Davis and Jane... Cupid is at it again with a little more divine intervention, but can love survive the danger ahead?
Jane has been living a lie, with her daughter Frannie while on the run from her abusive husband.
Davis Formosa, world famous science fiction author has been intrigued by the quiet and unassuming waitress at the diner he has taken to frequenting.
But Cupid in the guise of Jake has his work cut out helping these two to find their happy ending, especially in the face of increasing danger.
Publisher's Note: Although this story contains characters from ‘Blame the Wine’, it is a separate story altogether.
General Release Date: 17th January 2014
Jane disliked the necessity of working in the small diner across the road from Veha Industries, but it paid the bills and kept her under the radar. It also ensured that no one looking would find her easily. Especially him. She wasn’t superstitious, but even the thought of him still had her glancing around carefully, hoping he wouldn’t magically turn up outside the door to haul her away.
People came in and out, ordering their drinks and food. They rarely paid real attention to the woman serving them—the one who hid who and what she really was. She read the body language of the patrons and adjusted her behaviour accordingly. She did it with every ounce of her hard-won knowledge and experience of human nature.
Jane wiped her hand on the towel and pushed aside the limp strand of hair that had escaped the scrappy bun,. She was already longing for the brief break she could expect to take within the next hour, once her fellow waitress arrived. Mary had rung in late, as the doctor’s appointment for her three-year-old’s injections had taken significantly longer than planned.
“Coffee—flat white, for table ten.” Les pushed the tray into her hands. Jane moved quickly, dodging and weaving as people filed out of the eatery, drifting off to work. She made her way towards the table in the corner. At nine a.m. she could reasonably expect things to begin slowing down, something the ache of her feet reminded her of. The man sitting there smiled at her as she carefully placed the cup on the scratched Formica in front of him.
“Thanks.” The man had been coming in for weeks, always picking the same booth, while he did whatever he did on his small tablet device. She’d been drawn to him from the first. It wasn’t his rugged good looks or the leather clothing he wore like a glove over his muscular body. She doubted it was the piercing green eyes or the mobile mouth. Jane also refused to believe it could be the chiselled jaw and defined cheeks. No, it was the air of serenity he radiated. Here sat a man comfortable in himself and his chosen profession.
That very first day as she delivered his coffee—flat white, no sugar—she’d caught sight of his work, the lines of red and blue writing meaningless to her, but he’d quickly turned it over, hiding it from sight. She’d scurried away, feeling an embarrassed, blush burning her cheeks at being caught looking at his work.
Today he held nothing in his hands except his coffee. She surveyed his blunt fingers for a moment, before turning away with a faint wistful sigh.
He put out his hand, stopping her, and she sucked in her breath at the zing of awareness that speared her. “I wanted to…” He blushed as she turned. “I wanted to thank you for looking after me these last few weeks.”
Jane smiled, knowing that answering him would reveal part of the reason she remained in hiding. But he looked at her, as if expecting an answer, and the knowledge that he waited bothered her. It filled her with a vague sense of dissatisfaction. “That’s okay.” She rasped the words, the sound one that she’d practised for a long time to perfect. It usually kept the men away.
He narrowed his eyes and his face, beautifully formed as it was, hardened. Jane backed away, unable to help herself. That kind of searching look in the past had always resulted in a painful reaction, and she gulped for air.
“Jane? Next order waiting!” Les called out from behind the counter. Without a word, Jane turned, thankful for Les’ gruff intervention, even if it had been accidental.
Les had taken her in the day she’d arrived on the doorstop, little more than a bedraggled rat dragging her barely-teen daughter behind her. He’d never asked why or how and she remained thankful for that small mercy. There was no way I could even begin to explain how my situation came about. Not easily and certainly not without risk to Frannie. Or me.
Instead of judging them both for the bruises on their skin and the wild look in their eyes, he’d seen something that she hadn’t. That, deep down, she was a fighter. A survivor. He’d offered her a job waiting tables and the small apartment above where she and Frannie lived. It wasn’t the comfortable existence they’d enjoyed before, but it was safe. And, more importantly, anonymous.
The bacon and egg burger with black coffee was a regular order and she knew where it was going before Les even opened his mouth. “Yeah, table five. Got it.” He smiled.
“Everything okay?” He searched her face and Jane felt the uncomfortable sensation of awareness. He knew just how flustered she was after that short encounter with the man on table ten.
“Yeah, I’m fine. He’s just being friendly.”
Wife, mother and nutty bookstore owner all describe Imogene Nix, but the real secret is Science Fiction, Paranormal Romance with a hefty dose of Romantic Suspense is what she adores. Dedicated to high quality romance, with a dollop of erotic interactions, Imogene has dipped her toes into Science Fiction, Contemporary Rural Romance and Paranormal Romance featuring feisty headstrong female leads.
You can visit Imogene's website here.
Reviewed by Jeep Diva
A Stranger’s Embrace by Imogene Nix was a quick fun read that I thoroughly enjoyed. The characters Davis and Jane were sweet and engaging. Their story had just enough action and intrigue to keep...
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