by Wendy Vella
Table of Contents
TITLE PAGE
DEDICATION
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
CHAPTER THIRTY
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
CHAPTER FORTY
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
THANK YOU!
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OTHER BOOKS BY WENDY VELLA
FROM THIS MOMENT
By Wendy Vella
To keep himself safe, he trusted no one.
Sixteen years after leaving, FBI Profiler Dylan Howard is returning to Ryker Falls to see his sick father. He doesn’t do emotion or friendship, this is about duty and nothing more. He didn’t need to connect with the two sisters who were strangers to him or catch up with his old school buddy. The only problem with that is one sexy brunette called Piper Trainer. From the start, she’s determined to make him feel, determined to make him see how empty his life is. He can feel himself changing, but then someone from his past surfaces, and suddenly those he cares for are in danger. He must keep them safe, but to do that he needs to push them away and Dylan fears he’s not strong enough to do that for a second time.
Trust was the only thing that kept her safe.
Piper didn’t need or want a hot, sexy man in her life, especially not when her best friend died, and she takes custody of her one-year-old daughter Grace. But Dylan Howard is like a burr under her saddle, and everywhere she turns there he is. She watches him try and remain emotionless when faced with his family and friends but the cracks are starting to appear, and the good guy surfaces. Just when she thinks that maybe there could be a chance for them, he pushes her away. Piper takes refuge in her family, but too late, she realizes that she’s given Dylan her heart. Now she must fight for her happiness with the only weapon she has: love.
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From This Moment is a work of fiction. Names, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
From This Moment is published by Wendy Vella
Copyright © 2018 Wendy Vella
ISBN: 978-0-9951068-1-9
DEDICATION
This book is for my children, Sophie and Nathan.
You two are such wonderful humans. Every time I see you, and every time I have the privilege of watching you being parents I am so proud of who you have become.
You’re the best of us, and your dad and I love you very much xx.
CHAPTER ONE
“Do you mind if I sit here?”
The deep voice had Piper Trainer dragging her eyes up from the cup of coffee she’d been staring at while contemplating her life. A long way up, to the face that belonged to that voice.
“Sure.”
Ignoring the kick of her pulse, she returned her eyes to the coffee. Damn, that man was fine. Long and lean, with a face that likely broke hearts with ease. Her glance had been brief, but she’d catalogued the thick cocoa-brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Wide shoulders beneath the black wool of his coat, and a thick gray scarf wrapped around his neck.
“Thanks.”
She watched him sit in her periphery and take off the coat and scarf, and then went back to her contemplation, determined to avoid contact and equally determined to give in to her foul mood and brood.
The problem was, she was raised better than that, and the manners her mom hammered into her had her sitting upright and smiling, which she hoped didn’t look too much like a snarl.
“The bacon and eggs are great.”
She was subjected to a cool-eyed stare and brief, curt nod. His eyes then went back to the menu he was holding.
“I think we’re in for a storm.”
His eyes went to the window, taking in the gray skies.
“Maybe even snow.”
The eyes came back her way. Way too good looking, Piper thought. And the fact that he couldn’t open his mouth to return her attempt at conversation had her temper twitching. She was just being polite; what would it hurt him to be the same? After all, this was her table he was sharing.
“You here on vacation?”
“No.”
She waited, but nothing else came. Piper should just ignore him—after all, he was nothing to her—but it wasn’t in her nature to let something alone, especially when that something was pissing her off.
“You live here then?” She’d give him one last shot at playing nice.
“No.”
She picked up her coffee and drank the last of it, then slapped it back down on the table. He watched the movement, but the blank expression never changed.
“The world loves a trier but even I can see a lost cause when it’s sitting like a dark cloud across from me.”
“What?”
Piper got to her feet. “I don’t know what the hell your problem is, but you should try conversing. It’s how we normal people communicate.”
Surprise had the first spark of emotion entering those cool blue eyes.
“Maybe I don’t want to converse.”
The words sounded gruff and unused.
“Well you’re in luck, because I don’t fancy sharing your company any longer either.”
“What the hell is your problem?” His brows drew together. “I just came in here for a coffee, not to make friends, and you’re giving me this shit.”
“This shit,” Piper gritted out, “is called manners. But as your momma didn’t raise you with any, I’m leaving. Because mine did, and life sure isn’t long enough to waste time with you. FYI, I don’t want a new friend either, but I can still converse with a stranger... it’s called being polite, you asshole!”
“Are you crazy? I don’t even know you. Why the hell are you so bent out of shape because I didn’t launch into a conversation about the weather!”
