Wednesday, November 30, 2016

Wednesday Briefs: Moving Forward #61 (15.2)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, it must be time for some flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

As the cruise draws to an end, plans are being made which will effect Marshall and Lee's entire future. How will Roy react to their announcement? Find out in this week's Moving Forward. Don't forget to see what the other Briefers are up to. Their links follow my tale!  Enjoy!

Moving Forward #61 (15.2)


“I think we should tell Roy first,” Lee said once they’d gotten their fill of the hot tub and gone back inside their cabin. “I think he deserves to know before anyone else, what do you think?”

They’d dried themselves off with the generous towels the cruise line provided and sat together on the bed, sipping more Prosecco.

“I think you’re right,” Marshall agreed.

 Lee reached for his hand and squeezed it. “No time like the present. Assuming we can get a signal.”  He released Marshall’s hand and reached for his phone on the bedside table.  “He’s two hours behind us, timewise. I’m sure he’s still up.” He placed the call on speaker and punched in Roy’s number. 

Marshall was relieved to hear it ring. That was a start, anyway.

Roy picked up quickly. “Lee? Everything all right?”

Lee chuckled. “Everything’s perfect, Roy. Just perfect.”

“Glad to hear it.”

Marshall could hear relief in the sheriff’s voice.

“I didn’t expect to hear from you while you’re on vacation. You’re headed back right about now, aren’t you?”

“We are,” Lee confirmed. “I have you on speakerphone, Roy, and I have Marshall right here.”

“Hey Marshall.”

“Hi Roy.”

“You guys having a good time?”

“Everything is so perfect… you have to try it sometime,” Marshall said with enthusiasm. “Come with us next time.”

“I think I just might, if I find someone I want to go with. You know the old adage. Two’s company…” 
He didn’t finish the thought, but Marshall understood what he meant.

“I want what you guys have,” Roy said frankly. “You’re like the most perfect couple I know. Seriously.”

“Appreciate you saying that, Roy.” Lee smiled at Marshall, instilling him with even greater confidence. “How’s everything at home?”

“Same old same old. Nothing new. Been to Partners once or twice. The guys said to say hello if I talked to you.”

“That’s nice of them.” Lee cleared his throat. “The reason we called… well, other than to say hello and see how you’re doing… is to give you some news. Are you sitting down?”

“Uh oh, this sounds serious. Yeah, sitting down now. What’s up? Is something wrong?”

“Not at all, in fact the opposite. We wanted you to be the first to know… I asked Marshall to marry me.”

A moment of silence followed Lee’s statement. Marshall could imagine what thoughts were flying through Roy’s mind. Probably many of the same ones he’d had initially when Lee had popped the question.

“Is that possible… I mean….” Roy seemed at a loss for words. Lee quickly jumped in to fill in the gaps.

“It won’t be official, no, but it’ll be for us. We want a ceremony with our friends, exchange rings and vows, and make our commitment to each other.”

“I think that’s a great idea, congratulations to you both,” Roy said sincerely. Marshall breathed a soft sigh of relief. He hadn’t realized how worried he’d been about Roy’s reaction to their news. He should have known better.

“Do you have a date in mind?” Roy asked.

Lee and Marshall exchanged glances. They hadn’t exactly gotten that far.

“Not really. I thought we’d stop in Galveston and look for rings. Probably the sooner the better, don’t you think?” He looked to Marshall for confirmation, and Marshall nodded his agreement.

“Yeah,” Lee repeated, “the sooner the better.”

“All right then. You’ll be back tomorrow, right? Late morning, early afternoon?”

“Something like that.”

“Guess I’ll see you both then. I have to let you go, got a few things to do. Congratulations again, I’ll talk at you when you get here.” He hung up before either Marshall or Lee could get out a good-bye.

“What’s he up to?” Marshall wondered.

Lee shrugged. “Maybe he’s got a hot date? Or maybe someone in the town needs him for something?”

Marshall hoped that was all it was. Guess he’d find out the next day when they returned to Burnham.

to be continued

Now see what the other Briefers are up to!



Virtual Book Tour: Spooning Daisy

Please welcome author Maggie McConnell, here to tell us about her new release, Spooning Daisy. Maggie will be awarding a Marc Jacobs "Daisy" fragrance spray pen - purse size - to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter. To find the other stops on her tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post.



