Sheâs ready for that second chance...
But will he believe sheâs changed?
When she fled Baltimore after a near-fatal accident that left her dependent on painkillers, Lillie Rourke had lost everything. Now, emotionally healed, sheâs ready to make amends and start over. But Jase Yeager has moved on, and who can blame him? Yet Lillie isnât giving upâon her or them. Earning back Jaseâs trust wonât be easy, but Lillieâs no stranger to challenges...
LOREE LOUGH once sang for her supper. That space reserved in pubs for âthe piano ladyâ? Well, thatâs where she sat, strumming her Yamaha in cities all over the United States and Canada. Now and then, she blows the dust from the old six-string to croon a tune or two, but mostly, she writes. She feels blessed that most of her stories have earned four- and five-star reviews, but what Loree is most proud of are her Readersâ Choice Awards.
Loree and her husband live in a Baltimore suburb and enjoy spending time at their cozy cabin in Pennsylvaniaâs Allegheny Mountains (where she has nearly perfected her critter-tracking skills). They have two lovely daughters and seven âgrandorables,â and because she believes in giving back, Loree donates generously to charity (see the full list at loreelough.com).
Loree loves hearing from her readers, some of whom have become lifelong friends! Find her on Facebook, Twitter or Pinterest.
Also By Loree Lough
By Way of the Lighthouse
The Man She Knew
Bringing Rosie Home
Those Marshall Boys
Once a Marine
Sweet Mountain Rancher The Firefighterâs Refrain
Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk
ISBN: 978-1-474-08496-3
THE REDEMPTION OF LILLIE ROURKE
© 2018 Loree Lough
Published in Great Britain 2018
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
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âYouâre crying again.â
Lillie swiped at her traitorous tears. What right did she have to feel sorry for herself? Her disappointments had been self-inflicted, unlike those sheâd thrust onto Jase.
Before she knew what was happening, heâd drawn her into a loose hug.
âI know how hard youâve been trying, Lill.â He pressed his lips to her temple. âItâs clear youâre working hard to stay clean. This time.â
Who knew two little words could sting as much as a cold slap?
Lillie tried to back away, but the powder room was small. She had nowhere to go.
âLike I said before, youâre stubborn. You can beat this thing...if you want it badly enough.â
Lillie felt like shouting, If? This time? Iâve already beat it! Iâve been clean for more than a year, and Iâm going to stay that way!
It wasnât until he lifted her chin on a bent forefinger that she realized sheâd said it all out loud.
âI know that, and Iâm proud of you.â
Lillie studied his face, searching for signs of sincerity. Or doubt. Relief flooded through her when a slow smile lit his face. She summoned every ounce of willpower she had.
Because if he kept looking at her that wayâthe way he had before sheâd destroyed themâLillie feared she might say something to mess up the little bit of good sheâd just earned in his eyes.
Dear Reader,
Whether weâve watched a loved one plummet to rock bottom, supported a friend whose family member has succumbed to the disease or been there ourselves, addiction has touched so many of us.