What if you told your innermost secrets to a guy you assumed you’d never see again?
Penelope Reid meets an elusive, handsome stranger on a plane trip. Along the way, she confesses her problems and fears, her unrealized goals, while she believes the man is only half-listening. She is a single mother, readjusting after a difficult divorce, and raising a challenging twelve-year-old son.
Months later, she comes into direct contact with Jacob Williams, the new pediatrician in town, and the man she met on the plane.
Will he use his knowledge of her life to embarrass her, or pursue her?
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EXCERPT
Prologue:
Penelope Reid sat glued to her seat.
Breathe in. There’s nothing to be nervous about. Flying in an airplane is routine for many businesspeople.
And she, unfortunately, was a businessperson.
She attempted to smile at the flight attendant who walked past, before resuming her pep talk to herself.
Virginia to Hilton Head Island is a short flight.
She considered texting her brother, Lincoln, with a ‘mission accomplished’ message, though he wouldn’t get the message until she had cell service again. He’d encouraged her to take the flight to secure a toy shop location. She’d complied, albeit reluctantly, though she’d been successful with the negotiations and closed on the deal. Nonetheless, when she finally arrived home, she intended to wring his neck. He knew how much she dreaded flying.
She cut a glance at her handsome seatmate’s profile. She’d admired the angle of his face—his sharp jawline and straight nose—throughout most of the flight. Framed by the afternoon sunlight streaming in the window, he seemed relaxed. Of course, he seemed relaxed because he was sleeping. In fact, he’d slept almost non-stop.
She coughed and nudged him. She needed someone to talk to and take her mind off the flight. She’d already breezed through every magazine in the seat pocket.
“Hmm?” He took off his aviator sunglasses and turned toward her. His eyes were a deep shade of brown, warm and mesmerizing, rimmed with black eyelashes. “Have we arrived?”
“Hardly.”
He peered out the window. “Cloudy day.”
“The weather forecaster called for rain.”
“He was probably right.”
“She was probably right,” Penelope corrected.
He grinned. “Touché.”
Penelope sat up straighter. “Before you fell asleep, we were discussing our jobs.”
“Were we?”
“We were about to.” Her seatbelt tightened as she leaned toward him. “I’ve managed a toy shop business ever since I was a teenager.”
“Sounds fun.”
“I hate it.”
His dark eyebrows curved upward. “Why?”
“Do you want the truth?”
“By all means.” He flashed her a positively magnetic smile.
Her heart stilled. Here sat a good-looking man who had listened to her rattle on about her life whenever he opened his eyes. At least, she assumed he listened. She’d held him captive because he couldn’t escape. They were seated next to each other in first class. Still, she’d begun to assume they were friends, and he was an attentive guy.
At his assessing gaze, a flush warmed her cheeks. “I’m bored with my job. I want to create, not manage.”
“Create what?”
“Let’s call it a midlife crisis.”
“Let’s.” Another smile. “Do you have another job lined up?”
“No.”
“Is your job difficult?” His tone lowered. Thick, wavy hair fell across his forehead, and he pushed back the strands with his hand. His features were a bit weathered, his jawline and cheekbones prominent. A rugged man who apparently spent time outdoors if appearances were any indication.
The thump of attraction in her chest surprised her. She hadn’t felt an interest in any guy since her divorce.
Josie Riviera is a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. She lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovations.
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