Shirley Jump

An inheritance he never wanted

Indigo's opera house was a gift from Alexandre Valois to his wife long before the Civil War. Marjo Savoy, head of the opera house committee, is determined that the historic building will never be sold.

Photojournalist and the current owner, Paul Clermont, has no interest in holding on to the property he's inherited–he values his freedom too much to be burdened by real estate. But something keeps drawing him back: the quiet beauty of the bayou, the stirring music of his Acadian ancestors or maybe Marjo herself. After years of wandering, he's beginning to wonder if this is where he truly belongs.

The last person she expected to see at her husband's funeral was his wife!

But having learned her husband apparently bought his engagement rings in bulk, Penny Reynolds is shocked out of her well-ordered world. She can't bring herself to hate his "wife," Susan, or toss his amazing piano-playing dog (another surprise) out on his rump. Still, she can get answers as to why her hubby led his secret life. All it takes is a little persuading before she and Susan embark on the trip of a lifetime with Harvey the Wonder Dog in tow.

As the two travel the show-dog circuit, Penny learns not just how to teach the dog to sing "The Star-Spangled Banner," but also how to let go. She finds her answers (some less welcome than others). But thanks to her ex's legacy and Harvey's "amazing" trainer, Penny's ready to run with whatever curveball life throws at her!