Determined Heart

By Jean Matlok

When bored socialite, Lucas Stone, asked Budding Biologist Annie Morales to be his ‘pretend’ fiancée, her immediate thought was ‘No Way.' Lucas Stone was as far from what she considered husband material as she could dream of. Growing up in the same town, they were worlds apart. Annie grew on the poorer side of the city – Lucas was born into a lifestyle of wealth. Annie would never forget Lucas’ cruelty while at school, so why would she do this favor for him?
Besides, she had a dream to pursue – being part of an expedition to the Amazon Jungle. The problem was, she wasn’t the only Biologist who wanted to be on that list – and she’d been trying for years. Added to the problem was her alcoholic brother who she felt responsible for following the death of their parents. Annie never recovered her father being charged for a crime he didn’t commit and vowed to gain his innocence.
Lucas Stone offered her the reality of realizing that dream. Pretend to be his fiancée for three weeks, and he would ensure she got a place on the next expedition.
Lucas Stone had problems of his own, one of them being framed for the murder of the ‘other man’ his fiancée was seeing. The crime of passion they said, but nothing could be further from the truth. Lucas Stone felt love for nothing and no one – except Annie Morales. Annie filled a void in him he didn’t know existed until she returned to his hometown. Each time she left, he felt it keenly.
Lucas Stone never forgot Annie, and when she returned once more to their hometown, he was determined nothing was going to stand in his way of keeping her where she belonged – with him. Annie’s head was not turned by wealth – she didn’t even know his profession. He was aware that money would not induce her to stay – but her trip the Amazon was a different story.
Annie believed in Lucas innocence when individuals in the town didn’t – including his fiancée, who eventually dumped him. Suddenly, she realized her opportunity to do what she couldn’t for her father – prove Lucas innocence. The problem was, Lucas did not want her stepping foot in any of his problems and forcefully told her so. But when his situation became so dire, she took matters into her hands and gained him his freedom – at the cost of her personal safety.
Rather than allow Lucas to discover how he won his freedom, Annie preferred to allow him to think she had paid her dues and was collecting her payment – the Amazon. What Annie could honestly not bear was Lucas pity and his changing feelings towards her. She believed Lucas would leave. All her life, people had left when tough times hit – and this would be no exception. She could not rely on Lucas. She was on her own again, trying to keep her brother afloat. Instead, she was recuperating in a hospital bed.
Lucas, unable to bear her betrayal, allowed their parting to occur. Life continued for Lucas, but he was unable to forget Annie. She was unfinished business, and Lucas always finished his business. Annie could not just walk out of his life – no one did that. Lucas was not all he appeared, and if he was nothing but ruthless. Once his emotions had calmed down, things did not fit into place, and as usual, he set about trying to solve it.
Once Lucas tracked Annie down, rather than feel grateful, he was furious at her actions and took over straight away. Annie was bewildered, for rather than run, Lucas remained at her side, keeping her afloat when all she wanted to do was drift away. She leaned on him heavily, trusting in him while she recuperated. Lucas gave her hope, and then anger when her old self-reasserted itself. Lucas had never felt that implicit trust which was thrust upon him, and the expectation he would not betray that trust.
Annie recuperated and wished to continue with her dream of the Amazon. Can Lucas let her go, knowing full well how he felt? Or will his instinct to conquer take over and ruin whatever hope he has with Annie?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jean Matlok
• Release date: Apr 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781370747535

Jean Matlok

I have been an avid reader of romance since I was 15 years old when I found some old Mills & Boons books in my parents' garage. I was immediately hooked and reading romance ever since - I am now 44 years old. The urge to write came upon me when I was still a child of 11 years, and I would write adventures but as I matured, I found myself heading towards the genre of romance. I attended a short course on romance writing, and wrote several books, but never had them published, I just wrote as I enjoyed writing. I am starting out, and working full time managing a nursing home, with my three children and husband. Our lovely dog, sunny and tropical fish all adds to this little family.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Annie concentrated on clipping the hedge, and not on the raised voices emanating from the great white house. The sooner she could finish the hedge, the sooner she could move away to another area of the house, and away from the voices. Although she stood on the other edge of the sparkling blue pool, the voices carried clearly to her.

