Exclusively Yours

by Nadine Gonzalez

  “All I want is to be under your wing.”

  “Are you serious?”

  He hovered over her. “Very.”

  She looked into his eyes and caught a glimpse of their future. Swimming in the deep end of the ocean, no familiar landmarks in sight.

  “What do you say?” he asked. “I could branch out on my own, but I’d rather have a partner, someone at my side. Can you be that someone?”

  “Nick,” she whispered, her heart taking flight, “I am that someone.”

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt from SOMETHING ABOUT YOU by Bridget Anderson.

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  Something About You

  by Bridget Anderson

  Chapter 1

  The back of the red Ford pickup rattled a bit as it traveled down the Danville, Kentucky dirt road that led to row after row of beautiful bright-red strawberries. Guests of The Coleman House B and B sat on benches on either side of the truck bed with wicker baskets in hand. Kyla Coleman, their tour guide, and the assistant farm manager lived for these morning rides out to the fields. She loved watching the guests get excited about picking organic produce. Educating people about the benefits of organic food was the premise of her PhD thesis and her passion in life.

  The truck stopped just short of a row of strawberries.

  Kyla stood up, stretching her long legs, and smiled. “Okay, everyone, can I get your attention, please?” She tried not to laugh at two teenage girls sitting at the end of the truck who were trying unsuccessfully to fan away the dust that had kicked up after Kevin, her co-worker brought the truck to a halt.

  A couple from Tennessee with their young son, another couple from Michigan who had flown in to attend a niece’s wedding, and Ms. Barbara Jean, who checked into the B and B for her birthday every year, all sat attentively, awaiting Kyla’s instructions.

  “Start on the rows to my left and work your way down the vines. The truck will stay right here should you need another basket.” She reached down to pick one up. “I know everything here is organically grown, but we ask that you not eat more strawberries than you put in your basket,” she said with a smile.

  Several of the guests laughed and nodded.

  “I always have my share,” Ms. Barbara Jean said, with a chuckle and roll of her eyes.

  Kyla grinned at the group, knowing they couldn’t wait to pop a juicy red berry into their mouths. “And remember, you’re picking enough for strawberry pies for dessert and a few other treats.” She moved past everyone and jumped down from the back of the truck. She reached underneath the truck bed and pulled down the steps Kevin had installed to assist guests on and off the truck.

  “So, how much time do we have?” someone asked.

  Kyla looked down at her watch. “How does forty-five minutes sound?”

  “Good, that’s plenty of time,” a voice responded.

  Kyla walked around the side of the truck as the guests headed for the fields, swinging their baskets. Kevin stepped out from behind the driver’s seat in the same uniform as Kyla, khakis and a beige polo shirt. He had worked for her cousin Rollin, who owned The Coleman House farm and B and B, for over five years now. Every morning he drove guests of the B and B out into the fields to pick fruits and vegetables that her Aunt Rita, the cook, would later prepare for dinner.

  “Beautiful morning, isn’t it?” Kevin asked in a chipper voice.

  Kyla inhaled the sweet country air. “That it is,” she agreed before shoving her hands into the back pockets of her khakis and staring off into the vast green fields of the farm. Since she’d joined the farm crew nine months ago on a part-time basis, her favorite job was assisting Kevin with the morning tours. Anything she didn’t know about the farm, he could fill in.

  “Well, are you ready to present at World Hunger Day?” he asked. “You look cool as a cucumber this morning, but I bet you’re nervous as all get-out.”

  “I am. I was up half the night rehearsing my presentation, but I can’t keep the quiver out of my voice.”

  “You’ll do fine,” he assured her. “I’ve never met anyone who knows more about organic farming than you and Rollin.”

  “Yeah, but not only will there be University of Kentucky faculty members present, but other authorities in the field. And I’ll be speaking on a panel with some really smart and educated people, and some of them know far more than I do.”

  “Bet they’re not working on their PhD like you are. Besides, your professor wouldn’t have asked you if he didn’t think you’d make an excellent speaker.”

  Kyla laughed. “Thanks Kev. I think I’m the only student of Professor Abraham’s who’s created a business plan for their non-profit with a long-term plan of action for the organization. That’s what he’s impressed with.”

  One of the teenage girls came for another basket. Kevin reached inside the truck and handed it to her, smiling as she walked back to join the others.

  “So, how’s your girlfriend these days?” Kyla asked.

  Kevin looked at her and started laughing. “What? All I did was look. She’s cute.”

  “Uh-huh. Don’t get yourself in trouble again.”

