A Rare Find

A Rare Find
Tracy Kelleher

How does a rule-abiding, accomplished woman fall for a rebel college dropout? It's something rare-books curator Penelope Bigelow is still trying to figure out! Regardless of what logic she tries to use, the proof remains that when celebrity chef Nicholas Rheinhardt is around, her composure takes a vacation.With all the reunion festivities, it's hard to avoid him…especially since he needs her expertise in antiquities for an upcoming episode of his cable travel show.Too bad the past isn't what Penelope's focusing on when she's with Nick. There's more to him than his infamous reputation–and that intrigues her. Penelope isn't looking for perfection…even though Nick's coming very close!

She’s always lived her life by the book…

How does a rule-abiding, accomplished woman fall for a rebel college dropout? It’s something rare-books curator Penelope Bigelow is still trying to figure out! Regardless of what logic she tries to use, the proof remains that when celebrity chef Nicholas Rheinhardt is around, her composure takes a vacation. With all the reunion festivities, it’s hard to avoid him…especially since he needs her expertise in antiquities for an upcoming episode of his cable travel show.

Too bad the past isn’t what Penelope’s focusing on when she’s with Nick. There’s more to him than his infamous reputation—and that intrigues her. Penelope isn’t looking for perfection…even though Nick’s coming very close!

“What is it you really want?”

Nick took a step closer. It wasn’t a threatening move, but definitely allowed him to enter Penelope’s personal space.

Penelope didn’t retreat. Instead, she raised her head to look him directly in the eye.

He noticed the throb of that vein in her forehead again and felt an irresistible urge to stroke it. But he didn’t.

He wet his lips and said in a low voice, “Well, now that you mention it, I want you to come to Hoagie Palace with us tonight.”

She tilted her head. “Why?”

“It’ll be fun.”

“And after tonight?”

He searched her eyes to try to figure out what she was thinking, but he found himself distracted, confused…more than confused. But in a very good way.

Dear Reader,

Confession time: After graduating from Yale University with a degree in history, I had a fellowship to study in Rome, Italy. When I wasn’t practicing my Italian and exploring the city, I did research on early-medieval manuscripts in the Vatican Library. Ever since then, I’ve wanted to incorporate the fascinating world of rare books and manuscripts into a contemporary romance. Well, now I finally get my chance.

My heroine, Penelope Bigelow, is the curator at Grantham University’s Rare Book Library, and she gets to educate my hero, Nicholas Rheinhardt, on the wonders of old handwriting and the timeless beauty of historic documents. Nick is a Grantham dropout who’s achieved celebrity and notoriety as a chef and travel-show host. He’s in town to give a Class Day speech for the graduates and film an episode of his show. Can you say yin and yang? Oil and water? Total attraction?

The question is, how do you know when someone or something is the genuine article? When do the heart and the mind come together to trust that something so unique can exist in ways you never even dared to dream?

In this case, the answer’s not written in the stars, but on the folios.

As always, I love to hear from my readers. Just email me at tracyk@tracykelleher.com.

Tracy Kelleher

A Rare Find

Tracy Kelleher

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tracy sold her first story to a children’s magazine when she was ten years old. Writing was clearly in her blood, though fiction was put on hold while she received degrees from Yale and Cornell, traveled the world, worked in advertising, became a staff reporter and later a magazine editor. She also managed to raise a family. Is it any surprise she escapes to the world of fiction?

This book is dedicated to my great friend and fabulous cook Inkyung Yi.

Only you could have two sets of twins and somehow look so terrific.

Contents

CHAPTER ONE (#u8a08040b-3b35-501f-86f2-f4c93660339a)

CHAPTER TWO (#u12206fe7-ae78-52b5-80f6-71fd9d06dcc7)

CHAPTER THREE (#u8af13c4b-1dcf-51c2-85d8-c67e5242bd3a)

CHAPTER FOUR (#u8c3c7292-5468-50b7-b9ff-fcb63d6248c4)

CHAPTER FIVE (#u3033adaf-42b1-5a54-82e1-e9e341af01e8)

CHAPTER SIX (#uf71af614-4d65-5f25-9c36-d973411dca18)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#uf167839b-59d9-58fb-bd80-63336bbe3546)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#u9531aeb0-d642-5794-b84e-7fa717c78ef8)

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)