LITMIR.BIZ

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years since graduation from Texas Tech with a degree in business, all of Shannon’s experience had been in marketing. Rachel had readily admitted she didn’t have experience in the marketing arena.

      But that fact didn’t mean squat. Just as with those pretty turquoise boots, it seemed whenever she and Rachel competed for anything, Rachel came out ahead.

      “Earth to Shannon.”

      Shannon brought the cup to her lips and focused on her friend. She and Rachel were both in their midtwenties, had brown hair and similar interests. But that’s where the comparison ended. Shannon considered herself slightly above average while Rachel was stunning. “What? Rewind.”

      “Wouldn’t it be cool if they hired us both?” Rachel smiled at the thought and broke off a piece of scone. The woman’s cheerful nature was just one of her many admirable qualities.

      “I guess we’ll find out...but not until the end of February.” Shannon added more cream to her coffee, her tone pensive. “I don’t see why it has to take that long. They completed interviews last month.”

      “It’s probably because they’re just getting this office location up and running,” Rachel said, sounding way too understanding.

      Of course her friend could afford to be charitable. She had a job and was earning her way. Shannon was back living with her parents and, other than the chores she performed at the ranch for her mom and dad, had been out of work for over two months. “Just between you and me, I can’t believe they’re going to open a foundation branch in Horseback Hollow.”

      “Doesn’t surprise me.” Rachel laughed. “This town is turning into a Fortune family hot spot.”

      The Fortunes were a wealthy family with business ventures all over the world. Their largest Texas base of operations was in Red Rock, just outside San Antonio. But there were also Fortunes in Horseback Hollow. Christopher Fortune Jones, who’d grown up in the area, would be heading the foundation branch in town.

      “I’m tired of worrying about a job I might not get.” To soothe her rising stress level, Shannon bit into the scone. Oh, yeah, baby—sugar and blueberries, topped with a lemon glaze. Talk about stress eating. She could almost feel her waistline expand.

      “Are you going to the party on Saturday?” Rachel asked, changing the subject.

      The “party” was actually a couple’s baby shower being thrown by friends. The fact it was a couple’s baby shower practically guaranteed there wouldn’t be any unattached men attending. After all, what single straight guy would willingly give up his Saturday night to attend such an event?

      “I promised Gabi I’d attend.” Shannon paused and narrowed her gaze. Outside, a sleek black car she didn’t recognize pulled into the lot. “My other choice is playing cards with my parents and their friends.”

      Rachel gave an exaggerated shudder.

      “It’s not that bad.” Shannon liked her parents and enjoyed the members of their card club. In fact, if she hadn’t given Gabi Mendoza her word she’d show, she’d be seriously tempted to skip the shower and play cards instead.

      Rachel took a sip of her chai tea. “I’m crossing my fingers there’ll be some fresh meat at this little soiree.”

      “Don’t hold your breath.” Shannon could have said more but pressed her lips shut. Let the woman have her dreams...

      Rachel startled her by emitting a low whistle and pointing to the window. “Get a load of that.”

      “I saw it.” Obligingly, Shannon leaned forward for a better look. Just south of the humongous pothole sat a shiny vehicle that cost more than she used to make in a year. It was rare to see such an expensive car in Horseback Hollow. “Mercedes.”

      “Forget the car.” Though they were alone in the café, Rachel’s voice was soft, almost reverent. “Feast your eyes on him.”

      Shannon swung her gaze from the sleek lines and shiny black finish of the SL250 to focus on the tall, broad-shouldered man with dark brown hair exiting the vehicle.

      A man obviously on a mission, he rounded the back of the car with decisive steps. When he bent over to retrieve something from the backseat, Shannon’s lips curved.

      “Ooh la la,” Rachel breathed.

      For a second Shannon forgot how to breathe as the pristine white shirt stretched tight across the breadth of shoulders, muscular legs encased in dark trousers.

      Shannon’s heart quivered. “If his face is half as good as his backside, we’re in for a treat.”

      As if in answer to her prayer, the guy straightened and turned. Ooh la la, indeed. He had classically handsome features with a strong jaw, straight nose and cheekbones that looked as if they had been chiseled from granite. She’d wager his stylishly cut dark hair had never seen the insides of a Cut ’N’ Curl.

      Yes, indeed, the man was an impressive hunk of masculinity even with sunglasses covering his eyes.

      While the set of those shoulders and confident stance said “don’t mess with me,” messing with him was just what Shannon longed to do. Until she saw two little legs dangling from the blanketed bundle he’d pulled from the car.

      Rachel expelled a heavy sigh, apparently seeing the evidence of daddy-hood, as well. “He’s got a kid.”

      Her friend sounded as disappointed as Shannon felt.

      “Figures he’d be taken.” Shannon heaved her own sigh. “The cute ones always are.”

      “Marriage doesn’t stop some of them from sniffing around.”

      “My old boss Jerry was a perfect example of that.” Even as she spoke, Shannon’s gaze returned to the dark-haired stranger.

      “You taught Jerry the Jerk not to mess with you.”

      Shannon just smiled and shrugged. Lately she’d begun to wonder if there was a way she could have handled the situation differently and kept her job.

      Water under a collapsed bridge.

      The man shut the door firmly, then stepped away, giving Shannon a glimpse of a furry head with perked-up ears, little paws braced on the dash. She couldn’t stop a smile. She loved animals almost as much as she loved children. “He’s got a dog, too.”

      Rachel looked up from the text she’d glanced down to read. Apparently discovering the stranger had a kid had turned her initial interest to indifference.

      “The hot guy has a kid and a dog,” Shannon told her friend.

      “Bet you five he also has a wife with blond hair and a killer figure.” Rachel’s tone turned philosophical. “That’s practically a given with guys like him.”

      Shannon grinned. “Aren’t you the cynical one?”

      “Realist.” Rachel popped a bite of scone into her mouth. “I should have known he was too good to be single.”

      Shannon rolled her eyes.

      “He’s coming inside,” Rachel hissed.

      Shannon turned in her chair just as the automatic doors of the Superette slid open.

      Francine, the store’s lone cashier, was in the back of the store stocking shelves. Since they were the only customers, Frannie had told them to holler if someone showed and was ready to check out.

      The man paused just inside the entrance and removed his sunglasses. He glanced at the empty checkout counter, impatience wrapped around him like a too-tight jacket. Shannon expected any second he’d start tapping his foot.

      Shannon pulled to her feet and crossed to him, wishing she was wearing something—anything—besides jeans and a faded Texas Tech T-shirt. “May I help you?”

      The man was silent for a second, staring at her. His eyes were

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