Winds
OF FORTUNE
What Reviewers Say About Radcly ffe’s Books A Matter of Trust is a “. ..sexy, powerful love story fi lled with angst, discovery and passion that captures the uncertainty of fi rst love and its discovery.” – Just About Write
Shield of Justice is a “…well-plotted…lovely romance…I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough!” – Ann Bannon, author of The Beebo Brinker Chronicles
“The author’s brisk mix of political intrigue, fast-paced action, and frequent interludes of lesbian sex and love…in Honor Reclaimed…sure does make for great escapist reading.” – Q Syndicate Change of Pace is “. ..contemporary, yet timeless, not only about sex, but also about love, longing, lust, surprises, chance meetings, planned meetings, fulfi lling wild fantasies, and trust.” – Midwest Book Review
“Radcly f fe has once again pulled together all the ingredients of a genuine page-turner, this time adding some new spices into the mix.
shadowland is sure to please—in part because Radcly f fe never loses sight of the fact that she is telling a love story, and a compelling one at that.” – Cameron Abbott, author of To The Edge and An Inexpressible State of Grace
Lammy winner “. .. Stolen Moments is a collection of steamy stories about women who just couldn’t wait. It’s sex when desire overrides reason, and it’s incredibly hot!” – On Our Backs
“With ample angst, realistic and exciting medical emergencies, winsome secondary characters, and a sprinkling of humor, Fated Love turns out to be a terrifi c romance. It’s one of the best I have read in the last three years.” – Midwest Book Review
“Innocent Hearts. ..illustrates that our struggles for acceptance of women loving women is as old as time—only the setting changes.
The romance is sweet, sensual, and touching.” – Just About Write Lammy winner “. .. Distant Shores, Silent Thunder weaves an intricate tapestry about passion and commitment between lovers. The story explores the fragile nature of trust and the sanctuary provided by loving relationships.” – Sapphic Reader
In When Dreams Tremble the “…focus on character development is meticulous and comprehensive, fi lled with angst, regret, and longing, building to the ultimate climax.” – Just About Write Visit us at www.boldstrokesbooks.com
Winds
OF FORTUNE
by
RADCLY f FE
2007
WINDS OF FORTUNE
© 2007 BY RADCLYFFE. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
ISBN10: 1-933110-93-7
ISBN13: 978-1-933110-93-6
THIS TRADE PAPERBACK IS PUBLISHED BY
BOLD STROKES BOOKS, INC.
NEW YORK, USA
FIRST EDITION, OCTOBER 2007
THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. NAMES, CHARACTERS, PLACES, AND
INCIDENTS ARE THE PRODUCT OF THE AUTHOR’S IMAGINATION OR
ARE USED FICTITIOUSLY. ANY RESEMBLANCE TO ACTUAL PERSONS, LIVING OR DEAD, BUSINESS ESTABLISHMENTS, EVENTS, OR LOCALES
IS ENTIRELY COINCIDENTAL.
THIS BOOK, OR PARTS THEREOF, MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED IN ANY
FORM WITHOUT PERMISSION.
CREDITS
EDITORS: RUTH STERNGLANTZ AND J. B. GREYSTONE
PRODUCTION DESIGN: J. B. GREYSTONE
COVER GRAPHIC: SHERI (graphicartist2020@hotmail.com) By the Author
Romances
Innocent Hearts
shadowland
Love’s Melody Lost
Fated Love
Love’s Tender Warriors
Turn Back Time
Tomorrow’s Promise
Promising Hearts
Passion’s Bright Fury
When Dreams Tremble
Love’s Masquerade
The Provincetown Tales
Safe Harbor
Beyond the Breakwater
Distant Shores, Silent Thunder
Storms of Change
Winds of Fortune
Honor Series
Justice Series
Above All, Honor
A Matter of Trust (prequel)
Honor Bound
Shield of Justice
Love & Honor
In Pursuit of Justice
Honor Guards
Justice in the Shadows
Honor Reclaimed
Justice Served
Honor Under Siege
Erotic Interludes: Change Of Pace
(A Short Story Collection)
Erotic Interludes 2: Stolen Moments
Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.
