What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 9)

by Kristine Cayne

  He took the glass from Krista’s hand. “Ian, get me an empty cup please.”

  Ian quickly brought him one. Neil dumped the champagne into the glass, catching the ring. He held it out to her. Krista raised her hand and as he slid the ring onto her finger, he leaned forward and placed a kiss on her lips.

  The crowd cheered and Krista smiled at him. Neil put his arm around her waist.

  “That’s not all folks. I’m going to be a father.”

  Jamie leaped from her seat. “What! Is it true?”

  Krista nodded. Jamie wrapped her arms around her and Neil. “Congratulations.”

  Once the excitement settled down, Neil sat down, placing Krista in his lap. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world and I intend on making you the happiest woman every day.”

  “You’re okay about the child? I wanted to tell you a different way, but then you had the champagne and the ring and—”

  “I’m beyond thrilled. Finding out you and I are going to share a child was the second best news of my life.” He placed hands on either side of her face. “Knowing you will be my wife is the best news. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us.”

  “One day at a time.” She giggled.

  Coming Soon from The Gentlemans’ Club

  Unmistakably Mine – Jamie’s story

  The Temp Serial Series – a Gentlemans’ Club spin off.

  About the Author

  Lacey Wolfe has always had a passion for words, whether it’s getting lost in a book or writing her own. Her goal as an author is to have a romance for everyone, whether it’s sweet, sensual, or spicy. She’s had several books on the Amazon best seller lists. When she isn’t writing, she can be found running, talking to her pets, breaking up fights between her children, or lost in some sort of craft. Oh, and she takes kindly to anyone who feeds her cookies.

  Lacey lives in Georgia with her husband, son and daughter, their six cats and one black lab who rules the house.

  Connect with her

  The Wolfe Pack – My readers’ group

  “Like Me” on Facebook

  “Friend Me” on Facebook

  “Follow Me” on Twitter

  Other Books by Lacey Wolfe

  Contemporary Romances

  Bidding Wars

  It Must Be Fate

  Wanted: Wife

  Arranged Love

  Hypnotized (New Adult)

  Brookfield Series

  Bed, Breakfast, and You

  Finding Home

  Bare Necessities

  Not Just Friends

  Growing Love

  Keys To Her Heart

  Erotic Romance Books

  Amber’s Muse

  Tempting The Manny

  Bound By Pleasure

  The Naked Truth

  Sarah’s Chase

  Arranged Love

  Hot Bods Series

  Fool Me Once

  More Than Useful

  Accidental Love

  Opposites Attract

  The Key To My Heart

  Love and Music in Texas: Book Three

  Nikki Lynn Barrett

  One dream fails, a passion burnt out…

  With no set plan and a desire to find a passion, Blaine Grant hightailed it out of Harmony’s Echo a year out of high school to find herself. Finding a passion didn’t come as easily to her as it did for others she knew. Now, Blaine has come home for good with mistakes she’d like to forget, but the past doesn’t want to forget her. Everyone thought she’d been selfish to not come back when she was needed the most, but Blaine never let anyone know the emotional hell she went through.

  Another dream is just beginning to see the light…

  Randy Hughes has always been the shy guy until he discovered his love of music. It wasn’t until joining the band that he grew out of his shyness. The oldest sibling and the only boy, he’s pressured by family expectations to set a good example. He’s the one who takes everyone in when they need it, and he’s the one whose own dreams are ignored. Now that big things are happening for the Baby Stetson band, Randy has to decide how to handle his family when his dreams are on the line…

  A friendship is changing.

  One spur of the moment, impulsive move leads Randy and Blaine into a dire situation that may bring them together, or pull them apart, just when he’s finally able to gather the courage to tell Blaine how he’s felt about her all these years…

  Revisit the characters you’ve come to know in small town Harmony’s Echo, as more changes settle upon them

  Copyright July 2014, Nikki Lynn Barrett, First Version.

