A risk worth taking
From the moment they meet, Matt Boyd knows Rachel Wainwright is The One. Doesnât matter that heâs from the wrong side of town or that her family has bigger plans for her. They belong togetherâand they defy the odds to be with each other. Contrary to what everyone says, they will make it.
But when an unexpected tragedy drives a wedge between them, everything they share seems in jeopardy. Matt knows Rachel deserves the truth about what happened. Yet that truth could turn her away from himâ¦forever. Before itâs too late, he needs to remind her that this relationship is worth fighting for.
âYou knew we were meant to be together. We still are.â
Matt sized her up. And Rachel knew all too well the sensuous grin that followed. She didnât want to experience that same old desire for him, yet it crept along her flesh, leaving a blanket of goose bumps.
He moved closer. âYouâre still sexy as hell. And we can still be good together.â
âSleeping together isnât going to solve our problems.â
âBut it might make us forget them for a while.â
When she turned to protest, he reeled her in for a kiss. A sultry, suggestive kiss. She couldnât remember the last time theyâd kissed this way. Couldnât remember the last time theyâd been this close. She did recall all those nights sheâd needed him, but anger and resentment had prevented her from acting on that need.
Sheâd forgotten how good he felt in her arms. Truthfully, she hadnât let herself remember. But now it all came back to her, all the things sheâd come to appreciate over the years. The way heâd always held her in the aftermath, making her feel secure and cherished. Loved.
Dear Reader,
Iâve often wondered how people who marry at a young age manage to stay married, particularly when the odds seem stacked against them. Truth is, Iâve known two couples who are still happily united after thirty-plus years. Iâve found they share several common traitsâmutual respect, the ability to grow and change together, a shared sense of humor and above all, an abiding love for each other. Out of curiosity, I asked one of those wives her secret for long-term success. She simply answered that she couldnât imagine her life without her husband. That depth of commitment seems to say it all.
But what happens when two seemingly happily married people face a devastating loss that threatens to tear them apart? Thatâs what this story is all about. A couple who make a few wrong choices for all the right reasons. Choices that could make or break the marriage, because sometimes love isnât quite enough.
I hope you enjoy this emotional ending to the Delta Secrets series. Iâm admittedly sad to say goodbye to my fictional friends known as the âsix-pack,â but I hope youâve enjoyed reading about their journeys as much as Iâve enjoyed writing them.
All the best!
Kristi Gold
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kristi Gold has a fondness for baseball, beaches and bridal reality shows. Sheâs always believed that love has remarkable healing powers and feels very fortunate to be able to weave emotional stories highlighting love and commitment. As a bestselling author, National Readersâ Choice winner and a three-time Romance Writers of America RITA® Award finalist, Kristi has learned that although accolades are wonderful, the most cherished rewards come from networking with readers. You may contact Kristi through her website at http://kristigold.com, Facebook or through email at [email protected].
To my amazing children, Ashley, Kendall and Jordan, whoâve taught me that itâs the little things in lifeâand loveâthat matter most.
PROLOGUE
AS THEY TRAVELED the winding roads threading through the Smoky Mountains, Rachel Wainwright sent a sideways glance at Matthew Boyd, the boy whoâd been the center of her existence for the past six years. Threads of gold glinted in his light brown hair, complementing his bright blue eyes that he kept trained on the road ahead. Sheâd left her home and financial security behind to make this ultimate journey with him, defying her father and, as some would say, the odds.
But before they went any further with their plans, she had to know if he was truly ready to take the next stepâmarriage. âAre you sure you want to do this?â
Matt turned down the radio and gave her only a quick look before returning his attention straight ahead. âOnly if youâll promise me one thing.â
She would promise him just about anything. âOkay.â
âYou wonât ask me again if Iâm sure.â He topped off the comment with a grin, the one sheâd fallen in love with in the second grade, even if she hadnât fallen completely in love with him until five years later. That in itself had posed a problem. She was the daughter of a millionaire, and he the son of a mill worker. Her daddy had never accepted her relationship with Matt, but she hadnât let that stop her. Still, heâd be furious if he knew she was eloping, not attending freshman orientation at the university. When all was said and done, heâd have to learn to live with itâprovided Matt didnât change his mind.