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Free Romance Excerpt Featuring LOVING FROM AFAR by Mona Ingram – 17 Straight Rave Reviews & KND Romance of The Week!

Last week we announced that Mona Ingram’s Loving From Afar is our Romance of the Week and the sponsor of thousands of great bargains in the Romance category: over 200 free titles, over 600 quality 99-centers, and thousands more that you can read for free through the Kindle Lending Library if you have Amazon Prime!

Now we’re back to offer our weekly free Romance excerpt, and if you aren’t among those who have downloaded Loving From Afar, you’re in for a real treat:

4.6 stars – 17 Reviews
Text-to-Speech and Lending: Enabled
Here’s the set-up:
What would you do if your perfect life was shattered by a series of uncontrollable events? Allison Ransome loses everything; everything except her love for Cole Slater, the young man she planned to marry after graduation. Gutted by Allison’s perceived treachery, Cole moves on with his life. Ten years later, he returns home, telling himself he will avoid the woman who broke his heart. But nothing goes as planned. Can Allison and Cole forget the past and come to terms with the events that tore them apart?
Author’s Note: To paraphrase a reader: “This book has some tough, emotional parts, but it’s honest.” At its core it’s a heartfelt romance.
Loving From Afar is Book One in The Women of Independence series. Book Two, tentatively titled The Last Goodbye, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2013.

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  And here, for your reading pleasure, is our free romance excerpt:

Loving From Afar

Prologue

Allison stood back as her friend finished mounting the fan and plugged it in. Air swept gently over the seedlings, and she smiled at the satisfied look on Dani’s face.

“Much better,” her friend said, with a satisfied nod. “That’ll help to vent the place.” She poked at the double layer of poly that covered the domed greenhouse. “It’s a great setup.”

“Thanks to you.” Allison gave her a wry smile. “You know, it’s been years, and I still can’t believe you’re a successful contractor. What did you say you have lined up for your next project?”

“Mr. And Mrs. Berkshire’s sunroom. They’ve asked me to tear off the old one and build them a snazzy new one.” She adjusted the angle of the fan. “I’m looking forward to it. Did you say the airflow from the fan is actually good for the seedlings?”

Allison was accustomed to her friend’s abrupt changes of subject. “Yes.” She wiped sweat from her forehead with the back of her hand. “The air strengthens them while moderating the temperature.” She tugged on a pulley at the end of the greenhouse and opened a 2’x2’ flap on the end wall. The vents had been Danielle’s idea when she put the structure together. She’d installed one vent at each end to catch the gentle breezes that swept through the valley.

“The Berkshires. They’re Timothy’s parents, aren’t they?”

“That’s right. Really nice people.”

“Did you ask them about Timothy?” Allison forced herself to look her friend in the eye. “About where he is now?”

“I didn’t have to ask. They were eager to tell me all about him. He’s in Vancouver and doing well. He works for a company down there that provides services to the television and film industries. Apparently, he scouts locations and stuff like that.”

“Huh.” Allison picked up a handful of potting soil and closed her fist around it. In the heat of the greenhouse, the Pro Mix dried out quickly. She’d have to dampen it down again before she did any more transplanting. She raised her head. “Back in high school, was I the only one who didn’t know that Timothy was gay?”

Dani lifted her shoulders. “I can’t honestly say that I knew, either. He didn’t come out or anything.” She raised an eyebrow. “Cole never said anything?”

Allison shook her head. “Nope.” There was a catch in her throat. “I thought we shared everything.”

“Guys are different about stuff like that. Anyway, it was what…ten, eleven years ago? People weren’t so open.” She turned thoughtful. “Timothy was lucky that Cole befriended him. He needed all the protection he could get. I think the other kids sensed he was different, even if he never confirmed it.”

A sad smile twisted Allison’s lips. “Cole was like that. Always sticking up for the underdog.”

Danielle paused, and took a deep breath. “He’s back, you know.”

Allison’s head came up sharply. “Timothy?”

“No. Cole.”

For a moment, she couldn’t catch her breath. She staggered back, gripping the edge of the seeding bed for support. “And just how long were you going to wait to tell me?”

Danielle grinned. “I’m telling you now.” Her smile faltered. “I hear his father’s been ill.”

“Why haven’t I heard that?” Allison frowned.

“Because you hide yourself out here? Because you have no social life? Just the other day, Faith was saying she hasn’t seen you in over a month.”

“What about you? When was the last time you were out on a date?”

“Oh, no you don’t.” Dani’s eyes flashed. “This isn’t about me. And don’t tell me that going out with Mark counts as a date. He’s a nice guy and everything, but you two are just propping each other up.”

