Everything I Need, page 26
He pointed to a brownie, the first he’d ever requested even though he came for his morning coffee every weekday morning.
Her jaw dropped, and she spoke before she could stop herself. “You don’t eat brownies.”
“You didn’t know I eat brownies. There’s a difference.”
On that enigmatic note, he reached for his wallet and handed her the money. She took it, making sure there was no skin-to-skin contact this time. He didn’t immediately turn to go, and she felt the weight of his gaze on the top of her head as she grabbed his brownie, which meant that another awkward moment was in the making.
Luckily, Frank saved her. He trotted over to the edge of the counter, sat back on his haunches facing Miranda, and raised a paw to shake. Frank considered this an ironclad deal: if she shook, she owed him a treat.
She shook. “Hi, Frankie. How’s the good boy? Huh? How’s the good boy?”
Frank leaned his head back and did a husky ooo-ooh sound, reminding her that he wasn’t that far removed from his wolf cousins. Laughing, she took a treat from the dog jar she kept for such occasions (she made a mean biscuit, with oats, honey and peanut butter) and tossed it to him. He caught it with a quick snap of his jaws and gulped it down with barely a crunch, his tail wagging happily.
“He’s such a good boy. Yes, he is.” The smile was still lingering on her face when she raised her gaze and discovered James looking at her. Really looking in a way that no one else ever did. Focused. Intent. Unwavering.
Her thoughts scattered like the snowflakes beginning to drift outside.
“I hate to sound like a broken record, but Frank’s a, uh, great dog.”
“Thanks.” Blinking and pointing his thumb over his shoulder, James reeled in whatever he’d been thinking and locked it safely away. He took a step or two toward the door, Frank trotting after him. “Gotta open the store.”
“Bye,” she said.
He paused long enough to look back over his shoulder. “You should close up early. Snow’s coming.”
That didn’t jibe with what the forecaster had said this morning. She glanced out the window, where a couple of wimpy flakes were trying to fall.
“What, that? It’s nothing.”
He tapped his left thigh. “The leg never lies.”
Curiosity got the best of her. The story behind his limp was a topic of endless speculation around town, especially with her boys and the others in his scout group. The latest outlandish rumor? He’d been bitten by a shark while scuba diving in Australia.
“How did you hurt your leg?”
“I’m afraid I can’t tell you that.” Those dimples grooved down his cheeks again, softening his harsh features and framing his perfect mouth.
“Just so you know? I plan to keep asking until I wear you down.”
He cocked one of his heavy brows. “If anyone can wear me down, it’d be you.”
The husky note in his voice sent a shiver rippling down her spine as she watched him leave, the door swinging shut behind him.
If you enjoyed this excerpt, read
A JOURNEY’S END today!
Also by Ann Christopher
JOURNEY’S END Small-Town Contemporary Romance Series
“Book” 1: A JOURNEY’S END Novella
Book 2: LET’S DO IT
Book 3: ON FIRE
“Book” 4: LET’S STAY TOGETHER Novella
Book 5: UNFORGETTABLE
Click here for more titles in this series!
* * *
Billionaires of Journey’s End Contemporary Romance Series
Book 1: NO ORDINARY LOVE
Book 2: BEYOND ORDINARY LOVE
Book 3: EVERYTHING I HOPED FOR
Book 4: EVERYTHING I NEED
Click here for more titles in this series!
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DEADLY Romantic Suspense Series
Book 1: DEADLY PURSUIT
Book 2: DEADLY DESIRES
Book 3: DEADLY SECRETS
* * *
IT’S COMPLICATED Contemporary Romance Series
TROUBLE
RISK
JUST ABOUT SEX
SWEETER THAN REVENGE
* * *
The Davies Family Contemporary Romance Series
Book 1: SINFUL SEDUCTION
Book 2: SINFUL TEMPTATION
Book 3: SINFUL ATTRACTION
Book 4: SINFUL PARADISE
* * *
The Warner Family Contemporary Romance Series
Book 1: TENDER SECRETS
Book 2: ROAD TO SEDUCTION
Book 3: CAMPAIGN FOR SEDUCTION
Book 4: REDEMPTION’S KISS
Book 5: REDEMPTION’S TOUCH
* * *
Boxed Sets
DEADLY Series
IT’S COMPLICATED
SWEET LOVE
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BELLA MONSTRUM Young Adult Horror Series
Book 1: MONSTRUM
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Single Titles
CASE FOR SEDUCTION
THE SURGEON’S SECRET BABY
SEDUCED ON THE RED CARPET
* * *
Novellas
TAILS OF LOVE
GIFT OF LOVE
To Richard
Acknowledgments
Special thanks, once again, to:
Caroline Linden, for the brainstorming sessions and research help;
My copy editor extraordinaire, Martha Trachtenberg, for her eagle eyes;
Earthly Charms, for the gorgeous covers; and
Mom, for answering my medical questions. And for being a great mom.
© Copyright 2018 by Sally Young Moore
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
This is a work of fiction. All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone, living or dead, bearing the same name or names. All incidents are pure invention from the author’s imagination. All names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information or retrieval system, is forbidden without the prior written permission of both publisher and Author copyright owner of this book.
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For information, contact:
Blue Iris Press LLC
7350 Montgomery Road #36476
Cincinnati, OH 45236
www.BlueIrisPress.com
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ISBN-13: 978-1-948176-17-0
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Excerpt from A Journey’s End © 2013 by Sally Young Moore
About the Author
A recovering lawyer, Ann Christopher has been published since 2006 and writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense.
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When she’s not writing, Ann likes to do the following, in no particular order: read; cook; eat; hang out at Target looking for new stuff she doesn’t need; play with her 2 rescue dogs and 2 rescue cats; and travel the world with her family. She lives in Ohio with her family.
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If you’d like to recommend a great book, share a recipe for homemade cake of any kind, or have a tip for getting your teens to do what you say the first time you say it, Ann would love to hear from you!
Stay in touch with Ann!
AnnChristopher.com
ann@annchristopher.com
Ann Christopher, Everything I Need
