Kindle Edition
Amazon
Amazon
Category:
Romance
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Type: Fiction
Pages: 787
Copyright: 5/19/2016
Price: $2.99 (eBook)
Romance, intrigue and action set the stage for this epic love story
She was a daughter of darkness. He was a man of God. Could they find happiness together?
Father Michael Wells surveyed the quaint little town he had been assigned. He was unprepared for the unusual inhabitants who confessed their sins, daily. He was totally unprepared for the devastating beauty of the town's Mayor. She teased him, tantalized him and often came close to pulling his soul into the depths of hell. No one confessed or prayed more often than Father Michael. His desire for her grew daily. Her determination to have him was undeniable. Was his faith strong enough to withstand the temptation of the most desirable woman he had ever met?
When evil attacks their town, Father Michael and the Mayor must join forces to save the lives of everyone. As they battle the demons, Father Michael realizes he would rather die with the Mayor than live without her
Excerpt
“I will burn this whole damn town to the ground,” a maniacal voice screamed as Father Michael Wells opened the door to the diner.
“I am looking for the Mayor,” he announced surveying the room full of people.
A slender brunette whirled around, “I am Mayor Regina Wells” her voice trailed off as she looked at the young priest. He was beautiful. Tall, with thick blond hair and the face of an angel. His full, sensuous lips parted, exposing bright white teeth. He was a true golden boy. He was almost baby-faced, but the soulful look in his eyes spoke of a much more mature man. He took her breath away. He smiled at her, and the entire room bathed in a soft golden light.
“I am your new parish priest,” he beamed, quickly closing the distance between them and extending his hand to her. She looked at his hand as if he were offering her a dead kitten, almost recoiling from him.
Her eyes darted furtively around the room then locked on the iridescent blue of his eyes—piercing blue eyes that seemed to look into the depths of her soul.
He studied her briefly. She was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, and she was only a heartbeat away from plunging into total, irrevocable madness.
He quickly grabbed her hand and shook it. He knew he had to distract her, if only momentarily, from the demons that were about to take possession of her sanity.
At his touch, she felt a warm, peacefulness flow throughout her body. The total annihilation of this pathetic little town can wait until tomorrow, she thought.
“I was told that you might provide me with keys to the church and the rectory,” he said, continuing to hold her hand.
“It is after office hours,” she pulled her hand from his and moved toward the diner door, “but I suppose I could get them from my office for you.”
“I would be eternally grateful,” he smiled. “I have come a long way, and I am fatigued.”
He followed her to her office where she quickly located the keys. “Now, if you could just point me in the right direction, I will let you get back to your friends.”
“Both the church and the rectory are just across the street,” she gestured toward a huge, run-down building that had obviously been grand at one time. “The rectory is behind the church. But I hope you aren’t planning on sleeping there tonight. It is a mess, vandals and such. You should get a room at the bed and breakfast connected to the diner. It is clean, and the food is acceptable.”
“I could use a good meal,” he smiled hesitantly, “Would you be so kind as to join me for dinner. You could give me a big head start by telling me about the town and the people.”
“Yes, I would like that,” she smiled, eager to be the first to provide him insight into the residents of her town; from her point of view. He was glad to see some of the desolation had disappeared from her eyes. Thoughts of homicide and suicide left her mind for now.
Regina was more than happy to give her opinion of the town and its people. The curse had been broken for some time, but she certainly had not had her happy ending. She was still mayor, but only because no one else was smart enough to guide her town through the perils of the twenty-first century America.
After they had ordered, she began to grill him, curious that he had shown up out of the blue. She wondered how much he knew about her little town.
“Not much I am afraid,” he blushed, “I am ashamed to admit that I didn’t have time to do any research. I was rather abruptly assigned here.”
She studied him as he ate his hamburger, “I hate to think of what rule you must have broken that resulted in this being your punishment,” she smiled a fleeting, teasing smile.
“Busted,” he laughed, “I can see you are no stranger to the concept of rules and consequences, Mayor Wells.”
“A concept I know all too well,” she nodded.
She loved it when he laughed. It was free and honest. Not wrapped in secrecy or innuendo. She liked this priest that was condemned to paying penance in her town. He was kind, and she liked being with him. He was incredibly handsome.
She wondered how he had gotten into her city. He was of this realm and should not have been able just to walk into town.
“By water,” he answered. “I was fortunate enough to make the winning bid on a boat at an estate sale. It has served me well.”
They talked until closing time, oblivious to the curious stares and whispered conversations going on around them. Since they had the same last name, they began trying to trace their ancestors to see if they were related, but couldn’t connect themselves. Of course, she never told him she had been the queen of her realm.
“I really must be going home,” she smiled. “It is a short walk, but it is quite late.”
He began to apologize when he discovered she was walking home “I have kept you out very late. Please let me walk you home. A lady as lovely as you should never walk alone at night.”
So, the priest walked the mayor home, sat on her front steps and talked until the sun’s first rays began to color the little town light orange and gold. He knew that his presence had helped her make it through the night and that the thought of suicide had slipped from her mind.
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