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    The Reluctant Beauty (Book 4, Once Upon A Romance Series)
    The Reluctant Beauty (Book 4, Once Upon A Romance Series)
    The Reluctant Beauty (Book 4, Once Upon A Romance Series)
    Ebook110 pages1 hour

    The Reluctant Beauty (Book 4, Once Upon A Romance Series)

    By Laurie LeClair

    3.5/5

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    About this ebook

    In this Once Upon A Romance Series romantic comedy novella, tall, quirky Peg Newbury needs a date for a day, or two tops, when her strikingly beautiful and perfectly coiffed family comes for a visit. They worry about their ugly duckling daughter and long for her to meet a prince, settle down, start a family and live a perfect life just like them. However, Peg loves her job as the executive assistant at King’s Department Store and accepts she’s a career woman, far from pretty, and not likely to end up a happily ever after.

    She can’t convince her family, though. At her wit’s end, she resorts to drastic steps and thinks her best solution is to get a guy to pose as her beau. She hopes that a pretend boyfriend will get them to stop worrying and let her be. Yet as much as she protests against a relationship her heart is in for a surprise when she hires a rent-a-date who prefers her just the way she is.

    Rocker Austin Rhoades, fresh off a two year around-the-world gig, wants out of the spotlight. He’s in Dallas to see his half-sister before he hightails it out of town and heads for his much-needed R&R. When he meets and becomes fascinated with adorable Peg and her funny sayings, he ends up extending his visit. He realizes that his cover is sure to be blown the longer he stays and the more time he spends with her. But, Austin thinks he has escaped notice until her family, assuming they’re engaged, blabs to the press and starts planning the non-existent wedding.

    The more Peg and Austin try to keep the status quo the more difficult it is to keep their growing attraction under wraps.

    Can a reluctant beauty who’s never considered herself a love interest accept that she’s the perfect catch?
    Books in the Once Upon A Romance Series:
    If The Shoe Fits – Book 1
    Waking Sleeping Beauty – Book 2
    Taming McGruff – Book 3
    The Reluctant Beauty – Book 4 (novella)

    Start reading this laugh out loud contemporary romance now!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherLaurie LeClair
    Release dateFeb 21, 2014
    ISBN9781310178597
    The Reluctant Beauty (Book 4, Once Upon A Romance Series)
    Author

    Laurie LeClair

    Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes about love, laughter, and happily ever after in her contemporary western romances, romantic comedies, sweet romances, contemporary romances, and contemporary women’s fiction books. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page.Laurie considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas). She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim, who thankfully appreciates her sense of fun and love of travel. (Not so much the endless picture taking while hanging out the passenger window!) She loves to hear from readers!You can connect with me online:www.laurieleclair.comhttps://twitter.com/LeClairbookshttps://facebook.com/laurieleclair.75Books by Laurie LeClair:Once Upon A Romance Series (Romantic Comedy; Fairy tale retelling)If The Shoe Fits – Book 1Waking Sleeping Beauty – Book 2Taming McGruff – Book 3The Reluctant Beauty – Book 4Awakened By A Kiss – Book 5Tangled At First Sight – Book 6Finding Mr. Just Right – Book 7Making A Splash – Book 8Hoodwinked By A Wolfe – Book 9Baking From The Hart – Book 10Melting Her Heart - Book 11Princess In Hiding - Book 12Her Frog Prince - Book 13Forget Me Not - Book 14Three Wishes - Book 15Her Brave Heart - Book 16His Tiny Dancer - Book 17***A Very Charming Wedding Series (Once Upon A Romance spin-off; Romantic Comedy)The Bachelor And The Bride – Book 1The Boss And The Bride – Book 2The Bodyguard And The Bride – Book 3***Once Upon A Royal Wedding Series boxed set (Once Upon A Romance spin-off; Romantic Comedy)His Beloved Princess - Book 1Her Forever Prince - Book 2***The Cormac Family: Billionaire Sweet Romance (clean and wholesome, sweet romance)CEO Billionaire - Book 1Boss Billionaire - Book 2Best Friend Billionaire - Book 3Bride Billionaire - Book 4Bachelor Billionaire - Book 5***The McCall Brothers Series (Contemporary Romance; Western Romance)The Cowboy’s Rebellious Bride - Book 1The Cowboy’s Renegade Bride - Book 2The Cowboy’s Runaway Bride - Book 3The Cowboy’s Christmas Bride - Book 4***Cupid’s Corner Series (romantic comedy, clean and wholesome, sweet romance)Dear Cupid - Book 1Picture Perfect Bride - Book 2Falling For Her - Book 3***Wanted: Fairy Godmother (Romantic Comedy)***The Sweet Spot Series (Romantic Comedy)The Dating Dilemma – Book 1***Tempted By A Texan Series (Contemporary Romance; Western Romance)The Callahans – PrequelTravis – Book 1Cassie – Book 2***The Heart Series (Contemporary Romance)Secrets Of The Heart – Book 1Crimes Of The Heart – Book 2Lies Of The Heart – Book 3***The Bounty Hunter Series (Romantic Suspense)Murphy’s Law – Book 1Riley’s Rules – Book 2***The Long Journey Home (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***Runaway Wife (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***Sweet Summertime (Contemporary Romance; Women's Fiction)***An Angel Mountain Novel (Holiday Romance; Contemporary Romance)The Heart RemembersThe Gift Of HopeIf you enjoy my books, please leave a review.