SPOONING DAISY
by Maggie McConnell

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE:  contemporary romance (romantic comedy)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~



BLURB:

Her mango chutney is exquisite; her blueberry sauce to die for. But Chef de Cuisine Daisy Moon is a woman without a kitchen after a "bit of trouble" at her last job. Now blacklisted from Seattle to San Francisco, Daisy's sole job offer is from Wild Man Lodge in Otter Bite, Alaska, where the end of the road is just the beginning.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:




   His laugh was immediate. Daisy realized how ridiculous her allegation was. Max Kendall's particular brand of woman didn't need lies to motivate her into his bed. His women were fun and adventurous and, unlike Daisy, didn't have impossible expectations.
  
"I thought we were talking about you," he said with a dying chuckle. "But if you think you're helping the enemy..." With his good leg bearing the brunt of his weight, he rose from the bed. Grabbing the handles on his duffle bag, he slowly stepped toward the bathroom.
  
"If the lights were dim and the music soft and the wine expensive." 
  
Max turned at the door. "And?"
  
"And what?"
  
"I don't believe for one second that you, Daisy, would be undermined by lights, music, and wine."
  
"And… if I thought you were...special."
  
"And what makes a man special?"
  
Daisy hesitated at the fork in her road. She could give Max an honest answer or… "Well, for one thing, he's very forgiving--"
  
His eyes crinkled as his grin returned.
  
"--And he would never use all the hot water just to prove some ridiculous point."
  
"I guess I'm not the only one who has trouble giving a straight answer. See you when the water runs cold." The bathroom door clicked shut.
  
"And he makes me smile," Daisy murmured, smiling.




~~~~~~~~~~~~~




AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Golden Heart nominee Maggie McConnell spent her childhood overseas as the daughter of US diplomats. Attending college in Illinois, she earned a BA in Art and an MBA while working at the local humane shelter. At 26, she packed her dog and cat into a Ford truck and drove the Alcan Highway to Alaska, where she spent 23 years exploring The Last Frontier in a single-engine Cessna. A vegan and animal rights advocate, Maggie provides a sanctuary on her Arizona ranch for all creatures great and small, but her immediate family includes dog Molly, cat Sara, horses Quinn and Teena, and an ever-growing dynasty of chipmunks. Every year, like the Gray Whale, Maggie returns to Alaska.

Website: 
http://MaggieMcConnellRomance.com


Facebook Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/MaggieMcConnellRomance/


Amazon Buy Link:
https://www.amazon.com/Spooning-Daisy-Otter-Bite-Romance-ebook/dp/B015VA3O10

Barnes & Noble Buy Link:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/spooning-daisy-maggie-mcconnell/1122713766?ean=9781601836861

~~~~~~~~~~~~~





  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Virtual Book Tour: Revenge

Please welcome author J.A. Jackson, who is here to tell us about her new release, Revenge. J.A. is awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on her tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!



