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  He pulled to a stop and didn’t appear to notice Steve or the red sedan. The door flew open and he jumped down from the cab, sending dust swirls flying in his rush to reach Lanni. Without pausing to explain, he grabbed her by the waist and kissed her with such a hunger that she was bent over his forearm by the pressure of his kiss.

  Lanni was too stunned to react. For days she’d been worried half out of her mind. “You bastard,” she cried, twisting her mouth free of his, then wiping her lips with the back of her hand.

  “Lanni, don’t be angry. I did what I could.”

  With both hands flat on his chest, she shoved against him with all her might until Judd freed her voluntarily. “How dare you waltz in here like a returning hero,” she cried, hurling the words at him, growing more furious by the moment.

  “Has she been this unreasonable the whole time I was away?” Judd directed the question to his father.

  Stuart answered with a nod in the direction of Steve.

  “What’s he doing here?” The humor drained from Judd’s gaze as reality hit him between the eyes.

  “I’m leaving you, Judd Matthiessen.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding!” His happy excitement rushed out of him like air from a freed balloon.

  “This is no joke.” She pushed past him and into the house and took the stairs two at a time until she reached the top floor. Marching into her room, she located her luggage and hauled all three suitcases down the stairs with her. Judd met her halfway down the stairway.

  “Will you kindly tell me what’s going on here?” His eyes revealed his shocked dismay.

  “Two nights, remember? You were supposed to be gone two nights. Well, in case you can’t add, it’s been considerably more time than that.”

  “I know.”

  “Your nerve galls me. You come back here without a word of explanation and expect me to fall gratefully at your feet. I’m leaving you, Judd, and this time it’s for good.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  “Just watch me. I told you if you ever left me again, it was over. You agreed to that.”

  “But there were extenuating circumstances. I—”

  “Aren’t there always extenuating circumstances?” Lanni cut in woodenly.

  Judd sagged against the wall and wiped a hand over his tired face. This was like a horror movie. He’d been driving for fifteen hours straight with a fifteen-thousand-dollar bull in the back of his truck and he was greeted with this?

  Lanni pushed past him and out of the house, handing Steve her luggage. “He couldn’t have waited fifteen minutes before showing up?” Steve grumbled as he placed the suitcases in the trunk. “Oh no. Here comes trouble.”

  “Just what the hell are you doing with my wife, Delaney?”

  “Hello, Matthiessen,” Steve said, straightening. “I’m taking Lanni home.”

  “She is home.”

  “You might want to ask her that.”

  “You left me,” Lanni shouted. “I told you that if it happened again, it was over between us.”

  “What is going on here?” Judd turned to Stuart, his eyes wide and perplexed.

  “Where were you, boy?” Stuart asked.

  “You don’t know?” Now Judd looked utterly shocked. “I got arrested in Mexico.”

  “Arrested!” Both Lanni and Stuart shouted together.

  “It’s a long story. Brutus, the bull, got loose and wandered across the border. The Mexican authorities and I had a minor disagreement and I ended up in the local jail, but I paid a king’s ransom for—” He stopped abruptly, his fists slowly knotting. “You weren’t notified of my whereabouts?”

  “No one contacted us, son.”

  Judd closed his eyes as the pounding waves of frustration swamped over him. “You must have been sick with worry.”

  “Oh no, we sat around drinking tea and nibbling on crumpets,” Lanni informed him primly.

  “Lanni, oh love, I thought I’d go crazy before I got home to you. Don’t let this minor misunderstanding ruin our lives.”

  “Minor misunderstanding?” she shouted. “This is a major one, Judd Matthiessen.”

  “He needs you,” Stuart said starkly, his eyes pleading with Lanni to reconsider.

  “Then he should have thought of that before he went traipsing halfway across the country.”

  “Lanni,” Judd pleaded.

  “Be quiet,” she cried, pointing her index finger at him. He was always leaving her, asking her to wait, and for the first time she was giving him a sample of his own medicine. “It’s more than a matter of not knowing where you were—I don’t know if I can trust you anymore.”

  “Lanni,” he said, and raised his arm to reach for her. When she stepped away to avoid his embrace, Judd dropped his hands to his sides. “I swear by everything I hold dear that I’m not going to leave you again.”

  “And what exactly do you consider so valuable? Me? Jenny? Your father? The Circle M?” The tears rained freely down her face.

  “None of it means anything without you,” he said, his voice husky with need. Overcome with emotion, Judd turned to Steve. “I’m sorry you went through all the trouble of coming here, Delaney, but Lanni won’t be going back with you.” He reached inside the trunk to take out her luggage.

  “If you don’t mind, I’ll make that decision myself.”

  “Lanni?” Judd’s eyes looked murderous. “I haven’t come this far to lose you over a stupid bull. You don’t trust me now, but you will in time because I’ll never give you cause to doubt again. I need you,” he coaxed. “We’re home where we belong, and I’m not going to allow you to walk away from that.”

