Holding Out for a Hero (3 page)

“I wouldn’t exactly call it that.” His smile turned sheepish. It was so cute.

“I would. I honestly don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t shown up.”

A shiver snaked up my spine and he reached out to squeeze my arm, his touch gentle and warm on my skin. “Next time bring backup, okay?”

“Oh, I don’t know about a next time.”

“Your lack of hesitation when you jumped to Jerry’s defense was inspiring and frightening at the same time.”

“Yesterday I don’t think I would’ve done what I did today, but like I said, it’s been quite a day.”

“Then it sounds like a good one.”

“Surprisingly enough, yeah.” I smiled up at him. “Pretty darn good.”

His head tilted and my cheeks warmed under his thoughtful regard. “I have no doubt there’ll be a next time.”

The unwavering conviction in his voice sent a tingle through my entire body. No one except my parents had ever expressed such complete belief in me before, and this guy didn’t even know me. I didn’t know what to say out loud, but I did know he was right. My life had changed thanks to a book I’d picked up simply because it tickled my funny bone. A book I hadn’t even read yet.

The silence stretched. The moment I realized I was staring at him like a woman denied dessert for far too long, I decided to speak now or forever look like an idiot.

“Well, I—”

“Would you—”

We both broke off with self-conscious laughs. I waited for him to speak first because I liked the beginning of his sentence better than mine.

“I was going to ask if you’d please let me replace that coffee now?” A hopeful note coated his sinful voice.

Yep, there were some days I couldn’t believe my luck. And this time I planned to embrace him—I mean, my luck—wholeheartedly. “You know, after the day I’ve had, that would be great.”

I took a step toward the street, anxious to sit down and get to know him.

“Wait—” He caught my arm. “You’re barefoot.”

“Um…yeah. Stupid, I know, but my heel broke on my walk home. Carrying both my shoes was easier than walking with one leg two inches shorter than the other.”

He reached out and touched the earlobe that was minus one of my favorite earrings. His fingers caressed my skin and skimmed along the underside of my jaw before he lowered his arm. “You really did have quite the day, didn’t you?” he asked softly.

I fought not to melt in front of him. “You have no idea.”

“Well, I’d love to hear all about it, just don’t move yet. There’s glass, and God only knows what else laying around here.”

I hadn’t thought of that. I searched for a clear path in the alley shadows cast by the street lights that’d flickered to life over the past ten minutes. My eyes widened. Had I really walked through all that garbage to get to Jerry?

My hero of the day stepped close and commanded, “Hold on.”

Before I could speculate his intentions, I found myself swept up into strong arms and held against his broad, muscled chest. I instinctively clung to his neck as he grinned down at me. “You want to call it a rescue, then I might as well do it right.”

McDreamy gorgeous
and
a sense of humor. I loved it. I inhaled the spicy allure of him reminiscent of this morning, and figured it was high time I learned the man’s name. “I’m Kelsie, by the way. Kelsie Newman.”

“Robert Woods, at your service, m’lady.”

I couldn’t hold back a soft, contented smile as he carried me across the street with long, sturdy strides. The clock had been tolling midnight all day, but I was no longer worried because I knew something the Fairy Godmother didn’t.

Robert Woods might not be Prince Charming, King Arthur, Sir Lancelot, or even Robin Hood, but he was close enough for this fairytale. You know…the one that starred me and my hero, and ended with a Happily Ever After of our own.