Why must you leave. Again, Erica’s usually sultry voice, sounded almost teary.

The deep muted tones of Lucas’ voice were muffled, and almost indistinct.

But that’s what you said before. And that was only last week. And now, here you are, about to fly off again.

Annie blew her dark bangs off her forehead as she concentrated on moving quicker. But today, the sun shone strongly, and she had already been out there for two solid hours and was nowhere near finished. Her arms were aching with wielding the heavy iron shears as she awkwardly trimmed the thick hedge, which seemed to go on forever. She wiped the sweat from her brow with her arm, the sweat slightly stinging her eyes, as she moved to ignore the discomfort and concentrate on finishing this job.

Her mouth tightened angrily - her brother was going to pay for this. He should be here – not her. But he was at home, sleeping off a drunken bout at some hotel last night. He couldn’t afford to lose this job. So, rather than see it fall through his fingers, she was here, struggling with the gardening while he was at home sleeping.

The voices were getting louder, and some premonition warned her they were about to come out on the terrace. She did not want to be around when they did.

You know I can’t manage without you. Erica continued.

Erica, this is business, the impatience sounding clearly in his voice as Lucas came through the glass patio doors.

Annie saw them come out of the corner of her eyes, and tightened her mouth in determination, wielding the heavy clippers with great difficulty. Erica appeared stunning as usual, her wavy blonde hair falling in waves down her back, looking as if she’d just stepped out of a salon. Her long-tanned legs shown off to perfection by the short white tunic dress she wore. She still hadn’t changed since high school.

How are we going to manage as a married couple if you’re always jetting off somewhere else. You know I get lonely without you.

I’m sure you’ll find a way to – occupy yourself, he replied unfeelingly. I do have to go.

I understand. I’ll see you tonight. Dinner at my house? You can go to work from there. You know I have everything you need at home.

I’ll call you, he replied non-committedly.

Annie had momentarily stopped with the clippers, her attention snagged by Lucas. He stood before Erica, a perfect foil for her beauty as she gazed up at him adoringly. Gone was the boyish figure, replaced with a sturdy build hidden by the tailored clothing he preferred. There were the reason women were drawn to him - had always been drawn to him. She watched as he raked a hand through his dark hair.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Erica move into his arms, her face raised to him for a kiss, and she quickly averted her eyes. Finished or not, she was not going to stand there as if no one was there. She’ll just have to return later and finish the hedge. She quietly moved further away and was about to walk around the corner, when the sound of her name stopped her in her steps.

Annie?

She was so intent on moving away; she almost dropped her bag of weeds in fright. She turned to find Lucas standing on his own, Erica nowhere in sight. How did he recognize her, with her large hat?

Is that you?

Uh - Mr. Stone, she coughed uncomfortably, not sure what to call him now he was their employer – or her brothers she thought tersely.

Mr. Stone?, he repeated, one eyebrow raised arrogantly. We’ve known each other since first grade, he said as he moved towards her. He moved with a quiet grace that almost unnerved her for such a big man.

I’m working for you today.

Being professional. I see, amusement softened Lucas' usually hard mouth. Still the same old Annie.

She shifted uncomfortably as she watched him move across the pool towards her beneath the large oak tree. Was there something you needed? she said, dreading being on the end of one of his practical jokes. She felt this was going to be one of those times when she noticed the gleam in his eye. He never missed an opportunity.

He gestured to the hedge she had hastily discarded. You haven’t finished the hedge.

She stared at the hedge and pretended to notice that it was only partially completed albeit haphazardly. Although she had a feeling they both knew she’d left to avoid the scene. Oh, I don’t know how I missed that, she apologized; as she reluctantly retraced her footsteps back to the hedge. She felt Lucas' eyes on her as she started to clip the hedge, and wished he would disappear also.

