by Taylor Dean
And laughter. Lots and lots of laughter.
Grayson cracks me up every second of every day. His brand of humor just doesn’t get old. At least not for me. He often reminds me that no one else really finds him very funny. I find that hard to believe.
He brought me back to the land of the living and I love him for it—and for so many other things as well.
When we returned from our honeymoon, our families held an elegant reception in our honor at a swanky hotel in Abilene. That seemed to satisfy everyone’s desire to feel as though they participated in our wedding. Even Mom was able to attend for an hour or so. She was glowing the entire time and I know I pleased her with my choice to marry Grayson.
I’m pretty pleased myself.
Mom is still dealing with another round of chemo and Jace will be here soon to help. It took him longer than he thought to close up his life in New York City and return to Sweetwater. I can’t wait to see him again. I’ve missed my baby brother.
Thank goodness for Caroline and Shay. They covered for me while on my honeymoon. Jace, Blake, and I have a plan for dividing our time in order to care for Mom. The tumor in her pancreas is shrinking and if everything continues to go as planned, they will be able to operate and remove it. They hope to declare her cancer-free in about three months. I look forward to that day.
I feel as though life finally likes me.
More importantly, I like me. I even love me again. Things are going my way and even though I have hidden fears that things will go awry, one glance at Grayson reassures me. With him at my side, things can go wrong—and I know they will—but I can survive it.
I’m not alone anymore.
Grayson finishes his hot chocolate and places his mug on the coffee table. He takes mine from my willing fingers and sets it down. “I know something even better than hot chocolate.”
“There’s not much that is better than chocolate.”
“I can think of one thing.”
“Hmmmm . . . I guess I can too,” I mumble as he kisses me. We collapse onto the couch as he kisses my smile away.
“By the way, Miss Mia . . .”
“That’s Mrs. Mia . . .”
“I have one thing to say to you.”
“Only one?”
“Okay, two. I love you and I love . . . Summer Nights.”
My eyebrows furrow as I hold his face in my hands. “Huh? I hate to break this to you, but it’s winter.”
“Yes it is, but every night I’m reminded of how much I love Summer Nights.” He grins. “Grease is a classic that never gets old. I love your choice. Told you I’d find out someday.”
I crumple with laughter as his meaning dawns on me. “Is that why you married me? Just to find out what song I sing in the shower?”
“One of many reasons.”
“And now that you have your answer to that burning question, I’m no longer a lady of mystery. Will you lose interest in me?”
He kisses my lips softly. “Not a chance, sweetheart.”
Next he kisses me passionately and you know what? I’m thankful to my core that there are no more secrets between us.
The only thing between us now is our love.
Thank you for reading Jailbird. I hope you are enjoying the Sound of Silence Series.
Just in case you missed Book One, it’s not too late to catch up on Spencer’s Story!
Book One, Spencer’s Story: STONE SILENCE
Don’t miss the final book, Book Three, Shay’s Story: HOTHOUSE FLOWER
Other books by Taylor Dean
I Have People
Missing any memories?
Holly Sinclair is happily married to the love of her life, Gabriel. Young and in love, Holly hopes to have their first child soon. Of course, Gabriel wants to wait till Holly’s health is restored, much to Holly’s dismay. She feels perfectly fine. So what if she just woke up from an eight-month coma? So what if some of her memories are missing? She remembers Gabe and that’s all that matters, right? That is, until HE enters her life again . . . she forgot about HIM.
I’m With You
Can three little words irrevocably change your life?
When the doctors inform Chloe Brennan that her pregnancy is “incompatible with life,” her subsequent choices will change her path forever.
She becomes one of the quiet, unsung heroes of this world, incredibly strong, yet somehow wrongly looked upon as damaged. Three people will pierce Chloe’s existence: her husband, a stranger, and a precious baby. One will say goodbye, one will say hello, and one will say both at the same time. I’m With You is a novel about selfless love and the sacredness of life.
For Nick
What would you do for love?
Zachary Drake had love in his life—and tragically lost it. He knows it won’t come his way again. Andie Parker would do anything for the love of her life. Even marry a total stranger. In spite of the unorthodox manner in which Zach and Andie come together, there is no denying that things are unexpectedly good between them, taking them both by surprise. However, when secrets come between them—and trust does not—Andie soon finds herself vowing to never make the same mistake again. But, she’d do it again in a heartbeat and she knows it. She’d marry a hundred strangers if it helped Nick. She’d do anything for Nick . . . anything.
