Itâs time to take a chance
Evie Hamilton has big plans for Starlight Point, her familyâs amusement park. Determined to prove sheâs more than a by-the-numbers accountant, Evie is all set to open a brand-new marina and renovate the century-old Lake Breeze Hotel. Sheâs planned for every possible roadblock...except the handsome, infuriating new fire inspector.
Firefighter Scott Bennett doesnât want to be the bad guy. But when he looks at Evieâs plans, all he can see are the potential disasters. He wants to help Evie build for the future, but letting go of the past feels dangerous. Almost as dangerous as trusting Evie with his heart.
âThereâs no excuse for playing with fire.â
Scott heard the hard edge in his voice but couldnât help it.
Evie crossed her arms as she continued to look across the bay. Probably waiting for the towboat so she could get out of here as soon as possible. She turned back to him. âDonât you ever play with fire?â she asked.
Scott felt her words like a punch. Felt the air drop ten degrees colder. âNo,â he said. He was sorry heâd tried to be nice.
âSo those stories about firefighters being closet pyromaniacs are just rumors?â
Heat crept over his neck and ears like a burn.
âNo one I know or have ever worked with,â he said, clipping off the words with deadly deliberation, âwould think it was fun to mess around with something that could kill.â
He stopped himself before he said too much.
Dear Reader,
Thank you for visiting Starlight Point as you read Meet Me on the Midway. No matter the season, I believe itâs always a good time for a summer romance!
This is the third of the Starlight Point Stories miniseries. The first book, Under the Boardwalk, follows the eldest of the Hamilton children the first summer he inherits Starlight Point. Jack Hamilton finds true love with Augusta after a roller-coaster romance. In the second book, Carousel Nights, middle child June Hamilton struggles with a tough choice: continuing her Broadway career or coming home to Starlight Point for good. This third book follows the youngest member of the family, Evie, as she finds her place at Starlight Point. Proving herself as more than just an accountant means she has to take risks with the family business. She also risks her heart with a man who stands in her way but sweeps her into a summer romance.
This is my ninth published novel, but I still fall in love with my characters every time. I hope youâll love spending time with Evie and Scott at Starlight Point. Thank you for reading my book, and please visit me at amiedenman.com, follow me on Twitter, @amiedenman, or send me an email at [email protected].
Happy summer, wherever you are!
Amie Denman
AMIE DENMAN is the author of nine contemporary romances full of humor and heart. Born with an overdeveloped sense of curiosity, sheâs been known to chase fire trucks on her bicycle and eavesdrop on loversâ conversations. Amie lives in Ohio with her husband, two sons, a big yellow Labrador and two cats. She believes everything is fun, especially wedding cake, show tunes, roller coasters and falling in love.
To my husband, with whom I fell in love many summers ago at an amusement park just like Starlight Point.
CHAPTER ONE
THIS SHOULD HAVE been my big day. Evie Hamilton wore a white linen dress and high-heeled sandals as she stood on the long sunny dock in the Starlight Point Marina. The project sheâd dreamed up for her familyâs amusement park last summer and worked on all winter was scheduled to open today. The morning weather was perfect. Reporters lined a parallel dock, and a camera crew from the local news station waited. Starlight Point would be on the cover of the July issue of the Roller Coaster Times.
âYou look like an advertisement for summer in that gorgeous dress,â Evieâs sister, June, said. âWhy donât you toss your plain navy blue skirts and dress like this all the time? Itâs more dramatic.â
âThe role of the dramatic sister is already taken,â Evie said. âAnd nothing is less practical than white linen. If it rains, Iâm going to look like a naked waif.â
âYou might get a good offer,â June said. She stood next to Evie and smiled and waved at the reporters.
Evie shook her head. âThe only offer I want right now is the offer of a signature on our occupancy permit from the local fire inspector.â
âItâll work out,â her sister advised her. âCut the ribbon and pretend the whole project is on time and boaters will be eating seafood at the restaurant for dinner.â