So-where’s Brett?

He’s- uh, sick, she muttered, pushing her large sunhat further over her face.

Sick hmm? More drunk than sick, he said wryly behind her.

Excuse me? she turned to find him watching her, hands pushed deep into the dark trousers he wore. He had removed his tie and appeared relaxed in his white shirt, and sleeves rolled up. He was the epitome of ‘old money,' which of course, was exactly what he was. His family went way back, and one of the first in the southern town of Carolina. When the family name was uttered, wealth was often in the same sentence. She blew a dark bang off her forehead impatiently. He was not drunk, she shot back defensively, feeling the heat rise her cheeks.

I saw him last night Annie. He was drinking at the bar as if his life depended on it, he finished drily as he watched her carefully.

She turned back to the hedge and felt the warmth rise her cheeks in mortification. So? It’s not a crime to go and have a few drinks. Let loose., she muttered defensively.

I’d say he had a bit more than a few.

Annie silently kept clipping the hedge, hoping he would take the hint and move on, but he remained behind her. She heard him sigh heavily behind her.

When are you going to stop paying for your brother? Let him pay the penalty for his mistakes. You’re not his keeper.

Annie’s lips tightened in anger, but she forced herself to remain quiet and concentrate on finishing the hedge.

Are you Annie, he prompted.

She sighed. Lucas was not going to leave it. Mr. Stone – I

Don’t call me that again, he growled softly, his eyes narrowed.

She blinked at him, surprised at this side of Lucas she’d never seen. A harder side. What? Mr. Stone?, she said in surprise.

He tightened his lips and took a threatening step towards her. She threw her hands up in surrender. What? I'm respectful. As our employer__

I'm not your employer. I'm your brothers, he snapped. Call me by my name.

What? Lucas?, she frowned.

So, you do remember it, he said sarcastically.

If that makes you feel better, she shrugged, her expression clearly puzzled.

So?, he prompted.

So?, she echoed.

He breathed deeply through his nose as if gathering his patience with effort.

Why are you still covering for your brother?

She sighed in resignation. You don’t understand my family situation, she muttered, staring down at the clippers in her hands.

I know when you lost your parents at such an early age, you felt the need to be a parent to your younger brother, but you’re both adults now. You don’t need to be his mother.

She winced at his words. Since when did you become a family counsellor, she shot back sarcastically, feeling at a distinct advantage in her denim overalls, compared to his understated elegance.

I know it wasn’t easy for you, being one of the few kids of mixed heritage at our school, and being the new kid __

The fact that my mother was English, and my father was Mexican, has nothing to do with anything. I’m proud of my parents, and always would be

Naturally, but you always seemed to have a chip on your shoulder___

My father was innocent. He was framed for a crime he didn’t commit, she said through clenched teeth, gripping the shears tightly.

Annie, he began, but she cut him off.

And he died in prison before we could clear his name. My mother never recovered, she finished bitterly, remembering her mother’s fall into deep depression, which led to her illness and ultimate death.

You weren’t responsible for what happened, he murmured.

I almost had it. The evidence to clear my father’s name, and then ___, she came abruptly to a halt, unwilling to dredge up all the painful memories of that time, and to him of all people.

And then? he continued softly, watching her carefully.

She blinked at him in confusion, bringing her out of her dark thoughts by a significant effort. Nothing. It was nothing.

You were about to ___

You know what. Maybe if you’d spent less time analysing my family, and put more time into your studies, you might have got somewhere. You might have had a career, she finished, feeling at a distinct disadvantage. There she stood, wiping the sweat from her forehead, while he stood before her, looking as if he’d just stepped out of the pages of Vogue magazine.

Rather than look annoyed, his grin only got wider, until he laughed out loud. I’d forgotten how funny you are.

