Lucy shifted to get more comfortable, and Brogan supported her shoulders. “Where’s baby Lucy, my precious angel? I haven’t seen her all day.” Russell Upton entered the room, carrying a squirming, eight-month-old cherub, wearing a pale-green sundress with bright-pink bloomers, and orange gunk stuck in her dark, fuzzy hair. “Here.” He plopped her in Brogan’s lap, because he still had one. “She just spit up all her peas and carrots, and was trying to eat one of Julia’s furry pink socks.”
“Well, pink is your favorite color, isn’t it, my angel?” Lucy cooed in a baby voice as she kissed her niece’s grubby hand.
“Pookie Bear, could you bring me some ginger ale? I’m feeling meh.” Wanda lounged on the other wicker chair, holding her five-months-pregnant belly. Russell gave Wanda a kiss and hurried from the room. “Luce, all I can say, if I get as fat as you, I might have to shoot myself.” She and Russell had gotten married for the second time last November…inside the Methodist church. And they’d honeymooned at Harper Doolan’s mountain house in Blowing Rock.
Brogan patted Lucy’s stomach. “Lucy’s not fat…she’s just—”
“Watch it. Or you may never play with your favorite toy again,” Lucy warned.
Brogan’s eyes twinkled. “I think that’s your favorite toy, and I wouldn’t dream of depriving you,” he whispered, nibbling on her ear.
“Please, not in front of the baby…or me. I’m about to vomit over here,” Wanda grumbled.
Baby Lucy pounded Lucy’s fat belly with her fist, making silly, gurgling noises. “Don’t you pay any attention to your stepmama. She’s just mad because she can no longer wear her skintight, leopard-spotted hooker dress, and she’s afraid her boobs might explode,” Lucy said in another baby voice to her niece, but grinned at Wanda.
At the sound of yelling voices, everyone lifted their heads. Suddenly, Parker burst into the room, followed by Russell and Julia. “Uncle Brogan, my mom says I can’t go to football camp this summer, because she has me signed up for some nerdy science fair. Tell her no, please,” Parker begged.
Julia shoved a water glass with fresh mint at Lucy. “Here, drink this.” She pointed her finger at Parker. “I said no such thing. The camps don’t conflict with each other, but if you don’t clean up that pigsty you call a room, you’re staying home all summer, babysitting and running errands for me.” Julia’s voice had escalated in warning.
Lucy sipped her water. “Trust me, Parker, you don’t want to run your mom’s errands.” Julia shot Lucy her bitchy glare-down and then blew her a kiss with a wink.
Parker hunched his shoulders and struck the sullen teenage pose. “That’s so unfair, Mom. Tell her, Uncle Brogan. She’ll listen to you—”
Baby Lucy’s face turned redder and redder as her family’s voices grew louder, and she started to cry in that horrible, high-pitched baby scream that could pierce ears and break glass. “Aww, come here, my little angel.” Lucy picked her up from Brogan’s lap and rocked her. “You want Aunt Lucy to sing you a lullaby?”
“No!” everyone chorused together.
Startled, Lucy looked up and then laughed at the anguished expressions staring back at her. “My singing is not that bad.”
Julia grunted, reaching for the baby. Parker rolled his eyes, Wanda gave a loud snort, and Brogan wrapped his arms as best he could around Lucy’s expanded middle.
“Uh, babe, yeah, it is. I’m afraid you’re banned from singing to anyone’s baby…including ours,” he said in his warm, caramel voice before kissing the song right out of her head. Lucy’s heart soared with love, and the baby kicked inside her for joy.
Acknowledgments
If I could personally thank each wonderful person I’ve encountered during this exciting journey, I would, but alas, I must keep this brief…
My gratitude to all the hardworking people at Sourcebooks, especially editors Deb Werksman and Cat Clyne, and publicist Amelia Narigon. You guys make it look so easy.
Thank you to my sisters for your endless support and keeping my spirits up, especially during my unforeseen illness. Your prayers continue to work miracles.
To all my tennis peeps…thank you for the delicious meals you provided for my family, your prayers, and for holding my spot on the team. I hope to be back on the courts real soon.
To Paige, Sharon, and Jennifer, for your upbeat encouragement, spreading the word to everyone you know, and for being so gracious in hosting me in your lovely homes while visiting my favorite place—Miami. (I’m coming back!)
To my agent, Nicole Resciniti, your advice is always invaluable.
And finally, to my amazing son and daughter. You give my life meaning and I’m thankful every day for the blessings that are you. Without you, none of the rest matters.
About the Author
Michele Summers writes romance designed to make you laugh with spunky heroines, witty heroes, and wacky characters, along with a satisfying happily ever after. Michele started her fiction writing career after Hurricane Wilma hit Miami and she was without power for over a week. Bored to tears, she scrounged for a legal pad and pen and, with the help of a trusty flashlight, started writing. Thrilled to have found another creative outlet, she’s been writing ever since, when she’s not working as an interior designer or personal chef, playing tennis, or raising her two wonderful kids. Presently, she resides in North Carolina where she grew up, but she still misses sunny South Florida, swaying palm trees, and wearing open-toed shoes…every day! Michele’s work has won recognition from the Dixie First Chapter, Golden Palm, Fool For Love, Rebecca, and Fabulous Five contests. She is an active member of the Heart of Carolina and Florida Romance Writers chapters of RWA. You can contact Michele at her website, www.michelesummers.com, where you will also locate her other social media buttons.
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Find My Way Home
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Interior designer Bertie Anderson has big dreams for her career, and they don’t include being stuck in her hometown of Harmony, North Carolina. After one last client, Bertie is packing up her high heels and heading for her dream job in Atlanta. But her plans are derailed by the gorgeous new owner of that big old Victorian she’s always wanted to renovate…
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For retired tennis pro Keith Morgan, Harmony is a far cry from fast-paced Miami—which is exactly the point. Keith is starting a new life for himself and his daughter Maddie, and he’s left the bright lights and hot women far behind. Bertie’s exactly the kind of curvaceous temptation he doesn’t need, and Keith refuses to let their sizzling attraction distract him from his goals. Keith and Bertie both have to learn that there’s more than one kind of escape, and it takes more than wallpaper to turn a house into a home.
For more Michele Summers, visit:
www.sourcebooks.com
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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author
She will never forget their past…
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James Montgomery has achieved everything he’d hoped for in life…except marrying the girl of his dreams. After a terrible accident, Selena Ainsley left ten years ago. She took his heart with her, and she’s never coming back. But it’s becoming harder and harder for him to forget their precious time together, and James can’t help but wonder what he would do if they could ever meet again.
What readers are saying about Samantha Chase:
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For more Samantha Chase, visit:
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Not So New in Town Page 29