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  PRAISE FOR CAROLYN BROWN

  Miss Janie’s Girls

  “[A] heartfelt tale of familial love and self-acceptance.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Nobody does characters like Carolyn Brown! Her characters are a little eccentric, unique, and always filled with warmth and love.”

  —Goodreads review

  The Banty House

  “Brown throws together a colorful cast of characters to excellent effect and maximum charm in this small-town contemporary romance . . . this first-rate romance will delight readers young and old.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Mrs. Brown’s descriptions of the town and all her characters put you right there as the proverbial ‘fly on the wall.’ These sisters are more fun than The Golden Girls!”

  —Amazon review

  The Family Journal

  HOLT MEDALLION FINALIST

  “Brown takes a snapshot of the heart at its most vulnerable and then puts it in our hands for safekeeping. The Family Journal dares to expose every emotion we’re too afraid to face but determined to conquer anyway.”

  —Amazon review

  “Reading a Carolyn Brown book is like coming home again.”

  —Harlequin Junkie (top pick)

  The Empty Nesters

  “A delightful journey of hope and healing.”

  —Woman’s World

  “The story is full of emotion . . . and the joy of friendship and family. Carolyn Brown is known for her strong, loving characters, and this book is full of them.”

  —Harlequin Junkie

  “Carolyn Brown takes us back to small-town Texas with a story about women, friendships, love, loss, and hope for the future.”

  —Storeybook Reviews

  “Ms. Brown has fast become one of my favorite authors!”

  —Romance Junkies

  “A road trip full of laughs, tears, and deep friendships that prove that heart is truly what makes a family.”

  —Em and M Books

  “Carolyn Brown delivers another heaping dose of comfort reading with her latest book . . . all about supportive friendships and overcoming grief and loss. Girl power for the win!”

  —Rainy Day Ramblings

  “Sometimes if you are lucky, you pick up a book at just the right time in your life that every emotion written by the author resonates and you cannot put it down. The Empty Nesters by Carolyn Brown is that book for me.”

  —Goodreads review

  The Perfect Dress

  “Fans of Brown will swoon for this sweet contemporary, which skillfully pairs a shy small-town bridal shop owner and a softhearted car dealership owner . . . The expected but welcomed happily ever after for all involved will make readers of all ages sigh with satisfaction.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Carolyn Brown writes the best comfort-for-the-soul, heartwarming stories, and she never disappoints . . . You won’t go wrong with The Perfect Dress!”

  —Harlequin Junkie

  The Magnolia Inn

  “The author does a first-rate job of depicting the devastating stages of grief, provides a simple but appealing plot with a sympathetic hero and heroine and a cast of lovable supporting characters, and wraps it all up with a happily ever after to cheer for.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “The Magnolia Inn by Carolyn Brown is a feel-good story about friendship, fighting your demons, and finding love, and maybe, just a little bit of magic.”

  —Harlequin Junkie

  “Chock-full of Carolyn Brown’s signature country charm, The Magnolia Inn is a sweet and heartwarming story of two people trying to make the most of their lives, even when they have no idea what exactly is at stake.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  Small Town Rumors

  “Carolyn Brown is a master at writing warm, complex characters who find their way into your heart.”

  —Harlequin Junkie

  “Carolyn Brown’s Small Town Rumors takes that hotbed and with it spins a delightful tale of starting over, coming into your own, and living your life, out loud and unafraid.”

  —Words We Love By

  “Small Town Rumors by Carolyn Brown is a contemporary romance perfect for a summer read in the shade of a big old tree with a glass of lemonade or sweet tea. It is a sweet romance with wonderful characters and a small-town setting.”

  —Avonna Loves Genres

  The Sometimes Sisters

  “Carolyn Brown continues her streak of winning, heartfelt novels with The Sometimes Sisters, a story of estranged sisters and frustrated romance.”

  —All About Romance

  “This is an amazing feel-good story that will make you wish you were a part of this amazing family.”

  —Harlequin Junkie (top pick)

  “The Sometimes Sisters is a delightful and touching story that explores the bonds of family. I loved the characters, the story lines, and the focus on the importance of familial bonds, whether they be blood relations or those you choose with your heart.”

  —Rainy Day Ramblings

  The Strawberry Hearts Diner

  “Sweet and satisfying romance from the Queen of Texas Romance.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “A heartwarming cast of characters brings laughter and tears to the mix, and readers will find themselves rooting for more than one romance on the menu. From the first page to the last, Brown perfectly captures the mood as well as the atmosphere and creates a charming story that appeals to a wide range of readers.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “A sweet romance surrounded by wonderful, caring characters.”

  —TBQ’s Book Palace

  “Deeply satisfying contemporary small-town western story . . .”

