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“It’s windier up here than down in the city. You’re obviously getting cold,” Ryan said.
“Oh, a few minutes won’t hurt. I want to see the site for your future home,” Carolyn said, then shivered.
Ryan encircled her with his arms, stepping close to nestle her to him. Carolyn stiffened for a moment, then relaxed, savoring the warmth of Ryan’s massive, powerful body.
Oh, he was so strong, yet so gentle. She was definitely not cold any longer. The heat emanating from Ryan was suffusing her, causing her heart to quicken its tempo. The heat was growing hotter, beginning to burn within her with licking flames of desire.
Move away, Carolyn, she ordered herself. This was dangerous, was too intimate and… It was as though she and Ryan had been transported to another world where no one existed but the two of them. And in this world, they were free to do whatever felt right and real.
Dear Reader,
While taking a breather from decorating and gift-wrapping, check out this month’s exciting treats from Silhouette Special Edition. The Summer House (#1510) contains two fabulous stories in one neat package. “Marrying Mandy” by veteran author Susan Mallery features the reunion of two sweethearts who fall in love all over again. Joining Susan is fellow romance writer Teresa Southwick whose story “Courting Cassandra” shows how an old crush blossoms into full-blown love.
In Joan Elliott Pickart’s Tall, Dark and Irresistible (#1507), a hero comes to terms with his heritage and meets a special woman who opens his heart to the possibilities. Award-winning author Anne McAllister gets us in the holiday spirit with The Cowboy’s Christmas Miracle (#1508) in which a lone-wolf cowboy finds out he’s a dad to an adorable little boy, then realizes the woman who’d always been his “best buddy” now makes his heart race at top speed! And count on Christine Rimmer for another page-turner in Scrooge and the Single Girl (#1509). This heart-thumping romance features an anti-Santa hero and an independent heroine, both resigned to singlehood and stranded in a tiny little mountain cabin where they’ll have a holiday they’ll never forget!
Judy Duarte returns to the line-up with Family Practice (#1511), a darling tale of a handsome doctor who picks up the pieces after a bitter divorce and during a much-needed vacation falls in love with a hardworking heroine and her two kids. In Elane Osborn’s A Season To Believe (#1512), a woman survives a car crash but wakes up with amnesia. When a handsome private detective takes her plight to heart, she finds more than one reason to be thankful.
As you can see, we have an abundance of rich and emotionally complex love stories to share with you. I wish you happiness, fun and a little romance this holiday season!
Karen Taylor Richman
Senior Editor
Tall, Dark and Irresistible
Joan Elliott Pickart
For Autumn and Kate,
special little ladies
of two worlds.
JOAN ELLIOTT PICKART
is the author of over eighty-five novels. When she isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, gardening and attending craft shows on the town square with her young daughter, Autumn. Joan has three all-grown-up daughters and three fantastic grandchildren. Joan and Autumn live in a charming small town in the high pine country of Arizona.
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Epilogue
Prologue
“I’m here as summoned,” Ryan Sharpe said, smiling as he sank onto the butter-soft leather chair next to the fireplace in Robert MacAllister’s study. His grandfather sat in a matching chair across from Ryan, the leaping flames of a warming fire crackling in the hearth separating the two men.
“I’m honored to be included as one of your grandchildren in your secret mission to give each of us a special gift at a time of your choosing.”
“You know that I’ve considered you my grandson ever since Ted and Hannah adopted you in Korea when you were six months old,” Robert said. “The Sharpe family had always been a part of the ever-growing MacAllister clan.
“I’m very proud of you, Ryan. You’ve worked extremely hard and are a valued member of the team at MacAllister Architects.” He chuckled. “And like the others who have already received their gifts, you’re early for our meeting.”
Ryan laughed.
“As you know, it’s up to you whether you choose to tell anyone what I give you this evening. That’s entirely your decision to make.”
Ryan nodded.
Robert frowned and studied Ryan for a long moment before speaking again, causing Ryan to shift uncomfortably in his chair under his grandfather’s intense scrutiny.
“I wish I had some magical words to say to you, or a mystical wand to wave,” Robert finally said quietly, “that would create peace within you, Ryan. I’ve watched you struggle with your mixed heritage for so many years, and it’s heartbreaking to know you feel as though you don’t really fit in here—or in Korea.”
Ryan sighed. “I hoped that the trip I just made to Korea would bring me that peace, make me feel as though I’d found the place where I really belong, but it just didn’t happen.
“So, here I am, half and half, not fitting in anywhere. People stared at me in Korea because I’m six feet tall like my birth father and have wavy brown hair, yet my eyes are almond shaped like my birth mother, and my skin is tawny. The journey to Korea only emphasized to me that I’m different.”
“Mmm,” Robert said, nodding.
“Please don’t misunderstand me, Grandpa,” Ryan said, leaning forward. “I have the greatest, most loving parents that any guy could have. I’m very grateful for them and for the entire MacAllister family. My problems are my own. I’m beginning to believe, though, that I’m never going to get a handle on this war I continually fight within myself.”
“Which brings us to the subject of your special gift,” Robert said, getting to his feet.
He crossed the room to his desk and returned to settle again in the chair, holding a white box that was approximately a ten-inch cube. He stared at the box, then extended it toward Ryan.
“I give you this with love,” Robert said, “and pray that it helps you quiet your demons.”
Ryan set the box on his thighs, then carefully removed the lid. He pushed back the white tissue paper, then his breath caught. With hands that were not quite steady he reached in and gently withdrew the special gift.
It was a globe.
Nestled on a dark, wooden stand was an exquisite, intricately detailed antique globe, the creation being a total of about seven inches tall. It was made