Duet on Fire

by Brenda Barrett

Thanks again. All the best,

  Brenda

  Keep reading for an excerpt from Tangled Chords

  Xavier and Farrah's story

  Farrah Knight alighted from her Mercedes-Benz Sports Coupe and grabbed the bouquet of red roses from the passenger seat, along with her iPad. She took the opportunity to check out her reflection in the rearview mirror. Her white Gucci pants suit fit her snugly and her lip gloss was still as perfect as when she had put it on twenty minutes ago. She looked at the entrance to the maternity ward and then down at her five-inch heels. She was not used to walking long distances in five-inch heels, nor was she fond of hospitals; she couldn't recall when last she had even been near one. She took in a deep breath and held the roses in front of her, advancing to the entrance of the building reluctantly, as if she was going to be sacrificed.

  Her engagement party was two short weeks away and was moved up because of her father's impatient insistence. She now had to pressure Ruby and Cynth to get what they thought would have been two months of planning done in just two weeks. According to her father, her wedding date was to be moved up, or else.

  This was July and she was supposed to have the party at the end of the month and then get married on the first week of August. She didn't have the backbone or the heart to protest her father's highhanded meddling in her affairs, so here she was, at the hospital to do business.

  She felt a twinge of sympathy for Ruby for having to come to a hospital like this. Ruby had given birth last night but when Farrah called this morning, Ruby had told her that they could have a planning session today, at midday. She entered the plush interior of the hospital and gave the nurse at the front Ruby's name.

  "Oh, you are here to see little Amber Scott." The nurse smiled. "She is in the nursery room."

  Amber Scott? Farrah almost asked aloud and then it clicked that Ruby had named her daughter Amber.

  "No, not the baby," she said to the smiling nurse. "I am here to see the mother."

  The nurse nodded, her manic smile still plastered on her face, and she answered the ringing telephone.

  She covered the phone's receiver. "It is down the hallway, to the right," she mouthed to Farrah.

  Farrah looked at her doubtfully. Don't they have room numbers in the place? Her Jimmy Choo shoes were not made for walking to faraway places based on vague directions. She glanced down the long corridor and lifted the roses from the receptionist desk. She headed down the corridor gingerly.

  She turned at the right and was greeted by a wall of glass. Beyond the glass were a number of bassinets with cooing babies.

  Perfect, just perfect, she thought, drifting closer to the glass. Now she had to walk back to the reception desk and enquire about Ruby's room.

  She was about to stalk off when she saw a tall guy in an expensive tan leather jacket, his hands in his pockets and his gaze fixed firmly in the baby room. How sweet, she thought and then she watched as he angled his head to the side. He looked vaguely familiar. Familiar enough for her to stop and take four steps back to the window to look at him properly.

  She gazed once more into the nursery and then swung around to look at him. He was looking across at her by the time she did so, though. She was caught. She couldn't pretend casual interest anymore.

  He was in oversized shades and had the pinkest chiseled lips, with a little moustache over his top lip. She swallowed.

  "Hey," she said to him nervously. She didn't do nervous. What was wrong with her?

  He smiled; his smile started slowly and then got wider and wider. He had straight white teeth.

  "Hey." His voice was slightly husky.

  "So you are a new dad, huh?" Farrah asked, gesturing to the nursery.

  "No," he said, shaking his head. "I am a new uncle. Baby number four." He pointed to the fourth baby in the bassinet. "That's her."

  "She's cute," Farrah said dismissively. She couldn't care less about babies. Then she looked closer; the nametag on the bassinet was Amber Scott.

  "You know Ruby Scott?" she asked, half-wishing that he would take off his glasses so that she could see his face properly.

  "Yes," he said slowly, as if she was slow-witted. If she had an extra leg, she would kick herself. The man just said that he was an uncle; obviously he would know Ruby.

  "Er, do I know you from somewhere?" Farrah asked. The tug of familiarity to this guy was overwhelming. Not only familiarity, but a weird attraction. She couldn't recall, in all her twenty-seven years, being attracted to any guy like this, not even Jason Cavendish, her fiancé. It was almost instant, this connection. That was the only reason she was lingering around a nursery talking to him, a stranger, though he seemed familiar.

  "Yes," he said after a telling pause. "You know me pretty well."

  Farrah squinted up at him. "Where do I know you from? Was it Lawrence Tate's yacht party? Were you one of the investors?"

  He shook his head.

  "Corrine Dailey's soiree that she held for the governor general and the government ministers?"

  "No," he said, chuckling.

  She snapped her fingers. "Were you at that modeling gig that my charity did with the firemen? I know," she chuckled. "You are Mr. January!" She looked at him intently; he had the same caramel colored skin and handsome profile. Except that at the time she had not been even remotely attracted to Mr. January. Now she was, and she should get on her way, because she had no business chatting up this man.

  He slowly took off his shades and his glossy chestnut brown eyes seared into her. Her first thought was that he shouldn't hide his eyes with glasses. They were beautiful.

  "Seriously, Farrah," he said, angling his head to the side. "I might develop a complex with this lack of recognition on your part."

