The Edge: A Box Set

By Aliyah Burke

FROM USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR ALIYAH BURKE

The Edge the complete box set

1 - Called Home to The Edge Unexpected situations can be amazing if you allow yourself to believe.

2 - Straying to The Edge Sometimes what you think you need least is what you need most.

3 - Returning to The Edge Patience truly is a virtue.

4 - Cuffed at The Edge Sometimes the connection is there before you realize it's cuffed you.

Life isn't the easiest in a small town, where everyone knows all your business whether you want them to or not. The Meyers siblings have it no different than anyone else. Three scatter willingly and one is forced out. A traumatic event brings them all back to The Edge where they will find love and realize that being in a small town isn't so bad as they'd believed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing
• Release date: Jun 9, 2020
• ISBN: 9781839434099

Aliyah Burke

USA Today bestselling author Aliyah Burke is an avid reader and is never far from pen and paper (or the computer). She is happily married to a career military man. They are owned by six Borzoi. She spends her days at the day job, writing, and working with her dogs.

Book preview

Author

Totally Bound Publishing books by Aliyah Burke

Single Books

Through The Fire

Seducing Damian

Code of Honour

A Marriage of Convenience

The Lieutenant’s Ex-Wife

A Man Like No Other

When Stars Collide

In Aeternum

Casanova in Training

Harbour of Refuge

Protected by Shadows

Polar Opposites

Theta Corps

Restitution

Contrition

Vindication

Interludes

Temporary Home

Alone With You

Till We Ain’t Strangers Anymore

The Edge

Called Home to The Edge

Straying to The Edge

Returning to The Edge

Cuffed at The Edge

The Monroe Sisters

Need You Now

Let Me Go

I Won’t Say Goodbye

Heart’s Compass

The Princess and the Marquess

Keeper of the Stars

Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Part Four

Part Five

Astral Guardians

Chasing the Storm

Highlands at Dawn

Fields of Thunder

Branded by Frost

Driven by Night

Moon of Fire

What’s her Secret?

Preconception

A Little Bit Cupid

This Ain’t No Love Story

With Taige Crenshaw

Single Title

Unbreakable Bonds

Kemet Uncovered

Talios

Devi

Linc

Saffron

Taber

Ashia

THE EDGE

Called Home to The Edge

Straying to The Edge

Returning to The Edge

Cuffed at The Edge

ALIYAH BURKE

The Edge

ISBN # 978-1-83943-409-9

©Copyright Aliyah Burke 2017

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright July 2017

Interior text design by Claire Siemaszkiewicz

Totally Bound Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Totally Bound Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Totally Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2020 by Totally Bound Publishing, United Kingdom.

No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the authors’ rights. Purchase only authorised copies.

Totally Bound Publishing is an imprint of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

If you purchased this book without a cover you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as unsold and destroyed to the publisher and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this stripped book.

CALLED HOME TO THE EDGE

Book one in The Edge series

Unexpected situations can be amazing if you allow yourself to believe.

Joseph Meyers grew up on a fruit farm in northern Wisconsin, and planned on spending his life there until the day his father kicks him off. Over a year later and he returns because the old man has had a stroke.

Sissy Edwin has taken over the job her mother had as housekeeper for the Meyers family after she passed. As a single parent, she’s focused on two things—doing her job and raising her son, Taylor.

These two had grown up together and had a one-night stand, but now things are different. They’re not in high school and they both have goals. Joseph’s is to have her back in his life, as she woke part of him that was dead for so long, hers is to do right by her son. Do they have what it takes to keep it all at The Edge, or will everything fall apart?

Dedication

Thank you so much to Totally Bound for allowing me to do another series with them. To my husband, for always encouraging me to follow my dreams. To my readers, thank you so much for the support. This series is for those who know what it’s like growing up in a small town where everyone knows your business, whether you want them to or not.

Trademark Acknowledgements

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Civic: Honda Motor Company

John Deere: Deere and Company

Chapter One

It can’t keep going this way, Jen. He won’t listen and it’s about to sink all around him and Mom. You have a business degree. Can’t you get him to listen to some advice? Something that could save the farm?

The woman across from him shook her head. Her blue eyes, usually full of sparkle, were subdued.

I didn’t realize it had gotten so bad. I know our father is a stubborn old fool, Joseph, but to say he kicked you out of the farm because you looked at the books? Really? Even if I do talk to him and I can do it until I’m blue in the face, he still won’t be convinced that any way other than his own is the right one.

Joseph Meyer stared at his twin. She had a point.

Besides, she continued. You were just there and if he’s not listening to you, hell, if he’s telling you not to come back, what makes you think he’d even entertain listening to me?

Joseph shrugged and took a swig of his beer. He gazed around the bar and sighed. Upper class, posh, and not his scene, although he was getting his share of looks from the women there.

They must be tired of pale, skinny businessmen. Even his sister out-dressed him. She still wore her business suit from her day job at some corporation. Her blonde hair had been yanked back in a savage bun. Not at all the girl he remembered, with her hair flying everywhere as they did chores on the family farm.

Stop judging, Joe, she said with the familiar bite to her tone. I didn’t want to stay there like you did.

As if it’s doing me any good now. I can’t stay there, I’ve been booted off the farm. He shook his head and pointed at her. But Princeton? You’re even acting like a snob. Look at this place.

