Welcome To Redemption: Series Collection (Books 1-6)

by Donna Marie Rogers

  He would’ve gone to Minnesota after her, but although Sugar was doing amazingly well in her recovery, and the obedience classes Charlie had signed them up for, her separation anxiety persisted with a vengeance.

  The morning Dana was due back in Redemption, he called Allie to make sure she didn’t goof up the plan. After his third call, though, she lost her patience.

  “My God, Charlie, it’s not like we’re planning a bank robbery. I swear, if you call me again, I’ll tell her everything just to be done with it.”

  He laughed, albeit uncertainly. “Don’t make empty threats, wiseass—I’m nervous enough as it is.”

  “Well, that’s half the fun. Don’t worry, we’ll be there.”

  Chapter 11

  Dana sat in Coffee to Chai For with Allie, going over a list of party plans for her Aunt Barb and Uncle John’s surprise anniversary party later that evening. She sipped her chocolate hazelnut coffee while casting a furtive glance at the door for what felt like the hundredth time.

  “Tell me again why we can’t do this at your house?”

  Allie looked up, her brows drawn together in a frown. “I told you I didn’t want to get in the way of the cleaning crew, and besides, it’s quieter here.” As the espresso machine whipped up froth behind them, she tapped the sheets of paper in front of Dana. “Now pay attention.”

  Dana tried, but worried the longer they stayed, the greater the risk of running into Charlie. Not that she wasn’t dying to know how he and Sugar were doing, and what she wouldn’t give to just look at him again…but man, she wasn’t sure her heart could take it. She’d purposefully come today instead of yesterday like Allie’d asked, and planned to leave at the crack of dawn to avoid any chance meetings.

  “Dana.”

  She snapped her head up. “Yeah, I’m listening.”

  Allie sighed with impatience. “I think I left my other folder in the car, do you mind getting it?”

  She glanced outside again. “Sure, I’ll be right back.”

  How many papers and folders did Allie need to plan one darn party? The bell jangled as Dana yanked open the door and stepped outside. A sharp bark from her right nearly made her jump out of her skin. Her heart pounded as she turned, knowing exactly who she’d see.

  Lord, he looked good. Better than good—she could drown in those velvet brown eyes. She lowered her gaze to Sugar and saw the splint still on her front leg. Dropping to her knees on the sidewalk, she rubbed the Great Dane on either side of her dark face.

  “Hey girl, how you doing?”

  Sugar’s entire body waggled and Dana jerked her head out of reach of the dog’s tongue.

  “Splint comes off next week.”

  Dana’s heart lodged in her throat at the sound of his voice. She focused a moment longer on the dog, and then made herself look up. “Hi, Charlie.”

  “You look great, Dana.”

  “Thanks. So do you.” She rose to her feet and brushed off her jeans before smoothing her curls back self-consciously. She continued to stroke Sugar’s head for something to do.

  “How have you been? Are you happy in Minnesota?”

  “Yeah, it’s good.” For the most part. Dana peered inside the coffee shop to see Allie still studying her party plan. A little of that cousinly protectiveness from a month ago would be more than welcome right about now. Looking back to Charlie, she tried to mask her avid interest with a casual, “And you? How have you been?”

  His smile nearly stopped her pulse. “Really good. I took your advice and talked to the psychologist at work. And, thanks to you, things with my family are better than they’ve ever been. We’re finally all talking and it’s made a huge difference.”

  “Good.”

  “Plus, I’m back at work, Sugar is doing great as you can see, and since I’ve decided to move out of my parent’s place, I’m looking for a lot to build my own house.”

  “Build your own house? Wow.”

  “I have a few plans in mind, but haven’t found the perfect spot yet. I want something quiet, out of town, I think. It’d be nice to give Sugar some room to run, maybe chase squirrels in the woods.”

  Dana smiled at the picture.

  “Have you ever lived in the country?”

  She shook her head, thinking it sounded like heaven.

