Love Walked in

by Merrillee Whren

• ISBN13: 9780373874125
• ISBN10: 037387412X
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-12-01
• Publisher: Steeple Hill

Summary

Getting close to new neighbor Clay Reynolds was not a consideration for Beth Carlson. The single mom had her hands full with her troubled teen and had no time for romance, especially since Clay's stay in Pinecrest was only temporary. Besides, she'd learne

Excerpts

The roar of a motorcycle shattered the quiet of the warm August afternoon. A Harley cruised to a stop behind the red SUV parked at the curb. Rider and machine appeared as one, black-and-silver power. Beth Carlson halted mid-step on the wooden porch that wrapped around the front and side of the white two-story house--her new home. Her heart pounding, she clutched the large cardboard box in her arms. Quiet returned as the rider cut the motor. Dismounting, he flipped back the visor of his silver helmet like a knight returning victorious from battle. While he strode up the walk, he took off the helmet and tucked it under one arm. His black T-shirt, faded black jeans and long dark hair, pulled back in a ponytail, gave him a rugged, rebellious look. Beth's mouth went dry. Her heart raced as she stared at the stranger. Meeting new people always made her nervous. Blinking, she tried to focus her attention somewhere else, but his approach captured her gaze like the fly caught in the spiderweb hanging in the corner of the porch. When he looked her way, a sense of deacute;jagrave; vu swept over her. Yet there was nothing familiar about his handsome face. Hoping to push aside her anxiety, Beth opened the screen door and set the box down just over the threshold. Then she turned to Kim Petit, the friend who was helping her move. "Who's that?" "Clay Reynolds. I told you about him." "You mean the guy who moved into the upstairs apartment?" Beth willed her heart to quit hammering against her rib cage. "Yeah. Come on. I'll introduce you, but first you've got to close your mouth and quit drooling," Kim kidded. Clamping her mouth shut, Beth berated herself for giving Kim the wrong idea. She let the screen door bang shut and reluctantly followed Kim to the porch steps. Nothing about this man impressed Beth. Everything about him made her want to run the other way. Motorcycles and men who rode them only reminded her of a past she didn't want to think about. "Hey, Clay," Kim called. "I want you to meet Beth Carlson." He took the two steps leading to the porch in one stride. His expression exuded confidence. He smiled, and his gray eyes twinkled as he extended his hand. "Hi, Beth. I hear we're going to be neighbors." "I guess so." Pushing up her glasses, she pasted a smile onto her face. As his large hand firmly gripped hers, shivers raced down her spine. Not shivers of excitement but of unease. The smooth sound of his deep voice made her apprehensive. This man and his motorcycle dredged up memories of her troubled teenage years. Memories she had tried to bury. "You've got great timing, Clay," Kim said, taking his arm. "Is that right?" He gave Kim a curious glance before letting his attention settle on Beth. Kim nudged him with an elbow. "We need your help moving Beth's stuff." "Let me head up to my apartment first. Then I'll be right back to help." Beth watched him disappear around the corner of the porch. When she was sure he was out of earshot, she looked at Kim. "He works for Jillian Lawson? He doesn't look like the corporate type." Kim nodded. "Yeah. Surprised me when Jillian introduced us at church. He's a lawyer and works as a consultant. Mostly with nonprofit organizations. While she's on maternity leave, he's here to oversee her charitable foundation. Good-looking guy, isn't he?" Beth shrugged. "If you like that type." "What's not to like?" "He's just not my type." Beth shoved at her glasses again. "Besides, all the good-looking guys I've met go for tall, skinny, bleached blondes." Beth flipped her hair with one hand. "Not dishwater blondes with a few extra pounds on the hips." Kim shook her head. "Beth, you underestimate yourself." "It doesn't matter. I'm not interested." "You could've fooled me. I saw the way you looked at him." Beth gazed across the yard at the motorcycle. Its chrome gleamed in the sunshine filtering through