When Summer Comes

When Summer Comes
Brenda Novak

Welcome to Whiskey Creek—heart of the gold country! One day, Callie Vanetta receives devastating news… She needs a liver transplant. But her doctors warn that, in her case, the chances of finding a compatible donor aren’t good. Determined to spend whatever time she has left on her own terms, she keeps the diagnosis to herself and moves out to her late grandparents’ farm.She’s always wanted to live there. But the farm hasn’t been worked in years and she begins to fear she can’t manage it, that she’ll have to return to town. One night, a stranger comes knocking at her door…He’s an attractive and mysterious drifter by the name of Levi McCloud, and he offers to trade work for a few nights’ shelter. Callie figures she doesn’t have anything to lose. He needs a place to stay until he can fix his motorcycle; she needs an extra pair of hands.The arrangement seems ideal until what was supposed to be temporary starts to look more and more permanent. Then she realizes she does have something to lose—her heart. And although he doesn’t yet know it, Levi stands to lose even more.

One day, Callie Vanetta receives devastating news…

She needs a liver transplant. But her doctors warn that, in her case, the chances of finding a compatible donor aren’t good.

Determined to spend whatever time she has left on her own terms, she keeps the diagnosis to herself and moves out to her late grandparents’ farm. She’s always wanted to live there. But the farm hasn’t been worked in years and she begins to fear she can’t manage it, that she’ll have to return to town.

One night, a stranger comes knocking at her door…

He’s an attractive and mysterious drifter by the name of Levi McCloud, and he offers to trade work for a few nights’ shelter. Callie figures she doesn’t have anything to lose. He needs a place to stay until he can fix his motorcycle; she needs an extra pair of hands. The arrangement seems ideal until what was supposed to be temporary starts to look more and more permanent. Then she realizes she does have something to lose—her heart. And, although he doesn’t yet know it, Levi stands to lose even more.

Praise for New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak

The characters’ “heartwarming romance develops slowly

and sweetly. The sex is fantastic, but the best part is

how Simon and Gail tease and laugh as they grow closer.”

—Publishers Weekly on When Lightning Strikes

“Novak delivers a lively, sparkling series debut…

romantic gold by a superior novelist. The love story blossoms naturally, which is rare nowadays.…

Additionally, by populating Whiskey Creek with

realistic characters—instead of ‘quirky’ caricatures—

Novak ensures that readers will eagerly await their next visit.”

—RT Book Reviews on When Lightning Strikes

“Whenever I see a new Brenda Novak book, I buy it and read it, pronto. I can always count on her for a solid, exciting story, full of adventure and romance.”

—Linda Lael Miller, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Any book by Brenda Novak is a must-buy for me.”

—Reader to Reader Reviews

“Brenda Novak’s seamless plotting,

emotional intensity and true-to-life characters

who jump off the page make her books completely satisfying. Novak is simply a great storyteller.”

—Allison Brennan, New York Times bestselling author

“I suggest Brenda Novak be added to your ‘to buy’ list today. You won’t be disappointed.”

—Romance Reader’s Connection

“In Close is intense and sensual and chock-full of

emotional torment. The array of transgressions and suspects and small-town secrets makes for a riveting read.”

—USA TODAY

“Novak is an expert at creating emotionally driven romances full of heat, sensual tension and conflict that not only

satisfy her characters but her readers as well.”

—Writers Unlimited

When Summer Comes

Brenda

Novak

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

To Danita Moon. Your kindness, generosity and support have made such an impact on my life. Thank you for diving in and helping to make my annual online auction for diabetes research such a success. Here’s to hitting that $2 million mark next year. Thanks, too, for your enthusiasm for my books. Your willing heart and capable hands have made my load so much lighter.

Dear Reader,

Welcome back to Whiskey Creek! This series has been fun for me to write. I love the group of friends these stories are based on. Truth be told, I’m a little jealous of them. I wish I’d been able to keep my high school friends a bit closer, but I moved the day after graduation and have never gone back, at least for any length of time. That’s caused quite a bit of drifting in those relationships, which is too bad. There’s definitely something special about knowing someone for so long and sharing so much.

This story was inspired by a friend of mine from college who was diagnosed with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease ten years ago. She was a wife and mother in the prime of her life and, being Mormon, never drank. I remember being so surprised that her only hope for life was a liver transplant. It seemed far too incongruous with how healthy she’d always been. But I’m happy to report that she received the transplant she needed. It’s now a decade later and she’s just as beautiful and energetic as she ever was. I saw her when I was visiting Utah recently and felt so gratified to see her thriving. Then I learned that another friend of mine (this one here in California) was recently diagnosed with the same thing. My California friend is currently on the national donor list, hoping and praying that a liver becomes available—and I’m hoping and praying right along with her.

In case you’re not aware, there have been two other novels published in this series—When Lightning Strikes (released 9/12) and When Snow Falls (11/12). There’s even a 150-page novella that kicks off the series (When We Touch). Information about these and my other titles can be found on my website, BrendaNovak.com. There, you can also enter to win my monthly drawings, sign up for my newsletter, contact me with comments or questions and join my fight to find a cure for diabetes. My youngest son suffers from this disease. So far, thanks to my generous supporters, my annual online auctions (held every May at BrendaNovak.com) have raised a cumulative total of $1.6 million.

Here’s to your health and happiness!

Brenda Novak

Contents

Chapter 1 (#u74381b01-865c-5224-ad2d-f5bdab4020b4)

Chapter 2 (#u71ea375f-8be3-5494-a4d5-b657942205a2)

Chapter 3 (#u5cbfe83b-4016-50d8-a455-449be186530b)

Chapter 4 (#ubc216299-84b3-5085-bdbb-9def39e8be30)