Bachelor's Puzzle
WELCOME TO TYLERBETTER ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVESThere's been a flood at the old library, and the staff needs all the help they can get! Pitch in and catch up on the latest goings-on in America's favorite hometown.A LATE-BLOOMING PASSIONElise Ferguson, Tyler's head librarian, has slipped uneventfully into middle-aged spinsterhood. But lately she's been seen in the company of Robert Fairmont – that distinguished-looking visiting professor of architecture…OLD RIVALRIES RENEWEDElise's sister, Bea, is certain Robert must have ulterior motives. After all, why would any man be interested in Elise? Bea's snooping uncovers more than even she bargained for – and threatens everyone's happiness.
Читать Bachelor's Puzzle онлайн беплатно
WELCOME TO TYLER-BETTER ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES
There’s been a flood at the old library, and the staff needs all the help they can get! Pitch in and catch up on the latest goings-on in America’s favorite hometown.
A LATE-BLOOMING PASSION
Elise Ferguson, Tyler’s head librarian, has slipped uneventfully into middle-aged spinsterhood.
But lately she’s been seen in the company of Robert Fairmont—that distinguished-looking visiting professor of architecture…
OLD RIVALRIES RENEWED
Elise’s sister, Bea, is certain Robert must have ulterior motives. After all, why would any man be interested in Elise? Bea’s snooping uncovers more than even she bargained for—and threatens everyone’s happiness.
Previously Published.
“Robert used you, Elise.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, Bea.” Elise faced her sister. “You don’t like Robert because you’re afraid that if I fall in love with him, I’ll either abandon you or put you in Worthington House. But it’s too late, Bea. I’ve already fallen in love with him and there’s nothing you can do about it!”
“Then you love a criminal! Ask him about the old library. Ask him why he was in such a hurry to buy it. With your help, he got the place for a song when it’s worth a million, maybe two!”
“I don’t believe you,” Elise whispered, her color fading.
“And now you tell me that you love him.” Bea laughed. “What a joke! If the town was laughing at you before, think what they’ll do now. You love him!”
With her sister’s laughter echoing in her ears, Elise shook her head. “No,” she said hoarsely. “No.”
Welcome to Harlequin’s Tyler, a small Wisconsin town whose citizens we hope you’ll soon come to know and love. Like many of the innovative publishing concepts Harlequin has launched over the years, the idea for the Tyler series originated in response to our readers’ preferences. Your enthusiasm for sequels and continuing characters within many of the Harlequin lines has prompted us to create a twelve-book series of individual romances whose characters’ lives inevitably intertwine.
Tyler faces many challenges typical of small towns, but the fabric of this fictional community will be torn by the revelation of a long-ago murder, the details of which will evolve right through the series. This intriguing crime will profoundly affect the lives of the Ingallses, the Barons, the Forresters and the Wochecks.
If you’ve got a little time to spare, the volunteers could sure use some help with the crisis at the library. Right now, the old place is being held together by wishes and prayers.
And it seems Judson Ingalls could use some wishes and prayers, as well. A long-awaited announcement from the state coroner’s office has sent him to his bed and thoroughly alarmed Alyssa and his grandson, Jeff.
So join us in Tyler for a slice of small-town life that’s not as innocent or as quiet as you might expect, and for a sense of community that will capture your mind and your heart.
Marsha Zinberg
Editorial Coordinator, Tyler
Special thanks and acknowledgment to Ginger Chambers for her contribution to the Tyler series.
Special thanks and acknowledgment to Joanna Kosloff for her contribution to the concept for the Tyler series.
CONTENTS
ELISE FERGUSON BRUSHED her fingertips through her short pale hair, smoothing it at the same time as she tried to fluff it. The perm she had gotten a few months ago was already loosening and she knew that soon she would have to get another. But right now she just didn’t have the time to think about it.
She leaned forward, peering closely into the mirror at the fine lines that seemed to have appeared from nowhere over the past few years. Then she moved back, checking whether the hurried makeup job had been sufficient. From a distance, it worked. She didn’t look substantially worse for wear than any other fifty-three-year-old who had just spent a morning in hell. And with the donning of her dress-for-success, reserved-for-meetings suit, she gave the illusion of complete competency. No one would believe that a scant half hour before, dampened through and through, she had raced into the bathroom, streaked with dirt from head to toe, her baby-fine hair sticking out at odd angles and her dress a shambles.
Elise’s stomach gave a nervous rumble. She knew she probably should eat something, but there wasn’t time for that, either. She had to be back at the library in—she checked her watch—five minutes. Five minutes! Impossible!
She reached for a bottle of her favorite scent and misted a light bouquet of spring flowers over herself. Then, grabbing a pair of tiny gold studs, she slipped them into her ears as she hurried down the stairs.
“Elise!” Her sister’s voice held a petulant edge. “Elise! I need you to do something for me!”
