The Sweetheart Deal

The Sweetheart Deal
Syndi Powell

Sweet redemptionWhen he returns to his Michigan town, Adam Hawkins doesn’t expect everyone to just forgive and forget, especially Megan Sweet. But when a killer snow storm destroys buildings and businesses, including Megan’s family-owned bakery, it’s his chance to make amends. Now a bank manager, Adam has the power to make things happen. His ideas go way beyond rebuilding his community and mentoring high school kids. He wants to make it up to Megan, who’s carrying her own guilt about their shared past. What will it take for Adam to show her that he’s a changed man who's ready to rebuild their lives—together?

Sweet redemption

When he returns to his Michigan town, Adam Hawkins doesn’t expect everyone to just forgive and forget, especially Megan Sweet. But when a killer snowstorm destroys buildings and businesses, including Megan’s family-owned bakery, it’s his chance to make amends. Now a bank manager, Adam has the power to make things happen. His ideas go way beyond rebuilding his community and mentoring high school kids. He wants to make it up to Megan, who’s carrying her own guilt about their shared past. What will it take for Adam to show her that he’s a changed man who’s ready to rebuild their lives—together?

Megan reached out and put a mittened hand on Adam’s cheek.

“I think we’re making progress, don’t you?” she asked.

Adam placed his hand on hers and removed it from his face. She cursed her impulse to touch him, breaking her own rules. She tucked her hands in her lap while he closed the passenger door and walked around the truck to get in on the other side. He started the engine and turned in the seat to look at her. “Megan, I appreciate you trying to make inroads for me in the community.”

She grinned. “Maybe you deserve a second chance.”

“Maybe?” He raised one eyebrow then cracked a smile.

“I’ve discovered that you really have changed from that bully I remember. You’ve become a good man.”

“Don’t glamorize it. I’m far from good.” He put the truck in gear and pulled away from the curb, steering back toward the bank.

“You’re working hard to make amends. Isn’t that what a good man would do?”

Dear Reader (#ulink_496770e6-eff9-518f-98b1-8fb93f3bec15),

Bullying seems to be a hot topic right now, although that behavior has been around for years. I was bullied in fourth grade. It never got physical, but the verbal taunts made me feel as if I’d been punched. It affected my self-esteem as well as my physical well-being, and I missed a lot of school days due to stomach issues that year. I was grateful when my bully graduated into middle school the following term.

The issue of bullying plays into Megs’s and Adam’s lives in this story. Megs lost a friend because of bullying, and she blames herself for what happened. The what-ifs haunt her. What if she had stood up to the bully sooner? But what if she had stayed silent? Adam was a bully in high school who is now back in his hometown to hopefully make up for his past. He has learned to be a better man, but the specter of his bullying past follows him still. Theirs is a compelling romance.

My hope is that my story will spark conversations about bullying and how to protect our children and that it will shed some light on this issue from several different points of view.

Syndi

The Sweetheart Deal

Syndi Powell

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

SYNDI POWELL started writing stories when she was young and has made it a lifelong pursuit. She’s been reading Mills & Boon romance novels since she was in her teens and is thrilled to be on the Mills & Boon team. She loves to connect with readers on Twitter, @syndipowell (https://twitter.com/syndipowell), or on her Facebook author page, Facebook.com/syndipowellauthor (https://www.facebook.com/syndipowellauthor).

This book is dedicated to my nieces and nephews: Sam, Jack, Page and Penny Hartman; and Shelby, Megan and Zach Skrzypczak. Thank you for making me feel like a supercool rock star every time I come over to see you. Crazy Aunt Syndi loves you all. And if I haven’t written “your” story, don’t worry. It’s coming.

Contents

Cover (#ud5ffd042-a53b-5b28-930a-a185e52046a7)

Back Cover Text (#u7db818d1-797d-504f-967a-a895e561c3c2)

Introduction (#u5d9bda12-5eee-5f90-b290-2d0f45a83cb7)

Dear Reader (#ulink_6fe0a390-200b-590c-8782-76946a7c10cb)

Title Page (#uc14ce21c-3c61-54dc-a4e6-e7079aefc65d)

About the Author (#u581e0d0b-bac8-571b-9f6e-006c79f887a7)

Dedication (#ud938ede9-1c97-5193-b655-8bfbf5643024)

PROLOGUE (#ulink_25d548f1-468e-59be-9cf9-ca326266a498)

CHAPTER ONE (#ulink_3ac776b2-3557-5fba-85fe-7256120d7d9d)

CHAPTER TWO (#ulink_4cca5557-5c17-5ee2-b31a-2b582f615076)

CHAPTER THREE (#ulink_09a8952d-a2ad-5623-b935-f4be60afd8c6)

CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

Extract (#litres_trial_promo)

Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)

PROLOGUE (#ulink_6bbb4d69-24c6-5ca2-8663-e8e404245076)

MEGAN SWEET RAN down the sidewalk past the shops on Lincoln Street and opened the door to the Sweetheart bakery. Stepping inside, she took a deep breath and savored for a moment the scents of yeast and sugar that filled the air. Grammy stood behind the counter refilling the glass display case with cookies. She glanced up at Megs and paused in her work. “Honey, what is it? What’s wrong?”

Megs shook her head, unable to put into words the mix of emotions that flooded her heart. “Kenny, he’s...” She hung her head and closed her eyes. “Grammy, he’s dead.”

Grammy came around the counter and enveloped her in a tight hug. Megs rested her head against her grandmother’s ample chest and felt the first tears start to leak from her eyes.

“I wasn’t sure if you’d heard yet.” Grammy stroked her hair. “Are you okay?”

Megs raised her head and stared into Grammy’s hazel-brown eyes, much like her own. “How can I be? He was my best friend. And now he’s gone. What am I going to do?”

The front door opened, and two customers walked in. Grammy greeted them, then escorted Megs into the kitchen. She pulled out a stool and motioned to Megs to sit down. “I’ll help these ladies, then I’ll be right back.”