Sweet Indulgences 1

by Susan Fox

  Sweet Indulgences 1—Summary

  by Susan Fox

  This is the first volume of Sweet Indulgences. These sweet short stories are designed for the busy woman who deserves a few minutes of self-indulgence—on the bus or train to work, during coffee or lunch break, while waiting to pick the kids up, sitting in the doctor or dentist’s waiting room, sinking into a bubble bath before bed, or . . . well, I’m sure you get the picture.

  Volume 1 contains three stories.

  Sarah’s plans to celebrate her newly single state alone on New Year’s Eve are thrown awry, but the Dawn of a New Year offers something even better.

  In Movie Thrills, Samantha discovers that the sweetest romance isn’t the one on the movie screen.

  And in Evening in Paris, Leslie not only dispenses with a ghost but finds the courage to trust her heart.

  Earlier versions of many of the stories in the Sweet Indulgences series were published by The Wild Rose Press, by Freya’s Bower, and in the magazines Woman’s World, The People’s Friend, New Love Stories, Woman’s Weekly, and Woman’s Day.

  Praise for Susan’s Writing

  “I loved this book. It’s the perfect sweep-you-away story—smart, sexy, funny and touching…Susan Fox delivers an unforgettable read.”

  Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author, on Home on the Range

  “Emotionally compelling, sexy contemporary romance.”

  Publishers Weekly on Love, Unexpectedly

  “Fox delivers a contemporary love story sure to make readers go weak in the knees.”

  Publishers Weekly on His, Unexpectedly

  “This series is a must read for the great characters, sweet romance, explosive passion and thought-provoking view on life.”

  The Romance Reviews on the Wild Ride to Love series

  “You can’t go wrong picking up a Susan Fox book.”

  Romance Reviews Today on Yours, Unexpectedly

  Sweet Indulgences 1

  by Susan Fox

  Published by Susan Lyons Books

  ISBN 9780992020125

  Copyright 2014 Susan Lyons

  All rights reserved

  Cover photograph by Susan Lyons

  Cover design by Book Graphics

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. No part of this publication may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without prior permission in writing from the author, excepting brief quotes used in reviews. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  Discover other titles by this author.

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  Table of Contents

  Sweet Indulgences 1—Summary

  Praise for Susan’s Writing

  Sweet Indulgences 1

  Table of Contents

  Dawn of a New Year

  Movie Thrills

  Evening in Paris

  Author Bio

  Other Titles by Susan

  Dawn of a New Year

  Sarah and her mother squeezed the last carton of Christmas leftovers into the fridge and heaved identical sighs of relief.

  “Fantastic meal, as usual,” Sarah said.

  “You did a good part of it, honey. I’m grateful you could come over for the day.”

  Sarah gave her a hug. “It’s not like I had anything else to do.”

  “Have you found yourself missing Barry a lot over the holidays?” her mother asked. “It is your first Christmas since the divorce, after all.”

  “Yes and no.” Sarah untied her apron and slipped it off. “Sometimes I think about the wonderful times that we shared in the first couple of years, but mostly I remind myself of what a jerk he turned out to be. No, I don’t miss that jerk.” Still, after five years of marriage, living alone had taken some getting used to.

  “Want to come over on New Year’s Eve?” her mother asked. “Just you and Dad and me?”

  “Oh, uh…” Sarah hadn’t thought ahead to New Year’s Eve, but now that she was, she knew exactly how she wanted to spend it. “That’s a sweet offer, but I’d really like to be on my own. I have the whole picture in my head. Flannel pajamas, a couple of sentimental old movies on the tube, a pan of brownies, a half bottle of champagne. I’ve come a long way this year, and I’ve learned that I really enjoy my own company.” She gave a surprised laugh. “You know, Barry actually did me a favor. I’m happier and more self-confident than I’ve ever been.”

  “I’m so pleased, Sarah. That’s the best Christmas present you could have given me and your dad.”

  * * *

  When her girlfriend Caitlin asked Sarah if she had plans for New Year’s Eve, Sarah said, “I certainly do.”

  “Really?” Caitlin cocked her head. “What plans? You didn’t tell me you were dating.”

  “It’s not a date. Well, it is, but it’s with myself. I’m looking forward to it.”

  Caitlin shook her head. “That’s no good, Sarah. You haven’t been out with a man since Barry left. I know you were in shock and had issues to work through, but come on, girl, it’s New Year’s Eve. You can’t stay home alone. Hank and I are going to this great big party, and he knows this great guy who split up with his girlfriend a couple of months ago who’s into sports like you are—”

  “It was Barry who was into sports, not me. I prefer movies and books and long walks.”

  “Just give this guy a chance.”

