“You’re moving on to someplace else, aren’t you? Just like you always do.”
“No, Jack. Not this time. I’m going for help.”
“You’re…” Jack’s mouth dropped open.
“Yes, Jack. My dearest boy. Whit has found a lovely rehabilitation center.”
“For…” Jack couldn’t seem to accept what his mother was trying to tell him.
“I’m going to try. I…I’m so sorry, Jack. I’m sorry I put your life at risk. I’ve been positively ashamed since the storm. It’s time. I’m going to give this an honest go.”
“I’m proud of you.” Jack wrapped his arms around his mom and pulled her to him for a moment. Pulling back, CeCe reached up and patted his cheek.
“The time is right.”
“Why now?” Jack asked.
CeCe stepped back and looked between Jack and Paige.
“I don’t need to take care of you anymore.” CeCe’s meaning was clear as she held Paige’s eyes and passed the baton of responsibility to her.
“Of me…” A confused look crossed Jack’s face as he looked at CeCe and then followed her gaze to Paige. Understanding dawned. “You’ve been waiting until I found my person?”
“I don’t want you to be alone. I may not have been the best mother, but I want you to know how much I’ve always loved you. It’s time for me to step back.”
“Mom.” Jack pulled her in for another hug. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m okay.”
“I’ll always worry about you. But I’ll worry less now. If Paige stays, that is.”
Paige’s heart twisted as the little family turned to look at her.
“Well, Paige? Do you accept the offer?” Whit asked, and Paige knew he spoke of more than the job position.
Paige paused as CeCe twisted her neck, her face still pressed to Jack’s chest, and met her eyes. Jack schooled his expression into nonchalance, but she could feel the tension radiating off him. Her eyes bounced to where Mariposa mopped the bar, carefully avoiding looking up, though Paige knew the bartender had heard everything. Luis walked out front, a machete swinging nonchalantly from his hand, and Martin’s voice floated from the kitchen where he sang loudly with the radio.
Paige realized that in a short time, this motley crew of hotel staff had become her people. They were all a little weird, all a little broken, and all a little awesome in their own way. She didn’t want to go back to her old life, oh no. These were her people and Tranquila Inn had quickly become home.
“I’d be honored to accept.”
“That’s a good girl. Come on then, love. We’ll be late to the airport and you know I can’t stand having to wait in line with all those tourists.” Whit shuddered and picked up a suitcase.
CeCe came forward and surprised Paige by pulling her into a tight hug. “Take care of my boy. He may have hard edges, but his heart needs tending. You’ll find no better man. I may have screwed up a lot of things in my life, but Jack is not one of them. I couldn’t be prouder of the man I raised. You’re lucky to have him.”
“I’ll take care of him, CeCe. I promise.”
“I’ll hold you to that.” CeCe gave her a brisk nod and then stuck her nose in the air before trailing out to the dark-windowed sedan that had just pulled into the drive. Jack looked from her to the pile of luggage that she’d left for someone else to carry. Grinning, he shook his head, hefted the bags, and followed after her to load the trunk of the car.
“Here. You get a rum punch and one day off before you have to get ready for the next retreat.” Mariposa pushed a tiki mug across the bar at Paige.
“Isn’t it a little early?” Paige looked askance at the mug. She hadn’t even had her coffee yet. Then her other words hit Paige.
“The next retreat?” Paige looked at Mariposa in horror as Jack returned to the bar and slid an arm casually around her shoulders.
“They arrive in three days. You didn’t think a lil’ storm like that would stop people from trying to get to paradise, did you?” Mariposa grinned at her.
“Little storm?” Paige’s eyebrows went up.
“That was nothing…just wait until we get a category five.”
Paige gulped her punch and met Jack’s laughing eyes.
“Don’t worry, sweets… just remember to take it poco poco. Everything will work itself out in the end…”
Afterword
I had so much fun writing this book. I know that a lot of readers love my series, but once in a while I love to write stand-alone books because I have a story in my head that won’t leave. This is one of those books. It really has been such a tough year globally, and I find myself gravitating toward light stories that help me escape to other worlds. I hope that this book provided you with an escape and that you were able to steal a few moments of calm as you enjoyed island life with Paige and Jack. And…just remember to take life poco poco when the going gets tough. Slow it down, take a deep breath, and try living life on island time for a little bit. You’d be surprised how much fades away when you do and you’ll find that the things that matter get done and the things that don’t? Well, they never much mattered at all. Sparkle on! -Tricia
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Not ready to leave Tricia O’Malley’s tropical paradise? Then book another one way ticket to Siren Island! Good Girl calls to those who are ready to open their hearts, take risks, and believe in new beginnings - all on a seductive and magickal tropical Island.
