Anna J. - The Bad Boy Of Butterfly Harbor

Can people truly change?

Two things keep Holly Campbell grounded: her precocious son and preserving her forty-year-old family diner in the face of expansion and change. She doesn’t need a blast from the past like Luke Saxon, who’s back in Butterfly Harbor after more than a decade away. The hard-luck kid who nearly destroyed her family, leaving her to pick up the pieces, is taking over as sheriff. She can’t trust him, even if Luke’s ideas for the town’s upcoming anniversary seem to show he’s trying to give back to their community. Has Butterfly Harbor found its unlikely savior? And has the widowed single mother finally found a man she can believe in, rely on…and love?

“I’m glad we’re finally friends, Luke.”

“Is that what we are?”

“Wasn’t that the word you used? What else would we be?” This was not a road she could go down again. No matter how much she might want to.

Holly inhaled the scent of soap and the barest sweetness of berries. “Luke.” She barely breathed as she blinked and saw his hand come up, felt him cup her cheek in his palm. She leaned into his touch, fought every instinct roaring to life within her. He inched closer, slowly, so slowly she might have screamed in frustration. And then he kissed her. Soft, gentle, a promise, a hint. Nothing more.

“Thank you,” Luke murmured. He pressed his forehead against hers and squeezed his eyes shut, as if he were afraid to look at her.

She felt his warm breath brush against her skin. “You’re welcome.”

He released her and opened the door.

Holly didn’t hesitate. Didn’t stop moving until she was through the yard, past the gate and out of sight.

Only then did she stop to breathe, clutching a fist against her throat, unable to stop the smile from spreading against her still-tingling mouth.

“Friends,” she whispered, even as she thought of—and wanted—more.

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 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN CHAPTER TWENTY CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE EPILOGUE Copyright ,

Butterflies have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My grandmother, who helped raise me, loved them and always had images of butterflies somewhere in her house and then ours. Now that she’s gone her collection has passed to me, and they have served as inspiration over the years. When the idea of writing a series for Mills & Boon Heartwarming struck, the name of the town presented itself instantly: Butterfly Harbor.

I’m a born and bred California girl. Knowing where your home is, and more important, feeling as if you belong there, is at the heart of The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor. Luke Saxon knows coming back to the town he left in disgrace is a risk, but he has debts to pay and a past to face. He’s done running from his mistakes, and while owning up to them might be the hardest thing he’s ever done, he’s ready. Facing Holly Campbell again brings a whole new set of problems, not the least of which are unexpected feelings for the woman whose family he nearly destroyed.

Holly lives and breathes Butterfly Harbor. It’s the only home she wants for her son, but her beloved town is in danger of disappearing unless they all make changes. Seeing Luke again, being forced to deal with the anger that has haunted her for years, isn’t something she ever expected, but from the second he walks back into her diner, Holly knows her life—and possibly her heart—is never going to be the same.

I hope you enjoy this first book in my Butterfly Harbor series. I loved creating this community and bringing the town to life. Most of all, I am so excited to finally put Luke and Holly on their roller-coaster path to the happily-ever-after they both need and deserve.

Happy reading and always be on the lookout for butterflies!

Anna J

The Bad Boy of Butterfly Harbor

Anna J. Stewart

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ANNA J. STEWART discovered romances early in her parochial high school education and from then on knew what she was meant to be: a romance author. An English graduate of California State University of Sacramento, she’s held a variety of jobs, and for the past seven years, she’s been honored to work as New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak’s personal assistant, helping run her annual online auction for diabetes research. In ten years, the auction has raised over $2.3 million. Anna lives in Northern California with an overly attentive and affectionate cat named Snickers.

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For my Monterey girls

Judy Ashley, Mary Helfrick and Bonnie Lally

May the wings of the butterfly kiss the sun

And find your shoulder to light on,

To bring you luck, happiness and riches

Today, tomorrow and beyond.

—Irish blessing

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text Can people truly change? Two things keep Holly Campbell grounded: her precocious son and preserving her forty-year-old family diner in the face of expansion and change. She doesn’t need a blast from the past like Luke Saxon, who’s back in Butterfly Harbor after more than a decade away. The hard-luck kid who nearly destroyed her family, leaving her to pick up the pieces, is taking over as sheriff. She can’t trust him, even if Luke’s ideas for the town’s upcoming anniversary seem to show he’s trying to give back to their community. Has Butterfly Harbor found its unlikely savior? And has the widowed single mother finally found a man she can believe in, rely on…and love?

Introduction “I’m glad we’re finally friends, Luke.” “Is that what we are?” “Wasn’t that the word you used? What else would we be?” This was not a road she could go down again. No matter how much she might want to. Holly inhaled the scent of soap and the barest sweetness of berries. “Luke.” She barely breathed as she blinked and saw his hand come up, felt him cup her cheek in his palm. She leaned into his touch, fought every instinct roaring to life within her. He inched closer, slowly, so slowly she might have screamed in frustration. And then he kissed her. Soft, gentle, a promise, a hint. Nothing more. “Thank you,” Luke murmured. He pressed his forehead against hers and squeezed his eyes shut, as if he were afraid to look at her. She felt his warm breath brush against her skin. “You’re welcome.” He released her and opened the door. Holly didn’t hesitate. Didn’t stop moving until she was through the yard, past the gate and out of sight. Only then did she stop to breathe, clutching a fist against her throat, unable to stop the smile from spreading against her still-tingling mouth. “Friends,” she whispered, even as she thought of—and wanted—more.