Lost And Found Family
Is their loss too much to overcome?It’s been a year since her son died, and Emma Mallory can’t forgive herself. She’s dealing with her loss the only way she knows how—throwing herself into work. But spending all her time growing her business takes her further and further away from her husband.Christian is finding his own way through the grief. He’s determined that whatever happens, he won’t lose his wife, too. If he can just remind Emma what they had, and could have again, he might be able to bring her back. Even forgive her. If not, they might lose each other for good…
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Is their loss too much to overcome?
Itâs been a year since her son died, and Emma Mallory canât forgive herself. Sheâs dealing with her loss the only way she knows howâthrowing herself into work. But spending all her time growing her business takes her further and further away from her husband.
Christian is finding his own way through the grief. Heâs determined that whatever happens, he wonât lose his wife, too. If he can just remind Emma what they had, and could have again, he might be able to bring her back. Even forgive her. If not, they might lose each other for good...
âHey, good-looking,â she murmured, then blushed.
Her teasing had come without thinking, as it might have less than a year ago. After their quarrel last night it sounded false.
Yet Christianâs eyes had warmed for a second. He turned to his father and the other men in the group, his tone a shade too hearty. âAm I a lucky man, or what?â
Southern gentlemen to the core, they all politely agreed. She gave her father-in-law a quick kiss on the cheek then slid her hand into Christianâs. âWe need to circulate.â
She and Christian continued across the room, greeting people here and there until an older woman swooped down on them in a flash of blue organza. Emma couldnât remember her name, but she was one of Frankieâs charity friends. She hugged Christian then cast a glance at Emmaâs dress. âLovely, my dear,â she murmured. âAnd how brave of you to come.â
She patted Emmaâs bare shoulder.
âIn your place I wouldnât be able to leave the house.â
We never know what fate will hand us, do we? In Lost and Found Family, Christian Mallory has gotten a second chance with his new wife, Emma. Together, they share the family heâs always wanted, the family Emma badly needs. Life is good.
But then, their world is shattered, and both Christian and Emma wonder if they should even try to go on together. Every attempt to deal with their loss only seems to drive them further apart. Is love strong enough to heal their family, their marriage, Emma and Christian themselves?
I know, if not exactly, how they must feel. In real life, I once came dangerously close to losing my younger son. Heâd done a wonderful thing in adopting a rescue kitten, but she also carried cat-scratch fever, which can be devastating and, in rare cases, fatal. The âbugâ spread to my sonâs brain, and for one terrible day and night I feared he wouldnât survive. Happily, he didâalthough the doctors told him he shouldnât even be here! Heâs fine again, healthy and happy. I danced at his wedding. But as you might guess, I havenât been quite the same person ever since.
Neither are Christian and Emma in this story. How could they be? A tragic, or near-tragic, experience changes you forever. Yet with luck, it also makes you stronger. It makes you appreciate life, and love, even more.
I hope youâll enjoy taking this journey from loss to love and hope again with Christian and Emma. I think theyâre worth the trip.
Happy reading!
Best,
Leigh
LEIGH RIKER, like many readers and writers, grew up with her nose in a book. She still canât imagine a better way to spend her time than to curl up with a good romance novelâunless it is to write one! Sheâs a member of the Authors Guild, Novelists, Inc. and Romance Writers of America. When not in her home office, sheâs either in the garden, watching movies funny and sad, or traveling (for research purposes, of course). With added âhelpâ from her mischievous Maine coon cat, sheâs at work now on a new novel. You can find Leigh on her website, leighriker.com, on Facebook at LeighRikerAuthor and on Twitter, @lbrwriter.
For our horse, Windsor Castle, the inspiration for the General in this story. When he passed, the owner of the barn where heâd lived wrote: âHe was a noble old guy and will be greatly missed. Goodbye, old friend.â
Contents
December...
IâM LATE, Emma Mallory thought, feeling like the White Rabbit. Iâm so late.
She had a million things left on the dayâs to-do list. When did she not?
With a sigh of frustration, she glanced down the main aisle of the barn. Sheâd already tried walking toward the doors that led to the parking area, but Owen hadnât followed her.
Her three-year-old still stood on his tiptoes, trying to look through the bars of a stall at his fatherâs horse. She didnât know who loved that horse more, her little boy or her husband.
And where was Christian? Heâd promised to meet them here after work. Sheâd had barely any time to stop tonight, and now none at all.
