Close
to Heart
Healing Harts #3
Healing Harts #3
By: T.J. Kline
Releasing July 14, 2015.
Avon Impulse
Blurb
It only took an instant for her world to
come crashing down…but Heart Fire Ranch is a place of new beginnings, even for
those who find their way there by accident
As
the only veterinarian in town, Justin Hart doesn't have time to think about
romance. So when A-list actress Alyssa Cole crashes her car outside his clinic,
it's entirely unexpected when there's a spark between them he can't ignore.
Still, she's a movie star, and he's just a small town cowboy.
Alyssa
has learned the hard way not to believe first impressions, especially not in
Hollywood. But, 400 miles from her former life with nowhere to go and no one to
turn to, she places her trust in the handsome vet who comes to her rescue.
There's
no denying the connection between them, but when Alyssa's past shows up at the
door, will their new relationship be able to withstand the storm?
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Excerpt
Alyssa hung up before Franklin could
ask any more questions and made her way down the hall to where Justin waited,
feeling as if she was carrying too many burdens on her shoulders. Until calling
Franklin, she’d been avoiding facing the reality of her situation—her marriage
was over and she was on her own. There was no turning back. The only real
decision left to make was what she would ask for in the divorce, for her and
their child. It was enough to deal with finding out her husband was cheating on
her, had been for almost the entirety of their marriage, but to have him cast
her and their child aside, to know the apathy he felt for their child, hurt too
much to bear.
“Would you like tea or water?” Justin
asked as she came into the kitchen. Two sub sandwiches sat on the table as he
opened the refrigerator. When she didn’t answer, he looked back at her over his
shoulder. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, I just . . .”
She was tired of keeping secrets, but
she wasn’t sure how much she could tell Justin. She didn’t know him, not
really. He turned toward her as if waiting for her to say more, his eyes
seeking hers, and she imagined she could see empathy in them.
“Things sounded a little heated in
there for a minute.”
If he thought that was heated, he
would have been shocked to hear Elijah when he got started about how she didn’t
want him to be successful just because she dared to question his decision to
sign on to represent yet another new young actress. She suspected, now, he’d
wanted to do far more than “represent” them, but she couldn’t prove it. And,
after her last confrontation with him, he’d probably throw it in her face just
to hurt her.
Justin had been kind to her, rescuing
her and giving her a place to stay. She knew he didn’t really need her to work
in the clinic and was just using it as a way to help her out. He was more
tender than Elijah had ever been with her, treating her like a porcelain doll
that might break.
Other
than that kiss.
Just the thought of his kiss made her
body hum to life. The mere brush of his lips against hers had set her body
aflame, making her want to pull him down onto the bed with her. His touch made
her forget the years with Elijah, the emotional turmoil he caused, the pain of
his rejection, making her wonder how real her marriage to Elijah had actually
been, if there had ever been any passion in it. She slid into the chair at the
table and buried her face in her palms, trying to stop the tears from burning
her eyes.
“Hey.” Justin moved to the chair
beside her. “It can’t be that bad.”
Alyssa looked up at him, trying to
keep the tears at bay. “Are you kidding?” She couldn’t help the bubble of
irrational laughter that fell from her lips. “I’m eight months pregnant and I
just found out my husband has been sleeping with every woman in Beverly Hills
for over half of our marriage. Not to mention that I have no money, no career,
and he kicked me out of our house.” She threw up her hands and rose to pace the
kitchen as the truth fell from her lips unbidden. “I have nothing. Even that
car is in Elijah’s name.”
She realized she’d just told him far
more than she’d intended.
“Was that who you were talking to?”
“No, I called my friend. He’s a
lawyer.” She slid her hand over the top of her stomach. “I wanted to find out
my options.”
“And?”
“He suggests I ‘divorce the no-good
bastard.’ ”
“I have to agree.”
Alyssa faced him, running her hand
over the side of her stomach as her baby kicked against her hand. “I wish it
were that easy, trust me. But how am I supposed to support us, where are we
going to stay? I was on my way to my parents’ house last night after he kicked
me out.”
Justin rose and moved toward her. His
hands cupped her face gently, tipping her gaze up to meet his eyes. “Your
husband is an idiot. He has no idea what he’s giving up.”
Her parched heart soaked up his words.
After listening to Elijah’s criticisms for so many years, it was like rain on a
desert plain.
“You’re welcome to stay here as long
as you need to. That’s probably the only way I can help you.” He smiled and
tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Unless you want me to kick his ass?
I’d be happy to do that for you.”
She laughed quietly. “I appreciate the
offer, but that’s probably not in your
best interest. I don’t have the money to bail you out of jail.”
The dimple cut into his cheek as he
gave her a lopsided smile. “Then I guess the ass-kicking is going to have to
wait.”
Alyssa couldn’t look away from his
hypnotic blue gaze. He saw her, really saw the woman inside. He didn’t see her
as a movie star. He looked past that to the hurting woman beneath. His nearness
seemed to demolish every protective barrier she’d erected over the past six
years. He made her feel wanted and worthy.
Alyssa didn’t think about what she was
doing as she slid her hands to the nape of his neck, pulling him toward her,
their mouths exploring, seeking. Justin’s kiss was tender, far gentler than she
wanted him to be. Her fingers dug into the hard muscles of his shoulders and he
responded. His hands slid into her hair, while his tongue teased hers, tasting
her, his teeth nipping at the corner of her full lips.
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About the Author
T. J. Kline was raised
competing in rodeos and rodeo queen competitions since the age of 14, She has
thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She has had
several articles about rodeo published in the past in small periodicals as well
as a more recent how-to article for RevWriter. She is also an avid reader and
book reviewer for both Tyndale and Multnomah.
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