An Unexpected Woman
Furniture technician Shelley Roberts believes strongly in seizing the moment, while holding fast to the concepts of faith, hard work, and preparation for the changes in life. Impulsive and generally light-hearted, she cannot help being attracted to a man she calls “Tall Dark and Handsome,” even if he is one of her customers and therefore off limits.
Dr. Mark Countryman, on the eve of his fortieth birthday, has never had much success with women. To forestall more disappointment, he has asked his Lord to keep him from anyone he isn’t supposed to partner. “Put a bow on the one you want for me,” Mark has prayed in earnest, “so I’ll know.” He has forgotten that the God who made the platypus and the avocado has a sense of humor!
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Due out later this spring!
Excerpt:
Mark had just decided to take a quick pass by the dairy section to get a carton of eggs to make deviled eggs, when he stopped short before lurching forward a little with his shopping cart. A young woman was lifting a flat of bottled water from the concrete floor. His first instinct was to offer his assistance, but then he was struck by the way in which she moved and he realized he knew her.
“Shelley Roberts?” he asked, incredulous. The smile she flashed him over her bare shoulder was definitely the one he remembered. “I didn’t recognize you out of uniform,” he said, flustered.
She turned, setting the flat of water easily into her own cart. “Oh, this?” she asked, holding out the long floral skirt of her halter-dress. “Believe it or not, I’m usually a very girly girl.”
Still working around his appreciative surprise, Mark could only nod and try hard not to stare at her. At the expanse of bare skin on her upper back, the small pale oval on her shoulder blade that was probably a birthmark, unless a leaf had fallen on her skin while she was sunbathing or something. Face it, guy, you’re only human, he reminded himself with a stern recollection to the situation.
“Do you normally go through a lot of bottled water while you work?” he asked in a bid to have something to say before she walked away. He didn’t understand himself, entirely, but there it was. Oh, Lord. Not again.
A brisk shake of her head was followed by another smile. “Nope. I just start stocking up for hurricane season in March, see. Never know when the first storm might hit.”
“Already?”
“Oh, yeah. I do a little bit with every paycheck,” Shelley told him. “Water, batteries, replacements on any of my battery-operated gear. Gas for my generator, food, and this year I’m going to get new storm shutters. I’ve been saving for them. My plywood is getting warped.”
Impressed, he could only nod. “Wow. You’re really going to be prepared.”
“What about you?” she asked, looking intently into his eyes. “When do you get started?”
He shook his head. “I haven’t really done a whole lot of that.”
“What? Are you kidding me?” Her mouth dropped open and she looked prepared to read him the riot act or something. The idea made him smile inwardly. “Have you seen Sanibel and Captiva since Charley came through back in ’04?”
“Um, no. I’ve never been there.”
Incredulity sparked from her eyes. “Never?”
“Never.”
Her mouth fell open again. “Dr. Countryman. How long have you lived here?”
He smiled a little, enjoying the enthusiasm she brought to the conversation. “This will be my third summer, but I’ve been here a little more than two years.”
“Oh, that explains it.”
“I actually haven’t even seen the beach since I moved here,” he told her, wanting to watch her react, again. It was a rejuvenating experience.
She rolled up in her nearly nonexistent sandals. “What?” A laugh in her voice, she pointed to his cart and said, “Okay. Do you have anything perishable in there?”
“No…”
“Then check out. You’re coming with me. We’re going to the beach. It is your day off, right?”
Laughing in sheer shock, he nodded. “Yeah, but –”
“Not another word, Dr. Countryman. Come on. I cannot believe you’ve been here that long and haven’t seen the beach.”
He wanted to accept – wanted to accept with more strength than was comfortable – but he thought he better ask one question. “Just a second. Are you asking me out?”
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