Anna Adams - Her Reason To Stay

“Have you come looking for safety, Daphne?”

She met his gaze, and then hers fell to his mouth. Wanting her was crazy. A woman had never confused Patrick this way before.

“We’re getting too personal.” She leaned back and stood.

“Wait.” He caught her arm. Though she tried to be tough, she couldn’t hide her fragility. “Do you want me to call Raina?”

Softness returned to Daphne’s eyes. “I really don’t need you to take my first step with my sister.”

“I’d like to help.”

“You might as well know I’m not used to having someone take care of me.”

“Taking care is what small towns do best.”

“Thank you,” she said. “I know you’re trying to make me feel welcome. I appreciate that you care.”

Care? Patrick was trying not to care too much.

Anna Adamswrote her first romance on the beach in wet sand with a stick. The Atlantic Ocean washed that one away, but these days she uses modern tools to write the kind of stories she loves best – romance that involves everyone in the family, and often the whole community. Anna is in the middle of one of those stories with her own hero of twenty-seven years. From Iceland to Hawaii and points in between they’ve shared their lives with children and family and friends who’ve become family. Right now they’re living in a small Southern town, whose square has become the model for the one where much of the action happens in Honesty, Virginia. In fact, Anna wrote much of Her Reason To Stay in a coffee shop looking out at the courthouse that readers of this series must know so well.

by

MILLS & BOON ®

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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To Colin and his Sarah,

who, happily, is another Sarah for us to love.

Buddy, the instant I first looked into your face,

I became a better woman. Have I ever

thanked you for that?

Cover Page

Excerpt “Have you come looking for safety, Daphne?” She met his gaze, and then hers fell to his mouth. Wanting her was crazy. A woman had never confused Patrick this way before. “We’re getting too personal.” She leaned back and stood. “Wait.” He caught her arm. Though she tried to be tough, she couldn’t hide her fragility. “Do you want me to call Raina?” Softness returned to Daphne’s eyes. “I really don’t need you to take my first step with my sister.” “I’d like to help.” “You might as well know I’m not used to having someone take care of me.” “Taking care is what small towns do best.” “Thank you,” she said. “I know you’re trying to make me feel welcome. I appreciate that you care.” Care? Patrick was trying not to care too much.

About the Author Anna Adams wrote her first romance on the beach in wet sand with a stick. The Atlantic Ocean washed that one away, but these days she uses modern tools to write the kind of stories she loves best – romance that involves everyone in the family, and often the whole community. Anna is in the middle of one of those stories with her own hero of twenty-seven years. From Iceland to Hawaii and points in between they’ve shared their lives with children and family and friends who’ve become family. Right now they’re living in a small Southern town, whose square has become the model for the one where much of the action happens in Honesty, Virginia. In fact, Anna wrote much of Her Reason To Stay in a coffee shop looking out at the courthouse that readers of this series must know so well.

Title Page Her Reason to Stay by

Dedication To Colin and his Sarah, who, happily, is another Sarah for us to love. Buddy, the instant I first looked into your face, I became a better woman. Have I ever thanked you for that?

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

Epilogue

Preview

Copyright

“I CAN HARDLY LOOK at you. You have my face. And seeing you reminds me that my parents lied to me.”

Those weren’t exactly the words she wanted to hear. Daphne Soder had expected surprise, maybe even shock from her long-lost sister. Instead, the stranger who was also her twin seemed one second away from leaping out the closest window.

Ignoring a strong urge to stop her, Daphne kept still, trying not to frighten Raina Abernathy any further.

Raina sat beside her lawyer, barricaded behind a long maple conference table in the office of Delaney, Brock, Sheffield and Gannon. Her body language screamed, “stay away,” as she moved closer to the dark-haired man whom she clearly considered her protector.

His name was Patrick Gannon, and his glacial expression pierced Daphne as if he expected her to reach across the table and murder Raina in front of him.

So much for a happy reunion. Daphne had arrived at this meeting filled with the crazy hope that she and her sister could finally become a family, that they’d learn to love each other. But Raina obviously didn’t want that, and her rejection hurt.

“I’m sorry. I had no idea you didn’t know about the adoption,” Daphne said. “Still, that doesn’t change why I’m here.”

Patrick turned toward her, his mouth a thin line, his glare raising goose bumps that made her hug herself. He stared at her arms, then looked into her eyes, his own filling with suspicion.

“I don’t have any ulterior motives,” she said. “But I hope you aren’t thinking like Mr. Gannon, Raina.” She met his gaze full on. It took more than a man with the ability to launch an ice age at a glance to scare her these days. “Or are you assuming the worst because my sister does?”

Neither Patrick nor Raina answered.

“I’d hoped you’d welcome the chance to meet your twin sister,” Daphne continued. “I understand you’re reluctant because you don’t know me, but can’t you try?” She studied Raina—a polished, expensive yet timid version of herself.

Raina looked away, but not before Daphne saw her obvious sadness. She reminded herself that she’d had months to get accustomed to the idea that she had a twin sister. And because her family had been anything but stable, the news had been welcome. The same was not true for Raina, who probably was struggling to accept such a radical change to her world. That realization nudged aside Daphne’s disappointment, allowing her to feel Raina’s pain.

Almost against her will, Daphne slid her hand across the table toward Raina. Reaching out to strangers was difficult, but she and Raina shared a bond that Daphne longed to build on. Offering physical support was a monumental step she had to take.

Patrick shifted, positioning his body to protect Raina. The rejection and hostility in the move, along with Raina’s acquiescence made Daphne snatch back her hand.