Title: At Last Author: Krista Harper Genre: Contemporary Romance
wo years ago, Tyler Reid left the California Coastline in search of a new start. One that didn’t include Genevieve Lawson and the disastrous ending to their life together. Stubborn and alone, Reid is determined to move forward but remains haunted by his past and the events that occurred before he left the sleepy beach community.
Reluctantly, Reid finds himself in therapy, forced to deal with his past to embrace his future. But, as he begins to heal, the memories of his upbringing start to unravel, forcing him to question all he’s known about his relationship with Genevieve and those around him.
Determined to make things right, Reid returns to California attempting to make peace with his past and provide both him and Genevieve closure. Only when he arrives, their encounter takes a turn neither expected, nearly derailing his progress and their plans.
Can the two put aside the past for a chance at a possible future?
What You Can Expect From, At Last: ~ Wounded Hero Determined to Heal ~ Torn Heroine Afraid of Being Hurt Again ~ Redemption Story ~ Two-Hour Short Read with All the Feels ~ Guaranteed Happily Ever After
“Tyler Reid,” I said, extending my hand. “Most people call me Reid.”
“Yes, Reid.” He smiled, returning my grip. “Hello, I’m Dr. Rodsen.”
Dr. Rodsen was a small man who looked as though he’d spent most of his time indoors with a good book. He was maybe in his late 50’s and wore navy khakis with a button-down shirt; his wire-rimmed glasses perched on top of his head. Our hands dropped, and I quickly placed mine into the front pockets of my blue jeans, looking around the room.
“Please,” said Dr. Rodsen, gesturing to the sofa. “Have a seat wherever you’re comfortable.”
“Thank you,” I replied, choosing a seat the furthest away from the good doctor.
“So, Reid, before we dive in here. I just wanted to say thank you for coming in and meeting with me today. As you know, this isn’t a full session, but instead more of a ‘meet and greet’ if you will, to make sure you feel comfortable.” He smiled. “Also, I wanted you to know that your files arrived from Dr. Garrison for my review, per your request, and I must say, it’s somewhat unorthodox for me to receive such extensive files from another therapist.”
“Well, Dr. Rodsen.” I leaned in. “I wanted to start at the present instead of drudging back through my entire childhood and adolescence again. I’ve had a great life. I’ve lived it. I’ve talked about it. I want to move on.”
“I see,” he said, removing the glasses from atop his head and putting them on. He picked up a pad of paper and pen from the small table in between us and began scanning the pages. “Well, after reviewing your file, I did have a few questions that I found pertinent. And I’d like to begin with those, if I may?”
“Of course.” I nodded.
“Now, your records indicate that you were adopted, however reading through your files, there isn’t much mention of this.”
“There isn’t much to mention,” I said, my hands folded on top of my lap.
“Well.” He hesitated. “If I may?”
“Of course.”
“At what age did you become aware of your adoption?”
“I believe I was fifteen at the time.”
“Fifteen? My, that is an awfully long time to wait to tell you. How did your adoptive parents broach the subject?”
I shifted in my seat. “You mean my parents.” I corrected him, my jaw clenched.
“Oh, why yes, Reid.” He looked up from his notepad, his brows furrowed. “Your parents. Does it bother you that I called them your adoptive parents?”
“No.” I lied. “However, they are just my parents. No adjectives are needed.”
“Thank you. That is noted.” He cleared his throat before beginning again. “How did your parents broach the subject of your adoption?”
“Well, in all honesty, it was me who broached the subject Dr. Rodsen. I was a punk teenager and was digging through my father’s study, looking for the key to the liquor cabinet, when I found the documentation.”
“That must have been quite the finding, Reid.”
I nodded.
“And what happened after that?” Dr. Rodsen asked. “You approached your parents?”
“Indirectly, yes.”
“Indirectly?” “
I did eventually also find the key to the liquor cabinet.” I paused a moment at the painful memory. “I opened the file and spread the paperwork, page by page, out on the floor of my Father’s office, then proceeded to drink half a bottle of 30-year-old scotch. My parents found me that night in the office.”
Krista Harper is a contemporary romance and romantic comedy writer.
The first in her family to attend college, she received a practical degree in nursing before pursuing her MFA at the age of 40.
A Chicago native, Krista currently resides in the Colorado mountains with her partner, two kids and four rescues, where she enjoys being nature adjacent.
Ivie Davis’s seemingly perfect life is not quite so perfect thanks to a stalker who is determined to hurt her in every way possible.
The guy she falls for is forbidden.
Malicious intent is around every corner she turns.
She runs…for a while.
When she returns home to piece together the puzzle of her past, she finds herself working painfully close to the one man she knows she can’t have.
Her heart has other plans.
Sterling Brigg is a rancher by blood, detective by choice.
He is driven by a need to find the truth.
He fell in love with Ivie, even though he knew better.