  Sarah reflected. Her friend was right; it was time to get back out there. “Ask me again next month. But I don’t want to go out on New Year’s Eve. There’s so much pressure. Everybody’s trying so hard to have a wonderful time. I don’t want to be part of it. Besides, you know I don’t like parties. I’m going to have a great time doing exactly what I want, all on my own.”

  Caitlin squinted at her for a long time. “You really do mean it.”

  “I certainly do!”

  * * *

  When Jean called on December 30 and said in a desperate tone, “Tell me you haven’t got plans for New Year’s Eve,” Sarah guessed she wasn’t going to suggest another blind date. Her sister was a caterer and always worked on holidays.

  Sarah sighed. “I did. Good plans. Don’t tell me you’re going to ruin them.”

  “Henriette got pneumonia. She’s confined to bed.” Henriette was Jean’s most competent assistant.

  “That’s why you have a list of fill-ins,” Sarah reminded her.

  “I’ve called them all. Every single one has a date for New Year’s Eve, and they refuse to break them.”

  “And you thought of me,” Sarah said resignedly.

  “You’re the only person I can count on, sis.”

  * * *

  And so, on New Year’s Eve, rather than slipping into comfy flannel pajamas, Sarah donned a tailored white shirt and a black skirt, tamed her long auburn hair into a neat French braid, and put on a touch of makeup. Although she regretted the loss of her peaceful evening alone, she really didn’t mind helping her sister.

  She’d done it enough times that she was comfortable with Jean’s staff. In fact, it was fun bantering back and forth with the others as they did prep work in the client’s impressive kitchen.

  When the guests began to arrive, Sarah straightened her black-and-white apron with its embroidered We Cater to You logo and picked up a platter of mini quiches, stuffed mushroom caps, and phyllo puffs filled with Brie and chutney. “Into the fray.”

  As she circulated, smiling politely, she studied the partygoers and
felt immensely relieved to be one of the staff, not a guest. This wasn’t her kind of scene. She preferred meaningful one-on-one conversations, not this animated, almost frenetic socializing. She watched as women flitted around the room, tossing their hair, laughing too loudly, exchanging a few words, giving another artificial laugh, then moving on. Oh yes, everyone was determined to have fun tonight—or at least to give the impression they were having fun.

  When she caught herself shaking her head in pity, she hurriedly plastered the smile back on her face.

  That was when she saw him. He was clad in a tux like most of the other men but managed to look casual rather than stiff. If she assessed his features one by one—dark brown hair, rather prominent nose, determined jaw—she’d have to say they were nothing special, and yet they went together particularly well. Besides, there was something arresting about him. Perhaps because he was alone, unmoving, leaning one shoulder against a wall and watching the bustle that swirled around him.

  Although he didn’t look nervous, she wondered if perhaps he was a stranger to the group, and feeling out of place. Sarah imagined herself in the same position if she’d accepted Caitlin’s New Year’s Eve invitation.

  Maybe she was being fanciful. Likely he’d come with one of those pretty party women and was just taking a breather from the action.

  Still, if he was feeling uncomfortable, wasn’t it her job to put him at ease? That was all she was doing, she told herself as she slipped through the crowd and headed over to him. It really had nothing to do with how attractive she found him.

  When she was halfway there, his gaze fixed on her, making her feel self-conscious—but in a nice, feminine way she hadn’t felt in a long time.

  She cleared her throat. “Good evening. May I offer you an appetizer?”

  Most people immediately looked down at the tray and made a selection, but this man continued to study her face. From someone else, the prolonged attention might have seemed rude, but somehow he made her feel as if he was really seeing her, as if he was interested in knowing her.

  Now there she went, being fanciful again. Embarrassed, she ducked her head and moved the tray another inch or two closer to him.

  When she glanced up again, he was smiling. The smile was friendly and genuine, unlike the superficial ones she’d been seeing all evening.

  “What do you recommend?” he asked.

  “Everything’s sheer heaven,” she responded honestly. “My sister’s an excellent chef.”

  “Ah.” His gaze dipped to her shoulder, where the logo was embroidered, then up again. “You and your sister run We Cater to You?”

  “No, it’s Jean’s business. I’m just helping out tonight because someone got sick.” He still hadn’t made a selection, so she said, “Try the phyllo puffs, they’re my favorite. There’s Brie cheese and homemade peach chutney inside.”

  He took one and popped it into his mouth. His movements were slow and easy, like a man who had all the time in the world and was enjoying spending it with her.

  “Mmm,” he said. “Very good. My compliments to your sister.” He wiped his fingers on a napkin. “So, what do you do?”

  “I’m the manager of an arts and crafts shop. It’s called Country Treasures. Do you know it?”

  He shook his head. “But I’m new to town. I’ll be sure to look for it.”

  Sarah wondered if he was just being polite. Her store’s clientele was almost exclusively female. Of course, maybe what he really meant was that he’d tell his wife or girlfriend. He wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, but that was no guarantee he was single.

