Sandwiched. Jennifer Archer
A quote from our heroine:
“First my daughter, now my mother. And here I am, sandwiched in the middle like a pickle in a bun, trying to keep them from ruining their lives.”
—Cecilia Dupree, generationally challenged
Praise for Jennifer Archer
“Lighthearted, funny, a delight to read.”
—Jodi Thomas, New York Times bestselling author, on Body and Soul
“A fun, exciting, humorous, fast-moving story!”
—Romantic Times on Once Upon a Dream
“…well written and clever. It’s an all around fun book to read.”
—The Romance Reader on Shocking Behavior
Jennifer Archer
Jennifer Archer has survived maneuvering through life in seven states, raising two teenaged boys and, this year, her very first hot flash—all without serious medication. She is the author of four novels and two novellas, and currently resides in Texas with her high school sweetheart, whom she married more than twenty-five years ago. Jenny is at work on her next novel, while awaiting the words every mother longs for, “Mom, I finally graduated and found a job! I’m off your payroll!” She loves to hear from readers through her Web site www.jenniferarcher.net.
Sandwiched
Jennifer Archer
Like the women in Sandwiched,
I lived under one roof with some fabulous females for many years. This book is dedicated to them with love and gratitude:
My mom, Joan Browder,
who is patient and supportive, loving and wise. You mean the world to me.
And
Linda Heasley, Charla Walton and Angie Prince— sisters by fate, friends by choice. My life would not be nearly so fun or interesting without you.
Thanks to my editor, Gail Chasan, who is
a dream to work with; and to Tara Gavin and all the other wonderful people I’ve met at Harlequin.
Thanks to my agent, Jenny Bent,
who challenged me to make the proposal stronger, and stuck out the tough times with me.
Thanks to the Thursday night Divas,
who offered wine and whine sessions, encouragement and their invaluable expertise and suggestions: Dee Virden Burks, Jodi Koumalats, Marcy McKay, DeWanna Pace, April Redmon and honorary Diva (whether he likes it or not) Robert Brammer. And to the long-distance Divas, Britta Coleman and Candace Havens, who encouraged from afar.
Thanks to my friend, Ronda Thompson,
who met me at Schlotsky’s and saved my sanity by helping me figure out how to structure the dreaded synopsis.
And as always, thanks to my husband, Jeff,
who didn’t complain when the alarm went off every morning at 5:00 a.m.; and to my son Jason who sometimes remembered to call and let me know he was going to miss his curfew (again); and to my son Ryan, whose funny phone calls from college gave me nice breaks away from the writing.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER 1
Cecilia Dupree
Day Planner
Saturday, 11/1
1. Unpack Mother.
2. Grocery store.
3. Shop for Erin’s concert dress.
Instead of filing for divorce, I should’ve buried Bert in the backyard, in the spot beneath the willow where our bulldog likes to pee.
I realize my mistake on a Saturday morning while driving home from the Donut Hut. The sun shines bright in a lapis-blue sky; the autumn air is as sweet and crisp as my mother’s famous gingersnap cookies. It seems a shame to go back to the house so soon on such a gorgeous day, back to Mother and a bedroom full of boxes containing her things. So I decide,