Almost Heaven. Charlotte Douglas

      “Merrilee, are you afraid to be alone with me?” Grant asked innocently

      “No!” Well…

      “Good. I’ll feed you, then take you home. Besides, I want to show off the house. It’s changed a lot since the last time you saw it.”

      If she continued to object, he might sense the reasons behind her reluctance, and her pride couldn’t allow that, so she abandoned her protests. But she’d shut the door on a life with Grant long ago. Tonight she’d make certain it remained locked and barred.

      As they neared Grant’s place, her curiosity stirred. The one glimpse she’d had of the house that fateful summer years back had revealed a log cabin, ready to collapse in a strong wind. She’d hated the house the moment she saw it, but not liking the place had been the least of her problems that day.

      The following morning she’d broken their engagement, certain she’d done the right thing. Even though she’d missed Grant terribly, she’d never doubted she’d made the best decision.

      The last thing on earth she wanted was for Grant to prove her wrong.

      Dear Reader,

      To paraphrase an ancient Chinese saying, we live in interesting times. Due to tumultuous world events, we appreciate more than ever security, solace, acceptance and love as bulwarks against the troubles of the day. In my new series, A PLACE TO CALL HOME, I’ve created a small town in upstate South Carolina where love and acceptance, along with only the occasional mayhem, abound. For the residents of Pleasant Valley, friends are family, and family is everything.

      In Almost Heaven, book one of the series, Merrilee Stratton has fled Pleasant Valley for New York City to follow her dream of becoming a famous photographer. When a family crisis calls her home, she can’t avoid her ex-fiancé, Grant Nathan, a handsome country vet. Will Merrilee come to realize that everything she’s searched for has been in Pleasant Valley all along—and that there’s no place like home?

      I hope you enjoy Merrilee and Grant’s story, and, as we say in the South, y’all come back and visit Pleasant Valley again in book two, One Good Man, will be out in January 2005.

      Happy reading!

      Almost Heaven

      Charlotte Douglas

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      ABOUT THE AUTHOR

      The major passions of Charlotte Douglas’s life are her husband—her high school sweetheart to whom she’s been married for over three decades—and writing compelling stories. A national bestselling author, she enjoys filling her books with love of home and family, special places and happy endings. With their two cairn terriers, she and her husband live most of the year on Florida’s central west coast, but spend the warmer months at their North Carolina mountaintop retreat.

      No matter what time of year, you can reach her at [email protected]. She’s always delighted to hear from readers.

      Books by Charlotte Douglas

      HARLEQUIN AMERICAN ROMANCE

      591—IT’S ABOUT TIME

      623—BRINGING UP BABY

      868—MONTANA MAIL-ORDER WIFE*

      961—SURPRISE INHERITANCE

      999—DR. WONDERFUL

      1027—VERDICT: DADDY

      1038—ALMOST HEAVEN†

      HARLEQUIN INTRIGUE

      380—DREAM MAKER

      434—BEN’S WIFE

      482—FIRST-CLASS FATHER

      515—A WOMAN OF MYSTERY

      536—UNDERCOVER DAD

      611—STRANGER IN HIS ARMS*

      638—LICENSED TO MARRY

      668—MONTANA SECRETS

      691—THE BRIDE’S RESCUER

      740—THE CHRISTMAS TARGET

      Contents

       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 One

      MJ Stratton hoisted the strap of her camera bag higher over her shoulder and wearily tackled the last flight of stairs to her fourth-floor apartment.

      “First thing when I become rich and famous,” she muttered with what little breath she had left, “I’m renting in a building with an elevator.”

      Unlocking her door, she consoled herself with the fact that at least her apartment had a comfortable bed, one she would hit as soon as she dumped her equipment. The wedding reception at the posh Manhattan hotel had lasted past 1:00 a.m., and the bride’s mother had insisted that MJ snap candid shots until the final guest departed.

      After entering the apartment, she secured the door behind her and flicked on the lights. With a sigh of relief, she slid her bulky camera bag into the closet and tossed her coat and hat on top of it. Kicking off her shoes and tugging off her blouse, she headed for the bedroom.

      The wedding had been a royal pain. The bride had refused to be photographed from any angle except her left side, and the bride’s mother had followed MJ like a Velcro shadow, attempting to dictate every picture’s composition. Fortunately, MJ reassured herself, the hefty fee from the annoying assignment would pay her bills until she lined up more work.

      If all else failed, the job at the gallery was still open. Maybe she should just take it. She’d engaged in this argument with herself before and, as always, ended up admitting she’d have more money with a steady job but even less time for her own art. She’d arrived in New York six years ago expecting to make a big splash with her photographs, but so far she had yet to produce a ripple.

      Weariness consumed her. After pulling on the oversize T-shirt she