Chapter OneIsla Bennett didn’t feel the icy chill seeping through her clothes as she walked down the unfamiliar street in Nashville, Tennessee; she was numb all the way through. And it had nothing to do with the late December weather. Raindrops pinged against the ground and her body, like thick, heavy tears from the night sky. She didn’t know how long she’d been walking when she stopped outside a pub with an overhanging portico. She looked up and read the sign. Salvation. If that’s not a sign, I don’t know what is. It was only when she pulled open the heavy, intricately carved door and felt a blast of warmth that she recognized how cold she was. Unsurprisingly, a soulful, country twang sounded through the speakers, and her eyes traveled to the band onstage before surveying the rest of the room. The mass of people filling the fairly small establishment surprised her. It was a Tuesday night, not particularly nice out, and right after the holidays. Clearly, none of this dissuaded the crowd. Releasing the heavy wooden door so it shut behind her, she wove her way through the round tables. Men smiled at her. Women smiled, too, but Isla didn’t return any of their gestures. A gentle shiver racked her body as she made her way to the bar. Get warm. Drink something strong. Then maybe she could think. Or act. Or something. A long, rectangular bar, shaped like a U, took up one wall. Isla chose a stool in the corner, slid on, and set her purse on the bar. Her hands shook as she pulled at her gray leather gloves. They stuck, like her icy fingers had formed a bond with the inside material. She tugged and pulled, knowing the upset tumbling around in her chest wasn’t from her stupid gloves. “Can I help you with that?” The bartender’s voice was warmer than hot chocolate and thicker than honey. By the time her eyes traveled up over the plain black T-shirt covering a wide, sculpted chest and muscular arms, her insides had lost some of their chill. When her gaze landed on the speaker’s strong, square jaw and moved up to the hint of a smile on his full lips, her stomach warmed, and when their eyes met, heat all but flooded her veins. From six words. Isla got lost for a moment in the kindness of his dark brown eyes. The man staring at her gestured toward her hands with his chin. She realized then that she was staring and still in the middle of removing the freezing articles of clothing. “You good?” His eyes danced with humor, and for some reason, it was like a hug that she desperately needed. Or maybe just some perspective on an untenable situation. “Usually, yes. Right now? Not so much.” She gave the gloves another yank, and the left one came off. It was easier to take the second one off with her bare hand. She set them on the bar top and rubbed her hands together. He continued to stare at her, and the sizzle of attraction surprised her out of the fog she’d been stuck in for the last few hours. The bartender did something under the counter, his wide shoulders curling as he looked down, where she couldn’t see. A minute later, he put a mug of steaming water in front of her. “Oh,” she said, staring at it. She wasn’t in the habit of frequenting bars, or even drinking for that matter, but she sure as heck needed more than hot water tonight. He grinned, and Isla’s pulse stumbled. From a smile. “For your hands, Red.” Isla wrapped her hands around the mug and nearly moaned out loud at the relief the warmth brought to her palms. Before she could thank him, a curvy blonde leaned over the bar, pressing her breasts together. Entirely unnecessary, seeing as her shirt doesn’t cover much. Isla squelched the negative thought. It was no one else’s fault she was in such a hideous mood, and who was she to judge someone she didn’t even know? Still, when the blonde spoke, irritation prickled Isla’s skin. “Can I get another rum and coke, Lee?” she asked in a sugary voice. The bartender shot a glance toward Isla, but she lowered her gaze and focused on tightening her grip around the mug. If she held it hard enough, maybe the heat would invade her body. Somehow, she figured it would take a lot more than liquid or a hot guy to rid her of the chill that had taken over the minute she landed in Nashville. Alone. As the blonde flirted with Lee, Isla thought about how ill-prepared she’d been to take off at a moment’s notice. Her best friend, who also happened to be her assistant, had packed a carry-on for her, booked her flight, arranged a car, and even tied up loose ends while Isla had tried to get a hold of her brother and her father. Neither of them was available. In hindsight, she realized she’d completely taken advantage of Addie’s innate kindness and need to care for people. I’ll bring her home something special. Nashville was on her friend’s list of must-visit places. “Come dance with me?” The blonde’s sultry, seductive voice bit into Isla’s musings. Saying it over the music lessened the power of her advances. In your opinion. For all you know, Lee here thinks her advances are plenty powerful enough. Sometimes she hated her own brain. It was a nonstop freight train of random emotions and thoughts. “No thanks,” Lee said. Through lowered lashes, Isla saw the woman actually pouted. The bartender had poured the drink and crossed his arms over his chest, accentuating the sharp groove of muscle along his biceps. Were those triceps? Does it matter? She should know, though, since she spent her day in the vicinity of very well-sculpted people. None of them affected her nerve endings like the man tending bar. She could almost understand the blonde’s reluctance to give up. A curved line of ink peeked beneath the cuff of Lee’s T-shirt. Yeah. Another time? She might pout, too. “Pretty please?” Blondie asked. “I’m working,” he replied. “Not like you need to be behind the bar,” she pushed. Isla tried not to roll her eyes and caught the woman’s glare when the bartender glanced back at her again. “No one is going to mind if you steal a dance.” Bartender Lee pushed her drink toward her and leaned in. “Sorry, not interested. This one is on the house, but it’s the last one of the night.” Without waiting for a response, he straightened and came back to Isla. He looked down at her hands and then covered them with his around the mug. Isla’s eyes widened, and her tongue felt thick in her mouth. The warm water had done wonders, but his touch shot fireworks over her skin, and she forgot that she was not only cold but damp from the rain. Nodding like he’d confirmed something, the bartender removed the mug of water. “That’s better. Your fingers aren’t icicles anymore. Now, what can I get you, Red?” “Red?” she muttered. He grinned. “Your hair?” She touched a warmed hand to it. Right. Red, as in her hair. Which was probably a frizzy mess. Though she’d call it more of an auburn, but she stopped herself from pointing that out. Grief had shut down her ability to think. At least, that’s what she thought was wrong with her. She’d never lost anyone before. Her mom didn’t count, since she’d just left, not died. Did she even have a right to feel sad? Didn’t seem to matter—she felt it anyway. Guilt filtered in between the grief at the memory of arriving too late to say goodbye to the grandfather she hadn’t known. “Are you okay?” The bartender leaned on the bar, folding his arms on the top and gazing directly into her eyes. Good question. “I, uh...not really. But yes. Thank you for