  —Delighted Reader

  The Barefoot Summer

  “Prolific romance author Brown shows she can also write women’s fiction in this charming story, which uses humor and vivid characters to show the value of building an unconventional chosen family.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “This story takes you and carries you along for a wonderful ride full of laughter, tears, and three amazing HEAs. I feel like these characters are not just people in a book, but they are truly family, and I feel so invested in their journey. Another amazing HIT for Carolyn Brown.”

  —Harlequin Junkie (top pick)

  The Lullaby Sky

  “I really loved and enjoyed this story. Definitely a good comfort read, when you’re in a reading funk or just don’t know what to read. The secondary characters bring much love and laughter into this book. Your cheeks will definitely hurt from smiling so hard while reading. Carolyn is one of my favorite authors. I know that without a doubt no matter what book of hers I read, I can just get lost in it and know it will be a good story. Better than the last. Can’t wait to read more from her.”

  —The Bookworm’s Obsession

  The Lilac Bouquet

  “Brown pulls readers along for an enjoyable ride. It’s impossible not to be touched by Brown’s protagonists, particularly Seth, and a cast of strong supporting characters underpins the charming tale.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “If a reader is looking for a book more geared toward family and long-held secrets, this would be a good fit.”

  —RT Book Reviews

  “Carolyn Brown absolutely blew me away with this epically beautiful story. I cried, I giggled, I sobbed, and I guffawed; this book had it all. I’ve come to expect great things from this author, and she more than lived up to anything I could have hoped for. Emmy Jo Massey and her great-granny Tandy are absolute masterpieces not because they are perfect but because they are perfectly painted. They are so alive, so full of flaws and spunk and
determination. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.”

  —Night Owl Reviews (5 stars and top pick)

  The Wedding Pearls

  “The Wedding Pearls by Carolyn Brown is an amazing story about family, life, love, and finding out who you are and where you came from. This book is a lot like The Golden Girls meets Thelma and Louise.”

  —Harlequin Junkie

  “The Wedding Pearls is an absolute must read. I cannot recommend this one enough. Grab a copy for yourself, and one for a best friend or even your mother or both. This is a book that you need to read. It will make you laugh and cry. It is so sweet and wonderful and packed full of humor. I hope that when I grow up, I can be just like Ivy and Frankie.”

  —Rainy Day Ramblings

  The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop

  “The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop was hilarious, and so much fun to read. But sweet romances, strong female friendships, and family bonds make this more than just a humorous read.”

  —The Readers Den

  “If you like books about small towns and how the people’s lives intertwine, you will love this book. I think it’s probably my favorite book this year. The relationships of the three main characters, girls who have grown up together, will make you feel like you just pulled up a chair in their beauty shop with a bunch of old friends. As you meet the other people in the town, you will wish you could move there. There are some genuine laugh-out-loud moments and then more that will just make you smile. These are real people, not the oh-so-thin-and-so-very-rich that are often the main characters in novels. This book will warm your heart and you’ll remember it after you finish the last page. That’s the highest praise I can give a book.”

  —Reader quote

  Long, Hot Texas Summer

  “This is one of those lighthearted, feel-good, make-me-happy kind of stories. But, at the same time, the essence of this story is family and love with a big ole dose of laughter and country living thrown in the mix. This is the first installment in what promises to be another fascinating series from Brown. Find a comfortable chair, sit back, and relax, because once you start reading Long, Hot Texas Summer, you won’t be able to put it down. This is a super fun and sassy romance.”

  —Thoughts in Progress

  Daisies in the Canyon

  “I just loved the symbolism in Daisies in the Canyon. As I mentioned before, Carolyn Brown has a way with character development, with few if any contemporaries. I am sure there are more stories to tell in this series. Brown just touched the surface first with Long, Hot Texas Summer and is now continuing on with Daisies in the Canyon.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  ALSO BY CAROLYN BROWN

  CONTEMPORARY ROMANCES

  Miss Janie’s Girls

  The Banty House

  The Family Journal

  The Empty Nesters

  The Perfect Dress

  The Magnolia Inn

  Small Town Rumors

  The Sometimes Sisters

  The Strawberry Hearts Diner

  The Lilac Bouquet

  The Barefoot Summer

  The Lullaby Sky

  The Wedding Pearls

  The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop

  The Ladies’ Room

  Hidden Secrets

  Long, Hot Texas Summer

  Daisies in the Canyon

  Trouble in Paradise

  CONTEMPORARY SERIES

  THE BROKEN ROAD SERIES

  To Trust

  To Commit

  To Believe

  To Dream

  To Hope

  THREE MAGIC WORDS TRILOGY

  A Forever Thing

  In Shining Whatever

  Life After Wife

  HISTORICAL ROMANCE

  THE BLACK SWAN TRILOGY

  Pushin’ Up Daisies

  From Thin Air

  Come High Water

  THE DRIFTERS AND DREAMERS TRILOGY

  Morning Glory

  Sweet Tilly

  Evening Star

  THE LOVE’S VALLEY SERIES

  Choices

  Absolution

  Chances

  Redemption

  Promises

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Text copyright © 2020 by Carolyn Brown

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

  Published by Montlake, Seattle

  www.apub.com

  Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.

