Swept Away. Kristina Mathews

      Cover Copy

      Carson Swift may look exactly like his twin brother Cody, but they’re as different as tie dye and camouflage. Reliable, responsible, and usually the designated driver, Carson is also over being his brother’s keeper, but suddenly his plans to break free are complicated by the woman they fish out of Hidden Creek . . .

      Lily Price is not your typical damsel in distress. Infidelity, infertility, and downsizing provide a triple threat to her ego, but falling into the swollen river nearly ends her life. If not for the handsome stranger—make that two handsome strangers—she might not have had a chance at having a baby by any means necessary . . .

      As Carson helps Lily overcome her fear of the river, she helps him save his rafting business from going under. She also saves him from abandoning all that is important to him in order to get a taste of freedom. Together they find that love is the ultimate adventure.

      Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com

      Books by Kristina Mathews

      More Than A Game Series

      Better Than Perfect

      Worth the Trade

      Making A Comeback

      Earning A Ring

      Swift River Romance series

      Swept Away

      Published by Kensington Publishing Corporation

      Swept Away

      A Swift River Romance

      Kristina Mathews

      LYRICAL PRESS

      Kensington Publishing Corp.

      www.kensingtonbooks.com

      Copyright

      Lyrical Press books are published by

      Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

      Copyright © 2016 by Kristina Mathews

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      First Electronic Edition: July 2016

      eISBN-13: 978-1-60183-922-0

      eISBN-10: 1-60183-922-7

      First Print Edition: July 2016

      ISBN-13: 978-1-60183-925-1

      ISBN-10: 1-60183-925-1

      Printed in the United States of America

      Dedication

      To my husband and brother-in-law who went fishing one day, rescued a tourist, and inspired this story.

      Author’s Foreword

      Many years ago I met a guy who spent his summers on the river. He had strong arms, an adventurous spirit, and funny tan lines on his feet. Our first trip together was a long weekend rafting on the Tuolumne River. It rained the whole time, and he was so manly, he didn’t need a tent. We ended up sleeping under an upturned raft. But I was hooked. On the guy, and the sport. He bought me a lifejacket long before he bought me any jewelry. A very romantic gift—he wanted to protect me and make sure I was able to join him in something that was a big part of his life.

      Marriage, kids, and careers pulled us away from the river for a number of years. But a used bucket boat (as opposed to the modern self-bailers) and kids old enough to paddle have brought us back to the river. So what if the first time I’d been tossed overboard and hit my tailbone on a rock was ten days before my first Romance Writers of America national conference? It just provides more inspiration for future books.

      And yes, Carson and Lily’s story was inspired by real life adventures. My husband and his brother went fishing one day and came back with a story of how they rescued a tourist from a swift moving river. I changed the brothers to twins and made the tourist a woman and the rest just burst forth like a natural spring. I hope you enjoy this story of love- the ultimate adventure.

      Chapter 1

      “Man this water’s really pumping.” Carson Swift hiked a few steps ahead of his twin brother, Cody. His feet landed firmly on the familiar trail to Hidden Creek, but his thoughts were a million miles away. Make that eight hundred miles, give or take, depending on whether he took Highway 50 or Interstate 80 through Nevada. “With the water this high, I don’t think we’ll catch a lot of fish.”

      “Good thing we have steaks in the fridge.” You’d think he was nine, not twenty-nine, by the way Cody trotted along excitedly, skittering small bits of gravel along the well-worn path. He was too damn happy with his life. “We’re not pulling anything out of the river today.”

      “At least it’s finally warming up.” What a coward. Carson had dragged his brother out here to have a serious conversation. Instead, he was discussing water conditions. The weather.

      “I thought winter would never end.” Cody would probably still catch a fish or two. He had that kind of luck. Women and trout landed at his feet without much effort. “But summer’s coming and it’s going to be a hot one.”

      Another summer stretched out in front of them. Long, hot days on the river. Longer, hotter nights at the Argo—throwing back a few beers, shooting pool, picking up pretty strangers. Who wouldn’t want the easy life of a whitewater guide?

      “June bookings look pretty solid.” Carson tried to look at the sunny side of the creek. Business was good. That wasn’t why he wanted out.

      “We should get quite a few bachelorette parties.” Cody had suggested advertising in the regional bridal magazines. His idea was to offer Girls’ Weekend trips, complete with a selection of local wines and discounted cabin rentals. It was one of the few times he’d taken an interest in the business itself.

      Most of the time Cody was all about the fun. Hot babes and cold beer on a warm summer night were the only things he seemed to care about. Except in winter, when he’d head up to the mountains to ski. Leaving Carson to take care of repairs and maintenance.

      “Plenty of family trips too.” All those intact families. Smiling. Laughing. Bonding. Being there for each other. Reminding Carson of what he didn’t have.

      “Don’t forget bachelor parties.” Cody was always up for a good time. The man lived his life as though it was