Chapter 1
Elizabeth Daniels stared out of her shop window, putting her arms around herself as if to keep away the cold. It was a gloomy day outside. Liz’s mood today matched the weather. Thanksgiving had just passed and Christmas was right around the corner and it would also be her thirtieth birthday. She had always imagined herself to be either married or in a serious relationship by this age yet here she was all alone. Was it so wrong to want to love and be loved? She wanted her own happily ever after, but it was proving to be harder than winning the lottery.
Liz had even joked with her friend Lacy about being an old maid with cats after a blind date had not gone well. Gary Peters had been an obnoxious jerk from the beginning of the date till the very end. Her friend Stella had set them up. He did take her to an elegant restaurant in St. Clair.
“This is a nice place. I have never been here before Liz remarked as she sipped her glass of wine, looking around the elegant French restaurant and admiring the décor.
Gary puffed out his chest. “I only go to the best places, Elizabeth, as you will see if you stick with me.”
“Call me Liz.” She smiled politely, looking across the table at her date. He was very handsome she had to admit with his gel-slicked blond hair and blue eyes, but when he opened his mouth to speak she forgot about his good looks and had to grind her teeth to stop herself from being rude.
Gary shook his head. “Elizabeth sounds sophisticated. Liz sounds so common. Did Stella tell you I run the bank? This is only a small step of my big plan. Otherwise I would go crazy in a poky little town like Appledale.” He continued to talk about owning his own bank and having the best of everything.
After an hour of listening to him put down Appledale and its people Liz had the beginnings of a headache. Gary had hardly let her get a word in edgewise. On the way home he complained about the service of the waitstaff and how the food could have been better. By the time Liz arrived home she had a major headache and had made up her mind to stay single. Lacy assured her that would never happen but she couldn’t help but wonder.
Then she had met someone at a Halloween party a few weeks ago. Ethan White, a sheriff’s deputy. He was not classically handsome like a model but his strong, rugged features were very striking. Ethan had sex appeal with his sandy-brown hair cut very short and beautiful hazel eyes. He was tall, at least six three and husky with wide, broad shoulders and a trim waist. You couldn’t miss him in a crowd, that’s for sure. But his looks weren’t what drew her the most. He had a serious demeanor but Liz sensed he also hid a wealth of fire and strength inside. She could see it when she looked into his eyes. She thought they had connected. She felt something with him that night. When she looked into Ethan’s eyes as they danced closely she felt heat run through her body and her legs got shaky. He had acted like he was attracted to her too. But at the end of the night he had left her with a gentle kiss on the lips that left her lips tingling. At first she was confused because she knew he was attracted to her. Then the confusion turned to hurt. She had run into him a couple of times. It was hard not to since Appledale was a small town. If he noticed her he’d smiled casually, nod his head politely, and keep on going like he barely knew her. It had really hurt her feelings.
Her business, on the other hand, was thriving. What was that old saying, unlucky in love but lucky in cards? That seemed to be her motto these days. Three years ago she had opened up Liz’s Boutique here in Appledale. She carried women’s clothes both dressy and casual, accessories, and she even added lingerie last year. She was so busy that she had hired a young hig
h school girl, Amy Johnson. Amy came in three days a week. Liz loved running her own business and discovered she was good at it. At least she had inherited something good from her father. Her father ran a multi-million-dollar hotel business. It was his whole life with his wife and daughter coming in second. She had grown up traveling all over the world and never having a home.
Her father’s main headquarters was in Chicago and they spent a lot of time there so she got a job as a fashion buyer for a major department store. The hours had been long and tiring. The pay had been great but she had been burned out from putting in ten-hour work days six days a week. She never had the time or energy to socialize. She had lived at her dad’s hotel because she traveled with her job and it didn’t make sense to rent an apartment she wouldn’t use much. When a coworker had told Liz she had visited a charming little town named Appledale and described it in vivid detail, Liz had been intrigued by the description. It sounded beautiful with lots of trees and nature. It was peaceful and calm and the people friendly she was told.
