Long-Lost Mom
A classic novel of second chances and redemption from New York Times best-selling author Jill Shalvis.Single mom Jenna Loggins came from the wrong side of the tracks, but she'd vowed to give her beloved baby a better life. So ten years ago desperate Jenna fled, leaving her daughter in the care of Stone Cameron, the child's father and the son of the richest family in town.But a near-fatal car crash has given Jenna a second chance to make things right for the man and the child she loved but left behind. Now Jenna's back—with a new name and face—and Stone is drawn to the mysterious beauty. Can Jenna risk telling Stone and her daughter the truth, or will she have to hide behind the face of a stranger forever?
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A classic novel of second chances and redemption from New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis.
Single mom Jenna Loggins came from the wrong side of the tracks, but she’d vowed to give her beloved baby a better life. So ten years ago desperate Jenna fled, leaving her daughter in the care of Stone Cameron, the child’s father and the son of the richest family in town.
But a near-fatal car crash has given Jenna a second chance to make things right for the man and the child she loved but left behind. Now Jenna’s back—with a new name and face—and Stone is drawn to the mysterious beauty. Can Jenna risk telling Stone and her daughter the truth, or will she have to hide behind the face of a stranger forever?
Her goal hadn’t changed,
Jenna reassured herself as she watched Stone move toward her. She still wanted to atone for the things she’d done. But if she told Stone the truth about who she was, he would turn from her, his eyes icy and distant.
But as Cindy Beatty, a complete stranger, she could do anything.
Stone held her gaze as he came close. Jenna couldn’t have looked away to save her life, not when so pinned by his burning intensity.
And she knew by the very power of what shimmered between them that it was the same for him—except he had no idea that this...thing between them was not new, that it had been there since the very beginning.
“Hello,” Stone said in that voice like dark honey. “It’s... Cindy, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” she murmured, sealing her fate with yet another lie. “It’s Cindy.”
Happy New Year! And welcome to another month of great reading from Silhouette Intimate Moments, just perfect for sitting back after the hectic holidays. You’ll love Marilyn Pappano’s Murphy’s Law, a MEN IN BLUE title set in New Orleans, with all that city’s trademark steam. You’ll remember Jack Murphy and Evie DesJardiens long after you put down this book, I promise you.
We’ve got some great miniseries titles this month, too. Welcome back to Carla Cassidy’s Western town of MUSTANG, MONTANA in Code Name: Cowboy. Then pay a visit to Margaret Watson’s CAMERON, UTAH in Cowboy with a Badge. And of course, don’t forget our other titles this month. Look for Dangerous To Love, by Sally Tyler Hayes, a book whose title I personally find irresistible. And we’ve got books from a couple of our newest stars, too. Jill Shalvis checks in with Long-Lost Mom, and Virginia Kantra pens our FAMILIES ARE FOREVER title, The Passion of Patrick MacNeill.
Enjoy them all—and be sure to come back next month for more of the most exciting romantic reading around, right here in Silhouette Intimate Moments.
Yours,
Leslie J. Wainger
Executive Senior Editor
JILL SHALVIS
When pressed for an answer on why she writes romance, Jill Shalvis just smiles and says she didn’t realize there was anything else. She’s written over a dozen novels so far, and doesn’t plan on stopping. She lives in California, in a house filled with young children, too many animals and her hero/husband.
To Matrice, for believing in me, even when I didn’t. Thank you!
Table of Contents
He came every year without fail. Same day, same time, and he wondered, as he always did, if Jenna knew it. If she was haunted by their past, too.
Of course she wasn’t, and never had been.
Annoyed at himself, Stone Cameron tossed a curious squirrel a handful of his trail mix. “This is the last year I do this,” he told the animal over the roar of the surf.
The squirrel sat up on its haunches, hoping for more.
Stone tossed some more food, then laughed in spite of himself when the greedy thing tried to eat it all on the spot.
“Oh...my God.”
At the soft gasp Stone shifted on the large rock and looked over his shoulder.
A woman stood on the sand of the deserted beach, covered from head to toe in black. Black trousers, black hooded wool coat, gloves and boots. The early-morning spring sun spilled over her, bathing her in a golden glow, and for an instant she looked so familiar his heart all but stopped.
Jenna.
A shaft of pain sliced through him, neatly destroying his calm. For a moment he’d thought she’d come back, but he knew now that was impossible.
Jenna Loggins was gone. Long gone.
And he was glad.
The woman standing before him appeared rigid, practically unbreathing. All he could see of her was her nose, but somehow it was enough to know she was deeply troubled.
Great. For the past ten years Stone had made it a habit to stay away from women in distress. Far away.
The woman, medium height and willowy as a reed, suddenly swayed on her feet as though feeling faint.
Dammit. “Are you all right?” His voice was rougher and grittier than he would have liked, but sitting here, in this precise spot, where he hadn’t been in an entire year, was tearing his guts out.
