Amy Harris, columnist for
the Freewill Herald, pushed open the door to Books and More, the bell attached
to it send out a crisp jingle. The air was scented with the aroma of fresh
sugar cookies and she inhaled deeply. She hoped no one offered her one because
she’d probably eat the entire plate. Or maybe she’d need them for courage to
conduct her interview.
“Nobody’s seen that
recluse on the edge of town,” her boss told her. “Sheriff Blackwater says Nina
Foster deals with him for books, so she must have contact with him. Get over
there and pry information out of her.”
Amy had protested at
first. “That’s personal. No one wants me digging into their personal lives.”
“Be tactful about it.”
She’d laughed. “Oh, yeah.
Right. Tactful. While I’m trying to pry secrets of her.”
“I want to include it in
this series of holiday profiles,” he insisted. “Get your jacket and get going.”
So here she was, hoping
she didn’t appear as nervous as she was.
“Well, Amy!” Nina came
out from behind the counter. “How nice to see you. Looking for a book? Or a
gift for someone?”
“Actually.” Amy wet her
lips. “Actually, I thought maybe we could chat for a few minutes.”
“Chat?” The welcoming
look on Nina’s face disappeared. “About what?”
“About Freewill’s
mysterious resident, Blake Massie.”
Now Nina’s look was
downright unfriendly. “I don’t discuss my customers with anyone. If you want to
know about Blake call him yourself.”
Amy flipped a hand in the
air. “Now you know he won’t talk to me. I’ve tried to get that guy who works
for him, Grange, to answer some questions, but he just hangs up on me.”
“Well, there you go.” She
moved into the reading nook and lifted a plate from the table. “Here. Have a
cookie.”
“Come on, Nina,” Amy
begged. “Just a little something. What does he like to read? Why doesn’t he
come pick the books up himself? Everyone in town knows you deliver them to his
house.”
She lifted an eyebrow.
“Everyone does? I didn’t realize the population had so little to do they kept
tabs on my customers.”
Amy took a step closer.
“Everyone loves a mystery, that’s what it is. Why is he such a recluse? Why
doesn’t he ever come to town? In two years he’s never left that house.”
“And that’s his
business.” Nina took a cookie for herself and bit off an edge of it. “Tell your
boss to dig into someone else’s life.”
“But what if he’s a
millionaire hiding from his heirs? Or a famous movie star who needs to get out
of the public eye.” A thought popped into her brain. “Maybe he’s hiding from
the paparazzi, and he doesn’t think they’ll find him here.”
“Well, if that’s the
truth then he’s right. No one has come sniffing around after him.”
“You talk to him on the
phone. What kind of voice does he have? I’ll bet it’s deep and just the least
little bit raspy.” Amy felt a shiver of pleasure skate over her. “Ooh, just the
kind of voice I love.”
“Good for you.”
At that moment a bell
rang on Nina’s computer, and she hurried over to it. Amy took a couple of steps
to the edge of the counter and craned her neck. In the sideways view of the
computer screen she made out an Instant Message announcement, the IM name Blake
and a few words.
Hot damn!
Nina was IMing with the
reclusive Mr. Massie. What were they talking about? Surely not just books.
Rumor had it—and rumor in Freewill was usually gospel—that he’d been buying
books from her for several weeks. Something had to be going on.
Nina typed something on
her keyboard then turned the monitor so the screen was no longer visible.
“Anything else?” she
asked in a cool voice.
“Um, no, I guess not at
the moment.” She filched a cookie. “But I’m not finished looking for answers.
Inquiring minds want to know.”
Nina sighed. “Amy, let me
give you and that grouch of a boss you work for some advice. Leave Blake Massie
alone, Go pester someone else. Thanksgiving’s almost here and then comes
Christmas. Let the man enjoy his holidays in peace. I can’t tell you anything.”
“Uh huh. Whatever you
say.” She grabbed another cookie and headed for the door. “But my nose tells me
there’s more going on here than book ordering.”
Nina just stared at her.
“Maybe. But it’s nobody’s business but mine and Blake’s.”
And mine, Amy, thought,
as the bell jingled behind her. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the recluse and the
lonely book store owner had something going? Ooh, too wonderful, she thought.
Maybe a love story for the holidays. That would just be the icing on the cake.
BLURB
Books and More owner, Nina Foster doesn’t
believe in love anymore. Twice, men have crushed her heart. Now, she’s resigned
herself to making hot chocolate and baking cookies for the customers who enter
her store. She won’t risk her heart again.
Blake Massie hides away from the world, nursing his scars. He sees
himself as a monster that no one could ever love. A self-imposed recluse, he
won’t allow himself to open up, afraid of being burned like his fire-ravaged
skin.
Unable to reach out in person, the pair communicates via the
Internet and hot, erotic fantasies. Night after night, they explore their
growing passion with only a blindfold to protect their secrets. As Christmas
approaches, Blake must share his pain if he is to ease hers, but doing so could
drive her away forever. Can they take a chance and follow their deepest soul
dreams, or will their fragile hearts continue to hide from the world and one
another?
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