IN CASE YOU MISSED IT! #WOTR20 ANTHOLOGY AVAILABLE AGAIN FOR A LIMITED TIME!

ONLY FOR 2 WEEKS!

Take Two: A Collection of Second Chance Stories is a Writers On The River anthology. Love and life get another chance in these tales that will warm your heart and make you fall in love again.

The proceeds benefit Thistle Farms, a non-profit organization located in Nashville, Tennessee that helps survivors of violence, sex trafficking, prostitution and addiction.

This anthology includes stories from: J.M. Walker, Tricia Andersen, Dania Voss, Miranda Shanklin, Missy Davis, Jane Charles, Beverly Ovalle, Maggie Adams, Tabetha Waite, Miranda Lynn, Heather D’Agostino, Dawn Brower, Julie Berghammer, C.A. Harms, AJ Renee, Amabel Daniels, Dakota Trace, CE Johnson, CJ Baty, Sutton Bishop, Anna Hague, Rochelle Bradley, Kate Hawthorne, J.E. Mueller, and Shannyn Schroeder.

Buy it now! ebook: https://amzn.to/3lXqWPT

Excerpt from Love Me Still by Beverly Ovalle

After taking Abby’s order, I went in back to find out how many cookies were left. I leaned against the counter, taking a deep breath. Seeing Abby was like looking at feminine version of Dan. The boy I loved once upon a time. I’m not sure I ever stopped.

Once my hands stopped shaking, I went back out to finish Abby’s order. Then she invited me to her house. And I said okay.

Easier than saying no when I had no intention of going.

I watched her leave. Then I sat down, my whole body shaking. I thought I was over it. I was so young. Too young. I loved Dan with my whole heart. But what fifteen year old didn’t? First love hurt.

I rubbed my chest, the remembered pain fresh even after six years. I never thought I’d be back here. I never thought I’d ever see a Worth again. There were enough of them that I shouldn’t be surprised. I laid my head down on my arms. Squeezing my eyes shut, I thought about Dan. My eyes stung and I tried to sniff my tears back.

Dirty blonde hair, blue eyes, and always smiling. Dan brought the happy to my life. The only bright spot in my life. Until the last day I saw him. I’d always known he planned on going into the military. All his older brothers had. His father recently retired from the military. He talked about it all the time.

He met me at the pond we always hung out at. His face beamed at the sight of me. Looking me up and down, his eyes turned hot.

My heart rate sped up. I was wearing a new bikini. I felt so grown up. The heat from Dan’s look made me strut toward him. Snuggle against him.

His arms around my waist. Best. Thing. Ever.

Later, just before he left, he broke the news. And my heart.

“Susie, I leave for the Army tomorrow.” He hugged me tight. “Will you write to me?”

I nodded. “Yes.” I’d do anything he asked.

“I won’t ask you to wait for me.” He buried his head in my hair. “I want to, but I want you to enjoy school dances. Your prom. I know I won’t be able to make most of them.”

“I will, Dan. If you want me to.” Tears leaked from my eyes. I tried not to cry but my heart ached. I’d miss him so much. I couldn’t imagine my life here without him.

“No. I won’t ask that.” He tightened his arms around me. He whispered, low enough “No matter how much I want to.”

I don’t think I was supposed to hear that, but every bit of me rejoiced. But he didn’t want that promise from me.

He walked me home, leaving me at the corner so my grandmother couldn’t see us. Dan always stood at the corner and watched me enter.

I peeked back.

He stood there watching me. His smile bloomed when I turned to him. Blew him a kiss. He caught it. Brought his fist to his mouth then pressed it against his chest.

Buy it now! ebook: https://amzn.to/3lXqWPT