The Ballerina's Stand
Love reaches far beyond wordsWhen she was growing up, a deaf child in foster care, dancing gave Lauren Ramsey a sense of belonging. Now she's a prima ballerina with her own dance studio; everything's finally going right. And then lawyer Jason Hawkins turns up and drops a bombshell: Lauren's unknown father has left her a fortune. Well, Jason can take that money and shove it. Except…he can't. Once he sees Lauren dancing, he can't stay away…
Читать The Ballerina's Stand онлайн беплатно
Love reaches far beyond words
When she was growing up, a deaf child in foster care, dancing gave Lauren Ramsey a sense of belonging. Now sheâs a prima ballerina with her own dance studio; everythingâs finally going right. And then lawyer Jason Hawkins turns up and drops a bombshell: Laurenâs unknown father has left her a fortune. Well, Jason can take that money and shove it. Except...he canât. Once he sees Lauren dancing, he canât stay away...
Lauren had never liked surprises.
Even good ones, she thought, though there were few to reference.
Jason drove toward Glendale. Not too far from home, but not a part of town she was familiar with. The sights intrigued her, and she felt a sense of anticipation.
Finally, Jason pulled into a large parking lot filled with pickup trucks. The neon sign on the roof of the bar shone bright orange, casting a glow over everything.
Lauren had never been to any place like this, and her anticipation threatened to morph into anxiety. Jason squeezed her hand and gave her another of those smiles.
âCome on,â he said, climbing out and coming around to her side of the car. As they walked across the parking lot, he took her hand again, and she let him. It seemed...right.
His hand was strong, warm and callused, and any uncertainties sheâd had fled. She let herself smile back at him and relaxed for the first time that night.
As a kid, I was always fascinated with people whose lives were different from mine. I read any biography I could get my hands on. Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan were two people I always admired.
A couple years ago, I was given the opportunity to take sign language classes at work and, through that class, I met someone who left a lasting impression. The instructor for those classes made me think and work hard to learn this new language. She taught us more than the signs, she also showed us a whole new fascinating culture.
As always in new situations, my brain came up with ideas for characters, and a story that scared me enough to make me question my ability as a writer and my sanity. I wanted to show this new culture Iâd come to respect and like. This story touched my heart, but proved to be the hardest one Iâve ever taken on.
I hope youâll enjoy getting more acquainted with the third brother in the Hawkins family, Jason, and the woman who steals his heart, Lauren Ramsey. I also hope to share a respect and understanding of the challenges the hearing-impaired face. Any inaccuracies are purely things I still have to learn in this lifelong journey.
Angel Smits
ANGEL SMITS lives in Colorado with her husband, daughter and puppy. Winning the Romance Writers of Americaâs Golden Heart® Award was the highlight of her writing career, until her first Harlequin book hit the shelves. Her social work background inspires her characters while improv writing allows her to torture them. Itâs a rough job, but someoneâs got to do it.
This book is dedicated to some very amazing people. My critique partners, Pam McCutcheon, Karen Fox and Jodi Anderson, who slogged through this with me. And my husband, Ron, who had to listen to me all the way through. But mostly to Lauraan, who showed me what a strong person can do in this world. Thank you all.
Contents
APPARENTLY, MOST OF Jason Hawkinsâs siblings had been bitten by the love bug. Standing here in the basement of the church, listening to a local country band, a warm beer in hand, Jason simply watched and shook his head.
His younger brother, DJ, looked as handsome and happy as ever in a black tuxedo. Tammie, the newest addition to the Hawkins clan, glowed in her lacy confection of a wedding dress as DJ spun her around the dance floor.
Those two didnât even seem to notice there was anyone else in the roomâexcept their son, Tyler, who, at the age of nine, took his duty as best man very seriously. Heâd banged a spoon on the drinking glasses so many times, to get his parents to kiss, that Jason was getting a headache.
Wyatt and Emily, Jasonâs older brother and his fiancée, were busy gathering all the silverware to get it to the church ladies in the kitchen and out of Tylerâs reach.
Jason considered helping, but they were having entirely too much fun doing it together.
One of his younger sisters, Mandy, sat nearby, her little one, Lucas, asleep in her arms. She was smiling and swaying to the songâs beat as if she wished she were out on the dance floor.
Not like she hadnât been out there plenty. Lane, Mandyâs boyfriend, and Lucasâs father, had done his due diligence. Now the poor guy was running to get drinks for them at the bar. Mandy and Lane hadnât announced anything official about their relationship yet, but the entire time Jason had been back home, Mandy had stayed at Laneâs place. The man didnât look one bit put out about it, either.
