Stacey Joy Netzel

Welcome To Redemption~ Excerpts
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A Fair of the Heart: Donna Marie Rogers

Chapter One

"I believe this belongs to you."

Lauren Frazier met the handsome stranger's teasing gaze as he handed her the knob to her front door. She promptly burst out laughing, examining the ancient piece of crap with a shake of her head. "Sorry," she said once she'd brought it down to a chuckle, "but the handle on my back screen door fell off this morning."

The stranger grinned. "I might stay home today, if I were you."

"Ya think?" She set the doorknob on the counter and stepped back. "So, what can I do for you?"

His keen brown eyes searched her living room, landing on the barber's chair in the corner with obvious relief. "Wasn't sure if I was in the right place."

"Yeah, the beauty shop sign fell off the house a few weeks ago."

His lips twitched. "I need a trim. The librarian recommended you." He held out his hand. "Caleb Hunter."

"I'll have to send Matt a thank you note. Lauren Frazier." She shook his hand, then gestured toward the barber's chair. "Have a seat."

He sat down and leaned back with his long legs sprawled out, making himself comfortable. Lauren studied him from the corner of her eye as she pulled out a clean plastic cape and her trimming shears. About six feet tall, with broad shoulders, slim hips, and a muscular upper body, Mr. Caleb Hunter could have walked right off the cover of GQ magazine. He had big bedroom brown eyes, full sexy lips, and a patrician nose that looked as if it'd seen a fist or two. His crowning glory, a thick mop of wavy auburn hair, needed at least an inch trimmed off--Lauren itched to run her fingers through it.

Thank you, Matt.

~*~

A Fair to Remember: Stacey Joy Netzel

Chapter One

There was no such thing as love at first sight, but Tara Russell needed someone to explain that to Sugar. Her arm was ready to detach from its socket as her brother's nine-month-old Great Dane pulled her along the fairway, intent on her latest infatuation. So far, Tara had managed to keep Sugar from attacking the man as he ambled past the games and rides with their flashing lights and cajoling carnies, but her strength was waning.

Truth be told, so was her will. Sugar's target was easily the sexiest guy Tara'd seen in a long time, and believe you me, she'd been looking. Unfortunately, the small town of Redemption, Wisconsin, didn't provide its women with much to choose from--in her opinion, anyway.

But this guy--mmm. The sun picked up a suggestion of auburn highlights on the top, but the shorter sides were dark brown. A faint shadow of a beard darkened his jaw, softening his chiseled profile and enhancing his rugged appeal. She hadn't caught the color of his eyes, though he'd glanced in her general direction a time or two.

Before she started drooling, she forced herself to acknowledge the most intriguing thing about him: his black suit that fit his six-foot, nicely built body like it was tailored especially for him. Wait a second. Intriguing? No. A shake of her head made her long ponytail swish against her back.

Off-putting, that's the word she meant. Because, really, who wore a suit to a fair? She started imagining likely explanations and came up with lawyer and--um--nope, that was it. Bummer. Imagine trying to bring a Suit home to her Hog-loving family? Bad enough she didn't fit the Russell mold, they might disown her if she fell for some uptight, bloodsucking, sexy--

Geez, wasn't he hot in all that material? Because just looking at him made her hot.

~*~

The Perfect Blend: Donna Marie Rogers

***

By the time four o'clock rolled around, Matt wasn't much in the mood for socializing. Maybe he'd just swing past Lauren's to say 'hi' and head home. Maybe he'd pack his bags and head to L.A., see for himself that his father was all right. And hell, maybe he'd stay. After today he was fairly certain he didn't have a future in Redemption anyway. The one woman who heated his blood could barely remember his name. Yep, he'd made some impression on Ms. Carrie Lowell, hadn't he?

Matt pulled into Lauren's driveway and killed the engine. He sat for a minute, hands clutching the steering wheel as he debated whether or not to stay. He was torn, especially if this turned out to be the last meal he shared with these two. In just a few short months, Caleb Hunter had become one of the best friends he'd ever had. And Lauren Frazier was a dream; kind, generous, funny, not to mention knock-out gorgeous.

Thank God neither of them knew what a damn fraud he was.

"Hey, you daydreaming or what?" Caleb said, slapping the hood and scaring the hell out of him. "Come on, I got an ice-cold Bud waiting for you."

Matt shook his head as he climbed out of the old Jeep Wrangler he'd purchased on his first day in town. The cheapest vehicle he'd ever owned, and by far his favorite. "Sounds good." He guessed it couldn't hurt to stay for a beer.

Matt followed Caleb inside and froze when he heard an all too familiar voice. Sitting at the kitchen table with a cup of coffee was Carrie, laughing at something Lauren had said. Matt felt a ridiculous surge of jealousy. How come the ornery woman never cracked a smile when he was around?

Carrie looked up and saw him, her smile fading. She shot Caleb a look, then Lauren, who in turn sent Matt a sheepish grin. A set up? A blind date? He almost laughed, but caught himself. Carrie looked ready to blow. A grin tugged at his lips.

"Please tell me he's not the" Carrie made air quotes "great guy you've been raving about."

Caleb grabbed Matt a beer out of the fridge as Carrie glared daggers at her friend.

