Once A Fool

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Can the town’s feisty new librarian breathe new life into a jaded Army veteran who’s all but given up on love?

Harley Lawson finds herself all alone in the world after the loss of her beloved grandmother. While packing up her things, she comes across an old bible, and is stunned to discover she has an older brother out there—but where? Her only lead points to the U.P of Michigan, so she moves to Houghton County to begin her search. But the task is much harder than she’d anticipated, and it isn’t until she meets the annoyingly handsome Officer Cameron Nichols that she finds her next clue—and much more than she bargained for.

Cam returned home from serving his country only to discover his wife pregnant with another man’s child. After a bitter divorce, he joins the police force and buys a little cottage on the lake where he keeps to himself. However, his matchmaking mother has other ideas, and the cute new librarian is her latest obsession. Cam soon finds himself just as enthralled by the sexy redhead, but when she reveals some unexpected news, he reacts in the worst possible way. Could past insecurities destroy his chance at the future he’s always dreamed of?

Excerpt:

“I’d better get going,” he said. “Think about the festival. I know everyone would love for you to come.”

But would you? she wanted to ask. Instead, she said, “I will. Thanks for the invite, and…everything else. I guess I’ll see you around?”

“I’m sure you will. ‘Specially if Joss and my mom have anything to say about it. ‘Night.”

His gazed dropped to her lips for a pulse-pounding moment, but then he turned and made his way down the steps.

Disappointment burned in her chest, though she didn’t know why. She was used to men dismissing her. Not that she hadn’t dated, had a couple of short-lived relationships, but—

Without warning, Cam cursed, spun around, and ran back up the porch steps. Before she could react, he grasped her face with both hands and kissed her. It took only a heartbeat for her to melt right into his embrace.

His lips were firm, yet softer than she could have imagined, as Cam proceeded to kiss her as if she were the tastiest of sweets. But just when she would have wrapped her arms around his neck to deepen the kiss, he pulled back with another muttered curse and gazed into her eyes.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that, I…sorry.”

And then he was gone again.

Tears burned her eyes as she watched him hurry down the block.

Harley had no idea if the kiss was born out of curiosity on his part, or to try and please his mother. But one thing was certain…if he’d enjoyed it, he wouldn’t have run off as if the hounds of hell were nipping at his shoes.


Genre: Romance