Revenge
by J.A. Jackson

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Romantic Suspense

~~~~~~~~~~~~~




BLURB:

Last time, in J. A. Jackson’s steamy, romantic thriller Lovers, Players and The Seducer, the storm came…and went.

Back then, Nicholas La Cour played a very dangerous game of cat and mouse; one in which he involved his childhood friends, Kienan Egan and Quinn Rolandis. Even worse, he put his own sister, Lacey La Cour, right in the middle of that storm.

Everyone got swept away in the torrent of greed, lust and ruthless ambition. All except two ratchet lovers…

Another storm is coming, but the two ratchet lovers survive it? Find out in Jackson’s anticipated sequel, Lovers, Players The Seducer, Book II The Revenge Game. Winner takes all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:


A half hour later Maëlle squatted at a swarm of mosquitoes and shifted the fishing pole case from one shoulder to the other.  The bag was light and didn’t smell as bad or feel as slimy as the dead fish Paul and Bruno were carrying. She turned and headed between the trees that laid just behind the cabin.

Maëlle stopped abruptly and Paul almost ran into her.

“What’s wrong Maëlle? Why did you stop?”

Paul’s eyes followed hers and noticed the Mercedes parked in the driveway.

Bruno quickly caught up with them. “Looks like we have company. Were you two expecting company?”
“No,” Paul and Maëlle said together.

“Well, that’s an awfully expensive car. Whoever it is has a few dollars to rub together,” Bruno said.

“Or a great expense account,” Maëlle added.

Bruno took the lead. “Come on, you two, let’s go over and say howdy,” he said, carrying a load of fish. “Maybe the sight of all these dead fish will frighten them away.”

Paul playfully gave Maëlle’s shoulder a nudge as they walked over together.

All at once Bruno yelled.  “Good evening, you in the car. Can I help you?”

The car door opened.

“Hey Bruno?”

“Hamelin?” Bruno laughed out. “Boy, I haven’t seen you in ages.”

Maëlle looked up at Paul. “Who’s Hamelin?”

 “I guess you’re about to meet my dad’s nephew Hamelin Scott,” Paul said bluntly almost sharply.

For a moment Maëlle could have sworn she saw a flash of something pass across Paul’s face.  She didn’t have long to ponder it as Hamelin closed the distance between them.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~


AUTHOR Bio and Links:

J.A. Jackson is the pseudonym for an author, who loves to write deliciously sultry adult romantic, suspenseful, entertaining novels with a unique twist. She lives in an enchanted little house she calls home in the Northern California foothills.
She spent over ten years working in the non-profit sector where she wrote grants, press releases and contributed many stories to their newsletter. She was their Newsletter editor for over ten years. She loves growing roses, a good pot of hot tea, chocolate, magical stories, suspense stories, ghost stories, and reading Jane Austen again and again in her past time.

https://www.amazon.com/author/jajackson
http://jerreeceannjackson.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Jerreece-Ann-Jackson/204377496289139?ref=hl
https://twitter.com/jerreece

Lovers, Players & The Seducer   - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MCEGUQA
When a Taker Dreams http://www.amazon.com/dp/B01288VA7I
Mistress of Desire & The Orchid Lover http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ND6HV3C
Grand Hotel  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CLF7JU6
A Geek, an Angel & the Deceiver  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009Q6ICH2
The Proposition (A Geek, An Angel) http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BE6EQT0


BUY LINK FOR REVENGE:   https://www.amazon.com/Lovers-Players-Seducer-Book-Revenge-ebook/dp/B01LWDHYJR/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1476539204&sr=8-2&keywords=J.+A.+Jackson+revenge

The book is on sale for $0.99 during the tour.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~




  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, November 28, 2016

Virtual Book Tour: Angles

Please welcome author Erin Lockwood, here to tell us about her new release, Angles. Erin will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on her tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!



Angles – Part 1
by Erin Lockwood

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Contemporary Romance

~~~~~~~~~~~~~





BLURB:

This story is about friendship and relationship triangles, love and protection, love and understanding, and love and true love.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:



By the time I get back to dancing with Dean, I feel something, someone, watching me. The feeling I felt before my speech is stronger now. There’s something consuming my surroundings—an invisible, sweltering blanket over me. As soon as I have the chance, I look around and try to find the source of this feeling—the burning eyes I can’t see, yet, but I sense are focused on me.

I casually scan the room between dips and twirls.

My breath catches. There they are—the eyes I’ve been searching for. A man, a gorgeous man, in a perfectly tailored suit is staring at me. It’s no mistake. Now that I see him, I know his eyes are the source of this feeling I’ve been having.

There are worse people to have stare at you. He might be a little older, but he’s very attractive. He wears his dark brown hair slicked and styled up and back. It looks soft enough to run my fingers through and short enough to create a little edge to it. His blackish gray suit blends in with his olive, tan skin. Every part of him is dark and smoky, except his eyes. His turquoise-blue eyes are so bright; they’re like headlights shining at me. A lighthouse warning me not to come too close or my boat will crash. 




~~~~~~~~~~~~~



AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Erin Lockwood grew up in Castro Valley, California, and attended the University of Oregon where she graduated with a degree in journalism in 2003. From there, she moved to Denver, Colorado, and spent the next seven years searching for the love of her life and building the family of her dreams.

It wasn’t long until, with children starting preschool and more time on her hands, Erin refocused on her career, beginning with a successful entry into the world of residential real estate as a realtor. Free time was spent reading book after book—and binge-watching the subsequent films—in the New Adult genre. Hopelessly in love with her husband, she wrote him a short story for their fifth wedding anniversary. That’s when she discovered her tireless passion to share her experience of falling in love through fictional characters. That story evolved into the first novel in the Angles Trilogy.

Erin still lives in Denver with her husband, Phil, and their three children. They spend most of their summers and holidays on the beautiful island of Coronado where Erin and Phil wish to retire someday.

Learn more about Erin and the Angles Trilogy at www.anglestrilogy.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

Buy Link:





