Close to Heart
Healing Harts #3
Healing Harts #3
By: T.J. Kline
Releasing July 14, 2015.
Avon Impulse
Close To Heart
Healing Harts Series
It only took an instant for her world to come crashing down…but Heart Fire Ranch is a place of new beginnings, even for those who find their way there by accident
As the only veterinarian in town, Justin Hart doesn't have time to think about romance. So when A-list actress Alyssa Cole crashes her car outside his clinic, it's entirely unexpected when there's a spark between them he can't ignore. Still, she's a movie star, and he's just a small town cowboy.
Alyssa has learned the hard way not to believe first impressions, especially not in Hollywood. But, 400 miles from her former life with nowhere to go and no one to turn to, she places her trust in the handsome vet who comes to her rescue.
There's no denying the connection between them, but when Alyssa's past shows up at the door, will their new relationship be able to withstand the storm?
Alyssa hung up before Franklin could
ask any more questions and made her way down the hall to where Justin
waited, feeling as if she was carrying too many burdens on her
shoulders. Until calling Franklin, she’d been avoiding facing the
reality of her situation—her marriage was over and she was on her
own. There was no turning back. The only real decision left to make
was what she would ask for in the divorce, for her and their child.
It was enough to deal with finding out her husband was cheating on
her, had been for almost the entirety of their marriage, but to have
him cast her and their child aside, to know the apathy he felt for
their child, hurt too much to bear.
“Would you like tea or water?”
Justin asked as she came into the kitchen. Two sub sandwiches sat on
the table as he opened the refrigerator. When she didn’t answer, he
looked back at her over his shoulder. “You okay?”
“I’m fine, I just . . .”
She was tired of keeping secrets,
but she wasn’t sure how much she could tell Justin. She didn’t
know him, not really. He turned toward her as if waiting for her to
say more, his eyes seeking hers, and she imagined she could see
empathy in them.
“Things sounded a little heated in
there for a minute.”
If he thought that was heated, he
would have been shocked to hear Elijah when he got started about how
she didn’t want him to be successful just because she dared to
question his decision to sign on to represent yet another new young
actress. She suspected, now, he’d wanted to do far more than
“represent” them, but she couldn’t prove it. And, after her
last confrontation with him, he’d probably throw it in her face
just to hurt her.
Justin had been kind to her,
rescuing her and giving her a place to stay. She knew he didn’t
really need her to work in the clinic and was just using it as a way
to help her out. He was more tender than Elijah had ever been with
her, treating her like a porcelain doll that might break.
Other than that kiss.
Just the thought of his kiss made
her body hum to life. The mere brush of his lips against hers had set
her body aflame, making her want to pull him down onto the bed with
her. His touch made her forget the years with Elijah, the emotional
turmoil he caused, the pain of his rejection, making her wonder how
real her marriage to Elijah had actually been, if there had ever been
any passion in it. She slid into the chair at the table and buried
her face in her palms, trying to stop the tears from burning her
eyes.
“Hey.” Justin moved to the chair
beside her. “It can’t be that bad.”
Alyssa looked up at him, trying to
keep the tears at bay. “Are you kidding?” She couldn’t help the
bubble of irrational laughter that fell from her lips. “I’m eight
months pregnant and I just found out my husband has been sleeping
with every woman in Beverly Hills for over half of our marriage. Not
to mention that I have no money, no career, and he kicked me out of
our house.” She threw up her hands and rose to pace the kitchen as
the truth fell from her lips unbidden. “I have nothing. Even that
car is in Elijah’s name.”
She realized she’d just told him
far more than she’d intended.
“Was that who you were talking
to?”
“No, I called my friend. He’s a
lawyer.” She slid her hand over the top of her stomach. “I wanted
to find out my options.”
“And?”
“He suggests I ‘divorce the
no-good bastard.’ ”
“I have to agree.”
Alyssa faced him, running her hand
over the side of her stomach as her baby kicked against her hand. “I
wish it were that easy, trust me. But how am I supposed to support
us, where are we going to stay? I was on my way to my parents’
house last night after he kicked me out.”
Justin rose and moved toward her.
His hands cupped her face gently, tipping her gaze up to meet his
eyes. “Your husband is an idiot. He has no idea what he’s giving
up.”
Her parched heart soaked up his
words. After listening to Elijah’s criticisms for so many years, it
was like rain on a desert plain.
“You’re welcome to stay here as
long as you need to. That’s probably the only way I can help you.”
He smiled and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Unless
you want me to kick his ass? I’d be happy to do that for you.”
She laughed quietly. “I appreciate
the offer, but that’s probably not in your
best interest. I don’t have the money to bail you out of jail.”
The dimple cut into his cheek as he
gave her a lopsided smile. “Then I guess the ass-kicking is going
to have to wait.”
Alyssa couldn’t look away from his
hypnotic blue gaze. He saw her, really saw the woman inside. He
didn’t see her as a movie star. He looked past that to the hurting
woman beneath. His nearness seemed to demolish every protective
barrier she’d erected over the past six years. He made her feel
wanted and worthy.
Alyssa didn’t think about what she
was doing as she slid her hands to the nape of his neck, pulling him
toward her, their mouths exploring, seeking. Justin’s kiss was
tender, far gentler than she wanted him to be. Her fingers dug into
the hard muscles of his shoulders and he responded. His hands slid
into her hair, while his tongue teased hers, tasting her, his teeth
nipping at the corner of her full lips.
T. J. Kline was raised competing in rodeos and rodeo queen competitions since the age of 14, She has thorough knowledge of the sport as well as the culture involved. She has had several articles about rodeo published in the past in small periodicals as well as a more recent how-to article for RevWriter. She is also an avid reader and book reviewer for both Tyndale and Multnomah.