  “It all sounds great, Charlie. I’m happy for you.” That was the honest to God truth. But who knew happiness could hurt so much? “Um, Allie’s waiting for me, so I should get going. It was nice to see you again. You too, Sugar.” She patted Sugar’s head even though she wanted to hug the dog close.

  She opened the door of the shop, only to remember she needed Allie’s blasted folder. Releasing the door, she cast a pained smile in Charlie’s direction and turned the opposite direction for her cousin’s car. She didn’t realize Charlie had followed until his voice a few feet behind her made her jump.

  “You’re right, you know.”

  Lately, she hated being right. She halted, but didn’t turn around. Couldn’t look at his face again. “About what?”

  “It all sound’s great, but I haven’t told you the most important thing.”

  What else could there be? The only thing he hadn’t mentioned was someone to share it all with. The realization sank her stomach. She didn’t want to hear this, but discovered she couldn’t make herself move. The weight of his hands settled on her shoulders, making her tense even more.

  “The thing is, Dana, not long after you left, I realized I don’t need you anymore.”

  She closed her eyes against the pain.

  “But I sure as hell want you.”

  The low, husky statement was the last thing she expected. When Charlie turned her around, she dared to meet his gaze. The emotion she’d longed for shined bright in his eyes.

  “Have you missed me?” he asked. “Even just a little?”

  A tremulous smile worked its way free as she whispered, “Much more than a little, Charlie.”

  A brief flash of joy lit his eyes, but then he nodded briskly. “Good. Because now, I get to point out where you were wrong.”

  “Please do,” she said in all honesty. “Right about now, I’d love to be wrong.”

  “Good answer.”

  He leaned down and lightly brushed her lips with his, lingering only for a brief heartbeat before drawing away. “That is to show my gratitude for all your help and support.”

  Somewhat confused, she said, “Your welcome?”

  With a wide grin, he pulled her flush against his tight, muscled body. Dana remembered with utter clarity the pleasure of being skin to skin with him and instant awareness pulsed through her. His possessive, passionate kiss quickly started her body humming, making her forget where they were until the bell to Carrie’s shop jingled. She buried her face against Charlie’s chest and felt his rapid heartbeat.

  “That—” he took a deep breath “—was to show you the physical attraction is hotter than ever and not going anywhere.”

  She leaned back and dramatically fanned her flushed face. “Very reassuring.”

  He slid his fingers down her arms to grasp her hands in his while putting a bit of space between them. “This next part is a preview of what’s to come once I’ve convinced you I am in no way confusing the first two for the last.”

  “The last what?”

  He started to drop down on one knee. Oh my God. Dana cast a frantic look around while urging him back up. “What are you doing?”

  “Relax—I told you, it’s just a preview.”

  “We have an audience,” she said in a low voice, noticing Allie among the interested onlookers in the coffee shop window. “You may be previewing, but they don’t know that. Stay standing.”

  Remaining on his feet, he muttered, “You’re ruining my presentation.”

  “Shut up and talk,” she ordered, dying to know what he’d been about to say. He dipped his chin and raised his brows. Dana fisted her hands in his shirt to give him a little shake. “You know what I mean. Say what
you were going to say.”

  He clasped her hands, his expression suddenly serious. “I want you to come back. Take the job that Rick still hasn’t filled—I checked this morning—move back to Redemption and give us a chance. I could get along without you if I had to and there was absolutely no other way, but I don’t want to. I want you. Here. With me—pretty much forever.”

  In the silence that followed, Dana blinked back a rush of tears. “Wow.” She sniffed and smiled. “That would’ve been so much better on bended knee.”

  Charlie’s shoulders drooped as he shook his head with disbelief and laughed. Then he dropped to one knee before she had a clue what he was up to. Sugar shifted forward, but a firm “sit” from Charlie kept her out of his face. His fingers tightened on Dana’s.

  “I love you, Dana. All I’m asking is that you give us a chance.”

  She braced her hands on his shoulders and leaned close. “I left because I fell in love with you.”

  He frowned with confusion. “I don’t quite understand the logic of that statement.”

  Dana smiled. “I always knew what I wanted. From the moment Sugar dumped ice-cold coffee down my shirt, I knew. But this is what I needed—for you to be sure. Does that make sense?”