  It was then that it hit Farrah. He was familiar because he resembled Xavier Bell, her childhood friend and confidant, except that Xavier was never this hunky or handsome or infinitely desirable. Her brain had a hard task trying to reconcile the handsome specimen in front of her and the skinny nerd with the thick horn-rimmed glasses and bad skin that would play tea with her and listen to her various adolescent problems...

  OTHER BOOKS BY BRENDA BARRETT

  Resetter Series

  Never Too Late (Book 1)- Addi finds out she is a resetter and goes back to the summer of 92 to change her family's lives.

  Never Say Never (Book 2)- Skyler's handsome college lecturer, who happens to be her neighbor, has a T in his palms. Should she tell him the significance of it. If she does, would he believe her?

  Now or Never (Book 3)- Ten years later Addi and Randy meet again at Randy's engagement party. Why is it that the chemistry between them was still so potent? Can they ever have a future together? Would Randy choose her this time around?

  Almost Never (Book 4)- Tech genius Joshua Porter had all but given up on love. He then meets Portia, an escapee from the female penitentiary and his life takes a turn for the adventurous.

  The Scarlett Family Series

  Scarlett Baby (Book 1)- When the head of the Scarlett family died, Yuri had to return home to Treasure Beach for the funeral. What he didn't count on was seeing Marla, his childhood sweetheart and his best friend's wife. And when emotions overwhelm them and a few months later Marla is pregnant, Yuri wants the impossible: his best friend's wife and the baby they made together...

  Scarlett Sinner (Book 2)- Pastor Troy Scarlett realizes the hard way that some sins are bound to be revealed, like the child that he had out of wedlock with his wife's mortal enemy from college. His wife Chelsea was not happy with the status quo. She was not taking care of the son of the woman she had so despised from college. And she could not get over the deep betrayal that she felt from her husband's indiscretion.

  Scarlett Secret (Book 3)- Terri Scarlett had a soft spot for her friend, Lola. She was funny and sweet and they looked remarkably alike. But when Lola's Arab prince demands his bride, Terri foolishly exchange places with her friend and they meet up on a world of trouble.

  Scarlett Lov
e (Book 4)- Slater always looked forward to delivering packages to the law firm where he could get a glimpse of the stunning female lawyer, Amoy Gardener. Unfortunately, for Slater a woman like Amoy would not take him seriously, especially when she found out that he could not read!

  Scarlett Promise (Book 5)- Driven by desperation Lisa Barclay decides to make some extra money by prostituting herself after being kicked out in the streets. Her first customer turns out to be a popular government senator and then to her horror he dies...

  Scarlett Bride (Book 6)- When Oliver Scarlett's missionary work in the Congo region was coming to an end, he had a decision to make, marry Ashaki Azanga and save her from being the fourth wife to the chief of the village or leave her to her fate and get on with his life...

  Scarlett Heart (Book 7)- After receiving a heart transplant shy librarian Noah Scarlett started to take on character traits that were unlike him and he kept dreaming of a girl named Cassandra Green...

  Rebound Series

  On The Rebound--For Better or Worse, Brandon vowed to stay with Ashley, but when worse got too much he moved out and met Nadine. For the first time in years he felt happy, but then Ashley remembered her wedding vows...

  On The Rebound 2- Ashley reinvented herself and was now a first lady in a country church in Primrose Hill, but her obsessed ex friend Regina showed up and started digging into the lives of the saints at church. Somebody didn't like Regina's digging. Someone had secrets that were shocking enough to kill for...

  Magnolia Sisters

  Dear Mystery Guy (Book 1)- Della Gold details her life in a journal dedicated to a mystery guy. But when fascination turns into obsession she finds herself wanting to learn even more about him but in her pursuit of the mystery guy she begins to learn more about herself...

  Bad Girl Blues (Book 2)- Brigid Manderson wanted to go to med school but for the time being she was an escort working for her mother, an ex-prostitute. When her latest customer offers her the opportunity of a lifetime would she take it? Or would she choose the harder path and uncertain love with a Christian guy?

  Her Mistaken Dreams (Book 3)- Caitlin Denvers dream guy had serious issues. He has a dead wife in his past and he was the main suspect in her murder. Did he really do it? Or did Caitlin for the first time have a mistaken dream?

  Just Like Yesterday (Book 4)- Hazel Brown lost six months of memory including the summer that she conceived her son, and had no idea who his father could be. Now that she had the means to fight to get him back from the Deckers, she finds out that the handsome Curtis Decker is willing to share her son with her after all.

  New Song Series

  Going Solo (Book 1)- Carson Bell, had a lovely voice, a heart of gold, and was no slouch in the looks department. So why did Alice abandon him and their daughter? What did she want after ten years of silence?

  Duet on Fire (Book 2)- Ian and Ruby had problems trying to conceive a child. If that wasn't enough, her ex-lover the current pastor of their church wants her back...

  Tangled Chords (Book 3)- Xavier Bell, the poor, ugly duckling has made it rich and his looks have been incredibly improved too. Farrah Knight, hotel heiress had cruelly rejected him in the past but now she needed help. Could Xavier forgive and forget?

