Title: New Banker in Town and Happy Endings
Author: Susan Payne
Genre: Historical Romance
Book Blurb:
Paul Weaver felt Sweetwater, Kansas, was going to grow quickly and he was happy to help it along the way. Finding his lost love, a woman who had broken his heart and almost his spirit there also gave him a second chance at happiness and another reason to stay. Could he convince her of his love this time when he wasn’t able to so many years ago?
Excerpt:
Later that evening, he went to escort Collette across the street to the hotel. She was wearing a very attractive dress under a short cape and a little hat of feathers and netting that he felt suited her perfectly. She untied the ribbons at her neck and handed the cape to the waiter who was standing there to take it. She sat elegantly as Paul pulled her chair out for her as he had done a hundred times before in another place in another time.
The dresses décolletage was riveting, forcing Paul to memories of when they had been young and foolish and in love. When everything seemed to be sunshine and parties and long rides in the country. Before the war tore everything apart, destroyed their way of life, destroyed their love.
The waiter brought the California wine as Paul had told him to do earlier that day and Collette was surprised at the quality. “I wasn’t sure they had wine like this in Kansas. I find I don’t think of even ordering wine with dinner very often. I find wine is better with friends, ne’st pas?”
“I always enjoyed wine more with you than anyone else so I guess I drink wine because it reminds me of you,” he said candidly.
“Really Paul, you are such a flirt. I liked that about you right from the first time we met.” She laughed, and took a sip of the very good wine.
“And I loved you right from the first time we met,” Paul told her honestly.
“Now, no more of that. It will only lead to recriminations and hurt feelings. Let us begin as we mean to go on. As new friends meeting for a nice dinner and evening of talk,” she said easily and raised her glass in a salute.
“So, the welcome I got the first night I was in town wasn’t how you plan to go on?” he teased.
“I have apologized for that poor judgment. Please don’t keep bringing it up,” she said rather coolly.
“I hate to hear that, Collette. I found we are just as compatible now as we ever were.” He held her hand across the table.
“Because, it’s just as you said, me amie. It makes you think of the past and that has been agreed to be left in the past,” Colette reminded him of their pact.
Paul took his glass and held it up. “Then let this be for our new relationship, and wherever that takes us.”
Collette looked at Paul for any hidden meaning but raised her glass. “And to you.”
After dinner, Paul reluctantly walked Collette home, getting a brief kiss on his cheek for his troubles. He limped up the stairs to his lonely room and empty bed and after undressing lay on the bed and rubbed his wounded leg. He wished he had made more of an effort to hunt her down after the war ended but he just didn’t have the energy. Depression they had said.
Whatever it was, it was years before he felt alive and not just one of the walking dead. That was about the same time he had his permanent prosthesis fitted. Maybe becoming whole again made more of an impact on his life than he had realized. Now what could he do to help Collette begin to live again, too?
Buy Link:
What makes your featured book a must-read?
Sweetwater is a growing western town with all the danger, hope and love that went into living in the west in the 1870s. Readers come away with new insight into the life and loves of our predecessors.
Giveaway –
Enter to win a $35 Amazon gift card:
Open Internationally. You must have a valid Amazon US or Amazon Canada account to win.
Runs December 13 – December 21, 2022.
Winner will be drawn on December 22, 2022.
Author Biography:
Susan Payne is the author of over fifty published novels as well as short stories and blogs. She has honed her skills on knowing the old west and the people who lived that life. She hopes to begin a new series titled Mayor of Traintown in early 2023.
Social Media Links:
twitter http://twitter.com/susanreid460