Wife in Name Only

by Hayson Manning

  “Forever,” she breathed.

  “One day we’ll have a family here, Zo.”

  He pressed his front to her back and wrapped his arms around her. His eyes twinkled. “Now, I’ve still got your bronze bikini. Maybe when we have some time, you can get changed, I’ll get into my backless chaps, and we can start practicing.”

  ”Let’s start now.”

  Acknowledgments

  To Kerri-Leigh, my awesome editor. This book wouldn’t be if not for you. Seriously. I’m in awe of your smarts, your unbelievable talent, your wisdom, your ‘getting me’, and your humor that had me laughing at three in the morning. Thank you, Lady Cakes. I couldn’t have done this without you.

  My undying gratitude to the incredible Entangled Team. Erin, Alethea, Libby and Liz. To risk quoting another ABBA song, thank you for ‘Taking a Chance on Me.’

  Huge thanks to my agent Nalini Akolekar at Spencerhill Associates for your guidance and support. It means the world.

  I can’t say thank you enough to the world’s best critique partners, Barbara DeLeo and Rebecca Sampson, for your patience, awesomeness, and friendship that I hold close to my heart.

  A big shout out to Serena Tatti for your friendship and for fixing my appalling grammar. Again. You made this manuscript sparkle.

  To Cris, Bec, Malvina, Carla, Kandy, Rachel, and Lisa, who’ve inspired, mentored and kept me from giving up four million times.

  To my bestie, Barb. Your friendship means everything.

  Thanks to my mum and dad who aren’t alive to see this. I love and miss you every day. Love to Bix and Toast who don’t get romance but get me. Big hugs to Aunt Shirley for being there.

  To Declan and Austin, thanks for putting up with me staring off into space for long periods of time before running out the room to write something down. Thanks for loving toast for dinner.

  To Ben. I couldn’t do this crazy trip through life without you. Thanks for not laughing at me when I cry watching ‘Antiques Roadshow’, for your amazing coffees, holding my hand during an ‘I can’t do this’ moment, and for being there. You’re so stuck with me, babe.

  About the Author

  Hayson grew up in a family made up of scientists and engineers, and she was told lovingly but firmly that her ‘daydreaming’ phase would end and soon she’d be entranced by the inner workings of the periodic table. But she loved the lands she created. Oh, the creatures that stopped by. There were swashbuckling pirates and sassy unicorns, and before she knew it she’d be off on a flying carpet with Frank, a friendly chain smoking shark.

  It soon became apparent she wasn’t going to be awarded the Nobel Prize for services to science.

  She has been a personal assistant and a demon word processor. She’s worked in a supermarket deli where she can slice a pound of ham in record time. She’s sorted freight and she’s dreamed of writing gutsy independent heroines who won’t give up on their dreams and who’ll go toe-to-toe with their man. Her dream has now come true thanks to Entangled Publishing.

  She lives with her infuriating but adored shoe-dropping husband and two teenage boys, plus a tubby, opinionated cat. There’s often a resident foster dog who needs love, dog biscuits, and hanging with the kids on the couch before finding their forever after home.

  She’d love to hear from you:

  E-mail: hayson@haysonmanning.com

  Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/hayson.manning

  Twitter: @HaysonManning