  He nodded slowly. “Strangely enough, yeah, it makes perfect sense.”

  In one fluid movement, Charlie rose to his feet, and threaded his fingers through her hair to pull her close for a long, deep kiss. A sharp bark made Dana smile against his lips.

  “I love you, too, Sugar,” she said.

  The bell sounded above Coffee To Chai For.

  “I take it you’re staying this time?”

  Dana turned to see Allie with her hands on her hips, a huge smile on her face.

  “Yes, I’m staying.”

  Understanding dawned like a bolt of lightning. “Wait a second… you knew about this!” Dana glanced up at Charlie as they started toward the shop. He tried unsuccessfully to paste an innocent look on his face. Looking back to Allie, she asked, “What about Uncle John and Aunt Barb’s anniversary party?”

  “That’s next month, September twelfth.”

  “But you hired a cleaning crew. For the inside and the outside.”

  “Yeah.” Allie’s smile grew into a wide grin. “Thanks, Charlie.”

  “You’re becoming more expensive than Sugar,” he said to Dana. He slid his hand low on her back, then farther down, and leaned to whisper against her ear. “Wanna go fishing?”

  A shiver of anticipation stole through her, but she raised his hand back to her waist with a breathless, “Behave…at least until later. Are there stairs at the cabin?”

  He groaned against her ear and Dana wholeheartedly agreed with him. She wanted later to be right now, too.

  Carrie joined Allie at the door. “Get in here you two,” she ordered. “And Sugar. Coffee and dog biscuits are on the house.”

  “Hey, I heard that!” Matt called from inside.

  Carrie grinned at him over her shoulder. “Yeah? So, bite me.”

  “Watch it, Woman.”

  Dana smiled at Charlie as they entered the coffee shop. “I’m telling you, he wants her.”

  “Oh, he’s already got her,” Charlie said.

  Dana grinned and curled her arm around Charlie’s waist while Carrie and Matt continued their verbal foreplay. Charlie pulled Dana close, and just before his lips touched hers, she murmured, “Must be something in the water.”

  ~~~~~

  I hope you enjoyed Charlie and Dana’s story. Both of them were more than due for the love they found with each other and Sugar.

  Next is Donna Marie Rogers’ Home Is Where the Heart Is. You don’t want to miss the fireworks between Drew and Lindy—things are getting HOT in Redemption!

  (back to top)

  Welcome To Redemption Series, Book 5:

  Home Is Where the Heart Is

  by

  Donna Marie Rogers

  Used to the finer things in life, L.A.-born heiress Melinda Spalding is thrown for a loop when her brother suddenly relocates to Redemption, Wisconsin. Her parents even expand their business to the small Midwestern town and put her in charge of opening the new plant. Discovering she likes “Mayberry” and its quirky inhabitants is almost as shocking as her growing attraction to the local auto mechanic. But California is where she belongs…or is home truly where the heart is? Drew Porter learned early on how treacherous women can be—and when snooty Lindy Spalding skids into town and nearly runs down his dog, she seems worse than most. But an unlikely bond between their pets gives Drew an intriguing glimpse behind her pretentious exterior. While his heart wonders if there’s more to Miss “Hot Stuff” than meets the eye, his head tells him to run as fast as he can in the opposite direction.

  Dedication

  ~~~~~

  To the GGBA, some of the best friends a writer could have.

  Barbara Raffin. Your support and keen GMC sense have been invaluable—Thank you.

  Stacey, I’m so happy to share this journey with you.

  Chapter One

  “You know, Bianca, I never thought I’d admit this to anyone, but I’m sort of glad to be back.” Lindy Spalding exited the highway and turned left onto Salvation Avenue. “I know it doesn’t look like much at first. Charming in a gag-me-with-a-spoon sort of way. But I have to confess, I haven’t been able to get the place out of my mind.” She rolled up to a stoplight and cast her snoozing passenger a quick glance. “Come on, sleepyhead, I’d like you to see this. The snowfall really is quite spectacular.”

