Return to Emmett’s Mill Kimberly Van Meter MILLS & BOON
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Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today! Or simply visit Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you. Table of Contents An avid reader since before she can remember, Kimberly Van Meter started her writing career at the age of sixteen when she finished her first novel, typing late nights and early mornings, on her mother’s old portable typewriter. Although that first novel was nothing short of literary mud, with each successive piece of work her writing improved to the point of reaching that coveted published status. A journalist (who during college swore she’d never write news), Kimberly has worked for both daily and weekly newspapers, covering multiple beats including education, health and crime, but she always dreamed of writing novels and someday saying goodbye to her nonfiction roots. Born and raised in scenic Mariposa, California, Kimberly knows a thing or two about small towns – preferring the quiet, rural atmosphere to the hustle and bustle of a busy city any day – but she and her husband make their home in Oakdale, which represents a compromise between the two worlds. Kimberly and her husband, John, met and fell in love while filming a college production. He was the camera operator and she the lead actress. Her husband often jokes that he fell in love with his wife through the lens of a camera. A year later they were married and have been together ever since. To Krystina Morgainne for your gift of hope. To Wynette Kimball for your expertise and wisdom during a time of great emotional upheaval. To my children, Sebastian, Jaidyn and Eryleigh, for understanding when Mum was glued to her laptop. To my husband, John, for his determination to continue growing, learning and loving together even when it’s hard. And finally, this book is dedicated to anyone who’s ever had to face something painful in their past in order to embrace the future. Your courage is your strength and a gift to yourself and others. You deserve good things. Never let anyone convince you otherwise.
CHAPTER ONE
THE DRIZZLE FALLING FROM the gray skies blended with the steady drone of Father McDonald’s voice until Tasha Simmons lost the ability to tell them apart. The dull gleam of her mother’s casket mirrored the gloom of the skies. Tears welled and receded until Tasha’s eyes and throat ached. Flanked by her sisters, Nora and Natalie, and Natalie’s husband, Evan, she blocked out the pain that came with the knowledge her father was only one sister over, and she locked her knees to keep from sinking to the ground. Suddenly, the short holiday visits over the years weren’t enough. Not nearly enough to get her through something like this. She’d give anything to have one more day with her mother. Just one day. Fingers