asking. Can I get a gin and tonic? With some lime, please?” Not warm, but it was strong. He held her gaze a moment longer, like he was looking for something, and then turned and got her drink. Isla dug her phone out of her purse and checked it. No calls. No texts. When she’d received the phone call from her grandfather’s wife—his fourth, whom Isla had never met—it hadn’t occurred to her not to try to get to Nashville in time to see him. He hoped you’d come, but he asked so late, I’m not sure you’ll make it. Can you get away? Cordelia—what an old-school name—had asked with a wealth of emotion. Isla had said yes before she gave it any thought. She didn’t regret coming, but she wished her father or brother would return a damn call. Surely Cordelia had phoned them as well. A gin and tonic appeared in front of her. “Here you go. You want something to eat?” Isla blinked up at him. “No. Thanks, though. Lee?” His brows scrunched together. Once again leaning in, she saw he had thick, dark, enviable lashes. His confusion didn’t make sense to her. She picked up her drink, fiddling with the straw. “The blonde. She called you Lee.” Until that moment, Isla didn’t know men rolled their eyes. When the bartender did, it made her laugh, and that loosened the knots tangling her heart into a mess. “My name is Liam. She thinks if she shortens it, she has a better chance of ending up in my bed,” he said. There was no arrogance in his statement or his tone. Isla sipped her drink, cringing a little. Alcohol wasn’t her thing, but she thought it was supposed to provide inner heat. Maybe that was just whiskey? “Hmm. That’s a weird assumption on her part. And somewhat clichéd that she thinks you’ll want to take her home with you just because you’re serving her drinks.” One dark brow rose in what Isla could only hope was amusement. Usually she kept her ramblings in her head, but she didn’t seem to have a filter at the moment. All the more reason to find a place to stay for the night. Cordelia hadn’t even offered a room in the penthouse apartment where her grandfather had passed. Which was fine, because it would have been strange to try to sleep there. But she would have liked to have stayed. She tried to offer help, a shoulder, anything, but the woman made it clear her grandfather had wanted her there, but Cordelia did not. Her own family didn’t extend simple courtesies, so she wasn’t sure why it bothered her so much that Cordelia had asked her to come and then been as inhospitable as possible. She lost her husband. Cut her some slack. “What’s your name?” Liam asked. Other bartenders worked the length of the bar, pouring drinks for waitresses and customers in a steady tandem. “Isla,” she said, sipping her drink again before setting it down. He looked at the glass. “You want something else?” She shrugged. “Not really. I’m not much of a drinker. I just needed to get in out of the rain.” “How about some hot chocolate?” He grinned around the question. Isla was reminded of both the Cheshire cat and the dark-haired bad-boy brother on Vampire Diaries. A strange, yet oddly compelling combination. Your brain is fried. You need some sleep and a meal. She wasn’t sure what would follow that. Most likely booking a flight back home to Colorado. “I would love a hot chocolate,” she said, her words rushing out of her like she’d made an important decision. Liam’s rich, bold laughter surprised her and pulled her out of her own head for a moment. Get it together. He probably thinks you’re a lunatic. Not that she was overly concerned with what he thought of her but, as a successful businesswoman, she took pride in presentation. Of her work. Her abilities. Herself. Usually. “Coming right up, Isla. Pretty name. Unique.” He shook his head as he walked down the length of the bar and chatted with the other bartenders. Unique. She’d been linked to that adjective since she was a child. Isla picked up her phone and texted her mom, knowing there was no point. Her mom was a smart, vibrant woman, but she was as inept at texting as Isla was at forming coherent conversation when she was as tired as she was right this minute. She’d already texted Addie with an update but sent another, letting her know she was going to find a place to stay. And she responded immediately. Two simple words that helped even more than the good-looking man and the drink: Love you. She wasn’t completely alone. When Liam came back a few minutes later, he had hot chocolate with whipped cream swirled on top, and Isla had no clue why that brought tears to her eyes. The sweetness of the gesture. The reminder of being young and thinking whipped cream was the best thing ever. Her throat felt thick when she brought the mug to her lips, licking some of the whipped cream before letting the hot liquid wash over her tongue. It was warm but didn’t burn, and she was almost positive that was intentional. Again, the thoughtfulness was touching. When she set the drink down, Liam smiled at her and passed her a napkin. “You have whipped cream on your lips, Red.” Her cheeks flushed as she took the napkin and wiped her lips. “That’s delicious. Thank you.” Tears wanted to fall. They were pushing to the surface and emotion clogged her throat. It’s hot chocolate for goodness sake. What is wrong with you? But she knew the answer. What was wrong was, a man she’d never been allowed to know—hadn’t even been aware of—had asked for her on his deathbed, and she hadn’t shown up in time. More than that, his own son hadn’t shown up at all. Isla had, long ago, resigned herself to never understanding her father, but this was too much, too cold, even for him. Questions assaulted her already tired mind. Why would someone she’d never known want her in his final moments? More importantly, why hadn’t she and her brother, Ian, been allowed to know him? A falling-out. That simple statement had been her only answer over the years. That, and a hard reminder that if she wanted to succeed, she’d be better off looking at how she could improve her future rather than thinking about a past that didn’t concern her. Blinking out of her own thoughts, she saw Liam watching her sip her drink. It didn’t seem to bother the other bartenders that he wasn’t helping out or doing his job. When women—and men—called his name, he gave a polite nod, then turned back to her. “What brings you to Nashville?” She tried to smile as she set her drink down. “Family.” The word made her chest ache. “Yeah?” Liam leaned in. With a drink and a look, he’d already offered more comfort than anyone in her actual family. Maybe that was why the truth tumbled from her lips. “Yes. My grandfather died.” The words were foreign and strained. And though she didn’t think she deserved to hurt inside, it didn’t stop the tears from pushing hard and fast to the surface. “Damn. I’m so sorry.” Liam reached out and covered both of her hands with his like it was the most natural thing in the world. The unexpected gesture, the innate compassion in his eyes, absorbed Isla’s pain and made it recede. Without it fogging her vision, she was reminded of who she was. A practical, smart, successful woman who made sensible, smart choices. One who did not drink hot chocolate and whipped cream in some unknown bar far from home while holding hands with a hotter-than-hot man she’d barely met. And still, Isla made no effort to unlink their hands. For the moment, she liked this version of herself better.
