Vermont Escape
Page 28
She twisted around, kissed him, and then poked him in the chest with her index finger. “And I’ve heard those rumors about the US Senate. I’ll stand with you, whatever direction you want to go.”
“You amaze me.” He threaded his hands through her hair, held her gently, and kissed her, soft as butterfly wings.
“What about your kids? I hinted pretty strongly to Ethan when he was here last what my feelings for you were.”
“YOU DID, HUH? I GUESS that’s why when I mentioned the subject to Ellen, she was quick to say they both wanted me to be happy. They were behind me, even if that meant Vermont and you.”
“Is that what will make you happy?” His hopeful smile said he wasn’t quite convinced even after the night and morning they’d spent.
“Yes, I want more than anything in the world to be your wife.”
He enveloped her in his arms. “Thank you, God.”
“Not that you’re getting off easy for that half-baked way you proposed. Wait until I tell your mother and the kids.” She leaped from the bed and ran to the shower, where he easily caught her. But then, that was her intention all along.
Finally dressed, Jill stepped into a glistening snow-covered world. Holding tightly to Jerrod’s hand, she walked toward her future mother-in-law’s house for a celebration Jill expected would be the first of many. Celebration of her love for Jerrod. Celebration of his for her. Celebration of the success of her escape to Vermont.
The End
About the Author
MARSHA R. WEST, A RETIRED elementary school principal, is also a former school board member and theatre arts teacher. She writes Romance, Suspense, and Second Chances. Experience Required. Marsha lives in Texas with her supportive lawyer husband. Their two daughters presented them with three delightful grandchildren who live nearby. Charley, a deaf Chihuahua/Jack Russell Terrier mix shares their home.
MuseItUp Publishing e-released her first book, VERMONT ESCAPE, in July 2013, and her second book, TRUTH BE TOLD, in May 2014. In the Fall of 2014, Marsha formed MRW Press LLC to provide print versions of her first two books. In 2015 MRW Press LLC released SECOND ACT, Book 1 the Second Chances Series which follows up with a secondary character from VERMONT ESCAPE and begins a four-part series. ACT OF TRUST, Book 2 of the Second Chances Series, followed in 2016. Also, released in 2016, was THE THEATRE, a stand-alone. ACT OF BETRAYAL, Book 3, released in 2017. The Second Chances series, ACT OF SURVIVAL, Book 4, will follow in 2019.
SNIPPETS OF SUSPENSE, Anthology #1 by the Sisters of Suspense, published in November 2015, contains the first chapter of SECOND ACT as well as nine first chapters by other romantic suspense authors. She also contributed to TIPS ON THE WRITING PROCESS, PUBLISHING, AND MARKETING. Her short story, “The Colonel & Her Major” released in LONE STAR LOVE, NTRWA’s 2017 Anthology.
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VERMONT ESCAPE
Back Cover Blurb
Two years after the murder of her husband, someone guns down Jill Barlow’s father, a Texas State Representative. The authorities suspect a connection between the murders but can’t find proof.
Jill longs for the peace she found when she visited Vermont after her husband’s death. With the perpetrators still at large, she flees to the small town.
Considering buying a crystal store, Jill is surprised by the attraction she feels for the owner’s son. A Vermont State Assemblyman, Jerrod Phillips, seems to resent her presence in his town.
A terrifying series of break-ins shatter her peaceful new life. Jill shields her adult children from the knowledge violence continues to stalk them.
Despite having lost so much already, with the lives of her family and friends at stake, Jill will be required to make more sacrifices?
SECOND ACT
Book 1 The Second Chances Series
Chapter One
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
“You promised this wouldn’t happen again, Clay.” Addison Greer glared at the man sitting across from her in her Cowtown Theatre office, the pitch of her voice higher than she intended. She hated confrontations, but those red numbers marching across the spreadsheets covering her desk made her stomach roil and her hands shake.
“Yeah, I know, Addison. I needed more wood than I’d anticipated. After we put the first set together, it didn’t work out, and we had to start over. It wasn’t my fault.” His leg draped over the arm of the chair as if he had no worries, but his voice had taken on the whiny tone that sent Addie’s blood pressure into the stratosphere.
Her fingers tightened around the marker she’d used to highlight the deficits. “No? Then whose? Going over budget isn’t an option, Clay. The theatre can’t survive this way, and since you can’t change, you won’t make it here either.” Addison hated to put it that way, but damn, she’d been plenty patient with Clay Bennett, the theatre’s artistic director.
“What do you mean, I won’t make it. Are you threatening my job?” He set both feet solidly on the floor, jutted out his chin, and clenched his hands on the arms of the chair.
Good thing she wasn’t alone in the building with him. She suspected he’d like to take a swing at her. The first show of the fall season closed last night, and crewmembers were working all over the place disassembling the set, cleaning the costumes, and evaluating make-up needs.
“That’s exactly what I mean, Clay.” The steel in her voice was unmistakable. She had to make him understand. “We had full houses during the run of the show, but we didn’t make enough to pay for the production. You have failed consistently to bring in shows on or under budget. I won’t let you continue to drown us in red ink.”
She shoved the pages on her desk in his direction. He glanced at the sheets and broke into hysterical laughter. Chills scampered down her back like mice escaping a cat. The man was a creative genius and scary as hell right now, but Addie wouldn’t cut him any slack on the financial issue. She’d given him enough second chances to last two careers.
“Being executive director doesn’t give you the power to fire me, unless you get the support of a supermajority of the board.” His lip curled into a sneer that matched his voice. “And you don’t have that.” He stood up and walked toward the door. His knuckles whitened on the knob before he yanked it open and turned to face her.
“Don’t screw with me, Addison. You’ll lose.” His whiny tone switched to a menacing one.
Her face warmed with the rush of blood at his language. She stood, met his gaze, and clenched her hands into such tight balls the nails cut into her palms. “You mess with this theatre, and I’ll make you sorry, Clay Bennett.”
“Everything okay?” Big, burly, redheaded Pete Talmadge stopped outside her office. Despite many years in Texas, his voice still held remnants of his New Jersey upbringing.
Their words had apparently traveled into the hallway. Not particularly professional, Addie. Nor adult.
“Everything is fine.” She glanced at him then back at her AD. “Clay, I’ve been clear with you, and this meeting is over.”
Clay pushed past the stage manager. His high-pitched laugh sent chills crawling up the back of Addie’s head. Her temper, which she hadn’t yet fully controlled, sparked. “Damn, damn, damn, damn.” The words spewed from her gut. The pain in her middle doubled her over. Confrontations, regardless of how they turned out made her ill. When she lost her temper, she lost self-respect.
Pete stepped in and shut the door behind him. “So, are you auditioning for the part of Henry Higgins in some sort of reve
rse gender production of My Fair Lady? I suppose it might fly here in Fort Worth.” He laughed at his joke.
Addie threw her pencil at him. He ducked, and it fell to the floor. “I guess everyone heard us. I hate to air the dirty linen in front of others.”
“Yeah, well, don’t let him get to you. He’s a jackass, and many of us know that,” he said in the gravelly voice of a long-time smoker.
“He’s right though, Pete.” Air rushed out on a long sigh, and she flopped into her swivel chair. “I can’t fire him unless I can convince a majority of the board, plus one more, to support the action. What am I going to do?
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