by Anna Small
“How did you get away? Did they let you go?”
“Unfortunately, the British navy is short on pardons. I came back the way I did before. Over the railing.”
“I can hardly believe it.” Her voice trembled, and she blinked back tears. She hadn’t cried once since their parting. She’d refused to give in to the all-consuming sadness that had nearly destroyed her before.
“I would have swum to you all the way from China.” He cupped her face in his broad, cold hands. “I love you, Abby.”
“I love you.” Almost as an afterthought, she added, “William.”
She rose on tiptoe and pressed her lips to his. He kissed her for only a moment, then pulled away, his brow furrowed.
“I must tell you something.” His voice lowered, and he examined her as if worried she would faint. “I know the truth about Caleb.”
His words seemed to reach her from far away. She felt herself nod. She gulped but was unable to clear the lump in her throat.
“He is not coming home,” she said softly.
He nodded once. He embraced her and she held fast to him. Although his skin was like ice, his nearness warmed her.
“I have other news, good news. My memory has returned. I have no home. No wife, no children. I’ve apparently never felt the desire to settle anywhere.”
His eyes searched her face. She watched his lips form the words.
“Until now.”
His companion staggered toward them, grinning despite his apparent distress.
“Now I understand why Bennson was so eager to risk jumping overboard. Are you the woman with the wonderful coffee and warm fire I’ve heard about?”
William laughed and slipped his arms around each of them, supporting his friend, who looked as if he were about to faint from exhaustion.
“Abby, meet Andrew Sawyer, the cause of my near-death escape the first time, and nearly the cause of my demise on this. Andrew, this is the love of my life.”
“I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Sawyer.”
“You aren’t meeting me at my best,” Andrew wheezed.
She eased her grip on William so he could assist his friend, but he glanced down at her. His look told her she was very welcome to hold him just as tightly as she pleased. She snuggled into his side, his thudding heartbeat loud in her ear.
The seagulls flew past their heads to dive after a tasty meal on the beach. Abigail felt William’s gaze on her, and she gave him her biggest smile, trying to express the full amount of her feelings in a single gesture. His eyes were so warm and full of love she barely felt the sand squish between her toes as they walked toward the stairs leading up the cliff to her cottage. He was home.
A word about the author...
Anna wrote her first romance novel when she was sixteen. Her mother’s only criticism was not to have any love scenes. Anna was sorry to disappoint her. Several books and years later, she is happily writing heartwarming, sensual historical and contemporary romances which capture the imagination of her readers. Sharing the journey are her husband and two children, who support her dreams.
http://www.annasmallbooks.com
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Other Anna Small titles
available from The Wild Rose Press, Inc.:
TAME THE WILD WIND
IN THE ARMS OF AN EARL
HOW TO MARRY A ROGUE
Thank you for purchasing
this publication of The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