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2JrnWuu
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2VQbhb3 Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2VrtYT5 amazon AU: https://amzn.to/2YmEAjp Nook: http://bit.ly/CATBNook Kobo: http://bit.ly/CATBKobo Apple: https://apple.co/2H6Dv88 I love seeing my words put together with graphics (by someone who's actually good at it, unlike me lol). Lucky for me, the lovely Nicole Blanchard of Indiesage makes my words look so pretty. I feel like I've been waiting so long for Story of Us to come out and I'm so happy it's out in the world. Thank you so much to everyone for your support, RTs, encouragement and kindness.  I've been hiding away under a fleece blanket trying my best to knock out words and avoid the cold air outside. Things have been relatively quiet in my writing world as I'm still in between releases. As I turned the calendar (my adorable Catana Comics one) to March and started to fill it in, I sat back and realized this is a BUSY month! First up! Story of Us releases March 18th.Okay, it's not the first thing I have going on this month but it's the one I was eagerly awaiting.  You can follow along with my interviews and giveaways to celebrate this release in the following places, including a multi-author Facebook celebration party!  Click the note card to join the FB event March 3 Amazeballs Book Addicts March 14 Fresh Fiction March 14 Romancing the Book March 17 Get Your Book On March 18 Love Romance Reads Facebook Multi-author event March 20 Writerspace March 23 Just Contemporary Romance Though my husband disagrees, I'm cheap this month!Special ebook sale on all retailer sites! |
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Today is the release of Never Expected You, my sixteenth published story. I will be brutally honest and tell you, it was the hardest one I've written. I have no idea why or what made it so challenging compared to the others, but because I struggled so much with it, I was very worried about how people will feel after reading it. Let me just say, I'm more than a little relieved and thrilled that readers are enjoying it.
This is one of those books that just hit every emotional button and left me happy and satisfied.
~Bette H.~ Goodreads reviewer
~Bette H.~ Goodreads reviewer
I can always count on Jody Holford to deliver beautifully layered, heartfelt romances. And, deliver she did - on every level.
~Bookgasms Book Blog
~Bookgasms Book Blog
So many things have changed since my first foray into publishing. The one thing that hasn't is how grateful I feel to be part of this amazing writing community, to have a wealth of supporters who make me feel like I'm doing what I should, and to have actual readers who look forward to my books.
To celebrate the release, I'm giving away a signed paperback copy of Let it Be Me and some swag. Thanks for reading.
To celebrate the release, I'm giving away a signed paperback copy of Let it Be Me and some swag. Thanks for reading.
Because I'm getting antsy to share, I'm letting you see the first chapter of book 2 in the Love Unexpected Series, NEVER EXPECTED YOU. I'm excited for you guys to meet Stella and Zach. It might not be a holiday where you are, but it is here, so Happy B.C. Day!
With all the things she’d been through in the last year, Stella Lane had no intention of letting a bird get the best of her. She stared up at the pain-in-the-ass-albeit-kinda-cute parakeet
trying to poke holes in her good intentions. It was just after ten a.m. and she was ready to call it a day. She wasn’t even supposed to be working today, and she’d already helped a Great Dane through a tricky delivery, given shots to a very sweet kitty, and had her purple Converse puked on by a nervous labradoodle.
Just another day at the office. She grinned, thinking it could be worse. Right now, the bird was just flying around. At least he wasn’t dive bombing her or leaving messes everywhere. The bird chirped, mocking her as it flew a little higher in the reception area.
“Come down here and say that,” Stella sang out in a syrupy voice. She crooked her finger, like somehow that was a magic spell. She snorted out a laugh. Didn’t work on men, it wasn’t likely to work on a damn bird.
As she inched toward the other side of her waiting room counter, she kept her sight glued to Pedro, certain those marble-sized eyes were sparkling with mischief. Stifling a yawn, Stella reached up and held out a hand, willing the bird to perch on her fingers.
When the door behind her swung open, she whirled. She was not the bird’s biggest fan at the moment, but she was pretty sure her owner wanted her back. Seeing as this particular owner actually paid in cold hard cash rather than most of Brockton Point’s preferred currency of casseroles and favors, Stella needed to keep the animal safe.