Sierra
Named a Top Five Finalist by the Kindle Book Review for Best Indie Book of 2013 in the Romance Category
Have you ever been lost in the woods?
Alyssa Fontaine’s life, loved ones—everything familiar and dear—are brutally taken from her. Taken captive by two men, she endures a horrific nightmare. A new life is forced upon her and even a new name. Just when it appears that no hope is in sight, she is saved by an unlikely twist of fate. Trapped in the beautiful Sierra Nevada Mountains, life will open its arms to her again and she will embrace it. She will find love such as she never knew existed. Sierra is a heart-wrenching story of the power of the human spirit to survive amidst impossible circumstance and severe losses. It is a story of survival . . . and hope.
Lancaster House
A paranormal romance
Are you ever really alone?
Zoe Grayson needs a change. So, she moves to another state, purchases an old, dilapidated 1920s Victorian Mansion, and sets out to restore it to its former glory. As she begins the restoration, she finds herself falling in love with the old house . . . not to mention its illustrious builder, Mr. Lancaster. Zoe becomes obsessed with the house as she discovers its secrets; hidden rooms, secret passageways . . . and a mysterious man who seems to think the house is his. Who is he? More importantly, how does he live in her home unseen and unheard? The unexpected answers leave her reeling—and questioning everything she’s ever known. To her dismay, Zoe’s actions land her in the local psychiatric hospital, scheming for ways to return to Lancaster House . . . and the love of her life.
The Middle Aisle
A sequel to Lancaster House
Zoe Grayson is back in Lancaster House, ordered to bed rest for the duration of her unexpected pregnancy. Doctor Wade Channing, her overzealous psychiatrist, is living in Lancaster House, taking care of her, waiting on her, and tending to her every need. It seems to be the perfect arrangement. There’s just one catch. She has to tell him her story—everything that has happened in her life since the moment she escaped from Serenity Hills. It’s been quite an adventure to include renovating another home and a walk down the middle aisle. But, that’s all over now. Nothing is real. It never was. How did she end up in this miserable situation?
Joshua’s Folly
Can you fall in love with a picture?
After Marisa survives a traumatic experience in her youth, she finds comfort in the form of a photograph of Joshua, her foster mother’s nephew. She falls in love with him, creating and refining an image of the man of her dreams. When Marisa has the opportunity to visit Texas for the summer, staying at Joshua’s cattle ranch outside of Amarillo, she meets Joshua in person for the
first time. She quickly realizes he is someone she could really fall in love with, not just a silly childhood crush. Life is seemingly perfect for Josh and Marisa, with endless possibilities before them. That is, until Josh’s reservations take a toll on their relationship and their summertime romance ends rather unexpectedly. Will Marisa be able to forgive Josh for his folly?
Girl of Mine
He Came Home
The year is 2003 and Captain Lucas Graham is at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, about to be deployed to Iraq. A few weeks ago, he broke his engagement with Jillian Barrett, leaving her stunned and heartbroken. Knowing he can’t leave for war without putting his affairs in order, Luke obtains a four day pass with only one goal in mind: explain his life story to his former fiancée. The problem: Jill is now engaged to another man. But Luke isn’t giving up. He only has four days to gain an audience with Jill, even if he has to resort to drastic measures to do so. And he will . . .
Chasing Fireflies
A Power of the Matchmaker Stand-alone Story
My sisters think I’m crazy.
But, I’ve never forgotten the mysterious woman from my childhood who told me Paul is the name of my one true love.
She told me to search far and wide for him.
I haven’t stopped looking ever since.
When I stumble across an article about a successful American entrepreneur named Paul who lives and works in China, I’m intrigued. When the opportunity to teach English in China presents itself on the same day, I know it’s not a coincidence.
It’s destiny.
My sisters say I’m chasing a dream.
Just like the fireflies we tried to catch on the warm summer evenings of our youth, the dream seems beyond my grasp. Will my quest for the elusive Paul always be just short of fulfillment?
My sisters tell me it’s a fool’s errand.
Until I remind them of the day we saw the Red Bird.
The memory silences them.
The Red Bird Incident remains inarguable—and proves my search for Paul is not a silly fantasy.
I will find Paul . . . I will.
Taylor Dean lives in Texas and is the mother of four grown children. Upon finding herself with an empty nest, she began to write the stories that were always wandering around in her head, quickly finding she had a passion for writing, specifically romance. Whether it’s paranormal, contemporary, or suspense—you’ll find all sub-genres of clean romance in her line-up. Connect with Taylor at www.taylordeanbooks.com.