Erotic Interludes 3: Lessons in Love
Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.
Erotic Interludes 4: Extreme Passions
Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.
Erotic Interludes 5: Road Games
Stacia Seaman and Radclyffe, eds.
Acknowledgments
As I complete the fi nal edits of this work, I am fortunate to be staying in the seaside village that is as much a character in these stories as the people who populate the novels. The harbor at sunrise, the sounds of the ocean, and the spirit of those adventurers and artists who have come before never fail to inspire me. I’m sure I have not yet captured more than a glimpse of the beauty, grace, and history that is Provincetown, but it continues to be my very great pleasure to try.
My thanks go to my fi rst readers Diane, Eva, Jane, Paula, and RB, as well as to my editors, Ruth Sternglantz and J.B.
Greystone, and the generous proofreaders at Bold Strokes Books for making this a better book. All the credit goes to these dedicated individuals and the responsibility for any shortcomings to me.
Thanks also to Sheri for yet another standout cover.
To Lee, for sharing the adventure. Amo te.
DEDICATION
For Lee
For weathering every storm
Winds of Fortune
CHAPTER ONE
Dr. Victoria King dropped a chart on top of the eight inch stack on her desk and checked her watch. Ten minutes to two. God, she was going to be late for her own daughter’s fi rst birthday party.
“Why don’t you get out of here,” a voice said from behind her.
Spinning around, Tory smiled at the trim African-American woman in a white lab coat who stood in her offi ce doorway. Like Tory, her new associate, Dr. Nita Burgoyne, was dressed casually, but in contrast to Tory’s pressed jeans and boatneck navy cotton tee, Nita’s stylish emerald green blouse, sand colored slacks, and tan sling-back, low-heeled shoes hinted at designer labels. She hadn’t quite made the transition from big city ER doctor to small town doc just yet.
“You’ve been here, what—fi ve weeks,” Tory said, “and already you’re reading my mind?”
“Didn’t take telepathy.” When Nita shook her head, the gold clasp she used to restrain her shoulder-length, wavy black hair at her nape glinted in the overhead lights, echoing the amusement that shimmered in her deep brown eyes. “I could hear your thoughts out in the hallway.”
“Well, I’m glad I didn’t fi nish what I was thinking, then.” Tory grimaced. “How many more do we have?”
“Not enough for you to worry about.” Nita lifted a shoulder in the direction of the hallway behind her. “Now go while the coast is relatively clear.”
Tory hesitated, torn between wanting to be with her family and knowing she was needed at the clinic. During tourist season, the East End Health Clinic was open seven days a week, and patient hours often stretched well beyond the scheduled times. Here emergencies were the norm, rather than the exception. Minor accidents, fender benders, forgotten medication, common colds, and more serious events ranging from heart attacks to strokes were daily fare. It might be quiet right this minute, but chances were it wouldn’t be for long—not on Sunday
• 13 •
RADCLY fFE
afternoon of Fourth of July weekend in Provincetown—and Nita hadn’t worked a holiday alone yet.
“I’m not some green intern,” Nita chided good-naturedly, obviously continuing to read Tory’s mind despite her earlier denial. “Sally is the best nurse I’ve ever worked with and better than a lot of the doctors I’ve known. We’ll be fi ne.”
Tory considered arguing, but she could tell by the set of Nita’s slender shoulders that her mind was made up. She had learned very quickly that in Nita’s case, looks were very defi nitely deceiving.
Although Nita’s dark almond eyes, sculpted features, and smooth coffee-and-cream complexion gave her a look of exotic, nearly delicate beauty, she was neither delicate nor insubstantial in any way. Ten years Tory’s junior, she was a self-assured, highly capable professional, and wonderful with the patients. Even though she was personally reserved and rarely talked about her private life, her genuine warmth and compassion were obvious, and Tory liked her.