Sherryl Woods - Moonlight Cove

Dear Friends,

Ever since Jess OBrien first appeared in The Inn at Eagle Point, youve been asking me to tell the story of this complicated woman. Here it is at last in Moonlight Cove.

As a woman who has struggled since early childhood against the feelings of abandonment caused when her mother, Megan, walked out on the family, as well as with her long-undiagnosed attention deficit disorder, Jess has had a tough time getting her life together. Now, at long last, she has a career she loves as the owner of the Inn at Eagle Point, but so far love has eluded her.

No longer. Will Lincoln has been in love with Jess most of their lives. As a psychologist, he understands her flaws better than most and loves her unconditionally despite them. But its the fact that he understands her so well that scares Jess. She fears he views her only as some sort of psychological case study.

Its going to take a lot for Will to convince Jess that hes the man of her dreams, and on a romantic night at Moonlight Cove, he finally does just that. I hope the moment will make you sigh, just as it took Jesss breath away.

And next month, I hope youll be eagerly awaiting Susie and Macks story in Beach Lane. This romance has been a very long time coming, but I think this touching story of the healing power of love is well worth the wait. I hope youll agree.

All the best,

Sherryl

W e have an idea, Laila Riley announced when she and Connie Collins turned up in Jess OBriens office at The Inn at Eagle Point on a Saturday night.

There was a twinkle in her eye that immediately made Jess nervous about what her friends had in mind. Is it going to get us arrested? she inquired suspiciously. Not that she was unwilling to take the risk, but she would like to know about the possibility in advance, calculate the odds and have a backup plan.

Laila grinned. If there were anyone interesting working for the sheriffs department, wed consider it, but no. This is just doing something outside the box, something none of us would ever consider unless we all decided to do it together.

Do I dare ask? Jess wondered.

Online dating, Connie revealed. The lack of enthusiasm in her voice suggested that this had been Lailas idea and that Connie had only agreed because of the same boredom that had been affecting Jesss mood recently.

Jess, however, wasnt quite that desperate. You cant be serious.

Oh, but we are, Laila confirmed.

Jess studied the two women whod invaded her office on a night of the week when most attractive, intelligent women should have been out on dates. Connie and Laila were related to her indirectly by the marriages of their siblings to hers. They were friends by choice despite the differences in their ages.

Connie was the forty-one-year-old single mother of a teen whod recently left for college. Her younger brother, Jake, was married to Jesss sister, Bree. Laila was the thirty-six-year-old manager of the local bank and younger sister of Trace, who was married to Abby, Jesss oldest sister. Jess, at thirty, was the youngest. At times it seemed as if everyone in Chesapeake Shores was related to an OBrien one way or another.

Okay, now, lets think about this, Laila said, making herself at home by pouring a glass of tea from the ever-present pitcher on Jesss desk. What are you doing tonight? I mean, seriously, here you are in your office when you should be out on the town, right?

Jess glanced at the ever-present mound of paperwork on her desk. It was the worst part of her job. She was beginning to see Lailas point.

And does that make one bit of sense to you? Laila pressed. What is wrong with the men in this town that the three of us are alone on a Saturday night? We obviously need to broaden our horizons. Put ourselves out there. Stir things up.

And find some geographically unsuitable men wholl never be around? Jess replied. Seems counterproductive to me.

I thought the same thing at first, Connie said, beckoning for her own glass of tea. Laila poured it and handed it to her. But the sad truth is that boredom has made me more open-minded. For the longest time I couldnt wait until my daughter was grown and off to college, but now that Jennys actually gone, the house feels so empty I can hardly stand it.

And Ive been mind-numbingly bored ever since Dave and I broke up three years ago, which is saying something, since dating him was about as stimulating as watching grass grow, Laila said. She sat up straighter. Online dating is the perfect way to change the status quo. Its trendy. Itll be fun.

Jess remained unconvinced. She turned to Connie, who was known for being sensible. Are you really in favor of this?

Connie shrugged. I can see some advantages.

Geographically undesirable, Jess repeated with emphasis.

Not a problem, Laila insisted. Its a new local service. These men are all right around here.

Jess couldnt quite wrap her mind around either the idea or the fact that Connie was willing, if not eager, to try online dating. Looking her in the eye, Jess began, But I thought Her voice trailed off. She wasnt supposed to know that sparks had been flying between Connie and Jesss uncle, Thomas OBrien. Her brothers Connor and Kevin both had sworn her to secrecy. She sighed. Never mind.

Connie studied her with suspicion, but since it was a kettle of fish she clearly didnt want to dive into, she remained silent.

Laila, seemingly unaware of the undercurrents, jumped back in. Its perfect, dont you think? she asked excitedly.