The Return - Hardcover

Vicki L. Allen

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0967488079 ISBN 13: 9780967488073

Publisher: Magnolia Publishing Co, 2002

Synopsis

The Eagerly Awaited Sequel to "For Molly."

My, my, how quickly time had flown. For Ashley Stewart, it had passed by in a flash. It hardly seemed possible that thirteen years had gone by since she had fled Oklahoma on the heels of a nasty divorce, returning to Louisiana to regain her sanity and raise her child. She had settled into a life of quiet contentment, running the family business and rekindling relationships with old friends.

Ashley felt safe within the boundaries of her hometown, believing that nothing could ever hurt her again. However, her security was a smokescreen, a delicate facade of which she was completely unaware. She thought she was protected, untouchable in her happy little world, but she was wrong. Little did she know of the danger that lurked just beyond the trees.

About this title

About the Author:

A Birmingham, Alabama native, Vicki Allen spent most of her childhood in central Louisiana before relocating to Oklahoma where she lived for 19 years until returning to her beloved Louisiana.

Her works include "For Molly," a popular southern coming of age story, "The Search for Shannon," fiction finalist for the Oklahoma Book Award and The Return, the fan-driven sequel to For Molly. She is currently working on a fourth novel, tentatively titled "The Other Brother," featuring characters from "For Molly" and "The Return," a fifth and sixth book in the same series, as well as an additional stand-alone novel.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.:

Excerpted from "The Return," Copyright 2002 Vicki L. Allen

Dry brittle leaves snapped beneath his feet as he made his way through the brush, moving aside thick foliage with a harsh sweep of his hand. Huffing with impatience, he climbed up on one of the moss-covered boulders at the waters edge and peered out at the little house high atop a hill across the lake. He watched and he waited.

Finally he was rewarded. The girl appeared, swinging out the front door and bounding down the porch steps, her long mane of golden-brown hair flying behind her like streamers as she raced to her car. The legs beneath her jeans were long and shapely. He was sure of it. Just as he was sure that the eyes behind her dark sunglasses were the most unique shade of aqua-blue. He smiled and lifted his binoculars.

"You have grown up," he declared, his twisted smile growing even larger as he scanned her pretty face. "After all these years, you, my dear, have blossomed."

He lowered the binoculars and leaned back on his hands, a satisfied chuckle rumbling low in his throat. He watched the girl back out of the driveway, keeping his eyes glued to the little red car until it was well out of sight. Then he laughed: an overbearing, demented laugh that echoed through the woods and shook the fragile leaves on nearby trees from their branches.

"Oh my pet," he chuckled deliriously, wiping gleeful tears from his eyes as he looked back toward the house. "Won't you just be so surprised? I've waited and waited for the opportune moment and that moment has finally arrived."

He slid from the rock and tucked the binoculars neatly into the leather backpack at his feet. He slung the bag over his shoulder and turned to leave, giving the little house one last glance before he disappeared into the trees. "Yes, dearest. I think the time has finally come for my return."

About this edition

• Publisher: Magnolia Publishing Co
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0967488079
• ISBN 13: 9780967488073
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 302