One Perfect Year. Melinda Curtis

      

      He’s coming up on her blind side

      How can Shelby Hawkley forgive Gage Jamero for bailing on her when she needed him most? He and her husband, Nick, were the best part of her life. Now her former best friend is back, shaking up the widowed wine harvester’s world. The safest bet is to protect herself. Except Gage is awakening feelings that are decidedly unfriend-like.

      Shelby is the woman Gage has secretly loved since high school. Starting over—together—could be the best dream he’s ever had. If only he can find the courage to say what he should have said all those years ago.

      “Gage?”

      Her fragile vulnerability was strong enough to slip past his guard.

      Shelby made a sound that was half disapproving huff, half sob and ran toward him, practically tripping over her own two feet. He couldn’t say later if he’d met her halfway, couldn’t remember much beyond her arms coming around him, pressing against the contusion near his spine. But the hug…the hug was worth every pang in his bruised and sore back. She held him as if he was a precious gift she didn’t want to lose.

      For a moment, Gage imagined what life would be like if she was his...

      Like there was a chance of that happening.

      The strength of his emotions made him realize coming home was a good thing. He’d needed to see Shelby again, if only to say goodbye to her once and for all.

      Dear Reader,

      Welcome to Harmony Valley!

      Things aren’t as harmonious here as they once were. Jobs have dried up and almost everyone under the age of sixty has moved away in the past ten years, leaving the population…well...rather gray-haired and peaceful.

      But things are changing since three hometown boys made good. They’ve started a winery and begun hiring. Young widow Shelby Hawkley, who spent one perfect year of her youth in Harmony Valley, has been hired as the cellar manager. She’s not looking for love. She’s happy making wine and taking care of her aging grandfather, the town vet.

      The moment Gage Jamero met Shelby in high school science class, he felt sucker punched, because a kid who relied on science had fallen in love at first sight. And since Shelby chose Nick, Gage’s friend, Gage has been trying to put a cease-and-desist order on his feelings. Will he be able to keep hiding those feelings from Shelby now?

      I hope you enjoy Gage and Shelby’s journey, as well as the other romances in this series. I love to hear from readers. Visit my website to learn more about upcoming books set in Harmony Valley, or you can connect with me on Facebook or Twitter (MelCurtisAuthor), and hear about my latest giveaways.

      Melinda Curtis

      One Perfect Year

      Melinda Curtis

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MELINDA CURTIS believes the most common topic in a bio is hobbies. Ask Melinda about her hobbies and you just might hear crickets chirp. She can tell you she likes driving fast cars (she grew up with two motorhead brothers), she enjoys long walks (with her puppy when Tally behaves), and likes the challenge of home improvement (she’s become quite good at tiling). However, she’s most likely to be found writing at her desk and dreaming about hobbies.

      Melinda lives in California’s arid central valley with her husband—her basketball-playing college sweetheart. With three kids, the couple has done the soccer thing, the karate thing, the dance thing, the Little League thing and, of course, the basketball thing. Now they’re enjoying the quiet life of empty nesters before the grandparent thing.

      MILLS & BOON

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      Nothing in my life would be possible without the love and support of my immediate family, extended family, and close friends. A special thank-you to my husband of thirty years for putting up with me and all the voices in my head clamoring for a happy ending.

      As always, special thanks to A.J. Stewart, Cari Lynn Webb and Anna Adams for their support throughout the writing of this book. Every writer needs a sounding board. You guys rock!

      I spent sixteen years working at a winery. In writing the Harmony Valley books, I relied on my memory, as well as questions to friends and family who still work and own wineries. Think of Harmony Valley as you enjoy a glass of wine from the Iron Gate Winery in Cedar City or the Jordon Winery in Healdsburg, but know that all mistakes regarding wineries and winemaking are my own.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

Dear Reader

       Title Page

       About the Author

       Dedication

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

       CHAPTER FOUR

       CHAPTER FIVE

       CHAPTER SIX

       CHAPTER SEVEN

       CHAPTER EIGHT