The Carlton family saga continues in this fan-favorite story of learning how to fall in love again by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods.
Despite the wealth and power of his remarkable family, Ben Carlton stayed hidden away in rural Virginia with only his artistic talent and his troubled memories for company. But when he met beautiful gallery owner Kathleen Dugan at the urging of his matchmaking aunt Destiny, his wounded heart began to open—yet he couldn’t completely forget the tragedies of his past.
Vivacious, driven Kathleen was intrigued not only by Ben’s paintings, but also by the handsome, mysterious man who created them. Were Ben’s wounds too deep for Kathleen to mend…or did Destiny create another perfect match?
Praise for the novels of Sherryl Woods
“Woods’ amazing grasp of human nature and the emotions that lie deep within us make this story universal.”
—RT Book Reviews on Driftwood Cottage
“Woods’ emotionally intense story of loss and love will appeal to a broad range of readers.”
—Booklist on Willow Brook Road
“Once again, Woods proves her expertise in matters of the heart as she gives us characters that we genuinely relate to and care about. A truly delightful read!”
—RT Book Reviews on Moonlight Cove
“Woods employs her signature elements—the Southern small-town atmosphere, the supportive network of friends and family, and the heartwarming romance—to great effect.”
—Booklist on A Slice of Heaven
“Woods…is noted for appealing character-driven stories that are often infused with the flavor and fragrance of the South.”
—Library Journal
“Woods delivers a charming novel…[a] unique blend of sparkling humor and family drama.”
—RT Book Reviews on Midnight Promises
Also by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods
Chesapeake Shores
Willow Brook Road
Dogwood Hill
The Christmas Bouquet
A Seaside Christmas
The Summer Garden
An O’Brien Family Christmas
Beach Lane
Moonlight Cove
Driftwood Cottage
A Chesapeake Shores Christmas
Harbor Lights
Flowers on Main
The Inn at Eagle Point
The Sweet Magnolias
Swan Point
Where Azaleas Bloom
Catching Fireflies
Midnight Promises
Honeysuckle Summer
Sweet Tea at Sunrise
Home in Carolina
Welcome to Serenity
Feels Like Family
A Slice of Heaven
Stealing Home
The Perfect Destinies
Priceless
Isn’t It Rich?
The Calamity Janes
The Calamity Janes: Lauren
The Calamity Janes: Gina & Emma
The Calamity Janes: Cassie & Karen
The Devaney Brothers
The Devaney Brothers: Daniel
The Devaney Brothers: Michael and Patrick
The Devaney Brothers: Ryan and Sean
Ocean Breeze
Sea Glass Island
Wind Chime Point
Sand Castle Bay
For a complete list of all titles by Sherryl Woods,
visit sherrylwoods.com.
Look for the next book in the Perfect Destinies series
Destiny Unleashed
by #1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods,
available from MIRA Books.
SHERRYL
WOODS
Treasured
Dear Friends,
The Perfect Destinies series was originally issued as three Silhouette Special Edition books (Million-Dollar Destinies), with a longer follow-up work written for MIRA Books. I’m so pleased to have all of them available in these new editions from MIRA.
As many of you know, I’ve always loved writing about families. And in this case three sexy, very different brothers were raised by their madcap Aunt Destiny, after the tragic death of their parents. Think Auntie Mame for those of you old enough to remember that wonderful movie. Or meddling Mick O’Brien, if you’re a fan of my Chesapeake Shores series.
I hope you’ll enjoy revisiting the Carltons, if you’ve read these books before. And if you’re new to the series, I hope you’ll welcome the family into your heart as you have so many of my other families.
All best,
CAST OF CHARACTERS
Ben Carlton—He sees the world with an artist’s eye for detail. The youngest and least ambitious of the successful Carlton brothers, he’s usually content to let his brothers be the family headliners. But Ben’s sensitive soul cries out for someone who shares his vision of the world.
Kathleen Dugan—She doesn’t need much coaxing to recognize that Ben is a talented artist and a tortured soul. A successful gallery owner, she sees beauty in his art and fame in his future. But getting Ben to see what she does will take more than a twist of fate. It will take the kind of determination that’s her specialty.
Destiny Carlton—She knows that her youngest nephew has been twice burned by tragedy. Convincing him to love again will take every clever trick at her disposal, along with a woman who won’t take no for an answer. There’s not a doubt in Destiny’s mind that she’s found just the woman in Kathleen.
A man who’s closed himself off from love,
a woman with heart and Destiny’s touch.
It’s bound to be picture-perfect.
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Epilogue
Excerpt from Destiny Unleashed by Sherryl Woods
1
It had been one of those Friday-night gallery receptions that made Kathleen Dugan wonder if she’d been wrong not to take a job teaching art in the local school system. Maybe putting finger paints in the hands of five-year-old kids would be more rewarding than trying to introduce the bold, vibrant works of an amazingly talented young artist to people who preferred bland and insipid.
Of course, it hadn’t helped that Boris Ostronovich spoke little English and took the temperamental-artist stereotype to new heights. He’d been sulking in a corner for the last two hours, a glass of vodka in one hand and a cigarette in the other. The cigarette had remained unlit only because Kathleen had threatened to close the show if he lit it up in direct defiance of fire codes, no-smoking policies and a whole list of personal objections.
All in all, the evening had pretty much been a disaster. Kathleen was willing to take responsibility for that. She hadn’t gauged correctly just how important it was for the artist to mingle and make small talk. She’d thought Boris’s work would sell itself. She’d discovered, instead, that people on the fence about a purchase were inclined to pass when they hadn’t exchanged so much as a civil word with the artist. In another minute or two, when the few remaining guests had cleared out of her gallery, Kathleen was inclined to join Boris in a good, old-fashioned, well-deserved funk. She might even have a couple of burning shots of straight vodka,
