Cotton Candy Dreams and Chocolate Chip Kisses

By Kira Anderson

Avery Parker has finally realized her childhood dream of owning the quaint ice cream shop in Eden Beach, Delaware. Unoccupied for over a year, the place needs major renovations, but at what cost? The only contractor available for the job is the one who squashed her dream twenty years earlier. Will these two be able to put aside their differences while they bring Sprinkles back to its former glory and mend their broken hearts in the process?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Sep 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781509233779

Kira Anderson

At twelve years old, Kira Anderson read her first romance novel and was hooked on the happily ever after endings. For years she dreamed of writing her own romance stories, and that dream finally came true in 2003. Based in sunny Arizona, Kira has published numerous books, short stories, and blog articles.

Book preview

Inc.

More heat flooded Avery’s cheeks. His vague familiarity made sense. Her lips pressed into a straight line. How had she not known him? In her defense, though, the years had not been kind. Crow’s feet lined his crystal blue eyes that matched the color of the Atlantic Ocean. A five o’clock shadow hugged the rough planes of his face. Still, she should have recognized his swagger, the way he tucked his hands in his pockets, and jingled his coins. No longer the gawky boy, he’d grown into his over-sized jeans and his flannel shirt.

She crossed her arms. "Well, Tanner Burns, Hell has frozen over. I’m glad you’ve enjoyed your little game at my expense." Shaking, she spun and looked at her daughter chatting with Paige. Insolent. Now she knew the origin of that word. Funny to think he’d put that word into his and his daughter’s vocabulary. Was Paige a bully as well? She hated breaking up the blooming friendship, but other girls with dogs must live in town.

With as much dignity as she could muster, Avery strode toward the two girls still playing keep-away from Maisy. Come on, Allison. Say goodbye to Paige. It’s time to go.

Cotton Candy Dreams and Chocolate Chip Kisses

by

Kira Anderson

One Scoop or Two

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Cotton Candy Dreams and Chocolate Chip Kisses

COPYRIGHT © 2020 by Kira Anderson

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Kim Mendoza

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Sweetheart Rose Edition, 2020

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-3377-9

One Scoop or Two

Published in the United States of America

Praise for

COTTON CANDY DREAMS AND CHOCOLATE CHIP KISSES

"The descriptions of the beach were so detailed and brought me back to my own wonderful memories of the beach. It is a very uplifting story of overcoming personal struggles and past hurts and repairing a childhood relationship and the associated misunderstandings. I would recommend this story to anyone who wants a quick escape from their everyday concerns with a trip to the beach and a reminder about the power of forgiveness and love.

~Lauren D.

~*~

What a delightful short story! This is a story about hope and forgiveness. It was an easy read and so uplifting in spirit. A story any reader from teen to adult will enjoy. It reminds us that sometimes second chances are like a breath of fresh air: unexpected but so refreshing!

~Sandy S.

~*~

Avery is the main character who is trying to figure out what her life is going to look like after the death of her husband. Despite allowing herself to rediscover her dream of owning the local ice cream shop and her connection with a man from her past, she always makes sure her daughter Allison is her number one priority. Even within the parameters of a short story, Kira manages to create an entire history and build up an incredible relationship between Avery and Tanner.

~Nicole K.

Dedication

For Shane & Emily

Chapter One

It’s all yours now. Natalie Richardson dangled a set of keys in the air.

Every broken window, all the loose pieces of wood, and each piece of ripped awning. It’s all mine. Avery Parker swiped them from her best friend and real estate agent’s grasp and clutched them tight, the ridges digging into her palm. Behind her, forty yards from the end of the boardwalk, the Atlantic Ocean lapped away at the sandy shore and the melodic sound of the surf echoed in her ears. She inhaled the warm, salt-laden air and wedged her sunglasses on the silk scarf keeping her curls in place as she stared at the rundown building.

What had she just done?

She’d come home and realized her childhood dream of owning On The Beach Creamery in Eden Beach, Delaware. Avery closed her eyes, a smile wavering on her lips, thinking about another day almost twenty years ago. A few feet from where she now stood, a young Avery sat on a pink, wrought-iron chair and daydreamed with a young version of the woman beside her.

Someday, I’m gonna own this place, Nat, and I’m gonna call it Sprinkles. Just you wait and see! Avery licked her chocolate chip ice cream covered with rainbow sprinkles before it melted down the sides of her sugar cone. She’d spent her last two dollars on her favorite flavor and topping. She wanted her ice cream to last, but the unusually warm temperatures of mid-May had other ideas.

No, you’re not, you idiot. In the same grade, Tanner Burns pulled himself from his slouch against the white post and walked over, his fingers jingling coins in his ripped and faded jean pockets. He kicked the leg of her chair and scowled. Silly, poor girls can’t own a place like this.