Penn, Jenny - Chasing Lacie [Sea Island Wolves 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (22 page)

BOOK: Penn, Jenny - Chasing Lacie [Sea Island Wolves 4] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting)

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“Nah. It’s the sweetness.”

That was a compliment. Shelly stared up at him, unable to fathom how to respond with her mind preoccupied analyzing that comment.

“It’s nice, you know,” he continued on, probably because she was staring mutely up at him like a twit. “To know Sarah will be in a school where teachers so obviously care.”

“Sarah?”

“My daughter.”

Daughter, he’d said daughter, which implied having a wife. Shelly really had lost her mind. Time to stop fantasizing about things that never would be, pull her dignity out of the gutter, and start acting like a teacher talking to a parent. Taking a deep breath to fortify her defenses, Shelly plastered on her best fake smile.

“Oh, well. I don’t think Sarah will be going to my school. I work up north in Oaktown. I just came to Danville to buy supplies.” It didn’t all come out sounding as smooth and sophisticated as Shelly would have liked, but at least she’d managed to stop before inappropriately running on.

“Oaktown?” He scowled slightly. “I think that’s on my route. You said a youth center? That might be good for Sarah, give her a chance to meet some new friends and have some fun.”

He cast a second, pointed glance at her buggy. “And it looks like you guys have fun. She could do with some of that. It’s hard, you know, for a girl to grow up without a mother.”

“Oh.” Shelly bit her lip, unsure of what to say about that bit of news. “Well, we do have a lot of fun. Lots of crafts and games, trips to the pool and the bowling alley. Some of the ranchers even let us take tours, and the kids get to see and pet all the animals. Well, not the bulls because that would be dangerous.”

She was treading very close to babbling, so Shelly just stopped right there despite all the other things she wanted to tell him.

“It does sound great. I bet Sarah would really love to see the animals...and I wouldn’t mind getting to see you again.”

Shelly’s heart fluttered at the shy glance he gave her. The hint of hopeful anticipation in his voice made her feel strangely confident, giving her the ability to respond like a normal person would. “You could if you wanted to, but wouldn’t that be a long drive?”

“It’s never too far a drive to find happiness.”

“I guess not.” That line might be sappy, but it didn’t stop her from warming beneath it. Feeling it was time to make a bold move, she extended her hand. “I’m Shelly, Shelly Lynn.”

“It’s nice to meet you Shelly.” He took her fingers in his warm grip and she about melted. “I’m TJ Carver.”

THE END

WWW.JENNYPENN.COM

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I live near Charleston, SC with my two biggies, my dogs. I have had a slightly unconventional life. Moving almost every three years, I’ve had a range of day jobs that included everything from working for one of the world’s largest banks as an auditor to turning wrenches as an outboard repair mechanic. I’ve always regretted that we only get one life and have tried to cram as much as I can into this one.

Throughout it all, I’ve always read books, feeding my need to dream and fantasize about what could be. An avid reader since childhood, and as a latchkey kid, I’d spend hours at the library earning those shiny stars the librarian would paste up on the board after my name.

I credit my grandmother’s yearly visits as the beginning of my obsession with romances. When she’d come, she’d bring stacks of romance books, the old fashion kind that didn’t have sex in them. Imagine my shock when I went to the used bookstore and found out what really could be in a romance novel.

I’ve worked on my own stories for years and have found a particular love of erotic romances. In this genre, women are no longer confined to a stereotype and plots are no longer constrained to the rational. I love the ‘anything goes’ mentality and letting my imagination run wild.

I hope you enjoyed running with me and will consider picking up another book and coming along for another adventure.

Also by Jenny Penn

Ménage Amour:
Deception

Ménage Everlasting:
Jamie’s Revenge

Ménage Everlasting:
Tanners’ Angel

Ménage Everlasting:
Kansas Heat

Ménage Amour: Cattleman’s Club 1:
Patton’s Way

Ménage Everlasting: Cattleman’s Club 2:
Hailey’s Game

Ménage Everlasting: Cattleman’s Club 3:
Rachel’s Seduction

Ménage Amour: Tasty Treats, Volume 1:
Rachel’s Seduction

Ménage Amour: Tasty Treats, Volume 3:
Claiming Kristen

Ménage Amour: The Cowboys’ Curse 1:
Sweet Dreams