The Bachelor's Homecoming. Karen Kirst

      

      Suddenly Reunited

      Jane O’Malley’s young heart broke in pieces when the man of her dreams left town after being rejected by her sister. Years later, Tom Leighton returns home, and Jane’s old feelings for him rush back as forcefully as the Tennessee mountain springs.

      Tom left Gatlinburg behind without a word to allow his hurt heart to heal. Now he’s a man with a young niece to raise and amends to make in town to the people he abandoned—especially to Jane. The girl from his past has become a gorgeous, kind woman. Can he prove to her that she’s the only woman he wants?

      “I haven’t been as understanding as I should’ve been. I know you didn’t intend to hurt me or anyone else. You did what you had to do, and I can’t fault you for that.”

      Stepping close, his pant legs brushing her skirts, he very carefully cupped her cheek. A rogue sigh slipped through her lips. The rasp of his work-roughened palm against her skin wrought an intensely heady feeling inside. If only this wasn’t a platonic caress.

      “My sweet Janie girl,” he murmured. “The memories of your laughter, your sweet smile, the way things were always easy and fun between us, kept me going this past year. You represented peace and calm at a time when my life was falling apart. I need your friendship.”

      Friendship. Not love. Not devotion.

      If he guessed how badly she yearned for more, he’d be revolted.

      “Friendship,” she croaked. “Always. You have it.”

      KAREN KIRST was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. A lifelong lover of books, it wasn’t until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom and romance writer. Her favorite pastimes are reading, visiting tearooms and watching romantic comedies.

      The Bachelor’s Homecoming

      Karen Kirst

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

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      Delight yourself also in the Lord,

      and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

      —Psalms 37:4

      To the ladies of Southside Baptist Church

      who are fans of the O’Malleys—

      thank you for your encouragement and support.

      Mary Blakley, I’m blessed to know you

      and to count you as a friend.

      Retha Smith, your smile brightens my day.

      Gina King, I love when we chat about the characters. Thanks for the cards.

      Carole Gresham, Wilma Hayes,

      Greta Griffin and more,

      thanks for liking my books.

      Contents

       Cover

       Back Cover Text

       Introduction

       About the Author

       Title Page

       Bible Verse

       Dedication

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

       Chapter Nineteen

       Chapter Twenty

       Chapter Twenty-One

       Chapter Twenty-Two

       Chapter Twenty-Three

       Chapter Twenty-Four

       Chapter Twenty-Five

       Chapter Twenty-Six

       Chapter Twenty-Seven

       Epilogue

       Dear Reader

       Extract

       Copyright

Chapter One

      Gatlinburg, Tennessee May 1884

      “Do you, Jane O’Malley, take this