“No fair! I–”

Dani shook her finger. “You shouldn’t tell me these things if you don’t want them to come back at you.” She looked at her watch. “I have to go.” She walked out the wide greenhouse door and looked at the long, straight rows of black plastic, ready to receive the seedlings. She turned slowly to look at her friend. “He looks hot, Al. I scarcely recognized him.”

Allison closed her eyes and let her head fall back. The sweep of air from the fan cooled her momentarily, but it would take more than a fan to cool down what she still felt for Cole Slater.

Dani’s tone was gentle when she spoke again. They’d known each other too long; had helped each other survive too many emotional train wrecks. “I thought I’d better warn you,” she said softly, then climbed into her pickup truck and headed up the long driveway to the road that ran along the high side of the valley.

* * *

Cole found himself on the twisting road that led through Hidden Valley. The road surface was lumpy and badly patched, much as it had been when he was a teenager. The difference was that his bike was bigger now, and it took the twists and turns with ease.

He knew that Allison had bought a place out here, but he wasn’t ready to see her yet…if ever. She was growing flowers, of all things. Flowers for drying. Evidently she made them into bouquets and sold them all over the Okanagan. He told himself he wasn’t looking for her place, but even so, he noticed the sign by her driveway as he roared past. It wasn’t large, as signs went, but it didn’t need to be, considering that she didn’t encourage visits from the public. It read The Flower Farm. He caught a glimpse of rows of black plastic as he passed, and smiled to himself. It was difficult to picture Allison farming…even if it was flowers. As far as he could remember… and he remembered everything… she’d never shown any interest in gardening. But that was all so long ago…

Lost in memories, he found himself at Green Lake in no time at all. He and Allison had come out here a lot when they were young. The numerous beaches along Okanagan Lake were a magnet for tourists as well as the locals, and as a result, they generally had Green Lake to themselves.

He parked the bike and squeezed through the turnstile gate, heading for what he still thought of as “their” spot. Ponderosa pines offered shade, and the sweet scent of resin filled his nostrils. Dried pine needles crackled underfoot and memories engulfed him. He sat down at the edge of the steep hill leading down to the lake, and took it all in. Very little had changed since the last time he was here. The place was silent, except for some intermittent birdsong. He braced his arms on raised knees and lowered his head. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on those days. His father was dying, and he needed to keep himself strong for the ordeal that lay ahead.

So why had he come here, where memories of his time with Allison were the strongest? Why was he torturing himself, wondering what might have been?

The answer was obvious, even if he didn’t want to admit it. He’d never gotten over her. Never gotten over the shock of what had happened. Cole had driven home, told his dad that he was leaving, and taken off like a bat out of hell. Taken off to make a new life for himself; a life where he controlled the outcome, a life where he wouldn’t have his heart ripped to shreds by a woman.

The distinctive chatter of a Kingfisher brought his head up. He searched the trees along the edge of the lake but couldn’t spot it. It didn’t matter; just knowing the bird was there was comforting. It meant that there were still fish in the lake. Some things, at least, had stayed the same.

He’d loved growing up here in Independence. The other guys his age had talked constantly about getting out, about going to a larger town, but he’d been content. His mother had died when he was young; he scarcely remembered her. His dad had lived by the Golden Rule and expected him to do the same. It had seemed corny at the time; corny and old fashioned, but as Cole grew older, he’d come to appreciate his father’s values.

They’d lived in a small mobile home park that was tucked into one of the narrow valleys that ran roughly parallel to the lake. There’d been those few months right after his mother died, when his father hadn’t known what to do, but other than that, Marty Slater had done a great job of raising him.

His father had smoked all his life, and it was catching up with him now. Since he’d left home, he’d managed to see his father a couple of times a year. His father, along with his lady friend Marnie, usually visited him on Vancouver Island, where Cole ran a successful business. He’d seen them just a few months ago, and his father had appeared in good health, but when Marnie called him two days ago, he’d come running, and was shocked at his dad’s appearance. These days, Marty Slater spent most of his time in a big recliner facing the television; Cole could tell by the items on the two tables that flanked the chair. Books, remote controls, cell phone, tissues, and pain pills painted a picture of someone very ill; someone who was too weak to move around. Cole wondered idly if the doctor would give him an estimate of how much longer. Probably not.

“Jesus,” he said aloud, and dropped his head again. It was almost too much to take in. He’d always been aware that his father flirted with lung cancer every time he lit up, but he was still in his fifties; it was too soon for him to die. He wondered if Allison knew.

He pushed himself to his feet. Damn her for creeping into his thoughts at a time like this! But then whose fault was that? He’d been an idiot to think that by coming here, where they’d shared so much, he could face up to the past and get her out of his system. This was where they’d dreamed of a future together and every thought led him back to that time.

