Forever Comes in Threes, page 22
“What lessons have you learned from them?” Rayna asked.
Perry shook her head. “So many. JT taught me you have to take a big leap sometimes to get what you’re after, even if you could end up with only a mouthful of tail feathers.”
JT abandoned his gazing at the audience and trotted over to jump onto Ming’s lap to press himself against her chest and lick her chin. She hugged him back. “And that hugs always make things better,” Ming added.
The audience chuckled.
“Molly is a girl after my own heart. She believes in keeping a schedule. You could set your watch by her morning nap, and she’s not bashful about letting you know it’s time for you to fix her dinner,” Perry said. “She also taught me that schedules are made to be broken when your packmates need help digging up and dispatching a destructive mole or you come across a spot of warm sunlight that you need to take a moment to soak up.”
Ming smiled at the audience. “Also, be welcoming to everyone, and a good howl-along with your packmates will start your day on a high note.”
JT stood up on Ming’s lap when a few quiet, mock howls drifted up from the audience, then jumped down and began barking at Molly.
“Oh, no. Here we go,” Perry said when Tucker finally quit hiding and jumped down to join in as their barks turned to howls. Tucker’s was passable, and JT’s was awful, but Molly pointed her nose to the ceiling, opened her throat, and let out a long, melodic note, occasionally throwing in a bit of vibrato for good measure.
Laughing, Perry joined in like she often did at home, and then Rayna and Ming added their voices as the audience provided backup. After a minute, Perry slashed her hand through the air, and quiet reigned again.
“Don’t you feel better now?” Ming asked.
Rayna looked surprised. “I think I do. That’s better than a five-minute Superwoman pose.” She looked to the audience. “Right?”
Nods and applause confirmed that almost everyone had enjoyed the raucous interlude.
“And what about the third of your trio of furry advisors…your little shy guy?”
Their howling done, JT had escorted Molly back across the stage to settle at Ming’s feet. Tucker looked like he wanted to bolt, then leapt back into Perry’s lap when she patted her leg in silent invitation.
“Tucker? He taught me the most important lesson.” Perry hugged her little guy closer with one arm, then extended her free hand to the woman she vowed to never let go. She held Ming’s gaze, her heart swelling with the affection she saw in her eyes.
“Tucker taught me that love can be stronger than your fears, so you should fight for the one who captures your heart and never, ever give up on forever.”
About the Author
D. Jackson Leigh grew up barefoot and happy, swimming in farm ponds and riding rude ponies in rural Georgia. She has retired from her career as a journalist but continues her real passion—writing sultry lesbian romances laced with her trademark Southern humor and affection for dogs and horses.
She has published fifteen novels and one collection of short stories with Bold Strokes Books, winning five Golden Crown Literary Society awards in paranormal, romance, and fantasy categories. She was also a finalist in the romance category of the 2014 Lambda Literary Awards.
You can friend her at facebook.com/d.jackson.leigh.
Books Available From Bold Strokes Books
A Fox in Shadow by Jane Fletcher. Cassie’s mission is to add new territory to the Kavillian empire—murder, betrayal, war, and the clash of cultures ensue. (978-1-63679-142-5)
Embracing the Moon by Jeannie Levig. Just as Gwen and Taylor are exploring the new love they’ve found, the present and past collide, threatening the future they long to share. (978-1-63555-462-5)
Forever Comes in Threes by D. Jackson Leigh. Efficiency expert Perry Chandler’s ordered life is upended when she inherits three busy terriers, and the woman she’s referred to for help turns out to be her bitter podcast rival, the very sexy Dr. Ming Lee. (978-1-63679-169-2)
Heckin’ Lewd: Trans and Nonbinary Erotica, edited by Mx. Nillin Lore. If you want smutty, fearless, gender diverse erotica written by affirming own-voices folks who get it, then this is the book you’ve been looking for! (978-1-63679-240-8)
Missed Conception by Joy Argento. Maggie Walsh wants a relationship with Cassidy, the daughter she’s only just discovered she has due to an in vitro mix-up. Heat kindles between Maggie and Cassidy’s mother in a way neither expects. (978-1-63679-146-3)
Private Equity by Elle Spencer. Cassidy Bennett spends an unexpected evening at a lesbian nightclub with her notoriously reserved and demanding boss, Julia. After seeing a different side of Julia, Cassidy can’t seem to shake her desire to know more. (978-1-63679-180-7)
Racing the Dawn by Sandra Barrett. After narrowly escaping a house fire, vampire Jade Murphy is unexpectedly intrigued by gorgeous firefighter Beth Jenssen, and her undead existence might just be perking up a bit. (978-1-63679-271-2)
Reclaiming Love by Amanda Radley. Sarah’s tiny white lie means somehow convincing Pippa to pretend to be her girlfriend. Only the more time they spend faking it, the more real it feels. (978-1-63679-144-9)
Sol Cycle by Kimberly Cooper Griffin. An encounter in a park brings Ang and Krista together, but when Ang’s attempts to help Krista go spectacularly wrong, their passion for each other might not be enough. (978-1-63679-137-1)
