Synopsis

In her forties and desperately yearning to be a mother, Rachel Sutton is devastated each month by a negative pregnancy test. Her marriage is on the rocks, but she believes a child will fill the hole in her heart. Life seems bitterly unfair until Rachel is presented with an opportunity to adopt a baby overseas.

Though her husband balks at the idea, Rachel is determined. When he goes away on business, she decides to head to London on her own to get the child. However, the adoption falls through, and Rachel extends her trip to avoid going home. After making friends with Rena, a young British woman, Rachel impulsively offers to have Rena and her baby stay at her home back in the States for a few months.

When tragedy strikes, Rachel makes a decision that will have far-reaching consequences. As she works to avoid being discovered, she realizes that everyone she knows is hiding something. Rachel must unravel the truth and forge a new path to a future she never imagined.

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Excerpt

“Sounds like you’re booked. I’ll call you later.” Before she could hang up, Rachel heard Beth yelling at Courtney to stop smearing cupcake frosting all over Joshie’s hair. Beth could be crass, but she was totally the earth mother type. It was understandable that Beth was attracted to Evan. He was exactly what a software sales guy would look like, cute in a sweet, boyish way. Much the opposite of Phil, who could thrust his masculinity inside her until she begged for breath. For all Beth’s talk, she was pretty quiet about her sex life, and although she never seriously complained, Rachel often wondered if she had much to talk about.

Phil came out with a towel wrapped around his waist, his full head of dark hair glistening. He was stunning, and the more than ten years he had on her were unnoticeable. That face, chocolate eyes, straight nose, and full lips that lived in an almost smile, with a strong chin covered by just enough stubble to give him an edgy Calvin Klein underwear model look, was impossible to resist. He was pure sex, and though she could have him whenever she wanted him, she was troubled that lately, it was more about need than want.

Another nod to the clock informed Rachel it was time to get out of her upside-down seven. Her conversation with Beth had left her feeling confused and oddly self-conscious. Still in her flimsy cami, she was about to get up to put on her robe but opted to stay in bed. A fly crawling up and down Rachel’s arm commanded her attention. It was all going to work out. She was just letting everything get to her. She would tell her gynecologist since it was probably hormonal.

“So, what are you up to today?” Phil dropped his towel.

One look at his perfect penis, and Rachel shook off her doubts to move back into the moment.

Phil sat on the edge of the bed, doused in the cologne that made her wriggle. She ran her hands through his thick hair and gave him a soft kiss on the cheek.

“I’m… shopping,” she said, wondering if Phil realized she was still in the mood.

He leaned in and kissed her deeply. The tension in her body dissipated. Maybe he did want intimacy. She responded by stroking his bare chest and covering his neck with hungry kisses. She was ready to fling off the covers when he leaped up.

“Sorry, babe. Maybe later. Dr. Love has to go make the big bucks.” Phil pointed to his watch before quickly throwing on his pants and a light cotton sweater. He was dressed faster than a high school boy caught with his girlfriend. Rachel saw her pained expression in the mirror.

After a quick peck on her forehead, he was out the door. Good. Go, Rachel thought to herself, angry that she had felt a moment of affection. And there she was—back in that vacuous space where nothing felt right or normal.

Rachel noticed a pair of Phil’s pants on the closet floor that hadn’t made it onto the pile for the cleaners. As she picked them up, a receipt fell out of a pocket and onto the carpet. It was from the Hilton Woodcliff Lake for a room registered to him smack in the middle of a workday.

About the Author

Sheri Langer is a writer/editor whose critically acclaimed novel, Love-Lines, was hailed as a Nora Ephron style romantic comedy classic. As Sheri Lynn Fishbach she also authored the YA novel, DEX. Over the years, Sheri has contributed to a variety of publications including Gannett’s the Journal News, Psychology Tomorrow, the Jewish Reporter, Steppin’ Out, and the New York Times network of newspapers. She holds a B.A. in History from SUNY Binghamton, an M.A. in English Education from Brooklyn College, and is a Meisner-trained actress. A consummate fan of happily-ever-after movies, Sheri has been known to spontaneously reenact scenes from beloved favorites like When Harry Met Sally on demand. Just ask her husband, kids, or cat.

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