Making a Comeback by Julie Blair

Author:Julie Blair [Blair, Julie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626391758
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2015-05-26T04:00:00+00:00

*

Maybe she’d overreacted to being recognized. Maybe, like being ambushed by that wave, it would wash over her without sweeping her out to sea. Jac reached between the seats and petted Max. His fur was soft, almost fluffy, from the salt water. Relaxed and thinking clearly again, she realized the odds of that woman knowing anyone in the media were low. Peg said she looked embarrassed. She probably didn’t think any more about it. She’d lay low for a few weeks, and she’d have to stay away from Liz’s shows. She’d get her feelings under control before they caused any more damage. Friends. That’s all.

Liz stopped the CD and replayed the song. “That’s what I love about Ellington’s compositions. I think I know what he’s doing and then he surprises me.”

“Your compositions, too.” A few minutes later, tires on gravel indicated they were home. She stepped out and arched her back. Better. “Give me something to carry.” She let Max out.

“Take these.” Liz put a bundle of towels in her arms.

“Jacqueline Richards?”

Jac jerked her head toward the male voice and hugged the bundle as if it could protect her.

“I’m with the San Francisco Chronicle.” His voice closer. “I’d like to ask you some questions.”

“Go away!” Fear glued her feet to the gravel and her heart lodged in her throat. Ambushed.

“Hey, who are you?” Liz. Footsteps moving quickly on the gravel.

“Chronicle. I’m doing an article—”

“Leave her alone!”

“You’re Liz Randall. Great. I want to talk to you about your collaboration with—”

“You can’t be here,” Liz said fiercely.

The house. Which way was the house? Jac took a step and bumped into the car. Damn it. She clutched the towels against her body, disoriented. Max hugged her leg, but he wasn’t in harness. No way to escape.

“People loved your music, Ms. Richards, and want to know what happened to you.”

“Go!” Liz. “You’re trespassing on private property.”

“What about the accident, Ms. Richards? You were at the peak of your career. Was that why you retired?”

“Leave me alone!” Jac swung her arm in front of her as footsteps approached.

“I’ve got you,” Liz said, taking her arm.

Her legs quivered as Liz hurried her across the gravel, the reporter firing more questions at them. After what seemed like an eternity, Liz opened a door and she was in Peg’s house. She was shaking from the adrenaline. Ambushed. Her worst nightmare.

“How was your afternoon?” Peg asked, when they made it to the dining room.

“There’s a reporter out front,” Liz said.

“Damn it. I’ll get rid of him,” Roger said.

“Sit.” Liz took the towels and put Jac’s hand on the back of the barstool.

Jac slid onto it and gripped the edge of the bar top. Liz held onto one shoulder and Peg the other. The press had found her. What about the accident, Ms. Richards? Scandal. Sensation. They’d milk it for all they could. There’d be no safe place.

“He’s gone,” Roger said.

“It’ll be all right,” Peg said.

“No.” Jac’s heart beat nearly out of her chest. Her reputation would be destroyed. All she had left.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.