Snowbound

By Linnea Alexis

COLD COMFORT
Blues singer Lacey Pine is unlucky in love and has the emotional battle scars to prove it. Men have become transient dalliances, untrustworthy for more than a night or two, so when she inherits her grandmother’s rundown lodge in the hills of Crystal River, Wyoming, Lacey considers renovating and staying...or selling. Either way, she’s in this alone and means to stay that way.

TURNING UP THE HEAT
Dane Richardson had it all, a successful military career and the woman of his dreams, until the ravages of war nearly cost him his leg. Discharged and disabled, abandoned by his girl, Dane finds himself adrift on the sea of life—until he takes a wintry trip to Crystal River, Wyoming, where a foolish moment of self-pity and a fierce snowstorm turn trying to keep warm into the best thing that ever happened to him. Now he just has to convince Lacey Pine that he’s worth risking her heart.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
• Release date: Dec 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781944262099

Linnea Alexis

Linnea Alexis stopped stirring up trouble in the corporate world a few years ago and now satisfies her appetite for adventure by writing about second chances. She writes Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Historical Romance where flawed heroes and heroines find their Happily Ever After. Find her at www.linneaalexis.com.

Book preview

COLD COMFORT

Blues singer Lacey Pine is unlucky in love and has the emotional battle scars to prove it. Men have become transient dalliances, untrustworthy for more than a night or two, so when she inherits her grandmother’s rundown lodge in the hills of Crystal River, Wyoming, Lacey considers renovating and staying…or selling. Either way, she’s in this alone and means to stay that way.

TURNING UP THE HEAT

Dane Richardson had it all, a successful military career and the woman of his dreams, until the ravages of war nearly cost him his leg. Discharged and disabled, abandoned by his girl, Dane finds himself adrift on the sea of life—until he takes a wintry trip to Crystal River, Wyoming, where a foolish moment of self-pity and a fierce snowstorm turn trying to keep warm into the best thing that ever happened to him. Now he just has to convince Lacey Pine that he’s worth risking her heart.

SNOWBOUND

Linnea Alexis

www.BOROUGHSPUBLISHINGGROUP.com

PUBLISHER’S NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, business establishments or persons, living or dead, is coincidental. Boroughs Publishing Group does not have any control over and does not assume responsibility for author or third-party websites, blogs or critiques or their content.

SNOWBOUND

Copyright © 2015 Linnea Alexis

Smashwords Edition

All rights reserved. Unless specifically noted, no part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Boroughs Publishing Group. The scanning, uploading and distribution of this book via the Internet or by any other means without the permission of Boroughs Publishing Group is illegal and punishable by law. Participation in the piracy of copyrighted materials violates the author’s rights.

ISBN 978-1-944262-09-9

To Jean, a friend during the darkest of times.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Thanks to the Orange County Chapter of RWA who introduced me to the world of ‘happily ever after.’ To Linda Carroll-Bradd for sharing her expertise, and to my editor, Michelle Klayman, for encouraging me to dig deeper to make my story better and for putting up with my never-ending angst. A special thanks to Lindsay Kyle whose actual snowbound experience was the inspiration for my story.

CONTENTS

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

About the Author

SNOWBOUND

Chapter One

Make me a miracle, push back the night, free me to love again. Make it all right.

In the dimly lit dining room of the Mountain Pass Tavern, Lacey Pine stood in front of a microphone, center stage, within the circle of a spotlight. She was grateful she couldn’t see the audience staring at her, freeing her to pour her heart and soul into her newly penned blues song.

When her voice, heavy with emotion, faltered slightly, she leaned over her electric guitar and the instrument took over—wailing its sensual response. Playing guitar was like making love. She became one with the music.

The small, but enthusiastic, audience cheered wildly. The sound filled her soul with warmth she only felt while performing. Music transported her to a different consciousness. Where would she be without her songs?

For the grand finale, she pulled out all the stops, flipping her long hair over her shoulder, she started an intricate blues riff. Her fingers moved freely over the frets.

Another beer, a loud male voice boomed from the bar.

The disruption caused her to hesitate. She jerked her head in the direction of the voice but couldn’t decipher which customer was the culprit. For an instant, she lost the rhythm of the melody. She closed her eyes, blocking out the disturbance, and refocused. Within seconds, she was back on track, back in the zone.

When her set ended, she scanned the audience, making eye contact with everyone who’d braved the snowstorm to come to the club. She wanted them to know how much their attendance was appreciated. Relatively new in town, she managed to spot a few familiar faces, which made her smile.

She’d moved to Crystal River, Wyoming because she’d inherited a run-down lodge from her grandmother. And since arriving, Lacey had spent most of her time renovating the beast. Once the work was complete, she planned to sell it and move on. Thank you. I hope you liked the show, she said.

The audience shouted their congratulations for delivering another top-notch performance.

A shiver ran over her skin. God, she loved her job.

Before saying good night, I’d like to acknowledge the house band. The best musicians I’ve ever worked with. And she meant it. Most of you grew up with these guys, but for the folks that might not know them… She pointed to the bearded drummer. On drums, Jimmy Burns. Todd Taylor on bass. On keyboard, his twin brother, Damon, who also sings harmony. The thirty-something twins, covered in tattoos, drew a round of catcalls. Sorry, ladies, but they’re taken. The musicians waved and took exaggerated bows.

She, along with the audience, applauded.

Be safe driving home. Take special care on the highways. If you had a good time tonight, you won’t want to miss the New Year’s Eve show. I’ve been invited back, and we’re planning a special evening with lots of surprises. She thrust out her chest to show off her brand new Sammy West T-shirt. Can’t mention any names, she said, pointing to Sammy’s likeness on the front of her shirt, but we’re expecting a big crowd-pleaser. If you want a table, you’d better come early. Thanks, everyone. Love you all.

‘Jingle Bells’, a woman shouted. I want to hear ‘Jingle Bells’.

Why not end the show on a high note? Everyone was having a good time. Lacey glanced at the band. Damon pounded out the opening notes on his keyboard and, along with Lacey, started a raucous rendition of the popular holiday song.

The customers stormed the stage. After a dozen too many choruses, she held up her hand, signaling Damon to stop playing.

Aw, come on, a man said. Others joined his protest.

Sorry, everyone. But that’s it for tonight. Mick needs to close the dining room, and the band has families waiting for them at home. Have a great holiday week and come back for the big New Year’s Eve party.

She turned off her mic, unplugged her guitar, and set it on the stand next to the drum set before heading over to pick up her tip jar from the front of the stage.

The jar was