Their Unfinished Business

Their Unfinished Business
Jackie Braun

Even after ten years Ali Conlan's heart still beat too strongly for the man who had left without a goodbye–and her body still responded to his bad-boy confidence and winning smile. But she knew his visit was all about business and his partnership in her family's resort.Or was Luke's real reason for returning to Trillium about unfinished business of a different sort…with her?

Harlequin Romance® presents…

Jackie Braun

Her believable characters and fresh voice will pull you into the drama…and have you turning the pages all night long!

Saying Yes to the Boss #3905

Books by Jackie Braun

HARLEQUIN ROMANCE

3897—A WOMAN WORTH LOVING* (#litres_trial_promo)

Dear Reader,

A woman’s first love holds a very special place in her heart. All these years later, I can still remember what I was wearing when I received my first real kiss, as well as the maudlin songs I played over and over on the stereo when that boy dumped me for someone else.

Ali Conlan’s childhood sweetheart broke her heart, too. First loves never last. Or do they? In exploring that question I came up with Their Unfinished Business.

As the title implies, Luke and Ali have not quite gotten over their past relationship. Of course, both of them like to think they have. Luke is now a successful businessman, but when he returns to Trillium Island as an investor in the Conlans’ resort, he soon realizes that what he and Ali once shared is exactly what his life has been missing the past ten years. My headstrong heroine takes some convincing, though.

I hope you enjoy the second story of my CONLANS OF TRILLIUM ISLAND trilogy. Just wait till you find out what I have in store for Dane. His story, Saying Yes to the Boss, is coming from Harlequin Romance in August.

Best wishes,

Jackie Braun

Their Unfinished Business

Jackie Braun

www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)

Jackie Braun earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University in 1987 and spent more than sixteen years working full-time at newspapers, including eleven years as an award-winning editorial writer, before quitting her day job to freelance and write fiction. She is a past RITA® Award finalist and a member of the Romance Writers of America. She lives in mid-Michigan with her husband and their young son. She can be reached through her Web site at www.jackiebraun.com (http://www.jackiebraun.com)

“I envy Ali Conlan her lake view. Okay, Trillium Island is fictional, but Lake Michigan is real. Anyone who has had the privilege of watching the sun sink into that vast Great Lake knows that no camera has yet been invented that can capture the pure magic.”

—Jackie Braun on Their Unfinished Business

This one’s for the girls: Monica, Kelly and Teresa. Enduring friendships are a rare gift.

Thank you.

CONTENTS

PROLOGUE (#u6c90ae44-8d0a-5bab-9e31-9dc28495c470)

CHAPTER ONE (#u2634aaea-ebde-54ef-aebd-9f4396439d47)

CHAPTER TWO (#u981754eb-9336-5777-8f41-76028a00ff5d)

CHAPTER THREE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SIX (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)

CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)

PROLOGUE

“NO. NO way. Absolutely not!”

Ali Conlan crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her twin sister across the dinner table.

“What’s the big deal?” Audra asked. Arching her brows, she added, “I mean, unless you’re not over him. Alice.”

It turned out a person really could see red when mad, Ali realized as her vision tinted crimson.

Through gritted teeth, she said tightly, “Don’t call me Alice. And I am over Luke Banning. I was over him five minutes after he left town with you eleven years ago.”

If her sister wanted to fight dirty, she would fight dirty right back, Ali decided.

But Audra didn’t so much as blink before replying blandly, “And you’ve forgiven me for leaving and for that little…misunderstanding. Why don’t you give him the same break? It was a long time ago. You need to move on.”

“I have moved on!” Ali hollered, tossing down her napkin and rising slightly from her chair. She sounded defensive even to her own ears, but it didn’t help that her one-time, two-bit actress of a sister said sotto voce, “Me thinks she doth protest too much.”

Reeling in her temper, Ali glanced around the table where her brother, Dane, and Audra’s husband, Seth Ridley, sat. Clearing her throat, she said more calmly, “I am over Luke Banning. I haven’t spent the past eleven years pining for the man. In fact, I’ve hardly given him a second thought. I’ve been too busy.”

“Oh, yeah? When was the last time you had a date?” Audra asked.

It felt good to be able to say, “I have one this weekend, as a matter of fact. With Bradley Townsend.”

“The developer?” Dane made a face.

“Actually, he’s a man,” she drawled.