The Man She Married

The Man She Married
Ann DeFee

After more than twenty years, Clay Walker still looks like the sexy surfer dude Maizie married. But lately their relationship has been getting a little stale. It's time to shake things up and get the old juices goin'. Maizie's solution? Some harmless flirting with the studly new tennis pro to make Clay pea-green jealous. But when the plan backfires–and Clay moves out–Maizie and her gal pals mount an all-out campaign to win him back. Between her aiding and abetting mother, a potentially dangerous admirer and one unforgettable karaoke serenade, this Southern belle needs nothing short of a miracle.The one constant is her enduring passion for Clay. Can Maizie find what she's looking for without losing the only man she's ever loved?

“Honey, are you ready for bed?” Maizie channeled her inner seductress as she struck a pose in the door.

No response.

“Clayton. Did you hear me?”

“Sure,” he answered, but didn’t take his eyes off the T.V. screen. “Let me catch the rest of the news and I’ll be right with you.”

The moron would rather watch the weather than make love? If that didn’t beat all! She counted to ten and decided to give him one more chance.

All Southern belles had an arsenal of tricks, and Maizie was no exception. She treated her oblivious husband to a little swish, a more pronounced sashay and a coup de grâce—a naughty hip grind—all done right in front of him for maximum effect.

Nothing. Absolutely nothing. This was war. Clay didn’t know it yet, but he was going to live to rue this day.

Dear Reader,

Have you ever thought about spicing up your love life? After more than twenty years of marriage, Mary Stuart “Maizie” Walker is ready for a little rockin’ and rollin,’ and that’s when she comes up with the perfect plan. She’s going to make her hubby jealous by flirting with the handsome tennis pro. However, that scheme, like the best-laid plans of mice and Southern belles, backfires—big-time.

Welcome back to Magnolia Bluffs, the hometown of Maizie and her cohorts in mischief—Liza and Kenni. There’s never a dull moment when the Steel Magnolias are up to their antics, and this time Mama and the aunts get involved. The Man She Married is fun, it’s funky and I hope it makes you laugh out loud.

Ann

Here’s a great snack for football parties.

Georgia Munchies

6 cups popped popcorn

1 (6-ounce) bag corn chips

2 cups bite-size pretzels

1 (3-ounce) can Chinese noodles

1 stick margarine

2 teaspoons Worcestershire

1 teaspoon Tabasco

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Combine popcorn, chips, pretzels and noodles. Melt margarine; stir in sauces and garlic. Pour over popcorn mix and toss to coat. Bake at 250 degrees for 1 hour. Stir every 15 minutes. Cool and store in airtight containers. Yields 12 cups.

The Man She Married

Ann DeFee

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ann DeFee’s debut novel, A Texas State of Mind (Harlequin American Romance), was a double finalist in the 2006 Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA

Awards.

Drawing on her background as a fifth-generation Texan, Ann loves to take her readers into the sassy and sometimes wacky world of a small Southern community. As an air force wife with twenty-three moves under her belt, she’s now settled in her tree house in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, their golden retriever and two very spoiled cats. When she’s not writing, you can probably find her on the tennis court or in the park with her walking group.

Ann loves to hear from her readers, so please visit her Web site at www.ann-defee.com. Or contact her by snail mail at P.O. Box 97313, Tacoma, WA 98497.

This book is dedicated to the terrific folks at

Harlequin who make our books a reality, with

special kudos to Megan Long, Paula Eykelhof and

Kathleen Scheibling. And a special thanks to my

good friends Geri Krotow and Debbie Macomber.

Without the help and support of these extraordinary

ladies I’d probably still be writing comprehensive

plans. And this is a whole lot more fun!

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten