Reunited Hearts

Reunited Hearts
Ruth Logan Herne

Back in his hometown, military hero Trent Michaels comes face-to-face with a twelve-year-old boy who looks just like him. Same dark curly hair.Same blue eyes. And the boy calls Trent's old flame, Alyssa Langley, mom. Trent was a foster kid from the wrong side of the tracks when he fell in love with Alyssa. But she cast him aside because he wasn't good enough–or so he thought. Now Trent is determined to connect with his newfound son. And to get the truth from the woman he never stopped loving….

“You need help?”

Oh, no.

Alyssa stared up into Trent’s face. “No, I’m fine, actually. I was just…” She tried to pull herself up and out of the jungle gym tunnel, but her cuff was caught.

Before Alyssa could protest, Trent caught her arms and pulled.

“I wasn’t really stuck.” She nodded her daughter Cory’s way. “We were playing a game.”

“But you were,” Cory protested. “You wescued her, mister.”

He smiled. “You can call me Trent.”

“And you can call me Cory. And now we can be fwiends.”

A group of small children entered the playground from below. Cory turned, hopeful. Alyssa nodded their way. “Yes, go ahead.”

Trent moved toward the slide. “It seems there’s only one way down. I’ll go first.”

He slid down, then stood grinning from the ground below. “Your turn.”

Was it the thought of her getting caught on the slide that sparked his grin or was he just trying to cajole a laugh out of her?

As he did so long ago…

RUTH LOGAN HERNE

Born into poverty, Ruth puts great stock in one of her favorite Ben Franklinisms: “Having been poor is no shame. Being ashamed of it is.” With God-given appreciation for the amazing opportunities abounding in our land, Ruth finds simple gifts in the everyday blessings of smudge-faced small children, bright flowers, fresh baked goods, good friends, family, puppies and higher education. She believes a good woman should never fear dirt, snakes or spiders, all of which like to infest her aged farmhouse, necessitating a good pair of tongs for extracting the snakes, a flat-bottomed shoe for the spiders, and the dirt…

Simply put, she’s learned that some things aren’t worth fretting about! If you laugh in the face of dust and love to talk about God, men, romance, great shoes and wonderful food, feel free to contact Ruth through her website at www.ruthloganherne.com.

Reunited Hearts

Ruth Logan Herne

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have

no compassion on the child she has borne? Though

she may forget, I will not forget you! See, I have

engraved you on the palms of my hands.

—Isaiah 49:15, 16

This book is dedicated to my four boys,

Matthew, Seth, Zach and Luke, four delights in my life

whose antics and humor have kept me laughing, which

is about the only thing that spared their lives some days.

Thanks for the constant kudos, the love,

the support and your belief in me. I’m so grateful.

And to Jon, my erstwhile and kindly son-in-law,

a gentle man in all respects. I love you guys.

Acknowledgments

First to Rene, Patty, Colleen, Rita, Andrea, Fran,

Meaghan and Susan, who’ve steadfastly believed.

To my buddy Kevin, who’s read them all

and makes me feel good about myself. You guys rock!

To the Song-Prayers, who’ve been wonderful supporters,

first readers and have my back in times of trouble.

I love you guys, prayer-warriors all. My day-care moms,

such a great group of women. I love that you

entrust your precious children to Baby: Survivor.

To my family, who juggle their schedules to help mine.

I could not ask for more, except maybe more chocolate.

And a maid. A maid would be really nice.

Thanks to Jason Sweeney for his advice on

military contracts and contacts, and to

Lieutenant Colonel Tim Hall from MIT for his advice