Erica gave her a hug. “If you change your mind about doing this—”
“I know,” she said, cutting her off with a grin. “You’re only a phone call away.”
“I’ll miss you,” Erica called out as she made her way around to the driver’s side door.
“Same here,” she replied, lifting her hand in a wave as her friend drove away. Then she stood watching as the blurred image of her friend’s SUV disappeared from sight. A sudden surge of panic had her entire body tensing.
Her hand moved over the soft leather of the purse she had draped across her as she fought the urge to dig inside it for her cell phone. No, she thought determinedly, she would not call Erica to come back for her. Fear would not control her. She could do this. Closing her eyes, she prayed for the Lord to give her the strength to do what she had come to do. As she did so, a sense of calm slowly settled over her.
Opening her eyes, she let her gaze drift down what she knew to be the main street of town. Braxton, much smaller than San Antonio according to the information she’d found on the town’s website, stretched out before her in a distortion of shapes and colors. The closer buildings she could almost make out, just not the fine details. Never since the damage done to her vision from the accident had she felt the loss of her perfect eyesight more. She was far from familiar surroundings in a town where she knew no one. At the same time, she was grateful that her impaired vision would get no worse when so many others were forced to live their lives in total darkness.
“Hurry up, Daddy!” a tiny voice squealed behind her.
Alyssa turned just as a flash of red whooshed by, bumping into her with enough force to knock her off-balance.
“Sorry!” the little girl called back over her shoulder as she raced away.
A strong hand closed around Alyssa’s arm to steady her. “Sorry about that,” a deep, very male voice apologized. “I’m afraid my daughter had a little too much sugar at dinner.”
Her gaze climbed up the giant of a man standing before her. He had broad shoulders, a black cowboy hat shading a charming smile as he towered over her five-foot-two-inch frame. As their gazes met, Alyssa was startled by the intensity of the man’s blue eyes. “It’s all right,” she managed.
He released the grasp he had on her arm and held out his hand. “Nathan Cooper.”
“Alyssa McCall,” she said, smiling as she placed her much smaller hand into his. “You were in the restaurant.”
He nodded. “It’s one of my daughter’s favorite places,” he explained with a warm smile. “Best milk shakes around if you find you have a hankering for one.”
She laughed softly. “I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.”
“Daddy, come on!” The excited cry was followed by the sound of bells tinkling as the store’s door swung open.
Releasing her hand, his gaze shifted toward the store. “I’d best get in there before my hyperactive little bull takes out the entire china shop.”
“This is a china shop?” she replied in confusion.
“What?” he asked with a chuckle.
Alyssa’s brow creased with worry. “I’m supposed to be at The Toy Box.”
He studied her for a long moment before pointing to the sign that hung over the storefront. One that was little more than a blur to her. “You’re in the right place. Largest mom and pop toy store in the county.”
She let out a sigh of relief. “You had me worried for a minute.” She reached for the handle of her suitcase, but he was faster.
“Allow me.”
“There’s no need—”
He held up his other hand, effectively cutting off her refusal of his help. “It’s the least I can do after my daughter practically ran you over.”
She relented, allowing him to carry her suitcase for her. And he didn’t stop there. He opened the door and held it, motioning her inside.
“Thank you,” she said as she moved past him into the store. If everyone in Braxton was as kind as Nathan Cooper, her stay would be far easier than she’d prayed it would be.
Copyright © 2016 by Kimberly Duffy
ISBN: 978-1-474-06406-4
A MOM FOR CHRISTMAS
© 2016 Lorraine Beatty
Published in Great Britain 2016
by Mills & Boon, an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF
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