Love has existed since the beginning of time. For Ashlin
Thomas, love was an illusion that she desperately wanted to make a reality.
Returning home to Savannah, after her aunt’s death, Ashlin
must deal with the harsh realities life has dealt her.
As Ashlin begins sorting through her aunt’s personal
effects, she stumbles upon a journal. Not just any journal, but the words of
her great great great grandmother, Sophia.
Two love stories intertwine with each other as Ashlin reads
the beautiful words, written over a hundred years ago.
The intense connection Ashlin feels with Sophia begins to
allow her to find herself. Never thinking love was possible for her, Ashlin now
sees it is within her grasp.
But, life is never perfect. Life is never fair.
When faced with the decision that could change Ashlin’s
future … will she sacrifice one love for another, or will her predestined heart
lead her home?
A light rap on the counter brought my attention to the man
in front of me. He had dark-brown hair that was tousled about in disarray. His
warm brown eyes melted through me. The five o’clock shadow from the stubble on
his face showcased his strong jaw line. He was sinfully gorgeous and I could
feel my insides turn all gooey from the sight of him in front of me.
My mouth was dry as he looked at me expectantly. In that
moment, it was as if something within me altered and changed. I couldn’t
explain it.
Get it together,
Ashlin.
“I’m sorry. It’s been a long day. Can you repeat what you said?”
My voice came out fairly normal, which I was proud of, versus the crazy energy
I felt pulsating within me.
He gave a gentle look; it wasn’t cocky or knowing, but only
sweet. “Is there anything I can get you?”
Smiling back, I responded, “I’ll have the beef stew and a
water.”
“Good choice. Coming right up.” He rapped his knuckles on
the counter as he walked off to the left.
I wasn’t paying attention to how his white shirt was rolled
up to his elbows. Nope. And I wasn’t paying attention to how his khaki pants
hugged him in all the right places. Nope. And I for sure wasn’t staring at him
as if he would be sex on a stick. Nope.
Seriously get it
together, Ashlin. My life has turned inside out and the last thing I need to be
thinking about is sex.
The man turned back toward me and I looked up at the
television screen that was above, hoping I wasn’t caught ogling the bartender. I need a life, seriously. Time passed
and before I knew it, a steaming bowl of beef stew with a little plate of bread
was set in front of me.
It smelled delicious. “Thank you.”
The bartender smiled. I glanced back to my stew as I ate.
He responded, “You’re welcome.”
Taking a bite, it was one of the most delicious stews I had
ever tasted. I moaned in appreciation.
“It’s that good, eh?”
I licked my lips and felt heat creep up on my face. Not
realizing I had closed my eyes, I tentatively opened them and glanced at the
bartender, who was looking at me more intensely than before. “Oh, I did not
mean to do that out loud.” Picking up my napkin, I dabbed the corner of my
mouth. “Give my complements to the chef. It’s incredible. I’d love to get the
recipe.”
He leaned on the counter. “I’ll let the chef know. I know
him pretty well, and I’d say if he could get that type of reaction out of every
beautiful woman who ate the stew, he’d serve it all the time versus only on
special occasions.”
The bartender moved a little closer to me and I smiled at
his playful face while wanting to reach out and trace that devastatingly
handsome jaw line. Conspiringly, he whispered, “I’ve heard that the recipe is a
family secret. You’d have to marry the chef in order to get it.”
I giggled as he winked at me. “Okay, if I get that desperate
to have it, I’ll know to bring a ring and my bended knee.”
He chuckled and stood. “So, what brings you to Savannah?”
“Is this where I lay all my troubles on the line for the
bartender to listen and give advice?” I teased with him as I cocked my head.
He shrugged as he mixed a drink. The bar was otherwise
vacated except one person at the end who nursed a beer. “I happen to listen and
give advice for free on Wednesday’s.”
My smile was wide. There was something magnetic about this
man and I didn’t want our conversation to end. “Well, it’s a good thing it’s
Wednesday.”
“Yes, it is.”
Gazing around the room, I searched for Daniel. My father and
mother were busy talking to Mr. and Mrs. Stowe along with two other couples,
whom I didn’t have the pleasure of knowing. A young gentleman had been talking
my ear off and I was in desperate need of fresh air.
Turning to him, I asked, “Will you please excuse me? I am
in need of some fresh air.”
“Shall I join you?” he asked.
I quickly shook my head. “No. No, that will not be
necessary. I have a slight headache and need some time alone.”
Nodding his head, he smiled and took a step back, giving me
a quick bow. Returning the polite gesture, I began toward the kitchen. One look
over my shoulder showed my mother watching me intently. I’m sure she was
distressed at the idea of me wandering off and being late to sit down for
dinner.
Somehow managing to find my way to the back gardens, I
smiled and inhaled a deep breath. All I smelled were azaleas. I walked along
the cobblestone pathway that intertwined among Magnolia trees and some of the
most amazing flowers I’d ever seen. My mother would be green with envy were she
to lay her eyes upon this colorful garden.
“It goes on forever,” I whispered.
“One can easily get lost back here.”
I stopped the moment I heard his voice. Closing my eyes, I
placed my gloved hands on my stomach to calm the butterflies. Inhaling a deep
breath through my nose, I slowly blew it out as I turned to face him.
Daniel. His eyes
widened and he licked his lips. I raised the corner of my mouth and bowed
slightly. Daniel walked up to me and smiled, causing my knees to shake. For a
moment, it felt as if the earth was moving and I fought to stand upright.
He took a step closer to me as his eyes moved about my
face. When they landed on my lips, I instinctively licked them. His eyes were
ablaze with fire. I took a step back as he took another step forward. My
breathing increased as I felt something I’d never felt before.
Desire.
Want.
Need.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Kelly Elliott is married to a wonderful Texas cowboy who has
a knack for making her laugh almost daily and supports her crazy ideas and
dreams for some unknown reason...he claims it's because he loves her!
She’s also a mom to an amazing daughter who is constantly
asking for something to eat while her fingers move like mad on her cell phone
sending out what is sure to be another very important text message.
In her spare time she loves to sit in her small corner
overlooking the Texas hill country and write.
One of her favorite things to do is go for hikes around her
property with Gus....her chocolate lab and the other man in her life, and Rose,
her golden retriever. When Kelly is not outside helping the hubby haul brush,
move rocks or whatever fun chore he has in store for her that day, you’ll find
her inside reading, writing or watching HGTV.
Kristin
Mayer is a wife, a proud mother, and a full-time Analyst and Import Manager.
Since an early age, she has always enjoyed reading and writing. While visiting
her father one weekend, he suggested that she should take up writing again.
With family and a career, she didn’t give it a lot of thought, until a story
entered her mind and wouldn’t leave. It just kept forming and developing over a
couple of months.
At the
beginning of 2013, she decided to sit down and write it all down, but she kept
it to herself. One sentence developed into two, and before she knew it, she had
the makings of a novel.
Kristin
tries to live life to the fullest during every moment. She loves to travel and
meet new people. She holds a degree in International Business and uses it daily
in her job. Kristin now adds “author” on her list of jobs, and feels very
blessed and thankful.
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