Bella's Wish

By Linzi Basset

Bella's Wish is a sweet but sizzling Valentine's suspense romance novella that proves there is always a chance for true love even if it's the second time around.

 

A man starting over.

A woman running from her past.

A little girl with one wish.

 

Life was unpredictable. Kade Walker knew this too well. His future had been planned, his goals at the cusp of being achieved until fate intervened. Now, as the new Sheriff of Marion County, he was forced to start over, forced to create new plans and new goals. Perhaps in the process, he'd find his way back to being human.

 

He might even find a date for Valentine's Day for the first time in six years.

 

Life was unpredictable. Shay Falkner knew this too well. She had been happy and on the verge of getting married, but witnessing a violent murder changed all of that and she was forced to run. Forced to start over. Forced to create new plans. In witness protection. Perhaps in the process, she would find someone to show her she deserved to be loved. 

 

She might even find a date for Valentine's Day for the first time in two years.

 

Bella only had one wish—something she desired above all else—something she wanted even more than to meet Santa Claus—She wanted a new mom… and Shay was it.

 

But as always, life was unpredictable. Shay's past came back to threaten to destroy everything just when the new plans were unfolding into a beautiful love story. Would Kade and Shay be forced apart? Forced to start over again? Would Bella's wish come true this Valentine's Day, or was fate about to intervene as it always did?

 

Editor's Note:

Bella's wish will have any woman who knows the meaning of being loved by a good man swooning at everything that is Kade. From a good father, to a good son, provider for his family, and swoon worthy to boot, your heart might just melt into a puddle this Valentine's Day…or maybe the puddle is from something else... Not your typical fare, this is a light, touching story with a peppering of suspense and a dash of hot and heavy, where good triumphs over evil and love always wins.

 

Bella's Wish is part of FOREVER YOURS holiday collection. Have a look at the following amazing authors who also have stories in this collection: 

* All's Fair in Love and Spells by Victoria Escobar

* Broken Harts by Golden Flogger Award Winner, Pandora Spocks

* My Italian Valentine by USA Today & International Bestselling Author, Diana Nixon

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linzi Basset
• Release date: Feb 12, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393191575

Linzi Basset

“Isn’t it a universal truth that it’s our singular experiences and passion, for whatever thing or things, which molds us all into the individuals we become? Whether it's hidden in the depths of our soul or exposed for all to see?” Linzi Basset is a South African born animal rights supporter with a poet’s heart, and she is also a bestselling fiction writer of suspense filled romance erotica books; who as the latter, refuses to be bound to any one sub-genre. She prefers instead to stretch herself as a storyteller which has resulted in her researching and writing historical and even paranormal themed works. Her initial offering: Club Alpha Cove, a BDSM club suspense series released back in 2015, reached Amazon’s Bestseller list, and she has been on those lists ever since. Labelling her as prolific is a gross understatement as just a few short years later she has now been published forty-one times; a total which fails to take into account the three other published works of her alter ego: Isabel James who co-authors—nor does it include the five additional new works marked for imminent release. “I write from the inside out. My stories are both inside me and a part of me so it can be either pleasurable to release them or painful to carve them out. I live every moment of every story I write. So, if you're looking for spicy and suspenseful, I'm your girl... woman... writer... you know what I mean!" Linzi believes that by telling stories in her own voice, she can better share with her readers the essence of her being: her passionate nature; her motivations; and her wildest fantasies. She feels every touch as she writes, every kiss, every harsh word uttered, and this to her is the key to a never-ending love of writing. Ultimately, all books by Linzi Basset are about passion. To her, passion is the driving force of all emotion; whether it be lust, desire, hate, trust, or love. This is the underlying message contained in her books. Her advice: “Believe in the passions driving your desires; live them; enjoy them; and allow them to bring you happiness.” Follow Linzi everywhere: https://linktr.ee/LinziBasset

Book preview

Bella’s Wish

A Standalone Novella

A FOREVER YOURS VALENTINE’S STORY

A Valentine Romance Novel

By

Linzi Basset

––––––––

Copyright © 2021 Linzi Basset - All rights reserved

BELLA’S WISH

Copyright © 2021 Linzi Basset

Edited by: Kristen Breanne

Proofreaders: Marie Vayer, Melanie Marnell, Charlotte Strickland, Katherine Evans, Chasity Mohala

Published & Cover Design by: Linzi Basset

Warning: the unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of $250,000.

Linzi Basset has asserted her rights under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 to be identified as the author of this work. All rights reserved. This copy is intended for the original purchaser of this eBook only. No part of this eBook may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without prior written permission from the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer’s imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales, business establishments, or organizations is entirely coincidental. 

Warning: This book contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language and may be considered offensive to some readers. This book is for sale to adults only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase.

Disclaimer: Neither the publisher nor the author will be responsible for any loss, harm, injury, or death resulting from use of the information contained in this book.

Contents

Acknowledgements

Author’s Note

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Excerpt: Claimed Bride

More Books by Linzi Basset

About the Author

Stalk Linzi Basset

Acknowledgements

I love participating in Anthologies and Collections, this one being no different. Who doesn’t love a Valentine’s tale, right?

Thank you, Diana Nixon, for inviting me to be a part of the Forever Yours Valentine’s collection. It’s an honor to be a part of it alongside such amazing authors such as yourself, Pandora Spocks and Victoria Escobar.

To my ARC team, you ladies rock and I love your commitment to hitting the books the moment they’re delivered!

My proofreaders, Mary, Katherine, Charlotte, Chasity, and Melanie, I don’t thank you enough but know that without your assistance, I’d be lost.

Finally, my editor, who graciously allows me to wander off the track outside of agreed dates, you are my savior and always deliver so much quicker than I anticipate. I’m eternally grateful I found you!

To all my readers and fans, you are the foundation that keeps me aloft, that makes all the long hours of hard work worth every minute. I love each and every one of you for your continued support!

Author’s Note

Dear Reader,

Bella’s Wish is a sweet but sizzling Valentine’s suspense romance novella that proves there is always a chance for true love even if it’s the second time around.

A man starting over.

A woman running from her past.

A little girl with one wish.

Life was unpredictable. Kade Walker knew this too well. His future had been planned, his goals at the cusp of being achieved until fate intervened. Now, as the new Sheriff of Marion County, he was forced to start over, forced to create new plans and new goals. Perhaps in the process, he’d find his way back to being human.

He might even find a date for Valentine’s Day for the first time in six years.

Life was unpredictable. Shay Falkner knew this too well. She had been happy and on the verge of getting married, but witnessing a violent murder changed all of that and she was forced to run. Forced to start over. Forced to create new plans—in witness protection. Perhaps in the process, she would find someone to show her she deserved to be loved. 

She might even find a date for Valentine’s Day for the first time in two years.

Bella only had one wish—something she desired above all else—something she wanted even more than to meet Santa Claus—she wanted a new mom ... and Shay was it.

But as always, life was unpredictable. Shay’s past came back to threaten to destroy everything just when the new plans were unfolding into a beautiful love story.

Would Kade and Shay be forced apart? Forced to start over again? Would Bella’s wish come true this Valentine’s Day, or was fate about to intervene as it always did?

Editor’s Note:

Bella’s wish will have any woman who knows the meaning of being loved by a good man swooning at everything that is Kade. From a good father, to a good son, provider for his family, and swoon worthy to boot, your heart might just melt into a puddle this Valentine’s Day...or maybe the puddle is from something else... Not your typical fare, this is a light, touching story with a peppering of suspense and a dash of hot and heavy, where good triumphs over evil and love always wins.

​This story is a part of Forever Yours holiday collection.

Have a look at stories from these amazing authors also in this collection:

❖  All's Fair in Love and Spells by Victoria Escobar

❖  Broken Harts by Golden Flogger Award Winner, Pandora Spocks

❖  My Italian Valentine by the USA Today & International Bestselling Author, Diana Nixon

I trust you will enjoy this story as much as I did writing it.

Warm regards,

Linzi Basset

Chapter One

Well, I have to say, I don’t recall any of the ladies of Salem gracing our porch as often as they do since you moved here.

Kade grunted as he placed the casserole dish on the kitchen counter.

At this rate, we won’t have to cook for the rest of the year. He cast a sharp glare at his mother when she laughed. What is it with women wanting to bury a newcomer to town with food? I thought this kind of thing only happened in Hallmark Christmas movies.

You forget, my dear boy, women have been taught from the beginning of time that a way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.

Yeah, until he enjoys it too much and ends up with a bulging belly. He tapped his rock hard stomach. Maybe I should get fat. Perhaps then they’ll leave me be.

I hardly think that’ll matter. She pointed to his face. You’re too much of a pretty boy. A nostalgic expression crossed her face. Just like your father. He was so handsome and very popular with the women of this town.

