Summer Breeze

By Anita L. Roseboro

Summer is still mending a broken heart from a relationship that ended long before its expiration date. When she runs into her ex, Devon, he tells her the most devastating news she's heard since her mother was murdered. Then she learns that a mysterious woman, with ties to Devon, is stalking her under the guise of becoming a client. Summer now has to figure out if she's been targeted as her mother had been.

Devon promised to love Summer forever. Unfortunately, forever came much too soon when she made it clear that they had different goals in life and love. After their breakup and a few drinks, he finds himself engaged and soon to be a father with a woman he barely knows. The more Summer and Devon fight their feelings for each while they uncover the truth behind the mysterious situations that occur, the more they are drawn together. Now with new developments that are not in his control, he must face Summer and risk breaking her heart again, while figuring out the secrets that his new wife is keeping.

Karen has infiltrated Summer's life, trying to right old wrongs. She will do anything to save the child she carries, even sacrifice herself to put it in the hands of a woman who will protect it from a man who wants the child—and her—for his lurid purposes. How long can she hide in plain sight, redeem herself in Summer's eyes, before all that is hidden comes to the light?

Devon and Summer are soon confronted with the fact that one woman holds the keys from a dangerous past and an even more devastating future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Anita L. Roseboro
• Release date: Oct 13, 2023
• ISBN: 9781732130050

Book preview

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Summer Breeze by Anita L Roseboro

Copyright 2019

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever or by any means including electronic, mechanical or photocopying, or stored in a retrieval system without written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. For permission, contact Anita L Roseboro at www.anitalroseboro.com.

Cover designed by Lissa Woodson  www.naleighnakai.com

Interior design by Lissa Woodson  www.naleighnakai.com

Cover Image: Woodson Creative Studio

www.woodsoncreativestudio.com

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Printed in the United States of America

Chapter 1

Sleep never came until first light. For almost ten years, Summer’s nights had been spent tossing, turning, and chasing ghosts. The Blues joints in Atlanta were the only places where she felt at home. People went to places like that because they were running from one thing or another. Hiding from themselves and the ghosts within. Something she and they had in common.

Summer settled into the leather seat in a cozy corner of Café 290. The music unwound the coils of stress wrapped around her, that tried to squeeze what was left of any peace of mind. Being the Director of The Guardian Ad Litem office meant fielding daily calls from volunteers, social workers at their breaking points, and lawyers who’d become weary of the system. The turnover rate in her department was at an all-time high. Budget cuts from the state and the increased need to hire more volunteers put a strain on her reserve. Now, she simply needed relaxation. Slowly, she sipped a glass of Black Bubbles Sparkling Shiraz and let the melodious saxophone soothe her soul as the cares of her world slipped away.

A tall, slender man moved toward her. He had a familiar gait that signaled he was seeking out his next prey. Summer Daniels was no one’s prey or victim.

Hey, that seat for me? he asked.

Summer looked up with a heated intensity that made good on her name. I prefer to sit by myself, thank you.

A pretty lady like yourself should never be alone, he said, in what he believed was a seductive tone.

That wasn’t an invitation for you to convince me. Have a good night.

The man glared at her, then slithered off, mumbling something that rhymed with witch. Normally, it took a few of these exchanges for the rest of the men to get the message. One night, the high count was twelve.

Summer slowly returned to her zone and closed her eyes to absorb the music.

Who’s playing tonight?

The sound of his silky voice made Summer tremble unexpectedly. Memories of the places on her anatomy where he provided hours of pleasure reacted spontaneously. She lifted her gaze to meet those dark brown eyes.

Maria Howell and Bill Wilson, she replied.

Café 290 was the last place she thought she’d run into the love of her life, the man who shattered her heart. During a more pleasant time in their relationship, she had believed they were destined for the 2.5 kids, white picket fence, and rocking chairs. Not to mention, they were all set to overhaul the overworked social and justice system. Somehow, neither dream materialized.

You always loved those sparkling bubbles hitting your nose.

And you always loved watching me make a fool of myself, she replied, allowing a smile to come.

She joined him in boisterous laughter.

Never that. You let your guard down fighting those bubbles, and it was a beautiful thing to see, he said.

Devon snatched a chair from the table and situated it next to her. Evidently, he’d tired of waiting for her to extend the invitation. She had no intention of inviting heartbreak back into her life again. She was all good picking up the lesson on the first time out.

How you been? he asked.

Wonderful, she lied, knowing full well that life had dealt her several blows. Some of them landed because he was no longer in her life. What about you?

I’m good, he answered.

Boy,