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    The Prequel
    The Prequel
    The Prequel
    Ebook84 pages1 hour

    The Prequel

    By Mona Ingram

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    New Cover July 2020

    Like so many small towns in America, Chance California is losing businesses and residents at an alarming rate. Can five women who suffered recent heartbreak put a stop to the town's decline? In this short prequel, get to know the women who join forces to bring new businesses, new residents and new life to their town. And who knows… they just might find love at the same time.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherMona Ingram
    Release dateJun 10, 2017
    ISBN9781927745236
    The Prequel
    Author

    Mona Ingram

    Mona Ingram loves to make up stories and is the author of more than four dozen romances. Most mornings she can be found at her computer, trying to keep up with the characters in her current work, many of whom invariably want to go off in a completely different direction than she planned. But that’s the joy of writing. An avid bird watcher, Mona is particularly happy when she can combine bird watching with travel.

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      Book preview

      The Prequel - Mona Ingram

      SECOND CHANCES SERIES

      Book One

      Prequel

      by

      Mona Ingram

      COVER DESIGN:

      Elizabeth Mackey

      About this series:

      The series comprises five complete stories... one for each woman.

      Each book describes one woman’s journey as she arrives at this point in her life, and includes the love story that develops as she works to save the town of Chance.

      Copyright © 2017 Mona Ingram

      All rights reserved.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locations is entirely coincidental.

      The town of Chance California is completely fictional, and the author has taken liberties in describing Looe, Cornwall.

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Chapter One

      Chapter Two

      Chapter Three

      Chapter Four

      Chapter Five

      Chapter Six

      Chapter Seven

      Chapter Eight

      Chapter Nine

      Chapter Ten

      Chapter One

      HERE. GABBY REACHED for the mirror. Let me show you the back.

      Lianne met the hairdresser’s gaze in the mirror and smiled her approval. Looks great, as usual. Thanks, Gabby.

      I’m glad you came in. Gabby took her time returning the mirror to the hook. I haven’t seen you since you came back from England. How was the trip?

      England. Lianne had been home for slightly over two weeks, but there were times – like late at night when she couldn’t sleep – when she could still smell the fresh, tangy scent of the ocean and feel the warmth of James’ hand as they walked along the beach. And on those long, desperate nights as the moon sent pale streaks of light through her curtains, she wondered if her heart would ever recover from the pain of realizing how foolish she’d been to think that she and James would ever have anything more than a fleeting holiday encounter.

      Lianne dragged herself back to the present. She’d been keeping to herself, afraid that her heartbreak might be written across her face for everyone to see. She had known Gabby since attending high school here in Chance, and true to her nickname, Gabrielle was the town gossip. Confide in her in the morning and the whole town would be buzzing by suppertime.

      The trip was great. Lianne forced herself to look into the other woman’s eyes. Thanks for asking.

      Gabby got the unspoken message: no more questions. Lianne had never known her to take offense, which was why she continued to come back to Gabby’s Clip and Curl. That, plus the fact that there was nowhere else within fifty miles.

      Gabby rang up the charges and accepted Lianne’s card. Everybody’s talking about that terrible television program. Is it true that Madison is coming home?

      Lianne nodded. Yes, she’s arriving sometime tomorrow as far as I know.

      Gabby shook her head. I can’t imagine what it was like for her, finding out that her marriage was over on national television. That sort of thing usually happens only in the movies. Like that movie with Sandra Bullock and that sexy singer. What’s his name?

      Harry Connick.

      Yeah, him. I’d absolutely die if that happened to me.

      Me, too. Lianne tucked her credit card into her purse. How did you find out that Madison is coming? I just spoke with her a few hours ago.

      Gabby glanced back into the salon as though checking for other customers. Lianne didn’t have the heart to point out that it had been empty when she arrived and that nothing had changed. Why her poor Momma stopped in this morning. I guess Madison told her she was coming, but that she’d be staying with you. Madge was hoping Madison would stay with her.

      Lianne was quick to defend her friend. Madison needs the peace and quiet of the ranch. Besides, Madge and Norm just don’t have the space.

      Gabby nodded vigorously. I know, but I didn’t want to argue with her. She’s so proud that Maddie made something of herself.

      I know, and it’s sweet. Lianne sighed. People are good about not bothering Maddie when she comes home but this time it’s more important than ever. If anyone asks, you might just say that she wants her privacy. She gave Gabby an encouraging smile. I know she’d appreciate your help with that.

      "I will. I will. She may not be a major movie star, but everyone knows who she is." Gabby walked outside with Lianne and looked up and down the main street. Chance, California could have passed for a Wild West town. Not that long ago, a movie had been shot here, and the production company had transformed the main street with the understanding that they would leave the improvements and false storefronts in place when they left. The result was so authentic that Lianne wouldn’t have been surprised to see Wyatt and Doc push through the swinging doors of the Saloon across the street.

      You know, said Gabby. "I was one of the locals who believed that the town would come back to life after they finished shooting The Argonauts. Boy, was I wrong. She glanced back into her hair salon. I’m barely making enough to keep this place open, and I’m not the only one struggling."

      Lianne nodded. "I’ve heard that, and it saddens me. I love this town, and I hate to see people move out. I hear that the old Matheson place out by Dry Gulch finally sold for a fraction of the initial asking price. The family reduced

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