Home Is Where the Heart Is (Welcome To Redemption) (17 page)

Sheriff Chase Lowell has never been more scared in his life than when he discovers the diner where Hannah Porter works has been robbed at gunpoint. He’s been in love with her for as long as he can remember, but has kept his feelings in check because she’s his best friend’s little sister.

Hannah has had a crush on Chase since she was in the third grade. He’s kind, compassionate, and as handsome as they come. They’ve known each other forever, which seems to be the problem—he thinks of her more as a kid sister rather than a romantic interest.

But something changes the night he races into the diner and crushes her in his arms. When he makes her safety his personal mission, Hannah decides to make it
her
mission to get him to see her in a different light.

Hannah’s loved Chase forever,

but she’s his best friend’s kid sister…

“I don’t want to hurt you, Hannah. I think the world of you; I always have. But I…I don’t think about you that way. I mean, hell, you’re beautiful and sexy and any man would be lucky to have you, but—”

“Any man but you?” she countered, her chest tight with repressed hurt and confusion.

He reached out as if to clasp her hand, but she stepped back out of his reach.

“You’re like a little sister to me, dammit,” he all but choked out. “I would hate to ruin what we have by jumping into bed together.”

Hannah could only stare at him, no cohesive thoughts forming in her brain. She’d known the truth about this man, yet she’d thrown caution—and her good sense—right out the window at the first sign he might be interested. Only she’d misinterpreted those signs and made a complete frickin’ fool of herself.
Well, lesson learned.

She gave a decisive nod. “You’re right. And let’s be honest, most of the blame falls to me. I’ve been lonely, I’m still a little freaked out over what happened last night, and I drank a lot more wine than I should have. You’re as comfortable as an old pair of shoes, so I turned to you for comfort. The wrong kind. If anything, I’m the one who owes you an apology.”

“Hannah—”

“If you plan to follow me to work tomorrow, I’ll be leaving the house at five-thirty. ‘Night, Sheriff.”

With as much dignity as she could muster, Hannah strode into the house and headed up to bed. Somehow, she managed to hold the tears at bay until safely ensconced in her room.

* * *

About the Author

Donna Marie Rogers inherited her love of romance from her mother. Romance novels, soap operas, Little House On the Prairie—her mother loved them all. And though it wasn't until years later Donna would come to understand her mother's fascination with Charles Ingalls, Donna's love of the romance genre is every bit as all-consuming. Donna's books have received rave reviews and finaled in numerous contests, including the Aspen Gold, EPIC Awards, and her chapter's own Write Touch Readers Award.

A Chicago native, Donna now lives in beautiful Northeast Wisconsin with her husband and children. She's an avid gardener and home-canner, as well as an admitted reality TV junkie. Her passion to read is only exceeded by her passion to write, so when she's not doing the wife and mother thing, you can usually find her sitting at the computer, creating exciting, memorable characters, fresh new worlds, and always happily-ever-afters.

~~~~~

Follow me online:

Website and Blog:
http://www.DonnaMarieRogers.blogspot.com

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/Donna.Marie.Rogers

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/DMR_LizaJames

Home Is Where the Heart Is

First Published 2007 by The Wild Rose Press

Excerpt from
Never Let Me Go

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Published by Donna Kowalczyk

Contact Information:
http://www.DonnaMarieRogers.com

Cover Art:
Tamra Westberry

Table of Contents