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Have you ever done something to protect a loved one? Something that hurt so deeply you thought you might never recover, but you did it anyway? Not everyone has had to make sacrifices like that, but I think most of us are willing to if it means the security and happiness of that other person.
This is the position that James Rothsberg found himself in when he unexpectedly fell for Mila Brightman. Only once he dropped the axe on their relationship he never expected to see her again. Years later Mila is back in town, and the two are forced to work together for the benefit of their community. And in doing so they find old feelings resurfacing at the worst of times.
Thank you for joining James and Mila as they struggle to get past old hurts and uncover secrets they thought long buried. And maybe—just maybe—they’ll rediscover love along the way. I hope you enjoy reading their story as much as I loved writing it! Enjoy!
Love,
Tina Beckett
Three-time Golden Heart® finalist TINA BECKETT learned to pack her suitcases almost before she learned to read. Born to a military family, she has lived in the United States, Puerto Rico, Portugal and Brazil. In addition to travelling, Tina loves to cuddle with her pug, Alex, spend time with her family, and hit the trails on her horse. Learn more about Tina from her website, or ‘friend’ her on Facebook.
Winning Back
His Doctor Bride
Tina Beckett
To my husband and children…always!
Contents
Six years ago
THERE WERE CERTAIN benefits to returning to civilization, texting being one of them.
Without it, she doubted she would survive this party.
No. Not party. “Charity event,” as these A-listers liked to call their swanky affairs.
Whatever.
Mila Brightman’s thumbs glided over the keys with remembered ease.
I will let u know.
C’mon, Mila. He’s gorgeous and newly single.
Perfect. Just what she needed. A charity date to go with the charity event. She grinned at her own witticism. Okay, so her mental play on words hadn’t been all that funny. But, then again, neither was this party.
He’s ur bro. You have to say that. Does he even know u r trying to set him up on a date?
Not yet. But it’ll be fine. And he is cute. Promise.
She hadn’t even told him yet. Mila rolled her eyes, thumbs already responding.
That’s what u said about the last guy.
She’d let her new friend Freya Rothsberg talk her into going on a different blind date a week ago. That particular man had been good-looking all right, but their date had stalled when he’d road-raged his way down Hollywood Boulevard. She’d ended up hopping out of the car at a stoplight and hailing a cab to take her home.
This is different. PROMISE.
Uh-oh. Her friend had used the word promise twice in a row. This time in caps. Never a good sign. Freya was on the other side of the room, waiting for her supposedly gorgeous brother to arrive. Time to head her off at the pass. Maybe she could use humor to soften the blow.
With my luck ur bro is probably short and squatty. A real toad.
The screen stayed blank for almost a minute, and Mila wondered if she’d offended her friend. Then it lit up.
A toad? Really?
A smiley face followed the words. Whew! Not offended.
Yep. T.O.A.D. Warts and all.
Another long pause. Maybe the Wi-Fi reception in the hotel ballroom was glitching or something.
Why don’t you look up and see?
Something about those words caused a shiver to ripple across her midsection. Swallowing, she glanced over the top of her screen.
Freya stood right in front of her. Eyes wide. Mouthing something. “I’m sorry.”
In that instant, Mila realized her friend was no longer holding a cell phone. Neither was she alone. And the person standing beside her was neither short nor squatty.
Oh. My. God. Her thumbs pretend-typed the words as they sprinted through her head.
The man in the tuxedo was tall. Very tall. And gorgeous?
Yes. Oh, yes. He was also holding something up, turning the object to face her.
A phone—with all Mila’s text messages surrounded by a bold blue bubble. The air left her lungs, and she struggled to breathe.