On a whim she took her vacation and visited the little town and had quickly fallen in love. By the time her vacation was over she had formulated a plan to open her own business. She desperately wanted a change of scenery. She didn’t want to spend sixty-plus hours a week killing herself for a job. She wanted a normal life filled with time and friends, maybe even a man. The men she met and dated in Chicago only dated her because she was Roger Daniels’s daughter and wanted something from her father. Her mother, Claire Daniels, occupied herself by shopping and organizing charity events, which was how Liz learned about clothes, but Liz wanted to make her own way in life. When she told them about her move they had just wished her luck and her dad had given her money but never tried to stop her. Her mother didn’t understand why Liz couldn’t be happy to shop along with her and marry one of her dad’s business associates. She spoke to them every week but they were quick calls since her parents were busy people. She had just spent a weekend with them on Thanksgiving in New York. They might not have the closest relationship but she loved them just the same.
Maybe a visit with her two best friends was just what she needed to cheer up and shake off this melancholy mood. She had a good business going in a peaceful little town, which she loved, and good friends. She was content with her life, but today she had woken up feeling blue. One of her friends, Stella, had just found out a few weeks ago that she was expecting her first child. She and her husband, Stanley, were thrilled. Lacy had had some trouble with a crazed killer around that same time and had been kidnapped and rescued but was now planning a Christmas Eve wedding with her lover, Ryan Clark, the town sheriff. Since her two friends were settling down she couldn’t help but feel a little left out.
It was chilly outside so she grabbed her coat and decided to walk instead of drive. Maybe the fresh, crisp air would blow away the depression she was feeling. She couldn’t figure out what was wrong with her. She never let herself get into such a funk and especially not over a man. Men had always come and gone in her life and she had never let it bother her this much.
She ran her brush through her short platinum-blonde hair and fixed her makeup before locking up the store and putting up the out to lunch sign. Today she wore black wool pants instead of her usual skirt and a purple cashmere sweater and comfortable boots.
The businesses were decorated for Christmas, and she loved seeing the pretty windows all sparkly and glittery with Christmas lights. She took her time walking and admiring the windows and decorations. The lampposts lining the streets had big white snowflakes that glittered in the sunlight hanging from them. When she had been very young she thought the trees were put up for her birthday, and even though she grew up and realized the truth, she couldn’t help but love all the lit-up Christmas trees and decorations anyway.
When Liz got to Ally’s Diner she peeked in the window and saw Stella waiting on a customer, so she went in. She loved the decor Ally Clark, Ryan’s mother, chose for her restaurant. It was decorated in a fifties-style theme, black-and-white checkered floors and red-and-chrome booths and tables. A small tree with lights sat in the corner by the window that was also covered in lights. She groaned when she saw Ethan sitting at the counter talking to Lacy. Why did Ethan have to be here when she was doing her best to forget all about him? Liz wanted to get to know him better but so did a lot of women in Appledale. He was chased by lots of women, Lacy had told her once, but he seemed immune to all of them and no one succeeded for long. Ethan was a confirmed bachelor who invaded her dreams constantly. Wasn’t that enough torture?
Stella smiled when she saw Liz coming in and waved to her. Stella had such a bubbly personality that always drew people to her. She was tall with short black hair pulled away from her face by a red headband. Stella loved to talk with her customers and they all loved her back. Liz waved back and went to the counter where her other friend Lacy was. Ethan’s presence was not going to ruin her visit. She would just ignore him, she decided. Lacy gave her a friendly smile. “Hi, Liz, want some coffee?”
“Yes, please.” Liz groaned, rubbing her hands together and wishing she had put on gloves. She sat a few stools away from Ethan and nodded politely but didn’t speak to him the way he didn’t speak to her. “It’s getting cold outside but I needed the exercise so I walked here.”