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      Book preview

      The Reluctant Beauty (Book 4, Once Upon A Romance Series) - Laurie LeClair

      The Reluctant Beauty

      By

      Laurie LeClair

      Smashwords Edition

      Copyright © 2014 by Laurie LeClair

      All rights reserved. This work is not transferable. Any reproduction of this work is prohibited without the permission of the author due to the infringement on the copyright. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the creation of the author or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or people, living or dead, is coincidental.

      Dedication page

      To everyone, like Peg Newbury in this book, who doesn’t think they are beautiful. Believe me, you are beautiful, just the way you are!

      And to my husband, Jim LeClair. Thank you for always making me feel beautiful and loved.

      Chapter 1

      Jiminy Cricket, that can’t be him! Peg Newbury huddled behind the potted plants along the half wall dividing the foyer from the elegant restaurant.

      Move over. I can’t see, Rico said, nudging her aside. Which one? There’s three guys by themselves. What’s the description say?

      She cradled her ever present clipboard closer to her side, essentially hiding it from him. I know it don’t say world-famous floss aficionado smack dab in the middle of a crowd.

      Gross. What’s he digging for anyway? He made a face and shivered. How about that one—

      Excuse me, madam, sir. The prim and proper deep male voice interrupted their search.

      Peg winced, crouched down lower, and pasted on a smile before she turned to him. His eyebrows were raised so high they nearly met his artificially engineered hairline.

      Toup, Rico surmised.

      You sure? Peg thought it was hair transplants; she could almost count the plugs even from here.

      Well? The uniformed man, most likely the maître de, waited for them to answer his unspoken question. He reminded her of a penguin in that tad-too-tight-for-his-own-good white shirt and jacket.

      Yeah, now that I look more, you’re right, Rico. Definitely a toup. There was movement in the restaurant area. Peg whipped around. What about him? The guy, big glasses, soup just got delivered?

      I’ll have to ask you to leave now? His too-polite request was met with a loud snort from Rico.

      Oh no, Brutus, this gal’s got a date here.

      With you?

      If it were me, we’d be drinking champagne and having a blast already. No, silly, one of them. He pointed a thumb over his shoulder to the half-filled restaurant.

      Peg didn’t have to face him to feel the way his gaze traveled along the length of her. Go ahead and say it, buster. I dare you.

      Madame. He coughed a few times. Looks…healthy. He coughed again.

