Stacey Joy Netzel Boxed Set (16 page)

“That’s your fault,” Josh said.

I paused, coffee pot in hand. “My
fault?”

“Did you really expect me to sleep after
that phone call? I couldn’t stop thinking about you and almost
slept through my alarm.”

“Good. Then we’re even,” I admitted with a
smile, feeling better.

“So what are your plans for the day?” Josh
asked.

“Oh, I’ve got a very exciting day ahead of
me. Work, beach, shower, and bed.”

“I like the last three.” Again with the low,
suggestive tone.

“Of course you do—you’re a man.” Mug full, I
returned the pot to the warmer and leaned my butt against the
counter while looking out my patio doors. “How about you? Normal
day at the office.”

“Not exactly.”

“So what—”

My doorbell rang and Jenga started barking
in the other room. She ran to the front door as I set my cup
down.

“Shoot. I’m sorry, Josh, someone’s at the
door.”

“What are you sorry for?”

“Well, normally I’d assume it’s my annoying
neighbor come to tell me I put my trash out too early yesterday,
and I’d just ignore her, but I’m expecting a contract to arrive
this morning, and I really—”

“Summer,” he interrupted with a chuckle. “Go
answer the door.”

“I’m going. You want to wait, or should I
call you back?”

“You’ve got work...I’ll talk to you
soon.”

I swallowed my disappointment and said,
“Okay, bye.”

Silence greeted me and I realized he’d
already hung up. Boy, that was fast. I frowned, hoping he wasn’t
mad about the interruption, and shushed Jenga as I joined her at
the front of my house and opened the door.

The reason for the
non-goodbye stood before me in faded jeans and a snug white tee
shirt that read
cheese+beer+snow=Wisconsin
. Frozen
there on the threshold, I swear my heart almost beat from my chest.
He’d actually come all the way to me.

“Hi,” he said.

I met Josh’s smiling brown eyes and grinned
right back. “Hi. What are you doing here?”

“I had some vacation time to use up.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Took you
long enough.”

“Did I have you guessing?”

I instinctively understood he referred not
only to the phone call a moment ago, but also the fact that he’d
never specifically mentioned our future. My “Yeah,” answered both
questions. And I still hadn’t moved.

“Good. Then we’re even.”

Jenga brushed past my knees to check out our
visitor. Josh held out his hand for her to sniff, and when he said
her name, she only hesitated a moment before her ears laid back and
she wagged her tail. Some people would say my dog is easy, but I
knew she didn’t accept everyone so quickly.

Josh bent to stroke her head a couple times
before straightening to look at me again. “I brought you a
present.”

“Besides yourself?”

He smiled, but it faded fast. My heart
lodged in my throat at the nervous expression on his face.

“I know it’s a little early, but finally I’m
willing to risk it.”

Mystified by that cryptic statement, I
watched him lift up a tee-shirt for me to read.

Someone in Wisconsin loves
me
.

Everything blurred around me except Josh. I
raised my gaze to meet his and the emotion in his eyes assured me
the shirt was no light-hearted joke. In one blink, joy flooded
through me. All my worry evaporated and I was so glad I’d
managed—barely—to be patient.

I took the shirt from his hands and tossed
it over one shoulder. “As risky as it may be, someone in Florida
loves you, too.”

His smile returned, brighter than the
Florida sun. At that moment, I noticed my nosey neighbor watering
her flowers, her narrowed eyes zoomed in on us across the
courtyard. I reached forward, fisted one hand in Josh’s shirt and
dragged him forward for a kiss.

As our lips met, I wrapped
my arms around his neck and plastered my body to his. See how Mrs.
Baker liked
that
.
She’d complained a couple times about the newlyweds two doors down
from me, but I think she was just jea—

Josh’s mouth opened on
mine, his tongue skimming along the seam of my lips, seeking
entrance.
Mmm
...
I angled my head, opening to his hot exploration as he slid his
palms across my hips, up my back, and then down to my butt. Fire
ignited in the wake of his touch and spread through my entire body.
I felt him dip down, and then his strong arms lifted me to wrap my
legs around his waist.

From this new angle, I was able to deepen
the kiss on my terms. I put the last five days of missing him into
that kiss and moments later, his deep groan gave me butterflies in
my stomach. I tilted my head back as his lips moved from my mouth
to my neck, and then lower along the neckline of my tank top.

“We better take this inside,” he rasped.

A light breeze blew across my heated skin
and I finally remembered where we were and Mrs. Baker. Glancing
over Josh’s shoulder, I saw she was now watering her sidewalk
instead of the flowers. Hah!

I palmed Josh’s face and rested my forehead
against his as I whispered, “Ask me again what my plans are for the
day.”

“What are your plans for the day?” he asked
with a sexy little grin.

“Bed, beach, shower and bed.”

Josh laughed and lifted his chin for a quick
kiss as he carried me into my condo. “I love the sound of all of
that.”

“I figured you would.”

We almost didn’t make it to the beach, but
Jenga was insistent. Good thing, too, because I found my delivery
package leaning against my front door, but never heard the doorbell
after Josh arrived.

And...well, that about covers it.

The End

Oh, wait...I suppose you’re wondering if
Josh ever invited me back to the Dairy State.

Yes, he did, and while I was there, he
promised in front of God and everyone to never ditch me again—yes,
he actually said that in his vows—till death do us part.

And
every day in Wisconsin he shows me at least one positive for
the state that sometimes gets snow in May. No, I don’t bother to
let him know I’m more than convinced...I just enjoy his imaginative
demonstrations.