~~~~~~~~~~~~~



  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, November 23, 2016

Wednesday Briefs: Moving Forward #60 (15.1)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day! If it's Wednesday, then it must be time for some flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

In last week's episode of Moving Forward, Lee asked Marshall a surprising question. Find out what his response this week! And don't forget to visit the other Briefers and see what they've been up to! Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Moving Forward #60 (15.1)


Marshall was sure he could not have heard Lee correctly.

Marry him? How? They both knew their union would never be permitted by any government anywhere. Attempting to take out a marriage license would probably only get them both in trouble. Marshall might wish it to be otherwise—with all his heart, he wanted to be out and proud with Lee—but he knew that could never be.

Could it?

His heart was pounding, and for a moment, he couldn’t speak, too choked up for words. Finally, he managed to get out, “Lee… how?”

“It won’t be anything official,” Lee said softly. He cradled Marshall’s hand between both of us, looking deep into his eyes. “But we can have a private ceremony, just us and a few of our friends. We can exchange vows… and rings.”

Rings. Suddenly Lee’s suggestion began to make more sense as Marshall considered the ramifications of the rings. They would be visible proof of their union, something that bound them in the eyes of the people around them. Something that said they weren’t available to anyone else better than mere words could.

Most importantly, they’d be as close as they could ever get to being truly married. At least in the US. Marshall was sure their union was illegal everywhere, to be honest. Everywhere but their own hearts.

“But only if you want to,” Lee added, and Marshall realized he hadn’t actually answered the question. How could Lee doubt his answer, though?

“I would love to marry you, Lee,” Marshall said. “I want to be with you for the rest of our lives. You and me, always.”

“That’s what I want too.” Lee’s smile was radiant. “When we get home we can look for rings. We’ll be in Galveston anyway, want to look there? I bet we’ll get a better selection there in Tucker Falls, much less Burnham.”

Marshall suspected that was quite true. Especially since he didn’t think anyone in Burnham sold wedding rings.

“I’m sure Denver and Dustin won’t mind,” Lee said.

“Nah, I’m sure they’ll be cool with it. Especially once we invite them to the wedding.”

Lee’s brow arched. “Are you sure? I mean, you sure you’re comfortable with that?”

Marshall nodded. “I am. Plus I think it’ll help resolve everything once and for all with him.” 

Although Marshall didn’t mention him by name, he knew Lee would know whom he referred to. 

“Not that I think there’d be a problem anyway. Plus I figured you meant the guys from Partners, right? And Roy, naturally.”

“Naturally Roy,” Lee responded. That one was a given. Roy was their very best friend, their trusted companion. Of course they couldn’t get married without him being there.

“We should drink another toast,” Marshall said.

“Agreed.” Lee poured more of the Prosecco, then set the bottle down.  He raised his glass toward Marshall. “Here’s to our future union, and to many years of wedded bliss,” he said solemnly.

“And here’s to marrying the sexiest damn man in the state of Texas,” Marshall said as he clinked his glass against Lee’s.

“That would be you,” Lee said with a grin.

“Not arguing with you, old man,” Marshall said, returning the grin, “even though I’m right.” He linked his arm through Lee’s, careful not to spill anything into the hot tub. “You’re so sexy you make me hard just looking at you.” He was gratified to see a faint blush come to Lee’s cheeks.

“Then let me return the compliment and, at the risk of giving you a swelled head, I’ll just say you star in some damn sexy dreams.”

They both smiled contentedly as they raised their glasses and drank.

to be continued

Now see what the other Briefers are up to!





Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Wednesday Briefs: Moving Forward #59 (14.3)

Good morning and Happy Hump Day!  If it's Wednesday, it must be time for some flash fiction from the Wednesday Briefers! We're a group of authors who bring you our finest flash fiction every week, 500 to 1000 words, inspired by one of our prompts.

Moving Forward is drawing to a close, as Marshall and Lee celebrate their last night aboard the Wandering Star. Hot tub and Prosecco... what else might be in store for them? Find out in this week's episode. Don't forget to see what the other Briefers are up to. Their links follow my tale! Enjoy!

Moving Forward #59 (14.3)


When they returned to their room, Lee called Room Service and ordered a bottle of Prosecco. “Want anything to eat with that?” he asked Marshall.

Marshall considered for a moment. He wasn’t really hungry now, but he might be later.
“Maybe some of that lava cake we had before?” Something sweet would hit the spot after making love.

“Sounds good to me.” Lee relayed the order, then hung up.

“What’s Prosecco?” Marshall asked.

“It’s like champagne, but sweeter,” Lee replied. “A little something special for our last night here.”

Lee pulled Marshall closer to him, circling his waist. “A special night for a special guy.”

Marshall warmed at Lee’s words. “Being with you is what makes everything special,” he said sincerely.

Lee kissed him softly, then with a growing fervor as they pressed together, losing themselves in one another. Only a knock at the door kept them from escalating their kisses to the next step. They drew apart reluctantly. Lee answered the knock and admitted a steward with their order.

“Good evening, sirs,” the steward greeted them as he rolled a cart into their suite. “Celebrating our last night on board, are we?”

“We are indeed,” Lee replied. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a few bills which he handed to the man. “Thank you very much, we can take it from here.”

“Very good, sir. Enjoy your evening.” He nodded at each of them then discreetly withdrew.

Lee verified that the door was locked behind him, then turned to Marshall, a wicked gleam in his eyes. “Alone at last,” he said with a grin. “Still want to drink this in the hot tub?”

“You know it.”

“No time like the present then. Grab the glasses.”

Marshall quickly obeyed, as Lee picked up the ice-filled bucket containing the Prosecco. They carried everything out to the deck and left it on the table beside the hot tub, then returned to their room and stripped before returning to the hot tub.

The night was balmy, with just the hint of a spice-laden breeze. They could hear music from one of the other decks, some kind of jazz. Just loud enough to be heard without being intrusive.

Lee popped the cork on the Prosecco and poured it into two glasses before they climbed into the warm water, sitting across from one another.  He handed one of the glasses to Marshall and took the other.

“What shall we toast to?” Lee asked.

“To the best time of our lives,” Marshall promptly replied, clinking his glass against Lee’s.

“To the best time,” Lee repeated. They each drank.

“I think I like this even better than the champagne,” Marshall commented. “It does tickle a mite, though.”

“As I recall, the champagne did that too,” Lee drawled, and Marshall had to laugh at that.

“Yeah, I guess it did.” He took another sip. “It’s really good. I’m glad you thought of it.”

“I am too.”

Nothing more was said for a moment. Then Lee cleared his throat, and shifted his position. Marshall wondered if he was making room for him to come over, and he began to move toward him, but Lee held up one hand.

“Not yet. I want to talk to you first.”

That sounded ominous.

“Did I do something wrong?”Marshall asked anxiously.

“What? Oh God no, don’t think that,” Lee hastened to assure him. “Nothing like that. Just have something on my mind, and I want to say it to you, but I want it to come out right, that’s all.” He reached for Marshall’s hand and when he received it, he squeezed it.

“Marshall, you know you mean the world to me, right?”

Marshall nodded.

“And you know I’d do anything for you, don’t  you?”

Marshall nodded again.

“This trip… it’s been more than a great time. I think I’ve had my eyes opened to something I probably should have realized sooner.”

Marshall couldn’t help but feel anxious again. This sounded so ominous. Surely he wasn’t going to start that stuff about Marshall needing or wanting someone closer to his own age, someone who wasn’t Lee.

“Lee, you know I want you and only you, forever.” Marshall tried to control his quivering lip. Damned if he was going to cry. No way.

“I know that,” Lee said solemnly. “That’s why I’m asking you this… will you marry me?”

to be continued

Now go see what the other Briefers are up to!