Until you arrived. Then he only had eyes for you.

Of course. I decided he was going to be my husband at first glance. No one would have dared interfere in my quest of making him mine.

You forget, Mother, I’m not exactly a newbie in town. I grew up here.

Maybe so, but you haven’t lived here for the past eighteen years. To them, you’re as good as a shiny new penny. Besides, many of the single women here don’t know you.

Where is she, Dad? I saw a pretty lady arrive. Bella, his ten-year-old daughter blew into the kitchen like a tumbleweed chased by a typhoon.

Gone. He didn’t have to wait long. An annoyed expression crossed her pixie face as she twirled the thick blonde braid around her fingers.

She stamped her little foot and pointed a crooked finger at him. You chased her away again, didn’t you? She shook her head as she began walking around the island in the center of the kitchen—a perfect copycat of his habit of pacing when he was in thought. How am I gonna find a new mom if you keep scaring them off before I even meet them?

Kade suppressed his mirth with difficulty. His daughter had been classified in the Genius IQ bracket and was as emotionally mature as she was clever. Add to that her too bossy and sassy attitude, and you had a fiery little sprite who wasn’t afraid to stand up to her six foot tall father.

You’re way too big for your boots, little lady, he said sternly.

She looked down at her black riding boots; brand, spanking new and shiny, which she’d personally chosen a couple of days earlier. I’m not. They fit me perfectly fine, thank you very much, Sheriff Walker.

This time, she sounded exactly like his mother, Moira, in the exact chilled tone she used when she was stressing a point. His daughter was a perfect candidate to become a successful actress one day. She had copying others down to a T.

Bella crossed her arms over her chest. Her toe tapped a sharp staccato on the wood floor. You promised, Daddy.

No, Bella, I said maybe when we’re in Salem I might meet someone who could fit the bill. He filled the water tank of the Nespresso machine and popped an Americano pod in the slot. You forget, little lady, it’s not just about finding you a mommy, I have to like her as well.

"No, Daddy. You have to love her. Liking her isn’t ‘nough."

Exactly, and since it’s not something one can rush, you’re going to have to slow down.

But Daddy—

No buts, Bella. I agreed to start looking but I’m not going to turn into a hunter chasing after Sleeping Beauty.

Bella giggled. You’re funny, Daddy. There are no Sleeping Beauties in Salem.

No? Well, that’s a disappointment, he reciprocated with a grin.

Time is running out, Daddy.

I didn’t realize we were on a clock to find me a wife, he said dolefully.

Nooo, but it’s only a couple of weeks until Valentine’s Day. You have to find a date this year. You just hafta.

As long as you don’t think any woman I ask on a date for Valentine’s is going to be the right one.

Well, at least it’s a start, Sheriff Walker, she said with a haughty tilt of her chin.

Knock-knock.

Kade turned at the melodious voice floating towards him from the back door ... and stared. He wasn’t the kind of man to be struck silent by a woman. In his job, he came across all kinds; beautiful, sexy, sensual, seductive, ugly, young, and old but he had never experienced the punch in his gut like he did gazing upon the goddess hesitating in the doorway.

No, not a goddess; a wood nymph, one that glowed with the energy of life, of all that was beautiful and wholesome in the world.

Shay! Now, this is a surprise. Come on in. Moira gestured at Kade. This is my son, Kade Walker.

Oh, I apologize, Moira. I didn’t realize you had company. I don’t wish to intrude.

Nonsense, besides, you warned me you’d stop by sometime this week.

Still, I should’ve phoned first. She glanced at Kade. Pleased to meet you, Sheriff Walker.

I’d say likewise but since my mother didn’t complete the introduction ... He allowed his words to hang in the air.

Moira rolled her eyes. Kade, this is Shay. She rents the property from us on Hayden Island.

Kade had inherited Walker’s Dairy Produce six years ago from his father; a farm on the banks of Willamette River. He had elected not to become a permanent farmer at the time since he had still been struggling to come to terms with the death of his wife who had just passed away from lung cancer. There was a very competent management team on the farm and his mother had a firm hand on everything since she managed it for years alongside his father. When her health suffered after an angina attack a couple of months ago, he was prompted to run for Sheriff in Marion County, Oregon. The time had come to move on with his life, start over, and ease away from all the memories that had kept him chained to the past. His mother couldn’t manage the entire dairy farm alone anymore. Someone had to take over.

He’d been on the farm for a month and had yet to regret the decision he’d made. Here, he was offered a little piece of nature where