Author: Carolyn Brown
This is book 2 in the series
When Pearl was in high school she dated the boy next door who was going through a rebellious streak. They lost their virginity together on graduation night and then he promptly disappeared. A month later, Pearl learned he decided to become a priest and join the church. She vowed never to give her heart to a man again and became the ultimate party girl. She went to college and ended up a loan officer for a bank. A few months ago, Pearl’s Aunt Pearlita (on her dad’s side) passed away and left her roadside motel to the thirty year old woman. Wanting to be her own boss, Pearl jumped all over the opportunity the motel gave her.
It’s Christmas Eve, there’s a sleet storm hovering about and the power is out in parts of Henrietta, TX. What Pearl had hoped was a quiet night turned out to be a full house at the motel. There was a motley of characters…newlyweds, grandparents with teenage grandchildren, families, and rancher Wil Marshall. Things between Wil and Pearl start off shaky. His dog and her cat get in a brawl. Then he dares to call her “Red” because of her red hair and her fiery temper. He ends up in the room next to her small apartment. She saves him from the teenage girls sneaking out of their room to get a piece of cowboy before the cops come and arrest him for murder. Turns out it was a case of mistaken identity and two people with the same name, and Pearl took pity on him and got him out of the bind. In return for her help, he helps her clean the hotel rooms when everyone leaves. He continues to pester her and she continues to reject him, though he does start to wear her down.
A couple days later a homeless abused woman, Lucy, shows up and Pearl takes her in, offering her a job and a room. Pearl and Lucy turn out to be a good pair and the extra help allows Pearl to explore the thing with Wil. By New Year’s Eve, they throw all caution to the wind and sleep together. It seems to burn out of control but neither has the willpower to slow it down. After a couple weeks, they both realize it’s the real deal but have reservations just the same. Pearl falls down his stairs and he tends to her concussion all night. Shortly thereafter they are having dinner with the parents. They put on the brakes so things don’t burn out too fast and both are miserable. Wil’s mom has a thing against red-heads which goes back to when she was dating Wil’s dad. She and Pearl overcome this little obstacle fairly quickly. Shocking to Pearl, her mother, grandmother and aunt approve of Wil, despite being a cowboy.
Pearl’s best friend Jasmine arrives in town after quitting a good job to buy a local diner. Lucy takes on more responsibility with the motel and after a heart to heart, Wil proposes to Pearl. They are married on Valentine’s Day.
Read: August 2011
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