Free Crossed Wires by Fran Shaff

CROSSED WIRES

    By Fran Shaff

    Classic Contemporary Romantic Comedy

    Crossed Wires by Fran Shaff

    All rights reserved

    Smashwords Edition

    Coypright 2010 by Fran Shaff

    Characters, names and incidents used in this
story are products of the imagination of the author and are used
fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales,
organizations or persons, living or dead, is entirely
coincidental.

    No part of this book may be reproduced or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and
retrieval system without permission in writing from the author.

    August, 2010

    Discover Fran Shaff books and short stories
available in e-format, paperback and hardcover by visiting her
website at: http://sites.google.com/site/fshaff

    E-mail Fran Shaff at:
[email protected]

    Smashwords Edition, License Notes: This ebook
is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be
re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share
this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy
for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and
did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only,
then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own
copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

    CROSSED WIRES

    Hank Garcia left his tools in the van. The
work order the office had given him didn’t specify what kind of
wiring problem his next customer had, and he really didn’t care.
After the way his secretary Lizzie Lancelot had been mixing up his
calls since she’d become engaged two weeks ago, he was ready to
quit.
    He shut the door of his van a little more
forcefully than he’d intended.
    Unfortunately, he couldn’t quit his job. He
was the owner of Garcia’s Electric .
    He’d love to fire Lizzie, but she was his
niece. And he’d promised his sister…never mind what he’d promised
Louise. He couldn’t fire Lizzie.
    It’d be nice if he could close the business
until after Lizzie’s wedding. Maybe then his secretary would be
operating at her normal, efficient capacity. Maybe, but he wouldn’t
count on it.
    Hank walked up the steps leading to the porch
and wished he didn’t posses such a strong work ethic. If he had the
ability to simply forget this call, he’d have the guts to play
hooky. He badly needed a little r and r.
    He tucked his gray tee shirt into his jeans
and rang the bell next to the front door of the white two-story
house. While he waited for a response he admired the black
shutters. The owner was doing a nice job maintaining the house, he
mused. He appreciated owners who took pride in their homes.
    He rang the bell again. A few seconds passed
before a young woman answered his call.
    “Hello,” she said smiling up at him. “You’re
a little early, but that’s okay. I’m ready.”
    Hank’s breath caught, and he could feel his
eyes doubling their size as he looked down at the most beautiful
woman he’d ever seen. “I beg your pardon?” he said when he regained
his ability to speak.
    She flicked her slender fingers through her
short, dark hair. “I said I’m ready.” He watched her full, red lips
as she spoke. She was absolutely stunning.
    “Ready?” he stammered. Blast! Why was he
acting like such an idiot? He’d met tons of beautiful women in his
life. Not one of them had ever thrown him off balance like this one
had.
    Her eyes started to sparkle, and a smile lit
her face. She held out a delicate hand. “I’m Melanie Baker.”
    As Hank grasped her warm, silky fingers, he
felt his insides turning to jelly. “Hank Garcia.”
    “Very nice to meet you, Hank. I am so pleased
you could come by today,” she said, drawing back her hand. She
straightened the collar on her turquoise sleeveless shirt.
    “No problem, Miss Baker.” He cleared his
throat in an attempt to restore the composure Miss Baker’s aura of
beauty had