Robyn Carr - Forbidden Falls

Praise for New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author Robyn Carr

The American Library Association’s Booklist Reviews

names Virgin River one of 2007’s top ten romances.

“The Virgin River books are so compelling—

I connected instantly with the characters

and just wanted more and more and more.”

—#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

“Robyn Carr creates strong men, fascinating women

and a community you’ll want to visit again

and again. Who could ask for more?”

— New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods

“A thrilling debut of a series

that promises much to come.”

— New York Times bestselling author Clive Cussler

“Jennifer is a beautifully drawn character

whose interior journey is wonderful to behold.”

— RT Book Reviews on Runaway Mistress

“This is one author who proves a Carr can fly.”

— Book Reviewer on Blue Skies

“Robyn Carr provides readers [with] a powerful,

thought-provoking work of contemporary fiction.”

— Midwest Book Review on Deep in the Valley

“A remarkable storyteller.”

— Library Journal

“A warm wonderful book about women’s

friendships, love and family. I adored it!”

—Susan Elizabeth Phillips

on The House on Olive Street

“A delightfully funny novel.”

— Midwest Book Review on The Wedding Party

Also by Robyn Carr

The Virgin River Series PARADISE VALLEY TEMPTATION RIDGE SECOND CHANCE PASS A VIRGIN RIVER CHRISTMAS WHISPERING ROCK SHELTER MOUNTAIN VIRGIN RIVER

The Grace Valley Series DEEP IN THE VALLEY JUST OVER THE MOUNTAIN DOWN BY THE RIVER

Novels NEVER TOO LATE RUNAWAY MISTRESS BLUE SKIES THE WEDDING PARTY THE HOUSE ON OLIVE STREET

Look for Robyn Carr’s next novel

ANGEL’S PEAK

available February 2010

Forbidden Falls

Robyn Carr

www.mirabooks.co.uk

This book is dedicated to my daughter

and best friend, Jamie Lynn. Thank you for

being your wonderful self. I’m so proud of you.

I am deeply grateful for the continued and dedicated early readings and fantastic suggestions made by my friend Michelle Mazzanti of the Henderson District Public Libraries. I count on you more than you’ll ever know.

Kate Bandy and Sharon Lampert, my dear friends, my right arm and my left, thank you for early reads, traveling with me on book business and staking out bookstores to hand sell books.

Colleen Gleason, you scary-smart writer you, my deep appreciation for critiquing, brainstorming, reading early drafts and making the most terrific suggestions.

I have the most wonderful team assisting, keeping me straight, giving moral and professional support and I’d be so lost without you. Thank you, Nancy Berland of the Berland PR Agency, Liza Dawson of Liza Dawson Associates Inc., and Valerie Gray, executive editor of Mira Books. You are true goddesses.

Thanks to Jeanne Devlin of the Berland Agency and Cissy Hartley of Writerspace.com. I reap the benefits of your many hours of creative work. I am so lucky to have you in my camp.

It is with humble appreciation I’d like to thank the entire Harlequin team. I know that I have the fun job and you do all the heavy lifting and I am profoundly grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for this wonderful opportunity to spend every day in Virgin River.

Thanks to the men and women who gather at the virtual Jack’s Bar online—your enthusiasm is often the bright light on a cloudy day. You’re like family and I enjoy your company so much.

And, finally, to the thousands of readers who have written with comments and suggestions, with your personal stories and encouragement, I am indebted to you. I take each e-mail very seriously and you’ll never know how much it means to me that you take the time to write. Bless you.

Below is an excerpt from ANGEL’S PEAK, the next book in the Virgin River series. Available February 2010.

Sean Riordan hadn’t seen his ex-girlfriend, Franci, in four years. The second she walked into the little bar, he knew with stunning clarity that he’d been a fool to let her go. He wasn’t about to be that stupid again. So he followed her.

He had just about caught up to her as she was unlocking the door of a small, silver sedan. “Franci?” he called out.

She jumped, turned and stared at him, wide-eyed.

“It is you,” he said.

She pulled her coat tighter around her. “Sean?”

“Yeah,” he said, laughing. “I can’t believe I’m running into you here, of all places. You look great. How long have you been here? In Arcata?”

“I … ah … don’t actually live in Arcata. I was just meeting some friends for dinner.”

He took another step toward her. “Franci, let me buy you a cup of coffee. Let’s catch up a little.”

“Ah … No, I don’t think so, Sean,” she said, shaking her head. “I’d better get—”

“I looked for you,” he said impulsively. “To say it was a mistake, the way we broke up. We should talk.”

“Listen, don’t even go there, Sean. It’s all in the past. No hard feelings,” she said. “So good luck and good—”

“Are you married or something?” he asked.

She was startled. “No. But I’m not looking to go back. Maybe you were able to just blow off our last discussion, but I—”

“I didn’t blow it off, Franci,” he said. “I looked for you and couldn’t find you anywhere. You got out of the air force and disappeared on me. That’s why I want to talk.”

“Well, I don’t,” she said. “I think you’ve probably said enough on that subject.”

“Franci, what the hell?” he asked, confused and a little angry by her immediate rebuff. “Can’t we have a conversation? We were together for two years! It was good, me and you. We never had anyone else, either one of us and—”

“And you said it wasn’t going any further,” she said, stiffening her back. “In fact, that was one of the nicer things you said. I’m glad you’re doing fine, you look just the same, happy as can be. Don’t push this. We decided. We’re over.”

“Come on. I don’t believe you mean that,” he said.

“Believe it,” she retorted. “You made a decision—you didn’t want a commitment to me and there you are—you don’t have one. Bye. Take care.”

She got in her car and slammed the door. He took two giant steps forward and heard the door locks click into place. She quickly backed out of her parking space and drove away.

Now that he’d seen her, he knew what he’d long suspected. He was far from over her. And he was damn sure going to get her back.

Recently ordained minister Noah Kincaid was surfing the Internet, killing time, when quite by chance, he happened to find a church being auctioned on eBay—in some little place he’d never heard of—Virgin River. He laughed at the very idea, but was intrigued. He’d been waiting patiently for an assignment to a church of his own and thought it couldn’t hurt to take a look at the place himself. If nothing else, it would be a good excuse to get out of town for a day and see something different. He’d heard Northern California was very beautiful.

The first thing that struck him was the overwhelming beauty of the mountains, redwoods and rivers. The town was a little washed out and the church was a wreck, but there was a peacefulness and simplicity there he couldn’t dismiss. Or forget. It seemed uncomplicated, fresh.