Their Unfinished Business
Even after ten years Ali Conlan's heart still beat too strongly for the man who had left without a goodbye–and her body still responded to his bad-boy confidence and winning smile. But she knew his visit was all about business and his partnership in her family's resort.Or was Luke's real reason for returning to Trillium about unfinished business of a different sort…with her?
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Harlequin Romance® presents…
Jackie Braun
Her believable characters and fresh voice will pull you into the drama…and have you turning the pages all night long!
Saying Yes to the Boss #3905
Dear Reader,
A woman’s first love holds a very special place in her heart. All these years later, I can still remember what I was wearing when I received my first real kiss, as well as the maudlin songs I played over and over on the stereo when that boy dumped me for someone else.
Ali Conlan’s childhood sweetheart broke her heart, too. First loves never last. Or do they? In exploring that question I came up with Their Unfinished Business.
As the title implies, Luke and Ali have not quite gotten over their past relationship. Of course, both of them like to think they have. Luke is now a successful businessman, but when he returns to Trillium Island as an investor in the Conlans’ resort, he soon realizes that what he and Ali once shared is exactly what his life has been missing the past ten years. My headstrong heroine takes some convincing, though.
I hope you enjoy the second story of my CONLANS OF TRILLIUM ISLAND trilogy. Just wait till you find out what I have in store for Dane. His story, Saying Yes to the Boss, is coming from Harlequin Romance in August.
Best wishes,
Jackie Braun
Jackie Braun earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University in 1987 and spent more than sixteen years working full-time at newspapers, including eleven years as an award-winning editorial writer, before quitting her day job to freelance and write fiction. She is a past RITA® Award finalist and a member of the Romance Writers of America. She lives in mid-Michigan with her husband and their young son. She can be reached through her Web site at www.jackiebraun.com
“I envy Ali Conlan her lake view. Okay, Trillium Island is fictional, but Lake Michigan is real. Anyone who has had the privilege of watching the sun sink into that vast Great Lake knows that no camera has yet been invented that can capture the pure magic.”
—Jackie Braun on Their Unfinished Business
This one’s for the girls: Monica, Kelly and Teresa. Enduring friendships are a rare gift.
Thank you.
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE
“NO. NO way. Absolutely not!”
Ali Conlan crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her twin sister across the dinner table.
“What’s the big deal?” Audra asked. Arching her brows, she added, “I mean, unless you’re not over him. Alice.”
It turned out a person really could see red when mad, Ali realized as her vision tinted crimson.
Through gritted teeth, she said tightly, “Don’t call me Alice. And I am over Luke Banning. I was over him five minutes after he left town with you eleven years ago.”
If her sister wanted to fight dirty, she would fight dirty right back, Ali decided.
But Audra didn’t so much as blink before replying blandly, “And you’ve forgiven me for leaving and for that little…misunderstanding. Why don’t you give him the same break? It was a long time ago. You need to move on.”
“I have moved on!” Ali hollered, tossing down her napkin and rising slightly from her chair. She sounded defensive even to her own ears, but it didn’t help that her one-time, two-bit actress of a sister said sotto voce, “Me thinks she doth protest too much.”
Reeling in her temper, Ali glanced around the table where her brother, Dane, and Audra’s husband, Seth Ridley, sat. Clearing her throat, she said more calmly, “I am over Luke Banning. I haven’t spent the past eleven years pining for the man. In fact, I’ve hardly given him a second thought. I’ve been too busy.”
“Oh, yeah? When was the last time you had a date?” Audra asked.
It felt good to be able to say, “I have one this weekend, as a matter of fact. With Bradley Townsend.”
“The developer?” Dane made a face.
“Actually, he’s a man,” she drawled.
“I’m not sure I like him,” her brother said. Audra, amazingly, did not offer an opinion. In fact, she had become suddenly engrossed in rearranging the cutlery at the side of her plate.
Her husband, however, seconded Dane’s view. “Me, either.”
Ali exhaled sharply in frustration. “Look, my personal life is not the issue here and neither is Luke Banning. The resort’s future is what’s important right now.”
Dane, always the voice of reason, smiled and nodded. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Ali returned his smile, glad to have him on her side in this matter. That made it two Conlans to one. End of discussion. She picked up her coffee cup and had just taken a sip when he added, “I think the resort needs Luke Banning.”
Somehow she managed to choke down the hot liquid, but an undignified coughing fit ensued. When it had passed enough for her finally to speak, she demanded, “How can you say that, Dane?”
“We need another investor, Ali. It’s as simple as that. If we want to buy that extra acreage when it comes on the market and put in a championship-caliber golf course and clubhouse, we need more capital. So our choices are either take out a loan to finance the expansion or take on another partner.”
