Love Songs and Rainbows

By Brynna Morgan and Yvette Noyes

When Gwen Harris was young she dreamed of a blond, violet eyed young man who would hold her on his lap, promising to meet her again. Thirty years later she meets rock singer Jason Highsmith and feels she has known him somewhere before. In spite of her vow to never become involved with a musician, Gwen finds herself falling for Jace. Meanwhile, the otherly world of dreams, reincarnation, and a love that spans the centuries begins to consume them, leaving them caught up in a situation that they can only begin to understand.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brynna Morgan
• Release date: Jun 17, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311250353

Brynna Morgan

By day I'm a Technical Analyst for a Major Insurance Company in the Midwest. By night I'm a writer and Tarot card designer. My favorite genre is Romance, and I truly believe in happy endings.!

Book preview

Lovesongs and Rainbows

By Brynna Morgan and Yvette Noyes

Published by Artistic Meanderings at Smashwords

Copyright 2014 Brynna Morgan and Yvette Noyes.

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This eBook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This eBook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to your favorite eBook retailer and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the authors.

Contents

Prologue

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Epilogue

About the authors

Acknowledgements

Other Titles by Brynna Morgan

Connect with Brynna Morgan

Connect with Yvette Noyes

Prologue: somewhere in Midwestern America

She stood at one end of the living room, watching as her older sisters danced to rock ‘n’ roll music that poured out of the family stereo. In the kitchen her mother was hard at work making dinner, apron tied around a house dress, body reflecting the aching tiredness of chasing after four rambunctious girls all day long. Her father was off at work, bringing in the blue-collar earnings that kept the American family in the lifestyle to which they had become accustomed.

Gwen gave a toss of her head, her golden brown waist-length braids flying behind her as she went to join her sisters in the dance. The girls had borrowed their aunt’s old records and The Beatles were on the turntable, much to the little girl’s delight. Her sisters encouraged her to join in, pausing on occasion to show her a new movement they had learned at the high school dance a few days earlier.

The song ended and Delores, the eldest, switched on her radio. The newest Journey single was supposed to be released that day during the Larry Lujack show, which was starting within moments. As soon as the popular Chicago disc jockey came on, the girls all crowded around the radio, their eyes lighting up with excitement. He began his high-anxiety rambling and they all giggled nervously.

This is WLS, Radio 89, coming to you from the Sears Tower in Chicago. To Gwen, Chicago meant a completely new world, one that though only three hours away, she’d never seen. Who wants to fight the traffic? her father would grumble, and that would be the end of any discussion of seeing Chicago.

However, the girls did have the radio station, which they listened to without fail.

We have a new song that’s looking to climb up the charts. The band that gave us ‘Why Now?’ two years ago has a whole new sound for us to enjoy. I give you Mystic Balance and their latest, ‘Endless Nights.’

A haunting melody wafted from the speakers and her sisters groaned, longing to dance instead of listen to the eerily plaintive tune. Delores went to change the channel to the local station for a few moments, only to find a small hand tight on her forearm. She looked down to see Gwen staring at the radio, her gray-eyed gaze transfixed.

Please, leave it, Dee. Please? The nine year-old’s voice was soft and pleading. It’s so beautiful. His voice… please?

Dee threw her hands up in annoyance and walked away, figuring that once again her eccentric younger sister had gone off to the twilight zone. Meanwhile, Gwen continued to gaze at the radio, her body swaying slowly to the melancholy love song, the plaintive, sad tones of the British vocalist sinking slowly into her. Never had she heard a voice like that, she decided as she closed her eyes and let it wash over and through her. Please let it come on again soon, she thought as he sang, And I will always love you…

The next day she did not remember the dream she had of a blond young man tenderly holding her upon his lap so she could gaze into the depths of his cobalt eyes, nor did she recall the gentle hug and cherishing kiss he gave her and the whisper, I have finally found you, Brianna. You will remember me if it takes a lifetime of dreams.

Chapter One

Southern England-Present Day

The woman stood at the entrance of the recording studio, apprehension written on her features. Am I ready for this? she wondered, chewing one fingernail as she continued to stare at the heading that read Southhold Sound Recording Studio. It wasn’t as though she hadn’t done this sort of thing before, she admitted to herself with a sheepish grin. However, it was the first time she had ever done this sort of thing out of her home country.

The British could be so stuffy too, she thought with a roll of her eyes. Always punctual, extremely perfectionist in nature and with a sense of humor that she would never understand, she decided as she continued to stare at the door. Behind her was the quaint village of Southhold, complete with cobblestone walkways and moss-covered buildings. All was lit by the summer sun if she’d cared to turn around and look. But no, she thought ruefully. She was too entranced by a sign on a door.

