The Feather Kiss

By Rachel Harlin

Lydia has loved Brett from afar since high school. After an accident left his sister in the hospital, Lydia abandoned her love in favor of her friend. But when Brett comes to her, looking for help, she must decide whether she can forgive him in order to mend the bridge between him and his sister - and risk heartbreak - or lose him forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rachel Harlin
• Release date: Nov 1, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452389691

Rachel Harlin

Plunged into a musical family at birth, Rachel was exposed to the excitement and magic of musical theater throughout her childhood. Starry-eyed, she attended college musical rehearsals with her pianist mother – imagining herself as the heroine in the spotlight – becoming a hopeless romantic from the start. Though Rachel’s own natural musical gifts motivated her through college and she now holds a vocal performance degree in operatic singing, she has loved writing sweet romance novels for over seven years. Creative writing has served as a beautiful escape from the emotional rigors of raising her family.Rachel published her first novel, By Love or By Sea in April of 2009 and continues to write sweet romance novels. She currently lives in Northern California with her handsome husband – the love of her life – where she enjoys curling up with a good book, getting her own creative thoughts on paper, and singing. She loves picnics in the park and being the mom to eight future starlets.

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The Feather Kiss

Published by Rachel Rager at Smashwords

Copyright 2010 Rachel Rager

Discover other titles by Rachel Rager at

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Chapter 1

It all started with a kiss. Cliché as that sounds, it’s true. Some might argue that kisses aren’t a big deal. Let me say, one kiss changed my life. It was nothing more than a light brush of the lips. A feather light, accidental touch. It altered my life and I may never be the same.

I sat at the kitchen table mulling over some dumb math problem. Rather than finding the elusive answer, I sat pondering murderous plots for my evil math professor. The man could be taught a few things in personal hygiene, but his biggest offense was this latest homework assignment.

What about black? I could really do some daring things with black.

I sighed. Kate, black makes you look like a ghost.

I know! Her squeal was loud enough to make the neighbors cringe. Can you imagine? It’s supposed to be a costume dance. Why not go as a ghost or zombie?

You are so weird. What happened to the traditional princess thing you used to enjoy?

Liddy, you are so last year.

I rolled my eyes and looked back at my work. My chicken scratchings blurred together. I blinked my tired, dry eyes. That made things worse. I sighed deeply and ran a frustrated hand through my hair. I laid my head in my hand and began doodling on my paper.

Here’s one. Oh, this is it!

I didn’t turn. Kate is the kind of friend who needs no encouragement. She’s a jewel, but exhausting. Her daily energy could fuel a power station for an entire week.

Who are you going with to the Mid Summer’s Ball? You do have a date, right? I couldn’t possibly go if you weren’t going.

Why would you go for me? You’re going with Baker.

I know!

I needed to find a way to clamp down on Kate’s squealing. If she continued, she’d soon be hysterical and I’d never get my homework done.

Maybe I’ll go with Brett.

Apparently she missed my sarcasm.

Brett who?

I looked at her in surprise.

She put a hand to her chest. "My Brett? That’s just gross. I know you used to have a crush on him."

That was years ago.

I know. The thought of someone actually finding a romantic interest in him is just gross. Can you imagine kissing Brett? She pretended to be sick on the floor.

I swallowed a humorless laugh. I could imagine kissing Brett Porter. There was a time that my fantasies were so vivid, they felt real. I groaned. I would not think of what might have been.

Of course it would be weird for you to kiss Brett. He’s your brother.

Don’t get me wrong. I love Brett.

Don’t we all, I muttered under my breath.

But you could do so much better than Brett. Why don’t you take Jeremy? Now there’s a handsome guy if I ever saw one.

Kate, it’s a guy’s choice dance. I’m not going to ask anyone.

But you have to go. I will die if you don’t go.

I sighed. Let me finish my homework and then I’ll take you to the mall. We’ll see if we can find you something to wear to this dance of all dances.

Kate squealed again, threw her arms around me, and dashed off to the living room to devour her magazine in the softness of her hundreds of couch pillows. I wiped the smile from my face and turned back to my math.

A half hour later, I closed my notebook and breathed a sigh of relief. If I never calculated another set of numbers, it would be too soon. I stretched my arms above my head, my back arching over the back of my chair. I stood and went to get a drink from the sink. Letting the water run over my hand, I stared out the window at the trees. I loved summer. I loved the heat. Tomorrow would be the perfect day at the pool.

Hey, Liddy.

I jumped but didn’t have to turn. Brett. No one else had that rich raspy sound to their voice that made me feel like I was drowning in a barrel of smooth hot fudge.

I didn’t hear you come in. I filled my glass and turned off the sink.

Did you get me a drink? That was so kind of you.

He grabbed the glass that was halfway to my lips. His arm brushed my shoulder in the tiny kitchen. My heart stuttered and I swallowed. With a wink, he drained the glass and handed it back. Thanks.

I tried to glower. Don’t mention it. I filled the glass again and took a long drink, fully aware that he had drunk out of the same cup only seconds before. He leaned against the counter with folded arms and smiled. My eyes dropped to those adorable