He was riled now, his face losing its blank look and coming alive. The man was one fine specimen; shame he was such a loser. Big and surly, he looked like a bear woken before he was done hibernating.
“Yeah well, that will fade,” Piper said, waving her hand at his face, “and then you’ll have nothing to fall back on, because you suck at communicating.”
“Same goes, because when your looks fade, that pissy, stuck-up attitude you got going on isn’t going to win you any beauty pageants either.”
Piper braced her hands on the table and leaned on them.
“At least I’ll have already made friends and won’t end up living alon
e with my cats.” Pushing upright, she grabbed her bag and walked toward the door.
“I don’t own cats, you nutjob!”
“Those Prada aviators won’t keep you warm either!” Piper said, raising a finger as she sailed out of the diner.
Jumping into her 4x4, she started the engine and headed out of town.
“Asshole!”
Her anger held for thirty minutes, then started to ease, as the rational side of her nature returned, Piper knew the man in the diner had just paid the price for her bad mood. She’d used him as an outlet when all he’d really wanted was to be left alone... like her.
“You are a class A bitch, Piper Trainer.”
Sighing, she slapped the steering wheel. She’d visited Rummer and spent the last two days with her friend Joanie, and things had not gone well. Worry gnawed at her, because while Joanie said she was clean, Piper had her doubts.
Her car spluttered, and started slowing.
“You have to be kidding me!” She eased it to the side of the road, where it stopped completely. A gust of wind hit her hard as she got out and struggled around to open the hood.
Piper had three cousins, all male, and Jack, the middle one, had taught her the rudiments of car maintenance. Poking around, she couldn’t see anything obvious. She’d have to call one of them to come and get her.
She heard the purr of an engine pull up behind her car. Then the sound of a car door. Getting out from under the hood, she looked at the big, black Range Rover, and the man walking toward her.
“Great, my day just went from bad to hell,” Piper muttered.
His long jean-clad legs ate up the distance between them. His face was once again blank, hands in the pockets of his coat.
“I got it,” Piper said. “But thanks for stopping.”
“If I’d known it was you, I probably would have kept going.”
“Well that’s an excellent idea, why don’t you save us both another argument and do just that.”
“Here’s the thing,” he said, moving to stand beside her and look down at the engine. “Contrary to popular opinion, my mom raised me right, so I can’t just drive by when I see a car broken down, even if the woman driving it has a serious attitude problem.”
“I don’t have an attitude problem!”
“Sure you do.”
He placed a hand on her shoulder and nudged her to the right so he could look under the hood.
“You’re the one with the problem,” Piper gritted out.
“Whatever,” came the muffled reply.
Piper wanted to tell him to get back in his big, flash car and drive away, but she was cold. The thought of sitting here on the side of the road while she waited for someone to come get her was not a happy one. So she shut her mouth, battled down the humiliation, anger, and pride, and waited.
“My guess is your fuel pump is faulty, and needs replacing.”
“So I can’t drive it then?”
His snort told her she couldn’t.
“Great... thanks.” She tacked on the last word because he had stopped to help her, so he got a point for that.
“Bet that hurt.”
He shut the hood.
“What?”
“The thanks; I bet that stuck in your throat.”
Behind him were the snow-capped mountains of the Rockies, big and rugged. She wasn’t sure what impressed her more to look at. Although maybe the mountains looked more hospitable.
“At least I said it.”
“So I have to give you a point for that?”
“Whatever.” Piper dragged her eyes away from his. “Now you go, and I’ll call for help, and God willing we never cross paths again.”
“Amen.”
Piper pulled out her phone.
“Go on, leave,” she said, looking in her contacts.
“Nope.”
“What? Why?” Piper glared at him. “Seriously, what possible reason could you have for staying?”
“I may be an asshole, but I’m not leaving you out here alone in these conditions.”
“My cousins are an hour away.”
Something changed in those blue eyes; they were suddenly alert.
“You going to Ryker Falls?”
Piper nodded.
“I’ll give you a ride.”
CHAPTER TWO
“You’re going to Ryker Falls?”
Dylan nodded to the beautiful brunette. It was a face that could easily lure a man in... if a man was easily lured, which he was not. There was a sweet curve to her chin and nose, a lovely mouth painted in pale pink gloss, and skin with a touch of color that suggested she spent time outside. He wasn’t immune to the impact of those combined elements.
If his insides weren’t twisted in knots at what he was about to do, Dylan sure as hell would take time to talk to her. But then maybe not; she seemed kind of pushy.
