"A guy!" Terri tugged on her seat belt so that she could turn fully in the seat and faced her cousin. "You lie!"
"No." Reuben sighed. "I spoke on the phone got close to a guy who was transitioning to a woman."
Terri clapped her hand over mouth. "You didn't do anything with her did you?"
Reuben threw her a nasty glance. "Hell no! I wouldn't compound my mistakes by fornicating with a shemale!"
"Sorry." Terri chuckled and then she laughed loudly and long. Her mirth became overwhelming when she imagined her straitlaced cousin meeting a man/woman. For Reuben to even be liberated enough to be on the Internet meeting women was something to remark about, much less meeting one and then finding out something so devastating. She knew she shouldn't be laughing. She should be mature and sensitive and commiserate with Reuben.
Terri gulped back another chuckle and then wiped her eyes.
Reuben glanced at her. "Finished now?"
"No." Terri chuckled again. "I am getting there. Tell me how it went. I promise not to laugh again about this particular matter."
Reuben snorted. "We met at Aunt Sally's house. Roxy was er...living near by so she came over. Aunt Sally's was supposed to be a neutral place."
"Grand Aunt Sally Scarlett!" Terri widened her eyes. "And she didn't say anything. This should be family news. Aunt Sally can't keep quiet for nothing."
"She didn't know." Reuben grimaced, "Roxy is very pretty and feminine."
"Good Lord." Terri shook her head. "So how did you find out that she was a he?"
"She told me. I freaked out." Reuben grimaced. "I had to later call her and apologize for my behavior. It was not a proud moment for me. I didn't handle it well."
"Oh Ru," Terri grimaced. "Sorry to laugh at you."
"If you hadn't laughed. I would have thought I was in the car with somebody else," Reuben murmured. "That's what I like about you, your total joy for life."
He finally overtook the market truck and they picked up speed down the hill.
"I need to grow up, Ru," Terri said ruefully. "I've been acting the same since I was five."
"So we are back to that?" Reuben sighed. "You want my advice?"
"Sure." Terri grinned, "you give good advice sometimes."
Reuben nodded. "I hope this is a good time. You know what I did when I heard that I got the inheritance?"
"Bought that house at Lover's Leap?"
"Yes, but first I went to the lawyer who read the will? Remember him?"
"Of course, the scrumptious, Zachary Gardener." Terri licked her lips obscenely.
Reuben shook his head. "I asked him for investment advice. He had quite a few suggestions. I think they were solid. Maybe you should do the same. Go to Zachary Gardener get that advice."
"I think I'll do that." Terri nodded, "I'll try not to stare at him while he is giving me that advice though. I will act as if his good looks are an every day occurrence in my world."
Reuben smiled. "You do that. Tell him hello for me. Last time I spoke to him he said he might have a lead on where my father is."
"Really?" Terri nodded, "that would be good. And your other brothers and sister?"
"No word on that yet," Reuben said, "I heard from Oliver the other day. He sent me a post card from Kinshasa."
"Cool." Terri nodded. "You know Oliver is sort of like you in temperament."
Reuben nodded. "I noticed. It is nice to actually have a brother."
"Awww." Terri nodded. "I wish I had a sister."
"No you don't." Reuben shook his head. He turned on Great Bay Road and headed for the house.
"No, seriously," Terri reached in the back for her bag. "I wish I had a picture of Lola in here."
"Who is Lola?" Reuben asked.
"She was my flat mate in London. I can honestly say she was like a sister to me, a really good friend. Too bad that she is gone into hiding though."
"Hiding?" Reuben looked at her in alarm. "Is she a criminal?"
"No." Terri sighed. "Just hiding out from her husband. Her family arranged for her to marry this Arab prince and she is not for it."
"Sounds like a fairytale." Reuben scoffed.
"No, it's true, no fairytale," Terri said. "Poor Lola, after her father died her mother remarried a very strict Muslim guy. They live in Qatar. Her stepfather arranged for her to be the third wife of a prince without her consent. Contracts were signed, money changed hands. In their culture it's a done deal."
"And you say your life is boring." Reuben snorted, "who knows anyone who is contracted to be the third wife of a prince?"
"That's why I quit the job." Terri sighed, "The prince is determined to get his contracted wife."
"What does that have to do with you?" Reuben asked as he pulled up at the house.
"I will tell you at another time," Terri said getting out of the car. "I have to go use the lady’s…"
"Fine." Reuben nodded. "Next week Wednesday I should be finished with the guest room. If you want to come and stay for a few days that will be fine with me."
"Next Wednesday the parents will be away." Terri nodded. "They are going to spend the summer with Grand Aunt Sally."
"I know," Reuben said, "hence the offer. You can help me with my construction work."
"Are you going to pay me, Reuben Scarlett?" Terri opened the door and grabbed her bag.
"No." Reuben laughed, "but it will be a break from your boredom. Bet you haven't done something like that before?"
"Nope. I am not sure I want to be a construction worker. Building things and that sort of hands on work is not my cup of tea."
She closed the door. "I'll call you."
"You do that." Reuben tooted and drove off.
Terri could see that her parents had been home for a while—before she could rummage in her bag for the keys her mother opened the door and was almost hopping at the door in excitement.
"Terri!"
Terri frowned; she had never seen her mother look so excited. She walked to the door cautiously.
"Yes."
"Your friend Lola is here!"
"Here?" Terri was not sure that she had heard her mother right. "Here, here or on the phone."
"Here, here," Daisy said animatedly; her eyes were beaming. "This is something to behold, she looks a lot like you as you had said. Lloyd and I can't believe it."
Terri walked into the house to see Lola sitting pretty on her mother's new micro suede sofa. Lola's hair was dyed in red which was a close match for hers and she had in her hazel eyed contacts, even Terri had to do a double take when she saw her friend...
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 sta
tus 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-town 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.
Scarlett Sinner (The Scarletts Page 15
