Not sure this is a good idea, her brain screamed.
Move it, sister, her heart said.
Before she realized it, she was inside, the door was closed, and Will was leading her into the living room. “Let’s have a seat,” he said. She sat, looking up at him, and wondered why in the world she was behaving like a submissive little girl who had just been scolded.
Perhaps, she thought, because that’s what this felt like, and well, he was the principal and he her superior and well, there was almost something sort of naughty about the thought of all that.
She pushed that naughty thought out of her head.
Will sat and grasped one of her hands. Emma watched him run his fingers over hers, gently caressing. Then she said, “So are you going to spank me, Mr. Craig, for my actions? Or do you have other forms of punishment you would like to explore with me?”
Shit. Shit! Why she blurted that out was beyond her.
Will dropped her hand and stood again, looking down at her, his face reddening. “I am going to ignore that, young lady.”
Oh, that was way too much of an opening for her to ignore. “I didn’t mean to be bad, Mr. Craig. I just thought giving away my kisses for a good cause was a great idea. You know. The hospital germ fund at all. I didn’t realize it would upset you, sir.”
Her insides twittered. Where this was coming from, she hadn’t a clue, but she liked the way that it made her twinge a little in excitement. Did she dare continue?
Still standing, he took a step closer, hands on hips, and stared down into her face. “Your kisses are not yours to give away.”
“Really?” That’s interesting. “I wasn’t aware of that.”
“That’s right.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize that. I thought that since you felt it within your power to deny my transfer request, that my giving away kisses was none of your concern.”
“You didn’t know that at the time, Miss Baker. Stop screwing with the sequence of events.”
“I’m not screwing with anything, Will.”
“Look. That didn’t come out right. Emma, I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? That’s it?”
“He grasped her hand. “No, that’s not it at all. I am sorry I overreacted. I’m sorry things went haywire. I now know what you were doing and why—I actually think on some level I knew it at the time—but all I could think about was you kissing other men.”
“And that is why you were so mad?”
“Yes.”
She squinted at him. “You possess a bit of a jealousy streak, don’t you, and perhaps you are a mite possessive.”
It was his turn to sigh. “Guilty. Both counts. I’ll work on that.”
Emma accepted that. “A little bit of both is okay.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll keep it in check.”
“You’ve not called all week.”
He peered into her eyes. “No. I needed time. I figured you did too.”
He was right. She had needed some time to think on all of this. With the exhale of a pent up breath, Emma said, “Yes. I understand.”
“Good.”
She thought for a moment. “Will, why did you deny my transfer request? It was your idea in the first place. Second thoughts?”
“No, Emma.” He took a deep breath. “It was because I don’t want you to leave. I can’t stand the thought of you not teaching in my school, of you giving up something you love because of me. I’ve made other arrangements. I’ve asked for a temporary transfer to the high school. The principal there is on maternity leave.”
“I think it is you who is screwing with the sequence of events, Mister.” Emma stood. This was all well and good, but where was it going to get her? Them? “You really transferred?”
Will looked straight into her eyes. “Yes. Temporarily. I’ll be back at the elementary school in the fall.”
“Why?”
“So I could perhaps salvage a little bit of us. Give us some time to be together without the backdrop of school. Time for us to figure out where we are going.”
Emma blinked. “There is an ‘us’?”
“I’m hoping so. What do you think?”
She looked off, and as she did, his arms went around her shoulders, and he drew her closer. Feeling incased in his warmth was about the best feeling ever. “Emma, look at me.”
She lifted her face.
“I know things have gotten out of whack. None of this was intentional, and all of it was because we are both trying to figure out what is happening, after all these years, between the two of us. It’s new and it’s foreign and it’s scary as hell but I can tell you this, I’m tired of being alone. I’m tired of not having a partner to share my life. And I’m tired of watching you day in, and day out, flounce down the halls of my school, watching you from afar. I want a chance with you and I want a chance at your kisses. Every day. Every morning. And for the rest of my life.”
He paused and searched her face. “That is, if you will consent to sharing your kisses with only me. Or at least, giving me half a chance to claim them for my very own?”
Emma’s heart beat faster with each word his spoke. A chance. He wanted a chance? To share a life? To wake up every morning with kisses? To be her man? Isn’t that all she ever wanted, anyway? Someone exactly like Will? And all this time, he was right under her nose.
“I will give my kisses only to you, Will Craig, on one condition.”
His brow arched. “And what is that?”
“That if I ever do have to be punished, you will spank me thoroughly and often.”
Will just about choked on that comeback.
As he took her into his arms, and his determined mouth met with and explored hers, Emma knew she had finally found her man.
##The End##
Hi there, Sophie here. Thank you for reading One More Kiss! Before you leave, please feel free to leave a quick rating or a short review on Amazon. I very much appreciate reader feedback. If you are so inclined to rate/review, you can do so right here in your Kindle app, or by going direct to the One More Kiss Amazon detail page. Thank you!
Dear Readers…
Did you enjoy reading One More Kiss?
