A new start...
With an old flame?
Fifteen years in an unhappy marriage showed Melanie Isaacs exactly what she didn’t want. Now she’s in Mountain Springs to figure out the rest of her life—even if it means facing her former sweetheart, Logan McTavish. The spark between Logan and Melanie is stronger than ever. But is it enough to heal two weary, damaged hearts...and show them the way to a new happiness?
“You’re different...
“I know you say that things don’t change, but you certainly have,” Melanie said with a smile.
“Yeah?” A smile turned up one side of Logan’s lips. “How so?”
“You’re so mannerly. You’re downright civilized,” she said with a low laugh. “I’ve heard marriage will do that to a guy when he isn’t looking.”
Logan lifted his wineglass. “To being house-trained.”
“To being house-trained.” She laughed and lifted her glass in response.
Twenty-three years had changed more than Logan thought. In both of them.
Because she wasn’t the same girl she’d been all those years ago, either. Marriage might have civilized Logan, but it had opened Melanie’s eyes to just how vulnerable a woman’s heart could be. She’d lost more than a husband in her divorce.
She’d lost her family...and her ability to blithely trust a man to do right by her just because it was the right thing to do.
Dear Reader,
So many books are focused on young love, and while that stage of life is certainly exciting, there are other stages that are equally exciting, dramatic and deeply romantic. For this miniseries, I wanted to write books about women who had depth and experience and men who were old enough to know what they wanted...and exactly how to get it.
I remember my twenties like they were yesterday, but I’m a different woman in my forties. I’m not so easy to fool, and I know what I have to offer. It’s a whole different playing field now!
So I hope you’ll enjoy the women who dine with the Second Chance Club. Meet us at the lodge with that gorgeous lake view, and we’ll settle in for an evening of good food, laughter, encouragement and a hearty reminder that life is just as magical now as it ever was before.
Lift your glasses. Here’s to one more chance at happiness.
Patricia Johns
Their Mountain Reunion
Patricia Johns
Patricia Johns writes from Alberta, Canada. She has her Hon. BA in English literature and currently writes for Harlequin’s Heartwarming and Love Inspired lines. You can find her at patriciajohnsromance.com.
Books by Patricia Johns
Harlequin Heartwarming
Home to Eagle’s Rest
Her Lawman Protector
Falling for the Cowboy Dad
The Lawman’s Baby
A Baxter’s Redemption
The Runaway Bride
A Boy’s Christmas Wish
Love Inspired
Montana Twins
Her Cowboy’s Twin Blessings
Her Twins’ Cowboy Dad
A Rancher to Remember
Comfort Creek Lawmen
Deputy Daddy
The Lawman’s Runaway Bride
The Deputy’s Unexpected Family
His Unexpected Family
The Rancher’s City Girl
A Firefighter’s Promise
The Lawman’s Surprise Family
Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.
To my husband, who I love more every day. You’re the best choice I ever made!
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
EPILOGUE
EXCERPT FROM HIS BROTHER’S BRIDE BY AMY VASTINE
CHAPTER ONE
“COME FOR DINNER,” Angelina had said. “We do this once a month, and it’s a select group. So...invitation only, if you understand. You’ll love these women. They’re interesting and strong and resilient. Come once, and see what you think—and dress for it.”
Dress for it. Melanie Isaacs had been tempted to feel offended at those words, but she was too tired these days to bother. She’d attended countless events and charity dinners during her marriage, so it wasn’t like she didn’t have the wardrobe to cover a simple dinner.
Angelina Cunningham was an old friend. They’d gone in different directions after high school and lost touch until Melanie got a friend request on Facebook and they politely started updating each other on their lives. Melanie’s divorce was much fresher than Angelina’s. Melanie and Angelina had both gotten Mountain Springs property out of their divorces, but Angelina’s was far more spectacular. Angelina was the sole proprietor of Mountain Springs Lodge, which dominated one side of the glacier-fed Blue Lake up in the Colorado Rockies. On the other side of the turquoise lake, hunched next to a rickety wharf, was the lake house Adam had magnanimously given Melanie in the divorce because he felt she “deserved it.” It was meant to assuage his guilt.
Now, Melanie smoothed on some plum lipstick and dropped the tube into her purse. Her little black dress—a satin knee-length number—still fit like a glove, scooping down to reveal just a hint of cleavage. This was dressier than she wanted to feel tonight. She didn’t want to stand out. It still felt weird not to be Adam’s wife and the busy stepmom to his kids. She’d grown used to sensible clothing that said married instead of available. This postdivorce transition was exhausting, and all she wanted was to curl up in the overstuffed chair by the window overlooking the lake with a glass of wine and her journal. But she’d already agreed to this dinner, and Angelina had seemed so excited about it. Melanie would go, make nice and leave early. A cozy evening could still be hers.
Besides, she’d gotten an email from an old boyfriend recently, wanting to come see the lake house—something about tracking down his father, who used to own it. She should have known that would come back to complicate her life sooner or later... Maybe she was naive to assume that Logan McTavish would melt into the background of her life and stay there. So getting out for at least part of the evening couldn’t hurt.
Mountain Springs Lodge was nestled behind a rocky outcropping for privacy. The large log cabin–styled lodge sported wide windows that sparkled with the light of the sinking sun as Melanie drove up. Gable windows peered from the tall peaked roof, and she paused to admire the building before she parked.
Angelina had spruced the place up since Melanie had been here
