I knock on Mick’s open door, and he motions for me to come in. “I got a complaint from your route.”
“Really?” I scrunch my nose in surprise.
I’m the only driver for Hollow Oak since I know where pretty much everyone in town lives. It’s not often I get a complaint. If I do, it’s for something being broken inside their box, which I know has to have happened before it hit my warehouse. I handle all my boxes with extra care. Nothing is worse than being excited for something to arrive and it not being what you hoped for.
“It's from yesterday.”
“Oh, Gail did my route yesterday. Remember, I took the day off.” Gail fills in for anyone that takes a day off or lends a hand if you have more than a normal amount of deliveries. I can usually handle Hollow Oak easily enough on my own.
“Yeah I know. I just wanted to give you a heads up on what happened. I guess this guy thought Gail was late and rude. He said no one else is to deliver his packages but you. If you're off, then his packages are to wait till you’re back.”
“What?” I say with a laugh. “Can he even make that kind of request?”
“Not typically, but he must know some people in some high places because we’re going to make sure only you drop his crap off.”
“Who is this even?” Before the words are fully out of my mouth, I already have an idea of who Mick is talking about. My sexy recluse. I didn’t think he cared much for me since he only ever grunts. But it didn’t stop me from trying to talk to him. Or the mega crush that’s taken on a life of its own.
“Donovan Combs.”
I nod. “I’ve got a package for him today.”
“He doesn’t give you problems, does he?”
“Nope.” If anything, I think he would think I’m a problem. I can be a bit nosy when it comes to him, but it’s hard not to be. He’s new to Hollow Oak, and the only thing I know about him is that he built his beautiful house. A house that he never leaves.
“All right then. Be safe out there.” I give Mick a mock salute before I’m out the door and on the road.
My morning drags by today. Usually the day goes by in a flash, but all I keep doing is counting down the stops until I get to Donovan’s.
Then a terrible idea comes to me. What would Donovan do if I was late? I normally see him peeking through the curtains when I’m coming down his long driveway. I picture him inside his home pacing back and forth. What’s in these boxes?
“Gracie!” my best friend Julie calls to me when I pull up next to the diner. I’m dropping a package off at Sew Be It next door. The yummy smells coming from the diner have my stomach growling. “Come have lunch with us.”
I turn to see her and her fiancé Jacks getting out of his car. She was actually the reason I’d taken the day off work yesterday. She and Jacks are finally going to say “I do,” and we tried on dresses yesterday. This has been in the making since elementary school, and I’m so happy it’s finally happening.
“Come with us. I’m buying,” Jacks adds. I know he’s only trying to butter me up in hopes that I’ll spill some details about tonight's bachelorette party. He knows I’ll fold like a cheap chair, but too bad for him Val is throwing it and has been tight-lipped.
“Okay,” I agree, checking my watch. This will make me late. Plus the diner beats the turkey sandwich I’ve got stuffed under my seat in the truck. “Let me drop this box, and I’ll be over. Get me a strawberry milkshake.”
I smile as I wonder how Donovan is going to react to me being so late. I’ll order him a piece of pie from the bakery to make up for it. Maybe today I’ll get more than a few grunts.
* * *
Available NOW!
Thankful For Her
Autumn has always felt a soul-shattering pull to her stepbrother, Hunter. The only problem is that they’ve never met. But this Thanksgiving they’re finally going to meet and when they do, all her desires will be confirmed.
Hunter Danvers has lost a lot, and seeing his father marry a nightmare of a stepmother, he thinks he’s lost him, too. He reluctantly comes home for Thanksgiving. And then everything he knows to be true changes.
Warning: Get stuffed with insta-love, a secret baby, and gravy puns galore! This glossed-over holiday just got a reason to be celebrated, and it has nothing to do with the cranberry sauce!
To Beth P.
Thanksgiving deserves a book too!
We love you!
Chapter One
AUTUMN
I stand in the hallway looking at his picture, something I shouldn't be doing. I'd die if anyone found the secret picture I had of him hidden away in a drawer in my bedroom. But this huge portrait on the wall is nothing like the one I’d stolen.