One More Time

“Marcy?” I asked as I stepped out of my office. Marcy was sitting behind her desk, typing away on her keyboard.

“Yes?” she asked, turning to face me.

“Anything from the Harringtons?” I asked.

“They received the contract,” she said with a shrug. “Or, at least, someone in their office did.”

“No word yet?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No. I’m sure their lawyers are just going over everything, and they’ll—”

“Thanks.”

I didn’t wait for her to finish. I stepped back into my office and pulled the door closed with a snap. Falling into my chair, I knew I had to get this deal in the bag.

The Harringtons were the best in the business. If they backed out, others would follow. I had two other deals in the works. One with an oil rig up in Alaska and another here in Texas. Both deals would be profitable, but neither came close to what the Harringtons would bring in.

If they were good businessmen, like I thought, then they knew I was their best option.

No one outperformed my firm. No one outperformed me.

Now, it was just a matter of time.

CHAPTER 3

Julie

I hadn’t been in town long before I realized how much I needed a job. I longed to spend my days writing my book, but I knew that wasn’t realistic. My savings would only get me so far and, right now, I had to focus on being practical. At least for a while.

Early on Wednesday morning, I walked to the little coffee shop I’d raved about to Andrea. It was tiny. There were only a handful of chairs scattered throughout the place, and the counter was barely longer than my bathroom vanity. Still, I loved it. After the first time I stepped foot inside the café, I knew I’d chosen the right place to move.

“Good morning,” I said as I stepped up to the counter. “Could I get a triple espresso with a splash of milk? Thanks.”

“You got it.” The barista smiled and immediately went to work making my drink.

Within a minute, I was holding a white ceramic mug and making my way toward the window. I sat down at a table for two and gazed outside. My laptop was in my bag, but I wanted to wake up a little before I immersed myself in research.

I sipped my coffee and watched the early risers walk past the coffee shop. A few people stopped inside to pick up something to go, but most walked right past. Even fewer glanced at me as they passed my window. Of those who did, every single person smiled. From what I could tell, Ennis seemed to be a busy place full of kind people. Exactly the sort of town I wanted to be in.

“Can I get you a refill?” the barista asked from behind the counter. I was the only person in the café now.

“No,” I said with a smile. “Thank you, though.”

“What are you up to over there?” she asked.

“Well,” I said, bending down to pull my laptop from my bag, “hopefully, by the end of today, I’ll have a new job.”

“Are you new in town?” she asked. “I don’t think I’ve seen you around before.”

I nodded. “Just moved here.”

“What kind of job are you looking for?” she asked. “We’re always hiring here.”

“Thanks.” I smiled again. “But I’m a journalist. I’m hoping to find an online job. Something that will provide a steady income, but still leaves me free to enjoy my time, you know?”

“Sounds like a dream,” she said, laughing softly.

“Sometimes, it is,” I said.