A loon warbled on the lake, but he didn’t look. He had to get going, get away from this memory-laden place. Besides, the community nurse was coming to check on his father right after lunch, and he wanted to be there when she arrived. The nurse might be more forthcoming about his dad’s prognosis than the doctor.

Reflection from the black plastic caught his eye as he rounded a corner. He knew the road well, and this was where he’d seen Allison’s sign.

He slowed his bike, knowing he shouldn’t, but something compelled him. He tore off his helmet, braced his feet on the loose gravel at the top of her driveway, and looked down at her place.

Movement in the greenhouse drew his eye, and a woman emerged. At first he wasn’t sure. The woman was about the right age, but there was something different about her; about the way she carried herself. The bright aura that had always surrounded Allison was missing from this woman. And yet… there was something achingly familiar about her.

The woman raised a hand, as though to wave at him… or was that wishful thinking? She fussed with her hair, then shaded her eyes and looked directly at him. And then he knew. This was Allison. The bond they’d developed a decade ago still pulsed between them. He could see it in her eyes, even from this far away, and it scared the hell out of him. They stared at each other for a long, intense minute. Then he replaced his helmet, started the bike and drove off.

* * *

Allison invariably looked up when she heard a motorcycle. Some people, like her friend Faith, looked to the sky when they heard an airplane; with Allison it was motorcycles. She pretended she didn’t know why she looked, but she wasn’t kidding anyone, especially herself. Cole had bought a motorcycle as soon as he was old enough to get a permit, and ever since, the sound made her heart leap into her throat; made her pulse speed up a little. Her reaction had mellowed over the years, but it was still there, springing to life every time she heard that distinctive sound. She’d always believed that he would come back one day, even though things could never be the same. Too much time had passed for that, but she still hoped.

The motorcycle had stopped at the top of her driveway. The driver braced himself, removed his helmet and looked down at her, but made no sign of recognition. He didn’t need to; she knew it was Cole. She raised a hand to wave, then caught herself just in time and raked her fingers though her hair. If she waved and he rejected her now, her heart would break.

She shaded her eyes and stared at him, willing him to come down the driveway and say hello. The longing to see him again, to hear his voice, to feel his touch, was almost more than she could bear. She knew he’d been to Green Lake. It had been their spot to go and talk; the fact that he’d gone there must count for something.

Or not. He drove away and she dropped her hand, defeated. It was clear from the way he’d looked at her that he still found her repulsive. Tears burned behind her eyes. How could she have allowed herself to think that he might still feel something for her? She tossed her gloves onto the potting table in the greenhouse, grabbed a clean rag from the box by the door and headed for the creek that ran through her property.

Jones Creek meandered down the bottom of the valley, through town, and eventually emptied into Okanagan Lake. Home to trout, muskrat, a few mink, and duck families in spring, there was always something to see along the creek’s edge. She headed for one of the old chairs set up under the willows and used the rag to wipe away bird droppings and leaves. Over the years, it had become her favourite spot on the property, and at this moment, she needed the calming influence of the burbling water and the soft sway of the willow leaves more than ever. Seeing Cole had stirred up too many old emotions, both good and bad. Memories that seemed like they’d happened only yesterday…


Chapter One

November, twelve years ago

“Allison, aren’t you ready yet?” Katherine Ransome called up the stairs to her daughter. “They’re lighting the tree at eight, and it’s already seven fifteen.”

“I know, Mom.” Allison came running down the stairs. She hated the way her hair looked under the toque that her mother insisted she wear. Okay, it was going to be cold tonight, but she’d look like such a loser. She bet Dani’s grandmother wouldn’t force her to wear a toque. She pulled on her boots, her coat and scarf, and headed outside, where her father was warming up the car.

The town of Independence always scheduled their Light Up ceremony on the last Friday in November. Many years ago, the city fathers had shown a great deal of foresight and planted a fir tree in the town square. Situated squarely in front of City Hall, it was visible from every side of the square, and had become a favourite meeting place. “Meet you at the Christmas tree,” was a phrase often heard between the residents of Independence.

The car tires scrunched on the fresh snow as Allison’s father backed out.

“Wait,” she called. “Our toys for the toy drive. Did we bring them?”

“Yes, they’re in the trunk.” Allison’s father smiled at her in the rear-view mirror. “Anxious to see Santa, are you?”

Allison rolled her eyes at her father. “No, but I hear the new fireman is kind of hunky.”

“Allison!” Her mother turned part way around in her seat. “He’s far too old for you, and you know it.” When she saw the expression on her daughter’s face she turned to her husband, pretending to be angry. “Don, your daughter is trying to give me a heart attack. She’s incorrigible, but then I always said she takes after you.”

“Stop teasing your mother.” Allison’s father gave her a wink in the mirror. “Stick to guys your own age.”

“What about Lindsey? She’s going out with an older man.”

