The Problem Child

  Emerson Pass Historicals, Book Four

  Tess Thompson

  Contents

  Also by Tess Thompson

  A note to readers

  1. Cymbeline

  2. Viktor

  3. Cymbeline

  4. Viktor

  5. Cymbeline

  6. Viktor

  7. Cymbeline

  8. Viktor

  9. Cymbeline

  10. Viktor

  11. Cymbeline

  12. Viktor

  13. Cymbeline

  14. Viktor

  15. Cymbeline

  16. Viktor

  17. Cymbeline

  18. Viktor

  19. Cymbeline

  20. Viktor

  21. Cymbeline

  22. Viktor

  23. Cymbeline

  24. Viktor

  25. Cymbeline

  26. Viktor

  27. Cymbeline

  28. Cymbeline

  More Emerson Pass!

  Also by Tess Thompson

  About the Author

  Praise for Tess Thompson

  "I frequently found myself getting lost in the characters and forgetting that I was reading a book." - Camille Di Maio, Bestselling author of The Memory of Us.

  "Highly recommended." - Christine Nolfi, Award winning author of The Sweet Lake Series.

  "I loved this book!" - Karen McQuestion, Bestselling author of Hello Love and Good Man, Dalton.

  * * *

  Traded: Brody and Kara:

  "I loved the sweetness of Tess Thompson's writing - the camaraderie and long-lasting friendships make you want to move to Cliffside and become one of the gang! Rated Hallmark for romance!" - Stephanie Little BookPage

  * * *

  "This story was well written. You felt what the characters were going through. It's one of those "I got to know what happens next" books. So intriguing you won't want to put it down." - Lena Loves Books

  "This story has so much going on, but it intertwines within itself. You get second chance, lost loves, and new love. I could not put this book down! I am excited to start this series and have love for this little Bayside town that I am now fond off!" - Crystal's Book World

  "This is a small town romance story at its best and I look forward to the next book in the series." - Gillek2, Vine Voice

  "This is one of those books that make you love to be a reader and fan of the author." -Pamela Lunder, Vine Voice

  * * *

  Blue Midnight:

  "This is a beautiful book with an unexpected twist that takes the story from romance to mystery and back again. I've already started the 2nd book in the series!" - Mama O

  * * *

  "This beautiful book captured my attention and never let it go. I did not want it to end and so very much look forward to reading the next book." - Pris Shartle

  * * *

  "I enjoyed this new book cover to cover. I read it on my long flight home from Ireland and it helped the time fly by, I wish it had been longer so my whole flight could have been lost to this lovely novel about second chances and finding the truth. Written with wisdom and humor this novel shares the raw emotions a new divorce can leave behind." - J. Sorenson

  * * *

  "Tess Thompson is definitely one of my auto-buy authors! I love her writing style. Her characters are so real to life that you just can't put the book down once you start! Blue Midnight makes you believe in second chances. It makes you believe that everyone deserves an HEA. I loved the twists and turns in this book, the mystery and suspense, the family dynamics and the restoration of trust and security." - Angela MacIntyre

  * * *

  "Tess writes books with real characters in them, characters with flaws and baggage and gives them a second chance. (Real people, some remind me of myself and my girlfriends.) Then she cleverly and thoroughly develops those characters and makes you feel deeply for them. Characters are complex and multi-faceted, and the plot seems to unfold naturally, and never feels contrived." - K. Lescinsky

  * * *

  Caramel and Magnolias:

  "Nobody writes characters like Tess Thompson. It's like she looks into our lives and creates her characters based on our best friends, our lovers, and our neighbors. Caramel and Magnolias, and the authors debut novel Riversong, have some of the best characters I've ever had a chance to fall in love with. I don't like leaving spoilers in reviews so just trust me, Nicholas Sparks has nothing on Tess Thompson, her writing flows so smoothly you can't help but to want to read on!" - T. M. Frazier

  * * *

  "I love Tess Thompson's books because I love good writing. Her prose is clean and tight, which are increasingly rare qualities, and manages to evoke a full range of emotions with both subtlety and power. Her fiction goes well beyond art imitating life. Thompson's characters are alive and fully-realized, the action is believable, and the story unfolds with the right balance of tension and exuberance. CARAMEL AND MAGNOLIAS is a pleasure to read." - Tsuruoka

  * * *

  "The author has an incredible way of painting an image with her words. Her storytelling is beautiful, and leaves you wanting more! I love that the story is about friendship (2 best friends) and love. The characters are richly drawn and I found myself rooting for them from the very beginning. I think you will, too!" - Fogvision

  * * *

  "I got swept off my feet, my heartstrings were pulled, I held my breath, and tightened my muscles in suspense. Tess paints stunning scenery with her words and draws you in to the lives of her characters."- T. Bean

