A Memory Away

A Memory Away
Melinda Curtis

For better or worse, she's family nowDuffy Dufraine just found out he's going to be an uncle. Jessica Aguirre came to Harmony Valley in search of the father of her unborn child, which is by no means him. An accident may have damaged the expectant mom's memory, but he knows his twin is the man she's looking for. But Greg's gone, which leaves Duffy the only family Jess has. And he has to make things right. Offering her a temporary place to stay seems an ideal short-term solution. Until she stirs desires that make the embattled vineyard manager rethink his own long-term game plan. Is he ready to offer Jess and her baby a home to call their own—with him?

For better or worse, she’s family now

Duffy Dufraine just found out he’s going to be an uncle. Jessica Aguirre came to Harmony Valley in search of the father of her unborn child, which is by no means him. An accident may have damaged the expectant mom’s memory, but he knows his twin is the man she’s looking for. But Greg’s gone, which leaves Duffy the only family Jess has. And he has to make things right. Offering her a temporary place to stay seems an ideal short-term solution. Until she stirs desires that make the embattled vineyard manager rethink his own long-term game plan. Is he ready to offer Jess and her baby a home to call their own—with him?

Jess rested her palm on her stomach.

“Did you hear that, Baby?” she asked. “Grandparents are in your future.”

For the first time, Duffy understood Jess. She had no parents. She didn’t want to let her child down as her mother had. What to him was a casual mention of his mother’s involvement was the promise of a special gift to her: family.

“I’m taking this pillow from the bed for me,” Duffy said carefully. “Don’t get any ideas.”

She blinked at him. But it wasn’t the I’m remembering something dazed look he’d seen her get every once in a while. Jess looked at him as if seeing him for the first time. As Duffy, not Greg’s mirror image.

That look touched something deep inside him, something that warmed and eased, something he’d kept locked away and refused to name.

Dear Reader (#ulink_4850fbd1-0e4f-527e-af08-a7da18e782ba),

Welcome to Harmony Valley!

Things aren’t as harmonious here as they once were. Jobs have dried up and almost everyone under the age of sixty has moved away in the past ten years, leaving the population...well...rather gray-haired and peaceful.

But things are changing since three hometown boys made good. They’ve returned home, started a winery, and now the economy is inching its way forward.

Jessica Aguirre has come to town, but not for a job. She’s looking for someone from her past, someone who might help her remember. When she sees a photo of Michael “Duffy” Dufraine in a local newspaper, she’s convinced he has the answers she’s seeking. Duffy is afraid he knows the answers, but Jessica won’t want to hear the truth.

I hope you enjoy Jessica and Duffy’s journey, as well as the other romances in the Harmony Valley series. I love to hear from readers. Check my website to learn about upcoming books, sign up for email book announcements (and I’ll send you a free sweet romantic comedy read), or chat with me on Facebook (MelindaCurtisAuthor (https://www.facebook.com/MelindaCurtisAuthor)) or Twitter (MelCurtisAuthor (https://twitter.com/MelCurtisAuthor)) to hear about my latest giveaways.

Melinda

MelindaCurtis.com (http://melindacurtis.net)

A Memory Away

Melinda Curtis

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

Award-winning, USA TODAY bestselling author MELINDA CURTIS lives in California’s arid Central Valley with her husband, an ancient Labrador, a “Shorkie” princess and a cat who would be queen of them all. Their three kids are all in college (not in California) so you’re more likely to see posts regarding Melinda’s pets than her kids on social media (for which her progeny are thankful).

Melinda enjoys putting humor into her stories, because that’s how she approaches life. She writes sweet contemporary romances as Melinda Curtis (Brenda Novak says of Season of Change, “found a place on my keeper shelf”), and fun, steamy reads as Mel Curtis (Jayne Ann Krentz says of Cora Rules, “wonderfully entertaining”).

The premise of this story was born at a bar with senior editor Victoria Curran and polished from the brilliance of Kathryn Lye (thanks, ladies!). Margie Lawson challenged me to bring more quirk to Harmony Valley (thank you, Margie!). And Mr. Curtis literally kept me fed as I put the finishing touches on it (thanks for letting me have the “Follow your instincts” fortune cookie fortune, babe, even though that isn’t really a fortune).

Contents

Cover (#u12727141-9304-5e6a-aa1f-6ce4a820df7f)

Back Cover Text (#u48e7b040-ab3f-53e7-834e-096c06732258)

Introduction (#u54d59cd7-91ec-5696-b2dd-777148ddaa78)

Dear Reader (#uf70bf21d-30b1-57bb-a7c0-eb6db860bf23)

Title Page (#u1ee7f450-d069-50be-ba07-b2f980481e72)

About the Author (#u3d52cb2d-9231-59f9-a6bd-10ca1eabcaa9)

Dedication (#u2e57e68f-b6c1-58da-ba28-4c2eea617f43)

CHAPTER ONE (#ue29439d1-080e-54a0-8d16-c69c1ca404ad)

CHAPTER TWO (#u11d7a9fa-20a6-59d4-9a0c-545e655b7397)

CHAPTER THREE (#uf08bc1fe-4591-5aa6-9000-ccbb79c6c59d)

CHAPTER FOUR (#ufbe0b2d7-b5f9-502f-9100-1547aa631b85)

CHAPTER FIVE (#ud8699992-f7af-5dda-a401-804377c887e3)

CHAPTER SIX (#u4da41c5a-d282-5e3f-9073-887e520fa94e)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#u3a45b725-ed4e-5e3b-8d40-6cece0c34e68)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)