GRUMP ON BASE - sneak peek

This is Rafe & Jaci's meet-cute moment

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“Si…mon!” I called out in the singsong voice I'd used since he’d been able to scamper around on his chubby little legs. Sighing at the picture forming from my memories of those toddler days, it hit me how much I’d wanted to give him a sibling. But I also remember thinking I didn’t want to bring another child into an increasingly rocky marriage.

Regret that I had not ended things sooner in my marriage wasn’t doing me any good. It was what it was, and now we had a new start. And I had to focus on raising Simon on my own. The only way was forward, and I was determined to make a good life for us.

Calling out again, I scanned the area behind the houses and the spectacular view of the Rocky Mountains dusted with the latest snowfall. Tucked up against the foot of the mountain range, Pine Valley was close enough to Colorado Springs that I could get an infusion of big city life when needed.

However, I’d quickly come to love sitting on Becca’s back deck at twilight, bundled up in my winter jacket in front of the firepit, soaking in the sinking rays of the sun as the colors morphed from light to deep purple on the rock face of the pine tree dotted peaks.

The fresh scent of pine filled my senses as the breeze picked up. It would be spring soon, and the weather had warmed up, but I rubbed my upper arms as a chill hit me.

After the third attempt at calling him, worry set in. Where had he gone off to? None of his new school friends lived close enough for him to have permission to walk to, but maybe he’d finally found someone who lived closer? And, like most kids, forgot to tell me.

I scanned the neighbor’s backyard again to the west. Everything was quiet over there. Neither neighbor had kids, but the house on the east side had a dog. I’d start there as I’d yet to meet either neighbor because of my illness. I was ready to remedy that right now.

Just as I turned to go back inside and grab a sweater, barking erupted followed by the unmistakable laughter of my son. Busted. The house to the east it was. After finding the button-down cardigan I’d thrown over one of the kitchen barstools, I went back outside, but both the dog and the laughter had stopped. Then, a man’s deep voice filled the air. “Simon, watch out!”

Tearing off for the gate connecting the backyards, visions of my son hurt and bleeding took over my racing thoughts. I nearly fell as I rounded the corner of the neighbor’s garage but recovered and made a beeline for the open back door. More excited barking. And male cursing.

Heart thundering, I skidded to a sudden stop as I ran into the garage, which was filled with wall-to-wall boxes. Some stacked so high I wasn’t able to see over them, but I heard a commotion on the other side. Pivoting when I noticed a path of sorts through the cardboard jungle, I shot through it with Simon’s name on my lips.

“What the–” Beefy arms caught me around my waist just as I slipped on something oily. Arms windmilling, I was hauled against a male chest. My head tilted back to look up into the face of my rescuer. Dark brown eyes squinted in concern, or perhaps irritation, met mine. Dragging in deep breaths, I struggled to find my voice. But…oh, my.

When I’d pictured my sister’s neighbors, I imagined, well, now I couldn’t remember what I imagined. But it was definitely not the handsome man holding me tight against his tall muscular frame.

“Mom, Mom! You, okay?” Worry mixed with something I couldn’t identify filled my son’s voice. Oh yeah, Simon. The reason I came charging in here. “That was awesome. You should have seen how Rafe caught you, so you didn’t bite it on the concrete.” His distinct chuckling echoed off the garage walls, followed by excited barking.

“You good?” Two short words rumbled from the chest holding me.

I detected an accent, not sure what kind. But it was intriguing considering he had to be US military personnel to live here. At my nod, he released me while making sure I had my feet solidly beneath me.

Losing his warmth triggered a wave of unexpected disappointment. But now I could take my first look at him. Oh, my didn’t cover it this time.

Time slowed as we stood staring at each other. I noticed things that shouldn’t matter, like his chiseled jawline, sharp cheekbones and straight nose. I mean, who else but me would find a man’s nose sexy?

A sharp bark brought me back to reality. “Um, thank you. I heard someone, you apparently, warning Simon and I didn’t think. I just ran in here.” Still out of breath, it became clear it wasn’t just from the sprint into the garage.

His gaze hadn’t wavered, but instead of concern or even irritation, now flared with interest as his pupils expanded, turning near black from dark brown. I was left breathless. And aware. A chill ran down my spine that had nothing to do with the cold. I wrapped my arms around my waist, grateful for the sweater I’d put on. My nipples tightened, all perked up and were at full attention from unexpected desire.

Wouldn’t you just know it, especially after the year I’ve had? I finally found a man who gave me full-body chills. Waking up my long-neglected libido was a stranger who, by all the boxes and packing material scattered everywhere, was getting ready for a move. Plus, he could be married for all I knew.

Jeez, how was I going to get myself out of here without making more of a fool of myself?

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