If you have any questions about burlesque, have at it. I’ll be happy to chat with you.
Susan’s lips twisted, mocking herself, as she proofread her post. She’d receive rude messages and, no doubt, a few crank emails. At the very least, Julia would garner publicity for the club. She read her post a final time, made a few small adjustments and hit send.
Her area of the forum remained empty, but she saw she’d received emails already. The first message made her stomach buck and not in a good way. With a shaky hand, she hit delete. She shuddered and rubbed her hands together, imaginary cooties crawling over her arms and legs.
Her trembling fingers communicated with the cursor, and she had to concentrate to hit the next email in her inbox.
Dear Susan,
My name is Tyler Penrith, and yes, the name should be familiar to you—I’m Nolan’s younger brother.
I want to apologize for my brother’s rudeness, and I can’t believe the numbskull flashed your butt to national television viewers. While most men—if they are gentlemen—would apologize and assure you they didn’t peek, I’m gonna hit you with honesty. I looked and loved the view. You’re an attractive lady. Learning about your job just intrigued me more. You possess layers and are like a complex perfume and I find myself wanting to learn more.
Susan found herself grinning. No one had ever compared her to a perfume before, and she rather liked the contrast.
If my idiot brother doesn’t choose you during the next elimination, would you consider me?
I am a widower with a four-year-old daughter. My wife died of cancer over two years ago now, and as much as I love my daughter and have incredibly supportive in-laws, I find myself wanting more. Sure, I have friends in Clare, and I get out occasionally, but seeing you on television tonight was the first time I’ve found myself attracted to a woman. Go figure! The woman I’d like to get to know better is out of bounds because of my brother.
If you’d ever like someone to talk to, I’m here. I’m not a gossip and would never pass on any confidential information should you care to use me as a sounding block. I’m including my phone number along with my private email address if you’d like to contact me. If you’re as savvy as I think you are, you’ll want to check me out. The number is in the phone directory under my in-laws name. Katey and I live with my in-laws, Eric and Josie Murdoch.
Eric and Josie own a farm and I work as a general hand for them, doing a bit of everything. I’m twenty-five years old—yeah, a little younger than you, but don’t let that put you off. In life experience, I’m older. I grew up quickly with a child and a sick wife because I had to. In my spare time, I enjoy rugby and like to draw and paint. Like you, I’m looking for that special someone who gets me, despite my flaws, someone who is sexy and honest and not afraid of the hard work necessary to make a successful relationship.
I hope you’ll take my offer seriously, and at least take pity on me, letting me down gently if you’re not interested. I won’t like it, but my ego will no doubt recover. My daughter is a handful and keeps me busy. I won’t have time to sulk.
Since I know what you look like, I’ve attached a snapshot of me and Katey. Nolan and I don’t look much alike. My mother says I take after my father’s side of the family.
Best wishes,
Tyler Penrith
Susan found herself holding her breath as she clicked on the attachment. The photo appeared on the screen and her breath whooshed out. Tyler Penrith was a cutie with dark chocolate brown hair and brown eyes. One dimple flashed at the right side of his impish grin. The child in his arms had the same mischievous smile twinkling in her brown eyes but had blonde hair. Their heads were close together, and they were both staring into the camera.
Tyler didn’t look anything like Nolan. Together, the two brothers would be like night and day. A cliché—sure—but Nolan was a burly man with brown hair and sun-streaks of blond from working outdoors while Tyler brought to mind dark nights, silky sheets and…
Stop right there, Susan.She was committed to the show. Yet every instinct told her to email Tyler back. No, she needed to think about her next step first. She’d jumped too soon before and landed in a pile of steaming crap. She’d talk to her friends tomorrow, show them the email and hear their thoughts.
To distract herself, she clicked on the next email.Eew!That was disgusting. She hit delete and steeled herself for the next one. Hit delete. The last two emails were from church groups, decrying her profession. They went into the trash.
Unable to help herself, she clicked on Tyler’s photo again, smiling in response to his happy expression. The humor in his eyes and the echo in his daughter’s face wiped away the filth from the other emails and brought a surge of hope. She wasn’t a lost cause, despite what her family thought. Her friends believed in her, and even better, she believed in herself.
Susan waited until after their usual Saturday dance practice. She, Christina and Julia were relaxing with a cup of peppermint tea when Maggie and Connor breezed into the club.
“Do you guys have time to watch Connor’s game?” Maggie asked. “It’s a beautiful day outside and I could do with the company.”
“I’m in, but I’ll have to bring Alex with me,” Julia said.
“We can help keep an eye on him,” Maggie said.
“Count me in,” Christina said.
“Are you okay?” Susan asked. “You look tired.”
Christina gave a heartfelt sigh and took off her glasses to rub a smear from the lenses. Without the disguise, it was easy to see she wasn’t sleeping. “I’ve been staying with my godmother. She’s not well again, and I’m worried about her. She refuses to go to the doctor.”
“Anything we can do?” Maggie asked.
Christina shoved her glasses back into place. “Not really. I need to persuade her to make a doctor’s appointment. I’m working on it. I’d like to go to the game. The fresh air will probably do me good.”
