muscles pushed against the shirt in the most delicious way, and she stood frozen to the floor as he collided with her. Her ankles wobbled over the pencil thin heels she wore, and she yelped, stumbling backwards as a strong hand darted out, steadying her just in time.
She began an apology as he said at the same time, “I’m so sorry.” His voice boomed over hers, and her mouth went dry at his tone—one hundred percent masculine and utterly delicious. She could dip that voice in chocolate and eat it for dessert.
He smiled. A genuine smile from a stranger in New York was not a common thing. Two dimples formed on either side of his mouth. Heat raced across her body, and Lydia’s skin tightened under his gaze as it swept her face.
His chest was heavy with each breath and she watched as his expression shifted into something more melancholy, reminding her of where she’d just come from. She placed a palm on her purse, remembering the pamphlet.
“My fault,” he said as he dropped his hand from her elbow. She’d barely noticed he had still been touching her—it felt that comfortable, like his hands were simply meant to be on her body.
A heaviness sat in her belly as a thought hit her hard like a bucket of ice water. Dating—meeting men... it would never be that easy, flirty thing again. Sooner or later, if things got serious, she’d need to have the infertility conversation. She was suddenly very thankful that his hand was nowhere on her anymore.
Shrugging, she gave him a small smile. But even as she lifted the corners of her lips, she could feel the quivering sob forming in her chest. Like a striking match, it started small, but given the circumstance could quickly form into a roaring fire.
His jaw tightened as he swallowed and creases settled across his sun- weathered face. “You can do this,” he said, almost as though he knew; as though he understood.
Her fake smile sagged, and for the first time all day, Lydia allowed herself to feel the full weight—the full sadness of her loss. She didn’t bother brushing off the runaway tear.
The man stepped to the side. Slowly, she reached for the doorknob, pausing just before she opened it. “Thank you,” she answered, looking up into his bright blue eyes once more. She smiled, warmed by the kindness of this stranger, before closing the door behind her.
After splashing some cold water on her cheeks and taking a moment to collect herself, she exited the bathroom and moved to the end of the long line. Somehow, the crowd was comforting. And even though there wasn’t a single friend in the coffee shop, Lydia felt far less alone in the presence of strangers.
Two people ahead of her, she saw the man from the bathroom. Just as she looked up and caught his eye, he turned his head back toward the menu board. Lydia exhaled a silent breath. Of course he wasn’t interested in her, not in that way. No man wanted to date a crying woman.
“Mommy! Mommy! I want a blueberry muffin!”
The child’s voice came from directly behind her and cut right through to her heart. With a stiff spine, she turned to find a little girl with light brown hair, ruddy cheeks, and light eyes. Heat flushed across Lydia’s face, and her chest expanded with a held breath that felt like a bubble lodged just to the right of her heart.
“Is that how you ask for things?” the mother asked, her voice razor sharp.
The little girl groaned, and the next thing Lydia knew, the kid was stomping and thrashing her limbs around. Her screams pierced through the low, chattering hum of the café.
The mother gave a weary sigh and somehow managed to talk over the screams. “You have until three. One—two—”
Lydia shifted, looking to the board uncomfortably. What do you do in this situation? Pretend like it wasn’t happening? Ignore the tantrum? Hardly any of Lydia’s friends had kids yet—she could count on one hand the number of times she’d held a baby. The noise abruptly stopped.
“Now apologize to Mommy.”
Mommy. Mom. Mother. Mama. Lydia clamped her eyes shut, squeezing as hard as she could as though this subtle movement could completely eradicate any thoughts of children or motherhood from her mind.
“Kids,” the man in front of her murmured with a snort. “Who needs ’em, right?”
Lydia’s eyes snapped open, excitement pulsing in her brain. Was
bathroom guy talking to her again? But instead, she was met with the gaze of a different man directly in front of her. He was handsome in a much different way than the guy from earlier. Kids, who needs ’em. Was he kidding? She scanned his body—he was in great shape, even if a little pretentious in the way his shirt was rolled just perfectly to the elbow.
