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Jilted
Rachael Johns
She’d left him at the altar, but her heart was always his…After more than ten years away, Australian soap opera star Ellie Hughes returns to the small town of Hope Junction, determined to fly under the radar while caring for her injured godmother, Matilda.But word spreads fast in the tight-knit community. It isn’t long before the people of Hope Junction are gossiping about the real reason for Ellie’s visit and why she broke the heart of golden boy Flynn Quartermaine all those years ago.Soon Ellie and Flynn are thrown back together, forced to deal with the unresolved emotions between them. Because Ellie is not the only one with secrets. Flynn has his own demons to battle, and Matilda is hiding something from her much-loved goddaughter.When all is uncovered, can the ill-fated lovers overcome the wounds of their past? Or is Flynn destined to be jilted again?
She’d left him at the altar, but her heart was always his…
After more than ten years away, Australian soap opera star Ellie Hughes returns to the small town of Hope Junction, determined to fly under the radar while caring for her injured godmother, Matilda.
But word spreads fast in the tight-knit community. It isn’t long before the people of Hope Junction are gossiping about the real reason for Ellie’s visit and why she broke the heart of golden boy Flynn Quartermaine all those years ago.
Soon Ellie and Flynn are thrown back together, forced to deal with the unresolved emotions between them. Because Ellie is not the only one with secrets. Flynn has his own demons to battle, and Matilda is hiding something from her much-loved goddaughter.
When all is uncovered, can the ill-fated lovers overcome the wounds of their past? Or is Flynn destined to be jilted again?
Jilted
Rachael Johns
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
For Granny and (in memory of) Grandpa—
a real-life heroine and hero!
Acknowledgments (#ulink_538b7088-ab19-5210-b89a-93f4f13e1497)
My hugest thanks to Haylee Kerans and the team at Harlequin Australia for seeing something special in Jilted and deciding to publish it—you made my dream into a reality. And also to Aden Rolfe, editor extraordinaire, who seems to know what I mean and how to say it even better than I do.
To all my writing buddies who are not only colleagues but also good friends. The following people especially, who read and critiqued Jilted way before it was polished: Bec Sampson, Cathryn Hein, Jackie Ashenden, Melissa Smith and Joanne Dannon.
To non-writing but equally awesome friends Peta Sattler and Penny Bruce—you both rock. Thanks for loving Jilted too.
This book has already been published in Australia, but I owe its publication in the United States partly to fabulous book reviewer Christi Snow from Smitten with Reading who read and reviewed Jilted when it first came out and then emailed the team at Harlequin US to say her fellow Americans had to have the chance to read it. Thank you, Christi, for going above and beyond the role of a book reviewer. I will be forever grateful.
Also to my agent, Helen Breitweiser, who came on board after receiving Jilted at an Australian Romance Writers conference. Helen read the manuscript on the plane home to America and cried so much the flight attendant asked if she was okay. Ever since then she’s been in my corner, and I thank her immensely for that.
And lastly, thanks to my long-suffering family: to Mum, Craig and the boylets! You gave me the precious gift of time...time to write, time to edit, time to dream. Without your support, my writing would not be possible and I love you for it.
Glossary of Terms (#ulink_6f75814d-ad2f-5b74-8256-6fef596fe26a)
Arvo—Slang for afternoon.
CWA—Acronym for Country Women’s Association; a group of rural women who get together to improve life for women, children and families in rural Australia. Known for their fabulous baking and craft skills.
Dag—A teasing term for someone who is not cool; also the term used for the bits of manure that stick to the long wool around a sheep’s bottom.
Dill—Slang for idiot.
Dizzy-whizzy—When an adult spins a child around by their arms.
Larrikin—The life of the party; someone who is always having fun, a bit rowdy. Usually a young person.
Metho—Shortened term for menthylated spirits; a cleaning product.
P-plates—Holders of a provisional driver’s license (driver’s permit) must display small squares with a P on their windshields and back windows to identify them as new drivers.
Ridgy-didge—Slang for something genuine, the real deal.
Road-train—Semi-trailer truck with two or three trailers.
TAB—Acronym for Totalizator Agency Board; a Betting Shop.
Ute—Shortened version of utility vehicle used by farmers; similar to a pickup truck.
Yabby—Small freshwater crayfish, sometimes found in dams on farms.
