Rule #2âNever get involved with a guest
Abigail Fitzgerald has always followed her mamaâs rules when it comes to running their familyâs B and B. But her mama never had to resist a man like Grayson Smythe. A long-term guest, Gray spends his evenings having dinner with Abby in her kitchenâand itâs not long before their attraction begins to sizzle.
Although Grayâs kisses are a delicious distraction, Abbyâs priorities are the B and B and the dream of opening her own restaurant. And Gray definitely has the means to help her. But when money seems to be all he can offer, Abby suspects she might get burned.
âActions speak louder than words.â
Tears trickled down Abigailâs cheek. The ice in her eyes frightened Gray. âIâm going back to Savannah. Iâm going home.â
âAbby.â This couldnât be happening. Not when he was in love with her. âStay. Please.â
âWeâre done.â She wheeled her bag around him.
Desperate, he blurted out, âI think Iâm in love with you.â
She stopped. Her shoulders shook. She turned around, pity filled her face. âYou canât buy my love, Gray. Thatâs not how it works. Itâs something I would have given freely.â
Panic bubbled inside his chest like lava in a volcano ready to blow. âIâm not trying to buy your love.â
She didnât even stop.
He ripped a hand through his hair. Heâd been trying to help her, for Godâs sake, and sheâd thrown everything back in his face. He told her he loved her. He had the money. He could fix her problems. Make her life easier. Why wouldnât the stubborn woman let him help?
Dear Reader,
Thank you for purchasing my debut Mills & Boon Superromance novel.
Southern Comforts is about sistersâa subject I know well. I have three of my own. And they are the reason this story came to life.
My sisters and I visited Savannah and I fell in love with this lush, quirky, vibrant city. In the magical historic district, oak trees drip with Spanish moss and squares are filled with fountains, statues and flowers. Ghost stories abound. The city made me wonder.
What if a group of sisters were struggling to run a bed-and-breakfast in their familyâs old mansion? Maybe the oldest sister, a chef, has big dreams but every dollar is poured into the business? Why not force her to feed a cynical, rich developer for six months? Will her lack of money and his wealth put barriers on their developing relationship?
Settle back with a glass of sweet tea and one of Abbyâs brandy pecan bars and find out if Abby and Gray can find their happily-ever-after.
Iâd love to hear what you think. Please contact me through my websiteânandixon.com. Or stop on over if you want some of Abbyâs recipes.
Happy reading,
Nan Dixon
NAN DIXON spent her formative years as an actress, singer, dancer and competitive golfer. But the need to eat had her studying accounting in college. Unfortunately, being a successful financial executive didnât feed her passion to perform. When the pharmaceutical company she worked for was purchased, Nan got the chance of a lifetimeâthe opportunity to pursue a writing career. Sheâs a five-time Golden Heart finalist and lives in the Midwest where she is active in her local RWA chapter and on the board of a dance company. She has five children, two sons-in-law, one grandchild, a husband and one neurotic cat.
To Mom and Dadâyou taught me to work hard to make my dreams come true. I wish you were here to celebrate with me.
To my familyâno one can top your enthusiasm, support and laughter. Don, Nicholas, Meghan, Dan, Allison, Joe, Anne, Matthew, little Lily, Dad E and Diana. My characters would be lucky to be blessed with loud, crazy, loving families just like ours.
Special thanks go out to my writing community. First, my critique groupsâAnn Hinnenkamp, Ann Holliday, Neroli Lacey, Greta MacEachern, Leanne Farrell and Kathryn Kohorst. Youâve put up with my messy drafts, lack of conflict, lack of scene goals and pushed me to become a better writer. Second, my Golden Heart sisters: the Unsinkables, Starcatchers, Lucky13s and Dreamweavers. When Iâve stumbled, you picked me up, dusted me off and pushed me back into the fight. Even better, youâre there to celebrate my successesâProsecco for all! And I canât forget my RWA chapter, Midwest Fiction Writers. Our authors are gracious and willing to share their knowledge. They know how to pay it forward. Thank you.
I also want to thank the people who took a chance on meâLaura Bradford and Megan Long. I appreciate your confidence and advice.
And finally, this book is for my sistersâMo, Sue and Trish. Without our weekend, I never would have written Southern Comforts. (Where are we going this year and will I get another series idea?)