Small Town Love Series Series by Cindy Larie Rowell Cowles, C. L. Rowell

The last time I saw Tara Wilkins, my best friend's little sister, she was a twelve-year-old brat and I was nineteen and headed off to college before joining the Marines, with every intention of never returning to the small town I grew up in. To my shock and embarrassment, she swore her undying love and insisted she’d wait for me. I never in my wildest dreams thought she meant it... moreThe last time I saw Tara Wilkins, my best friend's little sister, she was a twelve-year-old brat and I was nineteen and headed off to college before joining the Marines, with every intention of never returning to the small town I grew up in. To my shock and embarrassment, she swore her undying love and insisted she’d wait for me. I never in my wildest dreams thought she meant it.It’s been thirteen years, but I’m back in Humble, Louisiana, a worldly thirty-two year old with my own small construction business and a bionic foot, a reminder of my time in the military. I advertise for an assistant to answer the phone, schedule jobs, take payments - the tedious monotony I can do but don’t want to.One guess who shows up to apply for the job. Now she’s twenty-five and all grown up, and I’m hiding erections left and right because Keith, her brother and my best friend and business partner, would kill me if I even looked at her sideways.The last time I saw James Hyde, he was nineteen and heading off to college and I was almost a teenager. I loved him with all of my heart. Before he left, I promised to wait for him. He said he wasn’t coming back.Thirteen years later and guess who has returned with plans to start a business with my brother? James, looking even more handsome than I remembered. My feelings for him, if anything, have grown stronger. He’s still the only man I want. Can I persuade him to take a chance on us? less

I went to high school with Lorna Mills. She was the most beautiful girl in school, and popular—Homecoming Queen, head cheerleader, track star, prom queen. Imagine my surprise when she asked me to the Sadie Hawkins Day dance our junior year. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Due to circumstances beyond my control, it wasn’t until college that I asked her out on a real date. Why, you ask? It’s complicated.Back in high school, I had such a crush on Keith Wilkins but he never asked me out... moreI went to high school with Lorna Mills. She was the most beautiful girl in school, and popular—Homecoming Queen, head cheerleader, track star, prom queen. Imagine my surprise when she asked me to the Sadie Hawkins Day dance our junior year. It was an experience I’ll never forget. Due to circumstances beyond my control, it wasn’t until college that I asked her out on a real date. Why, you ask? It’s complicated.Back in high school, I had such a crush on Keith Wilkins but he never asked me out. I invited him to the Sadie Hawkins Day dance and my father found out. He put distance between us, hoping I’d forget him. Instead, I applied to the same college he did. In that new setting he finally asked me out. Everything was falling into place. I had the perfect guy and my career as a college student was taking off. But I got pregnant before I was even halfway to my associate’s degree. Did I want the husband and baby or the college degree and trust fund? Could I have both? less