Yours to Treasure
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She's home to uncover a family secret. He's spent years protecting it. Neither counted on falling for the enemy.
Rachel thought she'd left small-town complications behind for good. But after one too many toxic relationships, she knows it's time to face the decision that's haunted her for ten years. Coming home to Lantern Bay should be simple—except for Zane Black.
Ex-rugby star Zane has built his post-sports life on unwavering principles, especially when it comes to protecting the people he loves. When Rachel's return threatens to disrupt everything he's worked to safeguard, he'll do whatever it takes to stop her.
As attraction flares and new tensions rise, Rachel and Zane find themselves locked in a battle neither fully understands. But some secrets run deeper than either imagined, and the truth they're both fighting for might be the one thing that could destroy them—or finally set them free.
A story about facing the past, hidden truths, and discovering that sometimes the person you're fighting is fighting for the same thing.
~Lantern Bay — a coastal haven where broken hearts heal and families find home~
—Lantern Bay—
- Yours to Give
- Yours to Treasure
- Yours to Cherish
- Yours to Keep
- Yours Forever
- Yours to Love
—Mackenzies—
- A Place Called Home
- Secrets at Parata Bay
- Escape to Shelter Springs
- What You See in the Stars
- Second Chance at Whisper Creek
- Summer at the Lakehouse Café
Excerpt
Rachel Connelly placed her jandal-clad feet either side of the dried arrangement which her father liked to call a ‘dormant’ camellia shrub, and gripped it as close to the base as possible. She gave a small tug to test. Nothing. This sucker was tougher than it looked. She took a deep breath and shifted her weight from foot to foot, gaining a more secure stance. Then she gripped it lower down and gave a short, sharp tug. It came away easily—too easily, Rachel thought with a small cry, as she found herself flat on her backside on the grass.
“Hey!” a voice called through the woods. “Are you okay?”
She turned to see runner’s shoes and legs—strong, brown, hairy legs—running up to her through the small copse of trees which lay between the house and the road. She twisted onto her stomach and looked up, at the same time as the knees bobbed down and a concerned face came into view. A strangely familiar face.
“I’m fine,” she said, trying, but not succeeding, to place the face. Another glance at the face and the familiarity receded. She definitely didn’t know this man.
“Here.” He reached out and placed a large hand under her upper arm. “Let me help you up.”
Before Rachel could reply, the hand lifted her as if she were a feather. She definitely wasn’t a feather.
“Oh! Well, thank you.” She slowly looked up, past running shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt which revealed a body that was built. Really built. She didn’t know whether her gasp was audible or not, but by the looks of his grin, she suspected it was.
He ducked his head to inspect her face. “You sure you’re okay?”
“Yes, it was only a tumble.” She waved around the dead shrub she was still holding, unable to move her gaze from his. “It came away easier than I thought.”
He looked at it with a smile. “It would do. It’s been dead these past couple of years. Like much of these woods. I’ve been wondering when someone would do something about it.”
“Ah, that someone is my father. And he’s still not convinced anything needs doing.”
“You’re one of the Connellys, then?”
“Yes. Rachel Connelly.”
He stuck out his hand. “Pleased to meet you. I’m Zane Black.”
She frowned. The instant she’d seen him she’d thought she’d known him, but she didn’t. His name wasn’t familiar and she was sure she wouldn’t have forgotten someone like him.
She took hold of his hand and it felt good—big, strong, and yet gentle. It didn’t grip you as if it was trying to make you submit, trying to make you aware of how strong he was. There was obviously no need for that.
“Good to meet you, Zane. You live round here?”
“Yeah, in the next valley. Up from Ti Tahi Bay.”
There was a small flutter in her stomach. Ti Tahi. It sent memories flooding back of the time when she was only barely out of childhood and anxious to become an adult—a sexual adult.
“Ti Tahi,” she repeated.
“Yeah. It’s up in the hills near here. It’s a small community built around a meeting house. My ancestors have lived on the land for centuries. It’s steeped in history.”
You bet it is, she thought. Including mine. “Yes, I know where it is.”
“You do? Have you met my family?”
“No. Never. At least I don’t think I have.” She’d only known the boy who’d taken her virginity. She’d never met his family.
“I’ve seen you before.” He suddenly looked unsure, as if he suspected he’d said too much.
“Where?” Surely she wouldn’t forget someone as striking as him?
He looked around as if hoping someone would rescue him. There was no one. He turned back to her. “Oh, around.”
“You like cooking?” she asked. Most people recognized her from her shows.
He shrugged and looked even more confused if that was possible. “Why?”
“Just wondered… about where you might have seen me before.”
“Ah,” he said, but didn’t elaborate.
“Rachel?” A voice came from the house behind them. She turned and saw her father, Jim Connelly, waving at her. “Amber’s been trying to reach you on the phone!”
“Okay!” she called, retrieving the quietly vibrating phone from where she’d left it, perched on a mostly empty wheelbarrow. “Excuse me,” she muttered to Zane. “Hello?” She half-turned away. “Amber! Hi! Yes, sure, I’ll be at the café mid-afternoon at the latest. See you then.” She smiled as Amber made kissing noises down the phone. She finished the call and glanced up to see a pair of interested eyes quickly look away.
“I’d better go,” said Rachel. “Things to do… Places to go…” She smiled uncertainly, feeling uncomfortable standing so close to this giant of a man who was clad only in brief shorts and t-shirt, exposing dark skin and a muscled body. Stunning, she thought, trying to keep her gaze away from his body, and focused on his face. Trouble was, that was impressive, too, in an uncompromising kind of way.
“Sure.” He grinned and his face lit up, softening his features and revealing perfect teeth. He looked like a different man. He took a few steps back and indicated the garden. “Go easy on the weeding.”
She nodded, and tossed the dead shrub into the wheelbarrow, feeling unaccountably shy. He turned away and began to jog back to the road. “See you,” said Rachel impulsively. Some urge made her want to say something more to him, to keep the connection going.
“Yeah.” He turned and grinned again. “You will.”
***
