Fate gives them another chance to mend their...
Years ago free-spirited Carin Holcomb and corporate mogul Seth Medlock had a brief affair. But Carin, a devoted nurse, had often put her patients' needs before Seth. And while fighting to save his family-owned business, Seth had attempted to mold Carin into a corporate wife, an image she hated.
Now a showdown over the sale of a small Oklahoma pediatric hospital where Carin is assistant director of nursing, brings them together again. But have time and distance taught them that in the final negotiation, only love counts?
Download: ISBN 1-58200-109-X
1999 Booksellers' Best Award finalist
Print On Demand tradesize paperback
with COMING TO TERMS
ISBN # 0-7599-0602-5
She glanced at her watch. "I must go. It's getting late."
Seth opened the door and she slid gracefully into the seat. He closed the door behind her, then bent and braced his arm on the window sill.
"Have dinner with me. We can catch up on things." His voice coaxed, lured her.
Carin's heart pounded and she moistened her dry lips. Like a wild creature, she sensed danger. Thoughts tumbled in her mind, and with relief, she grasped the chance to refuse.
"I---I'm sorry. I can't. Today is Irene's birthday and we're going out to dinner---I mean I promised..."
"Hey, it's okay." With a light touch, he laid his hand on her shoulder, his voice calm, soothing. "I understand. How about tomorrow? I'll even take you out for a chili dog."
Carin fought a grin. "You hate chili dogs."
"I used to hate chili dogs. Maybe my taste has changed." His beguiling tone hinted that the change had been more than simply junk food. She hesitated and searched his face, silhouetted by the light of the setting sun behind him. In the glare, he appeared to be all shadowed angles and planes. "I don't know, Seth. It might not be a good idea to get involved again."
He laid one long finger across her lips. "I'm asking for a simple dinner, Carin. It doesn't have to be hot-dogs. Food, conversation, wine, all in a public place." Still, she paused and his voice dropped to a smoky level as his finger caressed her mouth. "Is the new Carin afraid?"
Each stroke sent a warm wave of pleasure through Carin and, startled, she realized her lips had opened to his touch, like petals to the caress of the sun. She pulled back and drew in a trembling breath. "Yes, Seth. I think the new Carin is afraid. I have a long memory, and I see no reason to set myself up for more pain."
"I'd forgotten how you always cut right to the bone, Carin. You never did play games, did you?" His gaze captured hers. She remained silent, her tongue suddenly too heavy to speak. "But, afraid or not, you'll come." His tone challenged her, dared her to overlook her doubts.
Carin chewed on her lower lip and imagined she could taste him. For four years, this man had haunted her. The time had come to exorcise the ghost. "The weatherman said we would have another hot day tomorrow and I promised myself the first swim of the year at the lake" she said, uncertain. "Meet me there at two o'clock if you want." She gestured with a jut of her chin. "It's about two miles further up this road."
Seth's eyes narrowed, then he nodded. "If that's what you want, I'll compromise. Two o'clock, at the lake. We'll swim and talk. Any time you're uncomfortable, you can just get in your car and drive away."
He made the entire thing sound like a business conference. She heard a triumphant note in his voice, but pushed away the idea she was making a mistake meeting him again.
"See you tomorrow."
He strode away. She watched as he climbed into his car, then drove around her Jeep, waving as he went. She waited until he was out of sight before she started her engine, scraps of memory, each stronger than the last, flowing across her mind. He still had a magical pull on her. How long had she lied to herself, denied she still missed him? But, just as the attraction hadn't faded, neither had the problems. A successful businessman intent on profit and a nurse dedicated to patients' needs at any cost couldn't possibly match. He is out of her life--and she was going to keep him out. If Seth didn't understand that yet, he would tomorrow.
When he discovered that she had encouraged her boss to approach another company for a buy-out bid, the same company that four years ago had attempted the hostile takeover of Medlock Corporation, he would fully understand how wide the gap was between them. More importantly, when he realized how she threatened his precious company, he would come out with all guns blazing.
"Damn," Carin whispered to herself. "Going to war and me without my bullet-proof teddy."
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“BROKEN PLEDGE is a simple, engaging story of love lost and found. The central story of reunited lovers, while not new, is told with a fresh clear voice, and with incredible insight into the human spirit. I recommend BROKEN PLEDGE to all those who love a good old fashioned love story, without the ever present outside conflict to detract from the simple yet lovely theme of two people who love enough to compromise. And isn't that what true love really is?”
Reviewed by Terrie Figueroa
Romantic Communications
“Jackie Kramer really makes you feel what Carin and Seth feel even when the emotional cost is high. These characters may bring you to tears but in the end, your share of their joy, will bring you to a very happy day. Romance indeed enough for any lover of the genre plus enough modern business to satisfy even the hardened nonfiction lover. This is the stuff good books are made of."
Reviewed in Buzz Review News
“Ms. Kramer weaves a wonderful plot in this sensual story.”
UNDER THE COVERS
Reviewed by April Redmon
"With BROKEN PLEDGE, Ms. Kramer has given the average person an insight to corporate takeovers. Some are easy. Others are plain nasty. And some will bring love in unlikely places. A high-five to Ms. Kramer for showing that these corporate men are capable of love and happily ever after."
Just Views
Reviewed by Brenda Ramsbacher
“…if you like a hot and steamy story, give Broken Pledge a try.”
SIMEGEN-ROM
Reviewed by Cherri L. Muñoz