Free Return to Pearl Island, Bonus Chapters by Julie Ortolon

Return to Pearl Island
by Julie Ortolon
     
    Copyright Julie Ortolon 2011
    Published by Julie Ortolon at Smashwords, 2011
    eBook format by A Thirsty Mind
    Cover Design Julie Ortolon, Copyright Julie Ortolon 2011
    Cover Photos:
    Copyright 2008 iofoto.com at BigStock.com
    Copyright 2010 warrengoldswain at BigStock.com
    Copyright 2007 Yuri Arcurs at BigStock.com
     
     
     
    Dear Readers of the Pearl Island Trilogy,
     
    I've always been very touched by readers' affection for this series, originally published by St. Martin’s Press. Since a little time has passed between their print release and when I re-released them as ebooks, I decided it would be fun to add an extra "epilogue" to the end of each one so that readers -- and I -- could see what's happening at the Pearl Island Inn today.
     
    Well, that was great for new fans of the series who are reading them for the first time as ebooks. But what about those of you who own the original print books and have loved the stories for years? Several of you have emailed saying you wanted the bonus chapters, too.
     
    So, here you go. This ebook was created especially for you, the fans of the original print editions. Each bonus chapter takes place seven to ten years after the original stories, since that's about the amount of time that has passed here in the real world.
     
    As an even better “bonus” I’ve created a Website – PearlIslandBook.com – just for fans of this series. Use the password “Captain Jack” to access a behind the scenes account about the writing of the trilogy. You can also visit Allison’s Gift Shop – an ever-expanding area – and receive discounts on certain items just by mentioning that you’re a Pearl Island Reader.
     

     
    Welcome back to Pearl Island!
     
    Julie Ortolon
     
    PS: I'm currently working on a short story about Chloe, Scott's niece in Lead Me On. Sign up for my newsletter ( http://www.JulieOrtolon.com/contact ) to receive word when it’s available.
    ~ ~ ~
     
    NOTE: If you have not read the Pearl Island trilogy and downloaded this ebook not realizing what it was, I hope you’ll enjoy the bonus chapters as three short stories. Or, look for the full stories available as ebooks,
Falling for You
,
Lead Me On
, and
Don’t Tempt Me.
     

 
     
     
     

Return to Pearl Island, Part One
Chance and Rory
     

Seven Years Later
     
    “I can’t believe you’re so nervous.”
    The amusement in Chance’s voice had Rory gaping at his reflection in the vanity mirror. “Are you serious? You know how I am about being the center of attention.”
    “I thought you got over that years ago,” he said, pulling a short sleeved shirt from the closet. “You’ve been active in so many groups, like the Historical Society and the Galveston Innkeepers’ Association. You even worked with Paige on that one Buccaneer’s Ball—”
    “A mistake I will never repeat,” Rory insisted, pumping a mascara wand in and out of its tube with quick agitation.
    He chuckled as he tucked in the shirt, no doubt remembering all the times she’d threatened to strangle Paige’s mother. “Most of all, you’ve been one of the driving forces behind bringing Galveston back to life for two solid years. That’s involved a lot of being the center of attention.”
    “Talking about Galveston and talking about me are not the same thing,” she pointed out. Doing what she could to help Galveston recover from Hurricane Ike came easily. How could she not spring into action after such devastation? The Seawall had done its job to withstand the brunt of the storm on the Gulf side of the island, but the surge had slammed into the bay, wreaking havoc throughout the historic district. When the water subsided, Galveston had looked like a Victorian matriarch, trying to survive a slap to the face with her dignity intact. Rory was still doing everything in her power to help the grand dame recover her full glory. “It’s just that nothing I’ve done involved standing before a news