Erin and Heather Douglas are struggling. Their mother’s death has left a void in their family and
everyday life has side-lined their dreams.
Erin has buried herself away in the family home and left her stage career. By hiding away, she is
evading the pain of returning to London and the acting world where her ex-fiancé is enjoying success
and a new relationship. When she meets charismatic Texan Jackson McGee, she wrestles with her
feelings for him. Should she trust another man?
Heather is juggling babies, work, a rocky marriage and running on wine. An overheard conversation
makes her ask, would Mark cheat on her?
Can the sisters help one another to face their fears, dust off and revive those dreams and find joy in
life?
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Erin and Jackson meet for dinner. Is it a date or a business meeeting? Jackson wishes it was a date. Does Erin?
Author Bio
Erin’s appearance blew Jackson away. ‘Hey! I mean Hi... you look...you look beautiful, Erin.’
‘Thanks Jackson.’ She walked to his car looking every inch a red carpet star. He’d always found her attractive and he loved the graceful way she moved but, with heels giving her height, her makeup and that dress, he felt a little bit in awe of her. He’d just stuttered like a teen on a first date.
He opened the car door and, as she slid into the passenger seat, he caught a wave of citrus and spice. It sparked thoughts of nuzzling her neck and breathing in the beauty of her. He sure was lucky to have found her and to be in her company this evening; damned unlucky to share it with the Dawsons though.
They headed to the Cook and Barker, nearer to his dinner guests than to Dunleith but Jackson didn’t mind driving. He loved being behind the wheel of anything fast and he didn’t drink. Erin was easy company and he told her of two up-and-coming conferences when she could offer an hour of Pilates between seminars and dinner.
They got to the restaurant in Newton-on-the-Moor before Tony and Tracey and took a seat in the bar area. Erin ordered a G&T and he caught her watching the barman pour his double tonic. He didn’t have to tell her about his old problem because he was driving and that was a good reason to keep off alcohol. He decided to be open with her... about his drinking at least.
‘I never drink nowadays, Erin. I drank too much in my wild younger days. Way too much at times... had to find out the hard way that I’m happier staying off the stuff altogether.’
‘Thanks for telling me. I don’t mind having a soft drink if it’s difficult for you to be around alcohol.’
‘No. It doesn’t bother me now or I wouldn’t be in a pub.’ ‘I like a cocktail or a half of cider when I’m out but I’m a bit of a lightweight in my family,’ Erin said.
‘There’s nothing wrong with that...Cheers to us.’ His eyes met her amber gaze, they touched glasses and Erin made no further comment. He was glad she wasn’t the over inquisitive type. Never before had he met a woman who was so easy to be with.
Tony came into the bar saying that Tracey was titivating in the ladies. He had taken a liking to Tony, who was making a good job of constructing the pool and sauna at Whych Elm, but when he had met up with Tracey, he sure hadn’t taken a similar liking to her.
Tracey had been all over him and she hadn’t been shy in letting him know that she would love to run the health and beauty area of Whych Elm Hall. How many times had she told him that she had completed a beauty diploma? Too many. He had a sinking feeling that the agenda for this evening would be the spa manager’s job. He hadn’t employed anyone yet but he wanted someone with experience who could lead a team and that, sure as hell, wasn’t Tracey.
After introducing Tony to Erin, he ordered him a pint and Tracey her favourite vodka and red bull. Tracey made her entrance with her hair in a tight high ponytail, lots of tan colour over her face, tight trousers and a top that looked way too short. She tottered over in heels that looked downright dangerous and gave him a dazzling smile, until she spotted Erin and it slipped.
‘I didn’t know you were bringing someone else, Jackson.’ She was looking Erin up and down.
He was impressed that Erin, who had stood up and held out her hand to greet Tracey, held her own and didn’t seem to be flustered by such close scrutiny.
‘I’m Erin Douglas, a colleague of Jackson’s. I’m going to be working at the spa so it’s lovely to hear about how it’s developing.’ Her warm smile was met by a glare from Tracey.
‘Jackson you didn’t tell me you were employing people already. Have you had a chance to look at my CV?’
‘Let’s go to our table, there’s plenty of time to talk about work,’ As he led the way, Jackson guessed that it would be a long night.
While he looked at the menu, Jackson tuned in on what Tracey was saying to Erin. ‘So... you’re just going to be doing the odd class of Pilates at Whych Elm Hall?’ ‘That’s right.’ ‘Are you single?... How long have you been living out in the sticks near Whych Elm Hall? Have you known Jackson for long?’
Erin was fielding questions well and it was saving him from an inquisition about the manager’s post but he felt bad about it. ‘Tracey, why don’t you take a breather and choose your starter?’ he suggested.
Tony laughed and added, ‘That’s Tracey...interested in everybody’s life. She’ll want your full life story before the first course is over, Erin.’
Jackson was beginning to think this evening was a bad idea.
Excerpt: The Barn of Buried Dreams Chrissie Bradshaw
Chrissie, 2016 winner of the Romantic Novelist's Elizabeth Goudge writing trophy, is a seasoned tea drinker and a tenacious trainer of her welsh terrier, Oscar. She has always loved match-making a book to a reader. Writing the kind of book she loves to read takes this a step further. When Chrissie is not writing or reading, you will find her walking Oscar on the beach, trying to avoid the gym and spending time with her family and friends.
Her new release, THE BARN OF BURIED DREAMS - when will they see daylight?, is a contemporary story about two sisters who are struggling after the death of their mother. It starts in Dunleith, the same Northumbrian setting as her debut novel ‘A Jarful of Moondreams’, and some characters cross both books. Readers can enjoy either book as a stand alone
Chrissie enjoys tweeting to readers on @ChrissieBeee Her instagram account is chrissie_bradshaw_author Her blog is newhenontheblog.com and she has a Chrissie Bradshaw author page on Facebook. She would love to hear from readers.
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