Tea and Thunderstorm (eBook)

Sheri Johnson (Autor)

eBook Download: EPUB

2025 | 1. Auflage
348 Seiten
Publishdrive (Verlag)
9780000704184 (ISBN)

Infos

Tea and Thunderstorms

Set against the backdrop of society's glittering expectations and the quiet rebellion of a restless heart, Tea and Thunderstorms tells the story of Kara Daniels, a young woman torn between the gilded traditions of her debutante world and the untamed freedom of the ranch she calls home.

During a stormy evening filled with swirling dances and whispered secrets, Kara's life takes an unexpected turn when she meets James, a charismatic stranger whose presence feels as electrifying as the storm outside. As the thunder rolls and tensions rise, Kara must decide whether to embrace the life others have chosen for her or to forge her own path, no matter the cost.

A tale of self-discovery, unexpected connections, and the courage to face the storms within, Tea and Thunderstorms is a moving journey of love, identity, and the quiet power of a single cup of tea.

Textauszug

Chapter 1

 

 

 

Kara tugged at the hem of her dress, biting back a grimace as the silky fabric caught on the straps of her heels. The ballroom glittered like something out of a movie—chandeliers dripping with crystals, tables adorned with towering floral arrangements, and an orchestra softly tuning their instruments in the corner. It all felt suffocating. Even the scent of roses mixed with champagne made her stomach churn.

She glanced down at her throbbing ankle, where a bruise the size of a coin was already spreading beneath the strap of her shoe. If only I could ditch this place and head to the stables, she thought, longing for the scent of leather and hay instead of perfume and polish.

“Alright, girls, get in a line,” the coordinator barked, clapping her hands to herd the dozen young women toward the center of the room. “Heads up, smiles on! Today is your big day!”

Kara’s chest tightened at the words. This wasn’t her day—it never had been. It was her parents’ idea of a milestone, a chance to show the world their daughter could shine in society. But Kara didn’t want to shine; she tried to hide, preferably behind a horse.

“Kara, seriously, why do you look like someone dragged you here kicking and screaming?” Sara’s voice broke through her thoughts, laced with teasing amusement.

Kara turned to see her best friend, radiant in a floor-length blue gown, grinning like she’d just won the lottery. Sara had always thrived in the spotlight with her effortless charm and quick wit. Beside her, Kara felt like a walking disaster.

“Because I was dragged here, remember?” Kara whispered back, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “And now I’m stuck wearing shoes that belong in a medieval torture chamber.”

Sara giggled, her laugh like a bell over the rising din of the room. “You’re such a drama queen. It’s one party. Smile, have fun, and maybe stop thinking about the ranch for five minutes?”

“Easier said than done,” Kara muttered, glancing down at her feet again. “I’d trade this entire ballroom for one hour in the saddle.”

Before Sara could reply, the organizer’s voice rose again. “GIRLS! We’re waiting for you to line up!”

Sara rolled her eyes, looping her arm through Kara’s and tugging her toward the line. “Come on, cowgirl. Let’s get this over with. And try not to trip, alright? It’s your big debut!”

Kara let out a long sigh, taking one last wistful glance toward the exit before falling into step beside Sara. She didn’t know how she was going to survive the night, but one thing was certain: this wasn’t going to be pretty.

Kara fell into the line of girls, each more dazzling than the last in their jewel-toned gowns and shimmering hair. She felt like a black sheep, her auburn locks refusing to stay in the intricate updo the stylist had spent an hour perfecting. Every time she shifted her weight, her ankle protested, sending sharp pulses of pain up her leg.

The line began to move, and she shuffled forward, careful to keep her weight off the injured foot. Ahead, the grand double doors of the ballroom loomed, already open to reveal the sea of faces awaiting their entrance. Parents, dignitaries, and eligible bachelors stood in clusters, champagne glasses clinking, murmurs of expectation filling the air. Kara swallowed hard.

“I think I’m going to be sick,” she whispered to Sara.

Sara gave her a quick, reassuring squeeze on the arm. “You’ll be fine. Just remember, heads up, smile, and glide. It’s all about looking confident, even if you feel like you’re dying inside.”

“Glide?” Kara snorted. “I’m one misstep away from a faceplant.”

The girl behind them, Olivia, leaned in with a smirk. “Don’t worry, Kara. If you fall, at least you’ll make this boring event memorable.”

Kara shot her a glare but held her tongue. Olivia had been a thorn in her side since they were kids, always quick to point out Kara’s awkwardness and revel in her missteps. She wasn’t about to give her the satisfaction of a retort.

As they reached the doorway, the orchestra struck up a lively waltz, and Kara’s stomach dropped. One by one, the girls were announced, their names echoing through the ballroom as they descended the grand staircase. The applause was polite but thunderous, the audience appraising each debutante like they were on display at an auction.

