Praise for New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Brenda Jackson
âBrenda Jackson writes romance that sizzles and characters you fall in love with.â
âNew York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Lori Foster
âJacksonâs trademark ability to weave multiple characters and side stories together makes shocking truths all the more exciting.â
âPublishers Weekly
âThere is no getting away from the sex appeal and charm of Jacksonâs Westmoreland family.â
âRT Book Reviews on Feeling the Heat
âJacksonâs characters are wonderful, strong, colorful and hot enough to burn the pages.â
âRT Book Reviews on Westmorelandâs Way
âThe kind of sizzling, heart-tugging story Brenda Jackson is famous for.â
âRT Book Reviews on Spencerâs Forbidden Passion
âThis is entertainment at its best.â
âRT Book Reviews on Star of His Heart
BRENDA JACKSON is a die âheartâ romantic who married her childhood sweetheart and still proudly wears the âgoing steadyâ ring he gave her when she was fifteen. Because she believes in the power of love, Brendaâs stories always have happy endings. In her real-life love story, Brenda and her husband of more than forty years live in Jacksonville, Florida, and have two sons.
A New York Times bestselling author of more than seventy-five romance titles, Brenda is a recent retiree who now divides her time between family, writing and traveling with Gerald. You may write Brenda at PO Box 28267, Jacksonville, Florida 32226, USA, email her at [email protected] or visit her website at www.brendajackson.net.
To my husband, the love of my life and my best friend,
Gerald Jackson, Sr.
To everyone who enjoys reading about the
Westmoreland family, this one is for you!
Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
and the man that getteth understanding. âProverbs 3:13
âWhat do you mean Channingâs back in Denver?â Zane Westmoreland dropped down in the chair across from his sister, a dark frown covering his face.
He fixed his gaze on Bailey, waiting on her response. Bailey knew that any mention of Channing Hastings would make him mad, but it seemed she was intent on ignoring him while she continued to eat her bowl of ice cream. Anyone else would have jumped at the anger that was apparent in his voice but not this particular sister. She didnât do anything until she was good and ready. While he waited, even more irritation bubbled up inside of him.
After what seemed like an enormous period of silence, Bailey finally angled her head. âI meant just what I said. I saw Channing today when I had lunch at the hospital with Megan. I understand she arrived in town last week. She looks good by the way.â
Zane wasnât surprised. As far as he was concerned, there was never a time when Channing hadnât looked good ⦠even after a sweaty workout session at the gym.
Suddenly, unbridled fury worked its way along his stomach lining. Why should he care how an ex-girlfriend looked? More importantly, why did the thought of her being back in town trigger such deep-seated anger within him?
Zane could answer that question without much thought. It hadnât been their breakup that still pissed him off but rather how they had broken up. Usually he was the one who decided when one of his relationships ended, but Channing had surprised the hell out of him and ended it herself.
âIs Channingâs fiancé with her?â He could have bitten off his tongue for asking.
âNo, sheâs only here for six weeks, hosting a medical symposium at the hospital.â Bailey didnât say anything for a minute and then, âThat man got under my skin.â
Zane lifted a brow. âWhat man?â
âChanningâs fiancé. He was checking out the women at Meganâs wedding reception, even with Channing standing right beside him. He had a lot of nerve.â
Zane had noticed the manâs roving eyes, as well. He really shouldnât care. If Channing was inclined to put up with that kind of foolishness, that was her business. It shouldnât concern him. But it did.
He glanced out the window while his mind wandered back in time. He had dated Channing longer than heâd dated any other womanânine months exactly. Things had been almost perfect between them. But then sheâd started hinting that she wanted more from their relationship. That was when heâd reiterated that he was not the marrying kind and never intended to be.
She never brought up the issue again, and Zane had assumed things were back to normal. But less than a month later, out of the clear blue sky, she told him that she had accepted a job at a hospital in Atlanta and would be moving away.
That had annoyed the hell out of him. She was trying to force his hand, and he wouldnât allow any woman to do that. So heâd called her bluff, refusing to offer a proposal. But then sheâd moved to Atlanta as planned. That was almost two years ago, and he hadnât seen or heard from her until sheâd shown up at his sisterâs wedding last month an engaged woman.