“That’s not the same, and you know it. Dennis is only two years older than your sister, and besides, she’s twenty-two. You’re only fifteen.”

Allison didn’t know why she’d opened that can of worms. They could discuss it a million times and Lindsey would still be seven years older. She loved her sister, but they had very little in common.

Her father turned into the parking lot. “Oh, look,” said Allison. “They have the air cadets directing traffic.”

“Good idea,” her father pulled into a space. “It was a mess last year when the Rotarians tried to do it.”

“Now, Don.” Her mother reached across and patted him on the knee. “You know they do their best.”

Her father muttered something under his breath, but Allison was already looking for Dani. They’d promised to meet near the concession stands, and the area was already swarming with people. She jumped out of the car as soon as her father had parked.

“Nine thirty.” Her mother tapped her watch. “Remember, now. We’re counting on you to find us. Tammy has invited us to stop by her shop and get warm around nine, so look for us there.”

“I know, Mom. You already told me.” Her mother had been having her hair done at Tammy’s Cut ‘N’ Curl for as long as Allison could remember. The woman believed in paying it forward, and every year at graduation, she quietly arranged to do the hair of any high school student who couldn’t afford to pay. She’d never once disclosed their names.

The downtown area was almost dark in anticipation of Light Up, but Allison found Danielle breathing warm air into her gloved hands and stomping her feet. “It’s so cold,” her friend said impatiently. “Come on, let’s get some hot chocolate.” She looked over Allison’s shoulder and her eyes widened. “Don’t look now, but guess who’s here?”

“Gee, like half the town?” Allison made a face. “How am I supposed to guess? Oh, wait. Don’t tell me. It’s Jason, right? That new guy?” She turned around to look and Dani tried to pinch her through her coat.

“I said don’t look!” She glared at her friend. “Okay, tell you what. You go and get the hot chocolate and I’ll talk to him.” She put on her most angelic face. “After all, someone has to make him feel welcome.”

Allison groaned. “And that would be you, right? Okay, go ahead, but stay where I can see you.” The Kinsmen had a stand selling hot chocolate, and she got in line.

Steam rose out of the small drinking holes in the lid of the Styrofoam cups as Allison turned away from the concession stand. She raised her head to look for Dani and was jostled roughly by an older teen. Hot chocolate sloshed down the side of one of the cups, narrowly missing her fingers.

“Careful!” she cried, looking up. It was Buddy Stiles, a boy who was a year ahead of her in school. Backed up by his posse of friends, he was known for his bullying tactics.

“Careful yourself,” he shot back. “You should watch out where you’re going.” He pretended to lunge toward her and she stepped back, alarmed.

“That’s enough, Stiles.” Cole Slater stepped between them. He was turned away from her, facing Buddy, but Allison recognized him. He was hard to miss around school. At 6’1”, he was taller than most of his peers. He was known as a loner, but that didn’t prevent him from standing up for himself, as well as others.

He turned around, a concerned look on his face. “Are you all right?” He glanced at her hand. “You’re not burned, are you?”

Allison smiled up at him. “No, I’m fine.” Still angry, she looked over his shoulder at Buddy, and opened her mouth to say something, then thought better of it. She didn’t want to give him the satisfaction of knowing that he’d upset her.

“Here, let me take those.” Cole lifted the cups from her trembling hands. “Where are we going with them?”

Allison pointed toward Dani, who was chatting with Jason. “Over there. One is for Dani.” She couldn’t quite believe he was paying attention to her. She’d seen him in school of course, and they’d exchanged tentative smiles, but they’d never spoken.

“Looks like she’s talking to the new fellow.” Cole smiled down at her. “Are you with anyone? A guy, I mean?”

The hopeful look in his eyes made her heart flutter. “No, just Dani.”

“Good. Have you picked out a spot to watch?”

“Not really.”

“I know a great place, if you’d like to try it out.” He glanced toward Dani and Jason. “Do you think they’d like to come?” He pointed to the hardware store. “My dad manages the hardware store and I usually watch from the roof. Shall I go ask them?”

“Sure.” She watched as he made his way over to Dani and Jason, handed them the cups, and pointed to the roof. They exchanged a few words, and then Dani held up the cup in a salute and grinned. She seemed quite content to keep Jason to herself and watch from down here.

Cole bought two more cups of hot chocolate and led her down a narrow alley between the hardware store and the dollar store. He pulled out a key and opened a metal gate, allowing them access to a set of stairs at the back of the building. “I’ve always watched from up here,” he said, and led her to the front of the building, where a low false front shielded them. A makeshift bench was firmly attached to the roof, and they sat down.

“Your dad doesn’t mind?” she asked.

“No, as a matter of fact he used to bring me up here when I was small. His only rule is that I don’t bring a bunch of people.”