“Kara Daniels,” the announcer’s voice boomed, jolting her from her thoughts. “Representing The Daniels Ranch, the second largest in the state,” The announcer’s voice bellowed.

Sara nudged her. “Your turn, cowgirl. Don’t forget to smile.”

Kara straightened her shoulders, plastered on a tight smile, and stepped forward. She could feel every pair of eyes on her as she descended the staircase, her heart hammering in her chest. Her injured ankle wobbled on the third step, and for a terrifying moment, she thought she was going to fall.

But then a strong hand caught her elbow.

“Easy there,” a deep voice said.

Kara glanced up to see a young man in a sharp black tuxedo, his dark eyes warm with amusement. He had stepped forward from the crowd, quick enough to catch her before disaster struck.

“Thanks,” she muttered, heat rushing to her cheeks.

“Anytime,” he replied with a wink, steadying her before stepping back into the crowd.

The interaction lasted only a few seconds, but it felt like an eternity. Kara quickly resumed her descent, her face burning as she reached the ballroom floor.

Sara met her at the bottom, her eyes wide with suppressed laughter. “Smooth, Kara. Smooth.”

“Shut up,” Kara hissed, trying to hide her embarrassment.

Sara leaned in closer, her voice teasing. “But who was that guy? He practically swooped in like a knight in shining armor.”

“I don’t know, and I don’t care,” Kara said, though she couldn’t help glancing back toward the crowd.

The evening dragged on in a haze of introductions, polite small talk, and forced smiles. Kara’s ankle throbbed with every step, but she gritted her teeth and endured, counting down the minutes until she could escape.

It wasn’t until later, during a lull in the festivities, that she spotted the young man again. He was standing near one of the towering windows, a glass of champagne in hand, talking to a group of older gentlemen. He caught her eye and smiled, a knowing, mischievous smile that sent a strange flutter through her chest.

Sara nudged her. “Looks like your knight is still watching.”

“Stop calling him that,” Kara said, though her voice lacked conviction.

Before she could argue further, the young man excused himself from his group and started walking toward her.

“Well,” Sara whispered, stepping back with a grin. “This should be fun.”

Kara wanted to bolt, but her injured ankle and the sheer audacity of the man froze her in place. He stopped in front of her, bowing slightly in an old-fashioned gesture that somehow didn’t seem ridiculous.

“Miss Daniels, I believe we were never properly introduced,” he said, his voice smooth and rich. “I’m James.”

Kara raised an eyebrow, trying to mask her nervousness with sarcasm. “And do you make a habit of rescuing damsels in distress, James?”

His smile widened. “Only when the opportunity presents itself.”

Kara crossed her arms, careful to lean most of her weight on her good ankle, and arched an eyebrow at James. “Well, I appreciate the save but don’t expect me to swoon or anything. I’m not exactly a damsel.”

James chuckled, an easy, self-assured laugh that only made her more self-conscious. “Noted. Though if you’re not a damsel, what does that make you?”

“A cowgirl,” Kara shot back before she could stop herself.

His eyes lit up with genuine interest. “A cowgirl? That explains why you looked ready to bolt during the introductions. This isn’t exactly your natural habitat, is it?”

“You could say that,” Kara muttered, feeling her cheeks flush. She hated how easily he seemed to read her as if her discomfort was written all over her face.

James tilted his head, studying her. “So, what would you rather be doing right now? Besides glaring at me for asking too many questions, of course.”

Kara hesitated, debating whether to brush him off or be honest. Something about his relaxed demeanor made her choose the latter. “I’d rather be at the ranch, riding my horse and not worrying about tripping down a staircase or having to smile at strangers all night.”

James’s smile softened, and to her surprise, there wasn’t a hint of mockery in his expression. “Sounds like heaven. Though I must admit, it’s hard to picture you riding horses when you’re standing here looking so…”

“Uncomfortable?” she supplied, her tone dry.

“I was going to say ‘elegant,’ but sure, let’s go with uncomfortable,” he said, his grin returning.

Kara rolled her eyes but couldn’t suppress a small smile. Sara, who had been hovering nearby, cleared her throat loudly.

“Am I interrupting something?” she asked her tone light but teasing.

“Not at all,” James said smoothly, turning to include her in the conversation. “I was just telling Kara how well she’s handling this whole debutante thing.”

“Right,” Sara said with a smirk. “She’s a natural. If by natural, you mean completely out of her element.”

“Hey!” Kara protested, though her tone lacked heat.

James chuckled again, and before Kara could think of a response, one of the organizers appeared, clipboard in hand and looking harried.

“Miss...

Produkt-Details

• Erscheint lt. Verlag: 14.11.2025
• Sprache: englisch
• Themenwelt: Literatur ► Lyrik / Dramatik ► Dramatik / Theater
• ISBN-13: 9780000704184 / 9780000704184