Contents
Cover (#ud4aae716-a81f-5afd-ab5a-5b2cbd8ee8f2)
Back Cover Text (#ub393785d-3d6c-5e97-aac3-387033847f59)
Title Page (#u969d8e4c-370f-57e1-8067-18e17599f5a0)
Dedication (#ubeeec32b-1404-5e4c-90f9-81b5bb3976e0)
Acknowledgments (#ulink_8f9c9910-53a0-5105-832a-8f34f695fdc2)
Glossary (#ulink_9b014cfa-9922-5429-b8f8-1b660e51c28a)
LETTERS (#ude233d3b-2014-5ca4-83a9-4babc45646a9)
CHAPTER ONE (#ulink_8b7e642e-4b9f-5784-b238-b581dd7192a8)
CHAPTER TWO (#ulink_77fd33d4-fd8a-5a66-b7ec-b319eaea7258)
CHAPTER THREE (#ulink_dc9d1f65-1924-5687-85ed-60c4b806cb70)
CHAPTER FOUR (#ulink_c5df6812-4ac9-5ee7-89f5-2b0f78058f88)
CHAPTER FIVE (#ulink_48233a34-db67-51da-87cb-645f7314f659)
CHAPTER SIX (#ulink_1367ed63-2fa0-5bb3-9b93-773e8df40b14)
CHAPTER SEVEN (#ulink_d40670d9-ccda-553c-b423-72b3906a8923)
CHAPTER EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER ELEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWELVE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER THIRTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FOURTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER FIFTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SIXTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER NINETEEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWENTY (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER THIRTY (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX (#litres_trial_promo)
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN (#litres_trial_promo)
Copyright (#litres_trial_promo)
The Co-op, Hope Junction,
Western Australia—Saturday, 9:30 a.m.
Today. It’s true. Well, I don’t know, I guess she’ll be taking the bus from Perth. Although being a celebrity and all, maybe she’s chartered her own jet. She has got a nerve, I couldn’t agree more.
Oh, hi, Mrs. Willet. Just the apples this morning? Yes, I was just chatting about it with Linda. I’m surprised the news isn’t front page of today’s West, I thought she would have rated higher than the premier opening a regional hospital. You’re absolutely right, it’s because it’s here. Small town, back-of-beyond. Oh jeez, but if they knew the truth, if they only knew what she left behind. She was always a bit of a snob at school, none of us could believe it when they started going out. And then when, well, you know...
Me? I would have sold my soul to marry him. We all would’ve. Phwoar...speak of the gorgeous devil.
About Coffee Time, Hope Junction,
Western Australia—Saturday, 9:45 a.m.
The usual, thanks, Sherry, but make it extra strong today. My nerves need it. Oh, you haven’t heard? A jet plane apparently. Chartered. You know, I’m not one to listen to gossip but she’s bringing her own pilot. A toyboy, barely over twenty but buff as they come. Or so I’m told. You ask me, he’d have to be pretty damn alluring to hold a candle to our Flynn. Most Saturdays, you say? Well, he’ll no doubt be a little flustered this morning. Maybe give him a free slice of your fabulous chocolate cake, and your ear. You’re still single, aren’t you, dear?
Outside the post office, Hope Junction,
Western Australia—Saturday, 10:00 a.m.
Sorry, can’t stop to chat, I have to get back to the café. I’m expecting Flynn—he grabs the paper at the Co-op and then comes for a late breakfast. A lot of the footballers do, I feed them up good before the game. Do you think he’ll still come? You’re right, he might be keeping a low profile. Maybe won’t even play today... He’s not one to dwell on the past but Mom always says that’s a front. Men, they’re not as strong as us, you know, they don’t get over that sort of knock easily. I bet he still thinks about her. Hard not to when her smug face is on the telly every night. Ouch, what’d ya do that for?
Oh, hi, Flynn.
Hairlicious, Hope Junction,
Western Australia—Saturday, 10:10 a.m.
Sure, I heard about it yesterday, people tell hairdressers things, you know. You’d be amazed; sometimes it’s a real chore. Yeah, I did her hair once. Between you and me, it’s quite thin and flyaway. They must have good hairdressers and makeup artists at Channel Nine. Me neither, I always thought she was a bit skinny, anorexic even. Too worried about her image, I suppose.
She’ll not have it easy around here, though. There’s not a person within two hundred kilometers who doesn’t like Flynn. You are so right, there’s probably not a girl anywhere who wouldn’t like him. And she won’t do well with the blokes, either. They’re not as shallow as those city guys. Just because her legs never end and you could wrap your fingers round her waist, won’t mean a thing to them. They’ll not go near her. Boys from the bush look out for their mates.
What’s that, Emma? Is he really? Ten-fifteen. Well, well, well...
CHAPTER ONE (#ulink_899c5645-94bf-541c-9b82-388b1a8dfa9c)
WHEN FLYNN QUARTERMAINE drove into town, he couldn’t get a newspaper or pick up his mail without being stopped by someone or other on the main street. He’d lived in the small farming community of Hope Junction—southeast of Perth and affectionately known to locals as Hope—every one of his twenty-nine years. He knew everyone and they knew him. And he was famous. Aside from his legendary streak across the oval on Grand Final day ten years ago, he was the last baby born in the local hospital, having just slipped out before the maternity ward was closed and everyone had to travel farther afield.
What was most embarrassing to Flynn was that people still talked about this. Whenever someone new came to town, or a long-lost relative was passing through, the first thing the introducer would say was, “Meet Flynn, he was the last baby born in our hospital.” Nothing about the fact he ran one of the biggest farms in the district. Nothing about almost doubling his family’s income by introducing South African Meat Merinos (or SAMMs for short) to their flock. Nothing about how other local farmers followed suit. But then, perhaps he should be grateful people didn’t mention other things.
There were some things no guy liked to be reminded about.