Virtual Book Tour: Mail Order Angel

Please welcome author Mandy Colton, who is here to talk about her new release, Mail Order Bride. Mandy will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN GC to one randomly drawn commenter via Rafflecopter. The more you comment, the better your chances of winning. To find the other stops on her tour, go here. Don't forget to look for the Rafflecopter at the end of this post!




Mail Order Angel
by Mandy Colton

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Contemporary Romance

~~~~~~~~~~~~~




BLURB:

Fun characters, humor, drama, and heartwarming moments…

Heartbreaking loss strikes two people living happy and carefree lives in polar opposite places of the North American map. Young and adventurous, Lance Colburn left home years ago and worked his way north to Alaska, eventually settling in Nome. After building a successful business, he’s still a very content bachelor, living in a brand new home he constructed himself. Life couldn’t get much better…until the worst news a single guy could get finds him after a family member is stricken with a fatal illness. He learns that his simple—and slightly selfish—existence is about to get flipped upside down and crowded. Worst of all, he’s going to need a specific kind of help that can’t be found in Nome.

Having lived a happy and sheltered life with her parents in Boston, Massachusetts, Angel McBride is about to become an adult and spread her wings. While taking a summer vacation in Europe with her friends before starting college, tragedy strikes at home. After returning, she is shocked to find that her life has already drastically changed and is about to get worse. She needs an escape plan—and quickly.

With little time and no other choices at hand, both Lance and Angel come up with the same ridiculous idea at the same time: Marriage to a stranger.

But neither are prepared or quite mature enough to handle the big leap. Can they overcome her deception and his wily ways to find true happiness?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

EXCERPT:



Lance Colburn sat across from the two attorneys with what was probably a totally forlorn expression on his face. His own lawyer, Edgar, held a fist pressed against his mouth, coughing and shifting in his chair. Lance wanted to reach over the desk and punch him. Hard. This was the worst day of his damn life. After today, nothing would ever be the same again. One minute he’s a contented bachelor and a successful business owner. The next? He’s the sole guardian of two young kids. One may not even be out of diapers. The nickname alone was enough to make him grimace. Who calls their kid Turd? Jesus H!

He sat back in his chair, staring at the floor dumbstruck. A snicker finally escaped one of the men, causing him to look up, and he didn’t have to guess whose mouth it had come from. He shot Edgar a glare. “There is not a damn thing amusing about any of this. Are you absolutely sure there is no one else she trusted to do this job? My sister never said a word about this decision to me.”

His older sister, Gail, had recently succumbed to breast cancer. She had fought a losing battle with it for years. To make matters worse, her husband, Dale, had been killed two years before in Afghanistan while serving in the military. Dale had been adopted by an older couple, also now deceased. Lance and Gail’s own parents had passed not far apart about four years prior. Shit. The sudden reality that he had no family left hit hard and saddened him. There really was no other family guardian but him to take the kids. He glanced at the uncomfortable attorney who’d traveled all the way to Alaska to relay the grim news after the man had found out over the phone how long it’d been since Lance had spoken to Gail.

The man swallowed and said, “I’m very sorry for your loss and this obvious surprise, Mr. Colburn. It certainly was never meant to be. I had papers drawn up and asked her for your information to send them for your approval and signature quite a long time ago. I even offered to call you myself on multiple occasions. I swear, on my firm’s good name, that I had no idea there was still a question of guardianship. Are you insinuating that you’re unwilling to take the children?”

What? Now Lance was pissed. “I’m not insinuating anything, damn it! But what the hell am I supposed to do with two small kids out here in this wilderness? It’s all I can do to take care of myself sometimes. I work at a frantic pace through three seasons of the year for twelve-plus hours a day. I’m a loner, I’m selfish, and I don’t know squat about kids. And what the hell kind of names are Trixie and Turd? One is a stripper name, and the other is…just wrong!”

His lawyer and friend, Ed, finally turned his head and faked a coughing fit, although it was too obvious that he was laughing. The fucker.

His sister’s lawyer, who possessed much more tact and was taking the situation as serious as it certainly was, spoke calmly. “The boy’s name is actually Turek.”