  Acknowledgements

  Each and every time, these get more difficult to write. Between every release, I meet more amazing readers, writers, bloggers, and friends. Between A Masterpiece of Our Love and this release, there’s been so many new faces in my life!

  To my family for your love and support – Daddy who’s an avid reader and is doing well on his book challenge, too! Mom for all the book buying.

  My husband Robert – I don’t know where I’d be without you! No, I wouldn’t be less crazy, because I was loony before we married. Love you! Thank you for another beautiful cover and countless edits and for all your love and support.

  Because Connie told me to, thank you Matthew. For being a cute and adorable son, even though you can be a stinker sometimes.

  My CLS sisters – For the support, the laughs, Everything! PTTP!!

  To Rom Critters – best crit group EVER!

  Melinda and Crystal – For being awesome badgers. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

  To Nikki’s Book Stormers – I’m so glad I finally listened to Crystal and started a street team. It’s been fun and your help and support is amazing.

  Of course, to the readers. Without your love of reading and taking a chance on me, this wouldn’t be possible.

  Dedication

  This one’s for you, Crystal Newman. I figured I made you wait so long, I should dedicate it to you for being such a great supporter and friend. I love your passion for reading.

  Praise for books by Nikki Lynn Barrett

  Baby Stetson

  “I started this book with the intent to just read a few chapters before I went to sleep. That didn’t happen. I stayed up till I finished the whole thing. I loved all the characters and the plot of the story.”

  —Racing To Read

  “This was a very well written book with great characters and a great story. It had a very good balance of romance, suspense and action.”

  —The TBR Pile

  “Nikki reminds me of some of my favorite authors that I couldn’t wait to get my hands on the print books.”

  —Kristy’s Reviews & Random Thoughts

  The Melody In My Head

  “This book kicked butt. I laughed, I cried, I yelled at the characters.”

  —Fairy Tales Do Come True, Just ask Any Romance Author

  “You will fall in love with the characters!”

  —Kathyisareader.com

  “Together all these characters make a great book and can’t wait for the third in the series.”

  —Melena’s Reviews

  A Masterpiece of Our Love

  “The author does an amazing job that you just have to know what next. If you want to read about two amazing people who stole my heart be sure to pick this up.”

  —Racing To Read

  “I was intrigued by this book because it seemed to suggest something more than a simple love story. I was not disappointed when I read it.”

  —Fiona’s Book Reviews

  “Just the way these two came together and came to depend on each other is unlike any other story I’ve read, but there were some pretty realistic aspects of it all that also pulled me in.”

  —Fic Central

  Chapter One

  “I might be slightly drunk, but I’m together enough to know that would be a crazy dare to take.” Blaine Grant scowled at her friends Avery C
allimer, Melody Roland, and Laura Walsh, then burst into giggles.

  “You’re unattached! Do it!” Laura pointed at the object of their attention, a good looking man who watched them with a piqued interest. His deep gray eyes met hers and he winked, then he slid his gaze over at Avery before venturing to Melody and Laura. Yeah, this guy wasn’t looking for anything but a night with a few rowdy women, and it certainly wouldn’t be any of them. She’d had enough of those types. Unattached or not, she wouldn’t be going home with him. Nor would she be getting anywhere near him.

  “Unattached, yes. Crazy, no.” Blaine gave Laura the middle finger and laughed. “He’s creepy,” she said in a hushed tone. “He keeps looking at all of us as if we’re his dinner. No way am I crawling into that lion’s den.”

  Melody, Jameson’s girlfriend, snorted and tossed her blonde curls back. “You’re funny.” She cast a weary glance at the guy, then turned her attention back to them real fast. “But you’re right. He looks like he’s on the prowl.”

  “I’m honest is what I am. And I won’t say I told you so!” Blaine quipped. She flipped through the karaoke book and her gaze landed on a song title. She raised her brow at Avery and laughed. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. I have a perfect message to send the guy.”