Lydia gave a polite smile. “Right. Who needs them,” she answered. She could barely read her own inflection. Was that sarcasm? Hesitancy? Hell if she knew her own thoughts anymore. And she suddenly felt exhausted.
“No, I’m serious.” He spun to face her. His gaze flicked down to the child before meeting Lydia’s once more. “The planet is far too populated as it is.”
Lydia swallowed hard, her throat burning. She considered that statement for a moment. She supposed he wasn’t wrong about that.
His eyebrows lifted. “Don’t get me wrong. Kids are cute and fun for like, an hour. But I love my life. I’m fulfilled by my job, my friends, romance... I don’t need a kid to satisfy some weird biological clock.”
Up until an hour ago at the doctor’s office, Lydia had been pretty pleased with her life, too. She didn’t love her new gig freelancing for trashy magazines specifically, but she loved photographing and reporting. She loved her friends and the freedom to date as she pleased. Maybe this would be okay. Lydia’s breath became heavy, and she examined the men in front of her. Both offered her exactly what she needed to hear in a moment that she needed clarity more than anything. Two very different sets of advice... advice they hadn’t even realized they were giving. “Thank you,” she whispered before she could stop herself. There were plenty of men who didn’t want children. She didn’t have to be destitute of love and relationships just because she couldn’t have kids.
He gave her an odd look, confusion marring his handsome features.
“Sorry, Mommy,” the little voice whimpered. “May I please have a blueberry muffin?”
There was a rustle as the woman peeked beyond Lydia at the glass case. At least seven people were ahead of Lydia, and there was only one muffin left. Lydia hoped she was gone before the next tantrum started.
“I swear,” the guy said, “there should be an area where kids are strictly not allowed.”
Lydia felt a small smile flick at the corners of her mouth. “There is. It’s called a bar.”
Ahead of them, she heard the quiet snort of a laugh from the bathroom guy.
The man in front of her grinned, his gaze traveling the length of her body. “I’d drink to that.” He slipped a hand into his front pocket as the line lurched forward. “I’m Jason.”
“Lydia.” Brushing her hand to her clavicle, and rolling her neck to each side, she tried to ignore the noise as the little girl’s whining behind her grew louder once more. To be fair, the line was taking forever.
The line moved again, and they were nearly to the front. From his back pocket, he pulled out a business card and handed it to Lydia. His smile softened, crinkling around striking eyes. “Lydia, I hope I’m not being too forward... but I’d love to take you out to dinner. Call me sometime.”
He didn’t wait for her answer before turning to one of the open baristas. The man from the bathroom finished paying and crossed toward Lydia. His bright blue gaze met hers and for a moment, everything stood still. She swallowed, taking the final opportunity to memorize the way his dark hair curled around his ears; it looked like he had been running his hands through it all day. Angled features and stubble dusted along his chiseled jaw. A grin lifted his face, and those damn dimples flanked another breathtaking smile.
And he was headed directly for her.
He paused at Lydia’s shoulder, so close that she could smell the traces of cedar and smokiness on him—like
a campfire. Something heavy buzzed between them as he held her gaze. Warmth seethed through her body and despite this heat, she shivered.
Blinking, he brushed by her, crouching in front of the little girl, holding out the last blueberry muffin. He grinned wider, looking up at her mother. “Here ya go.” He dropped it into her hand with a wink. “Blueberry muffins are my little girl’s favorite, too.”
Lydia’s stomach knotted as smile lines creased his face. Though he looked tired, he also had a peace to him that she didn’t find very often in Manhattan residents. “Be a good girl for your mommy, okay?” He pushed off his knees, standing once more as the mother thanked him.
With a final look at Lydia, he left the coffee shop. Without saying another word to her. Heat and embarrassment rose like high tide from her belly. But for what exactly? She hadn’t done anything wrong. She gulped. Or had she?