“Close the door. Quick,” Stella called, looking up into a gorgeous set of eyes that were somewhere between gray and blue.
Wow. When she’d signed up for another veterinarian practicum student, she hadn’t considered he might be smoking hot. Truthfully, she hadn’t thought much about it at all, since it
was routine. But this guy was enough to make her forget she was on a mission to catch a bird. Business and pleasure do not mix. The lesson might as well have been tattooed on her skin. Plus, Hot Guy was late, and that was as irritating as Pedro’s taunting. Okay, squawking, but it feels like taunting.
The heat of summer and the scent of cologne wafted through the door before he could get it closed. It was a powerful combination, but Stella regrouped and turned back to the bird.
“Bird trouble?” the man asked, his voice low and amused.
She sent another quick glance his way. He was easily a foot taller than her, but that was nothing new. At five feet, most people towered over her. Those smoky blue-gray eyes stared
back, crinkling around the corners. His dark hair was cut short on the sides and perfectly styled on the top—like the thirteen minutes he was running behind had been used to sculpt it into
submission.
“You could say that. You’re a bit late,” she answered. Cut him some slack. It’s not Dexter’s fault Pedro’s owner thought he could walk right in and drop off his pesky pet.
The student’s brows rose. “I’m sorry?”
Stella noted the light gray T-shirt and jeans, thinking that while they looked damn good on him, it wasn’t the typical student attire for the first day. Most practicum students—especially
those in their final leg—were eager to impress the veterinarian they worked with in hopes of securing a position. Not that she was hiring. Unfortunately, free labor was all she could afford.
She had a solid relationship with the University of Maine and didn’t want to wreck that by snapping at her newest recruit. Or hitting on him. It was hard to ignore the fact that he looked
more like he’d walked off a movie set than a college campus.
Focus. The last thing she needed was to cut off the supply of free, educated help. Pedro eyed the new guy, who took small, soft steps and made a clicking noise with his
tongue. Stella appreciated the initiative.
“She startles easily. Have you worked with many birds?” Stella asked, moving with a stealthy slowness to shut one of the open exam room doors.
“I’ve worked with a few different breeds. Mostly tropical.”
Interesting. She wondered if he’d done any of his earlier schooling overseas. She would have loved an opportunity like that, but her goal had been to come back and work with her dad.
That had trumped any other job offers. The bird fluttered her wings. Oh no you don’t. With the doors all shut, Stella knew it was just a matter of time. She hadn’t been able to give Pedro an
injection, but the bird was older and likely to tire soon.
Pedro cooed at Stella’s new student. Actually cooed. Traitor. “She likes you,” Stella said, trying not to scowl.
Maybe Pedro could sense Dexter Braun’s—which was the name on the files she’d received earlier that week—patience. Animals sensed emotions and Stella’s were riding high.
Running on too little sleep and knowing she had to ask a big favor of a petty person later today had stretched her nerves thin. When Dexter shot her a lopsided smile, her belly rolled over like an easy-to-please puppy. You’re as bad as Pedro. You might as well coo. Nope. No. No. Not only would she be his boss, but she didn’t do relationships. Ever. Not anymore. Flings, sure. Though even those had become a thing of the past. For the last several months, all she did was work. A work fling would be convenient, except for the multitude of gray areas. Gray was an off-limits color in Stella’s world. Black and white suited her just fine. She thought about his eyes again but didn’t let herself look. She needed more caffeine.
Her brain didn’t usually travel so many tangents at once.
“Did you hear me?” Dexter asked.
Stella widened her eyes and realized she’d completely zoned out—and it wasn’t even about work.
“No. Sorry. What did you say?”
“If you sit in one of the chairs, she might feel less threatened. Both of us shuffling her into a corner probably makes her nervous,” he cautioned. Holding a muscled, tanned arm out in a
way that showed a hint of dark ink near the cuff of his short sleeve, he placed his palm upward.
Stella sat and watched. “She’s not nervous. She doesn’t want a shot.”
Dexter smiled. “Parakeets are quite intelligent. Perhaps she senses your underlying disdain for her.”
Stella arched a brow, unsure if she was amused or annoyed. Mr. University of Maine Veterinarian School certainly wasn’t shy. “Well, Dexter, if she’s that smart, she’ll realize drawing blood is immediate grounds for disdain. If you’re smart, which I’m guessing you are, you’ll realize the combination of being bitten by our clever pal, not having enough coffee, and
having a practicum student arrive late are grounds for irritable outbursts.”
Dexter’s eyes widened. “Actually, I’m not—”
Stella held up her hand. “Shh!” Did Pedro just move closer? The parakeet seemed to have shifted down the wall. Dexter grabbed a dog treat from a bowl on the counter and crumbled some
of it into his palm, once again holding it face up.
“Come here, girl. You’ve caused enough havoc for one day. Come on down and say sorry to the pretty doctor before she gives in to one of those outburst urges.”
Despite herself, Stella grinned. “Right. She’s so not coming down for me.”
Stella had a feeling females of all species listened when the sexy-doctor to be spoke in that low, gravelly voice he’d just used.
Pedro inched along the wall at a diagonal, coming closer without a lot of wing movement. Dexter patiently held his hand aloft and leaned against the reception counter.
“Is it always this quiet in here?”
Stella laughed. “No. Honestly, it hasn’t been this quiet in months. But I was supposed to be closed today.” So I could meet you and then go grovel to the bank.
Dexter crossed his ankles over each other and turned his gaze to her instead of the bird. “Is Pedro an overnight visitor?”