  * * *

  Duet For Three Hands:

  “Tears trickled down the side of my face when I reached the end of this road. Not because the story left me feeling sad or disappointed, no. Rather, because I already missed them. My friends. Though it isn't goodbye, but see you later. And so I will sit impatiently waiting, with desperate eagerness to hear where life has taken you, what burdens have you downtrodden, and what triumphs warm your heart. And in the meantime, I will go out and live, keeping your lessons and friendship and love close, the light to guide me through any darkness. And to the author I say thank you. My heart, my soul -all of me - needed these words, these friends, this love. I am forever changed by the beauty of your talent.” - Lisa M.Gott

  * * *

  “I am a great fan of Tess Thompson's books and this new one definitely shows her branching out with an engaging enjoyable historical drama/love story. She is a true pro in the way she weaves her storyline, develops true to life characters that you love! The background and setting is so picturesque and visible just from her words. Each book shows her expanding, growing and excelling in her art. Yet another one not to miss. Buy it you won't be disappointed. The ONLY disappointment is when it ends!!!” - Sparky's Last

  * * *

  “There are some definite villains in this book. Ohhhh, how I loved to hate them. But I have to give Thompson credit because they never came off as caricatures or one dimensional. They all felt authentic to me and (sadly) I could easily picture them. I loved to love some and loved to hate others.” - The Baking Bookworm

  * * *

  “I stayed up the entire night reading Duet For Three Hands and unbeknownst to myself, I fell asleep in the middle of reading the book. I literally woke up the next morning with Tyler the Kindle beside me (thankfully, still safe and intact) with no ounce of battery left. I shouldn't have worried about deadlines because, guess what? Duet For Three Hands was the epitome of unputdownable.” - The Bookish Owl

  * * *

  Miller’s Secret

  “From the very first page, I was captivated by this wonderful tale. The cast of characters amazing - very fleshed out and multi-dimensional. The descriptions were perfect - just enough to make you feel like you were transported back to the 20's and 40's.... This book was the perfect escape, filled with so many twists and turns I was on the edge of my seat for the entire read.” - Hilary Grossman

  * * *

  “The sad story of a freezing-cold orphan looking out the window at his rich benefactors on Christmas Eve started me off with Horatio-Alger expectations for this book. But I quickly got pulled into a completely different world--the complex five-character braid that the plot weaves. The three men and two women characters are so alive I felt I could walk up and start talking to any one of them, and I'd love to have lunch with Henry. Then the plot quickly turned sinister enough to keep me turning the pages.

  Class is set against class, poor and rich struggle for happiness and security, yet it is love all but one of them are hungry for. ......Where does love come from? What do you do about it? The story kept me going, and gave me hope. For a little bonus, there are Thompson's delightful observations, like: "You'd never know we could make something this good out of the milk from an animal who eats hats." A really good read!” - Kay in Seattle

  * * *

  “She paints vivid word pictures such that I could smell the ocean and hear the doves. Then there are the stories within a story that twist and turn until they all come together in the end. I really had a hard time putting it down. Five stars aren't enough!” - M.R. Williams

  Also by Tess Thompson

  CLIFFSIDE BAY

  * * *

  Traded: Brody and Kara

  Deleted: Jackson and Maggie

  Jaded: Zane and Honor

  Marred: Kyle and Violet

  Tainted: Lance and Mary

  Cliffside Bay Christmas, The Season of Cats and Babies (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Tai
nted)

  Missed: Rafael and Lisa

  Cliffside Bay Christmas Wedding (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Missed)

  Healed: Stone and Pepper

  Chateau Wedding (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Healed)

  Scarred: Trey and Autumn

  Jilted: Nico and Sophie

  Kissed (Cliffside Bay Novella to be read after Jilted)

  Departed: David and Sara

  Cliffside Bay Bundle , Books 1,2,3

  * * *

  BLUE MOUNTAIN SERIES

  * * *

  Blue Mountain Bundle, Books 1,2,3

  Blue Midnight

  Blue Moon

  Blue Ink

  Blue String

  * * *

  EMERSON PASS HISTORICALS

  The School Mistress

  The Spinster

  The Scholar

  The Problem Child

  The Musician

  EMERSON PASS CONTEMPORARIES

  The Sugar Queen

  The Patron

  RIVER VALLEY

  Riversong

  Riverbend

  Riverstar

  Riversnow

  Riverstorm

  Tommy's Wish

  River Valley Bundle, Books 1-4

  * * *

  LEGLEY BAY

  Caramel and Magnolias

  Tea and Primroses

  * * *

  STANDALONES

  * * *

  The Santa Trial

  Duet for Three Hands

  Miller's Secret

  Copyright © 2021 by Tess Thompson

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  For my friend and colleague, Karen McQuestion, who gave me permission to follow my passion with a simple sentence. “Writing historical novels is your sweet spot.” I will be forever grateful for her encouraging words. They set me free to fly.