She sipped her hot chocolate and looked down on the crowd. “It all looks so different.” She turned to him. “Thank you for inviting me.”

“You’re welcome.” He scanned the crowd and she could tell the moment he spotted Buddy. He tensed, and his lips drew into a thin line. “That guy’s bad news,” he said. “We didn’t have any real bullies before he came to town.”

“I know.” She shot him a quick look, wondering if she should bring up a rumour she’d heard. This was the perfect opportunity, and there might not be another one.

“I heard he was harassing Timothy last week, and you stood up for him.” She took another sip of hot chocolate. “I was glad to hear that. It’s not Timothy’s fault that he’s not very big.”

Cole gave her a quick, puzzled look. “Yeah, well, we’ve been friends for a long time. Besides, someone needs to stand up for him.”

“You seem like such opposites. How did you ever become friends?”

He considered her question for a moment before he replied. “My mom died while I was in first grade. It was unexpected, and my dad kinda fell apart for a while.” His fingers tightened around the hot chocolate cup and she thought he might crush it. “For a while my clothes were mismatched, and there were many days I didn’t have anything clean to wear. I took a lot of flak from the kids.” He drained the cup. “Timothy was a skinny kid even back then, but he stood beside me through all that, and I decided that when I got older, I’d never let it happen to anyone else if I could help it.” He shrugged. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not trying to be a hero.” A wry grin turned up the corner of his mouth. “The truth is, I’m trying to talk Timothy into learning to defend himself.”

“How is that working?”

He acknowledged her question by lifting his eyebrows. “If you have to ask, then I guess you know the answer. Not well.”

The loudspeaker squealed and they turned their attention to the temporary stage, where a choral group had assembled. The chatter of voices faded to near silence as the words to Silent Night floated on the crisp winter air.

As though on cue, fluffy white snowflakes commenced falling and Allison looked up, eyes wide with delight. “Did you arrange this?” she asked softly, turning to Cole.

“Just for you,” he said, bumping shoulders with her.

The last notes of Silent Night drifted away and the mayor stepped up to the microphone. Allison scarcely listened; she’d heard the speech every year since she could remember. Besides, the young man beside her was far more interesting.

“Why did you ask me up here?” She was almost afraid to hear the answer.

He looked at her steadily. “Because I like you.”

“Oh.” His response was what she’d wanted to hear, but the bluntness took her by surprise.

“You’re always cheerful and smiling,” he said. “And I can tell that you’re a loyal friend.” He glanced down to where Danielle and Jason were huddled together against the cold. “I’ve seen the two of you together, and you support each other.”

Allison looked down at her friend and was silent for a moment. “We do, but how did you know that?” she asked finally.

“It’s just an impression I have.” He shrugged. “Teenage girls can be nasty, but not you two.”

She nodded. “That’s true.” She thought for a few moments. “Dani lost both of her parents when she was young. I don’t think she’s ever gotten over it.”

“She was old enough to remember them?”

“Yes, she was seven when they were killed. We were talking about it the other day, and she says the memories have faded a lot. She can’t remember what their voices sounded like, and believe it or not, she doesn’t have any videos of them.”

Cole finished his hot chocolate and looked at her. “Finished?” He held out a hand and she passed him the empty cup. He nested them together, but she could tell his mind was somewhere else. “Dad has pictures of my mother, but I can’t honestly say I remember her. Sometimes a woman will walk by and I smell her perfume and I get a strange feeling, but I don’t know. It might be all in my imagination.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have brought that up.”

“No, it’s okay. I was just thinking how it must be worse for Danielle, with no pictures, and the memories slipping away like that.” He turned toward the stage. “They’re doing the countdown.”

“…three, two, one, Light Up!”

The lights on the tree came to life, and the crowd applauded. Stores facing the town square flipped the switches on their decorations, and suddenly the area was bathed in the warm glow of coloured lights.

“This is the part I like,” said Allison. “When all the lights come on.”

Cole nodded, but didn’t say anything. She liked the way he didn’t find it necessary to talk all the time; some guys in her classes never shut up.

The town’s new fire truck drove up the side street, horn blaring. It would be parked for an hour, accepting unwrapped toys for the toy drive. The citizens of Independence always donated far more than could be used locally, and the surplus was gratefully received by towns where the need was greater.

“The toy drive is a nice tradition.” Cole spoke her thoughts. “There’s something about living in a small town where people are basically good, that feels right. A lot of the guys my age love to knock it. They talk constantly about going to live in Vancouver, but I don’t see it.”

“I’ve heard them. They love to say that Independence is a big name for a little town.” She looked sideways at him. “I wonder who named it, and why?”

“You haven’t been to the museum?”

“Once on a school trip, why?”