  “I…” She wavered, caught in a battle that raged between her head and her heart. But the love that shone in his eyes convinced her she had no choice but to cast her fate with him. Her heart demanded as much. “For all the money you spent on him, you would do well not to insult the animal by calling him stupid.” She crossed her arms over her chest; she hadn’t come this far to lose Judd, either.

  “You can’t deprive Jenny of a family,” Judd murmured, his gaze holding hers tenderly.

  “On the next business trip you take, will I get to go along?” Lanni offered the compromise.

  “As long as it isn’t Mexico.”

  “Agreed.”

  “Does that mean she’ll stay?” Stuart wanted to know, directing the question at both men, uncertain of what was happening.

  “She’s staying,” Judd answered, wrapping his arms around her waist. “Is that right, heart of mine?”

  “If you say the magic word.”

  “Please?”

  Lanni shook her head.

  “Thank you?”

  “Nope.” Her arms circled his neck as he lifted her off the ground so that her eyes were level with his own.

  “I’m sorry?”

  “Not that, either.” She placed a hand on both sides of his face and kissed him square on the mouth.

  “You’d better hurry and decide, love; I’m running out of vocabulary.”

  “How about a simple I love you.”

  “You know that already.”

  “But I like to hear it every now and then.”

  “I love you,” Judd said tenderly, and then set Lanni on her feet.

  “Now that that’s settled,” Stuart said and stepped forward, extending his hand to Steve. “Would you like something cool to drink before you head back to Seattle?”

  “Mommy, Mommy, can I hug Daddy, too?”

  Judd squatted down so that he could enfold Jenny in his arms. The little girl planted a juicy kiss on his cheek. “I like the bull.”

  “Good thing, darling, because Daddy isn’t about to take him back.” Judd chuckled and hugged her to his massive chest. Lanni knelt and hugged both of them.

&
nbsp; “I have to go tell Betsy that you’re home. She was worried.” With that, Jenny ran into the house after her grandfather and Steve.

  Still kneeling on the ground, Judd circled his arms around Lanni. “No more bridges. No more wanderings. Everything I want is right here.”

  “Oh, Judd, I love you so.”

  “I know, love, I know,” he said, looking out around him at the Circle M. This was their future. Here they would build their lives. Here they would raise their family. This land would heal them both. Love and trust would blossom, nourished by contentment and commitment.

  Helping Lanni to her feet, Judd wrapped his arm around her and paused to glance at the pink sky. It was filled with beauty and promise.

  BALLANTINE BOOKS BY DEBBIE MACOMBER

  Window on the Bay

  Cottage by the Sea

  Any Dream Will Do

  If Not for You

  A Girl’s Guide to Moving On

  Last One Home

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  Love Letters

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  Blossom Street Brides

  Starting Now

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  About the Author

  DEBBIE MACOMBER, the author of Window on the Bay, Cottage by the Sea, Any Dream Will Do, If Not for You, and the Rose Harbor Inn series, is a leading voice in women’s fiction. Thirteen of her novels have reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller lists, and five of her beloved Christmas novels have been hit movies on the Hallmark Channel, including Mrs. Miracle and Mr. Miracle. Hallmark Channel also produced the original series Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove, based on Macomber’s Cedar Cove books. She is also the author of the cookbook Debbie Macomber’s Table. There are more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide.

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  #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber returns with a gorgeous new novel

  A WALK ALONG THE BEACH

  Two sisters facing challenging odds must rely on each other more than ever.

  Continue reading for a special sneak peek.

  Available soon from Ballantine Books

  Chapter One

  Willa

  “He’s cute.” My sister Harper stage-whispered when I joined her at the table in Bean There, my small coffee shop in Oceanside along the Washington coast. I knew exactly who she was talking about and refused to look. I really shouldn’t pay him any mind. I shouldn’t look. Shouldn’t look.

  I looked.

  “Who?” I asked, doing my best to hide my interest. I’d noticed the tall, lean man with sandy-colored hair who stood at the counter far more than necessary. My sister was right. He was cute. Not the drop-dead gorgeous of a cover model, though. His appeal was subtle, understated. His hair fell haphazardly across his forehead and his blue eyes were warm. Some days they were a deeper shade than others, depending on what he wore. He had a small cleft in his chin with a single dimple on the right side of his cheek. I knew his first name was Sean for the simple reason I’d written his name across the cup. He’d corrected me the first time he ordered when I spelled it S-h-a-w-n and explained it was spelled with an e.

  “Don’t be coy, Willa. You know exactly who I mean. That man is gorgeous. Admit it.”

  Shrugging, I acted unconcerned. “If you say so.”

  “Does he stop by often?” Harper leaned forward, as if to get a better look.

