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Unedited excerpt from
Nick sighed, pulling his SUV into the slot with his name on it in the parking lot behind his law office. It was in an area that held a book store, music store, craft store and part of a Methodist Church parking. Being late on the day before Thanksgiving the lot was relatively empty. A woman in the space across from him was hanging out from under the hood of an older model red Jeep that looked like it had seen better days. She wore a brightly colored cloth coat and a scarf wrapped around her neck. Her wild red curls were plastered to her face from the blowing snow. Her long legs were clad in faded jeans and boots that looked more designer than practical and weren't meant for tramping around in the snow. He watched her for a few minutes, trying to decide if she'd even accept his offer of help. Something about the clothes and the vehicle screamed very independent. Finally, though, he decided what the hell. It was almost Thanksgiving. Show some caring spirit. "Excuse me," he said. Melanie jumped at the sound of the deep male voice, hitting her head on the hood. "I didn't mean to frighten you." She blinked, staring at the man standing beside her in the dark dress coat. He was a head taller than her with a medium build and short, dark hair. But it was his eyes that caught her attention. They were a rich shade of blue; and very intense and oddly familiar. She blinked again, staring into them, wondering if she'd met this man before, and yet knowing she had not. "Are you all right?" His voice was warm and mellow and…. Quit staring and talk before he thinks you're a complete idiot. Answer him. He nodded. "Can I have a look? Get in and try to start it for me, so I can hear what it does."
"Are you sure? I'd hate to see you get your clothes dirty." He dismissed her concerns with a wave of his hand. She climbed into the jeep and left the door open, since her automatic windows wouldn't work with the car off. She tried to start the engine. It clicked, but nothing happened. "Try again," he called. Nothing. He closed the hood, brushing the snow off his coat, and came to stand beside her open door. "I think you'll have to have it towed. The connections are bad and your battery is dead. I noticed your out of state plates. Do you know anyone here?" She shook her head. "I'll call Vincent. He's the only one I know who will get you at this time of day in the snow and not take you advantage of you. There's a coffee shop across the street where we can wait for him. Come on. They have the best cookies." "If it wouldn't be too much trouble. Don't you have to get back to work?" "I let my staff go home early today. In fact, anyone with kids didn't even come in. I just finished up in court and was going to leave the paper work on my desk." He flipped open his phone and called his friend. "So you're a lawyer." "Guilty." He talked briefly before flipping shut his phone. "Vince will be here in ten minutes. He'll hurry since I told him you were pretty." She blushed as he opened the coffee shop door for her. They found a seat near the window with a view of the parking lot. "Hey, Carrie." He grinned at the young girl who came over to wait on them. "Mickey got you working today?" "I'm filling in while Mama and Mario get all the last minute orders filled for everyone who just remembered tomorrow is Thanksgiving and they don't want to show up at their relatives' empty-handed." He laughed. "Can I get you something?" She pulled a pen from behind her ear. "I'll have my usual." The girl glanced at her. "I'll have hot chocolate and a cherry scone." After Carrie left Nick turned his attention to the woman sitting across from him. At a distance she was attractive, but close up, she was stunning with all those fiery red curls, peaches and cream complexion with its light dusting of freckles that didn't need make-up, full pink lip and green eyes the color of expensive jewels. He was trying not to stare, but honestly it was damn hard, because she was staring back at him with what he suspected was the same expression he wore now looking at her. What was wrong with him? He wasn't as smooth with women as Mark, but he wasn't usually so tongue-tied, either. Start talking. "I'm sorry. I didn't get your name." "Melanie Rivers." Melanie. The mane matched the woman. Sleek, sexy with a hint of ex-cheerleader. Keep talking or she'll think you are a frigging moron. "I noticed you had Iowa plates. Are you here for the holiday visiting relatives?" "No. I'm…." His cell phone rang interrupting what she was about to say. "Sorry. I thought I'd shut it off." He pulled it out of his coat pocket and glanced at the ID before flipping it open. "If this is a plea for help, remember you asked for kid duty." His brother, Mark laughed. "Where have you been? I've been trying to reach you all afternoon. Don't you ever get your messages?" "Not if I can help it. I was in court. Besides, I didn't need Tiff's last minute orders or Mom's one millionth request for me to bring ice. What's up?" Silence was the only response. "Do we have a bad connection?" "No," Mark replied quietly. "Someone is looking for Adam." Nick's stomach clenched. "How do you know this?" "They, or should I say she, tracked him to me." He let out a harsh breath. "Did you tell her anything?" He forced the panic out of his voice, wishing he could move out of earshot of the very distracting Melanie. "No. Not yet. I wanted to talk to you first." "Good. Then blow her off." "That might not be the end of it." "Listen. I can't talk about this now. I've had a rough morning. Right now, I'm having coffee with a pretty damsel in distress while we wait for Vince to come get her car." He winked at Melanie, gaining a shy smile. "Ah, Nick…," Mark said. He closed the phone, clicking it off before his brother could continue. "I don't know how I can ever thank you," she said as he pocketed his phone. "Don't mention it." He shrugged. "I hope you weren't planning to shop. The stores on this street have closed early for the holiday." "No, actually, I was headed to the law office, but it was closed." She put a hand over her month, he eyes opening wide in surprise. "That would be your office." "Guilty again. I'm in practice with my brother and a college buddy of mine. Do you need a lawyer?" It wasn't a good sign if she needed one out of state. "I wouldn't be much good to you unless you want a baby or are a child in need of care." He ran a hand over his face. "That sounded flip. I'm sorry. You'll have to forgive me. I've had a difficult morning." "I'm not in trouble." She laughed nervously. "At least not in that kind of trouble. I'm looking for someone." "Who?" he asked. Carrie brought their order. He lifted his cup, enjoying the warmth and the smell of the flavored coffee. She swirled her whipped cream around with a spoon. "Oh, I almost forgot." She reached into large leather and began rummaging around. "I want to get his name right. Nicholas Sinclair." He blinked, sitting his drink down. She was looking for him? Why? He couldn't be involved in whatever trouble this woman found herself in. He didn't even know her. "You found him." |
She hesitated. This handsome man in a nice suit didn't seem like someone who would ordinarily offer to help fix her car.