A Real Live Hero

A Real Live Hero
Kimberly Van Meter

TV producer Delainey Clarke thought she was done with Homer, Alaska. Until a last-ditch attempt to save her career lands her in town, filming a reality show pilot about expert search and rescue tracker Trace Sinclair.Trace is also the man whose heart she broke in half years ago. A man whose kisses are as powerful as the grudge he still holds against her.Delainey can’t afford to let Trace’s attitude interfere with production—any more than she can resist falling back into his bed. But for how long? Because Delainey isn’t trading Hollywood for Homer…not even for Trace.

Go big, or go home

TV producer Delainey Clarke thought she was done with Homer, Alaska. Until a last-ditch attempt to save her career lands her in town, filming a reality-show pilot about expert search-and-rescue tracker Trace Sinclair. Trace is also the man whose heart she broke in half years ago. A man whose kisses are as powerful as the grudge he still holds against her.

Delainey can’t afford to let Trace’s attitude interfere with production—any more than she can resist falling back into his bed. But for how long? Because Delainey isn’t trading Hollywood for Homer…not even for Trace.

“I don’t care what you have to say.”

Trace pointed to the door. “You can show yourself out.”

“Trace, please?”

“No.”

“The least you can do is just humor me and listen to what I’ve got to say?”

“And why should I do that?” he asked. “Because we parted on amicable terms? Because you’re a decent person? Because you always have everyone else’s well-being in mind?” Delainey’s stare narrowed and he laughed because they both knew none of those reasons were true. “My point exactly. You have no leverage with me. The minute I saw that fake smile you pasted on for my benefit, I knew you came with something in mind.”

“Fine,” she said with a dark glower. “You’ve caught me. I need your help.”

“Sucks to be you.”

“Is that all you’ve got for me after everything we’d been through?” she countered, her eyes glazing a little. “At one time, you loved me.”

“A long time ago.” He stared, unable to believe she’d thrown that card down. “A very long time ago.”

Dear Reader,

I love writing complicated love stories—ones with twisted, gnarled attachments and entanglements—and that’s exactly what you’ll find with Trace and Delainey. Difficult choices, painful pasts, and yet the heart wants what the heart wants, right? That’s how I felt about these two lovers, both strong and stubborn at the same time, neither willing to admit that they were wrong, but the love they share refuses to die. How romantic!

But this story isn’t only about two lovers, it’s about the sphere of influence surrounding them as they struggle through the complicated mess that is their life, which includes family, friends and career. Life isn’t always pretty, but the joy is that much sweeter when you search for it.

I hope you enjoy Trace and Delainey’s love story; I certainly enjoyed writing it.

Hearing from readers is a special joy. Please feel free to drop me a line via email through my website, at www.kimberlyvanmeter.com (http://www.kimberlyvanmeter.com), or through snail mail, at Kimberly Van Meter, P.O. Box 2210, Oakdale, CA 95361.

Kimberly Van Meter

A Real Live Hero

Kimberly Van Meter

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kimberly Van Meter wrote her first book at sixteen and finally achieved publication in December 2006. She writes for the Mills & Boon Superromance and Mills & Boon Romantic Suspense lines. She and her husband of seventeen years have three children, three cats and always a houseful of friends, family and fun.

A writer relies on many research tools to aid the task of creating a completely fictitious world, and while the internet has become an invaluable tool in that endeavor, talking to knowledgeable people cannot be beat.

To that end, I’d like to thank Hollywood producers Jeff Mercer and Christina Villegas for answering my many questions about producing a reality show on location in Alaska.

Any mistakes are my own and no reflection of their true talents!

And to my son, Jaidyn…I am so proud of the young man you’re turning into.

I know you’ll go far no matter where you go or what you do in life.

Contents

Chapter One (#u2f43143c-0d81-58d4-acc3-0cdfc9c5c0bd)

Chapter Two (#uf27e28db-ed57-54fe-a43e-dc80ea7c360d)

Chapter Three (#u64f8a10c-b43e-5a18-9628-f84bd8f8efd7)

Chapter Four (#u1c08499e-dfae-5996-9057-dbf392ceadb8)

Chapter Five (#u3085611b-a005-53c6-813b-84f4c43cd709)

Chapter Six (#u6d4e0bc7-47cf-59b1-81c2-142b9b541972)

Chapter Seven (#u7d6d1d90-c6db-5b4e-ab51-10c981e3f514)

Chapter Eight (#u82d84664-a7b6-56a5-9e33-b3ec9228d37e)

Chapter Nine (#uda126fae-ea48-5c17-8cc8-a83b5ea4cde7)

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)