Tails of Love Read online

  “But . . .” Jilly glanced aside, not wanting him to see the brightness in her eyes.

  “Lass.” His voice said he saw anyway. “Does this mean you feel it, too?”

  Jilly swallowed the tightness in her throat. “Feel what?”

  He laughed and caught her chin, turning her face back to him. “That our grandparents are together again? And that they’re happy?”

  She nodded, believing.

  “And do you feel this, too?” He lowered his head and kissed her. “The attraction that’s been crackling between us since we first met.”

  Jilly blinked. She did feel it. But the swirling mist and rain and the studio’s thick whitewashed walls reminded her of how far from home she was, how impossible their chances.

  Somehow, though, she’d slung her arms around Kieran’s neck and despite Haggis still wriggling between them, he’d pulled her even closer.

  “I was going to fly back tomorrow . . .” She trailed off when he kissed her again. “I—”

  “You can stay here, Jilly.” He smiled down at her. “There’s a holiday cottage at the rear of the garden. You can have it for starters. After that—”

  Haggis thrust his beaming black and white face up at them, his eyes saying what they both knew. They were meant to be together and if this wasn’t a classic happy ending, it was a wonderful beginning.

  COPYRIGHT NOTICES

  “Man’s Best Friend” by Lori Foster copyright © 2009 Lori Foster.

  “A Knotty Tail” by Stella Cameron copyright © 2009 Stella Cameron.

  “Norah’s Arc” by Kate Angell copyright © 2009 Roberta Brown.

  “The Pursuit of Happiness” by Dianne Castell copyright © 2009 Dianne Castell.

  “Atticus Saves Lisa” by Ann Christopher copyright © 2009 Ann Christopher.

  “Rescue Me” by Marcia James copyright © 2009 Marcia Anderson.

  “Lord Hairy” by Donna MacMeans copyright © 2009 Donna MacMeans.

  “Danny’s Dog” by Sarah McCarty copyright © 2009 Sarah McCarty.

  “Scaredy Cat” by Patricia Sargeant copyright © 2009 Patricia Sargeant-Matthews.

  “A Man, a Woman, and Haggis” by Sue-Ellen Welfonder copyright © 2009 Sue-Ellen Welfonder.

  ABOUT THE AUTHORS

  Lori Foster is a Waldenbooks, Borders, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, and New York Times bestselling author. Romantic Times honored her success twice with Career Achievement Awards in 2001 for series romantic fantasy, and in 2004 for contemporary romance. Lori’s Too Much Temptation became Amazon’s #1 selling romance title in 2002, and Servant: The Acceptance, written as L. L. Foster, was a #1 Editor’s Pick in romance.

  Lori is passionate about giving back to the community and has been pivotal in raising money and awareness for causes including battered women, animal adoption, and children with special needs. For more information, visit www.LoriFoster.com.

  Stella Cameron is the New York Times, USA Today, Booklist, and Washington Post bestselling author of many contemporary and historical novels. She and her husband live in Washington State.

  “My first fictional characters were cats, dogs, horses, mice, hedge-hogs, frogs—creatures I’ve always loved. In the beginning, I drew them. In years to follow I still drew them, but they ‘spoke’ in cartoon-like balloons floating over their heads. At last came people, also in cartoon form, but eventually I put them all together into little stories, then longer stories, short books, and then longer books. I’m still writing about the trials and love people share and in every story there is at least one animal with an important part to play.

  “I have shared my whole life with animals, too. I’ve dedicated the story in this book to a few of them. Doing my best for the ones who have done their best for me is one of my passions and I hope that with A Knotty Tail, I showed you a little of how special animals are to me.”

  Kate Angell resides in Naples, Florida. She’s an avid reader, a sports enthusiast, and an animal lover. She has a household full of dogs and cats. Her terrarium holds two green frogs. She believes feeding one pet is as easy as feeding a dozen.

  USA Today bestselling author Dianne Castell has won Romantic Times’ Reviewers’ Choice Award, been on the cover of Romantic Times magazine, and has made the Waldenbooks bestseller list. Dianne lives in Cincinnati, where she cooks chicken biscuits and gravy for her two cats and writes fun, sexy, Southern stories with a touch of mystery and a ton of romance.

  Ann Christopher is a full-time chauffeur for her two overscheduled children. She is also a wife, former lawyer, and decent cook. In between trips to Target and the grocery store, she writes the occasional romance novel featuring a devastating alpha male. She lives in Cincinnati with her family, which includes two spoiled rescue cats, and she loves to hear from readers via her site, www.AnnChristopher.com.

  Marcia James writes hot, humorous romances and was a finalist in eleven Romance Writers of America chapter contests before selling her first comic romantic suspense, At Her Command, to Cerridwen Press. An advertising copywriter and marketing consultant, Marcia presents author promotion workshops and writes PR articles. In her eclectic career, she has shot submarine training videos, organized celebrity-filled nonprofit events, and had her wedding covered by People magazine. After years of dealing with such sexy topics as how to safely install traffic lights, Marcia is enjoying “researching” her novels’ steamy love scenes with her husband and hero of many years. Please visit her on the web at www.MarciaJames.net.

  Donna MacMeans made a wrong turn many years ago when she majored in accounting in college. What was she thinking? Balancing books just can’t compete with crafting plots and inventing memorable characters. She finally broke free of her life as a CPA to write witty and seductive historical novels for Berkley Sensation in what can only be described as her dream job.

  When not at her keyboard, Donna enjoys painting, traveling, and creating luscious desserts. She lives in central Ohio with her husband of thirty-five years, her two adult children, and her constant canine companion, Oreo—an Australian shepherd-terrier mix. Donna loves to hear from her fans. Please contact her at www.DonnaMacMeans.com.

  Sarah McCarty has been active in animal rescue for more than twenty years. She specializes in critical care medical rescue, working with shelters around the country, taking in and rehabbing those dogs, cats, and birds that through neglect and/or abuse are in too critical condition for the strained resources of a shelter. Sarah’s belief that animals enrich our lives is reflected in her stories. Whether she’s writing a fast-paced western historical or a pulse-pounding paranormal, Sarah’s tales of love always contain a four-legged character who, right along with the hero and heroine, make us laugh, cry, and believe.

  Award-winning author Patricia Sargeant writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance. In addition to her love of reading and writing, Patricia enjoys jogging, movies, coffee, and cookies. Raised in New York City, Patricia lives in Ohio with her husband. Find out more about Patricia on her website, w w w.PatriciaSargeant .com.

  Former flight attendant Sue-Ellen Welfonder has three grand passions: Scotland, the paranormal, and dogs. All can be found in her medieval romances and the paranormals she writes as Allie Mackay. She is proud of her Scottish descent, spent fifteen years in Europe, and now just tries to live quietly—although she never misses a chance to visit Scotland. She’s devoted to her Jack Russell terrier and wishes dogs everywhere were equally loved.