  Bianca’s eyelids finally lifted, and those big baby blues glanced out the window with disdainful boredom. Her nose crinkled as if she smelled something foul. Lindy couldn’t help but laugh.

  “I know, believe me. That fresh air is hard to get used to. But you’ll adjust.”

  Lindy drove slowly down the snow-covered road, a reluctant smile settling on her face as she passed Coffee To Chai For, the shop owned by her brother, Matt, and his girlfriend, Carrie. Her smile faded as she neared D.P. Tire & Auto. Half expecting to see that freight train of a dog race out in front of her, as it had on her first visit to the tiny Wisconsin town, Lindy breathed a sigh of relief when she made it past without incident. Even if a tiny part of her had hoped to catch a glimpse of its ‘too-hot-for-his-own-good’ owner, Drew Porter.

  “You’re an idiot, Melinda,” she muttered to herself. With any luck she’d be able to avoid the big bully until she headed home in spring.

  For some inane reason, the thought of leaving again when she hadn’t even officially arrived back brought an ache to her chest. She had mixed feelings about Redemption—part of her wanted to stay, part of her thought she was nuts for even thinking it. Frustrating, to say the least.

  Feeling a pair of hostile feline eyes on her, Lindy cast her grumpy passenger a sidelong glance. “Now don’t you look at me like that. I told you we’d be here for a few months; it’s not like you didn’t have advance warning.” She let out a heartfelt sigh. “Look, you know I’m only doing this because Daddy guilted me into it. But I promise, as soon as I get the plant in order, it’s back to L.A. and civilization.”

  And daydreaming about a certain auto mechanic with the most incredible ocean blue eyes she’d ever seen.

  Following Salvation Avenue as it curved left and led into Wyndhurst—the oldest section of town according to Matt—Lindy snatched her MapQuest directions off the seat and tried to read them without taking her eyes off the slick road. Just her luck the rental company hadn’t had a single car with a GPS system. She knew to watch for an old abandoned church on the left, then the town’s cemetery a mile or so past the church. The house she’d purchased to live in while in Redemption should be about three miles north of the cemetery on the right. Lindy tossed the MapQuest print-out back on the seat and glanced at her odometer.

  As she crested a hill, a colossal white Victorian seemed to rise up out of the earth, majestic and beautiful, like something Norman Rockwell would have
painted. Lindy stared in awe as she drove closer and the charming house came into view.

  Much bigger than she’d expected, it sat in the center of a huge, snow-covered lot surrounded by trees. A thick stand of tall pines lined the far side of the house, while several deciduous trees peppered the front yard. Such a sight her new home made. Breathtaking was the only word to describe it. Watching the swirling snow drift down, Lindy felt a pang of some indefinable emotion.

  Lord, she hadn’t even stepped out of her car, and already she was going soft.

  Damned Mayberry.

  Matt’s Jeep and a black Dodge Ram sat in the driveway. Giving herself a mental shake, Lindy pulled in behind them and killed the engine. Keys and purse in hand, she opened the door of her dark gray Cadillac DTS rental car and stepped out onto the slick road, being careful not to let her white, calf-length leather coat touch anything. The temperature was holding steady in the low thirties, so the snow was rather slushy, and she cringed at the thought of having to toss her brand new white eel skin boots.

  A quick glance at her watch confirmed she’d made great time from the airport. Not quite two-thirty; the sun shouldn’t set for a few hours yet. Plenty of time to get settled, then head back into town for dinner and some shopping. Since she’d arrived nearly two weeks early, she doubted Matt had had a chance to stock the house with any food or necessities.

  “Okay, girl, time to go check out our new home.” Lindy reached inside to press the button for the trunk, then plucked Bianca from her pet carrier. The sassy feline meowed another grievance over her new lot in life, but allowed herself to be cuddled against Lindy’s chest. “Don’t worry, we’ll be in a nice, warm house soon, and I promise, the first thing I’m going to do is dig you out a can of food.”

  Bianca gave Lindy’s chin a lick, mollified for the time being.