Rancher and artist Petey Cavanaugh has no idea that Nik,
the handsome businessman she’s falling for,
is actually Europe’s most eligible prince.
When she learns the truth, sparks will fly!
Red-haired Petey Cavanaugh is a sculptor who welds steel and glass creations. A young widow, she lives on her in-laws’ sheep ranch in Montana where she helps out during the day, working on her art at night.
Looking to raise money to expand the ranch’s business, she gratefully accepts her art school roommate’s offer of a gallery show in Manhattan. It’s been years since she was in the city, and she’s happy to visit her old friend.
Nik is in New York on business. He’s been traveling for nearly a month, enduring endless meetings, attending obligatory dinners, and battling jet-lag. On his way to yet another business dinner, his world collides with Petey’s one rainy Manhattan night.
Their mutual attraction is immediate, but Nik’s skeptical. Could it possibly be that this gorgeous, enchanting artist has no idea that he’s Europe’s most eligible prince?
Spending time with Petey is Nik’s first-ever taste of ordinary. What will happen when she finds out the truth?
In this snippet, Nik and Petey meet for the first time.
Nik peered grimly out the window at the passing grey tableau as the Mercedes made its way uptown to the exclusive Empire Club. Dalton Rigby’s great-great-grandfather had been a founding member, as the man had been careful to point out every time Nik had ever met him.
At least the food at dinner will be good, he consoled himself. Mentally, he went over his talking points as the city passed by in a gloomy blur.
A flash of color on the sidewalk caught his focus. Ahead, a woman in a bright red dress was attempting to hail a cab in the pouring rain. As the car pulled alongside her, he watched in slow motion as a spray of water completely doused her.
“Stop the car!” he shouted.
The driver eyed him in the rearview mirror.
“Stop the car,” he repeated.
“But sir,” Jorgen protested from his seat beside Nik.
Shrugging, the driver stopped, causing the car behind them to slam on its brakes and honk loudly.
Nik was already halfway out of the car. “Go around the block,” he called over his shoulder as he stepped out into the rain, slamming the door behind him.
The woman was still standing where she’d been when the Mercedes’ front wheel had torn through a deep puddle, spraying her with dirty water. Nik made his way to her, ignoring the rain that pelted him as he walked.
“I’m terribly sorry. Are you alright?”
She stood shaking from cold, red hair matted to her head, black streams of mascara running down her face like cracks in fine china. “I’m s-s-s-soaked!” she shrieked.
“Again, I’m so sorry.” Nik’s expression was contrite. He shrugged out of his suit jacket and wrapped it around her. She was tiny, and the jacket nearly swallowed her whole. He glanced around. “Is your apartment near here?”
She shook her head. “I’m locked out. And I’m unbelievably late. I can’t go like this. And I can’t get back into the fucking apartment! Fuck!”
“My car is coming back around the block. I’ll give you a ride to wherever you need to-“
At that moment, boxy delivery truck hit the same puddle, spraying both of them. They gasped in unison. Momentarily blinded by the wall of water, Nik sputtered and swiped at his face. “Bloody hell!”
He looked down at the woman whose eyes were wide with surprise. “Here comes my car now. Come with me. I’m staying at the Plaza. We’ll call ahead and have the stylist meet us. Once we’re both cleaned up, I’ll take you where you need to go.”
She looked up at him in alarm. “I’m not going to your hotel with you!”
“No, I don’t mean… I realize how inappropriate it sounds, but I promise, I only mean to help.” He held up his hands in surrender. “Clearly you can’t stay here. And you can’t go to wherever it is you were going, not like this.” He aimed for a reassuring smile. “The services of the spa and salon will be at your disposal. And I know Colin will have something for you to wear.”
He watched as she considered her options. “I feel responsible. Please let me make things right.”
The black Mercedes pulled up to the sidewalk and the driver walked around to open the back door. “Please,” he pleaded softly.
The woman drew a shaky breath. “Okay. Thank you,” she said quietly.
CHASING ORDINARY by Pandora Spocks
Pandora Spocks 