A SWEETHEART FOR JUDE FORTUNE by CINDY KIRK

Author:CINDY KIRK, [KIRK,, CINDY]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: ROMANCE
Publisher: HARLEQUIN
Published: 2013-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

After receiving her father’s reluctant blessing and leaving the rehab center at two, Gabi spent the rest of Friday afternoon getting ready for her date with Jude. It had been a long time since she’d indulged herself, so she took a long bath then brought out her favorite pear-scented lotion. She smoothed it over her body, the pads of her fingers tracing the raised scar than ran down the front of her chest, between her breasts.

My battle scar, she thought to herself, then sent up a prayer of thanks to the young man who’d died and whose family had generously donated his organs.

The heart that now beat strong and sure had been a great gift, one she didn’t take for granted. Though she knew the scar wasn’t pretty, she still didn’t understand the horrified looks on the faces of those at the pool party, and the memory still stung every time she caught her reflection.

Their reaction made her wonder what Jude would think when he saw it. Would he be shocked? Disgusted? Or would he view the scar as she did, as a symbol of a life-giving act?

She didn’t need to worry about that now, because she didn’t plan on letting him see it. Not yet. Perhaps never. Even if things went as she anticipated tonight and they made love, she could hide it by insisting the room be dark. If he felt the ridges of the scar on her skin, she’d simply tell him she had heart surgery. In a few weeks, she’d return to Miami and her life there.

Instead of excitement, the thought of leaving made her sad. She liked Horseback Hollow. The people were friendly and the pace suited her. She wished she could be here when the flowers were in bloom and the leaves had sprouted on the trees.

Gabi imagined herself attending parties, barbecues and picnics. It wouldn’t be long before she knew everyone in town and they knew her.

If she and her father were in the same town, she could meet him for lunch, or invite him over for the evening. She and Jude...

Like a movie in slow motion, images played in her mind. She and Jude riding horses across windblown pastures, swaying to romantic songs with melodies that wrapped around them like a pretty ribbon, walking down Main Street with fingers entwined...

Stop, she told herself, stop the madness.

For too many reasons to count there could be no her and Jude. Whatever was between them was transient. Which made the possibility of her staying in Horseback Hollow simply wishful thinking.

If Gabi made the small Texas town her home, she’d have to sit back while Jude met another woman, fell in love and raised children. Despite wanting what was best for him, she couldn’t bear to watch the man she loved build a life with someone else.

Man she loved?

Gabi’s heart stuttered. She couldn’t be in love with Jude. Love took time to develop—months, often years.

She respected Jude, admired his caring, compassionate nature and enjoyed spending time with him.

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