Lacy came over to her, her long brown hair pulled up into a ponytail, and poured her a cup of coffee and brought her a slice of Ally’s fresh pecan pie still warm. “If I eat this I’ll be forced to exercise some more,” she joked but grabbed a fork and dug in anyway. Ally made the best pies and she wasn’t saying no.
Stella interrupted them, her red work T-shirt stretched tight over her abdomen. “I’ll never complain about being too skinny again,” she said, pointing to her pregnant belly and frowning. “I am wearing elastic jeans for goodness’ sake. Are you sure you want me to stand up in your wedding, Lacy? I’ll look like a whale.”
Lacy laughed and hugged Stella. “My two best friends will be in the wedding and I expect no arguments. Liz picked the dresses out already and you look beautiful in it.”
Liz laughed. “I picked out a comfortable but beautiful dress for you and it looks awesome on you. Besides where will we find another pregnant lady to take your place?” she joked and patted Stella’s belly. Stella and Stanley had asked her and Lacy to be co-godmothers to her baby and they both agreed. Stella was an only child and she said she felt like Liz and Lacy were her sisters of the heart. Liz met Stella three years ago when she first arrived. Stella had been a wonderful friend to her and helped her advertise by telling people to go shop at her store. She met Lacy only a few months ago, but they had clicked right away. She was excited and couldn’t wait to hold Stella’s new baby. She was glad she came. At least she’d have a baby to spoil soon and that made her forget all about her pity party.
“Thanks, girls, I guess my emotions are all over the place right now. By the way, Liz, Gary was over for dinner last night and he said you two hit it off and he had plans on seeing you again,” Stella said, grinning happily as she walked away to wait on a customer. “Go ahead and say it. I’m a good matchmaker.”
Lacy arched her brows at Liz in confusion. Liz had told Lacy about the awful date. Liz shrugged and caught Ethan looking her way as if also expecting an answer, but she ignored him. Liz didn’t understand why Gary would lie. He had called her once to ask her out for a second date and she had made up an excuse, hoping he’d get the hint without her having to hurt his feelings and tell him he was vain and arrogant. There was no way she was going out with him again. She’d rather stay lonely.
Ethan stood up and put some bills on the counter, smiling at Lacy, as if in a hurry. He was very attracted to Elizabeth Daniels. He had always noticed Liz over the years when he saw her around town. How could anyone not notice her? She was beautiful and classy. He had only admired Liz from afar though because he doubted they would have anything in common. He had never spoken to her until Ally’s party. She looked just
like the angel she had dressed up as at the Halloween party that night. Her short hair was platinum blonde and framed her pixie face in a blunt cut, giving her a delicate appearance. Her eyes were so deep blue that they appeared violet. Her skin was creamy white and flawless. When he had danced with her that night he was shocked by the primal emotions that overtook him. He had wanted to pick her up and take her home. Liz’s clothes weren’t overly tight and leaving little to the imagination the way a lot of the women at Thorn’s Bar dressed, yet he had been wildly attracted to her. Liz was a beauty but she also appeared delicate. She barely reached his shoulders with heels, while he was over six feet tall and a big, husky man who could break a little thing like her. No, I would only end up being disappointed, he thought, so despite his attraction to Elizabeth Daniels he stayed away from her. It hadn’t been easy either. He wanted Liz more than he had ever wanted another woman. He could only imagine how her kisses tasted in his dreams and he’d wake up sweaty and aroused, but he had too many doubts to start anything with her so he had backed off despite his body’s protest.
“Are you headed back to work, Ethan?” Lacy asked him, interrupting his thoughts. He had to get out of the diner. He decided against getting involved with Elizabeth because he didn’t think she would be interested in a thirty-five-year-old ex-military man like himself. But he didn’t want to hear of her and other men either. It made him feel jealous and he didn’t like that feeling. It wasn’t an emotion he had to deal with a lot. Even when his ex-wife had cheated on him, his pride had been the one to be dented not his heart. Ethan nodded at Lacy. “Your fiancé is a slave driver,” he teased Lacy. Lacy giggled and shook her head in denial.
