Hero’s Homecoming Read online

  Hero’s Homecoming

  By Rebecca Crowley

  Six months ago, being snowed in at Christmas with the amazing woman he met on R & R at Fort Riley would have been a dream come true, yet now, as a blizzard swirls outside Beth Tate’s house, Captain Chris Walker knows he shouldn’t be there. Blinded in combat and emotionally scarred, he never wanted Beth to know the man he’s become—but stranded by the storm, he had no one else to call.

  Hurt and bewildered when Chris abruptly ended his faithful contact from Afghanistan, Beth tried to put him and their whirlwind romance out of her mind and prepared for a quiet holiday alone—until the phone rang. Now that he’s here, she’s more confused than ever, torn between love for the man she once knew and anger at the one who broke her heart.

  A life with Beth was everything Chris wanted, but the wounds of battle are nothing compared to the agony of heartbreak. It will take more than mistletoe, but perhaps this holiday season Chris will find his way home.

  33,000 words

  Dear Reader,

  I’m on vacation, camping in the semi-wilderness. No, not when you’re reading this (well, maybe, who knows?) but when this letter is due to our production team. So I’ve chosen to hand off my Dear Reader letter responsibilities to the team for the month of November and let them tell you all about the fantastic lineup in store for you. We’re a team who really enjoys the books we acquire, and I know they’ll be glad for a chance to convince you to give one a try. In the meantime, I’ll be back next month. Happy reading!

  Angela James, Editorial Director

  Dear Reader,

  Editorial assistant Stephanie here. Since Angela is “camping” (all I’m saying is that camping seems to involve a lot of tweeting), I’ve compiled a few fun facts about this month’s new releases. What kinds of great books do we have in store for you this time? Will I get in trouble for making fun of my boss’s camping skills? These are the questions I will strive to answer for you today.

  Redemption by Stephanie Tyler, new adult, post-apocalyptic

  Stephanie Tyler returns with book two in her post-apocalyptic new-adult motorcycle club series.

  Redemption continues the story of the Defiance MC with Mathias and Jessa’s story. If you missed book one, Defiance—Cas and Tru’s story—you’re missing out on a fantastic world and some swoon-worthy romance.

  —Angela James, Editorial Director, Carina Press

  Snowbound with the CEO by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s books are must-reads if you love contemporary romance.

  Shannon Stacey’s holiday novellas are becoming something of a delightful tradition at Carina Press, and we’re happy to have the latest in our hands!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Chance of Rain by Amber Lin, contemporary romance

  We’re happy to welcome Amber to the Carina Press family!

  This small-town reunion romance gripped me from the first chapter and wouldn’t let go. The tortured alpha hero, who just happens to be a Navy SEAL, also didn’t hurt!

  —Tara Stevens, Assistant Product Manager, Digital Products

  Take Me Home by Inez Kelley, contemporary romance

  Inez writes contemporary and fantasy romance for Carina Press. Her new lumberjack series had the (admittedly largely Canadian) team intrigued from the start!

  Maple-syrup maker Kayla falls for a sexy lumberjack with a bitter past and a wary heart in the first of her new Country Roads series featuring loggers in the Allegheny Mountains.

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Slow Ride Home by Leah Braemel, contemporary Western romance

  Leah writes wonderfully sexy, emotional romances for Carina Press, including Texas Tangle and Tangled Past.

  Leah’s lovely writing drew me right along into a sensual story of love, heat and scandal. With cowboys. Look for more of the Grady family to come. Did I mention there are cowboys?

  —Brendan Flattery, Digital Production Coordinator

  Love a Little Sideways by Shannon Stacey, contemporary romance

  Shannon’s bestselling Kowalski family miniseries is a must-read for contemporary romance fans.

  What begins as the annual Kowalski Camping Trip of Doom turns into a brand-new start for an unlikely couple—charming, funny proof that what we think we want and what the heart wants isn’t always the same thing.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Sing for the Dead by PJ Schnyder, paranormal shifter romance

  PJ writes futuristic science fiction romance and paranormal romance for Carina Press.

  The exciting second book in the London Undead trilogy brings readers back into a world where zombies have taken over London. Now the werewolves who’ve stepped up to fight the creatures have a new ally—a member of the Fae who jumps right into the middle of the fray!

  —Mallory Braus, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Through the Black Veil by Steve Vera, urban fantasy

  You may remember us gushing about Drynn, Steve’s first book in this series.

  In book 2 of the Last of the Shardyn series, our fearless heroes have returned to their magical homeland to warn everyone about the danger threatening to destroy their world.

  —Rhonda Helms, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Improper Arrangements by Juliana Ross, erotic historical romance

  Juliana writes sizzling historical romances set in Victorian times for Carina Press.

  The follow-up to Improper Relations features a mountain-climber hero, Eli. He is my favorite type of hero: rugged, handsome, rough around the edges, mysterious. Love him!

