Until Next Time (The Shooting Stars Series) (56 page)

***

Virginia transferred cookies from a cooling rack and onto a plate to once again attempt to welcome her new neighbor to the neighborhood. She knew from talking with Kaitlyn that he was supposed to be back in town by now and the house had been humming with activity all day. She had watched a Jeep pull into the driveway earlier and took that as a good sign as well. Once the plate was full, Virginia covered it with plastic wrap and lifted it from the counter before moving to the door.

“Stay, Dovie,” she ordered her pet as she opened the door.

Dovie sat obediently, but her light amber eyes pleaded to be included.

“I’m sorry, girl; I don’t know that he likes dogs. I’ll be right back,” she promised. Virginia shut the door and bounded down her front porch steps and down the sidewalk. Her own home, as well as her neighbor’s, was Craftsman in style, while Kaitlyn’s home was a Queen Anne Victorian.

Virginia mounted the porch steps, knocked, and waited to hopefully meet her neighbor. She had never lived in such a picturesque neighborhood where people walked their dogs and called greeting to one another before now. She really did want to meet her new neighbors and put down some roots. It wouldn’t hurt to make their acquaintance if they were ever looking for someone of her skills either.

Joel glared at Susan as she, yet again, started in on him about his lack of a public social life. She had arrived to help him get settled and to see to his utilities and phone for him and hadn’t let him have a moment of peace yet.

“Look, Joel; I know Cassandra hurt you, but you can date someone without getting serious. Please, line up a date for the premier of your latest film?”

“Susan, I know it is your job to worry over my public image but I don’t really give a crap what people think one way or another. I am not going to date someone just to date someone.”

“You should care about your public image, Joel; in this business it can affect how much work you’re getting,” she reminded him.

“Susan, I will decide when and where I start dating again!” he snapped as a knock sounded on the door.

He yanked the door open, despite Susan raising her hand in protest and frowned at the woman on the other side a moment. It was her, he realized; the woman who had been walking her dog! He felt his frown melt away as his heart skipped a beat and then started pounding. Deep blue eyes, wide with disbelief, stared at him; her beautiful mouth open as though she had been prepared to speak only to find her voice gone.

“Hi,” he greeted, his own brain suddenly feeling scrambled; that was brilliant conversation, he mused in irritation.

“Hi, I um…” she found her voice but clearly not her words. “I, uh…wanted to welcome my new neighbor to the neighborhood, so um, welcome,” she thrust a plate of cookies at him.

“Thank you,” Joel took the plate and watched her turn and all but dash down the porch steps. Shaking himself into action a moment too late, he watched her leave. By the time he had recovered enough to think straight, she was halfway down the sidewalk between their homes. Joel frowned; then glanced down at the plate in his hand with a smile. He now had an excuse to call on her, he realized as he shut the door.

“Who was that?” Susan demanded.

“My new neighbor. Kaitlyn said her name is Virginia,” Joel answered as he selected a cookie from the plate. The sweet taste of chocolate and macadamia nuts melted in his mouth: perfect.

“She didn’t introduce herself?” Susan demanded.

“No, she kind of hurried off before she could do that,” he admitted.

“Great, now the whole neighborhood will know you’re living here. Joel, why am I here if you’re going to answer the door and greet every delivery man who arrives? I’m here because the simple act of getting utilities connected turns into a mania, remember?” she chastised.

“I know. I managed before you came along, didn’t I?”

“That was before every woman in America knew your name, your face, your measurements, and what kind of underwear you favor,” Susan reminded him.

“True,” he conceded with a wince. He was still trying to decide just who had let that information slip and couldn’t help wondering why anyone would care.

Another knock sounded at the door and Susan bustled around him before he could answer it.

“Hi, Kaitlyn, Hi, Adam,” she greeted and stepped aside. She hurried around them and down the steps to greet a delivery truck before Joel could do so.

“Hey, Joel, how can we help?” Kaitlyn greeted him with a hug.

“Have a cookie?” he offered as he lifted them from the coffee table.

“Thank you. Did you meet Virginia?” Kaitlyn grabbed one and took a bite.

“Not exactly,” his grin was boyish. “She kind of hurried off without introducing herself.”

“Oh, no! Poor, Virginia; I should have warned her,” Kaitlyn laughed. “I know I was nervous the first time I met you.”

“You didn’t show it,” Joel informed her.

“She did; you just didn’t know her well enough to catch on,” Adam assured his friend as he grabbed a cookie for himself. “So was she as appealing close up as she was from a distance?” Adam’s grin was mischievous.

“More so,” his smile was wide.

“Uh oh, what will people say? Joel Bradford is hung up on the girl next door!” Kaitlyn teased.

“She’s beautiful,” Joel shook his head.

“She is,” Kaitlyn agreed.

“I’ve only seen her in passing. Besides, no one and I mean no one, can hold a candle to my woman,” Adam slid his arm around his wife.

“Please, you two are making me nauseous,” Joel joked as Kaitlyn kissed her husband’s cheek.

“You’re jealous,” Kaitlyn accused.

“I am,” he nodded.

“Maybe you and Virginia will hit it off,” Kaitlyn’s eyes were bright.

“Maybe but you are not going to play match maker, right?” Joel countered.

“I make no promises,” Kaitlyn grinned.

“Seriously, Kaitlyn, I’ll make my move; it’s complicated enough as it is.”

“I only intended to invite you both to dinner or to a party. The rest is up to you,” Kaitlyn informed him.

“That would be fine,” he nodded.

“Or you could casually invite her over here to swim? A casual impromptu gathering over burgers and hot dogs? After you’re settled of course,” Kaitlyn suggested.

“That might be a nice idea,” he mused. “You and Adam could come too; then it would seem casual. Then I could invite her out just the two of us.”

“I think you should,” Kaitlyn smiled.

“I think I will, just as soon as I’m settled.”

A Tennessee Native, Michelle Maness is a stay at home mom to two teens. When not busy home schooling her teens and writing, she enjoys camping, hiking, traveling and learning about other cultures. She also enjoys foreign movies, especially Bollywood movies.

Please watch for other titles in this series and others.

Follow me on Facebook for the latest in new releases.
http://www.facebook.com/michellemanessromancewriter

I love to hear from fans! E-Mail me at:

[email protected]
 

Other Titles Available from Michelle Maness:

Under The Open Sky: A Montana Heritage Series
Novel

One Summer

Missing You in Charleston

The One She Can’t Have: The Savannah Series

A Headstrong Woman: A Historical Novel