Loving Carlie

By Becky Barker

This novella features Carlie Prescott, the third triplet from Becky Barker's Prescott Pilot series. Carlie works for the family's air charter service based on their Virginia plantation. She's falling in love with her ex-brother-in-law, but her painful marriage with his brother left her wounded and wary.

Michael Trehearn loved Carlie before he introduced her to his big brother. It tore him apart when they married and hurt him even more when he learned of his brother's abusive behavior. Years later, he hires on with the Prescott's Air Charter service to win her back. First, he needs to convince her it's safe to love again, and that he can be trusted with her heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Becky Barker
• Release date: Oct 6, 2012
• ISBN: 9781301652594

Becky Barker

Hi visitors - After many requests from fans, I'm making some of my out-of-print backlist titles available through Smashwords. I also have rights reverted from more recent Cerridwen Press titles, so I hope you'll be interested in reading a few. I offer a monthly readers' contest for backlist titles at my website, so please stop by and visit at www.BeckyBarker.com Or, find me at Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, Tumblr or Pinterest:-) Hugs, Becky

Book preview

PRESCOTT PILOTS

Book#3 LOVING CARLIE

By Becky Barker

Published by Becky Barker

Copyright 2012 Rebecca Barker

Cover design by Kim Sheetz

Interior layout: www.formatting4U.com

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Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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All rights reserved. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Authors note: The original publisher of BORN TO FLY and LOGAN’S LADY went out of business before I had written LOVING CARLIE. I had so many fan requests for her story, I wrote a novella to give her the happily-ever-after she deserved. Please note that the following is a short story, not a full length novel, and it’s also included in the anthology, PRESCOTT PILOTS.

All the characters in this novella have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all incidents are pure invention.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Epilogue

About the Author

CHAPTER ONE

The old-fashioned chapel on the Prescott family’s Virginia plantation was an ideal setting for the late September wedding. The sanctuary, decorated with enormous bundles of multi-colored roses, was small, yet perfect for the intimate celebration. Three sets of candelabras glimmered at the altar, each representing one of the Prescott triplets; Sharla, Darla and Carla. Though only two of the sisters would be exchanging vows, they were accustomed to doing everything in threes.

Strands of gossamer lace adorned the ends of every hand-hewn wooden pew, the lacy drapes drawn into an arch that supported more candles. A late afternoon sun shone through aged, but beautiful stained glass windows, bathing the room in a kaleidoscope of muted colors.

When Carlie stepped through the doors from the vestibule, her breath caught in her throat and her pulse thrummed through her body. She was immediately caught up in a dreamy, romantic mood; transported into a wonderland of sensual pleasure. The smell and beauty of the sanctuary enveloped her, swirling around and inside her, stimulating nerves that were already hypersensitive.

Performing her duties as Sharla’s bridesmaid, she took her first halting step down the white-carpeted aisle. She’d promised not to rush, so she inhaled a deep, calming breath. Forcing herself to take the slow, measured steps of a traditional wedding march, she soaked up the glorious atmosphere like a sensual sponge.

Focusing forward, her eyes rested on the three men standing to the pastor’s left. They all looked tall, broad shouldered and incredibly handsome in their dark tuxedos and pristine white, pleated shirts. Sharla’s groom, Reed Connors, nodded to her as their gazes met. He appeared composed and confident as he offered an encouraging smile. He and Sharla were deeply in love and they’d soon be man and wife. Contentment etched his features.

Next her gaze met with the face of Darla’s new husband, Logan Bradford. He also had the look of a deeply contented man. A justice of the peace had married him and Dee, but they planned to renew their vows today following Sharla and Reed’s exchange of vows.

Lastly, her gaze met with the deep blue of Michael Trehearn’s eyes. Michael and Reed had met and become firm friends. Her steps faltered when the best man held her gaze. Heart fluttering and nerves jangling, she looked into his dark, brooding features. There was nothing relaxed or easy about his expression as his gaze locked with hers. The playful, brotherly affection she’d grown accustomed to had been replaced by an emotion so strong it momentarily stunned her. He gave her a brief, challenging glimpse of pure sexual hunger, and then abruptly smoothed his features into a calm mask.

Carlie’s lungs constricted, her pulse racing as blood pounded in her ears; nearly deafening her to the rhythm of the organ music. Michael rarely showed her anything but an amiable, supportive façade. That he would do so now left her feeling rattled. She immediately dragged her gaze from him and forced herself to concentrate on the rest of her procession, even while her senses whirled.

She was far from innocent, yet still not very sophisticated in the ways of men like her ex-brother-in-law. Michael was normally all teasing charm and machismo. They had quite a history and had spent a lot of time together these past few weeks, yet he’d never given her an inkling of stronger feelings. He’d never hinted at wanting more from their relationship. She must have misread the message in his eyes. It had to be a misunderstanding on her part, just a bridesmaid’s version of wedding jitters.

As she took her place to the right of the pastor, she fought to calm her nerves, and then turned to watch Dee step through the vestibule doors. They’d chosen the same style of bridesmaid gowns, but in different colors. Dee had chosen a dark turquoise while her choice