Sneak Peek Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Book #3 Wishing For A Hero
Exhausted by the futility of her efforts against the city’s endemic problems and the revolving door of violence in her Chicago emergency room, Dr. Miranda Campbell came home to Wishful, where she knew she could make a real difference in people's lives. Between her clinic, a rotation in the hospital's ER, volunteer work at the new women's shelter, and time spent with family and friends, her life is full. But it's not too full to notice a sexy lawman when she sees one.
* * *
Former US Marshal Ethan Greer is still settling into the job as Wishful's new Chief of Police, but he's starting to realize it may be years before he'll ever be considered one of the locals. Fair enough. He's the first to admit that making the shift to small town policing is a big adjustment. After losing his marriage and almost his life in line of duty, the slow pace of Wishful is a change he's happy to make.
* * *
While Miranda's and Ethan interest in each other is mutual, he's not sure about taking on a serious relationship. That's just fine with her. But when Miranda is targeted in an escalating chain of threatening events, Ethan's Marshal instincts go on overdrive. Miranda's rose-colored view of Wishful is putting her in danger. She's become more than a casual fling or a job responsibility. With Ethan's training screaming at him to put her in protective custody, can he find out who's behind the threats before he pushes Miranda away?
Chapter One
“Hey, hey married lady.” Miranda Campbell grinned as her best friend slid into the opposite side of the booth.
“Someday that will probably get old, but it is not this day,” Norah declared. “Sorry I’m late. Meeting ran over.”
Miranda noted her faintly mussed hair and rosy cheeks and smirked. “And did your meeting come to a satisfactory conclusion? Judging from your glow, I’m gonna guess it did.”
Norah cast a frantic look around, her just-had-a-quickie-with-my-new-hubby glow being replaced by a ferocious blush. “Keep your voice down!” she hissed.
“Hey, at least one of us is being kept satisfied. I just try not to think too hard about the fact that it’s my cousin putting that look on your face. Did you and Cam at least remember to lock the door this time?”
“That was one time.”
Miranda just arched a brow.
“Okay, maybe two.” Norah dropped her voice. “He has a thing about desks.”
Lifting a hand Miranda shook her head. “Stop right there. I don’t need to know this.” At Norah’s chagrinned expression, she added, “But it’s awesome to still see you blissfully happy. You’re practically radioactive with contentment.”
Norah unwound her scarf and shed the red wool coat, running her hands through her dark brown hair to neaten it. “I’m going to credit the happy for making me susceptible to crazy proposals.”
“Is that a euphemism for something?”
Norah laughed. “No. But somehow I find myself chairing the committee organizing the Valentine’s Dance this year. Because I have so much spare time, right?”
And then it all came suddenly clear. Bracing both hands on the table, Miranda stared her down. “You invited me to lunch to talk me onto that committee didn’t you?”
“It’ll be fun!”
Unamused, Miranda just continued to stare.
“What’s that face, Dr. Campbell?” Mama Pearl, the much-beloved heart and soul of Dinner Belles Diner, slid their customary sweet teas onto the table.
Miranda gestured across the table. “Norah here has been whacked upside the head with the love stick and thinks she’s gonna talk me onto the Valentine’s Dance committee.”
“If I had to judge by the smile she was wearin’ when she walked in here, I’d say there was definitely a love stick involved.”
Norah’s mouth fell open. “Mama Pearl, hush your mouth!”
Miranda snickered and a grin creased the older woman’s dark face.
“Usual?”
“Yes, ma’am,” they chorused.