Sweet but Sexy Boxed Set (55 page)

I’ve dreamed of being a writer since I reported on freelance writing for a career project in the ninth grade. After majoring in English at Western Kentucky University, I taught high school English for five years. Since 1982 I’ve made my living as a writer—a technical writer—but I didn’t have the nerve to make my dream come true until after a life-threatening illness in 1988.

I
’ve enjoyed my process of becoming a published author. A member of the
Romance Writers of America
,
I’ve been active in my local
Kentucky RWA
chapter and am a member of
Novelists Inc.
My best friends are fellow writers. Who else will check a point plot for me or understand GMC and POV?

I live in Louisville, Kentucky, along with two dogs and four cats. I enjoy taking riding lessons on the American Saddlebred Horse. I’m a member of the
American Saddlebred Horse Association.

I volunteer at
The Luci Center
, a non-profit 501c3 organization located in Shelbyville Kentucky providing therapeutic riding and hippotherapy for individuals with disabilities.

Believe me. Dreams do come true! On January 2, 2000, I married Bill, my soul mate.

Thanks to everyone who has read and enjoyed my books and a special thanks to my many writing buddies who have made the last years the best years of my life!

Learn more about Jan and her books by visiting her web site, at
www.janscarbrough.com

Jennifer Anderson

Allison Daughtry is catapulted into a past life when she returns to her childhood home to attend her brother
’s wedding. Bombarded with memories of a night she’d shared with Ryan Johnson, her reason for leaving and forever crush, she attempts to navigate her feelings while maintaining a fake romantic relationship with her best friend. Complicated emotions surface and Allison struggles to remember what’s real.

Chapter One

“Tell me about the cute town you come from again,” George asked poking his index finger into Allison’s side.

“
Stop.”

Allison peeked at her guest over her dark cat framed sunglasses. Empty corn and soybean fields blurred past. He rested his stubbled chin atop clasped hands. His bright blue eyes carefully concealed behind the dark tint of his glasses. A smile tugged her lips imagining George fluttering his lashes at her waiting to hear about Valley.

“I’m waiting Ms. Daughtry.” He tapped a finger to his chin. She needed to answer because George had a tendency to become annoying like poking her sides.

She hated to tell him his appearance didn
’t scream thinker or detective. His cuteness might work on some but she didn’t fall within his reach. His charms worked more on the male species and females who weren’t aware of his membership to the other team.

“
There’s not much to tell. Valley is Valley. Small town just outside of St. Louis. Highways and byways, rivers and parks.”

“
And this is where your family lives?”

She nodded.

“And where your brother is getting married?”

Another nod.

George faced forward toward the black pavement.

As the little car crested a hill, the faint outline of the St. Louis Arch and building tops rested above the road. Allison gripped the leather steering wheel as her next words rolled around on her tongue. She looked at George and then back at the windshield.

“It’s nice of your family to let me stay with them. I mean,” he leaned to the left across the center armrest, “just between us, I’ve always been afraid to travel south. What with all the hatred and lynch mobs.”

Her vision of the road blinked in and out of focus playing back George
’s confession.

“
What?”

“
Oh you know that the south is known for being haters to those not pure and white.”

“
George. First off, you’re Caucasian. Second, St. Louis is not considered The South. It’s only five hours away from Chicago. And they did away with lynch mobs a long time ago and besides, that happened in places like Mississippi, not Missouri.”

“
Yes, but Chicago has more free thinkers.”

“
St. Louis hosts its own Pride Day festival.”

“
Well,” he pushed off the armrest, placing his folded hands in his lap, “we’ll just have to see about that.”

A few seconds of silence floated between the road trippers. Since they
’d left Chicago, George filled lulls in their conversations with commentary. “What kind of food will be at the wedding? Buffett? Sit down? Chicken? Beef?”

“
Um, I’m not sure.”

“
What? Aren’t you in the wedding? Shouldn’t you know these things?”

“
I don’t know. It’s only the second time I’ve been part of a wedding party. And besides, it’s my brother. I didn’t get an invite.”

“
You’re parents do know I’m coming, right?”

