Love by Accident

By LM Spangler

She wasn’t looking for love, but sometimes fate has a mind of its own...

Newly divorced Haven DeGrace had no intention of finding a new man, but an accident on a snowy road changed that.
Ford Mahoney had been her saving grace after her accident. After agreeing to meet for drinks upon his return from a west coast book tour, sparks flew. But, she had plans for her life and he wasn’t part of them.

Ford Mahoney watched the first woman who’d ever gotten under his skin walk out of his life. A chance meeting in the vacation beach town she’d moved to brings them back together. Sparks fly again and love flares to life.

Will they act on their mutual feelings or will they walk out of each other’s lives? Again?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Evernight Publishing
• Release date: Sep 6, 2019
• ISBN: 9780369500533

Book preview

Published by EVERNIGHT PUBLISHING ® at Smashwords

www.evernightpublishing.com

Copyright© 2019 LM Spangler

ISBN: 978-0-3695-0053-3

Cover Artist: Jay Aheer

Editor: Melissa Hosack

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be used or reproduced electronically or in print without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All names, characters, and places are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

DEDICATION

It takes a group of amazing people to write a book. This book is no different. I’d like to thank Sharil, Kathy, Zee, Natalie, April, Lacee, Iris, Lynn, Ava, Laura, and Dania (in no particular order.) You all have made my writing journey much more enjoyable.

I would also like to thank Evernight Publishing for just being awesome!

LOVE BY ACCIDENT

Love in Beachpoint, Virginia, 1

LM Spangler

Copyright © 2019

Chapter One

Today was the first day of the rest of her life. A life that didn’t include Asshole. She was free from him and his verbally abusive ways. She’d wasted ten years on him. Ten years too many. Mark didn’t deserve the time she’d spent trying to make their relationship work. All he’d done was berate her. He’d told her she was stuck with him because no other man would want her. And, he’d told her that all the time. That she wasn’t good enough. He’d treated her like a possession instead of his wife. He’d ruined all her friendships, especially with any males, and drove her family away.

First thing to do after she picked up her divorce decree from her attorney was to mend fences with her parents. They spoke to one another, but hadn’t partaken in a family meal or get together in ten years.

She shielded her eyes as the winter sun shone off the windows of the vast array of downtown buildings in York, Pennsylvania. Restaurants were nestled in between boutiques and small businesses. The thick soles of her boots scuffed over the uneven sidewalk until she stood in front of Bart Lawson’s law office.

She took a deep breath and grasped the handle of the door, pulling it open and stepping into the building. And, its welcoming warmth. She cussed as her eyeglasses fogged. As they cleared, she saw Bart’s stalwart secretary, Marta, lift her gaze from her computer.

Ah, Mrs. Butcher … no … that’s not right anymore, is it? Marta smiled, something Haven imagined she didn’t do very often. Miss DeGrace.

That’s right. A sense of pride winged her system. To be able to say her maiden name again, to be free of that man was one of the proudest moments of her life. She removed her heavy jacket and put it and her scarf on the coat tree.

Bart is expecting you in his office. Marta motioned toward the rear of the building.

Bart shared the building and Marta with two other attorneys whom Haven hadn’t met. Haven nodded as she walked down the hall, passing the other attorneys’ offices until reaching Bart’s. The door was open a tad so she tapped on the glass.

It’s open, came the response.

She pushed the door open and stepped into the room. Her feet sank into the plush, pale blue carpeting as she approached his ornately carved desk.

"So nice to see you, Miss DeGrace." He offered his hand.

Thank you. And, it’s Haven, please. She slid her hand into his.

Haven it is. He picked up a manila envelope and handed it to her. Your freedom.

With shaking fingers, she grasped the parcel and held it to her chest. Tears burned her eyes. Shit, she muttered to herself. The last thing she wanted to do was look like a blubbering idiot in front of a virtual stranger. A tissue appeared in front of her.

She lifted her head.

Bart smiled as he handed it to her. That ass doesn’t deserve your tears, in my opinion. He smiled softly, exposing two dimples she hadn’t seen before. At least she thought they were dimples. Tears completely blurred her vision.

She took the offered tissue, removed her eyeglasses, and wiped her eyes. "Thank you.