Whispered Promises

Whispered Promises
Brenda Jackson

Even a once-in-a-lifetime love…When Halston Parker calls his daughter Caitlin to his deathbed, she's shocked to discover that her ex-husband, Dex Madaris, has been summoned as well. It's been four years since Caitlin felt the heat of Dex's touch, the urgency of his kisses and the promise of an everlasting love that never was. As a flood of bittersweet memories warms a cold and lonely night, Halston's real motive for the unexpected reunion comes to light. As does the daughter Dex never knew existed, a secret Caitlin has kept too long from the only man she's ever loved. A secret she fears Dex will never forgive.…Deserves a second chanceDespite the past, Caitlin and Dex cannot resist the attraction, or fight their hunger to renew a once-in-a-lifetime passion they thought they'd lost forever. As each learns a lesson in faith and trust, they discover that no heartache, no betrayal, is strong enough to withstand the enduring power of true love.

Whispered Promises

Brenda Jackson

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Contents

Acknowledgment

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Epilogue

Acknowledgment

To the 1971 class of William M. Raines High School, Jacksonville, Florida. And to Raines Vikings everywhere. Ichiban!

To Debbie Bowen, Rosemarie Baker, Mary Anne Coursuti, and Marge Smith (aka Elizabeth Sinclair) for their invaluable critiquing.

To Brenda Arnette Simmons for her helpful feedback on the finished product.

To my family and friends for their continued support.

To all the readers who fell in love with the Madaris brothers. This one is for you.

Chapter 1

“G irl, take a look at the brother who just walked in.”

“He’s definitely a good-looking man.”

“A real work of art.”

“Handcrafted in all the right places.”

“I wonder who’s the lucky sister meeting him here.”

“Wished it was me.”

Feminine whispers rippled through the restaurant as a number of heads turned, and admiring eyes glanced toward the man entering the establishment.

Dex Madaris was oblivious to the attention he was getting. His gaze roamed the room before zeroing in on the dance floor. A few couples were dancing, locked in each other’s embrace, slowly moving to the soft sound of the jazz music being played. No doubt they were caught up in their own private world, sharing whispered promises of love like he and Caitlin had once done.

Caitlin.

He took a deep breath. Everyone was entitled to at least one mistake in life, and Caitlin had been his.

“Welcome to Sisters. Will you be dining alone?”

A soft voice broke through Dex’s reverie. He glanced down into a hostess’s smiling face.

“I’m meeting my brother here. I believe he made reservations.”

“What’s the name?”

“Madaris.”

The woman’s smile widened. “So you’re Clayton’s brother?”

Dex raised a brow. “Yeah, one of them. I gather you know Clayton.” It was more a statement than a question. He knew there weren’t too many females in Houston who didn’t know his younger brother, the confirmed bachelor.

A soft chuckle erupted from the woman’s throat. “Oh yes, I know Clayton.”

He slanted her a curious look, not failing to notice the light dancing in the depths of her dark eyes. He couldn’t help wondering just how deep her acquaintance with his brother went.