T. McClure - An Allegheny Homecoming

What happens when you do go home again?

One mistake cost Josh Hunter almost everything. Burning his bridges was easier than coming home. Yet here he is, eight years—and one family crisis—later, back in his Pennsylvania town playing unlikely rescuer to a blizzard-stranded stranger.

Local newscaster Wendy Valentine is looking for the story that will make her name as a serious journalist. The tragic secret Josh is concealing could be her stepping-stone. Funny then that Wendy seems more interested in the sizzling personal dynamics playing out between them!

“Are you running away?”

The words came as if from a distance. Josh tore his gaze from the blue flames and stared into her big brown eyes. “Excuse me?”

She propped a hand on her hip and moved so she could look directly at him. “You can’t bear to see your parents fighting, so you’re running away.”

He placed his palm on her cheek and ran his thumb along her chin. “Always thinking. I don’t want to talk about the past and I don’t want to talk about the future. Why don’t we just stay in the moment, Miss Valentine?” And with that he pulled her into his arms and kissed her.

Thanksgiving night, a fire in the fireplace, together with a woman he liked and respected. This was all he wanted for now. Because once Miss Wendy Valentine found out the truth about him, there would be no more kisses. Once Miss Wendy Valentine found out what he’d done, she would have her big story and she would be on her way.

Dear Reader,

You’re reading my second book! For whatever reason this book ended up in your hands, I thank you for reading this story. I strive to improve with each work, to write a story impossible to put down and to keep you reading long into the night. Thank you for the positive words and encouragement on this writing journey. Again I thank the crew at Harlequin, without whom this story would not be told. Again I am honored to be part of the Harlequin Heartwarming group of authors.

In An Allegheny Homecoming, Wendy and Josh leave the foothills of the Alleghenies. Josh because he’s hiding a secret and Wendy because she seeks an opportunity she can’t find in a small town. This exodus happens every day in small towns across the country. Whether one joins the military, seizes a job opportunity, or just craves adventure and new horizons, the urge to travel and explore is common to everyone.

But sometimes you just need to come home, to a place as familiar and comfortable as an old sweatshirt from your high school days.

Return to Bear Meadows with Josh Hunter.

As always...enjoy the read.

T.R.

An Allegheny Homecoming

T. R. McClure

www.millsandboon.co.uk

T. R. McCLURE wrote her first story when she was ten years old. A degree in psychology led to a career in human resources. Only after retirement did she pick up her pen and return to fiction.

T.R. lives in central Pennsylvania with her husband of thirty-seven years. They share their country home with one horse, one cat, four beagles and Sunny the yellow Lab. T.R. is always up for travel adventures with her grown twin daughters.

To my parents, Clyde and Stephania, >who gave me a loving and supportive family environment but left this earth much too soon.

And to my husband’s parents, Elmer and Mary, who gave me the opportunity to be a daughter again.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

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

EPILOGUE

Extract

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

“A COLD FRONT coming in from the north gives our area a dusting of snow for the overnight forecast.” Wendy Valentine turned toward the camera with a smile. “So far this week it’s been mild, but then into the weekend it becomes colder.” Eyes on the monitor, she waved a hand over the center of the green screen. “Tuesday we’ll have 44 degrees with a few passing clouds. High Wednesday only 37 with a few snow showers Thursday morning.”

From his position behind the anchor desk, Casey Knight flashed bright, white teeth in her direction. His thick blond hair gleamed under the lights. “Thanks, Wendy, what a nice way to start the week, with a few more warm days before winter sets in. Not bad for central Pennsylvania in November.”

“But don’t forget it looks like snow later in the week!” Elbows tucked, Wendy linked her fingers and rested her hands at her waist as the camera pulled back. “Better dig out your snow boots, Casey.”

“This will be my first experience with snow since I moved here. I’m not sure I’m ready.” With a charming grin and a sly wink, Casey spoke to camera one. “Well, that does it for us this morning. Stay tuned for national news. Our chief meteorologist, Mark Murphy, and I will see you at noon.”

Wendy bit the corner of her lip to stop her frowning as she gazed at the new anchor. This was who she had lost the position to? This Mr. Perfect? Navy blazer, crisp white shirt, blue-and-gray-striped tie. No one should look that good, even if he was the new morning anchor for WSHF. “And we’re clear.” The voice of their college intern came out in a high-pitched squeak.

Wendy hadn’t taken two steps before Casey was at her side. “Join me for a cup of coffee, Wendy? We should get to know each other.” He winked.

“I’m going home. But maybe another time.”

Casey looked her up and down. “You have a nice camera presence. You should try for an anchor position sometime. Catch ya later.” Another wink and he was gone.

Wendy shrugged off the comment and her blazer just as a bead of sweat rolled down the side of her face. No matter how cold her forecast, under these lights the temperature was usually hot. Yet she always wore a suit in an attempt to be taken seriously by her peers. So far it hadn’t worked.

She weaved through the collection of television equipment and thick cables strung across the floor to get to the hallway, en route to the tiny office she shared with the chief meteorologist. With more seniority than she, Mark had the cushy working hours of noon and six, leaving Wendy with early morning and late evening. The man wouldn’t show at the station until shortly before the noon report. On the plus side, Wendy had all day to search for that one perfect story that would shoot her to the top and far away from this small-town television station.

“Wendy, could I see you for a minute?” Another new addition to the station, Walt Crosby stuck his head into the hallway. The station manager’s thick white hair appeared perpetually tousled. Red blotches colored his cheeks. Rumors of an incident on the West Coast that chased him east had accompanied his recent arrival.

On her way to the coffee station for her first cup, Wendy resisted the urge to frown. She couldn’t afford to antagonize the man. Part of her plan involved doing something, anything, other than weather, and she needed his approval. “Sure, boss.” She made a U-turn and followed Walt into a cluttered office, which no longer smelled of the former station manager’s perfume but of smoke. “What’s up?”