Two friends.
One play.
And a town of meddling mothers…
When wedding planner Jess Daniels’s personal and professional life implodes on the shores of Nantucket, Wild Rose Ridge is a perfect escape. But a flood in her aunt and uncle’s basement lands her unexpectedly at the Yellow Rose B&B— a few doors down from her childhood friend’s extremely attractive brother. She’s sworn off love and all entanglements. Her heart just needs to listen.
Professor Caleb Weaver thought leaving the big city university for a teaching position in his hometown would be easy. But between helping his parents with the B&B and getting roped into the town’s community play, he has no time to himself. But when Jess is also pulled in, the late nights and weekend rehearsals don’t sound so bad.
Real life begins to mirror Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream a little too much when they are strategically cast as the main couple. Worse, when a last-minute actor is invited to the stage. Can Caleb convince Jess to take a chance on him, or will the course of true love end in tragedy?
With a touch of summer magic, anything can happen.
Excerpt:
“I’m not late for the first day of practice, am I?”
Of course, Caleb chose that exact moment to arrive.
One dangerous peek over her shoulder confirmed it. A gray T-shirt stretched across muscles he hadn’t had in high school, and where his square jaw had once been smooth, a shadow of stubble now made him look like a regular Hollywood heartthrob. Throw in his dancing skills and love for his mother, and it was a wonder he wasn’t married yet.
“We were just talking about how Jess is going to play Hermia in our production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Isn’t that great?” said Darlene.
His eyes lowered to Jess, lingering long enough for her to make out their gold and hazel flecks. “Is that so?” A corner of his mouth tilted up, and Jess thought she might keel over right at the top of the high school steps.
At least if she suffered a heart attack, the town doctor was there to help. Only the idea of anyone other than Caleb giving her mouth-to-mouth …
Wait, what was she thinking? How was she ever supposed to stand up on stage with him and pretend to be in love with him? Maybe back in high school, but that was years ago. She knew better than to fan those feelings only to be let down a second time.
Her gaze dropped to his full lips that were currently moving, yet she’d missed everything he’d just said.
“Jess, are you feeling alright?” His rich baritone brought warmth back into her clammy hands as she wrestled her thoughts to the present. “I was saying it’ll be fun doing this together—like old times, right?”
“Mm, hmm.”
See? Precisely why she shouldn’t play Hermia.
Chase checked his watch and then nudged Fiona, who gasped at the time.
“Oh, it’s almost six. We’d better head inside and get started.” She swiped the old script from Jess with an encouraging smile. “We can talk later, but I’m positive you’re going to do great.”
Shrugging a large bag over her arm, Fiona ushered the others inside where a buzz of conversation greeted them from the stage area.
“After you,” Caleb said almost as a question as he held the door open for her.
Jess could only stand there like a stage prop, head bobbing in acknowledgment as she edged past. The unmistakable scent of lavender and something woodsy filled her nose as her shoulder brushed his, igniting a fresh wave of goosebumps beneath her cardigan.
Pull yourself together, Jess.
“Did you say something?” His voice was right behind her in the dim auditorium, making her jump.
Not even the ghost of Jacob Coleman, whom some believed haunted the school theater, could have startled her as much as Caleb in the past few days. In fact, she was fairly certain that if a ghostly apparition were to descend over the stage, her heart wouldn’t race like it did now.
About the Author:
Alyssa is a Colorado native who attended the Colorado School of Mines, got her masters in Geological Engineering, and promptly became a watercolor artist and author (as one does). She loves writing heartfelt romances with happy endings, a bit of mystery, faith, humor, and second chances. When she's not writing, you can find her in her cooking, quilting, painting, or doing any number of crafty activities. Visit her website to learn more and receive a free novella when you subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.authoralyssaschwarz.com/
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