Tina Radcliffe - Rocky Mountain Reunion

A Second Chance at Forever

Nurse Anne Matson’s structured life derails when a familiar patient enters her ER—the ex-husband she left ten years ago. Matthew Clark is the last person she expects to see in Paradise, Colorado, especially with a nine-year-old daughter. The single dad is running the town’s biggest expansion project, but one thing stands in his way—Anne’s Victorian home. When his daughter falls ill, and Anne volunteers to help with her care, Matt recognizes he’s never stopped loving the spirited beauty. But how can he get her back when he plans to take all she has left...or can Anne see she has everything to gain—the family she’s been denied?

He was real, all right. All too real.

All six feet and wide shoulders worth of him. He’d loosened his tie and his hair was all mussed and all she could do was stare, asking herself the same question her friend had. Why had she left such a man?

“Give me your keys. I’ll change your tire.”

Roused from her reverie, she remembered her disabled car. “I can do it. I don’t need rescuing.”

“Never crossed my mind. But even you can use a little help sometimes.”

When he was done, Anne reached into the car and handed him disinfectant wipes.

Matt smirked. “A true nurse. Always prepared.”

But when he stepped closer, she wasn’t prepared. Not the least bit.

Why? They were over. She had moved on…to a safe life.

A lonely life, said an inner voice.

The more she was around Matt, the more confused she became. Or was she? Actually, what she wanted became clearer. But did she have the courage to reach for it?

TINA RADCLIFFE has been dreaming and scribbling for years. Originally from western New York, she left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her past careers include certified oncology RN and library cataloger. She recently moved from Denver, Colorado, to the Phoenix, Arizona, area, where she writes heartwarming and fun inspirational romance.

Rocky Mountain Reunion

Tina Radcliffe

www.Harlequin.com

Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

—Psalms 31:24

Acknowledgments Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction About the Author Title Page Bible Verse Acknowledgments 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 Epilogue Dear Reader Extract Copyright

Many thanks to beta-reader Tracey Hagwood for her insightful comments and suggestions on the proposal for this book. Thank you, Maria King, RPh, for patiently answering questions related to diabetes. Thanks to Brenda at D and B House Movers in Monroe, Michigan, for being so helpful.

I’d like to add a shout-out to the Aarons in my life. Thank you, Tom Radcliffe, Tessie Russo, Michael Russo, Mary Connealy, Ruth Logan Herne, Missy Tippens, Debby Giusti, Janet Dean and Sharon Medley.

As always, thank you to my agent, Meredith Bernstein, for her support. A special thanks to my editor, Giselle Regus, who consistently challenges me to dig deeper and makes me a better writer.

Many of the Paradise series books are set in a fictional medical setting; however, the information in these works of fiction should

never be considered a substitute for seeking medical advice. All errors are wholly mine.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text A Second Chance at Forever Nurse Anne Matson’s structured life derails when a familiar patient enters her ER—the ex-husband she left ten years ago. Matthew Clark is the last person she expects to see in Paradise, Colorado, especially with a nine-year-old daughter. The single dad is running the town’s biggest expansion project, but one thing stands in his way—Anne’s Victorian home. When his daughter falls ill, and Anne volunteers to help with her care, Matt recognizes he’s never stopped loving the spirited beauty. But how can he get her back when he plans to take all she has left...or can Anne see she has everything to gain—the family she’s been denied?

Introduction He was real, all right. All too real. All six feet and wide shoulders worth of him. He’d loosened his tie and his hair was all mussed and all she could do was stare, asking herself the same question her friend had. Why had she left such a man? “Give me your keys. I’ll change your tire.” Roused from her reverie, she remembered her disabled car. “I can do it. I don’t need rescuing.” “Never crossed my mind. But even you can use a little help sometimes.” When he was done, Anne reached into the car and handed him disinfectant wipes. Matt smirked. “A true nurse. Always prepared.” But when he stepped closer, she wasn’t prepared. Not the least bit. Why? They were over. She had moved on…to a safe life. A lonely life, said an inner voice. The more she was around Matt, the more confused she became. Or was she? Actually, what she wanted became clearer. But did she have the courage to reach for it?

About the Author TINA RADCLIFFE has been dreaming and scribbling for years. Originally from western New York, she left home for a tour of duty with the Army Security Agency stationed in Augsburg, Germany, and ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her past careers include certified oncology RN and library cataloger. She recently moved from Denver, Colorado, to the Phoenix, Arizona, area, where she writes heartwarming and fun inspirational romance.

Title Page Rocky Mountain Reunion Tina Radcliffe www.Harlequin.com

Bible Verse Be of good courage and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord. —Psalms 31:24

Acknowledgments Acknowledgments Contents Cover Back Cover Text Introduction About the Author Title Page Bible Verse Acknowledgments 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 Epilogue Dear Reader Extract Copyright Many thanks to beta-reader Tracey Hagwood for her insightful comments and suggestions on the proposal for this book. Thank you, Maria King, RPh, for patiently answering questions related to diabetes. Thanks to Brenda at D and B House Movers in Monroe, Michigan, for being so helpful. I’d like to add a shout-out to the Aarons in my life. Thank you, Tom Radcliffe, Tessie Russo, Michael Russo, Mary Connealy, Ruth Logan Herne, Missy Tippens, Debby Giusti, Janet Dean and Sharon Medley. As always, thank you to my agent, Meredith Bernstein, for her support. A special thanks to my editor, Giselle Regus, who consistently challenges me to dig deeper and makes me a better writer. Many of the Paradise series books are set in a fictional medical setting; however, the information in these works of fiction should never be considered a substitute for seeking medical advice. All errors are wholly mine.

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

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“Anne, ambulances are en route.”

Anne Matson looked up from the tidy pile of paperwork on her desk. “Was that plural?”