“No, but thanks.” She shook her head, and the ends of her long black hair fluttered in the wind. The rest was under a pale gray knitted cap. She wore a denim jacket over a navy wool sweater, and jeans on those endless legs. Her feet were in lace-up black suede boots.
A serious looker, Dylan thought, and he had a feeling she knew exactly how to use those looks to her advantage. She’d been pissed off with him when he hadn’t responded in the diner, then stormed out. He’d been surprised at her attack, but then women like this didn’t appreciate it when men weren’t falling all over themselves to compliment them.
“Suit yourself, but I’m heading there. I can take you, as long as you don’t talk too much.”
Her green eyes narrowed but whatever she’d been about to say, she kept inside.
“Spit it out, I can take it.”
“My cousin Joe told me if it sounds bad inside your head, it’ll likely sound worse out of it.”
“Smart guy.”
“He thinks so,” she muttered, going to her car.
“So are you coming or not?”
He didn’t want to leave her here, and likely wouldn’t if she chose to stay and wait for a lift. He didn’t want it on his conscience that he’d left a woman on this road when there weren’t any houses or people nearby.
“Thank you for your gracious offer, but I don’t know you.”
Dylan dug his wallet out of his pocket and opened it. Extracting a white card, he handed that to her.
“You’re FBI?”
He nodded.
“And your name is Dylan Howard?”
He nodded again.
“Are you coming to Ryker on vacation?”
He nodded. “I hear the hiking is good.” Why he didn’t tell her the truth he had no idea, but something kept the words inside his head.
She looked down at the white rectangle again before handing it back to him. She then pulled out her cellphone and made a call.
“I’m getting a lift back to Ryker with a guy named Dylan Howard, because my car broke down. If I don’t make contact in two hours, you come looking for me, Maggs. And don’t tell my cousins.” She then pocked her cellphone.
“I had a 4.0 grade point average in high school, and my favorite food is steak with any kind of accompaniment.”
“Haha,” she muttered. “The thing is anyone could get one of those,” she pointed to the wallet he held in his hand, where he’d replaced his business card.”
Dylan wasn’t sure why he was bothering with this woman, but for some reason he was. Making a call he put it on speaker.
The operator answered stating that it was the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
“Nancy Hall please,” Dylan said with his eyes on the brunette, who’s name he didn’t know. “Hey, Nancy, it’s Dylan. I’m just giving a lift to a woman, her car has broken down, and she thinks my business card is from a cereal packet. You want to reassure her I’m not a fake?”
Nancy laughed, and then told the woman he was legit.
“Satisfied yet?” Dylan pocketed his cell.”
“Thank you, I will accept.”
; The words came out dripping with ice. Dylan opened the passenger door and she got in with a mumbled “Thanks,” then he walked around the hood to get into the driver side. He fired up his Range Rover, and soon they were heading to Ryker Falls.
She spent the journey looking right, and Dylan straight ahead; neither made an effort to speak, and the tension in the car climbed. Her scent teased his nostrils. Soft and sexy, it wrapped around him, tugging at something inside him he rarely felt. A need to communicate, a need to get to know this woman better. He shut it down. Dylan didn’t make friends, lifetime connections, or anything in that category. He didn’t want to know her name either. She would forever be the nameless woman with attitude that he’d one day forget.
It wasn’t like he didn’t date women—hell, he even liked a few of them enough to call acquaintances—but right at this moment he was tense and he wasn’t interested in being nice.
He exhaled when he saw the sign announcing Ryker Falls. He’d drop her off and hopefully forget about her. The town wasn’t big, but he was sure if they saw each other again, there’d be no eye contact.
“What?”
“I didn’t speak.” He shot her a look.
“You exhaled loudly.”
“And that’s meant to mean something?”
She didn’t reply, just sat there radiating pissed-off-ness.
Situated at the foot of two mountains, Ryker Falls was named after its founding fathers. The mountains were called Roxy and Phil, after the original Ryker twins. He felt something settle heavy in his chest as he studied them. He’d done his fair share of tramping over them in his youth, and up to the falls where he’d often met a girl and spent some time getting to know her better behind the waterfall.
Heading his car down the main street, he took in the changes. Saw the fancy new storefronts that in his day had housed basics like the butcher and drugstore. Now there were homewares, a tea shop—that one was a shock—and clothing places. Tourists, he’d read, made up most of the income in Ryker now.
Fancy frosted globes sat in black wrought iron streetlamps, and people were everywhere. That was the biggest shock, the number of people walking up and down the streets. He’d left a sleepy little town, but not now.
