myself out of the dating pool for now.” Michelle experienced a sense of relief just saying the words. “The only one in my life will be Sasha.”
Mary Karen pulled her brows together. “Sasha?”
“It’s her dog.” Lexi spoke in a tone loud enough for all of them to hear.
“Everyone here knows how much I love my Puffy.” A doubtful look filled Betsy’s eyes. “But would you really choose to spend time with Sasha over someone like…that?”
The newlywed pointed out the front window of Hill of Beans to a tall man with broad shoulders and lean hips loading supplies into the back of a red pickup. Thick dark hair brushed the denim collar and faded jeans hugged long muscular legs.
Even though Michelle wasn’t interested, if she were interested, she liked that he was tall. Call her shallow, but she rather enjoyed looking up to a man. And being five-nine, unless she wore flats, there weren’t too many men around like that.
“He’s one fine specimen,” Michelle acknowledged. “At least from the backside.”
The women watched for a few more seconds, but the guy never turned in their direction.
“Who is he?” Mary Karen asked. “Anyone know?”
“Doesn’t matter.” Michelle sipped her latte and resisted the urge to steal another quick glance out the window. “Remember, I have Sasha.”
“The dog can keep you company for now.” Betsy’s dustyblue eyes held a gleam. “Until we find a man for you.”
“Which might not be that easy.” Lexi’s lips turned up in a little smile. “I mean, Michelle is one picky lady. Heterosexual, single, nonstalker and no fetishes. What does she think we are…miracle workers?”
Michelle pulled into her driveway in the Spring Gulch subdivision just outside of Jackson and chuckled, remembering the conversation in the coffee shop. Most of her friends were happily married and determined to aid in her search for Mr. Right.
But she’d been serious when she’d told them she wanted to step off the dating-go-round. Going out with a new guy was not only a huge time suck but an emotional roller coaster, as well. She’d really liked Larry. He was smart, funny and insanely handsome. Although she knew some women might embrace the whips-and-chains thing, she wasn’t one of them.
So here she was, after two months, back to square one. She only wished Larry had made his proclivities known on the first few dates. The mistake she’d made was trying to take things slow. If she’d considered sleeping with him early on, this would have come out and they could have gone their separate ways sooner.
Perhaps with the next guy, she should consider tossing aside her old-fashioned morals and jump in the sack right away. Of course, she reminded herself, that was a moot point because she didn’t have any plans to date. At least not anytime soon. Perhaps she’d even take the rest of the year off.
Yes, that would be best. Focus on continuing to grow her ob-gyn practice. Spend more time with Sasha. Perhaps even work on making the town house she’d bought late last year feel more like a home.
Michelle eased the car into the garage. Just before the door lowered, she saw a red vehicle pull into the adjacent driveway. She barely got a glimpse of it before her overhead door shut. It seemed the new owners had finally arrived.
The rumor around the neighborhood was a young couple from out of state had purchased the unit next to her. Michelle only hoped they were quiet. She put in long hours at her medical practice. With only two doctors and a nurse-midwife, she got called out often, at all hours of the day and night. When she was home she needed her sleep.
Perhaps she’d have to find a way to mention that to the new owners. Just so they understood—
Michelle shut the thought off before it could fully form. Egad, what was she? Eighty? Before long she’d be complaining about the children running through her flower beds. If she had flower beds. And if there were any children in the upscale neighborhood of young professionals to run through them.
After heading inside and changing into a pair of shorts and a hot-pink T-shirt, Michelle clamped the leash onto the collar of her golden retriever and took the dog for a run.
By the time they returned, it was almost dinnertime and her neighbor stood outside washing his truck. As she and Sasha drew close, she realized with a start that he was the man from the coffee shop. Only this time she could see that his face was as delectable as his backside.
Tall. Dark. Handsome. Something told her he had a petite blonde wife who doted on her husband’s every word. Those kind always did.
Still, Michelle slowed her steps as they reached the driveway. She remembered well the kindness of the neighbors when she’d first moved in and it was time to pay that forward.
“Hi.” She stopped a few feet from him and extended her hand. “I’m Michelle Kerns. I live next door. Welcome to the neighborhood.”
He looked down for a heartbeat, took off the soapy mitt he’d been using before taking her hand in his. “Gabe Davis. Pleased to meet you.”
Electricity shot up her arm. She jerked her hand back in what she hoped was a nonchalant manner.
Her new neighbor had charisma with a capital C and the looks to go with it. His eyes were an amber color, his hair a rich coffee-brown. Other than a slight bump on his nose, his features were classically handsome.
Michelle ran her hand across the shiny red fender of his truck, the water rippling beneath her fingers. “What brought you all the way from Pennsylvania?”
He stepped close and the spicy scent of his cologne teased her nostrils. But his gaze remained riveted to her hand, caressing the sleek paint. He cleared his throat. “How did you know we were from there?”
“Your license plate was my first clue.” Michelle pulled back her hand. His eyes had turned dark and intense. She could read the signs. He didn’t appreciate her touching his truck but was too polite to say so.
“Of course.” He lifted his gaze and raked a hand through his hair and blew out a breath. “It’s been a long day.”
Then he smiled.
Michelle felt something stir inside her at the slightly crooked grin. Mrs. Davis was a lucky woman.
She glanced toward the house. “Is your wife inside?”
His brows pulled together in puzzlement. “I’m not married.”
“For some reason a rumor was going around the neighborhood that a couple was moving in.” Michelle stumbled over the words.
“Nope. Just me and Finley.”
“Girlfriend?”
“Daughter.” The smile returned to his lips. “She’s inside unpacking. At least that’s what she’s supposed to be doing. At thirteen, they’re easily distracted.”
Michelle heard affection in his tone. And fatherly pride.
Thirteen. Chrissy, Ed’s oldest daughter, had been