“No. I was coming in to check on some of the animals and Mr. Sutter caught me outside before I could tell him I was closed. I rarely am.”
Since they were waiting on the whims of the bird, Stella decided to use the time to her benefit. She had a standard routine with new students, starting with getting to know them. “Why vet school?”
He glanced at her, seemingly weighing his words.
“I kind of fell into it actually. I always wanted to work with animals, but I joined the army and realized the number of animals impacted by combat is disgustingly high. It didn’t seem
right, so it became my focus.”
Admiration and warmth filled her chest. He’d done a lot in a short period of time. She’d had lots of late bloomer students, but she’d thought his paperwork said early twenties. That was a
lot of experience for someone so young. The idea that he’d put his heart and talent into animals in such conditions was more swoon worthy than the flex of his biceps when he stretched out his arm and rubbed two fingers together, calling to the bird again.
“Have any of your rotations included surgery?” Stella asked, afraid to move when Pedro lowered her position about a foot.
Before he could answer, Pedro swooped down toward Dexter’s outstretched palm and actually settled on his arm.
“Son of a bitch,” Stella muttered under her breath.
“Hi, sweetie. Hungry?” The bird pecked at his hand.
Stella rose slowly as her show-off student stroked the bird’s feathers. The stupid bird actually preened. Dexter’s hands were large, with long fingers that easily wrapped around the
Pedro’s body, preventing the bird from spreading her wings.
When he looked at Stella, his smile made her stomach somersault again.
With a cocky nod of his head, he asked, “What now?”
Stella laughed quietly. Gesturing for him to follow her into the exam room Pedro had escaped from, she glanced over her shoulder. “Let’s see how docile she is for you while I give
her a shot.”
Dexter’s chuckle vibrated in the small, sterile room and sent shivers over Stella’s skin. Or maybe it’s just cold in here. Right. It was cold.
They made it through the shot a lot easier with four hands, and when Pedro was back in her cage, dozing off, Stella breathed a sigh of relief. Dexter was making himself comfortable, looking around the open reception room while
Stella wrote up her notes. She’d never had a student with such…sex appeal? A sculpted body? Mesmerizing eyes?
“Confidence!” Stella closed her eyes when she realized she’d blurted the word out loud.
“Pardon me?” Dexter moved closer, but she refused to look at him.
“Uh, nothing. I’m just making notes.”
“You’re putting something in your notes about Pedro’s confidence?”
Stella looked up, and sure enough, Dexter had crowded way too close, his eyes locked on hers doing strange things to Stella’s sorely deprived libido. “I am. Yes.”
Right. Stick to your story. The look on his face proved he didn’t believe her.
Straightening, she closed the file and walked to the cabinet to put it away. She needed to reattach her walls of professionalism. This guy had definitely caught her at a weak moment, and she prided herself on not having many.
“There are no other patients in clinic today, so I’ll show you around, but I do have some errands I need to run in a bit. Plus, I have farm visits. You can fill out some paperwork and then
we’ll head down to the stables. I need to check on my horse.” Just the thought of spending a few minutes with Chocolate Chip made the tension slip from her shoulders. Too bad she didn’t have time for a ride today.
Grabbing her boots from under the counter, she switched her Converse for them, then grabbed the clipboard with the paperwork.
“So, listen,” Dexter said, taking the clipboard from her after looking at it like it might bite him.
Now he was nervous? Stella headed for the door with him on her heels. It would be easier to rebuild those sex-starved barriers if she wasn’t breathing in the delicious smell of him. Six weeks. She could handle six weeks with a sexy, smirky student if he was as competent as he appeared. They’d barely stepped off the porch of the clinic her father had built before she was born when a tow truck came rumbling up the drive.
Stella shielded her eyes to block the already hot sun. Dexter shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels.
“You fix cars as well as animals?”
“Not so much,” she replied, not recognizing the tow truck driver or the passenger.
The big truck pulled a small, beat up two-door vehicle behind it. Her own dogs, Nacho and Soda, howled from the wraparound porch of the farmhouse she’d grown up in. It sat a short walk away on a small incline.
The tow truck driver parked, and the guy in the passenger side rushed out, almost bailing on the gravel drive.
“Slow down, guy,” Dexter mumbled.
Stella winced, amused at Dexter’s commentary but worried the person rushing them would face-plant in her clinic parking lot. He reminded her of one of her labs as puppies, all feet and ears.
“Something I can do for you?” Stella called as he continued to rush over to her.
Dressed in light chinos and a button up shirt, he straightened his shoulders like he was just now thinking of making a good impression.
“Hi. I’m so sorry for being late. Are you Doctor Lane?”
Stella’s brows scrunched together. Dexter mumbled something under his breath that sounded a lot like “uh-oh.”
“I am. And you are?”
He stopped in front of her, his breath choppy and his smile crooked. He had curly dark hair and the slightest hint of stubble on his young-looking face.
“I’m Dexter Braun, ma’am. From the University of Maine Veterinarian Program. My faculty associate arranged my practicum with you. I truly apologize for being late. My car broke down about fifteen miles from here. I tried to call but it went to voicemail.”
Stella’s heart hammered uncomfortably. Turning slowly, she saw who she thought was Dexter staring at her with an abashed forgive-me grin.
This ought to be good. This is exactly what happens when you get sucked in by sexy eyes and a killer smile.
She covered her chagrin with a glare. “Who the hell are you?”
trying to poke holes in her good intentions. It was just after ten a.m. and she was ready to call it a day. She wasn’t even supposed to be working today, and she’d already helped a Great Dane through a tricky delivery, given shots to a very sweet kitty, and had her purple Converse puked on by a nervous labradoodle.
