Beck Valley Books

Book Excerpt - A Time for Everything by Mysti Parker

The war might be over, but their battle has just begun.

Set in 1866 Lebanon, Tennessee, this historical romance presents an unvarnished look into the complexities of the Reconstruction era. Take a step back in time to witness a
poignant love story inspired by real-life accounts, novels such as Widow of the South and the classic Jane Eyre.

He reached over and picked up a lock of her hair, running his fingers gently along its length. 

“I wish…” 

Her heart raced — he was so close, just a breath away. “You wish what?”

“That I could have kissed you just once.” He slowly let go of her hair and watched it fall 

over her shoulder.

Her cheeks flamed, hidden only by the dimness of night. She knew kissing Beau Stanford was 

beyond a bad idea. It could only tear her heart into a million more pieces, but he was everything she 

admired in a man. Kind, honest… vulnerable. He had no reason to love her. She could bring 

nothing to their marriage. Yet there he was, confessing his love in the most tender, innocent way he 

could. For once in her life, she didn’t want to weigh and measure every decision in her path. She 

wanted to follow her heart.

“If no one’s watching, then no one can care,” she whispered, letting go of her knees until her 

feet rested on the next step. 

Beau drew closer and lifted his hand to her chin, gently tilting it upward. Portia held her 

breath and closed her eyes as his lips gently met hers. She reached up and caressed his face, needing 

to feel his skin, his stubble, the strong jaw and square chin she’d come to love so much. The kiss 

was time-stopping and heartbreaking at the same time, like those she had once read about in fairy 

tales, like those she had once shared with Jake.