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She set about removing his clothing while he did the same to her until they were entwined together on the bed, skin to skin, chest to breast.
She kissed him very slowly and thoroughly. “Let’s just go to sleep, okay?”
He smoothed a hand over her ass. “You sure about that?”
“You look exhausted.”
“I’m never tired enough not to want you.” He rocked his hips against hers, and she gave a tiny gasp. “And, Lizzie. I need you so much right now.”
She rolled onto her back, and held out her arms, and he fell on her like a teenage dork, and just loved her until the need to be inside her became too much. She helped him cover his shaft, and he pushed inside her, closing his eyes at the sheer wonder of finally coming home.
“I love you, Lizzie.” Jeez, was he about to cry now? Would she care?
“And I love you, too.”
She bit his ear and came so hard that he completely lost it, forgot about bawling, and joined her. For the first time in days he finally relaxed.
He’d do what was right, and slowly they would build a new life together as best friends, lovers, and parents to her son. He knew it in his soul.
As his eyes finally closed, he pictured Louisa laughing, blowing him kisses, and cheering him on. She’d always been the smart one in their relationship. Mentally, he sent her his love, and knew she’d always be with him, but she’d be the force pushing him forward, and not holding him back. That had all been on him.
“Adam?”
“Hmm?” He slid a hand around Lizzie’s shoulders as she snuggled against his side.
“Just an FYI. Roman is terrible at waking up at night and jumping into bed with me.”
“Good to know.” He smiled into the darkness. “Maybe one day, when we’re both okay with me staying over, he’ll get a bit of a surprise.”
Lizzie’s chuckle warmed his heart. As he finally drifted off to sleep, his last thought was of his rapidly expanding future, the amazing woman who’d taken a chance on him again, and the son he’d be gaining.
Light was always preferable to darkness. Thanks to Lizzie, he’d emerged from his own personal hell into a new life full of possibilities. Louisa had been right above love—it changed, it grew. And if he’d learned anything from her, he’d be passing it on to those around him for the rest of his life.
My Big Sister Annie’s Lemon and Herb-Roasted Chicken for Adam
1 fresh or defrosted chicken
½ a regular onion
1 bunch fresh sage, rinsed
1 bunch fresh thyme, rinsed
(You can also use fresh parsley, or rosemary, so
pick a combination you like.)
1–2 lemons
Olive oil or butter
Sea salt
Splash of white wine
Chicken stock
Corn flour or flour as a thickening agent
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Make sure chicken is washed and the cavity is clear. Pat skin dry.
Place half an onion and both herbs in the cavity.
Place lemon slices under the skin and squeeze one half of juice over the chicken.
Rub olive oil or butter over the chicken skin.
Zest one lemon and sprinkle zest over the buttered chicken.
Put remaining half lemon or whatever you have left in the cavity.
Sprinkle sea salt over chicken.
Roast in the oven at 375 degrees until chicken is cooked. (Use weight of chicken and check internal temperature to make sure it is done.)
Rest the bird after cooking and remove the excess fat from the roasting pan.
Add white wine to deglaze the remaining liquid and add enough chicken stock to make the gravy.
Thicken gravy with corn flour or flour and serve.
Please turn the page for this bonus novella,
AN UNEXPECTED GIFT,
by Kate Pearce!
Chapter One
Morgantown, Morgan Valley, California
After saying his good-byes, Billy Morgan came out of the feed store and checked that everything he’d loaded in the back of his truck was secure. It was one of the beautiful crisp, clear winter days he loved, with just enough bite in the air to catch at his breath and taste the incoming snow on his tongue. Even though the inclement weather would soon cut off Morgan Valley, winter had always been his favorite season.
He checked the list his mother Ruth had given him, and headed off to Main Street. The smell of coffee from Yvonne’s French Café drifted across the road, and he inhaled appreciatively. When he’d completed his errands, he’d pop in and finish off his morning in style. The Morgantown shop owners had draped their old-fashioned storefronts and boardwalks in Christmas lights, which would come on at night, and make the old gold rush town look enchanting.
