Merritt Petroff is staring spinsterhood in the face, that is until a stranger shows up in town. Problem is, her matchmaking grandparents (not to mention the rest of the town) can't leave well enough alone. Wouldn't it be better if they'd just let nature take its course? Not then there's a living, breathing man of marriageable age in Cutter's Creek they deem perfect for Merritt! Much to Merritt's dismay ...
Rafe Trent didn't plan to stay in Cutter's Creek. In fact, it would be best for all concerned if he didn't But there was something about the little town, not to mention the towns folk, that brought to mind a life he could only dream of. After all, a dream is all a wanted man could hope for.
There are 20 books now in the Cutter's Creek Series, written by four exceptional authors. For me, this is my fifth installment of the series.
Now for a little excerpt from Promise of Love:
As soon as the curtain closed behind
them, Elizabeth spun on her. “My, my,” she whispered. “He’s a handsome one, isn’t
he?” She put her hands on her hips. “And you, my dear, seem to have caught his
eye.”
Merritt tried to swallow. “He … I mean,
I … I did?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
Merritt brushed at her skirt. “I …
think it’s rude to stare.”
“If so, my dear, then you’re sadly
lacking in manners.”
Merritt’s mouth dropped open. “I was
talking about him!”
“You were staring just as much as he
was,” Elizabeth pointed out.
Merritt felt her cheeks grow hotter,
and fanned herself with her hand.
“Stay here,” Elizabeth said with a
smirk. “I’ll fetch you a glass of water.”
Merritt nodded as the dressmaker disappeared
into another room. As soon as she was gone, she stared at the curtain and tried
not to think about the man on the other side. Maybe he’d gone already. Part of
her hoped so; another part of her didn’t.
“Excuse me, Elizabeth?” Bart’s voice
called through the cloth barrier.
“She’s gone to get me a glass of water,”
Merritt called back.
“You haven’t started?”
“No,” she squeaked. Great, she was
losing the ability to talk now?
Bart poked his head in. “Mr. Trent
forgot his hat.” He came into the workroom, and Merritt looked up to see Mr.
Trent standing right behind him, holding the curtains open and staring at her
again. Rude, she thought, even as she
fought the urge to gawk back.
“Oh, where are my manners,” Bart said
as he glanced between the two. “Mr. Trent, this is Miss Petroff.” He turned to
Merritt. “Mr. Trent is new in town.”
Merritt could only nod. Their gazes had
locked again, and Bart Brown’s words barely registered. Not only that, but the
room was growing incredibly hot. Where was Elizabeth with that water?
“Miss Petroff.” Mr. Trent bowed. “It’s
a pleasure.”
“Pleased to meet you,” she managed in
return.
He smiled at her weak response, took
his hat from Bart and let the curtains fall back into place, ending their odd
connection.
Merritt took a few steps back and fell
into the nearest chair.
“Miss Petroff, are you unwell?” Bart
asked as Elizabeth entered the room, water glass in hand.
“I’m fine.” But her eyes were still fixed
on the curtain. “Just fine.”
Elizabeth and Bart exchanged a quick
look. Bart took the glass from his wife and handed it to Merritt. “Better drink
this all the same. You look a little flushed.”
Elizabeth glanced at the curtains and
smiled. “Was that Mr. Trent I saw?”
“Yes – he forgot his hat,” her husband
said.
“Bart, I’m not sure if he was wearing a
hat when he came in.”
“What?! Then whose hat did I just give
him?”
“The one I was making for Eldon Judrow.”
“Oh, for crying out loud, woman! Label
things!”
Elizabeth studied Merritt a moment
before replying. “Looks like you’re going to have to fetch him back to the
shop.”
Merritt twisted in her chair to look at
her. “Now?!”
Elizabeth laughed. “Oh my. Never have I
seen such a thing …”
“What thing?” Merritt asked, alarmed.
Bart smiled. “I have a feeling, Miss
Petroff, that you’re about to find out.” He left to go get Mr. Trent.
You can purchase Promise of Love on amazon
You can also check out the rest of the Cutter's Creek Series here
And if you want to check out the rest of my books, you can find them on my website
Until next time, happy reading everyone!!!