Lance just sat blinking at the man for a minute and then threw up his hands. He said sarcastically, “Oh, what a relief. That name changes everything. Now I just have to worry about him getting smacked around a little on the school playground but not so much his head mashed into a big steaming pile of moose shit!”

Edgar, the asshole, snorted. “The name isn’t an issue, Lance. Sounds kind of like an Inuit name to me. Don’t you think you’re overreacting a bit here?”

“Fuck you, Ed. Some friend you are. How can you sit there and laugh? My sister just died, damn it!”

“I’m not amused by your sister’s passing, and you know that. I just… You’re my friend, and I know you. The picture of two little ones dropped at your doorstep, and you, the quintessential bachelor, suddenly in the role of father, is what I find amusing. It’s your damn squirmin’ that’s funny, but I know you, and you’ll figure this out and do the right thing by them and your sister.” Ed was wearing a gentler smile now.

Lance looked at the two men. “There’s no one here to help me care for them. There’s no daycare and one grade school. What the hell am I supposed to do?”

While trying to keep a straight face, Ed said, “Maybe get a wife? Raymond Mullett got himself a mail-order bride. Worked out pretty well for him. I drew up the papers myself.”

Lance stood and scoffed. “When you two get serious and come up with a suitable idea for everyone involved, call me. I am not able or in any position to care for two kids.”

His sister’s lawyer said, “A friend of your sister’s has agreed to keep the children for a month. After that, they will have to go into the child-welfare system for foster care and adoption if you don’t agree to take them. They could then be split up for life, which could result in irreparable emotional harm. These children are your blood relatives, Mr. Colburn. Think about that.”

The lawyer pushed a business card toward him.

Lance snatched it and walked out the door, grumbling that he needed some time to think. And he was deep in it when he walked to his truck. He was about to turn thirty, and he was happy with his life in Nome. He’d always been different, adventurous, curious, and like a kind of tumbleweed in his youth. He’d slid through high school, started college to appease his parents, hated it, dropped out, and finally argued with his parents until everyone was miserable.

In the end, he’d done his family a favor by leaving home to find himself. His need for adventure had led him to the Last Frontier—Alaska—where he’d met a few people and gone to work for a petroleum company in Anchorage. When he was twenty-two, he met a man who saw potential in him and hired him as an apprentice in his construction business. He had liked the work, building something out of nothing. He’d grasped it easily, staying for several years and learning the business from the bottom up.

Nome—and the state of Alaska, for that matter—were both growing and in need of construction contractors in both the private and business sectors. Lance had saved his money, taken the leap, and moved. He’d slowly started his small business, amassed good workers and suppliers, and maintained a good reputation. His business had grown fairly quickly, and he was now proud to call himself and the business successful. He loved what he did for a living. A couple of years ago, he had even purchased some land and had just finished building a three-bedroom cabin of his own.

Until today, he’d considered himself as settled as he wanted to be at this time in his life.

How the hell could this be happening, and why hadn’t his sister talked to him about an important matter like this? She hadn’t even told him the cancer was back. He heard a voice calling him and turned as he was about to start his truck.

His sister’s lawyer ran up to him, holding an envelope. “I forgot to give you this. It’s from Gail. Might explain some things. I haven’t read it.”




~~~~~~~~~~~~~




AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Mandy Colton is from Louisville, KY, and lives a very quiet life with her husband and teenage son. A fan of romance, fun adventure, drama, humor, and on occasion, sci-fi stories. Her first book, Way to Go, and the continuing series came from her years, own adventures and experiences working in the travel industry.
   
 Although she’s a great fan of the human imagination, she is also of the opinion that there are just no better stories than those that involve a bit of true life.
 
If you like my books, please review on Amazon or Goodreads. Subscribe for notifications on future new releases!

www.mandycolton.com
www.cavalcadepress.com

Amazon Author Page –
https://www.amazon.com/Mandy-Colton/e/B00X1MMJ2Q/

Goodreads -
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13894995.Mandy_Colton

Facebook -
https://www.facebook.com/mandycoltonfiction

Twitter -
https://twitter.com/mandycoltonfic

Pinterest -
https://www.pinterest.com/mandycoltonfict/mandy-colton-fiction/

https://www.amazon.com/Mail-Order-Angel-Mandy-Colton-ebook/dp/B01M98KA92

~~~~~~~~~~~~~




  a Rafflecopter giveaway