Release Date: October 3, 2019
Cover Design: Amy Queau –
QDesign
Synopsis
Evangeline Brogan grew up Broadway royalty. She commands the stage
until one night, everything changes. With lifelong secrets revealed, she’s
determined to find out the full story. Even if that means leaving everything she
knows behind. Arrogant and protective, Montague Parrish
needs to be strong enough for his mother and stepfather as a family crisis
comes to a head. He’s wary when fate brings Linnie into their lives at a
critical moment. Over time their relationship changes; offering light when
fear is ready to consume them both. And then reality intrudes, threatening
their need to survive each other. After all, life can bring a
close match, but it takes love to make it a perfect one.
Excerpt
After
properly warming up, I feel like something sassy. My feet are flying across
the
dance floor, and my fingers are snapping. My voice echoes beautifully in the
room
as
I taunt an imaginary audience. Okay. If I’m honest with myself, I imagine Monty
as I
tease
him with this particular dance which is seductive and playful.
Since
we came back from DC that day, he’s been more open about laughing with
me.
He hasn’t held back from casually touching me, which sets my body aflame. The
problem
is I can’t tell if it’s just me feeling this way. How do I know if he’s
naturally this
personable
and I helped release some of the pressure built up in him so he can once
again
be himself?
Twirling
around, I kick one leg up and then the other. I admire the long length the
stiletto
point gives to my kick. Slowly, I sway my hips back and forth as I walk around
an
empty
chair. This particular show would generally have me wearing much more of a
flimsy
outfit than the running shorts and tank I’m presently dancing in, but it’s fun
as I
sink
into a grande plié and then shift my hand to the ground to slide into a split
in front of
my
“customer.” I fling my head down to my knee, still singing. Rolling my
shoulders
back,
I finish with my back arched, one hand up, the other bracing my core.
Then
I hear a slow clap. My head snaps toward the door.
“That’s
one hell of a show, Linnie.” Monty’s eyes are burning down at me.
“Though
I imagine if I were sitting in the chair, it would have been even more
entertaining.”
Swinging
my back leg around, I push myself to my feet. “It’s from Sweet Charity. I
haven’t
done stiletto work in a while, so I figured I needed to bone up on it. Can’t
let the
skills
get rusty from lack of use.”
Monty
lets out a choked sound. I realize what I said, and I want to slap myself in
the
head. Instead, I make my way over to the bar and grab the towel and bottle of
water
I
keep there. Just as the next number starts, I hit Pause. “What’s up?”
“Ev
and Char had a few things to do this afternoon. They’ll grab dinner out.
Thought
I’d see if you wanted to go for a ride,” he tosses out casually.
“On
a horse?” I’ve been up on a horse a time or two around the ring with the
beginner
students. They find it cute that someone who’s as old as their instructor is
taking
the beginner class.
“No.
But dress comfortably. We’ll be out a while ourselves.” Monty turns to leave.
“I’ll
grab some food for us to eat on the way. An hour enough time for you?”
“Sounds
good.” Ever since we went downtown, Monty’s been different. He’s held
himself
back less and less from me even though there’s still a weary edge to him. His
hair
looks like it’s about two weeks past due for a cut. Normally, it frames the
lines
around
his face. Today, with the smile on his face, it makes me wonder what slipping
my
fingers through the dark strands would feel like.
“Take
your time. We’re not in any big hurry.” He opens the door and is about to
pass
through it when he drops a bomb on me. “But the next time you do that number, I
might
have to hunt you down after. You may not be used to that kind of response to
one
of
your shows.” He steps through the door and closes it behind him.
I
grab the counter to stabilize myself on the heels I’m wearing. It wouldn’t do
well
to
roll an ankle at this juncture because if I’m not mistaken Monty just fanned
the flames
of
the interest sparking between us.
And
I just agreed to spend the afternoon with him?
Oh
boy.
***
Dressed
in a vest, long-sleeve T-shirt, and jeans, I meet Monty in the kitchen
about
an hour later. “I hope this works?” I twirl to indicate my outfit.
“You
might be hot while we’re in the car, but otherwise it’s perfect.”
“Are
you going to give me a hint to where we’re going?” I ask as we make our
way
out through the drop zone toward the garage.
He
keeps walking. Holding the door for me, he purses his lips. “Nah. I am
enjoying
the fact you know nothing about the area, so everything is so new to you.”
I
stick my tongue out at him as I pass by. Quick as a snake, he snatches me
around
the waist. “I recommend for your sanity, you keep that inside your mouth unless
you
plan to put it to use.”
I
smack him on the chest. “Flirt,” I accuse.
“Maybe,”
he agrees. “Then again, there’s only one way for you to find out.”
“Do
your parents know how you behave when they’re not at home,” I tease over
my
shoulder.
Monty’s
laugh in conjunction with the doors being unlocked is my only answer.
But
when I slide into the seat, a familiar-looking to-go cup is waiting for me.
“Wait? Is
this
from…”
“You
seemed to like their caramel mocha well enough when we stopped on the
way
in from the airport. I picked us up some food and drinks.” He shrugs like it’s
no big
deal.
“What
are we doing?” I whisper, turning toward him before I put on my seat belt.
“Giving
up on being ‘just friends.’” His hand cups my cheek. “I’m spending way
too
much time with you on my mind. What do you think?”
Slowly,
I nod, my cheek brushing the inside of his hand. Am I seriously agreeing
to
this? My heart picks up in anticipation and nerves.
“Then
why don’t we get our first date started.” Monty drags his fingers through
my
hair as he lets me go, and I let out the breath I’ve been holding.
Giveaway
One of Five ARC’s for Close
Match
About the Author
Tracey Jerald knew she was meant to be a writer when she would
re-write the ending of books in her head on her bike when she was a young girl
growing up in southern Connecticut. It wasn’t long before she was typing
alternate endings and extended epilogues “just for fun”. After college in
Florida, where she obtained a degree in Criminal Justice swearing she saw
things she’ll never quite believe and never quite forget, Tracey traded the
world of law and order for IT. Her work for a world-wide internet
startup transferred her to Northern Virginia where she met her husband in what
many call their own happily ever after. They have one son. When
she’s not busy with her family or writing, Tracey can be found in her home in
north Florida drinking coffee, reading, training for a runDisney event, or
feeding her addiction to HGTV.
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