  “Isn’t it about time for you to leave for Lexington? Wouldn’t want you to be late. And why did you choose to come out here, anyway? I could have handled the tour myself this morning.”

  “I don’t have to be there until after noon, and working kind of settles my nerves. Takes the edge off.” She shook her hands out, and took a deep breath.

  * * *

  After the strawberry fields came the vegetable gardens, followed by a brief farm tour before the guests were carried back to the B and B. As the truck turned in, Kyla noticed something she didn’t usually see at the Coleman Farm—her older brother Gavin’s truck. Gavin worked with their father on their small farm in Nicholasville. At nine in the morning he should be miles away, busy at work. So why was he here? She hadn’t seen her parents in almost a month, since she moved out of student housing and into the B and B for the summer, so she hoped everything was okay. As she climbed off the truck, she cursed herself for not going home more often.

  She hurried through her goodbyes to the guests before going inside and walking to the back of the house where the family quarters were located. The house staff was finishing up breakfast, but she didn’t see Gavin anywhere. Corra, Rollin’s sister, walked into the kitchen.

  “Morning, Kyla, how was
the tour this morning?” Corra asked as she poured herself a cup of coffee.

  “Great, as usual. Lots of questions.” Corra and her two kids were Kyla’s favorite cousins. When she had the time, she helped Corra in the gift shop and just loved being in her company. She was funny, and she never asked nosy questions, trying to pry into Kyla’s personal business like some other family members.

  Rita Coleman, Kyla’s aunt by marriage, came whirling through the kitchen. “Kyla, honey, grab yourself something to eat. You don’t want to sit down in front of them folks with your stomach growling.”

  “I’m fine. I ate something this morning.” Rita was the backbone of The Coleman House. After her cousin’s parents were killed in a car crash, Rita had stepped up as a surrogate mother and later joined the staff of the B and B. They couldn’t run the house without her. She cooked all the meals, tended a beautiful garden out back and did a little housekeeping, all before going home to her husband at night. It was her personal touches that helped distinguish their B and B from others in town.

  “Oh, that’s right. It’s World Hunger Day, isn’t it?” Corra asked. “Kyla, aren’t you supposed to be at the University of Kentucky this morning?”

  “I don’t have to be there for a little while. I saw Gavin’s truck out front. Is he here?”

  Rita set a plate in front of Corra and instructed her to fill it up. “He’s out back with Rollin. Sure was glad to see him this morning. Gavin and your daddy are so busy these days, we hardly get to see them.”

  “I know. I haven’t seen him myself in a while. I hope everything’s okay at home.”

  “I’m sure it’s just fine. But why don’t you run on out and say hello before you go. You know how Gavin is—one never knows when he’ll be this way again.”

  “I think I will.” Kyla looked down at her watch. She had a few minutes.

  Several yards behind the B and B was a large barn where Rollin kept a lot of the smaller farm equipment. Kyla spotted both men standing just outside the barn as she crossed the yard. Her younger brother was almost as tall as her cousin Rollin.

  After graduating from high school, Gavin had gone straight to work with their father. No amount of prodding and persuasion could talk Gavin into going to college. He said he’d go to the local community college and take some business classes, but that never happened. Instead, Gavin married a local girl, began having babies and never left the farm. He’d moved his family in with their parents last summer.

  Rollin put his hand on Gavin’s shoulder and gestured to him as Kyla approached. “Hey, look who it is.”

  She strolled up to them. “I see, and I’m surprised. What brings you to Danville?” she asked as she greeted her brother with a hug.

  Gavin smiled and hugged her back. “I came to catch up with you and Tracee, and then I saw Rollin out here so I thought I’d pick his brain a minute.”

  Their older sister, Tracee, was also part of the B and B staff. She baked and helped Rita prepare meals in the kitchen. “Well, I don’t know where Tracee is, but I’ve only got a minute. I’m speaking on a panel in Lexington today.”

  Rollin looked at his watch. “Speaking of which, shouldn’t you be there?”

  “She’s scared,” came a loud voice from behind them.

  Kyla turned around to see Tracee with her full head of natural curls bouncing as she walked toward them. Her free-flowing mane epitomized why Kyla nicknamed her Good Time Girl. Tracee roamed freely through the world, pursuing things that made her happy. She brought the party wherever she went. Her motto had always been, “What’s done is done.”

  She greeted Gavin with a big hug. Kyla knew there was some truth to what Tracee had just said, but she would never admit it.

  Rollin slapped Gavin on the shoulder. “I’m going to let you guys talk. Gavin, you know where to find me when you finish with your sisters.” He walked back into the barn.

