The Promise. Robyn Carr

      

      #1 New York Times bestselling author Robyn Carr returns to Thunder Point with an uplifting story about overcoming loss and finding unexpected love

      Scott Grant has a bustling family practice in the small Oregon community of Thunder Point. The town and its people have embraced the widowed doctor and father of two, his children are thriving, and Scott knows it’s time to move on from his loss. But as the town’s only doctor, the dating pool is limited. That is, until a stunning physician’s assistant applies for a job at his clinic.

      Peyton Lacoumette considers herself entirely out of the dating scene. She’s already been burned by a man with kids, and she’s come to Thunder Point determined not to repeat past mistakes. When Scott offers her a job, at a much lower salary than she’s used to, Peyton is surprisingly eager to accept…at least for now. She’s willing to stay for a three-month trial period while she explores other options.

      Scott and Peyton know the arrangement is temporary—it isn’t enough time to build a real relationship, never mind anything with lasting commitment. But love can blossom faster than you think when the timing is right, and this short visit just might hold the promise of forever.

Praise for #1 New York Times and #1 USA TODAY bestselling author Robyn Carr

      “A touch of danger and suspense make the latest in Carr’s Thunder Point series a powerful read.”

      —RT Book Reviews on The Hero

      “With her trademark mixture of humor, realistic conflict, and razor-sharp insights, Carr brings Thunder Point to vivid life.”

      —Library Journal on The Newcomer

      “No one can do small-town life like Carr.”

      —RT Book Reviews on The Wanderer

      “Strong conflict, humor and well-written characters are Carr’s calling cards, and they’re all present here…. You won’t want to put this one down.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Angel’s Peak

      “This story has everything: a courageous, outspoken heroine, a to-die-for hero and a plot that will touch readers’ hearts on several different levels. Truly excellent.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Forbidden Falls

      “An intensely satisfying read. By turns humorous and gut-wrenchingly emotional, it won’t soon be forgotten.”

      —RT Book Reviews on Paradise Valley

      “Carr has hit her stride with this captivating series.”

      —Library Journal on the Virgin River series

      “The Virgin River books are so compelling—I connected instantly with the characters and just wanted more and more and more.”

      —#1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber

      The Promise

      Robyn Carr

       www.mirabooks.co.uk

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

Praise

       Title Page

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

       Chapter Sixteen

       Chapter Seventeen

       Chapter Eighteen

       Extract

       Copyright

One

      Peyton Lacoumette drove slowly down the main street of Thunder Point, past all the small businesses, including the medical clinic. She drove all the way to the far end of the point where she was stopped by the ornate gates to what could only be a mansion. She could barely make out the structure behind overgrown hedges and untrimmed trees. She got out of the car to peer through the bars, but couldn’t see much. If she had been with a couple of her brothers they might have wanted to scale the wall for a closer look, but that wouldn’t do in a sundress and sandals.

      She turned the car around and went back through the town. It looked pretty well-lived-in, but it was clean, and it was obvious from the small groups of people who had stopped to chat here and there that people were neighborly. A lot of them paused to stare at her car. It was a shiny new black Lexus and had been ridiculously expensive.

      People stopping to talk happened a little less often in cities like Portland and San Francisco and hardly ever in New York City, though she’d liked living in those cities. In Bayonne, France, it was more common, almost required that you were never in a hurry. This place appealed to her immediately, probably because it was similar to the town closest to her family’s farm. Or Bayonne, for that matter. Peyton saw a woman putting buckets of long-stemmed colorful flowers in front of her shop; a man was sweeping the sidewalk in front of his store; two dogs were leashed to a lamppost at the diner’s door—a spotted Great Dane and a Yorkie, sharing a pan of water. The main street appeared well scrubbed and friendly.

      She parked in front of the clinic and went inside. It was noon; there were no patients waiting, and the young woman behind the counter stood up to greet her with a smile. “Hi. How can I help you today?”

      “I was just passing through, wondering where the best access to the beach was?”

      “Probably the marina. Or, Cooper has a beach bar on the far side of the beach, up on the hillside. There’s a road to his place from Highway 101, and he has stairs down to the beach and tables on his deck. Cooper’s place is the best spot in town to watch the sunset. When the sun sinks behind those big rocks in the bay, it’s really beautiful. I think he gets the best part of his business from people who stop by there for something to drink or eat when they’re out walking on the beach or waiting for the sunset.”

      “I saw the beach access from the road, but I didn’t stop. There’s some building going on out there....”

      “That’s