Excerpt: "Beyond Circumstances" by Gloria Joynt-Lang
Enjoy reading an excerpt from chapter twenty-four of BEYOND CIRCUMSTANCES by Gloria Joynt-Lang.
Beyond Circumstances
by Gloria Joynt-Lang
Excerpt from Chapter 24
As she turned her head back toward the driveway, she realized her distraction had almost led to a near hit with a sycamore tree. She quickly slammed on her brakes, making the gravel on the driveway crunch louder than normal. It was then she noticed him. She did a double take to ensure it wasn’t just her imagination. Zak was outside and headed toward the house. He had a thick beard and looked thinner from the distance, but there was no mistaking him. Abby had readily recognized her master as well. The dog let out a deep bark, almost like a howl, something Lexie had never heard before.
A few weeks ago, Lexie wasn’t sure what kind of reaction she would have should she see Zak again. She even imagined the possibility she would never see him again. She was angry with him, and although there were other emotions, anger had been the overriding one. It was different now, with him only a few yards away. It wasn’t some theoretical scenario of what she would do or say. It was real.
She quickly stepped on the gas, pulling the vehicle into the driveway by the house. Shoving the door open, she ran toward him. As soon as she was near him, she thrust herself into his chest. Abby, who had escaped out of the open vehicle door, also shot toward Zak, pouncing on both of them with her massive paws.
He embraced her, or Lexie thought he did. Then something unexpected happened. She felt him pushing her back. At first, she thought it was to get a better look at her, to see the woman he yearned for. Connecting with his dark eyes, she realized that wasn’t it. There was no warmth in the way he looked at her. His eyes seemed lifeless at first, and when he spoke, the words were stone cold.
“I can’t do this,” he told her. Simple words, but they confused her. She searched his face for some clarity, for understanding. It wasn’t coming to her. Instead, she saw something else. She saw the large scar on his neck. Right away, she recognized what it was. She had dealt with the outcome of violence before. Individuals who had gotten in the way of someone’s rage.
Leaning forward, she lifted her hand to touch the scar.
“Don’t,” he yelled. There was urgency in his voice, a pleading panic. Lifting his jacket collar to hide the injury, he took a step back.
“Zak, I don’t understand.”
The confusion was there, but so was her desire to ensure the deep wound on his neck was cared for. Although a scar had formed over it, it looked bad. Something horrible had happened to him.
“What happened? Who did this to you?” The words poured out of her. She needed answers.
He shook his head. He would not have this conversation. When she refused to back away, he blazed into her eyes and spoke those crushing words. “I’m sorry, but I’m not the man you thought I was. Please, for your sake, go.”
She stood speechless, cemented in the gravel beneath her feet. He didn’t mean it. Just give him a moment, and he’ll explain.
“Now! You need to go now!”
His voice, so explosive it startled her.
BOOK INFO
Beyond Circumstances
by Gloria Joynt-Lang
Series: Out of the Darkness
Contemporary Romance
Fiery Seas Everlasting
June 12, 2018
Dr. Lexie Draden didn’t want to leave her successful career as a surgeon in Chicago, but she didn’t have a choice. Her family needed to heal, and as long as she was around, it wasn’t going to happen. While adapting to her new community, she meets Zak Tifour, a man as intriguing as he is handsome.
Most of the small-town residents view Zak as a man who likes his privacy, but to a select few, something doesn’t seem right. Long-time resident Cicily McQuay believes she has the key to the man’s odd behavior – a link to terrorism. After all, he just isn’t the type of man who belongs in her community. But to belong, you need to be welcomed; something Cicily has never extended to Zak.
Zak knows plenty of terrorists and has even lived amongst them, but not like Cicily suspects. Escaping from a lifetime of bloodshed and regrets, he attempts to distance himself from the quirky townsfolk; people unable to comprehend boundaries. It appears to be working until he encounters the town’s new attractive doctor. Even though his secrets run deep, she ends up trusting him with her heart. But trust is fragile, and when Zak gets drawn back to his old life, Lexie must decide whether he’s a dangerous man or a broken hero.
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Gloria Joynt-Lang was born in Ars-Laquenexy, France and spent her childhood experiencing the vast landscapes of Canada. A graduate of the University of Alberta with a degree in Criminology, she devoted her career to working in the criminal justice system.
She now splits her time living in rural Alberta, Canada as well as Southern California with her husband and their two dogs, a Maltese named YaHoo and Yorkie named Smookie Bijoux. Why the Yorkie has a stripper name shall remain a tight guarded secret.
A lifelong nerd, she is most comfortable with a book or laptop close by except when she transforms to cool biker chick, hopping on her motorcycle for a speed limit abiding ride to the nearest bookstore.
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