Cousin Q by Tammy J. Palmer
Cousin Q is an “Off Limits” Novelette. Cassie Anderson has a history of falling for the wrong guys; ex -cons, rebels, and hard drinking cheating types. Her most recent mistake had been her part-time employee as well as her live -in boyfriend, and now that he’s gone, she’s struggling to make rent and manage her antique store alone. When her cousin, a man with a history of depression and suicide attempts, shows up looking for work and a place to lay down his sleeping bag, she offers him a job and her guest room. Q is doing better than ever and the close bond they shared as kids is still strong, but they’re not kids anymore and it’s not innocent. Cassie is determined to change her ways and stop falling for the wrong guys, and that means fighting her attraction to a man who is most definitely off-limits. But is Q really the wrong guy?
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What inspired you to write your book?
While this story is entirely fictional the idea came from two real life stories told to me by relatives. One involved first cousins who fell in love late in life and chose to be together despite strong objections from family members. The other story involved a man who shot out his own eye in a failed suicide attempt. Cassie and Q’s story has a much happier ending than either of theirs!
Here is a short sample from the book:
I move closer to Q, facing the ocean. “Don’t look now, but Bud is heading this way and I don’t want him to see me.”
Q looks anyway, a quick glance. “Unless you’re waist deep in waves, he’s going to see you.”
“Maybe he won’t recognize me from the back.”
“You’re kidding, right?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Legs. No way will he not recognize your legs.”
I look down at my legs, long, well-shaped, and let’s be honest here, gorgeous, and back up at Q with what I hope is an innocent expression. “Why would he recognize my legs?”
Q lowers his sunglasses from the side covering his eye so he can give me a look. “You know.”
I laugh. “We need a new plan. How about if we just frolic in the waves and I pretend I don’t see him?”
“I don’t frolic.”
“Oh come on, you can frolic just this once, for me.”
Q glances past me, toward them. They must be close now.
“Do they see me, you think?”
“Bud’s looking this way, like maybe he’s thinking of coming over here and talking to you.”
I can’t imagine why he would. We’re not on friendly terms. I don’t want to see him, or Patty.
A wave whooshes around my ankles. “Quick, kiss me.”
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