her belief in him, because though she’d never admit it, a small part of her was freaking petrified too.
‘Stop that,’ Isla yelled, breaking the tension. They smiled as their daughter added, ‘You two really are gross but I love you anyway.’
Time stood still as Tash watched the love of her life perform.
She clapped and stomped and whistled along with people she’d classed as friends her entire life as Rock Hard Place played one classic hit after another, raising the roof on The Watering Hole.
There’d been a hiccup when Kody initially took to the stage, a hesitation as he strummed his first chord and the words hadn’t come. She’d willed him to look at her and, somehow, their eyes had met across the packed room. Corny as it seemed, everything had been okay. He’d visibly relaxed as he moved a fraction closer to the microphone.
When he’d sung the first note, Tash had cried with relief, silent tears trickling down her cheeks. The haunting melody filled the air, raising the hairs on her arms.
He was singing her song. The one he’d written especially for her all those years ago, the one that never failed to make her heart swell.
As he crooned about fate and heartbreak and star-crossed lovers, their eyes met again, and she knew this time they would be together forever.
‘Isn’t he amazing?’ Isla leaned in to her and Tash slid an arm around her daughter’s waist, hugging her tight.
‘He sure is, sweetheart.’
‘I’m so happy we’re going to be a real family,’ Isla said, the joy in her daughter’s eyes mirroring hers.
‘That makes two of us …’ She trailed off as the deep timbre of Kody’s voice reached the last verse. The man of her dreams singing about a forever kind of love.
The kind of love they shared.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
While I’m a city girl, small country towns hold a special place in my heart. Their warmth makes me want to recreate the same vibe in the rural romances I write and I hope I’ve done that again in returning to Brockenridge, my fictional town based on Echuca, a real town on the Murray River that I love.
It takes a team to bring a book to fruition and I’d like to thank the following people.
Rachael Donovan, my publisher at Harlequin Australia, for loving my books. Being published by Mira and having you champion my rural romances is fantastic.
Julia Knapman and Kylie Mason, your editorial guidance helps polish my manuscript into the final product. I appreciate it.
Sarana Behan, the publicity hours you put into Long Way Home helped propel sales and I’m so grateful. Fingers crossed Second Chance Lane flies off shelves too.
Shirley Tran Thai and Christine Armstrong of the HarperCollins Design Studio, who created my amazing covers. Shirley, the gorgeous colours of Second Chance Lane pop and Christine, your beautiful design contributed to Long Way Home’s success. Very grateful to you both, as the cover is what draws a reader’s eye first and I’m so lucky mine are stunning thanks to you.
Annabel Adair, for your comprehensive proof edits.
The entire team at Harlequin Australia and HarperCollins Australia, with special shout-outs to Sue Brockhoff, Adam Van Rooijen and Johanna Baker, for placing my rural romances into readers’ hands.
Jacqui Furlong, the Field Sales Manager at HarperCollins. Huge thanks for getting my books into stores and organising a fantastic launch.
Erica, the manager at Robinsons Bookshop in The Glen, for championing my books and throwing a fabulous book launch.
My agent, Kim Lionetti, for being my support in this ever-changing business.
Rachael Johns, for featuring Long Way Home as a book of the month on her online book club, spreading the love for my venture into rural romance.
For the bookshops, librarians, reviewers and bloggers who help spread the word about my books.
For my family and friends who took the time to let me know how much they enjoyed Long Way Home, and are looking forward to this one.
Martin, for your ongoing support.
My boys, who shared in my excitement at the launch of Long Way Home and took loads of shelfies for me as we spotted it in various bookshops. You know there’ll be plenty more shelfies to come, right? Love you.
My loyal readers, I’m eternally grateful you buy my books. Our lives are so hectic these days and knowing you take the time to read my stories means a lot. I hope you enjoy revisiting Brockenridge and have as much fun delving into the lives of the characters initially created in Long Way Home as I did bringing them to life