First Comes Love: A Lesbian Slow-Burn Romance (Signed Paperback)

22x14x5cm
450g

The new headmistress, Brogan Mearns, arrives in Glenbrae determined not to get involved in another relationship. But it is the warm-hearted minister, Libby Brown, who threatens her carefully constructed walls. Amidst small-town chaos, a slow approach, and an attraction that both women can no longer ignore, an emotional slow-burn romance about trust, healing, and the courage to let love in unfolds.

Slow Burn
Kleinstadt-Romance
Opposites Attract
Emotionale Heilung
Found Family
Späte Liebe
Humor und Herz
Charaktergetriebene lesbische Romanze

«We are delighted to have you with us, Ms. Mearns.» Alistair gripped Brogan's hand firmly, looking her directly in the eye. «Spending the afternoon with you and welcoming you personally is one of the privileges of being chairman. The school board will understand why my decision to appoint you was the right one. I have no doubt about that. I look forward to exciting times.» A mischievous glint clearly sparkled in his eyes, and Brogan thought she detected the hint of a smile. «I will now leave you in Birdie's very capable hands – but please don't be such a stranger. My door is always open to you.» With that, they exchanged farewells, nodded to each other, and he swept out of the room. As Brogan sank into the wingback chair, she regarded the vice-chairwoman with an amused look. «So, Birdie – how controversial was my appointment as headmistress really?» «Well, darling, you know how it is. These venerable institutions value their male figureheads. With your appointment, you are the fifteenth headmistress – and the first woman and not yet forty. Time doesn't really advance here; it rather drags itself forward laboriously like a wounded soldier on the battlefield. Alistair wants to bring in some fresh air, and he's starting with you.» Birdie emptied the last sip of gin from her glass. «Some things have hardly changed since your mother and I were here.» She paused for a moment, lips pressed together, her gaze resting on Brogan. «You know, your mother would have been so proud of you. Do you remember when you announced you were going to Durham?» «God, yes.» Brogan mimicked her mother's voice. «You're turning down Cambridge for Durham? Are you out of your mind?» Soft laughter filled the room. Brogan liked talking about her mother. It was something she rarely did, but sitting here with Birdie, who had known her so well, and reminiscing brought her comfort. She looked out through the leaded-glass windows at the long, tree-lined driveway and tried to imagine her mother and Birdie as young girls in their gingham dresses and navy felt hats running around the grounds. Her mother would have been the one rushing ahead, always looking for adventure. She sighed softly, the smile fading. «I miss her.» «I know, darling. It's hard. I miss her too. I miss her energy, never knowing where she would call from next. Cairo, Shanghai, Budapest.» Brogan lowered her gaze, remembering that terrible call she had had to make. Birdie had been the first person she'd contacted that morning when her world had fallen apart. She had tried to get the words out between sobs and cries. Jakarta. Mom. Marriott. Bomb. The memory was hazy, nebulous, but with sharp edges – like an old, spliced film that was played over and over again. A lump rose in her throat, her nose tingled, and her eyes welled up. With a deep breath, she swallowed all the emotions and let them settle for a moment.