Sometimes weâre lucky enough to get that second chance â in life and in love. The Way They Were is a stand-alone story of a strong woman who battles heartache and loss with courage and determination to find new paths and true love. This is book two of That Second Chance series. It is also the prequel to Maryâs bestselling family saga, A Family Affair: The Secret, Truth in Lies, Book Eight.
They promised to love one another forever, but tragedy tore them apart. Now, destiny may just bring them back together.
At eighteen, Rourke Flannigan and Kate Redmond thought theyâd spend the rest of their lives togetherâuntil a family tragedy tore them apart. Fourteen years have passed, and theyâve both carved out separate lives hundreds of miles apartâhers as a wife and mother, his as a successful, driven businessman. But once a year, Kate pulls out a red velvet journal and writes a letter, which sheâll never send, to the man who still owns her heart. Once a year, on the anniversary of the first and only night they made love, Rourke permits himself to read the annual investigative report detailing an ordinary day in Kateâs life.
When a subcontractor at one of Rourkeâs holding companies is killed, Rourke decides to pay the widow a visit and offer condolences, never dreaming the widow will be Kate. As they embark on a cautious journey of rediscovery, one far greater than they could have imagined, secrets and lies threaten to destroy their newfound closenessâforever.Â
BONUS: Included in this e-book is an Excerpt from Simple Riches, the next book in this series.
That Second Chance Series:
Book One: Pulling Home (Also prequel to A Family Affair: The Promise)
Book Two: The Way They Were (Also prequel to A Family Affair: The Secret)
Book Three: Simple Riches (Also prequel to A Family Affair: Winter)
Book Four: Paradise Found  (Also prequel to A Family Affair: Wish)Â
Book Five: Not Your Everyday Housewife (Also prequel to A Family Affair: Gift)Â
Book Six: The Butterfly Garden (Also prequel to A Family Affair: Return)Â