Unwed, unemployed and pregnant, Rebecca Young is in desperate need of a job. But finding work seems impossible. So when her late ex-boyfriend’s cousin Walker Greystone offers her room and board, and help getting a part-time job at the library he’s renovating in Eden, Texas, she eagerly accepts. But as they work together on a project that could change both of their lives, their feelings for one another deepen. Can Rebecca and Walker overcome their scars from the past and embrace the possibility of a happily-ever-after together?
Excerpt
Gritting her teeth to keep the emotions at bay, she walked up the steps under the full
glare of the summer sun. If the mile-long driveway lined with crepe myrtles or the
immaculate house with rocking chairs on the wraparound porch didn’t tell her she was
out of her element, the gleaming white F350 truck she parked next to would have. Her
ancient beat-up car seemed like a tin can next to that monster truck. She set the box by
the front door. Before she could take a step back, the door swung open.
Vince’s mother, an older version of Jackie Kennedy with silver hair, stood in front of her
dressed in a white cardigan, soft pink silk shirt and tan slacks. Rebecca and Vince had
dated for two years, but she’d only seen Vince’s mother one time, and that was at a
distance. He’d never introduced them. She looked so different from her Aunt Grace,
who was a tiny Trinidadian woman.
“Can I help you?” The woman opened the screen door and stepped out, a kind smile on
her face.
Rebecca fidgeted with her hands. “Um, I wanted to drop off some of Vince’s things.”
The woman’s eyes immediately watered. “Oh, how kind of you.” She reached out a
hand. “I’m Vince’s mother—Bell Greystone.”
She couldn’t help but shake her hand. “Rebecca Young.”
“Won’t you come inside? If you were a friend of Vince’s, I’d love to visit for a little bit. In
fact, why don’t you stay for Sunday lunch?”
“Um—”
“Aunt Bell, who’s here?” a voice called from the house. What was Walker doing here?
His voice brought back bittersweet memories of fun-filled Sundays watching football
games at her apartment in Houston.
“It’s a friend of Vince’s, Rebecca Young. She’s brought some of his things for me.”
“Rebecca?” Walker Greystone stood in the doorway, then stepped onto the porch. Tall
and proud, all six feet of him. His brown hair and chiseled jaw looked the same as the
last time she’d seen him. Only then his smile had been friendly, his face full of laughter.
But not now. Now, his eyes seemed full of questions. He let the screen door slam shut
and stood next to Bell. He wore his signature polo shirt, faded jeans and work-worn
cowboy boots.
Bell appeared oblivious to the sudden tension between them. If the way Walker glared
at her was any indication, he obviously knew Rebecca and Vince had broken up before
his death. And wasn’t that just great. Someone else knew about her humiliation.
“Honey, will you get that box and show Rebecca in? She’s joining us for Sunday lunch.
I’m going to get some refreshments while we wait for everything to be ready. That way
we’ll have some time to visit.” Bell disappeared into the house.
“What are you doing here? I thought you and Vince broke up.” Walker said, hands on
his hips, head tilted to the side in question.
Yep, he knew. This was the last thing she wanted. But she couldn’t be rude to Vince’s
mother. That was one thing she’d learned from her Trinidadian father, to respect her
elders. A trickle of sweat ran down her back as the breeze shifted. Rebecca appreciated
the breeze but immediately regretted how it exposed her baby bump.
“You’re pregnant?”
She looked at Walker then down at her belly. Her entire reality exposed.
This was why she shouldn’t have come. Walker knew they broke up but not about the
baby. Did Vince’s child matter so little? She straightened her shirt and stood tall even
though everything in her wanted to curl up in a ball. “Yes, I’m pregnant.”
She walked past him and entered the house. She refused to feel sorry for herself or get
lost in the swamp of the emotions trying to drown her. Her focus needed to be on getting
a job, securing a place to live and raising her child. Alone. She was done with men,
especially any man with the last name Greystone.
About the Author
Alena Auguste lives in Texas and can’t imagine living anywhere else. Married to her very own knight for thirty plus years, she and her husband have four amazing grown children and two of the handsomest grandsons ever! When she’s not creating trouble for her characters or working at the family business, you can find her cozying up with a steaming cup of tea and a good book. She would love to hear from you at alenaauguste.com.
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I liked the excerpt.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed the excerpt
ReplyDeleteThis looks like a fantastic read. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great read.
ReplyDelete