Xanadu XOXO (Ticket to True Love)
Page 14
No way could she sit home in her empty house—Chuck gone, Jonah officially moving out soon to live in a new place with Kalpani—and do nothing but twiddle her thumbs. She didn’t even know how to knit, and it had been ages since she’d bowled. She barely watched television. She’d simply never gotten in the habit, because she’d never had time.
Before she could get herself too worked up, she took a deep breath, and then one more. She pulled her cell phone from her apron pocket and called her sister.
Reenie answered on the first ring. “I was just about to call you. I’m going to the mall. Bathing suit shopping. The Riviera calls for a new one, don’t you think?” Reenie was to be Rita’s travel companion on the world tour. The boys hadn’t wanted her to go alone, felt it wasn’t safe, and Rita was just fine with that. Although Reenie at times would surely try her patience, they’d have a lot of laughs.
Rita laughed. “Lord, I guess that means I have to try some on, too.” No woman should ever buy a swimsuit without a second opinion, and she and her sister had eliminated a lot of near disasters by teaming up in the past.
“I’ll pick you up. I can be there in fifteen.”
“We’ll have to shop fast. I want to be back for dinner with the kids.”
“No problem.”
“Hang on,” Rita said, “I wanted to run something by you.”
“What’s that?”
Seeing their sister Ruby at Jeremy’s wedding had given Rita an idea. “What would you think if we added on to our trip?”
“Like how? And don’t suggest the Great Wall of China or Mount Everest. These old hips can’t handle it.”
“You think those hips could handle a horse?”
“A horse?” Reenie screeched. Rita heard the laugh in her voice, though.
She pulled a postcard from the wall. It was faded and curled, but the mountains were still gorgeous.
“Yes. I’m thinking if Billy Crystal can handle it, so can we. And Ruby did say those Montana ranch hands are the best view around.”
Thank you for reading!
Here’s what’s next up in the Ticket to True Love series:
Running for her life was hard, but tripping over a gorgeous police officer and leaving him behind was nearly impossible.
One click RUNNING WILD IN RENO now!
He had to take a leave of absence. She stole his job. But the thing is...neither one of them realize it yet.
One click FALLING HARD IN FRISCO now!
And get the story that started it all - for FREE!
One click PRACTICALLY PERSUADED IN PITTSBURGH!
If you enjoyed Jonah’s story, you’ll love Jake and Jeremy’s books! Although all three Walker brothers reside in Pittsburgh, these stubborn men need a little extra help from True Springs to find their happily ever afters!
JB’s Romantic Suspense
— Unlikely Series —
Evil lurks in the most unlikely places...
A big break turns into Tori’s worst nightmare…
Eddie will stop at nothing to prove his wife’s suicide was murder…
Maxine’s inner circle hides a disturbed killer…
And don’t miss…
— RETRIEVAL, INC. Series —
Where everyday meets evil...
If Charlie can’t stay hidden, she must run—again…
Acknowledgments
Although authors exist happily in our own heads and frequently buddy up to our keyboards for companionship, we most certainly do not write alone.
Thank you to Christi Snow, Savannah Kade, and Eli Collier for so graciously lending their wisdom and excellent instincts to a draft that was an even rougher slog than usual.
To the amazing women involved in Ticket to True Love: I am in awe of each of you, grateful to call you friends, and thankful for the community of support we’ve built together.
Amber Leechalk, thank you for lending your expertise to make my story work. So glad you went to law school, my little chicken woofer!
Arran McNichol, the fastest copyeditor in the states, how is it possible you impress me more every time?
Jen Coleman, proofreader extraordinaire, I am so glad to know you. Thank you for your eagle eyes and your spot-on suggestions!
There are not words to express how grateful I am to my JB’s Review Crew—always ready, always kind, always amazing! You release a load of worry off my shoulders and bring huge smiles to my face!
Femmes, my old friends: Thank you for answering my call for help to give this book an extra leg up! Can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.
MK Quinn: so pleased you reached out! Thank you for the lovely quote. Let’s stick together…yeah-yeah-yeah!
A rafters-style shout out to my immediate family, who was locked-down with me from the middle of Xanadu XOXO’s rough draft right on through release. Thanking my lucky stars that I like you (still) and you get me and my dreams. Love you all.
And to all my readers, thank you, thank you, thank you, a million times and counting.
About the Author
JB SCHROEDER, a graduate of Penn State University’s creative writing program and a book designer by trade, adores stories about everyday people embracing new paths—especially when the characters need a little help from true love.
To connect with JB or learn more about her books, please visit:
www.jbschroederauthor.com