“There’s a section with old photos and one of the captions explains that back when most of the travel up and down the lake was by boat, the town pretty well had to be independent. In addition to the fruit, there was a lot of market gardening, and farmers produced milk and eggs, and all the meat the town could use. I’ve always thought it was a good name.”

“I agree, and I can’t imagine living anywhere else.” She sat silently for a moment. “What are you going to do after you graduate?”

“I’m not sure.” He stared at the empty cups, which he still held. “I’m leaning toward a trade of some sort. Electrician or something like that. There’s a lot of development in the valley and it’s likely to keep on for a while.” He gave her a sideways glance. “What about you?”

“I’m not sure, either. My mother’s friends are always asking me. Sometimes I wish they’d leave it alone.”

“I know what you mean.” He stood up and offered her his hand. “Come on, let’s go down and wander around the concession stands. It’s probably the same stuff as last year, but we need to move around a bit before we freeze.”

He pulled her up and for a moment they were standing close together. She looked into his eyes and his expression softened. “I can’t figure out if your eyes are blue, or green,” he said.

“A little of both, I think.” Her heart was in her throat. “What about yours?”

“I’m told they’re hazel.” There was that crooked grin again. “But I haven’t checked lately.” He pulled up his collar and stamped his feet. “Come on, let’s go.”

Allison gave herself a mental shake and followed him down the stairs.

They wandered through the park, stopping to examine the various crafts available for sale. Cole was fascinated by the wooden toys. He picked up a simple pull toy and spoke to the vendor. “Is this laminated?” He ran his fingers over the wood, where two contrasting colours met.

“Yes, it is.” The man stood up. “Does woodworking interest you?”

Cole continued to caress the piece. “Yes. We’ve done a bit at school, but this is taking it to a whole other level.”

“Thank you.” The man was obviously pleased. “Young men your age rarely comment on my work.”

Cole smiled. “Oh, I’m sure they appreciate it. They just don’t think it’s cool to say so.”

The man chuckled. “You’re probably right. Very perceptive.”

Cole put down the piece. “Thanks for letting me look.”

“Any time.”

Allison watched the exchange with interest. Cole Slater wasn’t only good looking, he was interesting; she’d like to get to know him better.

The freshly fallen snow scrunched beneath their feet as they wandered along. Allison was glad her mother had forced her to wear the toque. Her arms and legs were getting cold, but at least her head was warm. She shivered.

“Cold?” Cole paused and looked into her eyes. “You should have told me. Let’s see if we can find a couple of open seats at the Blue Lantern. They usually stay open late for this shindig.”

She glanced at her watch. “I’d better not. I promised Mom I’d meet her at nine thirty and it’s already nine.”

“I suppose I should go, too. My dad’s home alone.” He offered her his arm. “Come on, I’ll walk you to…” He turned. “…where?”

Allison laughed. “To the hair salon.”

“You’ve got it.” He walked her across the square and deposited her at the door of Cut ‘N’ Curl. Snow swirled around them, caught by a gust of wind. Flakes caught in Cole’s eyelashes and he laughed. “Looks like we timed that just right.” He tugged her toque down around her ears and his fingers brushed her cheek. “Thanks for tonight.”

Allison’s legs threatened to buckle, but she managed to remain standing. “I enjoyed it.”

“Good.” He smiled down into her eyes. “I’ll see you around.” He turned, hunched his shoulders against the sudden gust of wind, and walked away.


Chapter Two

Cole walked briskly to the parking lot and brushed the snow from his father’s car. He’d enjoyed himself tonight, thanks to Allison. He admired the way she’d stood up for herself when that idiot Stiles tried to intimidate her. She was feminine, and yet independent at the same time. Sorta like the name of the town. He’d have to talk to her about that the next time he saw her.

The hand holding the snow scraper stilled. Next time? It surprised him to realize that he hoped there would be a next time. She wasn’t the most beautiful girl in the school, and perhaps that had something to do with why he’d noticed her. She wasn’t one of those girls who admired themselves in the mirrors in their lockers. She laughed easily, and as he’d mentioned to her earlier, she was a loyal friend.

She’d looked so cute standing there with the snow swirling around that silly toque. It had taken all of his self-control not to lean in and kiss her. Somehow he didn’t think she would have objected. She had a wide, generous mouth and he found himself wondering how it would taste.

He wasn’t the only one leaving the parking lot, and he focused on getting out safely. People tended to back out without looking, and he didn’t want anything to happen to his father’s car. Spring couldn’t come soon enough. He’d bought a small motorcycle last fall as soon as he’d been old enough for a learner’s permit. It occurred to him now that he’d need another helmet if Allison was to go with him, Okay, so he was getting ahead of himself, but there was something about the way they’d talked together that felt right. He was smiling as he turned onto the road that led away from town.

