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Illusions Unveiled (Ardor Creek #2)

Illusions Unveiled (Ardor Creek #2)

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Main Tropes

  • Second Chance
  • Single Mom
  • Reformed Hero
  • Steamy Small Town Romance

Synopsis

USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Hefner writing as Ayla Asher

Sometimes you squander all your second chances...

At the tender age of seven, Peter Stratford fell in love with the only woman who would ever claim his heart. But Carrie represented Ardor Creek, the town Peter detested. Determined to make something of himself in New York City, he leaves her behind, breaking both their hearts.

Carrie Longwood accepted that Peter would never love her enough to stay. Embracing her inner strength, she married another and had her precious boys before her messy divorce. Alone in Ardor Creek, she builds her life around her small family unit.

When Peter returns to Ardor Creek, battered and broken from addiction, he begins to heal, knowing Carrie will never forgive him. But Carrie kept her own secrets, andĀ whether they're ready or not, allĀ their illusions will be unveiled...

Intro Into Chapter 1

Peter Stratford observed the stunning woman throw her head back and laugh at something Scott Grillo said. His buddy was quite serious and not at all witty enough to elicit such a visceral reaction, and Peter felt himself scowl. When was the last time Carrie had laughed like that with him? Searching his memory, he realized it was most likely decades ago. Although he and Carrie had repaired their relationship immensely, past hurts and mistakes would always linger between them.
That was to be expected between two people as connected and entwined as Peter and Carrie Longwoodā€”the only woman heā€™d ever loved and the one heā€™d hurt so vehemently.
Features softening, he recalled the first time heā€™d ever spoken to her. One look into those sparkling green eyes and heā€™d given his seven-year-old heart to her, never to reclaim it again.
ā€œAre you hurt?ā€ a soft voice asked.
Squinting into the sun, he saw the girlā€™s silhouette. ā€œNo.ā€
Kneeling, she lifted her hand, gently stroking his rapidly swelling neck. ā€œJonathan threw the ball really hard. It was mean.ā€
ā€œI hate dodgeball,ā€ Peter said, kicking the dirt with his sneaker. ā€œI wish Ms. Jones wouldnā€™t make us play.ā€
ā€œI hate it too.ā€ Her button nose wrinkled, the skin pale under a smattering of freckles.
ā€œYou should probably go before Ms. Jones sees us. I always hide here but she eventually finds me. Youā€™ll get in trouble.ā€
ā€œI donā€™t mind,ā€ she said, relaxing into a cross-legged position. ā€œDaddy always says we have to look out for our neighbors. Itā€™s what Jesus wants.ā€
ā€œMy dad says Jesus isnā€™t real,ā€ Peter muttered. Heā€™d never really talked to Carrie Longwood but knew she was the preacherā€™s daughter. In their small town of Ardor Creek, Pennsylvania, everyone knew Pastor Longwood.
ā€œI think things are real in your heart sometimes, even if you canā€™t touch them.ā€
ā€œMaybe.ā€ Shrugging, he trailed a stick through the dirt. Glancing up, he asked, ā€œWhy did you follow me here?ā€
Her eyes were clear as she studied him. ā€œYou seemed sad.ā€
Lowering his gaze, Peter nodded. Heā€™d been sad a lot lately. His dad always drank a lot of beer when he came home from work, and yelled at his mom almost every night. It frightened Peter, which led to him withdrawing at school. He didnā€™t have a lot of friends but that didnā€™t really bother him. For some reason, Carrie was being nice and he decided to return the sentiment.
ā€œI was sad until you came over.ā€
Pink lips formed a sweet smile and Peterā€™s heart clanked in his chest. It was a profound moment heā€™d always remember, for it was the moment he began the slide into deep, abiding love for Carrie Longwood.
ā€œWhatcha daydreaming about over here?ā€ the object of his musings asked, a grin on her gorgeous face.
ā€œJust lost in memories,ā€ he said, sliding his arm across her shoulders. Holding her was as natural to him as breathing. ā€œDid you like the ribs?ā€
ā€œThe new sauce was amazing. The first spring barbeque is definitely a success.ā€
ā€œI like having everyone over and itā€™s been pretty warm for April. Glad you liked the brine.ā€ Squeezing her, he released, mourning the loss of her lithe body against his.
ā€œMom, can we go Ashlynā€™s and Scottā€™s and see the new chair they got for Sally Pickens?ā€
Brushing her sonā€™s hair off his forehead, she nodded. ā€œWe can stop by on the way home but I donā€™t think itā€™s new. I think Scott just painted it a different color.ā€
ā€œYep,ā€ Scott said, walking over with Carrieā€™s younger son slung over his shoulder. ā€œThe old paint was chipping so we figured weā€™d give Sally an upgrade.ā€ Setting Charlie on the ground, he ruffled his hair. ā€œYouā€™re getting really good at soccer, buddy. Nice job.ā€