Just another day at the office. She grinned, thinking it could be worse. Right now, the bird was just flying around. At least he wasn’t dive bombing her or leaving messes everywhere. The bird chirped, mocking her as it flew a little higher in the reception area.
“Come down here and say that,” Stella sang out in a syrupy voice. She crooked her finger, like somehow that was a magic spell. She snorted out a laugh. Didn’t work on men, it wasn’t likely to work on a damn bird.
As she inched toward the other side of her waiting room counter, she kept her sight glued to Pedro, certain those marble-sized eyes were sparkling with mischief. Stifling a yawn, Stella reached up and held out a hand, willing the bird to perch on her fingers.
When the door behind her swung open, she whirled. She was not the bird’s biggest fan at the moment, but she was pretty sure her owner wanted her back. Seeing as this particular owner actually paid in cold hard cash rather than most of Brockton Point’s preferred currency of casseroles and favors, Stella needed to keep the animal safe.
“Close the door. Quick,” Stella called, looking up into a gorgeous set of eyes that were somewhere between gray and blue.
Wow. When she’d signed up for another veterinarian practicum student, she hadn’t considered he might be smoking hot. Truthfully, she hadn’t thought much about it at all, since it
was routine. But this guy was enough to make her forget she was on a mission to catch a bird. Business and pleasure do not mix. The lesson might as well have been tattooed on her skin. Plus, Hot Guy was late, and that was as irritating as Pedro’s taunting. Okay, squawking, but it feels like taunting.
The heat of summer and the scent of cologne wafted through the door before he could get it closed. It was a powerful combination, but Stella regrouped and turned back to the bird.
“Bird trouble?” the man asked, his voice low and amused.
She sent another quick glance his way. He was easily a foot taller than her, but that was nothing new. At five feet, most people towered over her. Those smoky blue-gray eyes stared
back, crinkling around the corners. His dark hair was cut short on the sides and perfectly styled on the top—like the thirteen minutes he was running behind had been used to sculpt it into
submission.
“You could say that. You’re a bit late,” she answered. Cut him some slack. It’s not Dexter’s fault Pedro’s owner thought he could walk right in and drop off his pesky pet.
The student’s brows rose. “I’m sorry?”
Stella noted the light gray T-shirt and jeans, thinking that while they looked damn good on him, it wasn’t the typical student attire for the first day. Most practicum students—especially
those in their final leg—were eager to impress the veterinarian they worked with in hopes of securing a position. Not that she was hiring. Unfortunately, free labor was all she could afford.
She had a solid relationship with the University of Maine and didn’t want to wreck that by snapping at her newest recruit. Or hitting on him. It was hard to ignore the fact that he looked
more like he’d walked off a movie set than a college campus.
Focus. The last thing she needed was to cut off the supply of free, educated help. Pedro eyed the new guy, who took small, soft steps and made a clicking noise with his
tongue. Stella appreciated the initiative.
“She startles easily. Have you worked with many birds?” Stella asked, moving with a stealthy slowness to shut one of the open exam room doors.
“I’ve worked with a few different breeds. Mostly tropical.”
Interesting. She wondered if he’d done any of his earlier schooling overseas. She would have loved an opportunity like that, but her goal had been to come back and work with her dad.
That had trumped any other job offers. The bird fluttered her wings. Oh no you don’t. With the doors all shut, Stella knew it was just a matter of time. She hadn’t been able to give Pedro an
injection, but the bird was older and likely to tire soon.
Pedro cooed at Stella’s new student. Actually cooed. Traitor. “She likes you,” Stella said, trying not to scowl.
Maybe Pedro could sense Dexter Braun’s—which was the name on the files she’d received earlier that week—patience. Animals sensed emotions and Stella’s were riding high.
Running on too little sleep and knowing she had to ask a big favor of a petty person later today had stretched her nerves thin. When Dexter shot her a lopsided smile, her belly rolled over like an easy-to-please puppy. You’re as bad as Pedro. You might as well coo. Nope. No. No. Not only would she be his boss, but she didn’t do relationships. Ever. Not anymore. Flings, sure. Though even those had become a thing of the past. For the last several months, all she did was work. A work fling would be convenient, except for the multitude of gray areas. Gray was an off-limits color in Stella’s world. Black and white suited her just fine. She thought about his eyes again but didn’t let herself look. She needed more caffeine.
Her brain didn’t usually travel so many tangents at once.
“Did you hear me?” Dexter asked.
Stella widened her eyes and realized she’d completely zoned out—and it wasn’t even about work.
“No. Sorry. What did you say?”
“If you sit in one of the chairs, she might feel less threatened. Both of us shuffling her into a corner probably makes her nervous,” he cautioned. Holding a muscled, tanned arm out in a
way that showed a hint of dark ink near the cuff of his short sleeve, he placed his palm upward.
Stella sat and watched. “She’s not nervous. She doesn’t want a shot.”
Dexter smiled. “Parakeets are quite intelligent. Perhaps she senses your underlying disdain for her.”
Stella arched a brow, unsure if she was amused or annoyed. Mr. University of Maine Veterinarian School certainly wasn’t shy. “Well, Dexter, if she’s that smart, she’ll realize drawing blood is immediate grounds for disdain. If you’re smart, which I’m guessing you are, you’ll realize the combination of being bitten by our clever pal, not having enough coffee, and
having a practicum student arrive late are grounds for irritable outbursts.”
Dexter’s eyes widened. “Actually, I’m not—”
Stella held up her hand. “Shh!” Did Pedro just move closer? The parakeet seemed to have shifted down the wall. Dexter grabbed a dog treat from a bowl on the counter and crumbled some
of it into his palm, once again holding it face up.
