Read Robin's Reward (Bonita Creek Trilogy Book 1) for Free Online

blonde. Susan had the perfect appearance of a professional model or actress. Jeff wanted to ask her, but his tongue seemed to be stuck on the roof of his mouth rendering him temporarily mute.
    Once inside, Susan began chattering again. “I live across the street from you, and I couldn’t help but notice when you moved in you didn’t have much stuff. Is there a Mrs. Jeff hiding somewhere?”
    “No, no wife. I’m just a hardworking bachelor,” he replied, trying to sound casual.
    “We’ll see how long your bachelorhood lasts. What line of work are you in?”
    His rehearsed retort flowed seamlessly from his lips. “I’m a numbers man. How about yourself? What do you do?”
    “I do lots of things, but my career is working as a model for magazine features and advertising. I get to travel around the country and wear beautiful clothes, jewelry, accessories, and makeup. People tend to fuss over me wherever I travel. What more could a girl want, besides spending time with a good-looking guy like you? Would you like to take me out to dinner tonight?” she purred.
    By now, his neighbor was standing well within Jeff’s personal space. He could feel her warm breath on his face and smell the cloyingly sweet scent of her tropical-style perfume. It reminded him of the voluminous gardenias and jasmines lining his grandmother’s front walkway. His pulse began racing. This gorgeous creature was branding him as good-looking?  Naturally, he was flattered, but he couldn’t deny the uneasy feeling he had about her aggressive approach. He was hopelessly old-fashioned and believed the man should lead the pursuit.
    He realized his ego would be boosted by being seen in public with this extraordinary woman on his arm. It had been awhile since he had enjoyed female company, and he was tired of eating dinner alone each night. Maybe dating Susan would enhance his professional stature in Bonita Creek. Have you seriously become shallow, Clarke?
    Before his conscience could talk him out of it he said, “Sure. I’ll pick you up at seven o’clock. Do you have a favorite restaurant?”
    Without hesitation, Susan replied, “Yes. It’s an exclusive, romantic place on the coast called ‘The Silk Seal.’ We have to have reservations to get in there, and at this late hour we won’t be able to get a table. We’ll go there on our second date—maybe next weekend. Tonight, why don’t we just dine in town? There’s a good Mexican café nearby called La Reyna where the margaritas are just awesome.”
    He nodded dumbly. “I stay away from alcohol, but I’m sure I can find something else on the menu to order. Do we need a reservation?”
    With a shake of her lovely head Susan responded in the negative.
    “Is it casual dress there?”
    “Yeah. Just be relaxed.”
    “Well then, I’ll see you in a little while.”
    She leaned over and kissed him with a loud smack on his cheek. “As you wish, lover boy.”
    Dumbfounded, he closed the door behind her. Numbed with shock, he collapsed onto his recliner. Whatever happened to the cool, conservative, strong Jeff Clarke who used to live in this body? He had a little over two hours to gather his thoughts and get ready for the next segment in the saga of his new life in Bonita Creek. For a small town, there sure were a lot of unexpected things taking place—especially episodes involving attractive women.
    The end of the baseball game forgotten, he turned off the radio and tried to get himself mentally and physically prepared for his date. It didn’t take long for Robin’s wholesome face to fill his jumbled mind. He began to feel guilty about going out to dinner with this model when he had basically dumped the librarian just the day before. Maybe, just maybe, Robin wouldn’t ever find out he’d gone out with Susan.
     
    ~*~
     
    In hindsight, Sunday’s dinner date with Susan was the worst date he could recall in his entire life. In fact, it was the worst date he could have possibly envisioned for