Tara Randel - Always The One

She’s the love of his life…

…but is he still hers?

FBI agent Derrick Matthews has finally found his childhood sweetheart and the love of his life—but she isn’t exactly happy about it! Years ago, Hannah Rawlings disappeared overnight when her family went on the run, and she blames Derrick. She tells him she’s moved on and he should, too, but Derrick fears Hannah’s still in danger. He vows to protect her—even if that means betraying her trust…again.

TARA RANDELis an award-winning USA TODAY bestselling author. Family values, a bit of mystery, and, of course, love and romance are her favorite themes, because she believes love is the greatest gift of all. Tara lives on the west coast of Florida, where gorgeous sunsets and beautiful weather inspire the creation of heartwarming stories. This is her tenth book for Harlequin Heartwarming. Visit Tara at tararandel.com. Like her on Facebookat Tara Randel Books.

Also By Tara Randel

Meet Me at the Altar

Trusting Her Heart

His Honor, Her Family

The Lawman’s Secret Vow

The Business of Weddings

His One and Only Bride

The Wedding March

The Bridal Bouquet

Honeysuckle Bride

Magnolia Bride

Orange Blossom Brides

Discover more at millsandboon.co.uk.

Always the One

Tara Randel

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ISBN: 978-0-008-90611-5

ALWAYS THE ONE

© 2020 Tara Spicer

Published in Great Britain 2019

by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF

All rights reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, locations and incidents are purely fictional and bear no relationship to any real life individuals, living or dead, or to any actual places, business establishments, locations, events or incidents. Any resemblance is entirely coincidental.

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“Yes, we made promises. Had our entire future before us.” Hannah’s eyes turned glassy in the lighting.

She continued. “But the longer we were apart, the more apparent it became that we were over. My family took precedence, Derrick. Decisions were made that moved you and me farther and farther from each other. This is my reality now.”

He couldn’t deny that truth. “So Prescott is the guy for you?”

She nodded. “He’s been there. Since we met and later when Mom got sick. He’s a good man.”

“You love him?”

“You’ve met him. How could I not?”

“That’s not an answer.”

She pressed her lips together. He remembered that stubborn expression.

“Derrick, it’s been a long time. We can’t be in each other’s lives,” she said, but had hesitated for a fraction of a second.

A shaft of hope lit through Derrick. “Not even if you’re the love I never stopped looking for?”

Dear Reader,

Do you love to travel? I do. Nothing is more exciting than hitting the open road on a new adventure. And when an interesting locale pops up on a television show, I love to say to my husband, “I’ve been there.” There are so many outstanding places to set a story, so picking the right location for a book is important.

Years ago I was out west with some friends and we drove through Nevada. I was really impressed with the Lake Tahoe area. The mountains were so beautiful. The water so clear and blue. I love being in the woods, and let me say, there were so many gorgeous rustic areas, so many tall trees and lots of wildlife, I fell in love. So when I needed a special place for Hannah, my latest heroine, to live, the lake and surrounding region immediately jumped into my mind.

Research is a big part of planning a book, and when I get to “visit” new places to discover interesting tidbits to incorporate in a story, it makes writing so much fun.

I hope you enjoy Hannah and Derrick’s story, and the return of the Matthews brothers.

Happy reading!

Tara

To my precious daughter, Kathryn. I love you.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

About the Author

Booklist

Title Page

Copyright

Note to Readers

Introduction

Dear Reader

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

Extract

About the Publisher

“I DON’T LIKE the looks of this,” Derrick Matthews said to his three brothers as they huddled around the beach bonfire, waiting for their mother’s news. He hunched deeper into the fleece jacket worn over a T-shirt and jeans as a brisk wind whipped over the water. As the sun sank into the horizon, a damp chill settled in. The stacked logs snapped and crackled, pieces of ash rising in the air before being swept away.

“She’s been cagey, even more than usual,” Dante replied as he eyed the crowd. “Which is saying a lot.”

“You don’t think…” Dylan trailed off at the nods sent in his direction.

“Oh, yeah,” Derrick confirmed. “They’re going to make it official.”

He and his brothers stared into the burning flames. Their mother was going to marry a man with a sketchy past and if they valued their relationship with her, there wasn’t a thing they could do about it.

“It’s not like we didn’t expect this,” Deke reasoned.

Derrick leaned back in the beach chair, his gaze traveling to his mother, Jasmine, who was currently surrounded by a circle of friends. “Still, this is Mom we’re talking about.”

He couldn’t deny she looked happy. Happier than he’d ever seen her in the years since their father had died. Shouldn’t that count for something?