Magnolia Bride

Married for a day, in love for life

Nealy Grainger knew that returning to Cypress Pointe meant an inevitable encounter with her teenage crush, and momentary husband, Dane Peterson. She could handle it. She wasn’t the wounded girl who’d left Cypress Pointe years ago, heartbroken and furious when Dane had annulled their marriage the day after they’d eloped.

Now one of L.A.’s most in-demand celebrity event planners, Nealy’s only come back for a vacation and to help with her sister’s wedding—not for a reunion with her long-lost love. But the more their paths cross, the more the sparks fly! Maybe their connection isn’t over just yet….

He turned to her. “This is a disaster.”

She couldn’t argue. Juliet’s party had been reduced to a manic free-for-all.

He tightened his grip on her hand and a memory flashed of the day they’d gone to the courthouse to say their vows. He’d held her hand just as tightly then. The promise of a future together had made her giddy, and she’d stuttered when it came time to say “I do.”

Standing next to Dane now, so close she could feel his body heat, made her heart race. Just one touch from Dane and she reverted back to a love-struck teenager? She couldn’t let Dane get to her. They’d had their moment in time and blew it. She would not let these jumbled feelings for him ruin years of healing the wound he’d inflicted.

No. Not now.

Dear Reader,

Who said do-overs are easy?

When Nealy returns home for her sister’s engagement party, she is shocked to run into her ex, Dane. One look at Nealy, the girl who got away, and Dane knows he has to try to win her back. What could possibly go wrong?

Second chances sound romantic, but we all know the journey to true love is usually rocky. And believe me, Nealy and Dane have a bumpy road ahead of them. Joining our struggling characters on their journey to happiness is what we love to read about: the discovery of who the characters are, what makes them tick and most important, whether or not they will overcome the odds and get together. Trust me, Nealy and Dane have their work cut out for them every step of the way.

So, dear reader, welcome back to Cypress Pointe. Pour yourself a glass of sweet iced tea and pull up a comfy chair to spend a few hours with new friends. When you close the book, please visit me at www.tararandel.com and tell me what you think of Nealy and Dane’s romance.

Enjoy!

Tara Randel

Magnolia Bride

Tara Randel

TARA RANDEL

has enjoyed a lifelong love of books, especially romance, so it came as no surprise when she began writing with the dream of becoming published. Family values, a bit of mystery and, of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the west coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets and beautiful weather inspire the creation of heartwarming stories. This is her second book for Mills & Boon Heartwarming.

To my good friends Nikki and Kelley. You are both very special people and you mean so much to me.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

Copyright

PROLOGUE

NEALY HOOKED ONE FOOT over the sill before hauling herself up and out the window. Her heart was pounding with excitement as she landed on the soft grass. She’d made sure the coast was clear, checking on her sleeping parents before slipping away. They’d made it very clear they didn’t like her sneaking around and ignoring her curfew, but who cared? Ever since she and Dane had started dating, she wanted to be with him every second. And if it meant getting in trouble, again, he was worth it. No way would she let being grounded keep her from the party Dane was throwing for her birthday.

He’d told her to join him at midnight. Right on time, she jogged onto the beach, her flip-flops kicking up sand as she ran, heading toward the beacon of a roaring bonfire. Once she arrived, Dane pulled her into his embrace.

“Happy birthday.”

She threw her arms around his neck. “You are my hero.”

He grinned, a lock of his long hair falling into his eyes. “And the best boyfriend ever.”

“That, too.”

“C’mon.” He took her hand and led her toward the action. A group of girls, including her good friend Lilli, hugged her, giggling as they pointed to the boys gathered at the far side of the fire. Knowing the boys as she did, they were most likely up to no good.

“Are you sure this was a smart idea, Nealy?” Leave it to Lilli to voice a concern, always worried about getting into trouble. “When your parents find out you snuck off again, they’ll ground you forever.”

Nealy laughed. “It won’t be forever. Once I leave for college I can do whatever I want.”

“Like you don’t do whatever you want now?” Marianne, her friend from homeroom, snickered.