AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The Road to Rose Bend
byUSA TODAYbestselling author Naima Simone!
Pregnant and newly divorced, Sydney Collins returns to her small hometown after swearing she’d never go back again. But maybe reconnecting with her old community will be the fresh start she’s hoping for...
Love Harlequin romance?
DISCOVER.
Be the first to find out about promotions, news and exclusive content!
Facebook.com/HarlequinBooks
Twitter.com/HarlequinBooks
Instagram.com/HarlequinBooks
Pinterest.com/HarlequinBooks
ReaderService.com
EXPLORE.
Sign up for the Harlequin e-newsletter and download a free book from any series at
TryHarlequin.com
CONNECT.
Join our Harlequin community to share your thoughts and connect with other romance readers!
Facebook.com/groups/HarlequinConnection
The Road to Rose Bend
by Naima Simone
CHAPTER ONE
There’s no placelikehome.
Huh.
Obviously, Dorothy hadn’t gotten out much.
Sydney Collins slowed her car to a stop in front of a picturesque covered bridge as if the reason for Dorothy’s bewildering need to return to boring, sepia-toned Kansas could be found etched into the red-painted boards.
Sydney could still remember sitting in the living room and watchingThe Wizard of Ozfor the first time when she’d been seven years old. While her parents and her sister Carlin had been rooting for Dorothy to click those ruby heels and make it back home, Sydney had jumped to her feet and yelled, “Are you crazy, Dorothy? Keep your ass in Oz!”
Well, her parents hadn’t been too happy with the language—they’d later had words with Uncle Travis about watching his mouth around her—but Carlin, resting in her special recliner, had quietly snickered.
Carlin…
A dusty, too-familiar feeling weaved through Sydney, burrowing deep in her heart. From experience, she knew no amount of meditation, Come-to-Jesus talks or Sunday sermons explaining how “God moves in mysterious ways,” could dig it out.
Sydney’s fingers tightened around the steering wheel until the ridges pressed into her palms. Instead of loosening her grip, she squeezed harder. And harder. The dull throb kept her grounded here, in the present.
God. She hadn’t even crossed over the town line, and already the memories were smothering her, seeking to drag her back.
