Love Unleashed

By JACKIE BRAUN

Can a feisty four-legged matchmaker help four best friends find the romance of their dreams?
The last thing Mia wants is a relationshipyet the headstrong florist cant keep her hands off her sexy-as-sin ex-boyfriend. Will she open her heart before he leaves town for good?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Macmillan Publishers
• Release date: Mar 21, 2014
• ISBN: 9781622665051

JACKIE BRAUN

Jackie Braun is the author of more than thirty romance novels. She is a three-time RITA finalist and a four-time National Readers’ Choice Award finalist. She lives in Michigan with her husband and two sons.

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Love Unleashed

Jackie Braun

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

Copyright © 2013 by Jackie Braun Fridline. All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact the Publisher.

Entangled Publishing, LLC

2614 South Timberline Road

Suite 109

Fort Collins, CO 80525

Visit our website at www.entangledpublishing.com.

Edited by Shannon Godwin

Cover design by Heidi Stryker

Ebook ISBN 978-1-62266-505-1

Manufactured in the United States of America

First Edition October 2013

Second Edition March 2014

The author acknowledges the copyrighted or trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction: Chevy, Chevrolet, Jeep, Dumpster, Victoria’s Secret, Kool-Aid, Goodwill, Love is In the Air

Table of Contents

Dedication

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Epilogue

About the Author

Indulge in More

For my little dog, Pip, who joined our family during the writing of this story. Thanks for rescuing me.

Chapter One

Mia Andale wasn’t quick to smile, but she was grinning broadly as she opened the door to Marney Fields O’Neil, who stood on the cottage’s tiny porch with a squirming Jack Russell terrier clutched in her arms.

Hello, Charlie, Mia said.

It figures you would greet the dog first.

You know I’m always happy to see you.

Mia stepped back to allow them both inside. As soon as Marney released the dog, he took off like a shot, bouncing maniacally around the cottage’s small living room.

His only speed is fast, Marney mused wryly, giving her brown hair a toss. Then she handed Mia the large canvas tote bag that had been slung over her shoulder. Here’s his leash, bowl, and some food. I tucked T-R-E-A-T-S in there, too.

Tr—

"Shh! Marney clapped a hand over Mia’s mouth. You think he’s hyper now? You haven’t seen anything yet."

Charlie finished inspecting the room and came back to sit at the women’s feet. He gazed up at them, the picture of innocence, and cocked his head to one side. Mia’s heart melted.

Aww.

Don’t let his cuteness fool you, Marney warned on a laugh. He can be a handful.

Yes, but if not for him, you and Dell might not have kept getting together, and look where that led.

Marney’s smile bloomed in full. You make an excellent point.

Her friend had just married the sheriff after a whirlwind courtship and record-short engagement and was now leaving on her honeymoon, which was why Mia had volunteered to take over dog-sitting duty. This made the third stop for the infamous Mr. Bonaparte’s equally infamous pooch. So far during Mr. B’s extended trip overseas, Charlie also had stayed with their friend Gabrielle Wilson. Gabby too had wound up falling in love and was now Gabby Shepherd, wife of handsome software designer T.J. Shepherd.

Marney leaned down and patted Charlie’s head. Bye, boy. Don’t let her do anything I wouldn’t do. He let out a soft yip, almost as if he understood.

Mia, however, wasn’t sure she did. What’s that supposed to mean?

Nothing. Be good. Marney pointed a finger at the dog.

Charlie’s going to be on his best behavior for me. Aren’t you? Mia said.

Was it her imagination or did the little dog wink?

You just keep telling yourself that. Well, I’d love to stay and chat, but I have to run. Marney was halfway out the open front door when she called over her shoulder, Oh, by the way, Charlie has a checkup with the vet at five-thirty today. Don’t be late.

The door closed on Mia’s shocked expression. By the time she made it to the porch, Marney was already in her car driving away. Tires actually squealed. Mia scowled. The only veterinarian in Chandler’s Cove was Gideon Roth, hence Marney’s speedy getaway.

Gideon was a prime specimen of a man with a muscular build, thick sandy hair, rich brown eyes that could undress a woman with a glance, and a mouth that could turn her most wanton fantasies into reality. Mia knew all of this firsthand.

Gideon Roth was her ex-boyfriend.

She’d broken up with him six months earlier. Marney and Gabby, as well as Jenny Travolini—the other woman who formed their close quartet of friends—had been surprised. And no wonder. Gideon was a prize. Not only gorgeous and gainfully employed, but smart, funny, and abundantly decent.

Mia’s reason for dumping him? He’d said, I love you.

Three little words that most women longed to hear. Not Mia. Especially when Gid had gotten down on one knee on Christmas Day and backed them up with a diamond engagement ring large enough to have its own ZIP code.

Panic had bubbled up, burning her like lava. God help her, for one foolish moment, hope had as well—a geyser’s worth of it