Pap. Tears pricked her eyes as she dropped to her knees. Idly, she picked at a weed and tossed it onto Seth’s grave. Her father, her own Pap, was the real reason she came here. Here she talked and visited and felt more welcome in his presence than she ever had when he was alive. There were times when she’d spend hours here talking to her father, working things through in her mind. It was Pap’s last act that had turned her life around; he’d given Sunbridge to her.
“Listen, Pap,” she said, “this is my day. I think I’m finally going to make it. Giving me Sunbridge made me back up and take a second look at Maggie Coleman Tanner. Did I tell you I’m taking our name back when my divorce comes through? Well, I am. And about this shindig today, I don’t know where the idea came from, but I think it’s one of my best. The whole family is coming and I’m sure they’ll all be trooping by here, so keep an eye out for them.
“And I’d appreciate it if you’d accept young Riley. He is one of us, you know, and I think you also know by now that life’s too short to waste on old grudges and stupid prejudice. Riley loved Otami and together they had this wonderful boy. You cheated us all, especially Mam, when you didn’t tell us you knew Riley had a wife and son. Wherever you are, be kind and gentle in your thoughts of all of us, especially Riley. You know I’m still carrying this guilt around with me. I could have stopped my brother from running off to join the navy, but I encouraged him because I knew it would hurt you. I should have stopped him, but I didn’t. You didn’t do a lot of things, either. Maybe I can make up for it now, just the way you tried to do by leaving me Sunbridge. I know, you always thought I was a rebel, freethinking and independent. Well, I’m not. I’m so damned insecure I get sick inside. How come you never knew that?
“Hey, Pap, do me a favor, will you? Tell my brother I’m going to make things right for his son. The way you did for me. I love you, Pap. Tell Riley I love him, too.”
Maggie, her eyes glistening, brought her hand to her lips and then gently touched the tombstone.
Author photo by M2IFOTO © 2006
FERN MICHAELS is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Sisterhood and Godmother series, Tuesday’s Child, Southern Comfort, Betrayal, Return to Sender, and dozens of other novels and novellas. There are more than 70 million copies of her books in print. Fern Michaels has built and funded several large day-care centers in her hometown and is a passionate animal lover who has outfitted police dogs across the country with special bulletproof vests. She shares her home in South Carolina with her four dogs and a resident ghost named Mary Margaret.
Visit her website at fernmichaels.com.
THE BLOSSOM SISTERS
In a richly rewarding novel filled with unforgettable characters, #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels explores the enduring bonds of family as one man loses everything—only to find the freedom to create a bold new life. . . .
Gus Hollister owes all his success to his feisty grandmother, Rose, and he knows it. It was Rose and her sisters, Iris and Violet, who raised Gus, sent him to the best schools, and helped him start his own accounting business. Rose even bought the house Gus lives in with his wife, Elaine.
But now, Gus stands to lose everything: his home, his car, and his business. Worse, he’s alienated his beloved grandma, who tried to warn him about Elaine’s greedy, gold-digging ways. Gus, blinded by infatuation, refused to listen, so Elaine has locked him out of the house he was foolish enough to put in her name.
Heartsick and remorseful, Gus returns to Rose’s Virginia farmhouse, seeking shelter. But it won’t be easy to make amends. Despite their pretty floral names, there’s nothing delicate about the Blossom sisters. Unbeknownst to Gus, they’ve also been running a very lucrative business from home and don’t want interference. Yet family and forgiveness go hand in hand, and Gus isn’t giving up.
With the help of close friends, new associates, and some very sprightly ladies, Gus begins to repair the damage he’s done and help the residents of Blossom Farm begin the next phase of their business. He might even be finding the courage to love again. Because no matter how daunting it can be to start over, the results can surpass your wildest expectations—especially when the Blossom sisters are in your corner. . . .
A Kensington trade paperback on sale May 2013!
BALANCING ACT
One of the most acclaimed storytellers of her time, #1 New York Times bestselling author Fern Michaels weaves unforgettable tales of love, family, friendship, and self discovery. Together in one volume for the first time, here are two classic stories about following your heart—wherever it leads....
ALL SHE CAN BE
Rita Bellamy has had enviable success as an author, but it came at the expense of her marriage. Now she’s starting over in a small lakeside cottage, slowly rebuilding the confidence that was shattered. But is the younger man next door a fun, frivolous diversion or something much more?
FREE SPIRIT
Moving to Washington, D.C., to be with Griff should be the beginning of an exciting new chapter in Dory’s life. Yet there are adjustments, too, and sacrifices she never expected. And soon Dory must weigh the price of love against everything she hoped to gain....
A Zebra mass-market paperback on sale April 2013!
GOTCHA!
They’re back . . . !
In her much-loved New York Times bestselling Sisterhood series, Fern Michaels proves that payback is worth waiting for, especially when it’s delivered by expert hands. And although the Sisterhood has officially put their vigilante days (mostly) behind them, some challenges are impossible to resist. . . .
The steadfast friends known as the Vigilantes have learned a lot since they started righting wrongs on behalf of underdogs everywhere. But sometimes justice is a long time coming. That’s the case with Julie Wyatt, whose story is one that sadly strikes close to home for the original founder of the Sisterhood, Myra Rutledge, and her best friend, and fellow Sister, Annie. Julie’s son, Larry, died under mysterious circumstances and Julie is convinced her greedy daughter-in-law, Darlene “Jimmy” Jimson, had something to do with it. She desperately wants to get a confession out of Darlene, and to ensure the safety of Larry’s daughter, Olivia.
Arriving at Julie’s home in picturesque Rosemont, Alabama, Myra and Annie begin to piece together a plan. There are other newcomers in town, too, including Julie’s new tenant, Mace Carlisle. As Mace warms to Julie’s wonderful home cooking and easy companionship, Myra and Annie dig deeper into Darlene’s shady dealings, closing in on her to set the trap. And as events unfurl in a way that no one could have predicted, each will learn the true meaning of loyalty, courage—and the kind of friendship that can create miracles. . . .
A Zebra mass-market paperback on sale July 2013!
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
eKENSINGTON BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
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Copyright © 1985 by Fern Michaels
Ballantine mass market edition: July 2011
Fern Michaels is a registered trademark of First Draft, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
eKensington is a trademark of Kensington Publishing Corp. Kensington Reg. U.S. Pat. & TM Off.
First Kensington Electronic Edition: March 2013
ISBN: 978-1-6018-3067-8
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