The Long Way Home

Cathryn Parry

Литагент HarperCollins EUR

Life on the road suits Bruce Cole just fine. And after what he went through back in the day, he's in no hurry to face his hometown again. Until his little sister asks him to return for her wedding. One brief visit can't hurt, right? Especially when he meets a beautiful stranger at the reception.Except Natalie Kimball isn't a stranger. In fact, she knows more about Bruce than anyone else in Wallis Point–including the secret he's been running from all these years. The woman Natalie has become is fascinating…and so different from the girl he remembers. If anyone can change his mind about what home really means, it could be her.

Is home where the heart is?

Life on the road suits Bruce Cole just fine. And after what he went through back in the day, he’s in no hurry to face his hometown again. Until his little sister asks him to return for her wedding. One brief visit can’t hurt, right? Especially when he meets a beautiful stranger at the reception.

Except Natalie Kimball isn’t a stranger. In fact, she knows more about Bruce than anyone else in Wallis Point—including the secret he’s been running from all these years. The woman Natalie has become is fascinating…and so different from the girl he remembers. If anyone can change his mind about what home really means, it could be her.

Bruce stared at the woman he’d aimed for like a laser beam

She was tilting her head at him, focusing on him with those inquisitive blue eyes. To other people that might be a good sign, but not to him.

He wanted a distraction. That was all.

He held the glass out again. “I can’t promise it’s a good year, but I can promise a decent toast from it.”

She smiled at him, a brilliant, relieved smile. “Then I’m glad I didn’t leave and miss the opportunity.”

He handed her the flute of champagne, his heart kicking up a notch. She accepted it with a small laugh, and for a moment their fingers brushed.

He lifted his glass to her. “To getting to know you better.”

She took a sip as he did the same. The tart, bubbly taste jarred him as they watched each other over the rims of their glasses. The magnetism between them made his blood pump.

She was still looking at his mouth. Maybe she wanted him to stay for purely selfish reasons.

He could handle that.

“I’m Bruce,” he said. “And you are…?”

Her brow furrowed. Her mouth opened, then closed.

Ah, hell. And they’d been doing so well.

Dear Reader,

I’m delighted to announce exciting news: beginning in January 2013, Harlequin Superromance books will be longer! That means more romance with more of the characters you love and expect from Harlequin Superromance.

We’ll also be unveiling a brand-new look for our covers. These fresh, beautiful covers will showcase the six wonderful contemporary stories we publish each month.

So don’t miss out on your favorite series—Harlequin Superromance. Look for longer stories and exciting new covers starting December 18, 2012, wherever you buy books.

In the meantime, check out this month’s reads:

#1818 THE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS

Liz Talley

#1819 THE TIME OF HER LIFE

Jeanie London

#1820 THE LONG WAY HOME

Cathryn Parry

#1821 CROSSING NEVADA

Jeannie Watt

#1822 WISH UPON A CHRISTMAS STAR

Darlene Gardner

#1823 ESPRESSO IN THE MORNING

Dorie Graham

Happy reading!

Wanda Ottewell, Senior Editor, Harlequin Superromance

The Long Way Home

Cathryn Parry

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cathryn Parry loved living and working in seacoast New Hampshire during the summers of her college years. She still lives close by with her husband, Lou, and her neighbor’s cat, Otis. When she’s not writing, she figure skates, plans as many vacations as possible and indulges in her genealogy hobby. She loves to hear from readers. Please see her website at www.CathrynParry.com (http://www.CathrynParry.com).

This book is dedicated to my husband, Lou, who cheered me on