Stepping up to the counter, Lydia ordered her tall, sugar- free, soy vanilla latte as memories of her mom and her shitty childhood consumed her thoughts. Looking on the bright side, at least now she wouldn’t end up pregnant with a baby she didn’t want like her own mother had. She couldn’t do that to any child. And maybe she didn’t want one. Maybe that parental gene was absent in her family. And this was nature’s way of taking care of the decision for her.
Lydia sipped her latte, savoring the warm flavor. Its comforting steam billowed around her mouth, and she sighed. This was okay—she was okay. She didn’t know the first thing about kids or babies. And if she changed her mind... well, just like Dr. Seaver said, she had options. In the meantime, she needed to find a way to pay for these medical bills.
Through the window, she watched as the man walked confidently down the street, sipping out of his to-go cup.
She lifted a chin and reached into her purse for the pamphlet, dropping it into the trash along with the referral for a therapist. This was a good thing, Lydia thought as she rested a hand to the door.
“I love you, Mommy.” Lydia’s belly tightened, and her grip froze on the handle. You can do
this, she repeated to herself, grabbing her cell phone and dialing.
“Yes, hi, Mara? This is Lydia Ryder. I would like to formally accept your offer with the City Star. I can start next Monday.”
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Keep Reading for an excerpt from
Healing You
(A Maple Grove Romance)
Chapter One
IT WAS ONE of those stunning New Hampshire summer mornings. You know the kind—the air was fresh and cool, but the sun was warm. Sky so blue you could damn near dive into the center of it and go for a swim. And Maple Grove was swarming with tourists and lovebirds walking hand in hand around the cozy little town.
Steve Tripp groaned as he passed by the third couple kissing over bagels and eggs that morning. And it wasn’t even nine AM yet. Sitting outside at a local cafe, a couple twined their hands together and the woman batted her eyes as the man fed her a bite of his eggs. Grunting, he shoved his hands deeper into his pockets as he strolled past them.
An outsider wouldn’t think their small New England town had much in the way of tourism, would they? But they’d be wrong. From the months of May through September, tourism in and around their lakes region boomed. And since Maple Grove was notoriously dog friendly, and Steve Tripp owned the only veterinary clinic in town, his business likewise was almost too busy to keep up with.
Steve rolled the kinks out of his neck as he crossed the street to Latte Da, Lex’s new cafe and bakery. He’d been up before the sun this morning taking care of a horse’s broken shoe over at the Wilson farm. When the call woke him from his deep sleep, he’d
barely been able to throw on yesterday’s clothes, on the floor by his feet, before running out the door. And now that it was time to open up shop? Well, he needed some serious caffeine to do so effectively.
A cheerful bell chimed at the top of the door as Steve skulked in. Lex looked up from behind the counter and over the sea of heads standing in line, sent him a grin. He held a finger and jerked his head, signaling for Steve to come around.
“Good morning, doctor,” Lex grinned and his British accent rang through the cafe as he ran a hand through his rusty brown hair.
Steve grunted something that resembled ‘good morning’ in response. “I see business is doing well, huh?”
Lex shrugged and delivered a lopsided grin to the crowd. “Well, considering I only opened up shop earlier this year, yes. But ask me again when Old Man Winter comes for a visit.”
Steve gave a hoarse chuckle. “You’ll be fine, man. Once the first snow of the year hits, we’ll get all those ski bunnies in town.”
Lex nodded and grabbing the filter from the espresso maker, banged out the muddy coffee grounds from within. “Your usual?”
Steve eyed the line he was so blatantly cutting in front of, but Lex swatted away his concern immediately. “The man who saved my cat from the pound of chocolate she swallowed will always cut to the front. So... your usual iced latte and bagel?”
Steve sighed and felt a smile curve on his lips. “You got it. Aw, hell. Add some cream cheese to that bagel, too. And an iced coffee for Amanda. I’m feeling generous today.” His assistant worked damn hard for him at the clinic, and he liked to give her as many incentives to stay working for him as possible.