The following is an excerpt from Good Girl
Book 1 in The Siren Island Series
Chapter 1
“Business or pleasure?”
“Business,” Sam said automatically, her fingers tightening on the strap of the laptop case that rarely left her shoulder.
“And what is your business on Siren Island?” The customs agent spoke with a bouncy cadence, his words slow and richly rounded, the music of the islands flowing through his voice.
“I… I mean, pleasure,” Sam said, startled to realize it was true. A drop of sweat slipped between her shoulder blades. That morning, in a haze of what-the-hell-am-I-doing, she’d donned what she’d come to term her Air Barbie uniform. It had breezed her through most airports in the world, straight into whatever hotel finance meetings she was attending, and had earned her more than her fair share of upgrades .
Impeccably tailored slacks? Check. Tasteful diamond stud earrings? Check. And a silk blouse in a muted color – not too bright, as she’d learned that the men in the board meetings she ran often took a power color as an invitation to flirt.
Though why she’d added her diaphanous silk scarf and patent leather sling-backs to the outfit, Sam had no clue.
Her plane wouldn’t be landing in a fiercely air-conditioned airport with valets to whisk her luggage away as she went from one perfectly manicured space to the next. Oh no. Not even close.
Instead, here she was holding up a line of sweaty, boisterous passengers who all seemed to have overindulged on the plane ride down to whichever hotel’s all-inclusive vacation package they’d signed up for. The sun, an angry unrepentant dictator, broiled them all with her cruel rays.
“Which is it, ma’am? Business or pleasure?” The customs agent regarded her carefully, and it annoyed Sam to see not even a sheen of sweat on the man’s face, though he wore neatly pressed khaki pants and a button-down shirt. Why were there no enclosed rooms in this hut of an airport? Samantha knew for a fact that the island had access to the internet; surely they’d learned of the invention of air conditioning by now.
“Pleasure. My apologies. I travel so much for work that I forgot this trip was for pleasure,” Sam said, sweeping her tastefully highlighted auburn hair over her shoulder and flashing the agent the smile that had opened more than one door for her in the past.
“That’s a shame, ma’am. One should never forget to take time for pleasure.” The agent’s voice never changed, but something flashed in hi
s eyes for just a moment – a warm male appreciation that, for once, didn’t feel predatory. Sam got the impression that he enjoyed all women. When she heard him begin flirting with the lady behind her, who sported a fanny pack and an unruly swath of grey hair, her assumption was confirmed.
His words followed her as she tapped her foot impatiently by the single-loop baggage conveyor belt, and Sam’s annoyance reached peak levels as another passenger jostled her to peer over her shoulder.
“I really hope they didn’t lose our bags this time. I swear, Carl, every time we come here something gets lost.”
Then why did they still come here? Sam wondered in frustration, deliberately spreading her elbows a bit to strike a power pose – the one she used in crowds to force people to step away from her a bit.
For that matter, what was she even doing here? As Sam’s thoughts flashed back over the last forty-eight hours, sweat began to drip in earnest down her back, and she was certain she could actually feel the blood pumping through her heart. Gulping for air, she looked around wildly. What this airport needed was some fans.
The sunlight seemed to get brighter and the eager laughter of the crowd around her sounded like the braying of mules. The faces and laughter and heat and sweat all pressed on her until Sam turned to run – only to find herself trapped by the crowd. Panic skittered its way up her throat and she gasped, trying to draw a breath against the warm press of bodies pushing toward the bags that now belched from a small flap-covered hole in the wall.
A hand closed on hers and Sam’s gaze slammed into cool blue eyes – the color of the sea – and a calm wave of energy seemed to pour through her. She lost herself in the reassuring smile of a woman, a peaceful oasis of calm, who pulled her through the crowd.
