The Road To Echo Point

The Road To Echo Point
Carrie Weaver

Vi Davis has places to go, people to meet and things to doAnd the most important thing of all is getting a promotion. So she's not pleased when a little accident on the highway near Echo Point, Arizona–not exactly on the road to the big time–forces her to take time out of her schedule to care for an elderly stranger.How could Vi ever have guessed that staying with Daisy Smith and meeting her gorgeous son Ian is exactly the thing to do?

“Two years ago Sheriff Moreno called.”

Ian’s gaze was fixed on the wall behind her left ear. As if he was there, but wasn’t there. He continued, “Asked if I’d noticed Daisy was getting forgetful. He’d found her car, still idling, stuck in a desert wash ten miles outside of town.” He shifted, cleared his throat. “I hadn’t seen her for a while. I should have figured it out, not Vince.”

A twinge of remorse nagged at her. She’d done this. She’d made this guy worry more than he already did. He didn’t deserve it, any more than she did.

But the touchy-feely confidences had to stop. Because if they didn’t, then she’d have to reciprocate, tell him something deep, dark, revealing. And if she started, where would she end?

“Okay, I get the gist. Prodigal son is racked with guilt, throws away a promising career to care for his mother. Very commendable. More than I’d do in the same situation.”

“I don’t want sympathy. You asked what happened—I told you.”

“Good. I’m not the sympathetic type.”

He crossed his arms. “That’s probably what makes you so successful, Ms. Davis. Personally, I’d hate to make a living off other people’s misfortunes.”

“Yeah? Well, I didn’t create the system. I’m just damn good at what I do.”

Dear Reader,

The imagination is a weird and wonderful thing. Ian and Vi’s story began with a small article I read in a newsmagazine about Alzheimer’s service dogs. Soon my daydreams produced Annabelle, a dedicated, loving service dog. My mind wouldn’t rest until I gave Annabelle a challenging assignment and a family to go with it.

Annabelle’s people aren’t perfect. Ian, Vi and Daisy struggle and make mistakes. They laugh, they cry, they love. They are the family of my nightmares or my fondest dreams, depending on the day.

I feel very fortunate to share their story with you, especially as my first Harlequin Superromance novel. The Road to Echo Point will always have a special place in my heart. I hope it touches your heart, as well.

Yours truly,

Carrie Weaver

P.S. Echo Point exists only in my mind. Please excuse any liberties I took with the geography of Arizona and the Superstition Mountains.

The Road to Echo Point

Carrie Weaver

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

ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

I would like to thank Pat Putnam of Okada Specialty Guide Dogs for speaking with me about Alzheimer’s service dogs. Pat was gracious in sharing her extensive knowledge and enthusiasm with me.

For more information on Alzheimer’s service dogs:

Okada Specialty Guide Dogs

7509 E. Saviors Path

Floral City, FL 34436

www.okadadogs.com

DEDICATION:

For Luke and Michael, who have always believed

in my dreams. I love you bunches.

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN