Chapter One

David Wilson who have returned to Hopetown and Kasie Hopewell's world had titled off its axis.

Life as she'd known it, carefully created it which ended in a flash of thunder and lightning.

David stood in Cliff Walk's gleaming foyer,which drip on her carefully restored hardwood floor. He still looked every bit as gorgeous as the last time she'd seen him. His coloured hair, stormy blue eyes. She felt the same electricity by being in his presence, the overwhelming need to feel his arms around her. she clenched a fist under her desk. He was still the same man who will become her first and only lover who later turned into a cold-hearted stranger within second.

"Kasie", David said and stared, both shocked to see each other. For a moment,his expression was loving, caring and gentle then hot and hungry the way it had been that last time. His lips tightened, his jaw hardened.

The change puzzled her as much as it had then.she did nothing wrong but admit in falling in love with him. she gave him all she was,all she had to give but at last,he changed.he hurt her.

Hearing his voice once again tore her heart in two all over again reminding her of the most painful moment of her life. She had stepped out of David bedroom long ago night they made love to each other,feeling cherished but prepared for a bit of awkwardness. What she hadn't been ready for was David's harsh dismissal of her and the feelings she thought they shared.

Kasie spent years rehearsing for this moment but by showing up on her doorstep out of the blue took her by surprise. She searched herself looking for the calm she desperately needed, clearing her senses of the longing he always made her feel.

Cliff Walk is actually a very successful and highly acclaimed established. She happens to be part owner and manager.

The Hopewell's didn't have money they had before her father's death, the subsequent lawsuit that had but bankrupted his estate. She looked back down at the receipts she carefully sorted . They stirred like leaves when David opened the door. Kasie been annoyed began resorting her piles, pretending David's presence was of little consequence.

Then a small voice brightened the night making Kasie heart ache.

Kasie looked up to see a tiny cherub about three years old holding David's leg under his dripping slicker. The child broke away,zipped across the foyer to the Happiness desk where Kasie sat rooted to her chair. Like Kasie,the little girl had pitch-black long hair. Hers looked as if it hadn't seen a comb for a week. The child had a soft fair complexion. She had big, deep brown, almost left sporting black eyes. The child's clothes were rumpled, spotted with raindrops, more suited to a boy. The little child was so adorable. She would have Kasie child if her father did not turn to scum over night.

"Do you live in this place?". David's daughter asked still confusing Kasie with fairy- tale character.

"The lady just runs the bed-and-breakfast, Sophie(the child's name). She lives in a duplex by the river, David answered his daughter.

"I do live here", Kasie told Sophie, only happy to contradict her father. In this way,if anyone needs something,i can be able to help out. The house he was talking about was Hopewell Manor and i grew up there, just a mile up from Torthuil. Sophie crossed her arms. "Daddy says Torhool", she pronounced carefully, "a Irish word. Right daddy?" She asked.

David nodded,hovering.

She was a darling. Kasie fought a grin as a new pain stabbed her heart. if there was a child, surely there was a mother or wife.

"Torthuil means fruitful", Sophie said calling back Kasie's attention.

"when it was a farm it surely was fruitful", Kasie agreed.

In those days,catching a glimpse of David had been half a reason for the long walks. She told him so that fateful July night. I don't like it there, Sophie declared. I want to stay here so that i can be a princess like you.

"I'm not really a princess", Kasie said.

"That's not the way I remember it", David muttered. Kasie glared at him.Frankly, you will think she was the one that hurt him not the other way around. After she'd given him her body, he cruelly dismissed her which later cost Kasie friendship with his sister, Anna. His parents must have found out about that night- they'd probably overheard him talking to his friend Frank Bryant, lying about how she'd offered herself to him and he'd turned her down. After what happened,his parents had forbidden Anna to be in Kasie's company ever again. The rift between them had cost Anna on a downward spiral that killed her within month. Anna's funeral had also robbed Kasie the opportunity to tell him he caused his sister death.

David stooped down to eye level with Sophie. "Angel, why don't you go inside the room", he said,pointing toward the parlor. But don't touch anything. Okay?"

She nodded as she went to explore. David watched her go, then turned to Kasie. "I didn't know the house had fallen into such disrepair or i would have made other arrangements". "Before you go further, I was sorry about your father. He was a good man".

He nodded."I'm sorry for your loss too. My father's death is part of why I came back to take possession of Torthuil and is not safe to stay here with my little angel Sophie. A loud clap of thunder and lightening lit up the foyer, Sophie shaked in fear as she ran to her dad's waiting arms. David carried her and held her tight and said."It's okay princess.

Kasie stared at them and remembered how it felt to be held in those arms in a very different type of embrace last time.