Can enduring love heal her shattered soul and his broken body?
In their small agricultural town, Scarlett’s family is the picture-perfect variety. The mother encourages juvenile delinquents at the local detention center and her father coaches the church’s youth group.
All is right until Scarlett lets a shameful secret slip. Blaming her for the indiscretion, the family silences Scarlett’s accusation but the arrival of a new high school student threatens the delicate balance.
Everett’s giant frame and fractured skull are compliments of his father, but his world shifts after an accidental touch from Scarlett. Starved for affection, they forge an inescapable bond. Their relationship is encouraged by Everett’s grandmother, Marjorie Ashley, a woman with an unnatural gift, the ability to witness painful memories of those around her.
Fifteen years later, Marjorie is fading, her impending death a blow to Scarlett. Everett enjoys a flourishing legal career while Scarlett writes weekly investigative articles—keeping her own secrets hidden. An old police report is found in Marjorie’s house, revealing a web of deception spun by Scarlett’s family.
The deeper Scarlett digs, the more unsettling the discoveries. No longer aided by Marjorie’s gift, Scarlett is given an impossible ultimatum, she must choose between the family who raised her and the man who loves her—or risk losing both.
Clarissa Kae is a preeminent voice whose professional career began as a freelance editor in 2007. She's the former president of her local California Writers Club after spending several years as the Critique Director.
Since her first novel, she's explored different writing genres and created a loyal group of fans who eagerly await her upcoming release. With numerous awards to her name, Clarissa continues to honor the role of storyteller.
Aside from the writing community, she and her daughters founded Kind Girls Make Strong Women to help undervalued nonprofit organizations—from reuniting children with families to giving Junior Olympic athletes their shot at success.
She lives in the agricultural belly of California with her family and farm of horses, chickens, dogs and kittens aplenty.
Snippet 1
I
stepped back. Everett. Everett was home. I should be happy or confused—but all
I could feel was the familiar hum, the pull that had always been there. I had
no idea how long he would stay, but all I could feel was the warmth of hope.
“What
is going on?” Mom’s shrill voice pierced my thoughts.
“Nothing.”
Folding my arms to hide the tremor in my hands, I scanned the room.
Everett
wrote the words in the note, but the idea of him physically coming here and
handing over a note seemed too far-fetched. Romantic whims weren’t us.
“I
didn’t forget you, Scarlett,” Mom warned. “Do not make a scene.”
“Wouldn’t
dream of it.” Frustrated, I turned around—and froze.
In a
tailored black suit, Everett Ashley filled the doorframe of the side exit. I
knew him, and yet I didn’t. It felt longer than the months since I’d seen him.
To me, he seemed to have grown another inch or two, leaving him closer to seven
than six feet tall. The scar, once a puckered line from his temple, down and
along his jaw, seemed almost invisible. In the dimmed dance hall, I could see
the darkened countenance, his pride and temper forever at the ready.
I was
all too aware of how close David stood. Everett walked toward me, his stride
graceful. I didn’t know if I should retreat or advance. For roughly half my
life, he was both my greatest secret and the absolute center of my everything,
both good and bad. And here he was, in the flesh.
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Clarissa Kae is a preeminent voice whose professional career began as a freelance editor in 2007. She's the former president of her local California Writers Club after spending several years as the Critique Director.
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