Pamela Tracy - Small-Town Secrets

One particular secret could tear them apart...

Yolanda Sanchez had never been a “follow your bliss” type of girl, always preferring to make practical choices. But since her mom’s will stipulated that she had to fulfill a dream with her inheritance, here she was, opening a used book store. With consummate dreamer Adam Snapp, an artist and childhood friend, as her handyman. So much for her comfort zone.

But she needs help, and Adam needs the work. It’s strictly business...until they discover a mysterious book about Scorpion Ridge history. One that reveals not just secrets of their families’ pasts, but how deeply intertwined their futures really are.

She needed to have a handle on Adam.

Yolanda liked thinking about him being this happy-go-lucky, free-spirited boy who always landed on his feet. Lately, though, she was seeing him as an amazingly talented adult man who pitched in when his family needed him.

Conflicted. That was what she was.

She should avoid him at all costs. And not because she didn’t respect him. After everything he’d done for her this past week, helping her with the mystery, he’d gained her respect and maybe a little more than that.

Subtle attraction.

But she knew him too well. Right now he was shouldering his responsibilities in Scorpion Ridge, but what if an offer he couldn’t refuse came along? Or, an even better thought, what if his father got better and Adam wasn’t needed?

He would leave, and this time he might not come back.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 Copyright ,

My love of books started in second grade. I remember the author who lit my fire for reading. She was Carolyn Haywood and she wrote the Betsy books. They were like chocolate. I couldn’t get enough. Neither of my parents were readers. My mother got her first library card when I was in second grade so that I could check out enough books to keep me occupied until the next library visit.

My father was in his sixties when he got his first card. I was home from college for a few weeks and there was a book I wanted to read. The library wouldn’t give me a card because I didn’t have a local address, and I guess I’d lost the old one. Dad came and applied. Of course, I had him check out a romance.

In Small-Town Secrets, Yolanda is the book connoisseur. You don’t see it on the pages, she’s too busy uncovering town secrets and getting closer to the hero, but she’s definitely harboring a Mills & Boon Heartwarming book in her bedroom, a mystery in her purse and a paranormal beside the cash register.

My hero, Adam, also likes to read. Not everyone sees past his easygoing manner to his steadfast heart. Yolanda didn’t at first. He’s the kind of man who would say to his love, “I’ll clean the house—you sit back and read.” He’s also the kind of man who isn’t afraid to fend off any attack. Yup, don’t be fooled by his soulful brown eyes. He’s a black belt. Which might come in handy as he and Yolanda discover more about the history of Scorpion Ridge, Arizona, and the secrets of their own families...

So settle back, enjoy the story and ask yourself about the secrets your family holds.

If you’d like to know more about the Heartwarming authors, please visit heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com. If you’d like to know more about me, please visit pamelatracy.com. I love to hear from readers.

Pamela

Small-Town Secrets

Pamela Tracy

www.millsandboon.co.uk

PAMELA TRACY is a USA TODAY bestselling author who lives with her husband (...the inspiration for most of her heroes) and son (...the interference for most of her writing time). Since 1999, she has published more than twenty-five books and sold more than a million copies. She’s a past RITA® Award finalist and past winner of the Christian Fiction Writers’ book of the year award.

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To my brother Danny Crawford, who has the soul of an artist (music instead of murals) and the kind of steadfast heart that his sisters need.

We love you, Danny.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text One particular secret could tear them apart... Yolanda Sanchez had never been a “follow your bliss” type of girl, always preferring to make practical choices. But since her mom’s will stipulated that she had to fulfill a dream with her inheritance, here she was, opening a used book store. With consummate dreamer Adam Snapp, an artist and childhood friend, as her handyman. So much for her comfort zone. But she needs help, and Adam needs the work. It’s strictly business...until they discover a mysterious book about Scorpion Ridge history. One that reveals not just secrets of their families’ pasts, but how deeply intertwined their futures really are.

Introduction She needed to have a handle on Adam. Yolanda liked thinking about him being this happy-go-lucky, free-spirited boy who always landed on his feet. Lately, though, she was seeing him as an amazingly talented adult man who pitched in when his family needed him. Conflicted. That was what she was. She should avoid him at all costs. And not because she didn’t respect him. After everything he’d done for her this past week, helping her with the mystery, he’d gained her respect and maybe a little more than that. Subtle attraction. But she knew him too well. Right now he was shouldering his responsibilities in Scorpion Ridge, but what if an offer he couldn’t refuse came along? Or, an even better thought, what if his father got better and Adam wasn’t needed? He would leave, and this time he might not come back.

Dear Reader Dear Reader Dear Reader Title Page About the Author Dedication 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 Copyright , My love of books started in second grade. I remember the author who lit my fire for reading. She was Carolyn Haywood and she wrote the Betsy books. They were like chocolate. I couldn’t get enough. Neither of my parents were readers. My mother got her first library card when I was in second grade so that I could check out enough books to keep me occupied until the next library visit. My father was in his sixties when he got his first card. I was home from college for a few weeks and there was a book I wanted to read. The library wouldn’t give me a card because I didn’t have a local address, and I guess I’d lost the old one. Dad came and applied. Of course, I had him check out a romance. In Small-Town Secrets, Yolanda is the book connoisseur. You don’t see it on the pages, she’s too busy uncovering town secrets and getting closer to the hero, but she’s definitely harboring a Mills & Boon Heartwarming book in her bedroom, a mystery in her purse and a paranormal beside the cash register. My hero, Adam, also likes to read. Not everyone sees past his easygoing manner to his steadfast heart. Yolanda didn’t at first. He’s the kind of man who would say to his love, “I’ll clean the house—you sit back and read.” He’s also the kind of man who isn’t afraid to fend off any attack. Yup, don’t be fooled by his soulful brown eyes. He’s a black belt. Which might come in handy as he and Yolanda discover more about the history of Scorpion Ridge, Arizona, and the secrets of their own families... So settle back, enjoy the story and ask yourself about the secrets your family holds. If you’d like to know more about the Heartwarming authors, please visit heartwarmingauthors.blogspot.com . If you’d like to know more about me, please visit pamelatracy.com . I love to hear from readers. Pamela