Years later, he still searches for the answers to her past.
Now that she’s back in his life, he has no intention of letting her go again.
Together, they vow to find the truth, and in doing so, they will have to decide if the truth will bring them together or be the barrier that keeps them apart forever.
I open my wallet and pull out a tattered photograph of Ivie. She’s smiling at the camera and lying in a hammock wearing a black dress. The photo’s black and white, and she’s holding a yellow and orange flower that’s in color. It was a picture that Lucy gave me after she left all of us in the dust.
She knew I had feelings for Ivie. I suppose she thought the picture would help me. It did and it didn’t. When I needed to see her face, I pulled it out and stared at those mesmerizing eyes. Other times it served as a reminder of heartbreak— something I wanted so badly but could never have.
I’ve tried to throw the picture away many times over the years but could never bring myself to do it. I put the photo back in my wallet.
I never told her that I was becoming an officer, much less that I was doing it to protect her and to try to help her find answers. I remember the night she said goodbye. She’d been avoiding my calls for weeks after her attack. Then she pulled up at my house, car loaded down, to say she was leaving.
“No sense in dwelling on the past,” I tell myself. I give my room a onceover. “Camden Springs, Alabama, here I come.”
I turn off all the lights and I get into my personal rig, a black Dodge diesel 2500, and pull out of my garage. I see my partner on the ranch and close friend, Tate Marks, and stop to tell him I’ll be gone for a few days.
“Okay brother, you know I’ll be here. I’ll call if I need anything, but you know me, I can run this place in my sleep.” His confident words are punctuated with a wink and a theatrical yawn.
“Thanks, Tate. I’ll be back soon.” He smiles and heads back toward the stables as I turn the wheel to head down the drive. Tate’s family to me; he grew up spending most his summers here. He’s the brother I always hoped I’d have.
Darkness falls as I head toward the interstate. Ivie Davis is in for one hell of a surprise, and hopefully she can give me some answers as to why she left Greendale Valley in the first place, not to mention whatever’s going on now.
I hit the interstate and think about how much I loved her. I’ve never felt that way about anyone else. There’s just something special about her. Sure, I date women. But I’ve never settled down, never gotten serious. There are a few who would like to, but it’s just not in my plans. I’m too involved in my cases, in my work. And then there’s the ranch. A fling here and there is about all I’ve ever had since Ivie left. No one’s ever made me feel the way she did. I doubt anyone ever will.
My GPS says I should be there in a couple hours. So, Ivie left Tennessee, but didn’t go so far that she couldn’t easily come back home. I wonder what she’s been up to. The thought occurs to me she probably has a boyfriend. She’s way too beautiful not to. A prickle of jealousy surges through me, but I squash it. What I had with Ivie is ancient history, and this is strictly business. This case literally landed on my desk. I didn’t go looking for it— although I’d still do anything to keep her safe. Nevertheless, once this case is closed, and maybe helps find who attacked Dean, the past can be left there, in the past. I flip on my radio and set it to shuffle the playlist on my phone. As I continue down the interstate, the tires hum under me, and something floats to the surface in my mind I haven’t really allowed myself to think in a long time. We did love each other once. She never said it, but I think she did. I felt it. She had to know I did. Maybe she’ll forgive me for finding her. She was adamant she didn’t want to see me anymore. Then again, maybe she won’t forgive me. We’re about to find out. She left me with more questions than answers, that’s for sure. Maybe, just maybe, I can get some of those answered tonight.
A.B. Medley lives in Tennessee with the love of her life and two sons. Her husband stole her heart when she was sixteen and their relationship is one of those meant to be love stories you find in magazines and novels.
She is a dental hygienist who loves to read and has always dabbled in writing. When she’s not making people’s smiles shine, she enjoys belting out songs with her boys, dancing, raspberries, baseball, and anything vintage. Like any proper Tennessean, Sundrop is her drink of choice.
She loves her family and friends fiercely and believes in always chasing your dreams.
Deception in the Truth is her debut novel—but now she’s hooked, and there’s more to come!
That’s what I first came to know about the shady town.
I never thought I’d see myself ending up in that horrific town… but I did.
I was taken, stolen and completely destroyed.
The Shadows were hovering upon me to wreck me, hiding and waiting- until they finally attacked.
Ace West is on a mission to ruin me.
He told me he’ll break me in the most ruthless way.
What he doesn’t know is that you can’t break someone who’s already broken. And you definitely can’t break the girl you love without destroying yourself.
Avery Kane is a dark romance writer . Her passion for reading began at a very young age of fourteen, she found her escape through books. Avery decided to publish her debut book in 2021 and loved the progress so much- she plans to never stop writing. Living in the beautiful country of Australia, her hobbies include horse riding, spending time with her little brother, and lots of junk eating. Follow Avery on all socials to see this incredible journey she’s on and never hesitate to get in contact, Avery loves interacting with everyone!