  She handed over the book and pointed at the song. Not Avery’s normal genre. Her friend was the lead singer of Baby Stetson and country music was what they did best.

  Avery cackled and covered her mouth, her entire face turning red. “That’s hilarious!”

  “Wanna sing it with me?”

  Melody leaned over to investigate. “What song?” Blaine kept her finger in the same place and waited for her reaction. Her eyes rounded and she stole another glance at Mr. Hungry Eyes. “Yeah, do it!”

  “Only if Avery sings it with me. Step out of your country comfort zone. Come on!” Blaine taunted, meeting Avery’s bewildered gaze. “Unleash your inner pop star!” She was being dramatic, but the idea of going up there and singing that song herself didn’t sound as much fun.

  “Inner pop star? You sure you’re not trying to toss your dream behind mine? You’ve got more of the pop diva style down than I do!” Avery teased, lifting her shoulders in a shrug. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. “I can’t remember the last time I’ve done karaoke. Bring it on.”

  “Sweet!” Blaine reached for one of the slips of paper and wrote the information down. Sliding a glance at Melody, the corner of her lip twitched up. “You in?”

  “Might as well.”

  She put Melody’s name after her own. “Laura?”

  “Oh no. Y’all are the singers, not me.” Laura put her hands up in an X.

  “Umm, I don’t sing,” Blaine reminded her.

  “Okay, fair enough. You’re just blunt and crazy enough to do it. Not me. I’ll sit this one out.” Laura lifted her glass to her lips.

  Blaine shrugged. “Suit yourself.” She pushed the chair back and stood, reaching for the slip of paper to hand to the karaoke DJ. As she sauntered over, she caught the gaze of Creeptastic again. She winked as she handed the slip over, and diverted her gaze immediately.

  A night out with old friends was just what she needed. Avery’s bachelorette party wasn’t a huge event, but it suited them just fine. Some simple fun, dinner and drinks and now karaoke to celebrate. She’d spent so much of her life working until her passion burnt out. The last year was a constant nightmare. It was good to be home.

  She’d left Harmony’s Echo a year or so after high school with no plan in mind, and the nightmare she encountered could have never been predicted. She’d only been back a handful of times, and they weren’t for good reasons. The first had been her father’s funeral. That was just the first devastation to hit the Grant family. Mom turned to drinking and her brother Jameson was left to pick up all the pieces. He hid his own pain inside and ended up making a mistake that changed his relationship with long time best friend turned girlfriend, Avery. Then she’d come back last year after a cry for help from Jameson when their mother landed in the hospital after a bad case of alcohol poisoning. She’d been out of the loop for so long, not knowing how bad off her mother was and how much Jameson had needed her.

  She’d missed so much. Too much. At least this time, she was home for much better reasons. A wedding.

  Home for good, at least for now that was the plan. Starting over sucked when she had no idea what came next. It didn’t help that everyone around her had a better idea of their life, something she thought she had a grip on until now. Still, despite all the changes that had come to Harmony’s Echo in her absence, Blaine found a sense of peace being back again.

  It’s over now. You’re home. Time to move forward and figure things out.

  Time to embrace the new changes in life, no matter how difficult they were. Blaine thought one day she’d be coming home to a wedding for Avery and Jameson, not Avery and Lucas. Talk about a difference. At least they were both happy, but Blaine had been rooting for Avery to become her sister for years, ever since she figured out Jameson had loved her.

  “You okay?” Avery’s question pulled her back to attention.

  Blaine blinked. She’d been lost in thought and stood before the table. Three faces stared back at her with concern. “Yeah, just fine.” She flashed a grin and quickly sat down.

  “You can’t be that buzzed.” Avery quirked a brow.

