All They Need

All They Need
Sarah Mayberry

After all Melanie Porter has been through recently, it's time to put her dreams first. And she starts by opening a vacation retreat outside of Melbourne. As she considers her next step, the unexpected happens. One of her guests–a friend–the very attractive Flynn Randall makes it clear he's in pursuit.Mel is definitely tempted. Who wouldn't be?But Flynn comes with strings that could derail her plans. First, he's part of the world she eagerly left behind. Second, he's ready for a commitment, while she's still embracing life on her own.A resolution seems impossible until Flynn proves that she's still in the driver's seat!

Was she up for this?

Flynn’s gaze was intent on her face as he closed the distance between them. He stopped a scant few inches away. Mel could feel his body heat. His beard was starting to grow through and shadowed his chin.

Her gaze slid to his mouth, tracing the sensuous curve of his lower lip. She’d been too scared to allow herself to even think about kissing him before, but now she let herself go there, wondering how it would feel to press her mouth to his, to feel his tongue inside her mouth, to taste him.

The thought alone made her knees weak. Hot desire unfurled inside her, foreign and familiar at the same time.

He cupped her face, his thumb brushing along her cheekbone, his fingers cradling her jaw. She swallowed, awash with nerves and lust and anticipation and fear.

“I don’t know,” she said. “I don’t know if this is a good idea.”

“I do. I think it’s the best idea I’ve had for a long time.”

Dear Reader,

I’m not going to lie to you—this was a tough book to write. I’m not sure exactly why, but it took me a while to work out what Mel and Flynn both needed in life and from each other—but I’d like to think I got there in the end. By the time I’d finished writing, these people had become very real to me, and I hope that you feel the same after you finish reading.

I did a lot of research into Alzheimer’s disease for this book and read some incredibly heartwarming and moving stories written by both sufferers and their caregivers. I’d like to acknowledge the people who have shared their time and stories, and if this is something that is or has affected you or your loved ones, my best wishes go out to you—it’s a sad, tough road to travel.

The Summerlea Estate as imagined in this book does not exist in Mount Eliza, although there are a number of homes on the Mornington Peninsula that open their gardens to the public as part of the open garden’s scheme. I have been to one of them and could only marvel at the owners’ dedication to their six acres of beautifully landscaped and maintained gardens, complete with bridges, lily ponds and topiary. Edna Walling was a real person, and her gardens are still celebrated in Australia. As described in the book, her style was very “English,” with rustic stone fences and rambly pathways and lovely vistas.

I love hearing from readers, so drop me a line via my website, www.sarahmayberry.com.

Until next time, happy reading,

Sarah Mayberry

All They Need

Sarah Mayberry

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

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Sarah Mayberry lives in Melbourne with her husband in a house with a large garden by the sea. She loves to cook, read, go to the movies, shop for shoes and spend time with her friends and loved ones. She’s starting to love gardening, which is just as well, and she’s hoping to begin a major renovation on her house in the near future. Exciting times!

This one is for Wanda and Chris, the two best

hand-holders in the business. Thank you for the

long phone calls, the patience, the humor, the

meals, the tissue-passing and for your faith in me.

There were times when I was ready to sink rather

than swim, but you two were my lifeline.

Bless your little cotton socks!

Special mention also to Lisa

for brainstorming over the fence and

listening to my rambling monologues.

Go the steam press!

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

EPILOGUE