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Available now from AUTHOR Excerpt: Prologue: Jolene stood poised over the river bank, holding the end of a long frayed rope with both hands. Tree branches hung low over the water, offering a shady respite from the muggy stillness of the air. Her long auburn hair fanned over her shoulders. Even at sixteen, her stance made Will think of Tarzan's Jane, ready to swing on a jungle vine and rescue her mate from the deadly jaws of a sharp-toothed tiger. Jeff Stafford called, "Hurry up, Jo, we're all waiting for a turn." She jumped up and out over the river, then dropped into the lazy blue-green water. When she surfaced, she laughed delightedly amidst cheers from her audience on shore. Will knew the Stafford boys had been her constant companions since toddler days. Though they were all big and brawny, he'd heard stories that Jolene could outrun, outswim, and sometimes, even outwrestle them. Jeff Stafford, the oldest of the clan, grabbed the rope as it swung back. Carrying it with him, he made a running start and flew out over the river. Jolene dove under to escape the huge splash he made. When he came up beside her and tickled her well-rounded figure, she shrieked, "Jeff Stafford, you stop that!" Will's jaw tightened as he watched from shore, his hands clenched in his pockets. That Stafford kid was getting awfully familiar. "Hey," he shouted, drawing their attention. When she turned and spotted him, Jolene's grin widened. "Why, if it isn't Will Bradley..." She brushed the wet strands of dark red hair off her face and called, "Come on in, Will. Join the crowd." Growing impatient, Will shifted his weight. "Come here, Jolene, I need to talk to you." He waved an irridescent dragonfly out of his line of vision. Jolene cast a teasing glance at the others, then back to Will. "Why don't you come get me? The water feels so good." She dipped in and out, her full breasts bobbing on the surface. Running her tongue over her lips, she watched him through lowered lashes. He was suddenly angry, but couldn't have said why. "Get out of there now. Your mother sent me after you." She emerged from the river with her dark eyes widened in alarm, questions tumbling from her. "Is something wrong? Is she sick? Is Pop okay?" Will was unable to reply as he stared at her dripping form. The wet swimsuit clung so revealingly he couldn't swallow past the painful lump in his throat. "Put your clothes on," he ordered in a raspy voice, without tearing his gaze from her. She lifted her chin defiantly. "I didn't bring anything but a towel," she said, bending down to retrieve it off a low flat rock. Will drew a sharp breath, swiftly unbuttoning his shirt and draped it around her shoulders. When he touched her moist skin, he almost forgot why he'd come. He’d better remember her age and his own goals.
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