Free A Captivating Conundrum by Amy Lignor Page A

over-talking you, so if you want to get your point out you need to be really fast. Actually," she said, tilting her head to the side, "she did get me primed for Nicole." 
    I pointed to a picture of a woman in a lovely white dress standing beside a tall man who looked more than a bit like Tim McGraw. "Your sister?"
    "And her husband, Keith." She pointed at the same couple standing with two children. "Maia and Ryan—my niece and nephew. They're great. Ryan is the kindest soul and Maia has my attitude."
    "She's sweet and quiet, huh?" I grinned.
    "Ha!" Beth threw her head back and sent the soft waves flying all around her face. "You really are going to get an education. We are both beyond determined and want nothing more than to be a burden on society. Actually, she could probably take over Nicole's business one day. That is one girl who could give old Nic a run for her money in the smartass department."
    I wanted to hug her. I know that sounds ridiculous, but all I wanted was to take the beautiful lady before me into my arms and find a safe and extraordinary place to live.
    Clearing her throat, Beth took a step back. "You can have the room at the end of the hall. I figure since you're a sunshine bum from California, you should have that one. The light shines in there in the mornings and it's just beautiful."
    "Thanks. I jog back home, get out on the beach."
    She nodded. "Well, there is a beach. We're actually sitting just a few steps away from a huge lake—white sand and everything. So feel free to take a run. Just remember, there's far more wildlife here than in your hometown." She smiled. "I mean, you have carnivores lying in wait for you there, too, I'm sure, but ours aren't wearing bikinis and dreaming of becoming a Hollywood idol's wife. Our nature actually bites."
    I laughed. "The bikini-clad ones do, too."
    Walking into the room, I wanted to take her by the hand and ask Beth to come sit with me so we could continue this conversation far into the night. But she stayed at the door as I took in the fantastic room with the stunning view.
    "Bathroom's in there." She pointed at the door. "And there's a linen closet in there with everything you should need. My room is right across the hall if you find anything missing."
    I took a deep breath, standing in the glow of the soft light above me. "Thank you for this. I'm sure you weren't expecting to have to pay hostess to two guys off the street."
    She shrugged. "Bobby's right…the company should be fun."
    I grinned. "Chris is happy about the company, too."
    We shared a knowing smile, as if we were two single parents watching our kids fall in love. "Bobby's a great guy."
    "So's Chris."
    "Sounds like a perfect match."
    Unknowingly, Beth licked her lips and I felt as if I was going to walk to the threshold and... The gentleman inside me was dissolving quicker than a shot of whiskey in front of a thirsty drunk. "Goodnight." I forced the words from my throat.
    Beth smiled and pulled the door closed. Falling onto the bed, I realized for the first time that I was now only a few steps away from a woman I was falling desperately in love with.
     
    ~ Hers ~
    I closed my bedroom door behind me and wondered what the hell I'd gotten myself into. I swear, all of a sudden it felt like Nicole and Bobby had gotten together in order to embarrass me to death—as if this was payback for all the bets I'd won and the amount of cash they'd lost over the years. But…if I were dead I couldn't write any more books, so that let Nicole off the hook.
    I could hear the small murmurings coming from downstairs, knowing in my heart that Bobby and Chris were forming their own fast friendship in my kitchen. God, I was going to kill him for this.
    Sighing, I headed to the serenity of the bathtub. I still maintain there are times in life when only bubbles and hot water can make you feel human again. And I don't care how 'girlie' that sounds. That's also why places like Victoria's Secret were built, so you could