The Trouble with California Duet

By Kristi Ahlers

This duet contains the stories --

From THE TROUBLE WITH BEACHES

Anne is starting her own tour business and her first tour is made up of four retired ladies. How hard could this tour be? Well, Anne isn’t counting on one lady getting flirty with her 60’s retro driver, one lady having an unusual love of sharks, or the grandson of the leader of the pack not only being sexy as heck, but also being a teasing thorn in her side. Her attraction to Dean is instant and hot, and suddenly when the tour comes to an end, Anne wonders if a new chapter in her life is about to begin. Or is it going to be bon voyage to her heart?

Dean has agreed to join his grandmother on her vacation as a way of spending some time with her. Since he’s so busy with his architectural firm, he hasn’t spent time with her like he normally had. This trip to California is exactly what he needs. He’s prepared to have a great time. What he’s not prepared for is the instant burning attraction to the sexy little tour guide. Dean wants Anne more than he wants his next breath, and although the attraction is mutual, he realizes he needs to talk Anne into giving him a chance. Well, nothing worth having ever came easy, and he’s going to make sure Anne realizes they’re meant to be together.

From THE TROUBLE WITH VINEYARDS

Meredith Ramsey is at the end of her rope. It’s up to her to turn her family’s vineyard into a money maker or a winery that has been in the family for one hundred eighty-two years will go up for auction. Her grandmother Marie, decides what Meredith needs is some help.

Enter Jackson Remy. He runs a very successful consulting company and it’s up to him to help turn things around for Le Clerq winery. He’s up for the challenge but what he wasn’t counting on his overwhelming desire for Meredith which has never abetted even after ten years have passed. When the two of them come together the sparks fly and anything can happen and if a few grapes get crushed in the process all the better.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing
• Release date: Dec 1, 2014
• ISBN: 9781310061486

Kristi Ahlers

Kristi Ahlers is a California girl! She grew up in Northern California in a small city called Yuba City. Since then she’s lived in Brussels, Belgium, and England along with a myriad of other locations. A former flight attendant, she was able to continue to feed her love of travel. This has greatly influenced her writing, allowing her to pen stories about places she’s managed to visit and things she’s experienced. Kristi loves to hear from her readers and can be reached at [e-mail] or visit her at her virtual home at www.kristiahlers.com

Book preview

THE TROUBLE WITH CALIFORNIA

The Trouble Series

{includes The Trouble with Beaches and The Trouble with Vineyards}

Kristi Ahlers

Published by Tirgearr Publishing

Author Copyright 2014 Kristi Ahlers

Cover Art: Cora Graphics (http://www.coragraphics.it)

Editor: Kemberlee Shortland

Proofreader: R. L. McCoy

A Smashwords Edition

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Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

CONTENTS

The Trouble with Beaches

The Trouble with Vineyards

About Kristi Ahlers

The Trouble Series

The Trouble with Beaches

Anne is starting her own tour business and her first tour is made up of four retired ladies. How hard could this tour be? Well, Anne isn’t counting on one lady getting flirty with her 60’s retro driver, one lady having an unusual love of sharks, or the grandson of the leader of the pack not only being sexy as heck, but also being a teasing thorn in her side. Her attraction to Dean is instant and hot, and suddenly when the tour comes to an end, Anne wonders if a new chapter in her life is about to begin. Or is it going to be bon voyage to her heart?

Dean has agreed to join his grandmother on her vacation as a way of spending some time with her. Since he’s so busy with his architectural firm, he hasn’t spent time with her like he normally had. This trip to California is exactly what he needs. He’s prepared to have a great time. What he’s not prepared for is the instant burning attraction to the sexy little tour guide. Dean wants Anne more than he wants his next breath, and although the attraction is mutual, he realizes he needs to talk Anne into giving him a chance. Well, nothing worth having ever came easy, and he’s going to make sure Anne realizes they’re meant to be together.

CHAPTER 1

Anne was screwed.

Yup, there was no way to sugar coat it. She was going to jack this up in a big way—after all if you were going to do something, you might as well do it right. And Anne believed in excelling at everything she did, even if it was screwing up. Well, it couldn’t be said that she wasn’t going to be memorable.

Are you sure you’re ready to do this? Meredith asked with a laugh.

Meredith was Anne’s best friend and she was currently home in Napa trying to run her family’s winery. No, but I’ve got to start sometime and this shouldn’t be too hard. I hope.

Anne had quit the rat race. Well, in so far as she didn’t go to an office and sit in a cubical all day and watch the world pass her by, that is. With help from her eccentric grandma, she was able to fulfill her dream of owning her own tour company and be a tour guide in her favorite city—San Francisco.

