He kept his eyes trained on the fire.
“Did you drive here?” He picked up a log in one big hand and settled it on the fire.
“No. I biked.”
“Biked?”
“I bike here a couple times each week with Pepper, but we usually go the other way down the beach. Pepper just took off this time. I left my bike by the public beach entrance.”
His eyes slid to Pepper, then back to the fire. “I don’t know Seaside, but let me change and I’ll drive you home.” He headed toward the stairs with Pepper on his heels. Kurt stopped and stared at the dog. Pepper panted for all he was worth. Kurt looked at Leanna, as if she could control the dog.
Fat chance. “He’s not really an obedient pet.” She shrugged.
Kurt picked up Pepper and brought him to Leanna. “Hold his collar.”
Okay, then. She looped her finger in Pepper’s collar and watched Kurt go into the kitchen and wipe the floor with the towel he’d given her. Then he wiped the counter with a sponge before disappearing into the alcove by the kitchen. He returned with a laundry basket, tossed the dirty towels in, and then returned the basket to where he’d found it and climbed the stairs.
“Guess he doesn’t really like dirt…or dogs after all,” she said to Pepper.
Pepper broke free and ran up the stairs after Kurt.
Leanna closed her eyes with a loud sigh.
(End of Sneak Peek)
To continue reading, be sure to pick up the next
LOVE IN BLOOM release:
READ, WRITE, LOVE, The Remingtons, Book Five
Love in Bloom series, Book Fourteen
LOVE IN BLOOM
A contemporary romance series
featuring several close-knit families
Check online retailers for availability
SNOW SISTERS
Sisters in Love
Sisters in Bloom
Sisters in White
THE BRADENS
Lovers at Heart
Destined for Love
Friendship on Fire
Bursting with Love
Hearts at Play
THE REMINGTONS
Game of Love
Stroke of Love
Flames of Love
Slope of Love
Read, Write, Love
THE BRADENS (II)
Taken by Love
Fated for Love
Romancing my Love
Flirting with Love
Dreaming of Love
Crashing into Love
Acknowledgments
While researching this novel, I was blown away by the reality of competitive sports and how far athletes will push themselves. The courage and determination it takes to succeed among top athletes is far beyond what I ever imagined, and I don’t think I’ll ever look at competitive sports the same way again. A big thank you to Marlene Engel for her research efforts. You saved me oodles of time (yes, oodles).
I’d like to thank my readers for their support. I am inspired by your emails and social media messages, and I hope you will continue to reach out to me. I’d also like to thank the members of Team PIF and the staff of the World Literary Café—my friends, my comrades, and my sisters.
Tremendous gratitude goes to my editorial team, Kristen Weber, Penina Lopez, Jenna Bagnini, Juliette Hill, and Marlene Engel. Thank you for making my writing stronger and putting up with my million questions. Many thanks to my talented cover artist Natasha Brown, and Clare Ayala, a formatting genius.
My family encourages and supports me on a daily basis. I love you guys. Thank you.
Melissa Foster is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling and award-winning author. Her books have been recommended by USA Today’s book blog, Hagerstown magazine, The Patriot, and several other print venues. She is the founder of the Women’s Nest, a social and support community for women, and the World Literary Café. When she’s not writing, Melissa helps authors navigate the publishing industry through her author training programs on Fostering Success. Melissa also hosts Aspiring Authors contests for children, and has painted and donated several murals to the Hospital for Sick Children in Washington, DC.
Visit Melissa on her website or chat with her on The Women’s Nest or social media. Melissa enjoys discussing her books with book clubs and reader groups and welcomes an invitation to your event.
www.MelissaFoster.com