Susan Connell - Rebel's Spirit

Cover Page

Excerpt “In Case You’ve Forgotten, And I’m Sure You Have, My High School Reunion Is Tonight.” “I know that,” Raleigh said. “Rebecca, I’m sorry—” “I know, I know. You won’t be able to be my date. Well, we both knew even before our talk that you would have come up with a last-minute excuse not to go with me.” He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. “You’re off the hook. That’s right. You don’t have to suffer the embarrassment of being caught with Reb Barnett. Sure, a few people know we’ve been seeing each other, but don’t worry. There’s no proof that the girl from the wrong side of the river ever got close to you. No one’s ever claimed that, anyway. And if someone had, who would believe it?” She slammed the door in his face. Don’t miss the romantic adventures of the otherGIRLS MOST LIKELY TO…coming your wayin 1997—only in Silhouette Desire!

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 Rebel’s Spirit Susan Connell www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author SUSAN CONNELL has a love of traveling that has taken her all over the world—Greece, Spain, Portugal, Central and South America, to name just a few places. While working for the foreign service she met a U.S. navy pilot, and eight days later they were engaged. Twenty-one years and several moves later, Susan, her husband, Jim, and daughter, Catherine, call the New Jersey shore home. When she’s not writing, her part-time job at a local bookstore, Mediterranean cooking and traveling with her family are some of her favorite activities. Susan has been honored by New Jersey Romance Writers with their coveted Golden Leaf Award. She loves hearing from her readers.

Dedication For Cathy Connell Thank heaven for little girls, they grow up in the most delightful way…and with the best ideas! Love, Mom

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Epilogue

Copyright

“I know that,” Raleigh said. “Rebecca, I’m sorry—”

“I know, I know. You won’t be able to be my date. Well, we both knew even before our talk that you would have come up with a last-minute excuse not to go with me.”

He opened his mouth to speak, but she cut him off. “You’re off the hook.

That’s right. You don’t have to suffer the embarrassment of being caught with Reb Barnett. Sure, a few people know we’ve been seeing each other, but don’t worry. There’s no proof that the girl from the wrong side of the river ever got close to you. No one’s ever claimed that, anyway. And if someone had, who would believe it?” She slammed the door in his face.

Don’t miss the romantic adventures of the otherGIRLS MOST LIKELY TO…coming your wayin 1997—only in Silhouette Desire!

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

has a love of traveling that has taken her all over the world—Greece, Spain, Portugal, Central and South America, to name just a few places. While working for the foreign service she met a U.S. navy pilot, and eight days later they were engaged. Twenty-one years and several moves later, Susan, her husband, Jim, and daughter, Catherine, call the New Jersey shore home. When she’s not writing, her part-time job at a local bookstore, Mediterranean cooking and traveling with her family are some of her favorite activities. Susan has been honored by New Jersey Romance Writers with their coveted Golden Leaf Award. She loves hearing from her readers.

For Cathy Connell

Thank heaven for little girls, they grow up in the most delightful way…and with the best ideas!

Love, Mom

The thrill was back and building in the pit of Rebecca Barnett’s stomach. Maybe the mixing scents of evergreen and chlorinated water had something to do with it, but she hadn’t experienced such heady temptation since high school.

Stepping onto the diving board, she began lowering her towel, then stopped. A chilly breeze against her backside had her gasping with surprise. Was she crazy? She would have sworn she’d put this kind of bad-girl mischief behind her. A twenty-eight-year-old, self-made, successful businesswoman did not engage in these sorts of high jinks.

Clutching her towel closer, she looked down at the shimmering rectangle of bright blue water. Invitation pulsated in every drop. As a tingle of excitement began curling through her body, she felt her shoulders relaxing.

So what if the main reason she’d returned to Follett River was to impress everyone at her high school’s tenyear reunion? That event wouldn’t be taking place for another four weeks. Meanwhile, how often did a girl stumble on an opportunity like this?