Just because the floors are clean and bar top polished doesn’t mean it’s a bad place.

No, but the cost of the watered-down drinks does.

She rolled her eyes. They serve top shelf here.

May be what it states on the label but I know my liquor and that shit is watered down. He held up his hands, not having come here to argue with her—he needed her help. Could you at least try to talk to him about it next time you’re home? Offer to scan the books and use that degree to help out?

I’m not going home until Christmas, but yes, I will do it when I get there. She sipped her drink. What are you going to do? I’m not sure what I can offer him. I thought he had someone to handle the books.

He refuses to let anyone help out. But from the stress on his face and Mom’s, it’s not good.

Joe got off the high chair and raked a hand through his hair. Be right back. Maneuvering through the crowd, he smiled at the women and nodded at the men. How his sister enjoyed this atmosphere was beyond him. That they watched him, too, didn’t bother him. Joe knew he stood out with his jeans, Henley and his heavy work footwear, especially in a place dominated by thousand-dollar suits.

Coming back from the bathroom, he realized he was exhausted and wanted some rest. The past few weeks had been harder than he’d expected and the idea of not having to roll out of bed to begin his day was sort of a bittersweet knowledge. Damn near nirvana on one hand and sad on the other. Being a fruit farmer was the only life he knew and now he wasn’t allowed to go back to the family farm.

His sister spoke to someone and he waited until she’d finished. She smiled and beckoned to him.

Come on, Joe. You look exhausted. Crash at my place and we can continue this over breakfast. She made a hand gesture. Or lunch given how late you may sleep.

He rubbed the back of his neck and nodded. Sounds good to me.

Hefting the bag that had been at their feet, he then followed outside to her small sporty two-seater. He couldn’t tell what kind of car. He knew trucks and tractors. He knew about cherries, raspberries, apples and more. Not sports cars.

Joe tossed his bag into the middle of the trunk and climbed in on the passenger side, groaning before locating the adjustment bar for the seat, allowing him to stretch out his long legs. He dozed on the way to her place. As they entered her apartment, he gazed about.

Fancy, he said with a whistle.

No hint at all to where she came from on the walls.

Were you expecting images of cows to be up everywhere?

Perhaps. No, but maybe a shot or two of your family.

They’re in my bedroom. She headed down the hall, her heels clicking with each step. Jen gestured. In there. She kicked off her shoes and grabbed some linens before entering another room.

Within ten minutes he’d said goodnight to his twin and had climbed into the bed she’d provided for him to use. She’d done well for herself, no doubt. Joe closed his eyes and succumbed to his exhaustion.

He woke early, as his body had long been conditioned to do, but when it sank in where he was, he rolled over and went back to sleep. There would be time later to deal with what was before him.

* * * *

Eighteen months later

Joe! Call on line two for you.

He tossed the rag over his shoulder and walked away from the bar to take the call. Outside, snow fell and soon it would be Thanksgiving, then on to Christmas. He’d not gone home since his father had kicked him out. He shook his head. Now wasn’t the time to dwell on that.

This is Joe, he said, pitching his voice to carry over the noise in the bar where he worked. He lived above it and put all his time into odds and ends, saving up what he could. He still lived in Wisconsin but had left the county where he’d spent his entire life.

Joe.

His mother’s voice was tear-laden.

Mom? What’s wrong? He put his left hand up to his ear to block out some of the sounds.

It’s your father. He’s had a stroke, I need you to come home.

Fear slammed into him. I’m on my way, Mom. I’ll be there in the morning. If he had to drive all night, he would. Snow or not.

I’ll call your brother and sisters as well. Hurry, please.

The call ended and he located his boss, an older man of incredible height who went by the name Tiny.

What’s up, Joe?

I have to go home.

Tiny paused and gestured for him to head to the office. The second the door closed he turned and crossed his massive arms. What’s happening? You said you weren’t ever going back again.

That was my mom. My dad had a stroke.

Go. I’ll have someone pack your items and send them to you along with your final check. If there’s anything I can do, don’t hesitate to call on me.

Thanks so much, Tiny. Sorry to leave you shorthanded.

Think nothing of it. It’s been my honor getting to know you these past few months. Drive carefully.

Joe shook his hand then jogged upstairs to grab a bag. Within the hour, he was on the road, heading to the place he hadn’t been sure he would ever be welcome back to again.

Chapter Two

Sissy worried her lower lip as she continued to gaze out of the window. Her insides were a mess and she wanted nothing more than to run off and hide. But she couldn’t. She worked for the Meyers family now and had for the recent year since her mother had passed away.

Is this what I had planned to do with my life? No, but it is what it is. I tried to leave this place but The Edge wasn’t about to let me go. She ran the dust rag over the spot she’d already cleaned four times now. Which is why there’s a sign on the outskirts that states, ‘You’ve reached The Edge, nowhere else to go.’

The town was small but during fruit season, it was a huge tourist trap. Also for the fall leaf aficionados they had a lot of people through this small piece of heaven. And it wasn’t as if she didn’t love it here—she’d just had bigger plans, grander plans.

Something that didn’t constitute me cleaning up after someone else to make a living. Especially for a family she had grown up beside. With a boy she’d had a crush on. Still did, if she wanted to think about it. Not