  Broken Harmony(Book 4)- Aaron Lee, wanted the top job in his family company but he had a moral clause to consider just when Alka, his married ex-girlfriend walks back into his life.

  A Past Refrain (Book 5)- Jayce had issues with forgetting Haley Greenwald even though he had a new woman in his life. Will he ever be able to shake his love for Haley?

  Perfect Melody (Book 6)- Logan Moore had the perfect wife, Melody but his secretary Sabrina was hell bent on breaking up the family. Sabrina wanted Logan whatever the cost and she had a secret about Melody, that could shatter Melody's image to everyone.

  The Bancroft Family Series

  Homely Girl (Book 0) - April and Taj were opposites in so many ways. He was the cute, athletic boy that everybody wanted to be friends with. She was the overweight, shy, and withdrawn girl. Do April and Taj have a love that can last a lifetime? Or will time and separate paths rip them apart?

  Saving Face (Book 1) - Mount Faith University drama begins with a dead president and several suspects including the president in waiting Ryan Bancroft.

  Tattered Tiara (Book 2) - Micah Bancroft is targeted by femme fatale Deidra Durkheim. There are also several rape cases to be solved.

  Private Dancer (Book 3) Adrian Bancroft was gutted when he returned to Jamaica and found out that his first and only love Cathy Taylor was a stripper and was literally owned by the menacing drug lord, Nanjo Jones.

  Goodbye Lonely (Book 4) - Kylie Bancroft was shy and had to resort to going to confidence classes. How could she win the love of Gareth Beecher, her faculty adviser, a man with a jealous ex-wife in his past and a current mystery surrounding a hand found in his garden?

  Practice Run (Book 5) - Marcus Bancroft had many reasons to avoid Mount Faith but Deidra Durkheim was not one of them. Unfortunately, on one of his visits he was the victim of a deliberate hit and run.

  Sense of Rumor (Book 6) - Arnella Bancroft was the wild, passionate Bancroft, the creative loner who didn't mind living dangerously; but when a terrible thing happened to her at her friend Tracy's party, it changed her. She found that courting rumors can be devastating and that only the truth could set her free.

  A Younger Man (Book 7)- Pastor Vanley Bancroft loved Anita Parkinson despite their fifteen-year age gap, but Anita had a secret, one that she could not reveal to Vanley. To tell him would change his feelings toward her, or force him to give up the ministry that he loved so much.

  Just To See Her (Book 8)- Jessica Bancroft had the opportunity to meet her fantasy guy Khaled, he was finally coming to Mount Faith but she had feelings for Clay Reid, a guy who had all the qualities she was looking for. Who would she choose and what about the weird fascination Khaled had for Clay?

  The Three Rivers Series

  Private Sins (Book 1)- Kelly, the first lady at Three Rivers Church was pregnant for the first elder of her church. Could she keep the secret from her husband and pretend that all was well?

  Loving Mr. Wright (Book 2)- Erica saw one last opportunity to ditch her single life when Caleb Wright appeared in her town. He was perfect for her, but what was he hiding?

  Unholy Matrimony (Book 3) - Phoebe had a problem, she was poor and unhappy. Her solution to marry a rich man was derailed along the way with her feelings for Charles Black, the poor guy next door.

  If It Ain't Broke (Book 4)- Chris Donahue wanted a place in his child's life. Pinky Black just wanted his love. She also wanted him to forget his obsession with Kelly and love her. That shouldn't be so hard? Should it?

  Contemporary Romance/Drama

  After The End--Torn between two lovers. Colleen married her high school sweetheart, Isaiah, hoping that they would live happily ever after but life intruded and Isaiah disappeared at sea. She found work with the rich and handsome, Enrique Lopez, as a housekeeper and realized that she couldn't keep him at arms length...

  Love Triangle: Three Sides To The Story- George, the husband, Marie, the wife and Karen-the mistress. They all get to tell their side of the story.

  The Preacher And The Prostitute - Prostitution and the clergy don't mix. Tell that to ex-prostitute, Maribel, who finds herself in love with the Pastor at her church. Can an ex-prostitute and a pastor have a future together?

  New Beginnings - Inner city girl Geneva was offered an opportunity of a lifetime when she found out that her 'real' father was a very wealthy man. Her decision to live up-town meant that she had to leave Froggie, her ‘ghetto don,’ behind. She also found herself battling with her stepmother and battling her emotions for Justin, a suave up-towner.

  Full Circle- After graduating from university, Diana wanted to return to Jamaica to find her siblings. What she didn’t foresee was that she would meet Robert Cassidy and that both their pasts would be intertwined, and that disturbing que
stions would pop up about their parentage, just when they were getting close.

  Historical Fiction/Romance

  The Empty Hammock- Workaholic, Ana Mendez, fell asleep in a hammock and woke up in the year 1494. It was the time of the Tainos, a time when life seemed simpler, but Ana knew that all of that was about to change.

  The Pull Of Freedom- Even in bondage the people, freshly arrived from Africa, considered themselves free. Led by Nanny and Cudjoe the slaves escaped the Simmonds’ plantation and went in different directions to forge their destiny in the new country called Jamaica.