  —Carly Chow, Assistant Manager, Digital Commerce

  Finessing the Contessa by Wendy Soliman, historical romance

  Wendy Soliman writes wonderful, exciting historical romances. The first two Forsters books are currently available from Carina Press.

  In Wendy Soliman’s Regency romance Finessing the Contessa, Lord Robert Forster is drawn to the brilliant Sicilian he meets at a chess match, but is she a spy or an innocent pawn in a game of international espionage?

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  All In with the Duke by Ava March, male/male historical romance

  Ava March writes can’t-miss historical male/male stories for Carina Press.

  Max Arrington, the Duke of Pelham, has vowed to never again let a handsome face blind him to a man’s true intentions. But the beautiful Tristan Walsh is too intriguing for Max to resist, and it’s not long before their wicked nights together turn into something more.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  For Her Eyes Only by Shannon Curtis, romantic suspense

  This is the third book in Shannon’s exciting McCormack Security Agency series.

  For Her Eyes Only features an admin assistant pairing up with the MSA’s undercover expert to investigate a murder. I loved the sexual tension between the hero and heroine!

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Getting Rich by Monique Domovitch, cozy mystery

  Monique’s first novel with Carina Press, Getting Skinny, had us all eager for the follow-up.

  Just when she thinks she’s on the verge of getting rich, Nicky Landry finds out somebody is out to get her—and whoever it is has murder on the menu—in Monique Domovitch’s second Chef Landry Mystery.

  —Deborah Nemeth, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  No Place Like Rome by Julie Moffett, action-adventure, mystery

  In addition to writing the Lexi Carmichael mysteries, Julie also writes Scottish historical romances!

  Our favorite geek girl is off to Rome with the sexy and mysterious Slash to solve a case involving the Vatican, a dead body, some steamy kisses from her partner, and a top-secret encrypted file that even she can’t hack.

  —Alissa Davis, Freelance Editor, Carina Press

  Season of Seduction, erotic holiday anthology

  Five Golden Rings by Jeffe Kennedy, erotic romance

  Jeffe writes steamy erotic BDSM romance for Carina Press, as well as (also steamy!) fantasy romance.

  Jeffe Kennedy heats up the season with this sultry, adventurous Facets of Passion novella set against the balmy days—and scorching nights—of a high-powered woman’s holiday-vacation-turned-sexual epiphany.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Naughty Nicks by Christine d’Abo, erotic romance

  Christine’s Long Shots series, about a BDSM club and its patrons, includes a choose-your-path erotic romance!

  This sexy and emotional novella features an interesting holiday business—stripper Santas! There was so much great tension between the heroine and her hero, who also happens to be her boss.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Ménage on 34th Street by Elise Logan and Emily Ryan-Davis, erotic ménage romance

  We are proud to welcome Elise and Emily to the Carina Press family! This is their first book with us.

  Katrina and Liam have a happy marriage, but
they’ve always felt there’s room for more. When their friend Hunter returns from active duty, they know exactly what that “more” is. Now if only they can convince Hunter...

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Matzoh and Mistletoe by Jodie Griffin, erotic BDSM romance

  Jodie writes about true-to-life characters exploring their sexy sides in her Bondage & Breakfast series.

  This BDSM novella has a lot of things going for it—it’s sexy, emotional, and there’s a really hot cop. Jodie is known for writing wonderfully realistic characters, and she doesn’t disappoint here.

  —Stephanie Doig, Editorial Assistant, Harlequin and Carina Press

  Gifts of Honor, military holiday collection

  Starting from Scratch by Stacy Gail, contemporary military romance

  Stacy writes both paranormal and contemporary romance for Carina Press.

  Stacy Gail gifts us with the sweetest of holiday reunions for a wounded Army Ranger and his one true love. Patience and forgiveness meet sharp wit and sizzling attraction!

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Hero’s Homecoming by Rebecca Crowley, contemporary military romance

  Rebecca’s debut book with Carina Press, a fantastic sports romance called The Striker’s Chance¸ came out in September.

  Three days before Christmas, a surprising phone call from an old love changes absolutely everything in this compelling novella.

  —Kerri Buckley, Editor, Carina Press

  Dedication

  For those who serve,

  and those who wait.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  About the Author

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  The first few flakes of snow had just begun their long journey to the ground when the phone rang in Beth Tate’s kitchen.

  She stowed the wooden spoon in the mixing bowl, hastily brushed the flour from her hands and picked it up.

  “Hello?”

  “Beth?”

  “Speaking.” It was a man’s voice, and not one she immediately recognized. She frowned and adjusted her glasses, reaching for a pad and pen as she cradled the phone in the crook of her shoulder. It was probably one of her students, calling to dispute his grade in the American History survey course she taught at Kansas State University.

  “Beth, it’s Chris Walker. I need a favor.”

  The pad and pen slipped from her hand and clattered to the floor. She pulled the nearest chair out from the table and sat down hard.

  “Chris?” she echoed numbly. “I didn’t think—”

  “I’m at the airport. My parents were supposed to drive down and pick me up, but the blizzard has already hit Marshall County and they’re snowed in at the ranch. Can you give me a lift into town? I need to find a hotel for the night.”

  Until that moment, Beth had always thought the phrase struck speechless was pure hyperbole. No one was ever utterly without words, not really—even someone as chronically awkward as she was could always find something to say, some bland nicety or polite refusal or even noncommittal, time-wasting filler.

  Or so she thought.

  As the time ticked past on the avocado-green clock mounted on her kitchen wall, each click of the second hand seemed louder than the one before. She opened her mouth and closed it, opened and closed it, again and again like a fish that’s suddenly found itself convulsing in the harsh sunlight on the floor of a leaky boat. She hoped each time that a coherent statement might spring forth, but her mind was blank and foggy, her thoughts lethargic, her vocabulary entirely forgotten.

  “Beth?” The voice she’d never expected to hear again jolted her out of her stupor. “Are you there?”

  “I’m here. You caught me by surprise.” She shook her head to clear it, blinking fiercely behind her glasses. “I’ll be there in about fifteen minutes.”

  “Thanks,” Chris said brusquely, and hung up the phone without another word.

  No goodbye.

  Just like last time.

  Beth rose from her chair, then immediately dropped back into it as a rush of memories poured over her like an emotional tidal wave.

  They’d met six months earlier at the Cavalry Museum out at Fort Riley. His apologetic, sheepish smile had softened his rugged features as he unlocked the door from the inside, introducing himself and explaining that the archivist was having car trouble.

  “I don’t suppose you know anything about cataloguing Civil War–era documents, Captain?” she asked with a nervous laugh as he fumbled through the key-laden ring to find the right one for the temperature-controlled archives. She was always anxious and shy around new people, but this six-foot-something officer’s dark-haired, blue-eyed good looks made her feel even shorter and more ungainly by comparison.

  “Not really my area of expertise,” he admitted in the twanging accent of a native Kansan. “I shouldn’t even be on duty—I’m on my last few days of R & R before I head back to Afghanistan to rejoin my regiment. I only came in to do some paperwork, and the next thing I know I’m on the other end of a frantic call from a man panicking about a professor from the university.”

  Beth smiled tightly. “The beauty of being a historian is there’s never any need to panic. We only care about things long after they happen.” To her surprise, the gaze that swept over her was boldly evaluative—and satisfied with its findings, judging from his resultant grin. She remembered clutching her notebook more tightly to her chest, as if to ward off the warm flush of desire already spreading through her.

  Beth squeezed her eyes shut and slapped a bracing hand on the kitchen table as her mind reeled with images—his easy posture as he lounged against the shelf and asked her to dinner, the scrape of the chair in the restaurant as he pulled it out for her, the sudden, decisive way he took her hand as he walked her out to her car, his unexpected appearance in the doorway of her office on campus the next day and his thoughtful, inquisitive silence as he flipped through a book on her desk while she gathered her purse.

  That first kiss, pressed against a brick wall in broad daylight, interrupted by the encouraging whoops of a passing car full of fraternity brothers.

  And that night, and the one after, and the one after that—filmy bedroom curtains tossed by the gentle summer breeze that floated through the open window, the tangled limbs, the press of skin against skin, the slow, tender explorations and the fevered, impatient, hungry caresses.

  On the last morning, she’d turned his ID tags over in her hand as he got dressed.

  “Walker, Christopher N,” she read aloud. “O negative, Catholic. Not too strict a churchgoer, from what I can tell.”

  “Don’t tell my mom.” He reached for the tags and draped them around his neck, tucking them under his shirt, and then eased down on the bed beside her.

  “Can I email you?” he asked, his tone stripped of its usual confident charm.

  “Of course,” Beth exclaimed with what she instantly realized was far too much eagerness. “I wasn’t sure you’d want to—I mean, I didn’t expect you to. I would understand if you didn’t,” she backpedaled.

  “I never do this.” His mouth quirked in a half smile. “I guess everyone says that. But I’m serious—I’ve never gone for that whole last chance saloon, pre-combat fling thing.”

  Beth bit her lip. Though not totally inexperienced, she was about as far from the sexually savvy, assertively sensual, one-night-stand type as a woman could get. These were uncharted waters and she decided that flippancy was probably her safest bet. “This doesn’t have to be anything specific,” she offered. “I can be whatever you want.”

  Chris clucked his tongue, lifting her chin so he could look into her eyes. “Don’t sell yourself short. You’re no one’s fling. If you decide to give me the time of day after that front door shuts behind me, I’ll consider myself unbelievably lucky.”