Anne Eames - Christmas Elopement

Cover Page

Excerpt No Interoffice Dating: Employee Handbook Rule #176 And who had known that rule better than himself, the boss, as he’d entered Carrie’s hotel room last night, as he’d kissed her and held her and— “We both know the rule, Mr. Cunningham,” Carrie said, her voice a mixture of hurt and anger. “So what was last night all about?” He saw the sheen of tears in Carrie’s hurt green eyes, but he couldn’t tell her what he wanted to say. That last night was about feelings he’d never felt before, about a oneness he never thought possible. He should have said good-night at her door, but he’d said good-night as they were drifting off to sleep, naked and sated…

Dear Reader Dear Reader, Happy holidays from the staff at Silhouette Desire! As you can see by the special cover treatment this month, these books are our holiday gifts to you. And each and every story is so wonderful that I know you’ll want to buy extras to give to your friends! We begin with Jackie Merritt’s MAN OF THE MONTH, Montana Christmas, which is the conclusion of her spectacular MADE IN MONTANA series. The fun continues with Instant Dad, the final installment in Raye Morgan’s popular series THE BABY SHOWER. Suzannah Davis’s Gabriel’s Bride is a classic—and sensuous—love story you’re sure to love. And Anne Eames’s delightful writing style is highlighted to perfection in Christmas Elopement. For a story that will make you feel all the warmth and goodwill of the holiday season, don’t miss Kate Little’s Jingle Bell Baby. And Susan Connell begins a new miniseries—THE GIRLS MOST LIKELY TO…—about three former high school friends who are now all grown up in Rebel’s Spirit. Look for upcoming books in the series in 1997. Happy holidays and happy reading from AND THE STAFF OF SILHOUETTE DESIRE Please address questions and book requests to: Silhouette Reader Service U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325. Buffalo, NY 14269 Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

Title Page Christmas Elopement Anne Eames www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author ANNE EAMES joined Romance Writers of America in 1991 and set a five-year goal: to sell her first novel. A year ahead of schedule she sold Two Weddings and a Bride, followed quickly by You’re What?! and Christmas Elopement —all 1996 releases for Silhouette Desire. Along the way she was an RWA Golden Heart Finalist, as well as a Maggie Award winner. Anne says her energetic imagination has been fueled by her motley background, which includes theater, sales and construction management—collectively providing her with a plethora of ideas for a lifetime of stories. Anne and her engineer husband, Bill, live in southeastern Michigan and share a family of five—two hers (Tim and Tom), two his (Erin and David) and one theirs (an adorable miniature dachshund, Punkin).

Dedication To Julia Cameron for her book The Artist’s Way, which has changed forever the way I approach my craft; and To those enlightened employers, managers and supervisors everywhere who contribute to the happiness and well-being of their employees

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And who had known that rule better than himself, the boss, as he’d entered Carrie’s hotel room last night, as he’d kissed her and held her and—

“We both know the rule, Mr. Cunningham,” Carrie said, her voice a mixture of hurt and anger. “So what was last night all about?”

He saw the sheen of tears in Carrie’s hurt green eyes, but he couldn’t tell her what he wanted to say. That last night was about feelings he’d never felt before, about a oneness he never thought possible. He should have said good-night at her door, but he’d said good-night as they were drifting off to sleep, naked and sated…

Dear Reader,

Happy holidays from the staff at Silhouette Desire! As you can see by the special cover treatment this month, these books are our holiday gifts to you. And each and every story is so wonderful that I know you’ll want to buy extras to give to your friends!

We begin with Jackie Merritt’s MAN OF THE MONTH, Montana Christmas, which is the conclusion of her spectacular MADE IN MONTANA series. The fun continues with Instant Dad, the final installment in Raye Morgan’s popular series THE BABY SHOWER.

Suzannah Davis’s Gabriel’s Bride is a classic—and sensuous—love story you’re sure to love. And Anne Eames’s delightful writing style is highlighted to perfection in Christmas Elopement. For a story that will make you feel all the warmth and goodwill of the holiday season, don’t miss Kate Little’s Jingle Bell Baby.

And Susan Connell begins a new miniseries—THE GIRLS MOST LIKELY TO…—about three former high school friends who are now all grown up in Rebel’s Spirit. Look for upcoming books in the series in 1997.

Happy holidays and happy reading from

AND THE STAFF OF SILHOUETTE DESIRE

Please address questions and book requests to:

Silhouette Reader Service

U.S.: 3010 Walden Ave., P.O. Box 1325. Buffalo, NY 14269

Canadian: P.O. Box 609, Fort Erie, Ont. L2A 5X3

www.millsandboon.co.uk

joined Romance Writers of America in 1991 and set a five-year goal: to sell her first novel. A year ahead of schedule she sold Two Weddings and a Bride, followed quickly by You’re What?! and Christmas Elopement —all 1996 releases for Silhouette Desire. Along the way she was an RWA Golden Heart Finalist, as well as a Maggie Award winner. Anne says her energetic imagination has been fueled by her motley background, which includes theater, sales and construction management—collectively providing her with a plethora of ideas for a lifetime of stories.

Anne and her engineer husband, Bill, live in southeastern Michigan and share a family of five—two hers (Tim and Tom), two his (Erin and David) and one theirs (an adorable miniature dachshund, Punkin).

To Julia Cameron for her book The Artist’s Way, which has changed forever the way I approach my craft; and To those enlightened employers, managers and supervisors everywhere who contribute to the happiness and well-being of their employees

So here it was, Friday the thirteenth. Bad hair, no fiancé, no job, and she felt like she was going to puke for the third time this morning. Tuesday’s flu was no longer the cause. More likely it was the bottle of cheap wine she’d consumed last night during a rare self-indulgent blue funk.

She should have known it would be a lousy week. So far, the bad perm on Monday had been the best part. She grabbed chunks of hair in each hand and growled in frustration. It was dry, fuzzy, bushy. Totally out of control. Unmanageable. Just like her ramshackle life.

“Oh, heiferdust! You really don’t have time for this selfpity, Carrie Sargent.” Where were those old problem-solving skills of hers, anyway?