Stranded

Readers love
A
NDREW
G
REY

The Good Fight

“As per his normal, Mr. Grey has created great characters, used vivid descriptions, a fast pace, a well-scripted plot and all the emotional turmoil I could handle.”

—Literary Nymphs Reviews

“I get a glimpse into the lives of people living very differently from me and it’s never condescending or boring. He brings them to life by cutting through all the labels and bringing out their humanity, both the good and the bad. They never live in an ideal world or fit into some preconceived stereotype. I love that!”

—Reviews By Jessewave

An Isolated Range

“This is a great story about personal independence, love found and lost, and what it really means to be a loving, supportive parent. Another wonderful character-driven novel in the style we have come to expect from the story-telling mind of Andrew Grey. Enjoy.”

—Mrs. Condit and Friends

A Foreign Range

“If you are looking for a quick romantic read about some emotionally guarded but hunky cowboys then saddle up and take a ride on the Range series.”

—Guilty Indulgences

Legal Tender

“Buy the book and have an engaging, enjoyable day of reading.”

—Randy’s Book Bag Reviews

Novels by
A
NDREW
G
REY

Accompanied by a Waltz

Dutch Treat

In Search of a Story

A Wild Ride

Three Fates (anthology)

Work Me Out (anthology)

A
RT
S
ERIES

Legal Artistry • Artistic Appeal • Artistic Pursuits • Legal Tender

B
OTTLED
U
P
S
TORIES

Bottled Up • Uncorked • The Best Revenge • An Unexpected Vintage

C
HILDREN
OF
B
ACCHUS
S
TORIES

Children of Bacchus • Thursday’s Child • Child of Joy

G
OOD
F
IGHT
S
ERIES

The Good Fight • The Fight Within • The Fight for Identity

L
OVE
M
EANS
… S
ERIES

Love Means… No Shame • Love Means… Courage • Love Means… No Boundaries

Love Means… Freedom • Love Means … No Fear

Love Means… Family • Love Means… Renewal • Love Means… No Limits

S
ENSES
S
TORIES

Love Comes Silently • Love Comes in Darkness

S
EVEN
D
AYS
S
TORIES

Seven Days • Unconditional Love

S
TORIES
F
ROM
THE
R
ANGE

A Shared Range • A Troubled Range • An Unsettled Range

A Foreign Range • An Isolated Range• A Volatile Range

T
ASTE
OF
L
OVE
S
TORIES

A Taste of Love • A Serving of Love • A Helping of Love • A Slice of Love

Published by
D
REAMSPINNER
P
RESS

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

Novellas by
A
NDREW
G
REY

A Present in Swaddling Clothes

Organic Chemistry

Shared Revelations

Snowbound in Nowhere

F
IRE
S
ERIES

Redemption by Fire • Strengthened by Fire • Burnished by Fire • Heat Under Fire

C
HILDREN
OF
B
ACCHUS
S
TORIES

Spring Reassurance • Winter Love

L
OVE
M
EANS
… S
ERIES

Love Means… Healing • Love Means… Renewal

W
ORK
O
UT
S
ERIES

Spot Me • Pump Me Up • Core Training • Crunch Time

Positive Resistance • Personal Training • Cardio Conditioning

Published by
D
REAMSPINNER
P
RESS

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

Published by

Dreamspinner Press

5032 Capital Circle SW
Ste 2, PMB# 279
Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886

USA

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

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

Stranded

Copyright © 2013 by Andrew Grey

Cover Art by Reese Dante  

http://www.reesedante.com

Cover content is being used for illustrative purposes only
and any person depicted on the cover is a model.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press, 5032 Capital Circle SW, Ste 2, PMB# 279, Tallahassee, FL 32305-7886, USA.

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/

ISBN: 978-1-62380-658-3

Digital ISBN: 978-1-62380-659-0

Printed in the United States of America

First Edition

July 2013

To Jane: Thank you for everything.

H
E
FIDGETED
in his seat in the Dolby Theatre, gripping the armrest and holding his breath as the music sounded and the presenters walked out on stage, the starlet in an incredible gown that must have cost more than his parents’ house, and the star in a tuxedo that actually shone a bit under the lights. They glided out to the podium and did their short shtick before getting to the business at hand. By this time, he figured his heart was two seconds from giving out. The man moved a tad closer to the microphone. “And the nominees for Best Actor are….”

A year or so earlier….

K
ENDALL
M
ONROE
rushed offstage and into the wings just after the lights faded. He had two minutes to change and get ready for his next entrance. He’d already pulled off his shirt, and his shoes had been kicked off, with one of the runners picking them up. He hurried behind a screen and shoved his pants down, then stepped out of them and into another pair already waiting. He was handed his shirt, and as soon as he walked out, the shirt was buttoned and his tie placed around his neck and tightened. His collar was fixed, and he shrugged on his coat. Shoes were already in front of him as if by magic, and he slipped them on. They were tied for him, and one of the wardrobe people gave him a good once-over, nodded, and Kendall walked back toward the wings to await his cue.

He stepped out of the wings and met his costar in the center of the stage, where they did their final scene together, she in his arms, and he guiding her through the final dance number. The music built, he kissed her, and then the stage opened up and the rest of the cast joined them, adding their voices to the stars’ as the music, lyrics, and dance all built to a crescendo that ended with everyone taking their final pose and waiting for the curtain to drop.

As soon as the fabric hit the floor, Kendall breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone hurried off the stage, and the curtain rose again. Cast members rushed back out on stage for their bows, and at the very end, Kendall and Joyce held hands and walked back on stage. The applause grew, echoing thunderously off the walls of the theater. They bowed together, and then the rest of the cast came together around them. Kendall clasped hands with Jeffrey, like he always did in this choreographed display of fake spontaneity, bowed again, blew kisses to the audience, and then bowed one more time before stepping back and letting the curtain come down for the last time.

As soon as he walked offstage and down to his dressing room, it hit Kendall that this was the last time he’d play the handsome, dashing, and sometimes bumbling Stone. The run was over—not because they weren’t selling tickets, but because the producers hadn’t been smart enough to leave their options open when they’d negotiated with the theater, and another show was booked and ready to start rehearsals.

Kendall changed out of his final costume and into his street clothes. A knock sounded on his door. “Come in,” Kendall called, and Joyce stepped inside.

“Can you believe we’re actually closing?” she asked, flopping down on the sofa.

“No,” Kendall said, sitting next to her. One of the things they’d discovered when they’d begun working together months ago was that neither of them wanted the crush of people that always seemed to appear after a show. So either she came to his dressing room or he went to hers, and they hid until things quieted down and they could leave in peace. Most of the others in the cast and crew respected their need for quiet and a chance to decompress. “Even my agent hasn’t been looking very hard because he thought the producers would come up with a way for the show to continue. We’ve sold out for weeks, but there aren’t any available theaters right now, so….”

“I know,” she said. “I was really hoping this engagement would be extended for another few months.”

“Have you heard any more about doing that reality show?” Kendall asked as he got up. He pulled a bottle out of the mini refrigerator and popped the cork. “I know we don’t normally do this, but I thought we deserved to celebrate a bit.” Kendall poured two glasses of the champagne and handed one to Joyce. “Here’s to you,” he said, raising his glass. “I’ve loved every day working with you.”