JOSH
and
SUMMER

Josh:
Hi. We just wanted to say thank you for reading both sides of
our story. We had fun telling it—
(grins
and winks)
—lots of fun. Stacey Joy Netzel
is a good friend of ours and if you enjoyed yourself up to this
point, you should take a look at her other books.

Summer:
Seriously. Her Colorado Trust Series is especially good—in
fact, after I read
Trust In The
Lawe
, I convinced Josh exactly where we
should go for our honeymoon.
(smiles at
Josh)
Though it didn’t take
much.

Josh
(laughing)
:
Stacey told us about the cabins in Estes Park, Colorado and
Summer looked them up. When she read out loud that they have their
own private hot tubs with a view of the Rocky Mountains, she pretty
much had me at ‘private hot-tubs’.

“Attention passengers, AirTran Air flight 642
with service from Milwaukee to Denver is now boarding all
rows.”

Summer:
Oh—that’s us! I’m really sorry, but we have to go. Josh, you
got that bag?

Josh:
Yeah, hon, I got it.
(walking
backwards after Summer)
Listen, sorry
we’ve gotta run, but if you do decide to read any more of Stacey’s
work, we really hope you enjoy. Take care.

Summer
(waving from the door):
Bye!

by

Stacey Joy Netzel

(back to top)

Can a family connection to the ill-fated
Titanic bring new hope to sinking dreams?

With his antique shop on the brink of
bankruptcy, Jake Coburn knows he shouldn’t buy costume jewelry at a
price that won’t turn a profit. Then again, it’s Christmas, and he
hasn’t been able to say no to Loral Evan’s since the first time she
entered his shop.

Desperation is what drives Loral Evans to sell
precious family heirlooms, but Jake’s offer of one thousand dollars
for a dragonfly brooch she knows is fake stings her pride. If only
she could afford to walk away from the handsome antique dealer.

During a season of giving, Loral learns
there’s a big difference between pride and dignity, and Jake’s
determination to do the right thing brings rewards beyond what
either of them ever dreamed of.

***What reviewers are saying:

Got Romance Holiday Reviews~ 5 Stars ~ “I
sincerely adored this story. Dragonfly Dreams smacks of Gift of the
Magi while remaining original, heartwarming, and honestly lovely.
Dragonfly Dreams sucked me in and held me from start to finish.
Jake is sweet, kind, and noble – everything a true romantic hero
should be. Loral, on the other hand, is tough yet vulnerable and
adorable – the perfect heroine. I give this the highest rank
because I would read it again and again.”~ Becca

Night Owl Reviewer Top Pick ~ “Ms. Netzel
penned a remarkable ending that totally surprised me and she
masterfully tied all the loose ends up for each one of her
characters. This is a charming tale that blended strength, hope and
love into one fantastic story.” ~ Diana Coyle

Dedication:

To my mom, Judy, whose love of collectible
costume jewelry, and antiques in general, inspired this story.
Thank you for all your support. It means the world to me!

I love you, Mom.

The sound of the muted chimes told Jake
Coburn a customer had entered the shop. Thank God, a distraction.
With a little finesse, maybe even a sale. Anything to ease the
pressure of the bank and Robert, though his accountant brother was
the more aggressive of the two.

Jake slowly folded the financial statement
he’d been reviewing and tucked it into the Antique Trader Furniture
Price Guide laying on the counter. Then he shifted his stance for a
clear view of the potential savior headed his way.

Loral Evans
.

His pulse kicked up a notch and his entire
body came alive at the sight of her. She strode toward him, her
shiny brunette curls bouncing lightly from her face with each step.
He’d give just about anything to run his fingers through them, feel
the silkiness as he inhaled the refreshing lavender scent that
teased his senses during each of her visits. Only problem was, he
had a strong suspicion once would never be enough.

God, he loved watching her. At the same
time, he dreaded seeing her walk through his doors because it meant
she needed money. Again.

Aqua blue eyes remained serious even though
her lips curved into a smile. “Hey, Jake.”

“Loral.” He forced his gaze from her face to
glance at his watch. Ten minutes until closing time. “Little late
to be seeing you.”

A shadow darkened her eyes before she
shrugged a slim shoulder and dipped her hand into the pocket of her
brown corduroy coat. The fabric was so worn in places he found it
hard to believe it even kept her warm. Yet another indication of
her apparent dire straights.

Tonight she didn’t take the time for
pleasantries, ask how things were going, or even wish him Merry
Christmas. Instead she simply withdrew a velvet pouch and his gaze
dropped to watch her lay out five pieces of jewelry on the glass
counter next to his book. A vibrant kaleidoscope of blue, green and
red colors gleamed in the strategically placed overhead
lighting.

Jake’s chest constricted and drawing a
breath became painful with the memory of how his mother had
obsessed over the positioning of the counter until it was just
right. And it was, showcasing Loral’s small jewelry collection to
perfection. In the light, one particular piece commanded his
attention; a dragonfly brooch set in platinum. Blue sapphires and
emeralds adorned the edges of the intricately latticed wings;
rubies made up the long body; and, two diamonds glittered as
eyes.

In a word:
stunning
.

Previously, she’d brought him rare green and
pink Depression glass, carnival vases, a couple Tiffany lamps, and
finally, an assortment of Mission Oak. The larger pieces of antique
furniture had led him to believe her well had gone dry—save the
biggest, most valuable for last.