Once Around

by Barbara Bretton

A USA Today bestseller from award-winning author Barbara Bretton

Sometimes a woman has to lose everything she ever wanted before she discovers what she really needs.

All Molly Chamberlain had ever wanted was a home of her own. Children to cherish. A man who would love her and be there for her through good times and bad. Ten years into her marriage she is finally pregnant with their first child, living in a beautiful home in Princeton, New Jersey and eager to embrace the wonderful future she’d always dreamed of.

But it takes two to build a future and Molly’s husband has his own dreams and they don’t include Molly or their baby. When she comes home from a routine prenatal doctor’s visit one sunny afternoon she discovers that her soon-to-be-ex has stripped the house to the bare walls, emptied their bank accounts and cancelled the credit cards. Molly is left with nothing but broken dreams and a shattered future . . . and a baby on the way.

The last time Rafe Garrick had heard a sound like that was years ago on a Montana mountaintop. Sometimes late at night when the hours lay heavy against his mind he could still hear the wolf, hopelessly caught in a trap, keening in terror and pain.

The sound of the woman’s anguish rang out in the sweet, still air and he followed that sound to a sun-filled room that held more pain than a human heart could bear. She stood near the window, bent over at the waist, arms wrapped tightly around her middle, back curved in a graceful arc. A cascade of vibrant, sun-streaked auburn hair almost brushed the floor as she sobbed. He wanted to reach out and gather her into his arms and hold her while she cried, the same way he had wanted to ease the wolf’s pain, but sometimes a man had to turn away or risk being hurt.

And he knew in a moment that he would risk anything to spend one night with her.

He wanted everything she had to give, including forever.

Reviews

“Ms. Bretton expertly weaves together second chances and affairs of the heart to form this delightful book. As always, a wonderful reading experience.”–Jill M. Smith, Romantic Times

“The sex is steamy, the characters interesting.”–Publishers Weekly

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Previously published in print by Penguin Berkley. (NOTE: A new version was uploaded May 25, 2013 in order to remedy proofreading issues.)

Sometimes a woman has to lose everything she ever wanted before she discovers what she really needs . . .

All Molly Chamberlain had ever wanted was a home of her own. Children to cherish. A man who would love her and be there for her through good times and bad. Ten years into her marriage she is finally pregnant with their first child, living in a beautiful home in Princeton, New Jersey and eager to embrace the wonderful future she’d always dreamed of.
But it takes two to build a future and Molly’s husband has his own dreams and they don’t include Molly or their baby. When she comes home from a routine prenatal doctor’s visit one sunny afternoon she discovers that her soon-to-be-ex has stripped the house to the bare walls, emptied their bank accounts and cancelled the credit cards. Molly is left with nothing but broken dreams and a shattered future . . . and a baby on the way.

The last time Rafe Garrick had heard a sound like that was years ago on a Montana mountaintop. Sometimes late at night when the hours lay heavy against his mind he could still hear the wolf, hopelessly caught in a trap, keening in terror and pain.
The sound of the woman’s anguish rang out in the sweet, still air and he followed that sound to a sun-filled room that held more pain than a human heart could bear. She stood near the window, bent over at the waist, arms wrapped tightly around her middle, back curved in a graceful arc. A cascade of vibrant, sun-streaked auburn hair almost brushed the floor as she sobbed. He wanted to reach out and gather her into his arms and hold her while she cried, the same way he had wanted to ease the wolf’s pain, but sometimes a man had to turn away or risk being hurt.
And he knew in a moment that he would risk anything to spend one night with her.

He wanted everything she had to give . . . including forever.

“This author writes so brilliantly and knows how to draw the reader into an emotional connection with the characters. It’s nice to read about people who overcome lousy childhoods and relationships in which they were treated poorly/unfairly to go on to find joy and love in their lives.”

“I loved this book!!!!! The love scenes sizzled, especially the one with Jessie in the car. WOW!”

“This story was well written with characters of depth. There was lots of angst, which I enjoy. The secondary romance was also a great read. I love when mismatched characters fall in love. The ending was fabulous. Barbara Bretton writes books you don’t want to end.”

In the month of February 1982 I wrote and sold my first novel. And no, I wouldn’t believe it either if it hadn’t happened to me. I sent in my manuscript on Thursday February 21, 1982 and four days later the telephone rang and I heard the amazing words, “We want to buy your book.” How I wish you could have seen me. I was standing by the kitchen door of our North Babylon house, the picture of cool sophistication, as I listened to Vivian Stephens explain the terms of the deal to me. You would have thought I’d sold a first book every single day of my life. Yes, I said. Sounds wonderful. Thank you so much for calling. I look forward to our association. That cool sophistication hung on until I hung up the phone, took a deep breath, then promptly threw up on my shoes.