“Sit.” Samantha’s butt had barely touched the seat when the woman unceremoniously pushed Sam’s head between her legs. She gulped air, desperately trying to hold her panic attack at bay. The last thing she heard before it all went dark was the woman’s voice.
“This one’s mine.”
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Available now as an e-book, paperback or audiobook!
Available from Amazon
Finding happiness is the best revenge
Also from Tricia O’Malley - Ms. Bitch
Read a free prequel chapter here!
https://www.triciaomalley.com/the-prequel
(No download required)
From the outside, it seems thirty-six-year-old Tess Campbell has it all. A happy marriage, a successful career as a novelist, and an exciting cross-country move ahead. Tess has always played by the rules and it seems like life is good. Except it’s not. Life is a bitch. And suddenly so is Tess.
Read Today
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“Ms. Bitch is sunshine in a book! An uplifting story of fighting your way through heartbreak and making your own version of happily-ever-after.”
~Ann Charles, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Deadwood Mystery Series
"Authentic and relatable, Ms. Bitch packs an emotional punch. By the end, I was crying happy tears and ready to pack my bags in search of my best life."
-Annabel Chase, author of the Starry Hollow Witches
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"It's easy to be brave when you have a lot of support in your life, but it takes a special kind of courage to forge a new path when you're alone. Tess is the heroine I hope I'll be if my life ever crumbles down around me. Ms. Bitch is a journey of determination, a study in self-love, and a hope for second chances."
-Renee George, USA Today Bestselling Author of the Nora Black Midlife Psychic Mysteries
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"I don’t know where to start listing all the reasons why you should read this book. It’s empowering. It’s fierce. It’s about loving yourself enough to build the life you want. It was honest, and raw, and real and I just...loved it so much!”
– Sara Wylde, author of Fat
The Siren Island Series
Also by Tricia O’Malley
Good Girl
Up to No Good
A Good Chance
Good Moon Rising
Too Good to Be True
A Good Soul
Available in audio, e-book & paperback!
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“Love her books and was excited for a totally new and different one! Once again, she did NOT disappoint! Magical in multiple ways and on multiple levels. Her writing style, while similar to that of Nora Roberts, kicks it up a notch!! I want to visit that island, stay in the B&B and meet the gals who run it! The characters are THAT real!!!”
- Amazon Review -
The Mystic Cove Series
Also by Tricia O’Malley
Wild Irish Heart
Wild Irish Eyes
Wild Irish Soul
Wild Irish Rebel
Wild Irish Roots: Margaret & Sean
Wild Irish Witch
Wild Irish Grace
Wild Irish Dreamer
Wild Irish Christmas (Novella)
Wild Irish Sage
Wild Irish Renegade
Available in audio, e-book & paperback!
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“I have read thousands of books and a fair percentage have been romances. Until I read Wild Irish Heart, I never had a book actually make me believe in love.” - Amazon Review -
The Althea Rose Series
Also by Tricia O’Malley
One Tequila
Tequila for Two
Tequila Will Kill Ya (Novella)
Three Tequilas
Tequila Shots & Valentine Knots (Novella)
Tequila Four
A Fifth of Tequila
A Sixer of Tequila
Seven Deadly Tequilas
Eight Ways to Tequila
Available in audio, e-book & paperback!
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“Not my usual genre but couldn't resist the Florida Keys setting. I was hooked from the first page. A fun read with just the right amount of crazy! Will definitely follow this series.”
- Amazon Review -
The Isle of Destiny Series
Also by Tricia O’Malley
Stone Song
Sword Song
Spear Song
Sphere Song
Available in audio, e-book & paperback!
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“Love this series. I will read this multiple times. Keeps you on the edge of your seat. It has action, excitement and romance all in one series.”
- Amazon Review -
Acknowledgments
First, and foremost, my friends for their constant support, advice, and ideas. You’ve all proven to make a difference on my path. And, to my beta readers, I love you for all of your support and fascinating feedback!
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And last, but never least, my two constant companions as I struggle through words on my computer each day - Briggs and Blue.
Thanks for reading my story that I so lovingly put out into the world. I hope it brought you light and joy! If you can, I’d be honored if you left a review. A book can live and die by reviews and I so very much want my book to live.
(Please don’t kill my book!)
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Oh, and if you’re into island and puppy photos – you can find me on Facebook and Instagram.
One Way Ticket Page 20