Good night, Bonnie Tyler. Sweet dreams and good luck.

~~~~~

Copyright 2010 Stacey Joy Netzel

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of any of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Contact information:
http://www.StaceyJoyNetzel.com

Other titles by Stacey Joy Netzel

Available at
Amazon.com

Excerpts at:
http://www.StaceyJoyNetzel.com

Welcome to Redemption Series...

...a small town in Northeast Wisconsin where second chances don’t always come easy, but if you’re willing to try, anything is possible.

Book 1: A Fair Of The Heart
, by Donna Marie Rogers

Single mother, and work-at-home beautician, Lauren Frazier can barely keep a roof over her head, let alone stop it from falling down around her. When handyman Caleb Hunter shows up at her door for a haircut, it’s like the answer to her prayers—and the attraction is instantaneous. Too bad her troublesome ten-year-old son isn’t quite as thrilled to have Caleb hanging around.

Old wounds have kept Caleb from returning to Redemption permanently. When he receives word of hismother’s unexpected death, guilt and regret bring him home again, but will the love of a good woman keep him there? Beautiful, witty, and strong, Lauren excites Caleb like no woman ever has, but she’s a package deal, and he’s not sure he’s prepared to take on a ready-made family.

Book 2: A Fair To Remember
, by Stacey Joy Netzel

Reformed gang member Wes Carter feels Redemption, Wisconsin, is just the place to relocate his financial business for reasons more than just the name. He’s ready for a nice, quiet life in small town USA. Tara Russell has decided it’s time to add some excitement to her life and get a little wild—no matter how uncomfortable it makes her or her overprotective family. They meet at the local fair one warm summer night and discover opposites attract for all the right reasons. Add a dash of Sugar in the form of an incorrigible Great Dane, and it’s destined to be
A Fair To Remember
.

Book 3: The Perfect Blend
, by Donna Marie Rogers

Carrie Lowell swears off men for good after nearly losing her business in a bitter divorce settlement to her abusive ex-husband. She’s on the verge of filing bankruptcy when handsome librarian Matt Jacobs walks into her shop and offers sound—if unwanted—business advice. Sure, financially he’s a godsend, but emotionally he’s a threat to the barricade she’s built around her heart.

Heir to a vast fortune, Jacob Spalding flees LA for the tiny Midwest town of Redemption, Wisconsin to escape the scandalous nightmare his life has become. Now known as Matt Jacobs, he buys a little cottage and settles in to small town life. Soon, he finds himself infatuated with the owner of the coffee shop across the street. Too bad the infuriating woman is as contrary as she is beautiful.

Book 4: Grounds For Change
, by Stacey Joy Netzel

Charlie Russell lived with a secret for fourteen years, but now guilt has pushed him to the breaking point. He meets psychologist Dana McClain and feels an instant connection that has nothing to do with his Great Dane, Sugar, spilling coffee down her shirt. Dana switched to counseling animals because she has a history of becoming too emotionally involved with her clients. She figures she’s safe helping Charlie with Sugar’s issues, until he reveals his secret and asks for her help. She tries to convince herself it's all about the dog, not the guy, but history has a way of repeating itself.

Book 5: Home Is Where the Heart Is
, by Donna Marie Rogers

Used to the finer things in life, heiress Melinda Spalding is thrown for a loop when her brother relocates to the Midwest. Her parents even expand their business to the small town and put her in charge of the project. Discovering she likes “Mayberry” and its quirky inhabitants is almost as shocking as her growing attraction to the local auto mechanic. But LA is where she belongs…or is home truly where the heart is?

Drew Porter learned at his mother’s knee how treacherous women can be—and when snooty "Lindy" Spalding skids into his life and nearly hits his dog, she seems worse than most. An unlikely bond between their pets gives him an intriguing glimpse behind her pretentious exterior. While his heart wonders if there more to her than meets the eye, his head tells him to run as fast as he can in the opposite direction.

Book 6: The Heart of the Matter
, by Stacey Joy Netzel

All Allie Daniels ever wanted was a family of her own—until her doctor informs her she’ll never be able to have children. She hides her desolation, refusing to let any man close enough to see her broken heart. Most certainly not the town veterinarian, who’s cute three-year-old son reminds her of what she’ll never have.

Rick Wilde had a serious crush on Allie back in high school, but life took them in different directions. Now a single parent, he returns to Redemption several years later to raise his son, Lukas. His interest in Allie is renewed, but her shoulder is colder than the bitter winter wind.

Brought together by an orphaned kitten, Allie finds herself helpless to resist Lukas’s impish innocence—not to mention Rick’s warm charm and sexy good looks. Does she dare take a chance on an impossible dream, or will Rick’s desire for more kids devastate their future?

~~~~~

Colorado Trust Series

Trust in the Lawe
(Book 1)

Kendra Zelner has three brothers: Eight-year old Noah she's determined to protect, Joel who has no clue she exists, and Robert who wants her dead.

With reason to be distrustful of cops, she takes Noah and flees their Manhattan home for Joel’s ranch in Colorado. Under the pretense of needing a job, she plans to hide out until her twenty-fifth birthday, when she’ll inherit her trust fund and legally gain custody of Noah away from Robert’s greedy hands. Unfortunately, her brother’s sexy, infuriating ranch manager insists on demolishing her defenses and digging into her past.

Colton Lawe has good reason to suspect Joel’s beautiful, long-lost sister isn’t what she seems—the little liar stole from him! He silently vows to expose her secrets, but long hours together on the ranch fosters a closeness and fiery attraction neither of them expects. Can Kendra trust Colton with the full truth before Robert finds them?

***What reviewers are saying:

You Gotta Read Reviews ~ “Trust in the Lawe was truly one of the best books I have read this year. It's fun, suspenseful, filled with misunderstanding and characters that you will fall in love with. The plot line was tight, very well crafted and every question I may have had throughout the book was answered. I have a great respect for Stacey Joy Netzel and the way she can write a romantic story with sizzle and spice that kept me absolutely addicted. From the moment I started reading, it was as though my real life just floated away and I was drawn into Trust in the Lawe. Honestly, you won't be able to put this book down. If you are not a Stacey Joy Netzel fan yet, just pick up this book and you will find you want to read all of her books. To sum it all up, Outstanding book, not to be missed. I HIGHLY recommend this book.”

Night Owl Reviews Reviewer Top Pick: “This book is fantastic on so many levels. Ms. Netzel crafted characters that were easy to fall in love with and were so well-rounded that they felt like friends of mine as I was turning the pages. If you're looking for a read that has intrigue, love and deception all wrapped together in a pretty package, than look no further because Ms. Netzel's story will instantly win you over. This is another keeper I'm adding to my library that's written by a wonderfully talented author who knows what readers want to read.” ~ Diana Coyle

Shattered Trust
(Book 2)

Sweet twenty-seven and never been kissed. Well…no one’s ever accused Marley Wade of being sweet. Raised in the world of construction by her rough-and-tumble father, Marley knows what it takes to succeed as a general contractor in a man’s world. The last thing she needs is an employee who makes her feel soft and feminine.

New co-owner of Hunter Construction Justin Blake goes undercover on Marley’s crew to discover the truth behind his grandfather’s death. But he didn't count on an instant attraction to his boss—or for it to develop into deeper emotions. When a blackmailer threatens to expose the twenty-five-year-old secrets that link his family and Marley’s, Justin realizes the truth could not only shatter a future with Marley, but his entire family as well.

***What reviewers are saying:

Miraculous Blog Review ~ “
Stacey Joy Netzel’s way of composing honest, amiable characters, but not consummating their love for each other until the final pages, keeps my heart, as a reader, skipping beats. The electrifying action is a whole nother story in its entirety. Packed with climactic anticipation, and heartfelt, head-over-heels emotions,
Shattered Trust
is my kind of story. One that I think too much about, even after finishing, and one I look forward to reading all over again.” ~ Stephanie