  My sister was an outrageous flirt. She always had been, although her relationships never seemed to last more than a few weeks. She was the outgoing one in the family while I was the introvert, the shy, retiring one. Harper taught yoga classes at the Oceanside Fitness Center two blocks over from my coffee shop. She was their most popular instructor, and with good reason. Everything was fun with Harper, even exercise, and that was saying something.

  “What’s his name?” she pressed, unwilling to drop the subject.

  Normally I would suggest she introduce herself, and she would make sure she did. For my own selfish reasons, I didn’t. I knew that within minutes the two would likely be involved in a friendly conversation. That was Harper. She was blond, beautiful, physically fit, and the kind of friend everyone hopes to find. It rarely took more than the fluttering of her stunning blue eyes for a man to be captivated and under her spell.

  “Sean,” I answered, and immediately felt guilty. It wasn’t like I had a claim on him or that he’d be interested in me. We’d shared only a few brief exchanges. His smile was warm and engaging. I hesitated for more reason than my own interest. I knew if Harper went for him the relationship wouldn’t last. None ever did with her, and I didn’t want to see him hurt. He seemed the sensitive type. Oh heavens, what did I know? I was being ridiculous.

  “Sean,” Harper slowly repeated his name. “Like Sean Connery?”

  “You should introduce yourself,” I suggested, swallowing back my reluctance. I was being self-seeking and judgmental.

  Harper’s lovely face broke into a huge smile and she shook her head. “Not happening.”

  “Why not?”

  “This one is for you, Willa,” she said with a playful wink.

  I opened my mouth to protest and the words stumbled over the end of my tongue, twisting around in my head before I could admit or deny my interest.

  “Excuse me,” Sean said, speaking to Alice, the high school girl I had recently hired. “I believe this is a macchiato instead of an Americano.”

  Alice glanced nervously toward me. As a new hire, she worried about making mistakes. “I thought…I heard you say you wanted a macchiato.”

  “Go,” Harper urged, nudging me with her elbow. “You don’t want a dissatisfied customer.”

  Scooting back my chair, I headed toward the front of the shop. “It’s all right, Alice,” I told the teenager. I probably shouldn’t have left her alone at the counter, as this was only her third day on the job.

  Looking to Sean, I avoided eye contact for fear he’d overhead my conversation with my sister. “I apologize for the mistake. Do you want your usual Americano with room for cream?”

  “Please.”

  “I made fresh cinnamon rolls this morning. Would you like one of those? It’s on the house.” I worked hard to keep my customers satisfied.

  He glanced toward the display case, considered the offer for a few seconds and then reluctantly shook his head. “Not today. Perhaps another time.”

  “Sure thing,” I said as I went about preparing his drink. As soon as I finished, I handed him the cup.

  Sean had added the cream, adjusted the lid, and then started for the door when Harper stopped him. “Hi,” she said, beaming him a smile that was guaranteed to charm Scrooge. “Do you have time to join my sister and me?”

  Walking three paces behind Sean, I frantically waved my hands at Harper, silently demanding that she stop. I knew what she was doing, and I wanted no part of her playing matchmaker between Sean and me.

  “I’m sure Sean has better things to do,” I said quickly. “Besides, I should get back to work.”

  Sean hesitated and looked over his shoulder at me. “I’d be happy to join you, if you don’t mind.�
��

  “Willa doesn’t mind. And there’s no one in line,” Harper said, and gestured for Sean to take a seat.

  I hesitated, and scowled at my sister, a look that she ignored.

  “Sit down, Willa,” Harper insisted.

  As if unsure what to do, Sean remained standing with a look akin to a deer caught in the headlights. I hated that Harper had put him on the spot.

  Carefully watching me, Sean pulled out a chair and joined us at the table.

  Harper shot me a look that said I should make my move.

  Yeah, right. My little sister had yet to realize I had no moves. Our mother died of a brain aneurysm when I was thirteen and in junior high, so I’d completely missed out on those carefree teen years. As best I could, I’d taken over the duties at home, cooking and cleaning for our older brother Lucas, Harper, and my dad. As soon as Lucas had graduated from high school, he’d joined the Army. In the years that followed losing Mom, our dad had slowly fallen apart, sinking his woes in the bottom of a whiskey bottle. Five years ago, he’d gone to AA and was mostly sober these days, although he had occasional slips. He lived in a trailer park and worked as a dealer at a tribal casino just outside of town.

  After Sean joined us, silence circled the table. Harper glared at me, waiting for me to lead the conversation.

  I couldn’t. My mouth went dry and I stared down at my cooling coffee as if it held the answer to world peace. Rarely had I felt more awkward. Harper was a natural when it came to drawing people out. She, more than anyone else, should recognize how uncomfortable this situation made me. I couldn’t begin to imagine what she hoped this would accomplish. Already I could feel the heat warming my cheeks.

  “So, Sean,” Harper said, dragging out the sentence. “You must be new in town? I don’t remember seeing you around.”