“You know,” Lex leaned forward, resting an elbow atop of the glass bakery case. “I just finished a new chocolate pistachio spread—it’s like Nutella, but better. Why don’t I give you half your bagel with the cream cheese and the other with the chocolate?”
Steve groaned dramatically and dropped a hand to his belly. Though it was still flat beneath his button down shirt, he may have to pop open his pants button if he continued on this eating spree. “Twist my arm. But if Ronnie kicks my ass at the gym tonight, I’m blaming you.”
Lex lifted both hands in surrender, backing away. “Don’t you dare sic your sister on me.” His eyes flashed at the mention of Steve’s sister, and though it was subtle, he saw how Lex wet his lips. Nodding, the baker rushed off to complete the order while his two employees—a couple of students from the high school—tended to the tourists in line.
Steve leaned against the wall facing the counter, and with his peripherals scanned the tourist crowd this season. It was their busiest year yet, that was for sure. With the economy bouncing back, more and more people were swarming to the small town for their summer getaway. In line ordering were two women— girls? Steve inspected closer, narrowing his eyes. Women. Definitely out of college. Or at least, he hoped they were out of college. No way he’d be caught dead checking out someone young enough to be in school with his baby sister.
The brunette had curly hair that was piled on top of her head in a messy bun. A mole was to the right of her eye in a very Marilyn sort of way, and when she smiled one dimple creased the upper part of her cheek.
Steve chuckled to himself. Oh, yeah, baby? Two can play at that game. He grinned back and flashed her the Tripp signature
dimples, one on either side of his mouth. She dropped her eyes, catching her bottom lip between her teeth.
Steve sighed. Damn, how long had it been since he’d been with a woman? He did some quick math in his head... St. Patrick’s Day. And since it was now July, that was... shit. Five months. Otherwise known as too damn long.
He caught his reflection in the window beside him; the scar slicing down his face stared back at him. Angry. Creased. Red. Hideous...
He ducked from his own stupid reflection as his phone buzzed from within his back pocket. Tension melted from his shoulders as Steve relaxed, happy to have the distraction. A text from Amanda: You have a walk-in appointment who just arrived. How long should I tell her?
&nb
sp; Yep. The job that never ends. Nor did he want it to. In a way, Steve always felt more connected to the animal kind than humans... not that he’d ever admit that out loud to anyone. He’d sound like a lunatic. But it was the damn truth. He typed a quick response to his receptionist and vet tech in training. 5 minutes away. Just getting coffee.
He tucked the phone back into his pocket, looking up just in time to see Lex handing a couple of to-go cups and a paper bag over the top of the bakery case. His friend’s grin widened and he flicked a glance over to the brunette in line. “It seems you have an admirer. She took care of your bill.”
Well, that was an interesting role reversal. Steve arched a brow in her direction, catching another one of her high voltage smiles. “Thank you,” he mouthed from across the room.
When he lifted the bag, he saw a phone number and the name Sophy scribbled onto it with black sharpie.
“Maybe today won’t be as bad as I thought, after all.” Steve tossed one more wink toward the brunette and shouldered the bakery door open with a nod goodbye to Lex. Crossing the street, he shuffled over to his veterinary practice.
Pushing through his own front door, he smiled at Amanda and set her iced coffee down on the front desk. He eyed the handful of mail she had left in his tray for him and debated leaving it until after lunch. “Good morning, how are you today?”
He looked up to catch her wobbly expression. Eyes turned down, she swallowed hard and gestured to the back corner of their waiting area.
Steve pivoted slowly. The first thing to catch his eyes was an older yellow lab laying on the tiled floor. As he rose his gaze, he met the wet eyes of Yvonne. His high school sweetheart; his first love; and the girl he’d nearly killed almost a decade earlier.
Or maybe you love a steamy, BDSM Romance? Turn the page for a sneak peek of CALLBACK…
Holiday Intercepted Page 12
