Dandelions
by
Darby Rae
Copyright 2012 Darby Rae,
All rights reserved.
Published in eBook format by Solid Spirit Publishers
Converted by http://www.eBookIt.com
ISBN-13: 978-0-9831-3103-8
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced without written permission from the author or publisher, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review; nor may any part of this book be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or other without written permission from the author or publisher.
Solid Spirit Publishers
Cover design: Collective Alternative
What others are saying about Darby Rae’s Young Adult Paranormal debut, Dandelions:
Darby Rae effortlessly pulls you into the world of paranormal shifters and the young love story of Tess and Luke. The well developed characters, and the mix of love, mystery and excitement keeps you turning the pages. I read it in one sitting wanting more. I can't wait to read the next in the series!
– Lynn Zettler, Author of STOP Talking to Me
Dandelions will have you from the first paragraph; everyday characters that you identify with and love right away; a love story / adventure saga in the Young Adult Paranormal genre that appeals to teens and to their parents equally. A page-burner very similar to the I am Number Four series. You will absolutely love this story!
– Bruce Seidman, Best-selling co-author of Sandler Success Principles
Vivid and brilliant storytelling. This book has a lot of heart with all the excitement and twists I expect from Darby Rae.
– She Who Blogs Behind the Rows
Finally. A young heroine who is neither flighty nor melodramatic. Tess is strong, real, vulnerable, capable, smart and compassionate. She respects herself, loves her family and knows her voice. A welcome relief in an age of reality show prima donnas, surly teen stars and pop divas.
– Lisa Whitman, Writer, producer and mother of three energetic boys and two spirited girls.
Dandelions is a fun and engaging read. Rae draws you in from beginning to end. Instantly, you will find yourself wanting to learn more about each character as the complexity of the story develops. This book will keep you guessing what is next and leave you wanting more.
– Arin Ralstin, Co-author of 3 Steps To Your Best Body in Record Time
Dedication:
To Rachel, because Dandelions lives within you as well.
Acknowledgements:
It took only a few months to write Dandelions, but several months…and several people to nail it. My gratitude is endless.
Sonya Giffin, who stayed up very late one night with me and conjured up the storyline, this series all started with you, woman!
Collective Alternative’s team of geniuses: Taylor for enduring the pains of editing (sorry wheelbarrel/wheelbarrow shattered your world. You’re not alone!) Aubrey for your amazing talent in graphics, the web graphics rock and the cover art rocks times 2. Julie, the master photographer, for an incredible photo shoot; you captured more than images, you captured essence. Ross for Dandelion’s tagline, your creativity never lets us down! And Amanda, for your expert hands in all of the above, the countless hours you dedicated to Dandelions and your friendship through it all. Words cannot begin to express my thanks…so I will continue to make Margaritas.
Many thanks to the women of AAC who shared their secrets to success when I hit a wall, and to our leader, Lynn Zettler, for keeping me accountable to taking a vacation. The beach was exactly what I needed.
To my #1 Beta Reader, Best Selling Author, and Business Advisor, Bruce Seidman, your love for Dandelions and relentless push for ‘more’ keeps my fingers on the keyboard. A million thanks for all your affirmations. You'll be the first to review Fireweed, #2 in this series.
To Tracy Taback, who perfected Dandelions with her final edits, and gave the nod that (with a few changes and several more commas) it was ready to be released. I truly and sincerely appreciate you!
To all the readers of Merciful Law who vowed to jump genres with me from Action/Suspense to Dandelion’s genre, Young Adult Paranormal. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You’ll still miss Annie and Emmet, but you’ll fall in love with Tessa and Luke.
To my new YA friends. Thank you for spreading the word with all your Tweets, Instagrams, texts, Facebook posts, et al. There is absolutely nothing that compares to the enthusiasm of teens. I am honored to write for you!
To my man, Todd, who insisted I take time to relax and rejuvenate. Thank you for the motorcycle rides, isolation and monochromatic meals. Your love and support means the world to me. oxoxox
And to my favorite teen girl, my daughter Rachel, you are my inspiration, my biggest cheerleader, and my muse. Thank you for reading every word of Dandelions with me, changing many of them, and keeping the voices of the teens in the story true to form. Your talent for writing is exceeded only by my love for you.
Chapter 1
I sat at the kitchen table. We had been here exactly one week – our new home in Kilkenny, South Carolina. I was homeschooled because we moved so much. Today I was taking my last final exam of the year as I had done so many times before, at so many other kitchen tables, in so many other homes, in so many other cities.
My pencil was pinched between my thumb and index finger, tapping one end on the table, then the other. Absently, my other hand pressed random buttons on my calculator. My mind had drifted far away from my calculus exam.
“Tessa, you’re daydreaming.”
My mother sat opposite me, pushed back from the table, her eyes fixed on a page in her Southern Living magazine. Her long, strawberry blonde hair twisted into a bun with her pen stuck through it.
“Thinking,” I corrected.
“Daydreaming,” she said, now with understanding eyes.
“Maybe just a little,” I admitted. “It’s so perfect, Mom.”
Mom glanced around the kitchen. “The cabinets are orange, Tessa. The counter tops are olive green. It looks like a ‘70’s nightmare.” She shook her head, returned her gaze to her magazine and muttered, “brown-tiled backsplash.”
“I like the brown tile. It will look great with the wood floor once we paint the cabinets white.”
“Good