I love writing quirky and fun characters like Emma Jo Baker and pairing with an unlikely subject like Will Craig. While Emma and Will have their differences, and are opposites in many ways, they did share one thing—they were both yearning for someone with whom to share their lives. What more can you ask for in a happily-ever-after story? I had no choice but to pair up Emma and Will when they burst into my head. One More Kiss was a fun write for me, and I hope a fun read for you, and that you enjoyed their story—and the series!
And speaking of the series… Just one more story until the Harbor Falls Romance series comes to a close. Get ready to revisit a couple of old friends in Not This Christmas, as Nora Patterson and Reverend Rock Peters literally collide on a snowy Christmas Eve.
If you haven’t read the entire series—no worries! You can read these stories as stand-alone books, or in order. Feel free to run back and pick up the ones you have already missed. All preorders and new releases are 99 cents to check to see if you can grab those on sale.
Take care and see you in Harbor Falls!
Love,
Sophie
More Harbor Falls Romance Stories!
Look for these titles:
All of My Heart
Dance into My Heart
Take My Heart
The Christmas Nanny
Match My Heart
Tame My Heart
The Dating Game
Miss Matched Hearts
The Husband List
The Heartbreaker
Chase My Heart
Star Crossed
No Sweeter Match
One More Kiss
Not This Christmas
Single Title Books by Sophie Jacobs
Crazy for You
Taking a Chance
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Lost and Found
Bonus! Read the opening scenes of the next book in the series!
NOT THIS CHRISTMAS
A Harbor Falls Romance, Book 15
When Nora Patterson crashes into the back end of Reverend Rock Peters’ SUV on a snowy Christmas Eve night, she finds herself snowbound with the attractive minister. She has prayed for someone to share Christmas with this year—and yes, share the rest of her life. Could Rock be the one? Or will love pass her by again this Christmas?
Chapter One
Nora Patterson gripped the steering wheel of her shiny new red Camaro and leaned forward, as if pushing her face closer to the windshield would actually help her see better. The visibility was awful. In fact, worse than awful. The weatherman on the radio called it near whiteout conditions.
She had no business being out in this mess—in her shiny new red Camaro or in any vehicle. She should have headed out hours ago, quietly excusing herself and citing the weather. She should have called her father and told him she was on her way, and would be at his home in Dalton Springs in time for Christmas Eve dinner. She should have double-checked her purse for her cell phone before leaving Suzie Matthews’ house.
She knew right where it was, sitting on Suzie’s side table in the living room. How could she forget it?
But she didn’t do any of those things.
A whole host of other should-haves ran through her head. Should have checked the weather. Should have worn boots rather than three-inch red pumps. Should have just stayed home in Harbor Falls….
But no. She had to be the social butterfly that she was and flit from one holiday scene to another, because that’s what Nora Patterson does. Still, she should taken precautions.
“Please, God, just get me get to Dad’s. I can’t walk in snow in these shoes if I get stranded.” Besides, her legs were freezing. Should have worn pants.
If it hadn’t been for the fact that she was having such a great time at Suzie’s annual Christmas Eve open house at Sweet Hart Inn, she wouldn’t have lost track of the time. But getting the scoop on the chef’s upcoming cookbook release, so Nora could pimp it for Suzie’s New Year’s Eve signing at her book store, was just too much fun.
Still, paying more attention to the weather might have been a good idea.
She had not missed the open house since Suzie and her husband Brad started hosting it. They held a silent auction during the afternoon, with the proceeds going to Miss Leinie’s Place, a local family and children’s shelter. The community building hosted all sorts of programs—mostly foster kids and those at risk, but also for families and anyone in need. Earlier today, Nora had dropped off a half-dozen boxes of children’s books for Christmas presents. She had also donated a set of Christmas picture books for Suzie’s silent auction.
Nora loved her hometown of Harbor Falls, more so now after having moved back after graduating from college, than when she was growing up there. She had grown to love working and living in the small community, after experiencing big city college life in Ohio. It was also fun since she and Suzie were good friends now, too, and that her best friend, Becca, had finally stopped talking about moving away, now that she had married Sam Ackerman.
Of course, Harbor Falls was where Sam’s brother, Nora’s ex-boyfriend, Jack Ackerman, also lived. Key word, ‘ex’ boyfriend. Her ‘ex’ boyfriend who had married his high school sweetheart, Jasmine Walker a few months ago, not long after Jack and Nora broke up.
But she was over that now.
Mostly.
One day, perhaps, she’d find her own true love. Lord knew she had tried. Maybe Santa would grant her wish this year. She’d been a good girl. Pretty much. She’d even prayed, but it seemed God hadn’t thought it was time for her—yet.
Not this Christmas.
Especially since Christmas was almost upon them.
“Come on, Santa, and God, and anyone else out there who is listening—” she leaned forward again and peered up into the darkening sky, “—if you plan to bring me a future husband for Christmas this year, times a-wastin’. It’s Christmas Eve already…”
She sighed. From her lips to God’s ears, but she had her doubts.
“But I’ll really be happy if you just get me to Dad’s safely though.”
Shaking her head, she concentrated on her driving and wished she were back at Suzie’s.