“Come here, girl. You’ve caused enough havoc for one day. Come on down and say sorry to the pretty doctor before she gives in to one of those outburst urges.”
Despite herself, Stella grinned. “Right. She’s so not coming down for me.”
Stella had a feeling females of all species listened when the sexy-doctor to be spoke in that low, gravelly voice he’d just used.
Pedro inched along the wall at a diagonal, coming closer without a lot of wing movement. Dexter patiently held his hand aloft and leaned against the reception counter.
“Is it always this quiet in here?”
Stella laughed. “No. Honestly, it hasn’t been this quiet in months. But I was supposed to be closed today.” So I could meet you and then go grovel to the bank.
Dexter crossed his ankles over each other and turned his gaze to her instead of the bird. “Is Pedro an overnight visitor?”
“No. I was coming in to check on some of the animals and Mr. Sutter caught me outside before I could tell him I was closed. I rarely am.”
Since they were waiting on the whims of the bird, Stella decided to use the time to her benefit. She had a standard routine with new students, starting with getting to know them. “Why vet school?”
He glanced at her, seemingly weighing his words.
“I kind of fell into it actually. I always wanted to work with animals, but I joined the army and realized the number of animals impacted by combat is disgustingly high. It didn’t seem
right, so it became my focus.”
Admiration and warmth filled her chest. He’d done a lot in a short period of time. She’d had lots of late bloomer students, but she’d thought his paperwork said early twenties. That was a
lot of experience for someone so young. The idea that he’d put his heart and talent into animals in such conditions was more swoon worthy than the flex of his biceps when he stretched out his arm and rubbed two fingers together, calling to the bird again.
“Have any of your rotations included surgery?” Stella asked, afraid to move when Pedro lowered her position about a foot.
Before he could answer, Pedro swooped down toward Dexter’s outstretched palm and actually settled on his arm.
“Son of a bitch,” Stella muttered under her breath.
“Hi, sweetie. Hungry?” The bird pecked at his hand.
Stella rose slowly as her show-off student stroked the bird’s feathers. The stupid bird actually preened. Dexter’s hands were large, with long fingers that easily wrapped around the
Pedro’s body, preventing the bird from spreading her wings.
When he looked at Stella, his smile made her stomach somersault again.
With a cocky nod of his head, he asked, “What now?”
Stella laughed quietly. Gesturing for him to follow her into the exam room Pedro had escaped from, she glanced over her shoulder. “Let’s see how docile she is for you while I give
her a shot.”
Dexter’s chuckle vibrated in the small, sterile room and sent shivers over Stella’s skin. Or maybe it’s just cold in here. Right. It was cold.
They made it through the shot a lot easier with four hands, and when Pedro was back in her cage, dozing off, Stella breathed a sigh of relief. Dexter was making himself comfortable, looking around the open reception room while
Stella wrote up her notes. She’d never had a student with such…sex appeal? A sculpted body? Mesmerizing eyes?
“Confidence!” Stella closed her eyes when she realized she’d blurted the word out loud.
“Pardon me?” Dexter moved closer, but she refused to look at him.
“Uh, nothing. I’m just making notes.”
“You’re putting something in your notes about Pedro’s confidence?”
Stella looked up, and sure enough, Dexter had crowded way too close, his eyes locked on hers doing strange things to Stella’s sorely deprived libido. “I am. Yes.”
Right. Stick to your story. The look on his face proved he didn’t believe her.
Straightening, she closed the file and walked to the cabinet to put it away. She needed to reattach her walls of professionalism. This guy had definitely caught her at a weak moment, and she prided herself on not having many.
“There are no other patients in clinic today, so I’ll show you around, but I do have some errands I need to run in a bit. Plus, I have farm visits. You can fill out some paperwork and then
we’ll head down to the stables. I need to check on my horse.” Just the thought of spending a few minutes with Chocolate Chip made the tension slip from her shoulders. Too bad she didn’t have time for a ride today.
Grabbing her boots from under the counter, she switched her Converse for them, then grabbed the clipboard with the paperwork.
“So, listen,” Dexter said, taking the clipboard from her after looking at it like it might bite him.
Now he was nervous? Stella headed for the door with him on her heels. It would be easier to rebuild those sex-starved barriers if she wasn’t breathing in the delicious smell of him. Six weeks. She could handle six weeks with a sexy, smirky student if he was as competent as he appeared. They’d barely stepped off the porch of the clinic her father had built before she was born when a tow truck came rumbling up the drive.
Stella shielded her eyes to block the already hot sun. Dexter shoved his hands into his pockets and rocked back on his heels.
“You fix cars as well as animals?”
“Not so much,” she replied, not recognizing the tow truck driver or the passenger.
The big truck pulled a small, beat up two-door vehicle behind it. Her own dogs, Nacho and Soda, howled from the wraparound porch of the farmhouse she’d grown up in. It sat a short walk away on a small incline.
The tow truck driver parked, and the guy in the passenger side rushed out, almost bailing on the gravel drive.
“Slow down, guy,” Dexter mumbled.
Stella winced, amused at Dexter’s commentary but worried the person rushing them would face-plant in her clinic parking lot. He reminded her of one of her labs as puppies, all feet and ears.
“Something I can do for you?” Stella called as he continued to rush over to her.
Dressed in light chinos and a button up shirt, he straightened his shoulders like he was just now thinking of making a good impression.
“Hi. I’m so sorry for being late. Are you Doctor Lane?”
