Tricia McGill-Australian Author: Sunday Snippet from When Fate Decides-Challenge the Heart Book 1

24 January 2016

Sunday Snippet from When Fate Decides-Challenge the Heart Book 1

When Fate Decides is dedicated to all the women out there who dream of having a man like Jack in their lives—and to those who are blessed by having one.

For too long Tessa has seen herself as plain and dowdy, just an ordinary suburban housewife. With her confidence eroded after being married to a bully who humiliated her at every opportunity, why wouldn’t she presume she was unattractive, and someone no man would find the least bit worth bothering with?

But now Tessa is a widow, and relishing her new state of independence. Her world is turned upside down by Jack Delaney, a man she spent hours fantasizing over when he worked for her husband. A man who gave her a deliciously secret outlet from her miserable marriage. When Jack enters her life again, professing he finds her attractive, why would she believe him? Especially as he is now wealthy, successful, still extremely handsome, and to add to that, years younger than her.

"As a romance hero, Jack is one of the best!...expect to spend a few sleepless nights reading this page–turner and enjoying the scorching love scenes between Tessa and Jack! Once started, this book is impossible to put down. Ms. McGill has conjured up a cast of characters that will stay in your mind and a story that will warm your heart.”

Jennifer Macaire for A Romance Review

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“Is she as beautiful as her mother?” Damn! Now she’d gone all wary again, but her blush told him his revelation pleased her.

Laughing nervously she eyed him across the small space separating them. “Don’t be daft.”

“Daft to think anyone could be as lovely as you, you mean?” With a grin, he watched the peachy stain travel from her throat and up her face. God, she was endearing.

She gave a soft snort as she held a spoon aloft. “You should see about getting glasses.”

“My eyesight is perfect.” Fascinated, he watched her movements. Yes, she was flustered for sure. “Surely Des told you how lovely you are. And there must have been many men over the years that commented on it. Unless they are the ones who needed glasses.”

She emptied a packet of spaghetti into boiling water as she protested, “I’m a past her prime mum and my hair’s going gray.”

Jack made a rude sound. “Rubbish! Past your prime? You have the face and figure of a twenty-year-old, Tessa. Your skin’s like silk, and I happen to like the touch of silver in your hair.” Would dearly like to see if her skin felt as soft as it promised to be. Itched to run his fingers through that sleek hair.

“How did we get onto this subject?” He couldn’t quite make out if she was embarrassed by his bluntness or pleased at his compliments.

“Well, mainly because I was commenting on your beauty and you were arguing with me.” Now he knew she was pleased with his observations—her flustered movements gave her away. Obviously he was right—she just wasn’t used to having someone tell her she was lovely. “How do you keep so slim?”

“I walk the dog every day as well as doing exercises. And I do Tai Chi regularly.”

“Really? I’ve always wanted to have a go at that? Where did you learn?” He watched as she stirred the pot. A delicious smell rose from the sauce she’d poured in.

Her eyes went wide. “I went to the local community center. You’re kidding me, right? I can’t see you doing anything so sedate.” A small sound of disbelief left her lips. “I would reckon karate would be more in your line.”

“Funny you should say that.” Jack nodded. “I did start learning after my marriage flopped. It was one way to get the anger out of my system.”

“Anger?” She stopped stirring to frown at him.

“Yes. Mary was a bitch of the first degree.” Another understatement. Bitch came nowhere near describing his ex-wife’s selfishness. “I spent the first year after our split wondering where I went wrong. Until it dawned on me I had nothing to do with the way she was.” For a moment he stared pensively down at the dog now snuggled in her basket. “I came from Adelaide. I don’t know if I told you.”

“Yes, you said your mum and dad lived there. Your father was a plumber, wasn’t he?”

“That’s right.” Jack was astounded she’d remembered so much of what he told her so long ago. “They both died within a couple of years of each other. Dad first, then Mum three years ago.”

“Oh, I am sorry.” She put placemats, condiments and cutlery on the table.

Jack shrugged. “Don’t be. Mum didn’t have much interest in life once dad had gone.”

Her eyes turned wistful again. “It must be lovely to care so deeply for someone that you can’t bear life without each other.” As if realizing she’d disclosed too much, she turned her back on him and began to take dishes from the cupboard. “So, you came over from Adelaide and met your wife.”