The Engagement Charade. Karen Kirst
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A Temporary Betrothal
Pregnant widow Ellie Jameson is hiding a secret: her betrothal is a sham to keep her safe from her interfering in-laws. It’s simple friendship that prompts her reclusive boss to pose as her fiancé. But can Ellie keep her feelings for Alexander Copeland from developing into something more?
When he moved to Gatlinburg after losing his wife and child, Alexander had one rule: stay out of other people’s lives. Easier said than done with the café owner’s eternally optimistic cook interrupting his enforced solitude. He only intended to protect Ellie, not propose to her. But with a little trust, and a helping of forgiveness, this temporary arrangement could be a recipe for lasting happiness...
“Ellie, please don’t forget this is make-believe.”
“You’re assuming I want a husband,” she retorted. “And that I’m somehow lacking the ability to discern what’s real and what’s not.”
Alexander could never know how wonderful his attentiveness made her feel. Ellie liked being his fiancée. She liked being one half of a couple and the sense of belonging that imparted. And if she’d occasionally imagined what it would be like to be his wife, she’d quickly dismissed the notion. He was too afraid to risk his heart again, and she was too afraid to risk disappointing someone again. Failing at marriage had eaten away at her self-esteem. She wasn’t eager to repeat the experience.
“I wanted to remind you. Just in case...”
“Don’t worry, I’m not going to tumble into love with you and hang on your heels like an affection-starved puppy dog.” Spinning on her heel, she stalked toward the door.
Thank you for choosing my book! I hope Alexander and Ellie’s story was an entertaining one. The Plum Café has been a long-standing feature in my Smoky Mountain Matches series, so it was a treat to write about the employees who spend the majority of their time there. Not much is known about our hero, Alexander, in the previous books. In trying to avoid dealing with his grief and loss, the former Texas rancher has cut himself off from everyone around him. Only a pregnant widow with an indomitable spirit could tempt him to start living again. I came to admire Ellie’s faith and optimism. And seeing how Alexander’s initial resistance transforms to first friendship and ultimately love was a thrill.
Next up is the final book in this series, one where the debonair deputy Ben MacGregor finally meets his match! For more information about my books, please visit my website, www.karenkirst.com. I’m also on Facebook and Twitter.
Blessings,
Karen Kirst
KAREN KIRST was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. She’s a lifelong lover of books, but it wasn’t until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom and romance writer. Her favorite pastimes are reading, visiting tearooms and watching romantic comedies.
The Engagement Charade
Karen Kirst
MILLS & BOON
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For You created my inmost being; You knit me together in my mother’s womb. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.
—Psalms 139:13, 16
To my friend and lunch buddy Christy Barton, whose love of tea sparked a friendship.
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