Trial and Error by Carsen Taite. Attorney Franco Rossi and Judge Nina Aguilar’s reunion is fraught with courtroom conflict, undeniable chemistry, and danger. (978-1-63555-863-0)
A Long Way to Fall by Elle Spencer. A ski lodge, two strong-willed women, and a family feud that brings them together, but will it also tear them apart? (978-1-63679-005-3)
Forever by Kris Bryant. When Savannah Edwards is invited to be the next bachelorette on the dating show When Sparks Fly, she’ll show the world that finding true love on television can happen. (978-1-63679-029-9)
Ice on Wheels by Aurora Rey. All’s fair in love and roller derby. That’s Riley Fauchet’s motto, until a new job lands her at the same company—and on the same team—as her rival Brooke Landry, the frosty jammer for the Big Easy Bruisers. (978-1-63679-179-1)
Perfect Rivalry by Radclyffe. Two women set out to win the same career-making goal, but it’s love that may turn out to be the final prize. (978-1-63679-216-3)
Something to Talk About by Ronica Black. Can quiet ranch owner Corey Durand give up her peaceful life and allow her feisty new neighbor into her heart? Or will past loss, present suitors, and town gossip ruin a long-awaited chance at love? (978-1-63679-114-2)
With a Minor in Murder by Karis Walsh. In the world of academia, police officer Clare Sawyer and professor Libby Hart team up to solve a murder. (978-1-63679-186-9)
Writer’s Block by Ali Vali. Wyatt and Hayley might be made for each other if only they can get through nosy neighbors, the historic society, at-odds future plans, and all the secrets hidden in Wyatt’s walls. (978-1-63679-021-3)
The Business of Pleasure by Ronica Black. Editor in chief Valerie Raffield is quickly becoming smitten by Lennox, the graphic artist she’s hired to work remotely. But when Lennox doesn’t show for their first face-to-face meeting, Valerie’s heart and her business may be in jeopardy. (978-1-63679-134-0)
Cold Blood by Genevieve McCluer. Maybe together, Kalila and Dorenia have a chance of taking down the vampires who have eluded them all these years. And maybe, in each other, they can find a love worth living for. (978-1-63679-195-1)
Greener Pastures by Aurora Rey. When city girl and CPA Audrey Adams finds herself tending her aunt’s farm, will Rowan Marshall—the charming cider maker next door—turn out to be her saving grace or the bane of her existence? (978-1-63679-116-6)
Grounded by Amanda Radley. For a second chance, Olivia and Emily will need to accept their mistakes, learn to communicate properly, and with a little help from five-year-old Henry, fall madly in love all over again. Sequel to Flight SQA016. (978-1-63679-241-5)
The Hummingbird Sanctuary by Erin Zak. The Hummingbird Sanctuary, Colorado’s hottest resort destination: Come for the mountains, stay for the charm, and enjoy the drama as Olive, Eleanor, and Harriet figure out the meaning of true friendship. (978-1-63679-163-0)
Journey’s End by Amanda Radley. In this heartwarming conclusion to the Flight series, Olivia and Emily must finally decide what they want, what they need, and how to follow the dreams of their hearts. (978-1-63679-233-0)
Secret Agent by Michelle Larkin. CIA agent Peyton North embarks on a global chase to apprehend rogue agent Zoey Blackwood, but her commitment to the mission is tested as the sparks between them ignite and their sizzling attraction approaches a point of no return. (978-1-63555-753-4)
Something Between Us by Krystina Rivers. A decade after her heart was broken under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Kirby runs into her first love and has to decide if what’s still between them is enough to heal her broken heart. (978-1-63679-135-7)
Sugar Girl by Emma L McGeown. Having traded in traditional romance for the perks of Sugar Dating, Ciara Reilly not only enjoys the no-strings-attached arrangement, she’s also a hit with her clients. That is, until she meets the beautiful entrepreneur Charlie Keller, who makes her want to go sugar-free. (978-1-63679-156-2)
With a Twist by Georgia Beers. Starting over isn’t easy for Amelia Martini. When the irritatingly cheerful Kirby Dupress comes into her life, will Amelia be brave enough to go after the love she really wants? (978-1-63555-987-3)
The Witch Queen’s Mate by Jennifer Karter. Barra and Silvi must overcome their ingrained hatred and prejudice to use Barra’s magic and save both their peoples from not just slavery, but destruction. (978-1-63679-202-6)
Business of the Heart by Claire Forsythe. When a hopeless romantic meets a tough-as-nails cynic, they’ll need to overcome the wounds of the past to discover that their hearts are the most important business of all. (978-1-63679-167-8)
Dying for You by Jenny Frame. Can Victorija Dred keep an age-old vow and fight the need to take blood from Daisy Macdougall? (978-1-63679-073-2)
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The Game by Jan Gayle. Ryan Gibbs is a talented golfer, but her guilt means she may never leave her small town, even if Katherine Reese tempts her with competition and passion. (978-1-63679-126-5)
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Whereabouts Unknown by Meredith Doench. While homicide detective Theodora Madsen recovers from a potentially career-ending injury, she scrambles to solve the cases of two missing sixteen-year-old girls from Ohio. (978-1-63555-647-6)
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D. Jackson Leigh, Forever Comes in Threes
