Anna Sugden - A Perfect Trade

A win-win negotiation?

Truman “Tru” Jelinek’s life is pretty much off the rails. With his professional hockey career on thin ice, and his personal life falling apart, he’s ready to implement some serious changes. Helping Jenny Martin—the only girl he’s ever loved—make her dreams a reality is a good place to start.

There’s just one problem: Jenny doesn’t want his help. She barely wants to speak to him. But Tru is prepared to negotiate a deal that even Jenny can’t refuse. As trading favors turns into sharing passion, he has to face the truth that when it comes to Jenny, the game is far from over.

“I don’t need charity from anyone.”

Jenny’s voice was flat, hard. “Least of all from you.”

Despite the surge of irritation at her stubbornness, Tru said calmly, “All I’m offering you is a foot in the door. I’ll make a few calls and get you some job interviews. The rest is up to you.”

She didn’t look convinced.

“Scout’s honor.” He held up two fingers. Then three fingers. Then two again. What was that damn salute anyway?

Jenny smiled wryly. “You and Jake were thrown out of the Scouts.”

He grinned. “It’s the thought that counts.” Sobering, he caught her gaze. “I won’t do anything you don’t want me to. You have my word.”

Jenny’s smile faded.

Damn. Wrong thing to say. “This time, I will keep my promise,” he added quickly.

She studied his face for a few moments, then nodded. “Okay. Thanks.”

It was a start. Now he had to make sure he didn’t screw things up.

Dear Reader Contents Dear Reader CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN CHAPTER FOURTEEN CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN EXTRACT ,

Welcome back to the world of the New Jersey Ice Cats! I was thrilled and touched that so many of you wrote to tell me how much you enjoyed A Perfect Distraction (MILLS & BOON Superromance, September 2013) and that you wanted more stories about these strong, dedicated and delicious hockey players. I’m especially pleased that you wanted Tru and Jenny to have their own book, and I’m happy to be able to bring it to you.

I love reunion and second chance stories, because it’s so satisfying when two people you feel are meant to be together find their way back to each other. When love overcomes painful mistakes and finds a path through the minefield of the past.

Jenny and Tru are two such people. Jenny intrigued me from the moment she strutted onto the page. I knew the “queen of the puck bunnies” wasn’t a typical groupie and that her past with Tru held the answer to her behavior. As for Tru, I knew that whatever he’d done, it had been with the best of intentions. He wasn’t a bad person, just a stubborn man, with a tendency to believe he knew better than anyone else.

I hope you enjoy reading Tru and Jenny’s story and discovering how they find their way back to each other. I love to hear from readers, so please drop me a line at anna@annasugden.com or Box 174, Regis House, 23 King Street, Cambridge CB1 1AH, England.

Anna Sugden

A Perfect Trade

Anna Sugden

www.millsandboon.co.uk

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Former marketing executive and primary school teacher Anna Sugden loves reading romance novels and watching films with happy endings. She also loves watching hockey and football, where she prefers a happy ending for her teams. When she’s not writing or researching hockey players for her books, she makes simple craft projects and collects penguins, autographs and memorabilia, and great shoes. Anna lives in Cambridge, England, with her husband and two bossy black cats. Learn more about Anna, her heartwarming romances and her shoes at www.annasugden.com.

For Keith, who makes every day happy and special. I love you.

For my wonderful “baby” sister, Manda. This one’s for you!

Acknowledgments

Kate Lutter and Maria Imbalzano for their invaluable critiques—I miss our meetings!

Beth Andrews, Terri Garey, Kathleen Long, Janice Lynn and Tawny Weber—who always have my back.

The Romance Bandits—for their love and support.

Contents

Dear Reader Dear Reader Contents Dear Reader CHAPTER ONE CHAPTER TWO CHAPTER THREE CHAPTER FOUR CHAPTER FIVE CHAPTER SIX CHAPTER SEVEN CHAPTER EIGHT CHAPTER NINE CHAPTER TEN CHAPTER ELEVEN CHAPTER TWELVE CHAPTER THIRTEEN CHAPTER FOURTEEN CHAPTER FIFTEEN CHAPTER SIXTEEN CHAPTER SEVENTEEN CHAPTER EIGHTEEN CHAPTER NINETEEN EXTRACT , Welcome back to the world of the New Jersey Ice Cats! I was thrilled and touched that so many of you wrote to tell me how much you enjoyed A Perfect Distraction (MILLS & BOON Superromance, September 2013) and that you wanted more stories about these strong, dedicated and delicious hockey players. I’m especially pleased that you wanted Tru and Jenny to have their own book, and I’m happy to be able to bring it to you. I love reunion and second chance stories, because it’s so satisfying when two people you feel are meant to be together find their way back to each other. When love overcomes painful mistakes and finds a path through the minefield of the past. Jenny and Tru are two such people. Jenny intrigued me from the moment she strutted onto the page. I knew the “queen of the puck bunnies” wasn’t a typical groupie and that her past with Tru held the answer to her behavior. As for Tru, I knew that whatever he’d done, it had been with the best of intentions. He wasn’t a bad person, just a stubborn man, with a tendency to believe he knew better than anyone else. I hope you enjoy reading Tru and Jenny’s story and discovering how they find their way back to each other. I love to hear from readers, so please drop me a line at anna@annasugden.com or Box 174, Regis House, 23 King Street, Cambridge CB1 1AH, England. Anna Sugden

CHAPTER ONE

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

EXTRACT

CHAPTER ONE

“THE TOWN OF Elmside is tonight mourning the passing of one of their beloved and most popular figures, Pastor Douglas Boult.”

The newscaster’s words made the laughter die in Jenny Martin’s throat. Her mind froze, abandoning the celebrity gossip she’d been sharing with her friend Maggie. Her coffee cup dropped from her nerveless fingers as she spun to look across the Ice Cats’ family room toward the large flat-screen television. She barely noticed the hot, wet patch on her black jeans; her attention was focused on the photograph of the smiling, white-haired man that now filled the screen.

The smiling face of evil.

Bile churned her stomach as the newscaster read tributes from local dignitaries.

“...Pillar of the community...champion of youth programs...a spiritual leader...”

“Are you all right?” Maggie laid her hand on Jenny’s arm. “You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

A specter from her past, more like. “I’m fine.”

Her murmured words lacked conviction, but she couldn’t explain. Not here. Not now. Maybe not ever.

“Use these, Jenny.” Maggie’s daughter, Emily, thrust a paper napkin at her.

When Jenny looked uncomprehendingly at the little girl, Emily pointed at the damp patch, then began rubbing at the stain herself. After a moment, Jenny took over, making a few halfhearted swipes, before tossing the crumpled napkin in the trash. “Thanks, Em.” Putting words together was an effort. “Great job.”