  ISBN-13: 9781542025584

  ISBN-10: 1542025583

  Cover design by Laura Klynstra

  To my son, Lemar Brown,

  with much love for all your support!

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Epilogue

  Dear Reader . . .

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Some school years were just flat-out tougher than others.

  “And this is one of them,” Jayden said to herself as she dropped her briefcase and tote bag inside her apartment door, laid her cell phone on the end table, and collapsed on the sofa. She threw a hand over her eyes to block the afternoon sun and dozed off for a well-deserved nap.

  She was awakened a few minutes later to her phone ringing right by her ear. Vowing that she might shoot whoever was on the other end, she answered it on the third ring without even checking to see who was calling. If it was a telemarketer, their earwax was about to boil.

  “Hello,” she groaned.

  “Hello, this is Mary Wilson from the Piney Wood Academy in Alpine, Texas,” a soft voice on the other end said.

  Jayden held the phone out from her ear. Her finger was on the way to hit the end button when she remembered that place was where her sister, Skyler, had worked the past couple of years as a counselor for girls who were on probation. She put the phone back to her ear and sat up straight.

  “Is this about Skyler?” she asked.

  “Yes, in a way, I suppose it is,” Mary answered.

  “Is she sick?” Jayden hadn’t talked to her sister since Christmas. They’d exchanged small gifts and had a lunch together like always, and she hadn’t thought she would even hear from Skyler until the next year.

  “No, but she was supposed to be here at the end of this week, and she offered your name as an alternative counselor. Our summer session starts next Monday, June first, and she called this morning to say that she was going to Europe with her school’s music group,” Mary said. “We’re a pretty small outfit, so we always ask our team if they know anyone else who might work. We are hoping that you might consider filling in for her this summer.”

  Wasn’t that just like her sister to put her down as next of kin and as a person who would take her place without even asking if it was all right? Jayden shouldn’t be surprised. After all, Skyler was the queen of the Bennett family, and Jayden was barely worthy to wipe the mud from her shoes.

  “How soon would you have
to know?” Jayden wasn’t sure where the words came from. She had thought to respectfully decline the offer from the second the woman told her about it.

  “The sooner the better. We’d need to do a little vetting for the county beyond the clearance you get for a school, so we’ll get started. We pay well and give you room and board for eight weeks. Of course, you will share a cabin with three girls, but it doesn’t cost you a dime.” Mary gave her an amount.

  She was stunned speechless. So that was why Skyler worked at the camp in the summer—not because she was helping the girls who needed her counseling but for the money. And that was why she could afford so many fancy clothes and shoes. “Can I think about it until tomorrow, and would you email me some material to study about the camp?”

  “I’ll be glad to do that, along with the contract, your responsibilities if you take the job, and our website link,” Mary answered. “I’ll be looking forward to your call.”

  “Yes, ma’am, and thanks for the offer,” Jayden said. “Bye, now.”

  “Have a great day,” Mary said.

  The call ended and Jayden fell back on the sofa again, but this time wide awake and ready to strangle her petite, beautiful sister. She jumped up and paced around her small living room floor. At her height and with her long stride, she could make the round in a short time.

  And you thought nothing Skyler did could ever surprise you, the pesky voice in her head said, and it was so right.

  Skyler had been three years old when Jayden was born, and from day one, she figured her younger sister had come into the world to wait on her. And that was pretty much exactly what Jayden did—most of the time to keep peace in the family, because Skyler could be a real stinker when she didn’t get her way.

  Go get my shoes. Get out of my room. Don’t touch my makeup ever again—you’ll never be as pretty as I am. Knock before you come in my door. Don’t you say a word to me unless I ask you a question.

  All those barbs came back to haunt her as she continued to pace. Why should she do anything so that Skyler could go to Europe for the summer? She stopped dead in her tracks. Skyler was going. She must already have tickets.

  Jayden was still trying to decide what to do when her doorbell rang.

  “Dammit!” she swore as she headed that way. “No rest for the wicked, I guess.” She slung the door open to find her sister only a few feet in front of her. Dressed in cute little lace shorty-shorts and a skintight pink tank top with matching wedge-heeled sandals, she smiled at Jayden.