-author with fellow Harlequin author, Joanne Rock for the CAMP
BOYFRIEND series that debuted July 2013 with Spencer Hill Press.
When she’s not busy writing, Karen enjoys watching anything
starring Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks, cooking her Nona’s family Italian recipes, and
occasionally rescuing local wildlife from neighborhood cats. She lives in the
Adirondack Mountain region with her husband, her very appreciated beta-reader
daughter and two King Charles Cavalier cocker spaniels who have yet to
understand the concept of “fetch,” though they’ve managed to teach her the
trick! Hmmmm… wonder how that happened?! She loves to connect with other
romance fans!
Please check out her website at http://www.karenrock.com, her Facebook
page at https://www.facebook.com/karenrockwrites,
and follow her on twitterhttp://www.twitter.com/karenrock5 or
Goodreads at http://www.goodreads.com/karenrock.
Tour Schedule: here
No. I don;t have any family member or someone I know who's close to me who has CA or had cancer.
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