Faintly visible through the glass were framed lithographs of album covers, most of them from two decades past. Hard to believe the records with the beautiful surreal artwork on the covers, the ones she had spent so darned much babysitting money on, came from this simple, small, Southern England recording studio.

Well, are you going in or are you going to continue staring a hole right through that door? The male voice made her jump, a tiny squeak escaping her as she listened to the soft chuckle that resulted. She turned, trying to compose her features and failing miserably when she came to face the tall, broadly built Englishman who was staring at her quizzically. She took in his familiar good looks and did her best not to blink.

Actually, I’m going in, she admitted sheepishly, receiving a grin from him in return. It’s my first day on the job and…

And you’re fresh from America and you don’t know where in the hell to start, he finished for her, his mischievous green eyes twinkling at her. Dimples creased his cheeks, further lending to his charm. Maybe I can be of some assistance, love. You know, show you around a bit? Buy you tea? Take you out to dinner?

Goodness, what a flirt! she thought, finding herself returning the smile that he was radiating so warmly. Nothing like making this Yankee feel right at home, she teased softly as he ran his fingers through his lion’s mane of shoulder-length, gray-streaked, light brown hair.

Well, I wanted to get the first chance before anyone else saw you, he replied as he opened the door for her with a sweeping bow. After you.

Gwen found herself giggling as she stepped through the formerly intimidating door and into an air-conditioned entrance hall. She took back everything she had ever thought about British stuffiness as she let Tall, Green-Eyed and Handsome lead her through the door into a reception area. There a beautiful, bored-looking, redheaded woman was sitting behind a glass counter, gazing vacantly at a British tabloid. Her escort walked straight up to the counter and rapped his knuckles on the glass, making the woman suddenly come to life with a beaming smile.

Mr. Lyons, what can I do for you?

He indicated Gwen and waved her forward. Julia, I do believe this lovely lady wishes to report to work, he said briskly, all sign of flirtatiousness completely gone. The woman nodded hurriedly and shoved aside her paper, offering Gwen a warm smile.

And, how many I assist you? she asked, her hazel eyes shining pleasantly at Gwen.

Gwen squared her shoulders and leaned forward as she said, I’m Gwendolyn Harris, the new sound engineer. She heard the faintest ripple of an indrawn breath from Tall, Green-Eyed and Handsome as she added, I do believe I’m supposed to begin work with Mystic Balance today?

That you are, her escort spoke up. She turned to him as he added, I’m Jeremy Lyons, the bass player.

And you make a habit of hitting on every female within sight, she thought as she extended her hand to him. Gwen Harris, soundboard. Pleased to meet you, Mr. Lyons.

Jeremy, he corrected immediately as she grinned.

Jeremy, she said agreeably. The receptionist turned to the computer, quickly brought up her file and began readying it for the printer. Julia clicked the mouse a few times then let out a small sigh of relief as the printer began to go to work.

I really need a new computer, she muttered softly, getting a nervous laugh from Gwen. Ahh, there it is, she added as the laser printer began spitting out one sheet at a time. If you’ll just look this over and see if I’ve gotten the information correct, then we’ll be all set. She handed Gwen the freshly printed documents.

Not much in there, Gwen thought. Gwendolyn Anne Harris, age thirty-seven. Work permit current. Widowed. Two children, Rhiannon, age fourteen, and Broderick, age ten. Both of who were back at the flat with the nanny, she added mentally, very likely delving into the latest video games.

Odd, she wondered as she signed the documents, this sense of belonging she felt in a country that should feel so foreign. Even there, signing papers among strangers, it was a feeling she couldn’t shake. She pushed the paperwork back to Julia, then turned to Jeremy. He was eying her quizzically, his brows drawn together in puzzlement.

What? Did I do something wrong?

He shook his head thoughtfully. No, love. I just keep feeling as though we’ve met before. Ever go to one of our concerts?

Never got around to it, she said pleasantly as he led her back into the foyer, then down the hall. I just don’t do concerts when I’m not at work.

Burned out on them, huh?

Yup.

Jeremy opened the door at the farthest end of the hall and waved her into the sound booth on the other side. Gwen paused for a moment to take in her surroundings. From the glass walls of the room to the large soundboard arrangements facing the studio on the other side, to low sounds of instruments being tuned, everything was pretty much what she’d expected to find in a recording studio. Bent over the soundboard were several men and almost all of them were muttering, occasionally punctuating said mutters with a few colorful British obscenities.

Uh, mates, Jeremy said softly. Immediately the men in question straightened, turned, then went stone silent, except for one still swearing at the soundboard. Gwen watched as he raked his long, lean fingers through his silky tumble of collar-length blond hair and shook his head.

