An Unexpected Date

AN UNEXPECTED DATE

BY

SUSAN HATLER

An Unexpected Date

Copyright © 2012 by Susan Hatler

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the copyright owner of this book. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
 

License Notes

This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This e-book 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 please purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author’s work.

__________________________________________________________________
 

Cover Design by Elaina Lee, For The Muse Designs

www.forthemusedesign.com

PRAISE

“An Unexpected Date is a wonderful and perfect release to a stressful or crazy day.”

 
— Cafè of Dreams Book Reviews

“
Susan has a knack for light hearted dialogue and describing the zing in the connection between Holly and Dave....Be on the look out for this delightful morsel.
”

 
— Tifferz Book Review

“Susan Hatler writes stories filled with light-hearted humor and sweet, adorable moments guaranteed to warm your heart and leave you with a contented smile.”

 
— Kimberly Van Meter, Contemporary Romance Author
 

“Love at First Date left me completely satisfied...There is humor and there is sizzle. Perfect, right?”

 
—
Getting Your Read On

“Susan Hatler’s “My Last Blind Date” is a totally fun and absolutely delightful short story. Treat yourself to this charming little tale–the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for yourself or anyone who loves romance.”

 
— Patti Berg, USA Today Bestselling Author

An Unexpected Date

by
 

Susan Hatler

Frustrated beyond belief, I slumped my chin onto my fist, and studied the crowd at the Falling Leaves Festival as each person passed by my
Treasured Creations
booth without a second glance. Whoever said love didn’t pay the bills sure knew what they were talking about.

I loved living in Whitefish, Montana, loved my beading business, and even loved my tiny one-bedroom apartment. But, once again, I found myself short on rent. I’d have to make a serious sale today or end up facing my landlord, Barry “Hit That” Benson, the bow hunter. Call me crazy, but it didn’t seem wise to upset a man who could secure his family’s entire season of food with one arrow.
 

But then again, facing “Hit That” would be better than having to talk to my mother again. Last night, we’d had the same old phone conversation.
 

“Holly, when are you going to stop goofing around in that little resort town, move back to the city, and get a real job?”

“Mom, I’ve told you—”

“You told me you wanted a husband and family. If that’s true, then where are my grandkids? You’ll never find a man in the boonies and you’ve been there since your college graduation! It’s time to grow up and move back to civilization.”

The calls came frequently, but even my mother’s desperate pleading couldn’t make me give up on my dreams. I mean, hello? I had a view of Big Mountain from my kitchen window. I could bead jewelry, picture frames, or anything else my creative side brought to life beside that picturesque landscape. Well, if I continued to bring in enough dough, that is.

Voices clamored throughout the park, children squealed, and a soft breeze blew my bangs back snapping my attention into the present. Instinctively, I gazed up at the tree-lined summit. Despite what my mom thought, despite how hard it was to earn a living here,
this
was where I belonged. Living in a city had far more job opportunities, movie theatres, and theme parks, true—but it didn’t soothe my soul like this special little town with its three hundred and sixty degree view of nature’s amazing creations.

A young couple skipped by with their daughter, laughing and smiling as they made their way to the lemonade stand. The familiar sense of longing swept through me. With only a month until my thirtieth birthday, it was hard to believe I was still single. According to my mom, I’d already be married with a family if it weren’t for the low supply of eligible bachelors in this small mountain town. But, wouldn’t the right man also need these mountains and its surrounding outdoor jewels in order to feel complete? Wouldn’t he wake up, excited to experience whichever outdoor adventure the season had to offer? With me? No, leaving this town could very well mean leaving the man I was just on the cusp of finding. I couldn’t give up on what I wanted. I’d gone to the college I wanted. I’d started
Treasured Creations
like I’d wanted. And I wouldn’t leave this place. Ever.

As a figure approached my booth, I sat up and straightened my business cards. Then I inched the most expensive necklaces forward for good luck. “Hit That” would have his rent in full even if I had to rearrange jewelry all day long.
 

“Hello,” a husky male voice said.

I snapped my head up, startled. The guy in front of me wore a flannel shirt that complimented his deep blue eyes. Eyes that were the exact color of agates I’d used in several necklaces. As I stood, my legs wobbled, and I tried to get a professional grip.

“Hi,” I said, wondering where he was from. No way could he be local or I would’ve noticed him before. “Are you enjoying the festival?”
 

