From the moment Jay
Prescott meets his new employee Lillian Ross, she turns his orderly life upside
down.
EXCERPT: A Wife For Jay
Prescott
The moment Jay
Prescott opened the executive rest room door he encountered a delicate wild
rose fragrance. The men’s room at the architectural firm of Prescott and Wilkes
had on occasion smelled of his partner’s favorite green cigars or expensive
aftershave, but never roses. Jay stepped back, double-checking the sign on the
partially opened door. Written in white letters was the word "Men."
He breathed in
the faint aroma which reminded him of a walk in a rose garden. Jay shook his
head and walked farther into the carpeted lounge.
Obviously, he
still suffered from jet lag if he allowed something this trivial to distract
him. After a grueling three-week schedule in New York, where he’d battled
record snowfall and frigid temperatures, Jay wasn’t sure which he’d looked
forward to more -- returning to his regular schedule or to Oregon’s misty
sunshine.
He looked
around the corner expecting to see someone by the row of sinks. At first, the
rest room appeared vacant; then the rustling sound of a paper bag caught his
attention.
"Steve, is
that you?" Jay called out to his partner.
"I thought
I locked the door."
The voice from
the last stall was muffled, but it was definitely a woman’s voice. He moved closer and noticed the nylon-covered
ankles, well-turned ankles, the best-looking ankles he’d seen in some time.
Mesmerized, he watched her kick off one black pump. Before he could ask her why
she was in the men’s room, he heard the sound of a zipper. Jay froze. Proper
etiquette would call for him to leave, but he couldn’t tear his gaze off her
wiggling toes as they celebrated their freedom.
"I’m
sorry. No one was in here and I thought I’d be finished before anyone noticed.
I’ll be out in just a minute."
Jay tried to
recognize her voice, but she sounded as if she held something between her
teeth. "Why are you changing in the men’s room?"
"I went
jogging this morning."
"That
doesn’t explain why you’re here." Jay crossed his arms in front of his
chest.
"Oh. The door
to the women’s was locked with two "Out of Order" signs on it, and I
have a meeting in less than ten minutes."
Ten minutes.
With a glance at his watch, Jay swore under his breath--he also had a meeting.
Could the
mysterious woman be the one Steve Wilkes hired while Jay was in New York? His
partner had been evasive on the phone--something about a fresh new face and how
she’d be good for the company.
Unable to
curtail his curiosity any longer, Jay asked, "Are you the new personnel
director?"
"Umm-hmm.
I’ve only been here two weeks, and already I’m giving a presentation--Steve
insisted."
Jay watched as
she slipped her foot back into her shoe. He wondered how old she was. Judging
from her light, breathless voice, she sounded rather young.
What an unusual
way to meet an employee for the first time, behind a closed door in the men’s
room no less! Although he hadn’t interviewed her, Jay didn’t doubt her
qualifications. Steve had an uncanny feel for people. He had a reputation for
hiring the right person for the right job.
Apparently she
didn’t allow small obstacles to stand in her way, or she wouldn’t be changing
in the men’s room. Instead she found solutions to her problems--he liked that
trait. "I’m sure you’ll do fine."
"Sorry to
keep you waiting."
The stall door
opened, startling Jay. He stepped back so fast his feet started to slip out
from under him. To prevent himself from falling he jerked back hitting his head
on the wall. Tilting his head down, he rubbed the painful spot.
"That must
hurt. Are you all right?" She moved closer.
His gaze
traveled up the ankles he had secretly admired moments ago to her beige linen
skirt and a white silk blouse. Not even her loose fitting blouse could hide her
trim figure. Her hand fiddling with her
pearl necklace drew his attention. She had a good overall professional
appearance--another plus for her. He watched her push back the thick spectacles
that started to slide halfway down her nose. Her gray hair was stylishly short.
Gray hair?
Heavy wrinkles flanked her mouth and creased her forehead. Stunned, Jay simply
stared at her. He’d been admiring the legs of a woman who appeared to be as old
as his grandmother.
"There’s a
small button on the top of my blouse that I can’t reach. Would you fasten it
for me?" She turned her back to him. "These old hands don’t cooperate
like they used to," she explained.
He considered
her request unusual, yet it didn’t surprise him. Nothing about their first
meeting had been ordinary. Jay shrugged his shoulders and moved closer. He
fumbled with the tiny button before it slipped through the loop. When his
knuckles brushed against the soft skin at the nape of her neck, Jay jerked his
hands back. He’d admired not only the older woman’s legs but also her silky
skin.
"See that
wasn’t so bad, now was it." She slipped on her suit jacket then retrieved
a shopping bag and burgundy briefcase from the stall. A mischievous smile
played across her lips. "You’re a good-looking young man. I bet you’ve
helped a few women get dressed." She elbowed him in the side.
Amazed at her
outspokenness, he continued to stare. So much for secretly admiring her. Jay’s
mouth felt dry. He muttered something he hoped sounded acceptable.
He’d become so
engrossed in their conversation he hadn’t given her lack of privacy a second
thought. Or how she’d feel about it. Feeling guilty, Jay was at a loss for
words to explain his inconsiderate behavior.
"Have a
nice day," she said.
BLURB:
When Miranda Cummins borrows a friend’s cabin to finish
writing her long overdue book, she’s surprised to find the one-room retreat
already occupied by Kevin Mathews. Though she feels a spontaneous attraction for Kevin, Miranda has
recently escaped a controlling husband and isn’t ready for a long-term relationship.
Unsatisfied with his occupation, Kevin is at a
crossroads. Miranda understands and encourages him to look at the direction his
life is going. Fired up by her encouragement, Kevin returns to Forest Ridge to
resume his firefighting career.
When Miranda is threatened by her ex-husband, Kevin
realizes he will do anything to protect her. Miranda has shown Kevin a new
passion for life. Can he fan the flames of passion into an Everlasting Love?
1 comment:
Chris, Thank you for hosting my book today. Rosemary
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