Stella’s brows scrunched together. Dexter mumbled something under his breath that sounded a lot like “uh-oh.”
“I am. And you are?”
He stopped in front of her, his breath choppy and his smile crooked. He had curly dark hair and the slightest hint of stubble on his young-looking face.
“I’m Dexter Braun, ma’am. From the University of Maine Veterinarian Program. My faculty associate arranged my practicum with you. I truly apologize for being late. My car broke down about fifteen miles from here. I tried to call but it went to voicemail.”
Stella’s heart hammered uncomfortably. Turning slowly, she saw who she thought was Dexter staring at her with an abashed forgive-me grin.
This ought to be good. This is exactly what happens when you get sucked in by sexy eyes and a killer smile.
She covered her chagrin with a glare. “Who the hell are you?”
It feels strange, after the hustle and bustle of Christmas and my latest release, LET IT BE ME, for it to already be the end of February. I've barely gotten used to writing 2018. I'm really happy with the books I released last year and am so happy that people enjoyed them.
So what will 2018 bring? Well, next month (or next week if you're keeping track of the calendar) I'll be giving away the second Cooper & Ellie story via my newsletter. I released their first story, SOME KIND OF CHRISTMAS, in November. This new story, SOME KIND OF LOVE, is about both of them being ready to take their relationship to the next level.
Those of you who read my books know that I'm a closed door sort of writer. Which made writing a book where the character's main goal was to sleep with her boyfriend a little difficult. But I think I pulled it off and stayed true to my style. You can sign up for my newsletter here and you'll get your instafreebie link on March 1st. I'm eagerly waiting to see my cover for it, which is being designed by the lovely Tanya Baikie.
What then? I'm in the middle of edits (a.k.a rewrites) for book 2 in the LOVE UNEXPECTED series: NEVER EXPECTED YOU. This is Stella and Zach's story and I'm really hopeful people will enjoy it. Hard not to enjoy a hot, former army sergeant veterinarian who comes home and falls in love with the lovely and jaded small town woman who is just trying to keep her head above water. This one releases on September 24th, 2018. I'm doubly excited about this date because my good friend, Christina Hovland, is also releasing her book that day with Entangled. You guys are going to LOVE her book.
After that, I'll be sharing a release date with another author (and friend) that I absolutely adore; Sarah Fox. We are both releasing cozy mysteries. It'll be my first, but not hers. If you haven't read any of her stories, you really should. Sarah and I are trying to hang out on our Facebook page: Cozily Ever After. Come check it out.
In between edits and writing, I've been working on proposals for new books and developing ideas that I hope, one day, come to life. It'll be a big chunk of time between sharing my Cooper and Ellie story and my next official release, so in the words of Glass Tiger, "Don't forget me when I'm gone", because I will definitely be back.
So what will 2018 bring? Well, next month (or next week if you're keeping track of the calendar) I'll be giving away the second Cooper & Ellie story via my newsletter. I released their first story, SOME KIND OF CHRISTMAS, in November. This new story, SOME KIND OF LOVE, is about both of them being ready to take their relationship to the next level.
Those of you who read my books know that I'm a closed door sort of writer. Which made writing a book where the character's main goal was to sleep with her boyfriend a little difficult. But I think I pulled it off and stayed true to my style. You can sign up for my newsletter here and you'll get your instafreebie link on March 1st. I'm eagerly waiting to see my cover for it, which is being designed by the lovely Tanya Baikie.
What then? I'm in the middle of edits (a.k.a rewrites) for book 2 in the LOVE UNEXPECTED series: NEVER EXPECTED YOU. This is Stella and Zach's story and I'm really hopeful people will enjoy it. Hard not to enjoy a hot, former army sergeant veterinarian who comes home and falls in love with the lovely and jaded small town woman who is just trying to keep her head above water. This one releases on September 24th, 2018. I'm doubly excited about this date because my good friend, Christina Hovland, is also releasing her book that day with Entangled. You guys are going to LOVE her book.
After that, I'll be sharing a release date with another author (and friend) that I absolutely adore; Sarah Fox. We are both releasing cozy mysteries. It'll be my first, but not hers. If you haven't read any of her stories, you really should. Sarah and I are trying to hang out on our Facebook page: Cozily Ever After. Come check it out.
In between edits and writing, I've been working on proposals for new books and developing ideas that I hope, one day, come to life. It'll be a big chunk of time between sharing my Cooper and Ellie story and my next official release, so in the words of Glass Tiger, "Don't forget me when I'm gone", because I will definitely be back.
Today is the day. LET IT BE ME is the first book in a new series about LOVE UNEXPECTED. All of these characters are not expecting to find their other half in quite the way they do. I hope you'll enjoy the town of Brockton Point, Maine and the people you'll meet there. Come visit me on USA TODAY'S Happily Ever After blog today!!
 | I'm running a release day giveaway over on my Facebook Page. Comment there to be in the running for one of two ARCs for Addison Cole's next release. |
LOVE UNEXPECTED SERIES from Entangled Publishing
 In this book, you'll meet Megan and Adam. They want completely different things and yet, can't want anything but each other. You'll meet Megan's close friend, Stella Lane and Adam's best friend since childhood, Declan. |  Book 2 will feature Stella Lane, the mysterious and close to the vest veterinarian who wants to be able to make it on her own, but is floundering financially. When another vet shows up to help, the offer seems too good to be true. And so does he. |  Cover coming soon Declan is already a fan favorite so I'm very glad this guy gets his own book. He'll have to fight himself to not fall for an old friend's little sister, especially after Dec hires her and he finds out she's pregnant. He wants her all to himself, but he knows, life doesn't work out the way you want. |
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