I’m not going to stand here and be on the receiving end of one of your jokes, which I’m sure is coming, she snapped, feeling her patience steadily fraying. She fought to maintain some professional decorum, but it seemed as if he deliberately went out of his way to make it crumble.

But your pigtails were just calling out to be pulled, he laughed recalling the many times he had pulled her pigtails when they were in class. If you didn’t want them pulled, you shouldn’t have worn them.

You always were a mean kid, she sneered.

Only to you, he shot back.

She blinked at him in surprise, surprised at the sudden hurt that bloomed in her chest, and almost felt winded at the unexpected admission. Quickly suppressing it, she ensured her voice was flat. She would be damned before she allowed him to see how his words had wounded her.

So, what did I do that would single me out for your - favour?, she said sarcastically.

He was about to speak when she brought her hand up to silence him. No, I’ve got it. Was it because I bet you in the cross country, or was it I bet you on the debating team, or was it because I beat you in the selling market? You couldn’t sell your pumpkin pie as well as I sold mine.

At this, he had the temerity to throw his head back and laughed out loud to the point he was wiping the tears from his eyes. One, you bet me in cross country because I fell and twisted my ankle, you came first in the debating team because I was sick, and you bet me in the selling of pumpkin pies because you sabotaged my efforts with swapping sugar for salt.

When he next looked at her, he must have noticed the expression in her eyes.

Are you going to come here and punch me in the nose again?, a broad smile crossed his face, apparently remembering the time when she did punch him in the nose.

She glared at him as she swiped another bead of sweat from her forehead. You’re never going to let me live that down, are you? Here we are, many years down the track, and you’re still harping on about that. You really should get a life.

He laughed. Oh, Annie. You always make me laugh.

Well, at least you’re honest.

He wiped at his eyes. About what?

That you never liked me.

Oh, I never said I didn’t like you, the smile fading from his face.

She ignored his last comment and stood there solidly. Well guess what buddy? I never liked you either, she snapped temper flaring when this only made him laugh harder.

I feel as though we're back in Grade 1. Annie, we were kids then, he brought out his hands in supplication, a smile still lurking around his usually hard mouth.

Some things never change, she snapped.

I was confused about my feelings for you back then. But my confusion cleared a long time ago, Lucas ended softly, the smile fading.

Suddenly, Annie felt as if the subject had changed and they were no longer discussing the same thing. Well good for you. I’m glad you got things sorted out, she shot back. She swiftly turned completely to face him and was disconcerted to find that he’d moved closer to her. He was almost standing directly behind her. She inadvertently stepped away, throwing her head back to look up at him from his imposing height. Lucas, I am very busy right now, so if you wouldn’t mind. I’ve been out here all morning, and I haven’t even completed the front hedge, let alone started the lawns, she finished, as she gestured to the front of the house with her free arm.

When did you get back?, he frowned, ignoring her comment.

She sighed and turned back to the hedge. Last night.

So, how long are you staying this time?

She shrugged. It depends on my brother. Was there something you needed?, she asked again, feeling as if she was never going to finish her duties.

Has Brett managed to gain you a position on the A-Team yet?

She stopped and stared at him incredulously over her shoulder. He told you about that?

He only shrugged but continued to stand solidly behind her. She was going to have a serious chat with her brother when she got home, starting with him keeping his big mouth shut.

You’re a biologist-not a gardener, and you want to gain a place on the expedition to the Amazon.

I can’t believe he told you that. Why don’t you just tell him to shut up, she said, feeling uncomfortable that Lucas knew so much about her private life. But oh no, you couldn’t do that. It would mean more ammunition for you against me. You are such a sticky beak, she muttered.

Where you’re concerned, I suppose I am, he chuckled.

Annie took another calming breath. The man must have the hide of a Rhinoceros. None of her barbs were sticking. In fact, it looked as if he was finding them highly amusing. "Let me give you some advice. Move on Lucas. There’s more to life than this little family drama. And I’m going to speak to my brother and tell him to keep his