Arms to Hold Me: Appalachian Ancestry - Softcover

Stern, Peggy Poe

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1595130675 ISBN 13: 9781595130679

Publisher: Moody Valley, 2017

Synopsis

315 pages (print edition), 96,202 words, Contemporary coming of age mystery and suspense romantic fiction novel; Mountain family life; Appalachian cultural heritage   Just graduated from a New York high school, Eliza loses her last known living relative. She travels to the NC Appalachian Mountains to search for her mother's grave hoping to find clues about her father's family.   From Chapter 8: “Have you seen all you want to see here?” “I think so.” Truth was, there was little at this cemetery to interest me. The other side of the tallest mountain was where my mind was trying to go. When I started to walk away, he caught me by the hand. “Eliza,” he said in a low voice. “Before we go back to the car, I’d like to kiss you.” His words took me by complete surprise. I had wondered what his kiss would be like, but that he had also wondered came as a shock. “You’re a preacher,” I said. “Is that a prelude to a yes or a no?” he asked with a grin. “I . . .” I mumbled as I looked him in the eyes. I didn’t need to finish the sentence. He gently eased me against him and his lips covered mine. Unlike Bill, the new preacher didn’t need to ask me to respond. Response came natural. It felt like I’d waited all my life for this very kiss to come about. The cemetery disappeared; the world disappeared, all that was viable was the feel of me in the arms of this man. It was like the intake of liquid fire. The warmth brought me to life. “Holy shit,” he mumbled as he pulled himself away from me. “I’ve done it now.” I gave him a blank stupor of a look as I stood there glaring at him. “Forgive my language,” he said. “It’s just that I hadn’t expected that.” “Expected what?” I stupidly said. “This,” he pulled me back into his arms.  This time the kiss was no less powerful. It was more intense, forceful, demanding. I didn’t pull away. He did. “Let’s get back to the car,” he said. “I’ve got to get you back home.” I thought about asking why, but he was already going down the hill. I had to run to catch up with him. The mean bull was still in the barnyard, thank goodness.   He was holding the car door open for me by the time I reached the car. “Thank you,” I said as I slid into the seat. I didn’t know if I should stay close the door or scoot close to him. Once he got in his side, I scooted closer. He didn’t object. He was silent as he started the car and pulled out onto the rough, bumpy excuse of a road. He’d driven for a mile or more when I couldn’t stand the silence any longer. “Burke?” I said his name for the first time. “What’s wrong?” He drew in a deep breath and let it out. “Everything,” he said. “Everything is wrong when I hadn’t expected it to be.” “It is?” I mumbled, hurt beyond reason and not exactly understanding why. “I didn’t expect . . . all that.” “All what?” A grin eased his troubled expression slightly. “You’re more naive than I thought. That makes it worse.” “Makes what worse?” He gave me a bewildered look. “All those feelings your kissing brought to life in me.” He stared at the road again and hit a chug hole too hard. “I like it,” I dared to say. His troubled expression eased slightly and he chuckled a little. “So did I,” he admitted. “Then why are you so upset?” “Good question. Wish I had a good answer.”  

Edition details

• Publisher: Moody Valley
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1595130675
• ISBN 13: 9781595130679
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 320