Kady asked me once if I missed it, the priesthood. By leaving the ministry—one of the hardest things I’ve ever done in my life—I’d lost my clerical state. And even though in the eyes of the Church I’ll always be seen as a priest, I’m no longer sanctioned to perform the duties of one. That’s what I miss, if anything.
I take solace in the fact it wasn’t God or my faith I’d walked away from. Ultimately everything worked out the way it was supposed to. The way He intended all along. Kadence and I have a lot of time to make up for but we couldn’t be happier. We’re both doing things that fulfill us… are about to close on a fixer-upper right here in Carkeek… and after she gets settled in her career we’re going to start making babies. Woman doesn’t know it yet but lots and lots of ’em. Fortunately I’m able to work from home, and between Nana and the Janaceks we won’t lack for sitters.
Now on a purely personal note, you may have noticed that I’ve dropped the F-bomb only three times (so far). Been trying like hell to curb the habit. I admit to still saying it a shitload in my head but out loud mostly in the throes of lovemaking. Which is the only time my wife doesn’t mind hearing it. Truth be told, loves hearing it as much as I love saying it.
While we have so many things to be grateful for, the biggest blessing is that Kady and I are together at last. It may have taken eleven years for us to get here but I’ve come to believe… Some things are just meant to be.
And here’s where the story ends and our happily ever after finally begins.
For everything there is a season,
and a time for every matter under heaven.
~oOo~
Ecclesiastes 3:1
Thank you so much for reading Father.
If you enjoyed Tristan and Kady’s love story, would you please consider leaving a review on Amazon? Your opinion matters and the time taken is greatly appreciated. And if you’re hankering for more hot priest forbidden romance then keep an eye out for the next two stand-alone books in the Men of the Cloth series coming soon.
Second up is Brother, about a young Catholic novitiate yet to take his holy vows, tempted to the dark side by a seductive beauty harboring a shameful secret. Julian’s strong sense of morality keeps him on the divine path, but that iron will is tested when he meets Frankie, a promiscuous and troubled young woman who challenges everything the pious postulant thought he knew about himself.
The third and final book is Padre, the story of a green military chaplain whose first tour ministering to Marine troops in Afghanistan left him with battle scars visible only on the inside. Survivor’s guilt drove Gabriel to the bottle, but now an AA sponsor he helps others stay sober. His latest sponsee is Michaela, a kindred damaged soul also haunted by her past. She’s beautiful, broken, and a temptation the beleaguered padre definitely doesn’t need.
Stay tuned!
LarkMcCaffrey.com
acknowledgments
First off, I need to thank my amazing, oft-neglected husband for his steadfast belief in me and for the support that allows me to stay home and do this. Thank you for being my biggest fan and beta reader, and for never complaining when the dishes pile up, the bed goes unmade, or about eating Tuna Helper for dinner more times than any man should have to. Love ya, dude.
My deepest gratitude to Wendy for holding my hand every step of the way. Whether providing feedback, helping me with my anal-retentive grammar questions or simply lending a sympathetic ear while I struggle through it all, she’s always there. Sister by marriage, friend by choice. Love ya, sestra.
A shout out to Carrie at Cheeky Covers for her yummy creations, endless patience and sense of humor. Not only does she make the design process easy-peasy but a helluva lotta fun.
Lastly but importantly, I want to express my heartfelt appreciation to those generous, fearless readers who took a leap of faith (no pun intended) and purchased this novel. Thank you most of all!
about the author
I’ve been things and seen places. ~ Mae West
Lark McCaffrey got her BA in Drama but wound up in healthcare instead of on stage. Years later when she realized life’s too short not to be doing something you love, she took the plunge to pursue her childhood dream of being a writer. She now pens forbidden, out-of-bounds, love off-limits erotic romance.
On days when she isn’t practicing the three R’s—reading, ’riting, and running—she’s doing a month’s worth of laundry all at once, stalking hunks on Instagram for research (cough), or catching up with The Walking Dead. She’s traveled the world and even spent her childhood overseas, but the Emerald City is where Lark calls home. She resides there with her awesome long-suffering husband and two of the gassiest French Bulldogs on the planet.
For info on upcoming and future projects, please drop by her website. Anytime, day or night. There’s always something in the works.
Lark McCaffrey.com
This is a work of fiction.
Names, characters, businesses, places, and incidents
are either the products of the author’s imagination
or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to
actual persons, living or dead, or actual events
is purely coincidental.
Copyright © 2018 Lark McCaffrey
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, distributed,
or transmitted in any form or by any means
without the prior written permission of the author,
except for the use of brief quotations in a book review
and certain other noncommercial uses
permitted by copyright law.
Cover Design by Cheeky Covers
~oOo~
FATHER: Men of the Cloth - Tristan (Forbidden Priest Romance 1) Page 26