Lauren cleared her throat and looked to Caleb, who shrugged. "We just thought...you know, that you'd hit it off. And we'd planned this before..."

Lauren glanced over at Matt. He took a fortifying sip of his beer and supplied, "Before I opened my big mouth and became her least favorite person in Redemption?"

Carrie scowled at him. "Don't talk about me like I'm not here. And you did more than open your mouth, you pompous ass."

Matt took a step forward. Infuriating woman. "I offered you sound business advice. But hey, you wanna lose your shop? End up in bankruptcy court? Be my guest."

"It's summer!"

"Okay," Caleb said, moving to Lauren's side, "time to calm down. Matt, why don't you have a seat. Carrie, please," Caleb added when she started to rise. "Lauren spent a lot of time and effort making this meal. The least you two can do is sit and eat it."

"You're right," Matt said, embarrassed by his childish behavior. He shot Carrie a look. The woman brought out the worst in him like no one ever had. "Lauren, dinner smells incredible, thank you."

Carrie crossed her arms over her chest and pouted. Matt, hard-pressed not to laugh, took the seat across from her and openly stared. Let her squirm, he thought, admiring the view. He took a swig of his beer. The woman was sexy as hell with those big blue eyes and waist-length auburn hair. She wasn't tall and stick thin like Lauren. Carrie had curves...lots and lots of luscious curves. His gaze unwittingly dropped to her chest. He couldn't help it. Matt was a breast man, and Carrie Lowell filled a T-shirt so well it should be a crime.

"Hey, perv, you wanna quit staring at my boobs?"

Matt choked back a laugh. "Kind of hard to do when you put 'em on display like that."

Her eyes grew round with indignation. "I do not!"

Matt gestured toward her chest. "Well, could that T-shirt be any tighter?"

"Now you're calling me fat?"

Matt thunked his beer down on the table. "Don't put words in my mouth, woman. I was merely--"

"Enough," Caleb said. "Jesus, we're going to have to put you both in a time-out if you don't start acting like adults."

"He started it," Carrie pouted, eyes narrowed.

"No, you called me a pompous ass."

"You are a pompous ass...perv."

"All right, one more word and you're both getting your mouths duct-taped," Caleb threatened.

"Fine." Matt swiped up his beer and took a long pull.

"Fine."

~*~

Grounds For Change: Stacey Joy Netzel

Chapter One

Charlie Russell scowled at the bright afternoon sun and wished he hadn't had so much to drink at Rowdy's last night. That, and Sugar's hell-bent-for-leather path down the sidewalk, intensified the headache pounding at his temples. Most days he could keep the ten-month-old Great Dane in check, but today she was like a souped up Harley on nitro.

At least she pulled him in the right direction—straight to Carrie's Coffee to Chai For on Salvation Street. In front of the shop's window, he lifted his sunglasses and squinted inside to see Carrie wiping down the half-dozen or so tables. He raised his hand to knock on the glass, only Sugar jerked his arm, and tugged him toward the door as it opened with the tinkling of a bell.

"Sugar, no. Come here, girl," he admonished, catching his balance after stumbling a step. He managed to stop the dog seconds before she accosted the woman walking out with two iced coffees in her hands. "Sorry."

"No problem."

The woman looked up from Sugar to him with a smile, and Charlie blinked when he saw her startling light green eyes. Long blonde curls rioted about her face and shoulders, and she wore a white sleeveless blouse with a frilly collar and a pair of tan pants. Dropping his sunglasses back into place to cover his bloodshot eyes, he tried not to stare, but found the combination of wild curls and sophisticated clothes on a beautiful woman impossible to resist.

She sidestepped in her strappy high heels and walked toward a metallic green Toyota Hybrid parked in front of the shop, her gaze sweeping over him before her smile faded. He ran a self-conscious hand through his dark hair that needed a trim, wishing he'd showered and combed it before taking Sugar for a walk. Maybe worn something other than a ratty tee shirt, cutoff jeans and holey tennis shoes. Yeah, so what, he'd brushed his teeth, but he should've shaved, too. Not that she'd look twice at him anyway, but still.

He turned back to the coffee shop and saw Carrie hold up a hand to let him know she'd be out in a minute. Anticipation for the reviving cup of French Roast she'd bring out made his mouth water.

"Excuse me?"

Charlie heard the feminine voice and turned to see the beautiful blonde standing by her car. She lifted the iced coffees, and with another smile, asked, "Would you mind getting my door?"

His heart skipped a beat. "Of course."

He took a quick step forward, then, too late, realized Sugar came with him. She rushed forward and shoved her large black nose under the woman's hands in an excited demand for attention. With a gasp of surprise, the woman's fingers clenched on the plastic cups, popping both clear tops off. Charlie pulled on the leash, but watched helplessly as one cup dumped down the front of her shirt and the other spilled along the length of her right thigh.

"Oh, God, I'm sorry." Charlie couldn't help but notice the lace of her bra now one hundred percent visible through her wet, previously white, blouse. The ruffles that'd swayed with her walk moments earlier hung limp against her breasts. As he watched, she leaned forward, plunged her hand into the front of her shirt, and then pulled out a handful of ice cubes.

Welcome to Redemption Anthology

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