Falling for the Boss
Being tied up and delivered to the sheriff was not how Nicole O’Malley expected to meet her new boss. Quinn Darling had the audacity to mistake her for a burglar! Now she’s counting the days until she can leave small-town life behind to open her own boutique. But as long as she’s helping two runaways escape their vindictive stepdad, she can’t leave town.
Quinn’s determined to triumph in his first business venture without the support of his wealthy family. He can’t succeed without assistant Nicole, a beauty as prickly as she is captivating. As Quinn adjusts to the tight-knit community, he’s soon set on another goal: breaking through Nicole’s reserve to capture the love hidden in her heart.
Smoky Mountain Matches: Dreams of home and family come true in the Smoky Mountains
“Mr. Darling, meet your shop assistant.”
Words failed him. Rational thought failed him.
Those magnificent violet eyes speared him as the sheriff helped her stand so that he could free her wrists.
“You are Nicole O’Malley?”
“In the flesh.” The perfect lips thinned with displeasure, then winced as she gingerly rubbed the skin where the rope had chafed.
Quinn winced along with her. He pinched the bridge of his nose. Way to make a great first impression, Darling. Then he recalled her culpability in the situation.
“Why did you attack me?” he demanded.
“I thought you were an intruder. Why did you sneak in here after hours?”
“I didn’t sneak. This is my store. Besides, the door was unlocked.”
The sheriff snapped his knife closed and slid it into his pocket. “I think I’ll leave you two to get better acquainted.” His smile was rueful as he passed Quinn. “Welcome to Gatlinburg.”
KAREN KIRST was born and raised in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains. A lifelong lover of books, it wasn’t until after college that she had the grand idea to write one herself. Now she divides her time between being a wife, homeschooling mom and romance writer. Her favorite pastimes are reading, visiting tearooms and watching romantic comedies.
From Boss to Bridegroom
Karen Kirst
MILLS & BOON
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I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
—Psalms 139:14
To Meredith Black—many thanks for your encouragement and sound advice.
I’m so grateful the Lord brought you into our lives. Love you, dear friend!
Contents
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Epilogue
Dear Reader
June 1882 Gatlinburg, Tennessee
There was an intruder in the mercantile.
In her haste, Nicole O’Malley had forgotten to lock the rear entrance, and now she was alone.
While not common in this area, robberies weren’t unheard of. In fact, this very store had been targeted two years ago, and her oldest sister, Juliana, kidnapped by outlaws.
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