Whisper's Edge
Praise for LuAnn McLane’s
Cricket Creek Novels
Pitch Perfect
“A delightfulG…charming tale.”
—
Romantic Times
“Entertaining [and] lighthearted.”
—Genre Go Round Reviews
Catch of a Lifetime
“I thoroughly enjoyed this amusing tale of baseball fanatics and a quiet little town that everyone falls in love with. The residents are all amusing and interesting…pure entertainment!”
—Fresh Fiction
“LuAnn McLane has created a delightful small-town romance that just captivates your heart and has you rooting for these charming characters.…I thoroughly enjoyed this romance and I know that readers will want to spend more time with these handsome baseball players.”
—Night Owl Reviews
Playing for Keeps
“A fun tale.”
—
Midwest Book Review
“Charming, romantic…this new series should be a real hit!”
—Fresh Fiction
“McLane’s trademark devilish dialogue is in fine form for this series.”
—
Publishers Weekly
“No one does Southern love like LuAnn McLane!”
—The Romance Dish
A
LSO BY
L
U
A
NN
M
C
L
ANE
C
ONTEMPORARY
R
OMANCES
Pitch Perfect: A Cricket Creek Novel
Catch of a Lifetime: A Cricket Creek Novel
Playing for Keeps: A Cricket Creek Novel
He’s No Prince Charming
Redneck Cinderella
A Little Less Talk and a Lot More Action
Trick My Truck but Don’t Mess with My Heart
Dancing Shoes and Honky-Tonk Blues
Dark Roots and Cowboy Boots
E
ROTIC
R
OMANCES
“Hot Whisper” in
Wicked Wonderland
anthology
Driven by Desire
Love, Lust, and Pixie Dust
Hot Summer Nights
Wild Ride
Taking Care of Business
Whisper’s
Edge
A CRICKET CREEK NOVEL
LuAnn McLane
SIGNET ECLIPSE
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc., 375 Hudson Street,
New York, New York 10014, USA
USA | Canada | UK | Ireland | Australia | New Zealand | India | South Africa | China
Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
For more information about the Penguin Group visit penguin.com.
First published by Signet Eclipse, an imprint of New American Library,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
First Printing, May 2013
Copyright © LuAnn McLane, 2013
Excerpt from
Playing for Keeps
copyright © LuAnn McLane, 2011
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
SIGNET ECLIPSE and logo are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
ISBN: 978-1-101-60763-3
PUBLISHER’S NOTE
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.
The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party Web sites or their content.
The book is dedicated to my son, Dave. You are a shining
example of how hard work and dedication turn into
success.
6: Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.
13: There’s Something About Savannah
I want to give a heartfelt thanks to the editorial staff at New American Library. Putting a book on the shelf is a big team effort, and from the gorgeous covers to the detailed copyedits, I couldn’t ask for more. I want to give a very special thank-you to my editor, Jesse Feldman. The two scenes that you wanted me to add are my favorite. Because of you I no longer fear but welcome revisions!
As always, I want to thank my wonderful agent, Jenny Bent. You have given me confidence in my writing from the moment we sat down together. I wouldn’t be able to navigate this changing world of publishing without you.
Thanks so much to my loyal readers. I hope that my stories bring a smile to your faces and joy into your hearts!
Wet Willie
“W
ILLIE! NO! DON’T JUMP!” THE LOUD, DESPERATE PLEA
frightened social director Savannah Perry into sprinting toward the pool at Whisper’s Edge. Willie’s dangerous plunge attempts had been happening all too often. “Oh baby, please don’t! It isn’t worth it!” Although the tearful wail had Savannah picking up her already swift pace she did manage to notice a sleek sports car parked in front of the main office. The sun glinting off the silver hood piqued Savannah’s curious nature but a splash followed by another wail of distress kept her placing one flowered flip-flop in front of the other. The thongs adorned with daisies were the result of last Wednesday’s craft workshop but were not very good for running shoes. “Doggone it!” Savannah nearly tripped as she hopped over the curb but she refused to slow down. Willie was not a strong swimmer.
Breathing hard, Savannah pushed open the gate that should have been latched and looked past umbrella tables and lounge chairs. “On no!” She spotted eighty-year-old Patty Parsons teetering precariously close to the edge of the water at the deep end of the pool. “Please back up,” Savannah
warned, but hard-of-hearing Miss Patty was further hampered by the pink bathing cap covering her ears.
“I’ll rescue Willie!” Savannah tried again, but Miss Patty’s attention remained focused on her sinking dog.