Her first tour group was arriving later that afternoon and she was at once both sick and excited. It was a horrible feeling. Since she really wanted Tours by Anne to succeed, she was putting an awful lot of stress on herself, and she parked that stress in her stomach.

Meredith patted her on the shoulder, You know exactly what the group wants to see. You’ve made all the arrangements, paid for the fees where needed . . . things are going to be fine.

Gunther, her van driver—a suggestion by Grammy and one Anne couldn’t say no to—strolled into the office and made his way over to the dorm fridge. He hadn’t left the 60s behind like everyone else. He was currently wearing a tie-died shirt sporting yellows, oranges and greens—bold colors to be sure—and his graying hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Ya know, Annie girl, you’ve just got to let things roll, ya dig? Life is too short, man, to get all bent over the small stuff.

Intellectually, Anne knew this and so far her dealing with Martha Bryant had been perfectly normal. Blissfully normal, actually. Anne really had no reason to feel so unsettled but she did. Like first day of school kind of nervous. No, it was not that. It was a sense that she was missing something, maybe didn’t have the facts kinda thing. She hated that. Really, really hated that.

Despite her misgivings, she was as ready as she could be. With the help of Martha it was determined the first day of the tour would be spent at the famous Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39, and if time allowed, they would do a driving tour of local tourist sites before they would go their separate ways for dinner. The second day would be spent at the Winchester Mystery House in San Jose and then they’d have free time for the few hours left before the group departed for Los Angeles—without Anne of course.

Before Anne could respond to Gunther, her grandmother came into the kitchen. Good morning, dear.

Anne walked around the butcher block table island to her grandmother. Morning, Grammy. She kissed her papery cheek. What are you doing over here so early?

Anne grabbed a mug and filled it with her favorite pumpkin spice coffee. She didn’t understand why it had to be a seasonal flavor, so when it was available she hoarded it and kept it in the freezer to drink throughout the year.

Just wanted to be here before you left to wish you luck.

Thanks, Gram. Anne turned to Gunther, Are you ready?

Born ready, dude.

Anne wondered if Gunther realized she was female, or perhaps he’d burned so many brain cells back in the sixties he didn’t realize she was a girl. Or maybe everyone was dude. Oh well, it didn’t matter. All that counted was that Gunther could drive the van to the places she needed to go and not get them lost.

Good luck, dear. Grammy kissed Anne on the cheek. Call me when you get home tonight and let me know how your day went.

Why don’t I pick you up and we can go out to dinner? Anne picked up her backpack and checked to make sure she had everything she’d need, including her tour license.

Oh, I wish I could, but I have a date tonight.

Anne stopped dead in her tracks and turned to face her grandmother. A date? With whom?

That handsome Thomas Cameron.

Who? Anne was happy her grandmother was having a social life but how sad was it she was in her seventies and had a date while Anne, who was in her thirties, spent most nights at home with a cat?

You know Thomas. He’s that a widower from San Diego who recently moved into our little housing area.

Ah. Anne didn’t remember but as long as her Grammy was happy that’s all that mattered. Well, be safe and I’ll call you sometime tomorrow and you can tell me all about your date.

Okay, dear. Have fun with your tour.

I’ll try. Anne smiled, Let’s go, Gunther.

Anne walked to the van and prayed today would go without incident and that a good time would be had by all.

Anne and Gunther arrived at Marsden’s Bed and Breakfast right on time. The B&B was located not far from Pacifica and she was a little surprised her group chose to stay so far off the beaten path from all other draws for tourists.

All four ladies were already standing out front of the B&B wearing their nametags, with their sunglasses, sun hats, and large bags ready to go. Anne felt a smile curve her mouth. If anything, her group was eager and punctual—all good things. Gunther pulled into the loading zone and Anne stepped out of the vehicle and made her way to the women.

Good morning, everyone.

Good morning, dearie. Cora Broadmoore, who literally had blue hair, clapped her hands together. I am so excited about this vacation. I swear, my Harold told me this was a colossal waste of money and that I’d see nothing but fog and traffic but so far I’m having a grand time.

Anne laughed. Well, let’s hope we can continue that good time.

Cora hugged her. My Harold is an old stick in the mud. What does he know? She leaned in closer and whispered, His idea of a vacation is going to a Cheese Expo and or to a DIY store.

Anne nodded. Yes, I can see where that would be a bit of a bore.

Oh, don’t get me wrong. My Harold is a wonderful man. He just doesn’t know how to let his hair down. Cora stilled and then laughed. This might be due to the fact the man is as bald as a cue ball.

That could be an issue.

Oh, Cora, stop talking Annie’s ear off about your husband. Martha spun Anne around and hugged her