Bloody thing, he muttered, moving from side-to-side on the longest darn legs Gwen had ever seen on a man. If those legs were any longer he’d look as though he was on stilts, she pondered bemusedly as she continued to leisurely take in his backside. She noted how the long legs curved into a firm, jean-clad behind and how that behind led into a trim waist, then up to where an oxford shirt was stretched across a muscular back that rippled with each movement he made. Shoulders, she thought with a sigh. Nice, broad masculine shoulders.

Uh, Legs, Jeremy said again, this time his tone firmer.

Yeah, Rocker, what is it? The man he’d called Legs straightened, then turned to face them, annoyance written over his features. His eyes fell on Gwen and she repressed a gasp, feeling a shudder penetrate clear to her soul. Such eyes, she contemplated, forcing herself to hold his gaze. Such magnificent, magnetic, dark violet-blue eyes that seemed to sink right into her. She barely took in the classically handsome features, the straight nose, squared jaw, and the dark golden eyebrows that were presently crinkled in a slight frown. No, it was those eyes, she decided as she allowed herself to smile at him.

To her amazement he smiled back, one brow raised slightly to go with his crooked grin. Jason Highsmith, he said softly, the male-roughness of his English temper exchanged for more courtly manners as he extended his hand. Gwen accepted his hand and felt his touch sear straight through her, creating warmth at the core of her femininity. Nice view, she decided, feeling her eyes drop to his shirt collar. It gapped open to reveal a soft mat of blond chest hair with a few gray hairs mixed in. Not as young as he looked, she realized, suddenly noticing that his crown of blond hair had a healthy amount of gray mixed in with it. That gray went with a fine of web of crow’s feet around his eyes. Late forties, maybe? she wondered.

There was something oddly familiar about him, something that she just couldn’t place and had nothing to do with having seen him on record covers. It was as though she had known him her entire life.

Gwendolyn Harris, she finally said, feeling his hand squeeze on hers lightly. Most call me Gwen.

Welsh for ‘fair,’ he replied absently as she blinked at him. You can call me Jace, he added. Easier that way, darlin’. His eyes glided over her easily, his expression darkening, brows furrowed at first then lifting slightly as his grin widened. Damn, that look had been predatory, she thought as she nodded. Worst thing was she had felt the effects straightaway, and she hoped her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt.

We heard so much excellent feedback about your work with the World Children’s Charity Foundation recording that we thought you might be just what we were looking for, Jace continued, his thumb raking absently over the back of her hand. I can see we were right.

Darn, she wished he would let go of her hand so she could get to work, wishing at the same time that he would never let go of it. That warm, violet-blue gaze continued to delve into hers, making her insides melt.

Thank you, Mr. Highsmith, she murmured, feeling her cheeks flush when she realized everyone was staring at them. I’ve been a fan of your music for a long time so this has been one job I’ve looked forward to.

Then the pleasure will be mutual, I’m sure.

Her blush heightened as she nodded, then gently pulled her hand away, wishing that he would quit looking as though he knew what she looked like beneath her clothes. Uneasily she turned away and gasped aloud as she came into contact with another body. Immediately she jumped back then let out a short uneasy laugh as the young man before her regarded her. His hands twitched as they passed nervously through long, wispy strands of dark blond hair. Ice-blue eyes flashed briefly in an emotion that she couldn’t quite read before he broke into a polite smile.

Wesley Drummond, head sound engineer, he said coolly, extending his hand to hers for a brief shake. Gwen accepted it, repressing a slight shudder at the smile that didn’t quite make it to his eyes.

Sorry about that, she muttered as his smile widened.

Quite all right, pet, quite all right.

Now, why didn’t she quite believe that? She forced herself to smile as Wesley laid his hand upon her shoulder and began leading her around the studio. Somewhere in the back of her mind she could feel eyes upon her, and she had no doubt if she turned she would see Jace giving her that pensive, predatory look again. It was the sort of look a man gives a woman he wants to devour, she realized, repressing a shiver. She steeled herself against that thought, doing her best to push it to the back of her mind.

Jace was a typical rock star, she decided as Wesley continued to lead her around. The kind of man who would be interesting for a roll across a mattress, but certainly nobody any woman in her right mind would want commitment from; that much was certain. When the engineer extended a stool for her behind the soundboard, she agreeably sat down, gratefully accepting a cup of tea from Jeremy. The tall bassist gave her a dimpled grin and wink before retreating into the sound booth. Meanwhile Jace had seated himself on a stool, acoustic guitar in hand and a slight frown on his face.

Testing, one, two, three… His voice trailed off as he tuned the guitar absently, his eyes flitting around the room before settling on the luscious creature who was sitting at the engineer’s soundboard. Now that was a woman he could get himself lost in, Jace decided. When he had said Welsh for fair, he’d meant it. The mane of medium golden brown hair that tumbled to the middle of