The Bachelor's Homecoming. Karen Kirst
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Suddenly Reunited
Jane O’Malley’s young heart broke in pieces when the man of her dreams left town after being rejected by her sister. Years later, Tom Leighton returns home, and Jane’s old feelings for him rush back as forcefully as the Tennessee mountain springs.
Tom left Gatlinburg behind without a word to allow his hurt heart to heal. Now he’s a man with a young niece to raise and amends to make in town to the people he abandoned—especially to Jane. The girl from his past has become a gorgeous, kind woman. Can he prove to her that she’s the only woman he wants?
“I haven’t been as understanding as I should’ve been. I know you didn’t intend to hurt me or anyone else. You did what you had to do, and I can’t fault you for that.”
Stepping close, his pant legs brushing her skirts, he very carefully cupped her cheek. A rogue sigh slipped through her lips. The rasp of his work-roughened palm against her skin wrought an intensely heady feeling inside. If only this wasn’t a platonic caress.
“My sweet Janie girl,” he murmured. “The memories of your laughter, your sweet smile, the way things were always easy and fun between us, kept me going this past year. You represented peace and calm at a time when my life was falling apart. I need your friendship.”
Friendship. Not love. Not devotion.
If he guessed how badly she yearned for more, he’d be revolted.
“Friendship,” she croaked. “Always. You have it.”
KAREN KIRST was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. A lifelong lover of books, 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 Bachelor’s Homecoming
Karen Kirst
MILLS & BOON
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Delight yourself also in the Lord,
and He shall give you the desires of your heart.
—Psalms 37:4
To the ladies of Southside Baptist Church
who are fans of the O’Malleys—
thank you for your encouragement and support.
Mary Blakley, I’m blessed to know you
and to count you as a friend.
Retha Smith, your smile brightens my day.
Gina King, I love when we chat about the characters. Thanks for the cards.
Carole Gresham, Wilma Hayes,
Greta Griffin and more,
thanks for liking my books.
Contents
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
Epilogue
Dear Reader
Gatlinburg, Tennessee May 1884
“Do you, Jane O’Malley, take this