Kathleen Pickering - Where It Began

Going back to go forward

Daniel Del Rio never could say no to Maria Santiago. So although their relationship is over, when she asks him to sail her to the Bahamas, he reluctantly agrees. She’s convinced that revisiting the scene of her accident will restore her memory. If it does, then maybe he can finally let go and move on with his life.

But moving on seems impossible when being in such close quarters reminds him of what they once had. Could their proximity be having the same effect on her? As he falls for Maria, Daniel realizes he has to confess his role in the accident…even if that confession could cost him a second chance with her.

Daniel gently pulled Maria to the helm

He planted both her hands on the steering wheel, then stepped away. Maria stood with her profile to him.

She pushed her glasses onto the bridge of her nose in a nervous gesture.

He placed a hand over hers and moved the wheel, adjusting their heading. Then he moved closer, his chest pressing against her left arm. Her warm, sweet scent mixed with coconut sunscreen invaded his senses and his next thought flew out of his head.

Wanting to be closer, he moved behind her, wrapping his arms around her body. Together they moved the wheel. The heat from her skin blended with his, weaving some intoxicating thread around them. Did she feel the wind funneling through the sails and over their bodies?

Yeah, she did.

He indulged the luxury of closing his eyes to revel in her body heat and perfume. This moment was all too familiar...and Maria didn’t even know.

Dear Reader,

I wish I knew you personally to thank you for purchasing my first Harlequin Superromance book! Writing Where It Began was dear to me because it was based on a trip to the Bahamas with my husband for our twenty-fifth wedding anniversary. The beauty of the Abacos, the reefs and the remote location acted as a catalyst for Daniel and Maria’s love story.

Raised as a power-boat kid, transitioning to sailing after marriage proved more difficult than I imagined. In the power-boat world, a heeling (tilting) boat means trouble, and setting the boat in motion merely requires turning a key. Learning sailboat rigging and handling sails taught me much about the power of nature and the joy of harnessing the wind. Also, as in relationships, finally letting go of the boat’s lifelines to enjoy the heeling sailboat literally taught me to let go of my need for control and enjoy life’s surprises and adventures.

I became hooked on writing in eighth grade, when I discovered the power of words in a poem written by e. e. cummings. I hope my word-crafted worlds of triumph and love entertain you. Feel free to email me at Kathleen@KathleenPickering.com and let me know.

Happy reading!

Kathleen Pickering

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kathleen Pickering, the author with more than just a story to tell, believes stories teach life lessons. The second oldest of eight siblings, Kathleen draws characters from people around her, like her artist sister whose talent drives her into seclusion, or her newlywed son and daughter-in-law whose love is so fresh and genuine. Kathleen also travels to research her work. So beware. If she meets you, you may wind up inspiring one of her novels!

To you, reader, for celebrating my first Harlequin Superromance with me. Thank you!

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, I’d like to acknowledge my new editor, Wanda Ottewell, for having faith in my work and a sense of humor that rivals mine!

I’d like to thank friend and fellow author, Karen Kendall, for introducing me to Wanda at Florida Romance Writers Cruise with Your Muse Conference. (Long live balloon hats and Mexican cantinas!)

I have also been blessed with an amazing friend and mentor in Heather Graham, who has written for almost every Harlequin line, including launching the MIRA imprint. Heather also introduced me to my agent, Lucy Childs, with whom I am so thrilled to be associated.

I must add that my writing career began once I became a member of Florida Romance Writers in Fort Lauderdale, which is a chapter of Romance Writers of America. I am grateful for the company of fabulous authors whom I call friends, especially the M&M’s and the beautiful Traci Hall.

Thank you one and all for your kinship, your guidance and for loving the writing world as much as I do!

Contents

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 ONE

“I NEED ANSWERS,” Maria Santiago said, keeping her voice calm when she wanted to scream.

She inhaled a soothing breath, grateful for these tranquil moments during dinner hour with Poppa. She could count on him to anchor her in the world she remembered.

She selected a roll and passed the basket to her right, ignoring the pleasant warmth from Daniel Murphy Del Rio’s hands as he took it from her. She also ignored his gaze, which never failed to make her uncomfortable. He always seemed to be questioning her. Heaven knew, she had no idea why.

The evening’s shadows were growing along the beach, but her cherished ocean view from Reefside’s terrace did little to quell the tightness in her chest over this demand she was making. Until recently, she’d been content to hole up in her studio, or indulge in sunrise and sunset walks along the beach, but no longer. Her precious twin sister, whose memory she still grieved, had begun to haunt her dreams.

Dreams, no. Nightmares. Until the nightmares began, she’d held nothing but heartfelt, wonderful memories of Carmen. Now these gruesome nightmares of her sister began tormenting her waking hours.

Why now? Carmen had died a year ago.

Maria had done some investigating. The answers didn’t please her, but she no longer had a choice. Her father would indulge her demand. He had to.

If possible, she sat even straighter in the deep-cushioned bamboo chair and continued speaking, determined to have him agree before she lost her cool and started raising her voice.

“My doctor insists that a promising antidote for retrograde amnesia is to return to the place where it began. I would like to take the Honora back to the Abacos.”

She spared a glance at Del Rio and smirked at the alarm in his eyes before continuing. “However, Poppa, I wanted to be sure you still had confidence in your captain, since the Honora is collecting barnacles at the dock.”

Del Rio’s hand stopped in midair. He opened that captivating mouth of his to speak, then frowned, changing his mind. Maria didn’t miss the quelling look Poppa sent his way.

She’d learned from her father that Daniel Murphy Del Rio was talented and fearless at the helm. Yet, since she’d become aware of him, he hadn’t taken the Honora out at all. The few times she’d questioned Poppa, he’d waved away her concern. Anytime she asked Del Rio, he merely said that Elias—her father—had no desire to go anywhere. There was no denying she had hit a raw nerve with the ship captain. His focus straight ahead, he tore the roll into small pieces and chewed them one after the other, without taking the time to add butter, even though he had already placed some on his plate.

Good. Poppa had a bad habit of treating hired help like family. It was understandable with good employees like their butler Eduardo, who had been around for years, but Del Rio was way too new to Reefside for her father to give him such honors.