  “Hell no. Just tired is all. I drove here non-stop and it’s been all on the go stuff since I’ve been back,” Blaine lied. That was only part of it, but minuscule on the list of things she had on her mind. Things she wasn’t ready to share yet. Not tonight. She hadn’t even had much to drink. She hadn’t touched the stuff for years.

  Tonight was all about celebrating love, life, and new beginnings. That’s exactly what she planned on doing. The rest she’d figure out later, but at least for one night, she wanted to feel normal.

  She’d have to tell everyone eventually.

  Blaine blinked, leaned back in her seat and took a long sip of her water. She caught Avery watching her with a worried tinge to her green eyes. It wouldn’t be long before she’d corner her and find out the scoop. If Avery wasn’t best friends with her brother, she’d confide in her. No way did Blaine want to be the reason Avery kept something from him.

  Nope, better to keep it all to herself for now.

  “Well, we’ve got a treat for the crowd tonight. Our favorite local country band’s lead singer and her friends have a song up next, and let’s just say it’s not Baby Stetson’s usual style.” Blaine turned to the DJ, catching his wink. She stifled a giggle. “Get on up here, Blaine, Avery and Melody. Singing a sassy Pink song. This ought to be amusing.”

  Laura squealed. “I’m recording this!” She reached into her purse for her phone as Blaine, Avery and Melody made their way to the stage.

  As Blaine took her microphone, she looked around for the creep. Was he still lurking in here, looking for tonight’s prey? Yep, there he was. She spotted him at the bar, watching them with interest. Oh, this was going to be fun.

  The music to U + Ur Hand started. Blaine stood in between Avery and Melody. They were both grinning and shaking it to the song. The audience cheered and she heard a few laughs.

  Hearing Avery belt out the notes to the song and using words she normally wouldn’t, Blaine had to contain her laughter. Scoping out the crowd again, she caught the creep’s smirk. He flipped her off. Oh, so he figured out the song was meant to send him a message. She returned the gesture and received and eye roll in response. He leaned forward and took a long swig of his drink, still keeping his eyes on her.

  Jerk.

  The song ended and the crowd went wild.

  The DJ chuckled. “Well, our little country queen can rock it, too! You ought to put that in your live show somewhere and throw everyone for a loop.”

  Avery threw her head back and laughed. “I’m not so sure about that. That was a one of a kind performance.” She handed back the microphone.

 
; “Your inner rock star rocks!” Blaine giggled, holding her hand out for a high five. “Melody, your moves and gestures were hilarious. Did you get a look at the guy’s face?”

  Melody laughed. “Totally. I saw you two exchanging a few gestures!”

  As they took their seats around the table, Laura cheered. “I have this all documented. By the way, Lucas and Jameson have it on their phones now.”

  “Oh boy.” Avery groaned.

  “Noooo!” Melody wailed in jest at the same time.

  “If it ends up on Youtube, I’ll kill ya,” Blaine grumbled, leveling Laura with a sarcastic smile.

  “No you won’t. You’ll be too busy basking in the kick ass glory that was your performance,” Laura shot back.

  “Maybe.” Blaine stood. “Bathroom time. Be right back.”

  In the quieter room, she sighed. She’d missed Harmony’s Echo. It wasn’t that she ever hated the small town, but she’d found a dream and needed to see if she could make it work. Her mom never understood. The last year, they fought a lot as Blaine never had a set plan, only that she wanted to go out and do something with dancing. For Blaine, it had been time to go. Now that she was back, and thinking about being back for good, she had to come to terms with old ghosts.

  Just as she was about to walk out of the stall, the bathroom door opened. Blaine came face to face with Avery.

  “Something is up with you. Care to talk about it?” Avery asked softly.

  Blaine pursed her lips. “I will, but not now. Tonight is about you. You’re getting married and going off on a fabulous honeymoon.” If Avery’s wedding wasn’t happening, she honestly wasn’t sure she would have pushed herself harder to get out of California. She’d made a vow to herself months ago with a deadline to go. She couldn’t take it any more.