  A note to readers

  I’m delighted you’ve found your way to this fourth installment of my Emerson Pass Historicals Series. Since I first dreamt of the Barnes family (quite literally, they came to me in a dream) I have enjoyed writing Cymbeline most of all. She is feisty and unconventional and absolutely unafraid to be unabashedly herself. As I waited for her to grow old enough for her own romance, she whispered her story in my ear. I’ve learned a lot from her. She taught me how to find a way to do what I love, even when there were many obstacles in my way. I also learned a lot about the history of ski jumping and how long it took for women to have a place on the slope.

  For all the women, past and present, who have fought for the right to compete in any sport, art, academic or business pursuit, thank you for the inspiration. You’re all here in Cymbeline.

  I hope you enjoy this fourth story in the Barnes family saga. If you do, please consider leaving a review on the retailer of your choice. Also, come hang out with me in Patio Chat on Facebook or sign up for my newsletter so you never miss a sale or new release.

  Much love to you and yours,

  Tess

  Cymbeline

  That November evening in 1925 the wind brought the scent of change. I stood on the porch of my family’s home and drew in the smell of woodsmoke and dirt under the layer of newly fallen leaves, but there was something else too. Something unfamiliar. A fragrance I couldn’t quite place. One that brought the promise of redemption and transformation. I shivered and drew my coat closer around my slim waist.

  Something was coming. What, though? Adventure? Or simply a storm? One which my family would yet again have to weather?

  An autumnal setting sun cast an orange gossamer light over the yard. Only a few days ago, the first frost had turned the leaves on the aspens and birches into blazing reds and yellows. Then a howling wind had shaken many of them loose from their beloved branches. They now covered the ground in a patchwork quilt.

  This morning when I’d first gone to look out the window of my bedroom, a frost had dulled their dramatic colors. Not for long, however. Like me, their flame couldn’t be muted. They’d returned to their vibrant hues to compete with the azure sky.

  The sound of a motorcar coming down our driveway drew my attention. My twin brothers and my eldest sister, Josephine, were already inside for Sunday dinner. Did we have a visitor? Strange for a Sunday. Most stayed home with their families.

  Squinting into the last of the sun, I waited to see who appeared. I didn’t recognize the gleaming black car. But the driver? Him, I knew.

  Viktor Olofsson. My nemesis. My competitor. My secret longing.

  The man who made my stomach flutter like a silly girl. The object of my admiration.

  I hated him.

  But I loved him too. How this was possible, I did not know.

  His car came to a stop near the horse meadow. What was he doing here? Had one of my interfering sisters invited him to Sunday dinner? My entire family was convinced Viktor was the answer to my restlessness. They should have known I wasn’t made that way. Instead, I was an eagle without wings. No man could give me wings. I could only grow them myself.

  Recently, I’d discovered I could fly. Not with wings, but with skis attached to my boots that took me soaring off the side of our mountain. After my brothers had built the ski jump for their own amusement, I’d insisted on trying it as well. I’d fallen in love almost immediately. With my strength and lightweight physique, I was able to go longer and farther than even Flynn. Ski jumping had become as much of an obsession and passion as ice-skating and skiing had been. Now I wanted only to fly as long and as far as humanly possible. Farther than the boys who had competed in the Winter Games in France. Faster and higher and longer than any of them. I’d liked to have said I wouldn’t care if anyone knew, but that would be a lie. I may be overly competitive by nature, but a liar I was not.

  Viktor unfolded from the car like the jack-in-the-box game we had played with as children. He patted the top of his car with the palms of his large hands and grinned at me. “Good evening, fair Cymbeline.”

  I rolled my eyes but went out to greet him just the same, crossing the driveway in my long, purposeful strides. My sister Josephine had once told me I walked as if I were trying to escape the devil. I’d retorted that I wasn’t trying to escape him, simply outrun him.

  “Hello, Viktor.” I wanted to smack myself for the way my stomach fluttered at the sight of him. Viktor Olofsson was as beautiful a creature as had ever graced the earth, tall and wide-shouldered, with hair the color of sunshine and a smile that weakened knees all over town. Wickedly smart too, which galled me almost as much as his athletic abilities. No matter what I did, I couldn’t beat him on the ice or in the classroom. Obviously, I was not immune to his charms. No one with a pulse would be. Unfortunately. “What brings you by?”