* * *

Allison watched Cole walk away. Meeting him here tonight had been like an early Christmas present. An early unexpected Christmas present. She’d noticed him at school of course…what girl hadn’t? She couldn’t remember if she’d ever seen him with a girl. Many of them tried to talk to him, and he was always polite, but she’d never actually seen him with anyone.

She caught her reflection in the window of the store next door to the hair salon. What in the world had he seen in her? She had no idea, but whatever it was, she hoped he’d see it again…soon.

A couple of dozen adults milled around inside the hair salon and she stopped with her hand on the door handle. She had half an hour to spare; she’d go look for Dani.

Her friend wasn’t hard to find. She and Jason were huddled on one of the park benches, chattering away like old friends.

Dani looked up, spotted her, and waved.

“Where’s Cole?” she asked, as Allison drew closer.

“He’s gone home.” She stuck out her hand to Jason. “We haven’t met. I’m Allison Ransome.”

He stood up. “Jason Raymond.” He looked down at Dani and his expression grew soft. “Dani has been telling me about you.”

Allison rolled her eyes. “Oh, great!” Jason smiled and she turned to her friend. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay; that you have a ride home.”

Jason spoke up almost before she’d finished. “I’ll take her home.”

Allison looked from one to the other. They both had stars in their eyes and she wondered if there’d been something special in the air tonight. “All right, then.” She gave her friend a pointed look. “I’ll talk to you later.”

* * *

The phone was ringing as Allison entered the house with her parents.

“Now who’s calling at this time of night?” Allison’s mother picked up the phone. “Hello?” She listened for a moment, and then held out the phone. “It’s for you, Allie.”

Dani must be eager to tell her all about Jason. She took the phone from her mother and spoke with a laugh in her voice. “I can’t believe you’re calling me already!”

She thought she heard a muted television in the background, but other than that, the line was silent. She waited a few beats. “Dani?”

“Hi, it’s Cole.”

Allison bit back a groan of embarrassment and slid down the wall behind the kitchen counter. Her parents insisted that the old-fashioned, plug-in phone worked just fine, but it was times like this she’d love to be able to walk away and have a private conversation.

“Cole. I’m sorry, I thought you were Dani.”

He chuckled. It was a low, sexy sound that made the hair on the back of her neck stand up. “Actually, I can’t believe I’m calling you already either.” He paused, and she pictured him thinking. “I just wanted to make sure you got home okay.” Concern laced his voice. “You looked like you were getting a chill.”

She was certainly warm now. “I’m fine, but thanks for calling. I take it you got home okay?”

“Yup. The snow plows had been up the valley already. Listen, would you like to go skating on Sunday? I hear the pond out by the rodeo grounds is frozen already and I was wondering if you’d like to go.”

“I’d love it. What time?”

“After lunch? I could pick you up around one.”

“Sounds good.” She paused. “I had fun tonight, Cole. Thanks again.”

“Me, too.” She thought she heard a little hitch in his voice. “Goodnight, Allison.”

“’night.”

* * *

By the time Christmas rolled around, they were considered a couple. Allison sometimes wondered what he saw in her, but when she asked him, he’d just squeeze her hand and give her a look that made her forget to breathe.

Cole’s varied interests ensured that they never ran out of things to talk about. He challenged her views as often as she questioned his, and on the occasions when they agreed to disagree, there was no rancour between them. They were falling in love in the best possible way…by becoming friends first.

At New Years, Allison and Dani spent several days at the ranch owned by Dani’s uncle. His sprawling, seven hundred acre property surrounded one small lake and bordered on another. To the north, her uncle leased additional Crown Land for his cattle. A confirmed bachelor, Jake Flynn was known as one of the best cattlemen in the area.

“Guess what?” Dani didn’t wait for a response. “Uncle Jake says we can have Jason and Cole over for New Years. Isn’t that great?”

“Is your uncle going to be there?”

“Yeah, but he’ll be downstairs, if I know him. He bought himself one of those huge television sets for Christmas.”

“Okay, then. It’s just that I know my mom won’t let me come if he’s not going to be there.”

“Same here.” She sighed. “Gran already lectured me about that.” Danielle lived in town with her grandmother during the school year, and at the ranch with her uncle during holidays. “What do you think, should I get some mistletoe?”

Allison’s lips tingled and she touched them with the tips of her fingers. Several times over Christmas Cole had looked like he was going to kiss her, but he’d backed off, leaving her feeling strangely empty. Maybe with some mistletoe….

* * *

Cole and Jason arrived together on New Year’s Eve, their coats and hair dusted by the fine snow that had started to fall shortly after the dinner hour.

The two couples spent a quiet evening talking, playing games and listening to a countdown of the best songs of the year on the local radio station. Part way into the evening, Allison volunteered to heat up the mini pizzas in the kitchen and Cole followed her. She slipped the tray into the oven, turned on the timer, and turned to find him right behind her.

“Happy New Year,” he said, handing her a small box tied with a silver bow.

“Cole…?” She looked up at him. “What’s this?”

“It bothered me when we agreed not to exchange Christmas presents so…” He lifted his shoulders.

Her fingers trembled as she opened the box. A silver heart lay nestled on a bed of purple velvet, the fine chain tucked around behind.

“It’s beautiful!” she cried, lifting it out. “Help me put it on.”

He removed it from the box and held it up. “Turn around.” His voice was husky. She turned, and he draped it around her neck, uttering a few words of frustration as he fumbled with the clasp. But he managed to make it work, and she ran to the mirror in the dining room to admire it.

“It’s gorgeous,” she said, touching it and meeting his eyes in the mirror. “I love it.”

He nodded, at a loss for words.

Allison walked up to him. “Thank you,” she whispered, and kissed him softly on the lips.

A low growl escaped his lips and his arms went around her. “You’re welcome,” he said into her hair, then pulled back. “You really like it?”

“Of course, silly. It’s beautiful.” She looked into the familiar hazel eyes. “But you shouldn’t have.”

“Oh yes, I should.” He lowered his head, his intention clear. Just before their lips met, he paused, and in his eyes she saw her future.

Bryan Adams was singing in the background as he kissed her for the first time. His lips brushed hers, tentatively at first, and then he cupped the side of her face and slanted his mouth over hers, deepening the kiss until she thought she might die from the pleasure of it.

“Everything I do, I do it for you.” The lyrics of the song wove themselves into the fabric of her life as Cole nibbled at her bottom lip. Held in his strong arms, she’d never felt safer in her life, and she smiled up at him as he pulled back to look at her.

“What?” he said, searching her eyes. “Why are you smiling?”

“Because I’m happy,” she said, going up on tiptoes to plant a brief kiss on his lips. “Because I feel safe when I’m with you.”

He pulled her head against his chest. “Always,” he said. “That’s a promise.”

She sighed against him, listening to his heartbeat. It was steady, if a bit more rapid than normal. Steady. That was the perfect way to describe Cole Slater, she thought dreamily.

“Hey, you guys,” Dani called from her spot near the fireplace. “A girl could starve waiting for you two. Are the pizzas ready yet?”

“Hold on.” Cole gave Allison a quick peck on the lips and opened the oven door. They slid the pizzas onto a platter and went back to join the others in the living room.

“So.” Dani gave Allison a sly look. “I see you found the mistletoe. Oh, my gosh, what’s that around your neck?” She launched herself up from the floor. “It’s gorgeous!”

“It’s a New Year’s gift from Cole.”

Dani examined it. “Very nice,” she said, turning to Cole. “You be good to my friend, you hear?”

“I hear you,” he said, his gaze fixed firmly on Allison’s face. “It will be my pleasure.”

Click here to download the entire book: Mona Ingram’s Loving From Afar>>>

 

What Would You do if Your Perfect Life Was Shattered by a Series of Uncontrollable Events? LOVING FROM AFAR by Mona Ingram – 17 Straight Rave Reviews & KND Romance of The Week!

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4.6 stars – 17 Reviews
Text-to-Speech and Lending: Enabled
Here’s the set-up:

What would you do if your perfect life was shattered by a series of uncontrollable events? Allison Ransome loses everything; everything except her love for Cole Slater, the young man she planned to marry after graduation. Gutted by Allison’s perceived treachery, Cole moves on with his life. Ten years later, he returns home, telling himself he will avoid the woman who broke his heart. But nothing goes as planned. Can Allison and Cole forget the past and come to terms with the events that tore them apart?

Author’s Note: To paraphrase a reader: “This book has some tough, emotional parts, but it’s honest.” At its core it’s a heartfelt romance.

Loving From Afar is Book One in The Women of Independence series. Book Two, tentatively titled The Last Goodbye, is scheduled for release in the fall of 2013.

Reviews

“How do you repair the seemingly unrepairable? That really is the basis of this book. The tragedies of life encroach on these characters in such a way that you, along with them just can’t seem to find a way out of the path that each of them has taken by choice or by circumstance. This book is at times gut wrenching and heart breaking but it is also life and love affirming. So how do you repair the seemingly unrepairable? Read this book and find out.” – Amazon Review

“This book wasn’t like any other romance I’ve read. It grabbed my interest from the beginning and then took me on an emotional ride that kept drawing me back to the story when I really should have been doing other things! Some tough emotional parts, but I liked that… it was an honest story, told from the heart. Looking forward to the next story in the series.” – Amazon Review

“I recommend any book this Author has out and any future story she will share with us in the future. She truly has a gift.” – Sharing a Bit of Romance blog

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