“Have a good day, ladies.” Ethan turned to include Liz in his gaze but she looked away and ignored him. For some reason, that hurt him.
“Guess what?” Lacy said with a big smile on her face once Ethan left. “I finally got Ryan to agree to start giving self-defense lessons at the community hall and I am so excited. They start next week. Will you join with me, please? Ryan thinks I am the only one in town who will show up so I’ve been asking people to give it a try. Stella can’t. She got pregnant just to get out of joining these classes with me.”
Stella laughed at Lacy’s sarcastic remark. “I do hate to exercise. But you join, Liz. It’ll be fun,” she encouraged her friend. “Besides, one of us has to support Lacy’s cause.”
Liz nodded and agreed, “Sure, I used to take classes back in Chicago but it’s been a long time. It’ll be fun to get back into it. Let me know when and I’ll be there. And we can make flyers and pass them out here and at my store and the bank. I know Clyde’s wife, Hilary, will let us put one up on the window, too.”
“That’s an awesome idea, Liz,” Stella agreed. “I’ll help Lacy make a flyer today after our shift is over and have Stanley print them out for me.”
Lacy’s smile was filled with joy as she hugged her two friends. “Thanks, girls, this means a lot to me.”
After spending some time talking more with her friends, Liz headed back to work. Her mood had been uplifted. She was walking when she heard a car horn beeping. Liz groaned when she turned and saw Gary Peters in his new shiny black sports car trying to get her attention.
“Need a ride?” he asked and pulled over to the curb. He was dressed in his customary dark suit and white shirt, and his blond hair trimmed perfectly short and slicked back with gel so that not even one hair was ever out of place. His appearance was very perfect, as if he just stepped out of the pages of a magazine. Too bad his personality was so obnoxious.
Feeling an obligation to be polite, she went over to his window and pasted a smile on her face. “I’m fine walking, Gary, but thank you.”
“If you’re sure.” He shrugged carelessly. “I’m free Sunday. Let’s go see a play over in St. Claire. I already bought two tickets for us. I knew you would be happy to go with me, Elizabeth.” He gave her a wide smile. “You can thank me later.”
“I’m not sure—” She was trying to make up an excuse but his phone rang. “Got to take this. It’s business. See you Sunday at five.” He rolled up his window and slowly drove away, talking on the phone, his mind back on business, Liz forgotten.
She stood there a few seconds staring at his taillights. What nerve! she thought angrily. She fumed all the way to her shop. What an arrogant jerk. How could he just assume she would be happy to go anywhere with him, especially since she had thought their last date had been terrible. Men!
* * * *
Liz was busy hanging some new clothes that had just come in on the rack when Stella came by later that day. “Liz, I need help. Stanley has a few holiday work parties coming up and none of my dresses fit anymore,” Stella said. “I need something loose that I can wear more than once.”
“Well, I just happen to have some maternity dresses I ordered and if you don’t like them you can order something from my catalogue,” Liz assured her, showing her some dresses she thought would look good with Stella’s coloring. “Try this green velvet one, Stella. It’s elegant yet comfortable. Or how about this long red skirt? It would look amazing with any black blouse you have at home.”
Stella went into the dressing room to try them on and, talking at the same time she asked “Did Gary call you and ask you to the company Christmas party yet? He said he was. Please say you will go. It’ll be nice to have someone nice to talk to instead of all those uptight matrons. I’m afraid this year I’ll fall asleep on them.”
“No, not yet,” she answered with a chuckle, picturing Stella nodding out in the middle of a conversation. She was going to have to be honest with Gary and tell him the truth, that she didn’t want to go out with him again, and hope it didn’t ruin her friendship with Stella and Stanley. This was getting out of hand. If only it was Ethan pursuing her this hard, she thought sadly, then she would gladly let him catch her. Just her luck it was Gary.