LITMIR.BIZ

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      MILLS & BOON

       Before you start reading, why not sign up?

      Thank you for downloading this Mills & Boon book. If you want to hear about exclusive discounts, special offers and competitions, sign up to our email newsletter today!

       SIGN ME UP!

      Or simply visit

      signup.millsandboon.co.uk

      Mills & Boon emails are completely free to receive and you can unsubscribe at any time via the link in any email we send you.

      For my mother, Mary Ellen. Love ya lots, Mum!

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

      I’d like to thank Jack Swanson for graciously providing a glimpse into the life of an expatriate in Russia. Any errors are strictly mine.

      PROLOGUE

       Russia

      IT WAS A WELDER’S worst nightmare: the odor of gas.

      Royce started diving for cover a split second before the force of the explosion knocked him flat.

      That’s when things began moving in slow motion. Debris rained down on him in waves distorted by the lens of his welding helmet. He grunted as jagged metal tore his flesh. The sound of his coworkers’ shouts was muffled by the ringing in his ears.

      Dimitri ran to his side and yelled something in Russian.

      Hang on. Or the Russian equivalent.

      Royce tried to respond, but merely groaned.

      Dimitri grasped his right hand, telling him it was going to be okay. But on some level, Royce understood it would never be okay again.

      He tried to grasp Dimitri’s shoulder, but his fingers wouldn’t cooperate. Blinking blood from his eyes, Royce focused. Mangled tissue hung from the wrist where his left hand had once been.

      A blessed numbness chased away the pain, but chills racked his body. Then darkness descended.

      But not before the irony struck him.

      Damn.

      His ex-wife had been right. He would die chasing an elusive dream.

      CHAPTER ONE

       Phoenix, Arizona Six months later

      ROYCE FUMBLED with his keys. Things came harder these days, even those he was accustomed to doing with one hand.

      “You’re sure you’re up to living alone? You’re welcome to stay in the guesthouse.” His sister, Becca, pushed her honey-blond bangs out of her eyes. Even nearing forty, she reminded him of an exuberant cheerleader.

      “Absolutely not. You’ve turned your life upside down for me long enough.” He silenced her protest with a pointed look.

      At last, he maneuvered the key into the lock. He turned the knob, opened the door and gestured expansively with his good hand. His only hand. “My palace awaits.”

      She strode inside and crossed her arms. “This apartment looks exactly like what it is. A furnished place to hide out and feel sorry for yourself. You need a home. You need my home.”

      “Like hell I do. It’s about as restful as Grand Central Station. There are kids and pets and old people all over the place.”

      “Those old people are my in-laws and they’re very sweet. My kids can be a pain in the rear, but they’ll grow on you.”

      He couldn’t allow her to see how tempting he really found her offer. Wife, mother, businesswoman, caretaker—the last thing she needed was her injured brother taking up space with the rest of her strays.

      Touching her arm, he said, “I appreciate the invitation. Really. But I need to do this on my own.”

      “So why not get an apartment close to me? Or close to Dad in Florida?”

      “Dad’s started a new life with Evelyn. He spent enough time raising us, he deserves this second chance. Anyway, Phoenix was home before I started the expat life. Maybe I can figure some stuff out here. Besides, you know, the old McIntyre stubbornness.”

      Becca blew out a breath that ruffled her bangs. Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “I have a passing acquaintance with it. Fortunately, the family curse seems to have passed me by completely.”

      “Yeah, you keep telling yourself that. I bet Gabe has a whole ’nother story.”

      “Don’t you dare compare notes with my husband. He’s hard enough to

Скачать книгу