ā€œIā€™m still better,ā€ Sebastian said, his lips forming a pout.
ā€œYouā€™re both excellent,ā€ Carrie said, her tone stern but caring. She was a wonderful mother and Peter was so happy she had the boys. Carrie had wanted kids as long as he could remember and it was one of the many reasons heā€™d pushed her away.
In his youth, his greatest desire had been to escape Ardor Creek, with its unexciting small-town pace, and make it in the big city. Having a wife and kids was never a part of that package. Knowing Carrie craved them, heā€™d been cruel in an effort to push her away, hoping she would find another man to give her kids. Unfortunately, her ex-husband was an asshole of epic proportions, causing Peter to wish he hadnā€™t made those terrible decisions. But the past had been written, no matter how fervently he longed to change it.
ā€œYou want to come?ā€ Carrie asked, auburn eyebrows lifted.
ā€œTo see a chair? Uh, I think Iā€™m good.ā€
Breathing a laugh, she shrugged. ā€œYour loss. If Sally haunts you at night just remember you didnā€™t respect the awesomeness of her chair.ā€
ā€œIā€™m terrified.ā€ Giving a playful eye roll, he noticed her cheeks redden. Carrie always looked so pretty when she blushed, which was quite often, and it always sent a deep rush of desire through his veins. ā€œBut weā€™re on for karaoke on Wednesday, right?ā€
ā€œSure are. Iā€™ll be heading back from Sebastianā€™s appointment in Scranton so I might be a few minutes late. Kara is watching Charlie so the babysitting detail is already set.ā€
ā€œIs Sebastian still having the headaches and stomach cramps?ā€
ā€œYes,ā€ she said, glancing at her son as concern laced her features. ā€œDr. Stevens is a specialist and a board-certified surgeon so I hope he can help diagnose whatā€™s going on. Itā€™s so scary, Peter. When he looks at me and asks why it hurts, my heart just breaks.ā€
ā€œI know, honey,ā€ he said, clenching her hand. ā€œYouā€™ll get it figured out. I can always watch Charlie too if you need me. You know you can ask me for help.ā€
ā€œI know,ā€ she said, squeezing back before disengaging. ā€œOkay, let me get these rug rats on the road. Canā€™t wait for Wednesday.ā€ She waggled her fingers before trailing off and rounding up the boys, loading them in her SUV before following Scott and Ashlynā€™s car down the driveway.
ā€œLet me help you clean up, buddy,ā€ Chad Hanson said, patting his shoulder.
ā€œItā€™s pretty much done but you can help me take the desserts inside. Thanks, man.ā€ They were both Ardor Creek locals and had known each other since childhood. Chad was now the mayor and one of Peterā€™s good friends. After packing up the remnants of the barbeque, they settled onto Peterā€™s couch for one last beer as they watched the game. When Chad left, Peter took stock of the silence. His mother had passed away in January, leaving him with no remaining family and a cold, empty house. Sighing at the emptiness that encompassed his life, he prepped for bed and pulled out his journal, determined to focus on the positives.
During his last stint in rehab, Peterā€™s therapist suggested he begin journaling. Although he thought it somewhat ridiculous and a bit new-agey for his tastes, he was determined not to hit rock bottom again and was open to trying new things. The journal was now filled with goals, intentions, musings, and statements of gratitude. It was a reminder that even though heā€™d squandered so much, there were still remnants of goodness in his life.
Flipping through the journal, he noted how frequently Carrieā€™s name appeared. The entire notebook was basically a love letter to her, detailing how thankful he was for her friendship and forgiveness. In another life, he would ask her for one more chance. One more attempt to love her in all the ways she deserved and ensure he didnā€™t blow it.
But this was reality and he was stuck in this lifetime, where heā€™d made so many mistakes and devolved into a junkie and degenerate. Although he was sober now, there was always the chance heā€™d fall off the cliff again, and he often wondered if it was fair to saddle Carrie with that baggage. Would it even be possible for him to be a proper role model for the two boys she loved so dearly?
Peter had no idea and, therefore, he lived with his abiding love for her and hadnā€™t pursued another chance. And if she fell in love with someone else? Peter figured he could clutch the pieces of his shattered heart and be content she was with someone whole. Imagining her happy brought him a small sliver of peace, even though the thought of her being with anyone else devastated his darkened soul.

Peter is back in town, and Carrie finally needs his help...

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