From New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery comes the story of secret desires finally fulfilledâ¦
After a family tragedy, former football hero Jack McGarry keeps the world at armâs lengthâa challenge now that his PR firm has moved to neighborly Foolâs Gold, California.
Larissa Owens knows where she standsâJack sees her as just another one of the guys. No matter what her heart wishes, Jackâs her boss, not her boyfriend. But then Larissaâs big secret is revealedâ¦by her mother!
When Jack discovers the truth about Larissaâs feelings, her touch suddenly becomes tantalizing, and heâs not sure he wants to resist. But if he gives in to desire, heartache is sure to follow. Friendship or true loveâwill Jack go for the ultimate play?
Praise for New York Times bestselling author
Susan Mallery
âThis book is a dynamite read filled with humor, compassion and sexy sizzle.â
âRT Book Reviews on Three Little Words, Top Pick!
âBoth smile and tear inducing. Mallery is one of a kind.â
âRT Book Reviews on Two of a Kind, Top Pick!
âMallery delivers another engaging romance in magical Foolâs Gold.â
âKirkus Reviews on Just One Kiss
âIn her second Blackberry Island novel, Mallery has again created an engrossing tale of emotional growth and the healing power of friendship as these three âsistersâ meet lifeâs challenges.â
âLibrary Journal on Three Sisters
âThe wildly popular and prolific Mallery can always be counted on to tell an engaging story of modern romance.â
âBooklist on Summer Nights
âMallery infuses her story with eccentricity, gentle humor, and small-town shenanigans, and readers...will enjoy the connection between Heidi and Rafe.â
âPublishers Weekly on Summer Days
âRomance novels donât get much better than Malleryâs expert blend of emotional nuance, humor and superb storytelling.â
âBooklist
âSusan Mallery is one of my favorites.â
â#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber
To 2013 Foolâs Gold Co-Head Cheerleader Jayme. Meeting you last summer was a highlight of my year. You embody the spirit of Foolâs Goldâyouâre sweet, youâre fun, and you have a lot of heart. Thank you for everything! This story is especially for you.
Being the âmomâ of an adorable, spoiled little dog, I know the joy that pets can bring to our lives. Animal welfare is a cause I have long supported. For me that means giving to Seattle Humane. At their 2013 Tuxes and Tails fundraiser, I offered âYour pet in a romance novel.â
In this book you will meet a wonderful cat named Dyna. Sheâs a beautiful Ragdoll with incredible eyes and a loving, gentle disposition. Her family was one of two auction winners, and this is her story.
One of the things that makes writing special is interacting in different ways with people. Some I talk to for research. Some are readers who want to talk characters and story lines, and some are fabulous pet parents. Dynaâs family is devoted to her. I loved hearing all the stories about her life. What a sweetie! Sheâs such a beautiful cat that she inspired a series of humorous conversations between my heroine and her new cat. Larissa, my human heroine, is a little nervous about measuring up to Dynaâs beauty. :)
My thanks to Dynaâs family, to Dyna herself and to the wonderful people at Seattle Humane (www.seattlehumane.org). Because every pet deserves a loving family.
CHAPTER ONE
âYOU KNOW WHY Iâm here.â
Mrs. Nancy Owens made the statement with a firm voice and an unyielding stare. All of which were impressive.
Unfortunately for Jack McGarry, he didnât have a clue as to what she was talking about.
He knew a lot of things. He knew the L.A. Stallions wouldnât get to the Super Bowl this year, that his right shoulder ached when it was going to rain, that there was a saucy merlot waiting in his kitchen and that while every part of his being wanted to bolt right now rather than have this conversation, he couldnât. Because Mrs. Owens was Larissaâs mother and even if she wasnât, she was old enough to be his mother and heâd been raised better.
âMaâam?â
Mrs. Owens sighed. âIâm talking about my daughter.â
Right. But the woman had three. âLarissa?â
âOf course Larissa. Who else? You moved your business to this godforsaken town and my daughter moved with you and now sheâs here.â
An excellent recap, he thought, struggling to find the point.
âYou donât like Foolâs Gold,â he said, stating what was probably the obvious.
âI neither like nor dislike the town.â Her tone implied he was an idiot. âThatâs not the point. Larissa is here.â
He knew that, what with signing her paycheckâfiguratively rather than literallyâand seeing her every day. But Mrs. Owens already knew that, too.