“Very much.” He glanced over at the lemonade family who’d just purchased rainbow colored ice cream cones and laughed merrily when their little girl got some on her nose. For a second, the same longing I’d felt earlier seemed to reflect in his eyes.

“Isn’t she adorable?” I smiled, thinking about how fun it would be to have children of my own. “I wish ice cream made
me
that happy.”

He leaned toward me, and smiled. “Maybe you just haven’t tried the right flavor.”

 
“Honestly, I hadn’t
been
looking.” He bent down and studied Goosebumps tickled up my spine, along with a rush of heat to my face, as I found my own secret meaning in his comment. Then I straightened, remembering this gorgeous man was here to buy women’s jewelry. He didn’t have a wedding ring, but he obviously had a special someone. Lucky girl. “Is there anything in particular you’re looking for?”

some of the sterling silver and amethyst pieces in earnest. “But when I saw your booth, I knew I had to come over.”

My heart squeezed. This guy had decided spontaneously to scope out a gift for his girlfriend? Quite the opposite of my ex-boyfriends who—even for a holiday or birthday—always held off until the very last minute to buy a gift.
 

“Where are you from?” I asked, even though it had more to do with curiosity than making rent.

“Seattle.” He lifted a silver and topaz bracelet—one of my favorite pieces—and examined it. “Well, I used to live there. Seems like eons ago, but my buddies and I would come out to Whitefish every spring break to ski. The place has grown a bit.” He glanced at me, then held my stare. “Gotten better, I’d say.”

A shiver ran through me.

“Never thought I’d be able to work from home and move here.” He twisted the bracelet and the sun reflected off the orange gem. “Lucky me, though. I bought a place on the mountain, near the ski resort.”

My stomach did a forward flip. He wasn’t a tourist, he actually lived here, and . . . oh yeah,
he’s taken
.
 

He picked up one of my cards and put it in his pocket. “Probably more information than you needed to know . . .”

Oh, I wanted to know everything about him. I just didn’t
want
to want to know it.
 

“Congratulations on your new place. I’m sure you’ll love it here.” I took a deep breath, inhaling the musty smell of fallen leaves and his sandalwood cologne. I took a step back, giving him some space. “Well, let me know if you have questions on any of the pieces.”

He gave me a sideways glance. “Which would you want your boyfriend to buy for you?”

I stiffened. “Me? I don’t have a boyfriend . . .” Then, my cheeks went up in flames. “Oh, um. You were just asking my opinion, weren’t you? From a girl’s point of view.”
 

He chuckled softly. “Sorry, I’m not being very clear. It’s been awhile since—”

“No, it’s fine. That’s my job. Of course, I can help you pick one.” Lovely. Why didn’t I just broadcast my unexpected crush in neon lights across my booth? Keeping my head down, I searched my display, the beads rolling through my fingertips. He needed help choosing for his girlfriend and my dismal checking account balance told me I should lead him toward the more expensive items.
 

I looked up and our eyes met. Held. There was just something about this guy. Something that made me want to give him my honest opinion. So, I bypassed all of the higher priced selections and gestured toward his hands. “You’re actually holding my favorite one.”

“Really?” He swirled his thumbs over the precious stones.

Watching the tender way he touched the stones, I couldn’t think of anyone I’d want the bracelet to go to more. “Yes, definitely.”
 

“All right, then.”

I smiled. Not just at the sale, but at how my treasured creations were inspired. “I beaded that one last week. I’d just put the first stone on when a movement outside my window caught my eye. This black bear cub sauntered up to the berry bush at the edge of my yard, yanked a branch toward his mouth, and chomped on those berries right there in front of me.”
 

“Wow.” His eyes crinkled as if he were really trying to picture it. “That’s incredible.”

“Even more amazing was that the bear saw me watching him.” I reached for a small white box and put a square of cotton inside it. “He didn’t run or seem scared—he just stared at me until he’d plucked every plump berry from that bush. Probably fattening up for winter hibernation.”
 

“You’ve convinced me I made the right choice.” After checking the price tag, he handed over the bracelet and the exact change.

It would only cover the rent if I lived off ramen noodles for the rest of the week, but the exchange with him felt priceless. I was sorry to see it end.
 

“Thank you,” I said, laying the bracelet in the box and sliding it across the table to him. “Hope she likes it.”

He picked up the box and then slipped it into his pocket. “I’m sure my mom will love it. She’s called me every day since I moved, begging me to move back to the city. Never going to happen, but at least now I can send her a peace offering.”