Allison
’s face burned beneath his steady gaze.

“
Yes.” The city skyline moved closer. Her left foot tapped against the floorboard. Dampness gathered beneath her hands squeezing the wheel. “Um, before we get there, I should probably tell you something.”

She glanced in her rearview mirror. A Chicago city limit sign was five hours behind the car.

“Allison?” His voice sent a small line of sweat to form on her forehead.

“
It’s not bad”

“
Just spit it out.”

George turned forty-five degrees in his seat. Her long brown ponytail smacked against her check when she turned to look his way and back to the road.

“My parent’s know I’m bringing you and they know we work together but they…”

“
Yes.”

“
They think you’re coming as my date.”

“
Uh huh.”

“
As in my boyfriend.”

“
What!”

****

The only sound filling the air around George and Allison were the clicking of her heels against the driveway. He hadn’t uttered a word since they crossed the state line. Allison feared her plus one was shocked into silence.

Allison
’s mother waited inside the cover of the garage with a dish towel flung over her shoulder. Typical mom pose. She smiled, waived and wrung the white piece of cloth several times before Allison and George exited the car.

“
Oh, Allison, honey. I’m so glad you’re home.” She wrapped her arms around her daughter, locking her against her body.

She released Allison, grabbed her hand and pulled her inside.

“Mom, this is George. George, my mother.” The three didn’t pause for additional introductions, keeping pace with Allison’s mom as she led them into the house.

“
Nice to finally meet you George. I have to tell you, we were starting to worry about this one.”

“
It’s nice to meet you, too, Mrs. Daughtry. And don’t worry. I don’t think you have anything to worry about with Allison. She’s not gay or anything.”

Allison noted the playful tone in George
’s voice and rolled her eyes, thankful her mother’s focus remained on the path into the house.

“
Yes, yes. Anyway, Allison. Your grandmother is so excited to be sharing your old room this week. She said she feels like a teenager again. Can you imagine?”

“
Are you serious?” Allison barked. Her fists planted firmly against her hips, waiting for her mother’s explanation. She wanted to tap her foot in frustration but noticing the new tiled floors, she was sure her mother would make some comment about scratches. In fact, as she glanced around her childhood kitchen, she saw the room had transformed since the last time she’d been home.

“
Allison, don’t take that tone with me. I’m still your mother no matter how old you are.” Her mother looked up briefly, running a damp rag across the counter. Clanking dishes and scraping forks carried from the dining room. “Besides, she might be older but she’s not an invalid. Your Grandmother can take care of herself. Heck, she lives alone in Florida.”

“
It’s a retirement community,” Allison added.

“
Logistics.” Her mother waived the dishtowel in her daughter’s direction.

“
Regardless. My old room is small. And the bed is only a queen.”

“
You’re a skinny girl. You’ll be fine.” Mrs. Daughtry patted her daughter’s hand before she continued with her clean up.

“
Why can’t George and I share a room?” Allison pleaded.

“
I did not raise you like that and I won’t start now. You can do whatever you want in Chicago, but under my roof, you’ll not be sharing a room or bed with…a man unless you’re married.” Her mother’s words choked as she finished her sentence. “So, Grandma will bunk with you and George,” she waved a hand in his direction pulling a brief smile across his face, “will take Audrey’s old room.”

Her mother turned away from Allison, allowing her a minute to shoot George a pleading smile. She owed him big time when they returned to Chicago.

“Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Daughtry. But I can stay at a hotel if needed.” George stepped forward, keeping his arms resting at his side.

Allison moved forward to the phone hanging on the wall, poised to dial information for the number of the closest hotel. Heck, if George was going to stay away from the house, she might as well join him, allowing her grandmother freedom to use her childhood bedroom.

“Nonsense. You won’t find a hotel room. They’re all sold out. What with the wedding and an…alternative lifestyle convention in town. All the rooms are taken.”

“
What?” Allison said clicking the phone off.

“
The rooms are all booked.”

“
No, I heard that part. What did you say before that?”

Allison
’s mom shut off the water, dried her hands on the towel flung over her shoulder and turned in her daughter’s direction. “There’s a…gay convention or something in town and they took up all the other rooms.”