  Kyla turned to Gavin. “Is everything okay at home?”

  He glanced from her to Tracee before nodding. “Everything’s cool, why?”

  “Because I don’t think you’ve shown up here this early since I’ve been working here. Mom and Dad are okay?”

  “They’re fine.”

  “And the wife and kids?” she continued.

  Gavin chuckled. “Donna and the kids are cool. You should come out and see them. They’re getting big.”

  More guilt from her little brother. Kyla nodded. “I will, and soon, I promise. But if it wasn’t anything important, I need to run. I’ll call you later.”

  “Naw, go ahead. I’ll talk to Tracee. You go kill ’em dead today.”

  “Good luck girl. I wish I could be there to cheer you on.” Tracee leaned over and gave Kyla a hug.

  Gavin waved as Kyla hurried back up to the house. She had two hours to get changed and drive to Lexington. She could not be late for her presentation. Besides, Professor Abraham had said he had a surprise for her, and she was eager to see what that was.

  * * *

  After her shower, Kyla dressed in a business suit and heels. She pulled her straight hair back into a French bun. She hadn’t allowed herself much time for makeup, so foundation and lip gloss would have to do. She jumped on US 150 and arrived at the conference in time to find Professor Abraham and thank him for the opportunity before grabbing a bottle of water and finding her session. She was the only PhD candidate invited to sit on the panel. The other panelists were business owners or writers who covered the subject of organic farming.

  Minutes later, butterflies danced in her stomach as the moderator took the stage, a thin scholarly looking man with thick-framed glasses. He motioned for her group to join him onstage. Kyla made her way to the podium and introduced herself to everyone. Her jittery stomach began bouncing around in overdrive as she glanced around and noticed the room filling up. By the time everyone on the panel was seated across the stage, the room was at capacity.

  “Looks like we’ve drawn a good crowd today,” the gentleman next to her said.

  Trying to hold the butterflies at bay, she replied, “I just hope I don’t forget what I’d planned to say.”

  “Oh, you’ll do fine. The moderator’s about to spout off some statistics about the millions of hungry people in America, and then we’ll tell everyone what we’re doing to reduce that number. It’s that simple.”

  Simple for you. Kyla took a deep breath and looked down at her notes. If she walked out of this room having convinced one or two of the business owners in the crowd to give her nonprofit a try, she would count herself successful.

  As predicted, the moderator kicked off the discussion by quoting statistics on world hunger before introducing all five panel members. When Kyla’s time came, she went on automatic pilot. She had rehearsed her presentation so much she didn’t need to look down at her notes. The more she spoke, the more her confidence grew.

  Before she finished her presentation, Kyla noticed quite a few heads turn when two men entered and stood at the back of the room. They were tall, athletic looking and black—and stood out from everyone else here. She tried not to let them distract her as she broke down the specifics of her program and rattled off her accomplishments to date.

  “Currently, I’m conducting workshops throughout the Glynn County school system. My goal is to first spread my program throughout the whole state of Kentucky. Then conquer the world.” She garnered a little laughter from the crowd. “I’m available after this meeting to speak with anyone about how your church, business or organization can help eradicate hunger right here at home. Or, if you’d be interested in attending one of my workshops at the Coleman Farm to learn more about the food you eat and how we benefit from organically grown foods, I’d be happy to sign you up.”

  Applause rippled through the room. From her vantage point she could see everything and everyone. People were whispering and turning to look at the men. Kyla figured th
ey were former University of Kentucky athletes, but what were they doing at a World Hunger Day discussion? Someone had brought in folding chairs for them, but they refused to sit down, offering the seats to women standing at the back, instead.

  One of the men locked eyes with Kyla, and she tried to place him, but one thing Kyla wasn’t was a sports fan. Although she’d been told several times she had the height of a female basketball player, she knew nothing about the sport.

  Before she turned away, she had to admit the guy was extremely handsome, and the sight of him almost took her breath away.

  “That question was for you, Ms. Coleman,” the moderator said into his microphone.

  Startled, Kyla sat up straight and looked at the moderator with pleading eyes.

  “Would you like me to repeat the question?” he asked.

  “Yes, please.” She turned her gaze to the back of the room again, where Mr. Athlete was still staring at her.

  Oh my God! She quickly averted her gaze and focused on answering the question. A fluttery feeling engulfed her stomach before she realized everyone was staring and waiting on her response.

  Copyright © 2018 by Bridget Anderson

  ISBN-13: 9781488081453

  Exclusively Yours

  Copyright © 2018 by Nadine Seide

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  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.