Stormsurge

By Shawna Lynn Brooks

Lacey Underwood has struggled to build her life, and her small business, in her little hometown of Shepherdsville. Then a storm changes everything. With a car on the blink and a hurricane barreling towards her, she must find her way to safety. When her high school friend, the sweet but nerdy Gene Blackwell, finds her stranded in front of her feed store, she can barely believe this hunk is the guy she used to know. But how could she ever be enough for someone as brilliant as Gene?

Gene has a happy life in Atlanta--far away from the bullies that used to taunt him and the love for Lacey that he never let show. But when he rescues Lacey from the storm, he soon discovers his infatuation is not as dead as he thinks. Lacey will never see him as anything but Eugene the nerd. Can he make it through the night without turning back into the kid who forever obsessed over someone he could never have?

Stormsurge is the first book in the Shepherdsville series of small town, contemporary romance novels. If you like feel good stories, lovable characters, and cozy romances, you'll love Shawna Lynn Brooks' heartwarming new story. Pick up Stormsurge and discover this delightful new series today!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shawna Lynn Brooks
• Release date: Feb 13, 2018
• ISBN: 9781370604470

Shawna Lynn Brooks

Shawna Lynn Brooks lives in Mobile, Alabama with her real life Prince Charming, her Bichon and her children. She loves to cook, travel, and read, read, read.

Book preview

Stormsurge

Shawna Lynn Brooks

Distributed by Smashwords

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Chapter 1

You look awful.

Lacey Underwood raised her head and struggled to focus on Terri, her assistant manager, girl Friday and confidant. The stubborn light in the other woman’s brown eyes drained a tiny bit of energy from Lacey’s already depleted reserves. Thanks.

Terri leaned a shoulder against the door to their office, her arms folded. You know what I mean. Go home.

Lacey shook her head, and the room spun a little.

Crap.

I’m fine.

You didn’t spend a lot of time working on your tan this summer, but that shade of white is a bit bright, even for you.

Lacey forced her brows into a matching frown. Who knew moving your eyebrows could be so exhausting? She took a quick inventory. The results made her head ache. A heavy weakness gripped her limbs. Heat baked from her skin. She had dragged herself out of bed this morning by sheer force of will, and her body wanted revenge. Her wrinkled, gray top, worn blue jeans, and tattered sneakers mirrored the dreariness inside.

But she couldn’t leave. This feed shop was her baby. She had bought Marquette Feed and Mercantile from Ben Davis the winter before last, when he announced his move to Canada. Canada. Why would anyone trade the sunshine and mild weather of the Gulf Coast in the dead of winter for the ice and snow of the Great White North? She didn’t understand, but his loss was her gain. She loved this place. The clean smell of leather and dried corn always made her smile. The feedstore, where Shepherdsville’s farmers came to buy everything from chicken feed to saddles and cowboy boots, had soaked up every moment of her time ever since. She wouldn’t leave her baby unattended.

It’s three o’clock, Lacey said after a moment. I made it this far. I can stay a couple more hours.

Terri shoved away from the door, stepped forward, and pushed a hand onto Lacey’s forehead. You’re burning up. Go to the doctor.

Ah, jeez. No way. After two hours in the ancient Doc Havard’s waiting room, anyone would be sick. Besides, he’d do little more than take her temperature and tell her to drink hot tea. Or a shot of whiskey. As if someone who needed it would be up for a thirty-minute drive to the next county to buy contraband alcohol. The man had lived in Shepherdsville since Moses was a child, and Marquette County had been dry for as long. He expected everyone had a stash, regardless.

Of course he might be right about that.

No, thanks, she said. I can drink tea without a prescription.

Lacey—

Lacey shook her head, setting off another wave of dizziness. I’ve got this.

Terri sighed. Sure you do. She stalked over to her desk, rattled around in her purse, and came back a moment later. She stuck her hand between Lacey’s face and the paperwork she couldn’t quite make sense of. Here.

Lacey studied the two white pills, then dragged her gaze back up to Terri’s. She opened her mouth, but Terri cut her off.

Whatever you’re getting ready to say, save it. I’m not taking no for an answer. Terri shoved her hand forward. Take these.

Those pills couldn’t possibly beat back whatever toxic germ had taken over her body, but accepting them meant Terri would leave her alone. She grabbed them and cupped them in her hand. Thanks.

Terri grumbled something under her breath and turned back toward the sound of the bell over the door. Hey, Chase, she called out, waving at the tall, handsome man who walked in, cowboy hat in hand. How’s it going?

Lacey tossed the pills in her mouth and followed with some water from a bottle on her desk. She closed her eyes, pressed a hand to her temple, and waited.

Two hours later, she couldn’t even be happy that she had been right. The pills hadn’t helped at all. In fact, she would have given up half her store to go back to this afternoon, before her temple started playing bongo drums. She leaned back in her chair, tilted her head toward the ceiling, and closed her eyes.

Oh, honey, Terri drawled from her office door.

Lacey opened one eye. I made it to the end of the day.

Yes, but I don’t understand why. Terri dropped into her chair with a frustrated sigh. Don’t you trust me?

Of course I trust you. Lacey straightened and the room spun.

Then why won’t you go home and be sick? I promise I can run the store.

Lacey blinked. Hard working, smart and funny, the short-haired brunette in front of her was a huge asset to the business who had grown into a close friend. Lacey would trust Terri with anything. But this store was her baby.

I never said you couldn’t. She paused. How could she explain her reluctance, especially with her mind only working at 10 percent capacity? Terri, I couldn’t do everything alone. That’s why I have you. I don’t want to dump everything on you.

Don’t think of it as dumping on me. Think of it as not screwing everything up by working with a head full of mush. Terri arched an eyebrow. My life will be easier if I don’t have to redo those purchase orders.

Lacey winced. Ouch.

Lacey. Go home. Stay there. I can manage on my own for a couple of days.

A couple of days? Lacey tried to gather a protest, but she didn’t have the strength. The thought of getting up in the morning exhausted her. Maybe a day off wouldn’t be the worst idea. I’ll take tomorrow. I’ll call you after lunch to check in.

And I won’t answer the phone, Terri shot back. So, you may as well not bother.

Lacey pushed her chair back and stood. Little gray spots feathered the outside of her vision, and her knees threatened to buckle. I’ll be back Saturday, she insisted.

Monday, Terri said. I swear, if you show up before then, I’ll call Doc Havard and tell him to come down here. I’ll get Doc Richardson to bring a horse tranquilizer if I have to.

Lacey shook her head and immediately regretted it. No need to call the vet. When I come back, you won’t know I’ve been sick. I plan on being better by Saturday.

Hmph, Terri grunted. If you could see yourself in a mirror, you’d have a plan B. Do you want me to drive you home?

No. Lacey reached for her purse. If you’ll lock up, I’ll be home before you make it to your car.

I will. Terri stood and placed a hand on Lacey’s arm. Be careful.

Lacey gave her a half-hearted smile. Call me if you need me.

Don’t hold your breath, Terri said. Now go.

Lacey trudged to her car as fast as she dared. Now that she had decided to give in to the overwhelming need to put her head on a pillow, she wanted it to happen right now.

She wasn’t prepared for a sick day, though. Her brain sorted through the contents of her medicine drawer, but she couldn’t concentrate over the drums in her head.

Maybe a quick trip by the grocery store on the way home? A funny, fuzzy sensation rippled