Return to Forever

By Roni Denholtz

When Melody Wright needs to quickly come up with a destination for the show she works on, she suggests Barefoot Bay.  Her producer jumps on the idea—to her chagrin. 

Melody's there only one day when she runs into Declan Barnett—the man who broke her heart. 

Now that Declan and Melody are both back on Mimosa Key, their paths are crossing frequently.  Especially when Melody's producer says she wants them to appear on the network's new show: "Return to Forever"-- about couples who reconnect.  The producer assures Melody there's no pressure to make the relationship work—the show will showcase couples who couldn't get back together as well as those who do.

But Declan has his own agenda.  After traveling the world, he knows there's no one like Melody.  He's determined to prove to her that they belong together.

Can Melody and Declan work out their differences and Return to their dreams of Forever?

This story is set in a world based on Roxanne St. Claire's Barefoot Bay Series; it is published with the permission of Roxanne St. Claire. Visit her website for links to her books and more information.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roni Denholtz
• Release date: Sep 14, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386561002

Book preview

Return to Forever Copyright 2018 Roni Paitchel Denholtz

Published by Roni Paitchel Denholtz

Cover and Interior Layout: www.formatting4U.com  

All rights reserved. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems—except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews—without permission in writing from the author. Please contact the author at [e-mail]. This book is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and places portrayed in this book are products of the author’s imagination and are either fictitious or are used fictitiously. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

For more information on the author and her works, please see www.ronidenholtz.com.

This book is available in print and electronic formats at online retailers.

––––––––

This story is set in a world created by Roxanne St. Claire as the Barefoot Bay series, and this work has been published with her permission. Information and links to Roxanne St. Claire's Barefoot Bay books can be found at http://www.roxannestclaire.com/barefoot-bay-series/.

Melody took a step back. But Declan had already taken a deep breath, the fruity scent she was wearing filling his lungs. It reminded him of tropical drinks on Barefoot Bay at dusk.

He reached out, the longing to touch Melody almost overwhelming. But she was standing straight, and he let his hand drop.

Then her eyes met his, and he sucked in his breath.

Because for just a moment, he saw something flicker in her expression. Something like—longing. 

Longing... for him?

Dear Reader,

Welcome to Barefoot Bay World, a place for authors to write their own stories set in the tropical paradise that I created! For these books, I have only provided the setting of Mimosa Key and a cast of characters from my popular Barefoot Bay series. That’s it! I haven’t contributed to the plotting, writing, or editing of Return to Forever. This book is entirely the work of Roni Denholtz, a new-to-Barefoot Bay author I’m certain readers will love.

The reality TV cameras are rolling again on the shores of Mimosa Key, thanks to the quick thinking of a production assistant who grew up there after she suggests it as a filming location. But as they begin to shoot a TV show that focuses on reunion romances, that suggestion has put one woman on a direct path with her past... and he’s tall, blond, and irresistible. When the lines of reality and romance get blurred, there’s a strong chance this couple just might Return to Forever.

Roxanne St. Claire

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Barefoot Bay Series

www.roxannestclaire.com

Dedication

To the Members of New Jersey Romance Writers

The BEST Chapter of Romance Writers of America!

Thank you for all your love, friendship, advice and support over the years!

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Roxanne St. Claire for inviting me to participate in the world of Barefoot Bay!

Thank you to Maria Connor and Judy Kentrus for also encouraging me!

Thank you to Debbie Paitchel Klein, for the information about TV productions and staff!

As usual, a big thank you to my editor/formatting and cover artist guru Judi Fennell!

ALSO BY RONI DENHOLTZ

Lights of Love

Somebody to Love

Negotiating Love

Marquis in a Minute

Salsa With Me

A Taste of Romance

Borrowing the Bride

Setting the Stage for Love

Stuck in the Saddle with You

One of These Nights

Room for Love

Forecast for Love

Those Canyon Nights

title.jpg

CHAPTER I

I need location ideas, people! Filming is only a few weeks away! Sonya, the Executive Producer, looked at the group gathered around the conference table, her mouth in a grim line. With the exclusive resort in the Virgin Islands still badly damaged by the hurricane in June, we’ll need a new spot for our Happy Honeymoon couple, Gabriella and Darren, to go to,

Across the table from Melody, Jerry raised a hand. How about Tuscany? That’s always popular, and we haven’t done a honeymoon for the show there in a year.

I thought of that, Sonya said, but all the nicer hotels are now completely booked. I had it checked.

Melody frowned. Their show, Happy Honeymoons, was a popular one on the Love & Romance network. As a production assistant, she was pleased by its success. Scrambling to get a location at the last minute was a real challenge.

A few other assistants tossed out ideas—Aruba, Hawaii, even Alaska. For one reason or another—booked up already, they’d done that destination too many times, too expensive to film there—the ideas wouldn’t work.

What location could she suggest that would be cost-effective, not too far, and best of all, they hadn’t filmed there yet? She felt her insides tighten with concern. Where could they—

She blurted out without thinking. Mimosa Key in Florida.

Everyone turned to stare at her.

Where is that? Sonya asked, her voice tinged with interest.

Melody swallowed. Why on earth had she suggested her hometown? She was eager to help, of course, and wanted to be a team player and move along in her career, but—-

It’s a key off the west coast of Florida, near Naples, she said. It has a really posh resort and spa.

Go on, Sonya urged.

I— she paused. Reaching for her water bottle, she took a gulp, letting the cool water slide down her suddenly dry throat. Well, I guess it’s not such a hot idea, she said, looking around at the others’ blank faces.

No, it might be! Sonya said. Tell me more.

Why had she opened her big mouth? The idea had seemed to leap out of her. She hadn’t thought it over. Mimosa Key. But Melody kept her visits back home short now, since hearing Declan had settled back on the island permanently last year. Declan, the one man she’d never been able to forget.

She wanted to kick herself. Speaking without thinking was going to land her in trouble.

The resort was remodeled a couple of years ago into a luxurious place, she said quickly. They do a lot of events there, including destination weddings, and have lots of honeymooners. Meeting the eyes of her friend Cara, she added, but—I’m sure there are other places—

Sonya grabbed her ever-ready clipboard. It sounds ideal! Danielle, get on the phone and see if they have space for the correct week. Tell them about the show and beg if you have to. Tom, get the place up on your laptop and let’s see some photos. Melody, do you have a specific contact there? In case we have to use some persuasion?

Melody swallowed. Oh, shit. What had she gotten herself into?

Uhm... no, she said. I left the island after college and don’t get back there often, so I don’t know the owners of the resort. I just know it’s supposed to be luxurious, and based on what I’ve seen on the outside, it is. But there are plenty of nice places in the Florida Keys—

Tom swiveled his laptop around. Here.

Melody could see the bright, colorful photos of the resort, the beach, and a glorious sunset as Sonya made approving noises.

This sounds like just what we need. Sonya focused her wide smile on Melody. You may have just saved our hides, Melody.

Melody’s stomach sank as