Tangled Chords

by Brenda Barrett

  "You are a Gregor?" he asked incredulously. The Gregors were a rich Nigerian family with a large property portfolio.

  "No," she giggled, "I live on the other side." She nodded in the opposite direction, toward a beach house.

  "Oh," Aaron said, watching as her long sooty lashes covered her eyes. "I thought that house was empty."

  "We have lived there for two years!" she said indignantly. "And you would have seen me before this if you would just take the time to relax. You work too hard."

  Aaron was surprised. "Pardon me. What?"

  "You work too hard," she repeated, crossing her arms over her chest.

  "How do you know that?" Aaron asked, intrigued. "I have never seen you before."

  "Well, I have seen you. You leave for work in the mornings at six and you are sometimes not back until way after eleven," Alka said, pouting. "And I have seen your brother Boris, too. He comes down here sometimes. He is always hitting on me."

  Aaron laughed. "So you're a spy. Spying on me leaving home and getting in, huh?"

  "No, I am not a spy," Alka said shyly. "I just...I have always wanted to meet you in person."

  She was contemplating whether to tell him that she had a picture of him on her wall, a poster that she had seen in a feature in one of her father's business magazines. He was known as the up-and-coming rising star: Aaron Lee, heir apparent to the Palm Tree hotel group of companies.

  She had cut out the picture and hid it in her notebook. She had also liked the picture of him playing with his band at some fundraiser party. He was posing with his band with his saxophone in hand and she had carefully cut him out from the group. That photo was kept close to her, something she kept under her pillow. She could hardly believe that she was talking to him face to face. He was her crush. No movie star, no famous singer was as good-looking as Aaron—at least, not to her.

  Aaron saw the adoration in her fixed stare and groaned. She was a stalker, a beautiful stalker but still a stalker. He contemplated brushing her off but then she looked at him again with a challenge in her eyes.

  "You hardly take the time to enjoy this beach; why have it if you can't enjoy it?"

  Aaron opened his mouth to argue but what could he say? The girl was right. His only source of enjoyment these days was the band and hanging with his friends, and that was becoming more infrequent as he fought the battle for the vice presidency.

  His brother Boris was truly born for adversity and competed with him for everything. Boris accused him of the same several times: Aaron had no idea how to have fun. Boris had boasted how he could juggle the best of both worlds, partying and business, but Aaron couldn't.

  "You know what? You are right," Aaron said. He took off his shoes while she watched him silently, a pleased smile on her face.

  "What's your name again?" he asked as he pulled off his shirt.

  "Er," she croaked.

  "Alka," Aaron supplied for her because she was staring at him with a frozen, fascinated look in her eyes. "I just remembered. That's an Indian name, isn't it?"

  "Yes--well, no. It is Hindi." He removed his shirt fully and Alka swallowed. He was seriously muscular, and more toned than she had imagined.

  "What's the difference?" Aaron asked, trying to put her at ease. She had started stuttering and acting like a teenager. Was she a teenager or in her early twenties? He couldn't tell.

  "Well, India is where I am from. And Hindi is the official language there and my parents practice the Hindu religion. Some people get the words mixed up, you know."

  Aaron stepped out of his pants. "You are Hindu? I can't say I have ever spoken to a Hindu person before."

  "There you go again," Alka said, getting exasperated. "Would you like me to call you a Christian person?"

  "Wouldn't mind," Aaron said, grinning.

  Alka smiled. He looked so yummy when he grinned. He went from handsome to swoon-worthy.

  "How come you don't have an accent?" Aaron asked, heading to the beach.

  Alka followed behind him breathlessly. He was in black shorts and shirtless. She had to pinch herself while walking behind him. She was actually walking behind Aaron Lee! The Aaron Lee: businessman, musician, and seriously good-looking.

  She took a few extra strides so that she could draw level with him. "I have been living here since I was ten."

  "How old are you now?" Aaron asked, looking across at her.

  "Eighteen." Alka replied. Her heart was racing uncomfortably. She wondered if the question meant that he was interested in her.

  "Eighteen." Aaron's heart deflated. She was too young for him. He preferred slightly older and more mature women. She was just a teenager with a crush. He could see it shining from her eyes; he would definitely have to kill this crush. Even though seven years was not such a bad age disparity, he couldn't ignore the fact that she was also Hindu. He had no idea what their beliefs were but surely that would be the height of being unequally yoked.

  He made up his mind to shake her. He entered the water and swam out to the deep end where she could not follow and then swam back ashore, where she had gone back to her towel to sit.

  "Listen," he said to her sternly. "Alka, I am going to ask you to stay on your side of the beach."

  "Why?"

  "Because you like me," Aaron said arrogantly. "And..."

  "Don't you like me too?" Alka asked before he could go on with his carefully prepared speech.

  "I don't know anything about you," Aaron said, except that you are extremely pretty, he added in his head silently.

  "Then get to know me," Alka said. "It's not as if I'll be around much longer, anyhow. I have just six months left here."

  "Where are you going?" Aaron asked. Sitting before her, he adopted her cross-legged pose.

  Alka frowned. "I am going back to India."

  "Is your whole family going back too?" Aaron asked. He suddenly regretted being so blunt with her. Her face looked troubled.

  "No. Just me." Alka sighed. "I really don't want to go, though."

  "Then stay," Aaron said flippantly. "Nobody can force you to do anything that you don't want to do in this day and age."

  Alka smiled at him sadly. "If I don't go, I would dishonor my family's name."

  "My brother is good at that," Aaron grinned, "and we still keep him around."

  "It's different for me." Alka grimaced. "I got married into the Singh family. They are a wealthy family back home, and if I don't fulfill my marital vows then it will dishonor my whole family back in Punjab..."

  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 Love (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-to
wn 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 questions 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.