Sometimes life happens suddenly and when you weren't looking for a change. Tala Henderson grew up with her Native American roots playing a role in her day-to-day life. But when she caved to familial pressure and gave up the one man she could love, the pain she felt told her she could no longer afford to let anything - even her deep investment in her culture - determine her destiny.
Craig Wordell was all but destroyed when Tala ended their relationship before it could begin. A small town boy who made good, he never forgot the one who got away nor has he forgiven her for choosing her family's ideals over him. Wanting one more chance, he looks her up and tracks her to the church on the day of her sham wedding.
As soon as they see each other, the simmering passion they've felt for fifteen years boils over and they give into their baser instincts, where souls collide and mesh. When a simple misunderstanding threatens to undo the tentative trust and bury the love they've discovered, it will take acceptance and love on both parts for them to realize that sometimes life happens suddenly and maybe fate just waited for them to find the right path.
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EXCERPT:
“I’m assuming the happy nuptials are off?”
“I can honestly say they are, which is a good thing.” A shiver shook her body and caused the sequins on the shoulder straps of her gown to wink in the sunlight. A grin lifted the corners of her full, kissable lips. “I really need to get going.”
A stab of annoyance pricked him. Oh, she didn’t get the option of dismissing him this time. “I don’t reckon you’ll get far in the snow in those fancy sandals.” He glanced pointedly at her feet then smiled when she released the skirt and the fabric hid the shoes. “Wait.” A few strides brought him to her side and he grabbed Tala’s arm, her skin cold beneath his fingers, swinging her around to face him. “Where are you headed? I’ll take you anywhere. Consider it a gift from an old friend.”
Confusion played through her dark eyes as she stared into his face. “What the hell. We only live once, unless you’re my mother, who tells me daily I’ll return to the earth as a wolf.”
“Because you’re on the prowl?”
“You wouldn’t understand.” For a few fleeting seconds, her expression was veiled.
His stomach clenched with old hurts. “Try me. We’ve both grown up.”
Her gaze was curious, assessing. “Maybe I’ll explain later.”
“Okay.” Craig released his hold, stepping back in order to put space between them. “Were you in love with him?” She didn’t look like a woman who’d just broken off an engagement.
“Actually, no.” Her eyebrows sloped downward in a frown, and a few wrinkles marred her high forehead. “Miles is a good friend. When he asked me to marry him, I accepted thinking at least I’d have someone to pal around with for the rest of my life.”
“Or was it because of his heritage?” He shouldn’t have said that. It was low.
“There’s that.” She visibly swallowed. “And, with marrying Miles, I wouldn’t be alone.”
“Either one sounds like a stupid reason for getting married.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Why not move in together as roommates if you felt that way?”
“I--” A flush colored her cheeks and she stared, beyond his right shoulder.
“What about passion, Tala? God, you were such a fiery girl back in school. I can’t imagine you’d have lost the spark now. Don’t you want to feel what it’s like to be consumed by that one person who you’ve searched for all your life?”
“Well, I--” She smoothed a hand over her hair, still refusing to look at him.
“Life’s too short for excuses and living as a shadow.” The urge to release her hair from its pins gripped him. Would it be as thick as he remembered? Would it tangle around his hands if he embraced her? “You deserve a man's full attention, his devotion and desire. Only the lucky ever find a true fit.”
She met his gaze and held it for a few long seconds before responding. “Why are you here, Craig? I haven’t seen or heard from you in years and now, all of a sudden, you’re at the same exact church on my wedding day. What gives?”
A heated flush rose up his neck. “I, uh, have a subscription to the local paper here and saw the announcement.”
She arched an eyebrow in her disbelief. “So you rushed here to congratulate me in person?”
“No.” Shoving his hands in the pockets of his jacket, he gave her a smile. “Honestly?” When she nodded, he sighed. “I came to talk you out of it.”
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