When It Rains: The bittersweet romance you won't want to miss
Page 33
A delicate sniffle sounds behind us, and I turn around to see Sabrina pull her sleeve over her hand and drag it under her nose. ‘That’s a beautiful story,’ she says. ‘Your grandmother sounds wonderful, Ben. I wish I’d known her.’
‘Maybe you could get to know her now,’ I say, smiling at my mother. My mother smiles back, and I know we’re thinking the same thing.
‘Publishing Nana’s book is a lovely idea, Nate, but would you let the publishers know that we won’t be taking their generous offer,’ I say.
I can sense Nate’s disappointment. He might not understand right now, but someday, he will. Maybe we will have a daughter in the future and Nana’s book will help her through a hard time. Just as it helped my mother, helped me, and when I give it to Sabrina, hopefully it will help her cope with her mother’s illness.
‘Okay, Holly.’ Nate smiles. ‘I’ll let them know.’
We sit in silence, sipping tea that’s getting cold, and watch as night falls and the stars come out. A cluster of three stars shine directly overhead. Two large stars twinkle on each end and a third, smaller star that I’ve never noticed before winks at me from its position in the middle.
‘Good night, Arty,’ I whisper, blowing a kiss into the air.
As I suspected, rain begins to fall, and my mother and I hurry to throw the teacups and flask into the picnic basket while Sabrina helps to gather up the blankets.
‘Let’s walk back to the farmhouse,’ my mother suggests. ‘Your father can drop you down to collect them in the morning.’
‘Walk?’ Sabrina asks, opening her hand to catch some raindrops. ‘But it’s raining. We’ll get soaked.’
‘Yes. We will.’ My mother smiles.
Sabrina looks at Ben for clarity. He nods and smiles.
‘That’s the best time to walk,’ he says, sliding his fingers between hers. ‘When it rains ...’
The End
Acknowledgments
I’ll keep this short and sweet.
Thank you to my writing buddies Caroline and Natalie. I’m lucky to have honest friends (both on and offline) without your help my books would most likely suck.
Nicola and Kathrin thank you for reading this book when it was little more than a rough draft. I hope it still made some sense.
Jenny – I love working with you. Sorry about the tears.
Najla – Your covers just get better and better. I adore this one in particular.
The Book Club members – thank you for your unwavering encouragement, support and friendship.
Brian. I love you. Kids, I love you too. I’m so pleased you’re learning to make your own dinners. Or at least calling for takeaway.
Mom and Dad. For teaching me that romance when you were growing up was music, dancing and friendship and it could all be done without email or a mobile phone.
Finally, thank YOU. Thank you for picking up this book. Thank you for sharing Annie and Holly’s story with me. I hope you enjoyed reading about them as much as I enjoyed writing them. And, if you can spare a moment to leave a review (good or poor) I’d be very grateful.
Brooke x
About The Author
USA Today bestselling author Brooke Harris is a self-diagnosed romance addict. Realising at the age of seven that being a real person and not a cartoon character may prove a hindrance when applying for a role as a Disney Princess, she decided to create her own stories. As a grown up Brooke tried swapping the heels and tiaras in her stories for sex and revenge and published her first book, Rules of Harte in 2014. The Harte Series went on to become a #1 international bestseller.
Brooke lives in Kildare, Ireland with her young family. She daydreams about a climate where it doesn't rain every day, but secretly she loves the green fields and heritage of Ireland.
Brooke also writes Psych-thrillers as her alter ego Janelle Harris.
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By Brooke Harris writing as Janelle Harris
No Kiss Goodbye
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If you enjoy complex, damaged characters like The Girl on the Train you won't want to miss No Kiss Goodbye
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Praise for No Kiss Goodbye;
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''Wow! What a rollercoaster of a book. Can't wait for more from this author.'' - Tracy Fenton, TBC (The Book Club)
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How well do you really know your Facebook friends?
My husband loves me.
I love him.
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It's not the one I keep from him.
It's not the one he couldn't keep from me.
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A gripping psychological thriller from the author of international bestselling NO KISS GOODBYE
What everyone is saying about See Me Not...
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