Blue Ridge Hideaway

Blue Ridge Hideaway
Cynthia Thomason

Armed with a can of mace and fuming mad, Dorie Howe is determined to get what’s hers from the old con man who fleeced her. Even if she has to cut a deal with his ex-cop son, Bret Donovan.With her brother in jail and no way to pay his lawyer, she’s desperate enough to agree to Bret’s terms. Desperate–and intrigued. Helping Bret get his mountain retreat in order wouldn’t be the worst job she’s ever had. The spring air is fresh and the scenery is gorgeous. As long as Bret can keep his policeman’s instinct to snoop in check, she just might get away unscathed. All she has to do is keep him, and her feelings, at bay for a few more days…

Dorie’s brother needed that money, so she’d have to convince this ex-cop.…

Bret rubbed his hand over his neck and said, “You have to admit that I’m not responsible for my father’s mistakes.”

“What about the Donovan family honor? Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

A grin tugged at his mouth. “I think our family honor, if we ever had any, went up in smoke at the craps table in Mountain City. Let me sleep on this. I’m going to try to work something out that’s fair to everyone.”

“So I’m supposed to just go away and come back tomorrow?”

“You don’t have to leave. If you attempt the drive down the mountain in the dark, you could end up wrapped around an oak tree.”

“Okay, I’ll stay. But I’m sleeping with one hand wrapped around my can of Mace.”

Bret placed his hand over his heart. “Ouch.” And then he smiled, and she felt that sense of comfort again. And she didn’t like it all that much. A girl gets to feeling too comfortable with a man, and that’s when her life starts unraveling.

Dear Reader,

Have you ever happened upon a special place, one you knew would stay in your memory forever? I had just such an experience at the Walasi-Yi Outfitters in the north Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains. A rustic building of wood and stone, the campers’ store and refuge was old, solid and welcoming. Its enduring architecture made the structure an integral part of the mountain environment.

I saw many hikers with rugged shoes, hats to shade their faces from the sun, and large backpacks. I also saw dogs with their own packs, slung like saddlebags over their backs.

The store had everything a backpacker could need. Freeze-dried foods, lightweight cooking utensils, sleeping bags, bug spray. Most hikers came for an hour or so and then continued on their way, refreshed and restocked for the rest of the journey.

I longed to place a story in this setting, and Blue Ridge Hideaway provided the perfect opportunity. I hope you will enjoy Bret and Dorie’s journey, and maybe even trek through the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains someday. If you see the Walasi-Yi, stop and visit.

I love to hear from readers. You can contact me at cynthoma@aol.com or visit my website, www.cynthiathomason.com

Cynthia

Blue Ridge Hideaway

Cynthia Thomason

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

CYNTHIA THOMASON Cynthia inherited her love of writing from her ancestors. Her father and grandmother both loved to write, and she aspired to continue the legacy. Cynthia studied English and journalism in college, and after a career as a high school English teacher, she began writing novels. She discovered ideas for stories while searching through antiques stores and flea markets and as an auctioneer and estate buyer. Cynthia says every cast-off item from someone’s life can ignite the idea for a plot. She writes about small towns, big hearts and happy endings that are earned and not taken for granted. And as far as the legacy is concerned, just ask her son, the magazine journalist, if he believes.

This book is dedicated to my beloved husband,

Buddy, who walked many trails with me.

I will remember every one.

Contents

CHAPTER ONE (#uca27baea-dd8a-56ba-ad3b-357d1dcb7302)

CHAPTER TWO (#u59c72add-2ceb-5b0a-b03e-3f3c0d456cec)

CHAPTER THREE (#u0934e976-0e06-5212-b1b2-d2793eb3e1f3)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u3511a6d2-05dc-5ee7-bfe5-647345e5d704)

CHAPTER FIVE (#u655d4586-251e-5a78-8168-6f9c4c773094)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINETEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWENTY (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ONE

“THIS IS IT!”