Cinderella Story Part 2

36 Hours Serial

As a devastating summer storm hits Grand Springs, Colorado, the next thirty-six hours will change the town and its residents forever….

Cinderella Story Part 2

Nina Lindstrom and Alex Bennett are from two different worlds. But since that stormy night at the lodge, a business arrangement has brought the waitress and the millionaire together. Alex’s grandfather think’s they’re engaged—a little fantasy Nina’s willing to indulge while Alex pays Tommy’s hospital bills.

When Alex has another proposal for Nina, it seems to be business as usual for him. His offer could make life so much easier for the widow and her son. But it’s not so easy for Nina to separate her head and her heart.

The story concludes in Cinderella Story Part 3.

Dear Reader,

In the town of Grand Springs, Colorado, a devastating summer storm sets off a string of events that changes the lives of the residents forever….

Welcome to Mills & Boon exciting new digital serial, 36 Hours! In this thirty-six part serial share the stories of the residents of Grand Springs, Colorado, in the wake of a deadly storm.

With the power knocked out and mudslides washing over the roads, the town is plunged into darkness and the residents are forced to face their biggest fears—and find love against all odds.

Each week features a new story written by a variety of bestselling authors like Susan Mallery and Sharon Sala. The stories are published in three segments, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and the first segment of every three-part book is free, so you can get caught up in the mystery and drama of Grand Springs. And you can get to know a new set of characters every week. You can read just one, but as the lives and stories of each intertwine in surprising ways, you’ll want to read them all!

Join Mills & Boon E every week as we bring you excitement, mystery, fun and romance in 36 Hours!

Happy reading!

About the Author

Elizabeth August lives on the eastern shore of Maryland with her husband. She is a cancer survivor and very grateful that she has been here to watch their three sons mature and marry. She is especially grateful for her five grandsons, who constantly keep her entertained. Elizabeth and her husband play Duplicate Bridge, and she is fond of playing poker, primarily Texas Hold’em. She has written many novels under the pseudonyms of Betsy Page, Elizabeth Douglas and Elizabeth August.

Elizabeth August

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

The storm that hit Grand Springs, Colorado, without warning left massive destruction in its path. But not all was ruined. An amazing thing happened during that blackout: Nina met Alex. The waitress and the millionaire. Sounds like a fairy tale. And when he shows up as her knight in shining armor to pay for her son’s surgery, it’s all too good to be true. So what if she has to pretend to be his fiancée for a little while to fool his dying grandfather. No big deal, right? She should just enjoy it while it lasts. A romantic tryst. No strings attached. But when it ends, as all things must, how will she explain Alex’s departure to her children while her own heart is breaking?

Nina Lindstrom sat beside her son’s hospital bed, holding his hand while he slept. Just checking in had been traumatic for the six-year-old.

Standing on the other side of the bed, Alex Bennett looked down at the boy’s pale face. “I wish there had been some way I could have eased his fear when they took the sample of his blood.”

Nina had noticed Alex’s discomfort but had thought he simply didn’t like needles. Now she realized that he was honestly concerned about Tommy.

“No matter how much we want to, we can’t protect children from all of life’s pains,” she said, repeating what she told herself every time one of her kids suffered from a cut or bruise or an unkind comment from a playmate.

Alex shrugged. “Maybe it’s just as well. It’s the struggles that make us strong.”

“And discover who we are,” she added, more to herself than to him.

Alex studied her with interest. “You sound as if you only recently made that discovery.”

Nina leaned back in her chair and met his gaze. “I didn’t realize it until after Tom’s death. Before that, I was like a shadow of a person. Growing up, I was my father’s little girl. Both my mother and I allowed him to make our decisions for us…we made little ones, but he always made the important ones. After he died, I turned to Tom and let him take care of me.” She frowned introspectively. “I’m not being critical of my father or Tom. The truth is, I liked being taken care of. But it kept me from maturing. Then suddenly, overnight, I had to become an adult, responsible for three other lives.”

“I’d say you’ve done a very good job.”

Her gaze returned to Tommy and her chin trembled. “Sometimes I get really scared that I will fail them.”