      She and Rico turned to look at each other. Rico rolled his eyes. Don’t pay attention to him.

      Him and everyone else, right? At six feet tall, Peg had little reason to wonder what the man meant. She’d gotten stares and snickers since she walked into her first day of middle school and towered over most of the teachers. Her growth spurt had come on sudden and strong. She’d been teased ever since.

      She should be used to it by now. But, she wasn’t. Not by any means.

      The maître de prompted her again. Just point your…date out and I’ll escort you both to the table.

      Moi? Joining them? Rico quickly corrected the assumption. I got my own date across town. I’m just here to make sure she finds him and goes through with it.

      There was a commotion at the door. The maître de turned to look. Peg snagged Rico’s hand and together they sneaked around the outside of the wall and to the opposite side of the restaurant.

      Holy, Batman and Robin, that was a close one, she whispered loudly.

      You’re telling me? He fluffed his hair. Look. He pointed to where they’d just been. He’s looking for us. The older man searched, scowling deeply.

      Duck! He’s looking this way. Peg huddled down and Rico did the same. You have to help me find this guy.

      You don’t know his name, what he looks like, how tall, nothing. What do you know about him? His voice held the same disgust her mind felt about the whole thing.

      He’s free the night I need him, that’s all.

      Family night. Here in town at your place. In a week. Why in the world did you let it get this far anyway?

      Peg held up her index finger—Work.—and then the next one—Work.—until she’d held up each one and repeated the same word after each. I couldn’t get away to see them, so they’re coming to me. Whether I like it or not.

      Her friend blew out a puff of air. What in the world am I going to do with you?

      Hopeless, huh? she asked with a squeak in her voice as she stretched her neck to look at the diners once again.

      Try him. Rico nudged her in the back.

      But he’s eating his soup already. Geez, don’t you’d think he’d wait for his date?

      Heavy footsteps approached. She turned to see the man bearing down on them; a bigger scowl snagged his eyebrows together, so it looked like a caterpillar sitting there.

      Go, Peg. Just try him out. Never know. But I gotta go. Rico clamped his hand on her arm and practically dragged her up with him, and then he shoved her around the wall and into the dining area. Tootles, he called. Remember, meet me back at my place in five hours to compare notes.

      The maître de hovered nearby. Peg figured he’d throw her out for sure if she backtracked her steps.

      Standing there, all six foot tall now, diners began to turn and gawk. She clutched her clipboard a tad tighter and forced a smile. Haven’t you ever seen the Jolly Green Giant’s daughter? Sprout couldn’t make it tonight, so I’m it.

      That got a few laughs, which put her slightly at ease.

      Tell a joke and crack them up, before they lash out. That’s how she survived through school. And life till now.

      The curly-haired man eating his pale green soup stared at her, his spoon halfway to his mouth. Behind his thick-rimmed glasses, his wide eyes blinked, reminding her of an owl.

      Penguin, caterpillar, and an owl. This place was a regular zoo. Or the beginning of a bar joke…

      She slid into the seat opposite his. Hi. Name’s Peg. You must be my date.

      Still, he blinked.

      Not a big talker? She shrugged. Fine by me. Now. She leaned closer, saying, Here’s the deal. My folks, brother, and his preggers wife are coming next week to stay with me. I know, I know. I couldn’t stop them. Bullheaded when they want me to do something. Marriage? Hah! They’ve been harping on it for the last year now. It’s gotten worse since with my birthday around the corner and they think I should be wed and popping out babies in exactly one point eight years. Pop, she shook her head, sweet, kind, but a little obsessed with the numbers thing. He’s an economics professor.

      He still hadn’t moved his hand. She reached over and directed his hand to the table and the spoon back to his soup bowl.

      So,—she stopped herself from saying Owl Eyes—you game? Pretend you know me, pretend we date, and make it seem like we’re a couple. A day. Two tops. What do you say?

      Again, she witnessed the blank look.

      An older woman appeared and stood at her

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