A laugh fought to free itself from Allison
’s lips, pulling a smile with it. Her mother tried to come off nonchalant when she said the word gay. God bless her mother, she thought. Watching her struggle with topics such as sexuality, not only brought a blush to her cheeks but a stutter in her words.

Allison shot a glance at George. His face showed the same reaction before he was interrupted. A large framed body, decked out in a white button up with the sleeves cuffed at the elbows stepped through the beige archway of the kitchen. A set of wooden swinging doors creaked settling back into their original closed position.

“Oh, goody. Will there be a parade?” A deeper voice announced.

Adam. Her little brother. Without skipping a beat, she closed the short distance between them and threw her arms around his neck. He returned her embrace, giving her midsection a squeeze.

“Did you just get here?”

“
Yeah. Sarah and I were running a little late. We both needed to wrap a few loose ends up at work since we’ll be off for the next two weeks.” Adam sat Allison back down on the floor but kept her close. Unlike with their older sister Audrey, the relationship between Adam and Allison remained close. More like best buddies. They were only eleven months apart in age often causing people to confuse them for twins.

Adam pulled his sister into another hug, this time leaving her feet on the ground.
“Man, I’ve missed you.”

“
Me, too.” Home, she thought. Her brother smelled of home. Ivory soap and a light musk scent. She couldn’t count how many times they’d curled up on the couch and talked about their days. Growing up together made adolescence easier to deal with.

“
Adam, this is George Fitzepatrick. He’s my…”

“
Boyfriend.” George stepped forward and thrust his hand in Adam’s direction.

Adam looked back at Allison
’s guilty smile. “A boyfriend? I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.”

“
Yeah,” Allison replied, fighting to find better words. She stepped back from her brother’s hold, feeling his arm fall from her shoulders. “Surprise. Your sister is dating someone.” She shrugged hoping he’d interrogate her later.

“
Since we work together, we’ve kept our relationship a secret. Although, now that we’ve both taken off at the same time, I’m sure everyone will know,” George offered.

Allison was grateful for George
’s quick words. She hadn’t rehearsed her part well. In fact, she arrived in St. Louis unprepared for any sort of questioning about her relationship with George. Rooky move on her part. Her mother listed off questions when she called a few weeks prior to announce her plus one. Then, Allison offered simple, short answers not giving up many details. She’d hoped her mother relayed her answers to Adam. Obviously not.

Adam released George
’s hand and looked back over his shoulder at his sister. Allison swore his eyes reflected hurt. She couldn’t risk telling Adam the truth. She needed to get through the week and George, her pretend boyfriend, was the only way. Once she was safely sitting in her lonely apartment in Chicago, she’d confess to her brother. She’d tell him how George was her only friend in Chicago. That her long hours at work kept her out of the dating scene and the highlight of her day was sharing lunch with a hot guy who couldn’t careless how she looked naked. She’d also add how George preferred, rather insisted, on dating men.

Mrs. Daughtry shook her towel at the small group forming in her kitchen.
“You three go sit down and I will make you a plate.” Her mother moved to the stove and stopped. “Where’s Sarah? I’m sure she’s hungry, too.”

“
She got dragged into the dining room by Crazy Aunt Phyliss. Something about wedding hair or I don’t know. Girl stuff.”

“
You just left her alone with those people.” Allison stared at her brother in disbelief and concern.

“
Excuse me,” their mother interrupted. “Those people are family.”

“
Yes, Mom, but they’re crazy.” Allison turned back to her brother. “You have to save her.”

Adam waived at his sister.
“Nah. She’s tough. Plus, she likes them all, for some reason.”

Allison gagged.
“Maybe you should get her checked out. She’s sounds like she’s getting a little nutty. You don’t want to have babies with a nut job.”

“
That’s enough you two. Now,” Mrs. Daughtry grabbed her son’s arm and pulled him toward the small kitchen table. “Sit, eat and I’ll bring Sarah a plate.” Their mom slid plates in front of Allison and George loaded with steaming beef, potatoes and carrots. “There’s plenty on the stove.”