As usual, her friend’s house was warm and welcoming. A fire lit up the hearth in her living room, and cinnamon sticks added to the house coffee blend smelled and tasted heavenly—especially on this blustery day. Not to mention the oodles of Christmas cookies she’d sampled, and the thick slice of Christmas Jam Cake with gooey caramel glaze she’d devoured, made her happy and cozy.
Nora licked her lips just thinking about it. She’d definitely stayed too long. Suzie had even wanted her to spend the night.
Should have spent the night. Darn it!
With the back of her gloved hand, she attempted to wipe away condensation building up on the inside of her windshield. Scrunching her eyes, she peered out the hole. Her headlamps made two funnels of light pushing out in front of the car, with a snow-sleet mixture slanting into the beam.
A knot curled in her stomach. She had an hour’s drive yet to her father’s—on a good day, and this definitely wasn’t a good day—and even though she didn’t have to go over Falls Mountain, she did have to go around it and the lake. The road was narrow, and in places, hilly. The day was only going to get darker and the snow deeper. Never in her life had she seen the white stuff come down so hard, and so fast. What with dusk falling and the snow, the visibility was getting worse. The ruts in the road looked at least a couple of inches deep already.
Ruts. Someone had come this way before her, not very long ago. Some other fool, she guessed. Then just as she had that thought, she saw the brake lights flash in front of her, like someone was intentionally pushing a foot on and off the brake, warning her to—
Stop?
She slammed on her own brakes, gripped the steering wheel tighter, and braced herself.
“Not. Gonna!”
The Camaro fishtailed and its backend slid to the right, swinging around and clipping the tail end of the vehicle in the road. She spun again and shrieked, losing all sense of direction, the car moving of its own accord. By then she had released the steering wheel and covered her face with her hands.
With a crunch of metal against something super solid, the vehicle came to an abrupt, jolting halt. Nora’s body thrust to the left and her head cracked against the drivers’ side window. Pain shot through her temple, and then just as quickly as it had all started, her world went black.
****
Reverend Rockford Peters nearly cursed when his old Chevy Blazer stalled on Lake Road at the foot of Falls Mountain. Nearly cursed being the operative words. He wasn’t adverse to slewing an occasional expletive deleted when the timing was right, and he was alone, and the situation warranted it—but he tried like heck to rein in those expletives when he could because he didn’t want to let one slip in front of his parishioners. He did have a reputation to uphold, after all.
He stared at the flat-lined bars on his cell phone and his stomach sank. He knew the general vicinity of where he was but the storm had disoriented him a little. He’d been heading back home after attending an afternoon service near Dalton Springs—to put the finishing touches on his own candlelight service at the Methodist Church in Harbor Falls—when his bald tires had skidded on the slick mush.
Should have gotten those new tires before winter but he’d spent that money on Christmas gifts for the foster kids’ party at Miss Leinie’s Place. Jasmine Walker Ackerman had been more than appreciative, and the smiles on the kids’ faces had warmed his heart.
That was worth it—even if he was going to be temporarily inconvenienced right now.
He’d keep those warm smiles on his mind as he figured out how to get through the next few hours, and get home.
This cold front had raced
over the mountain unexpectedly, leaving in its wake a mess of freezing rain, followed by sleet and a pelting snowstorm. And right about now, with his right tire off the edge of the road, and the back-end of his vehicle sticking out cockeyed over the two-lane, he wanted to spit out the most satisfying expletive he could muster. Preferably one that started and ended with a hard consonant sound.
Lights in his rearview mirror caught his eye.
He pumped his brakes. “Dammit!”
The car behind him slid sideways, from what he gathered as he watched its headlights arc off the mountain wall. The vehicle’s passenger side slammed into his rear end and pushed the Blazer further onto the shoulder. The Chevy rocked a bit and he held his breath, not ready to ride this thing down the small slope he feared was there. He watched the lights behind him spin again and twist back the other way, heard another screeching crash, and then silence.
He sat there for a moment unsure of his next move. The only sounds were the ice pellets hitting his windshield and an increasing creaking noise coming from somewhere underneath his vehicle.
Too quiet. What of the people in the other car? He heard nothing and that concerned him.
Grabbing a flashlight from under his seat, he pushed open the driver’s side door and stepped out into the weather. An icy blast cut into his face as he stood, narrowed his gaze, and glanced behind his truck. The other car’s lights were still on, the beams aimed toward the trees to his left. Snow had already built up on the roof of the red sports car. He stepped toward it and flashed his light, the stream landing on the driver’s side window. His stomach clutched when he saw the smear of blood on the glass and a mass of long blond hair.
“Damn. I mean, oh good Lord. Please help her.” Maybe that’s what I’m here for.
He rushed as best he could in the slush toward the woman and lifted the door latch. The door opened and she fell like dead weight toward the ground. With a combination of what he supposed was pure adrenalin and sheer determination, he caught her up and lifted her into his arms. Her head fell back, slack. Her eyes closed. Her lipstick stained lips slightly parted.
One More Kiss: Sweet Hart Inn (A Harbor Falls Romance Book 14) Page 7