  “It’s good of you to help your sister out,” he said.

  “No problem. I often do.” When he didn’t take another appetizer, she urged, “The mini-quiches are yummy. They’re shrimp and asparagus.”

  Obediently he took one, bit into it, and nodded in appreciation. But when he spoke again, it wasn’t about the food. “I’m sure there were lots of other things you could have been doing tonight.”

  She smiled ruefully. “I did have something special planned.”

  He nodded and this time reached for another appetizer—a mushroom cap stuffed with crab, cream cheese, and herbs—without her urging. “So, was it a fancy party or a romantic evening for two?” he asked, but she sensed he’d lost interest in her.

  Still, it was only courtesy to answer his question before she took her leave. “Neither one. At the moment I don’t have a, um, romantic interest in my life, and I’m definitely not a party girl.”

  His gaze was back on her face, his grey eyes bright, the mushroom cap untasted in his hand. “I’m no fan of parties either. But I let my brother talk me into coming tonight because I’ve just moved to town and don’t know many people. I’m the new principal at the high school, by the way.”

  I’ve just moved. There it was again, the inference that he was single.

  “You’re not going to meet people leaning against a wall by yourself,” she pointed out.

  He glanced at the noisy, animated crowd, then back at her. “Ah, but I’ve met you. I prefer quality over quantity.”

  Just as she did. Did he mean what he’d implied, or was he just being polite? “Are you going to eat that mushroom cap?” she blurted.

  He stared at the appetizer in his hand. “Forgot I had it.” Then he popped it into his mouth.

  Had he forgotten because he was caught up in his conversation with her? It had been so long since she’d dated, she’d lost her ability to judge the signals between men and women. And what was she doing, letting one guest make her forget all about her duties?

  Sarah’s cheeks heated and she said, half nervously, half regretfully, “I’m afraid I have to get back to work.”

  “I know. I shouldn’t have kept you so long, but I’m not going to apologize.”

  Was she crazy to think there was a special connection between her and this man she’d just met? She turned to go and he said, “Before you disappear, what’s your name?”

  “Sarah Masters.”

  “I’m Will Bryan.” He held out his hand.

  She shifted the tray to her left hand then put her right hand in his, enjoying the warm pressure of his touch.

  “And I don’t have a romantic interest in my life either,” he said, “just in case you happened to be wondering.”

  “I, um…” Should she confess? And was it possible for her cheeks to get any warmer?

  He kept hold of her hand, and she had no desire to free herself.

  “I know we’ve just met, Sarah. But it’s New Year’s Eve, a perfect time for beginnings. Is there any chance, when this party finally winds down, that you’d feel like going for a walk on the beach? We could watch dawn break on a new year.”

  “Oh!” It was exactly the kind of thing that appealed to her. She couldn’t think of anything more romantic. And now she knew she’d been reading the signals just fine. “It sounds like a perfect way to welcome the new year.”

  He squeezed her hand. “That’s exactly what I thought.”

  Movie Thrills

  Samantha loved movies, especially on the big screen at a movie theatre. But she hated it when men figured that her being alone gave them license to flirt. So she’d worked out her strategy.

  She went on Monday nights, because they were quiet. She arrived early and claimed an aisle seat in the middle of the theatre. She draped her coat on the neighboring seat and, if asked, said the seat was taken.

  On this particular Monday in late January, it was snowing and she was tempted to stay home. But she’d been looking forward to seeing Martha’s Magnificent Marriage, an English historical romance based on one of her favorite books. She had avoided reading the movie reviews because she wanted to come to the experience fresh, without other people’s opinions cluttering her mind.

  The snow certainly hadn’t kept other movie-goers at home. Martha obviously had lots of fans, and the movie was new in town. Samantha slipped out of her seat to yet a couple of middle-aged women go by, and
she’d barely sat down when she had to get up again, this time to let a man on his own slide in. He took the seat beside the one with her coat, leaving an empty one on his other side. He smiled at her. “I like being in the middle of the theatre.”

  “Me too.”

  “It strains my eyes if I’m too far back,” he said easily. “And I hate sitting up front, having to tilt my head back. Gives me a crick in my neck.”

  She smiled. Normally she didn’t talk to strangers, but this man seemed harmless, and he had a particularly engaging smile. But for the smile, he was an average guy. Medium build, brown hair, no obvious distinguishing marks. Just a smile that kinked up at one corner and squinted his eyes. A smile that almost forced you to smile back.

  “I’m really looking forward to this movie,” he said.

  “So am I.”

  “I read a couple of reviews. Hope you’re prepared for some real thrills.”

  Thrills? Well, yes, like when Martha accepted Henry’s proposal, and when their first child was born. “I’m ready, but I must confess I’ve read the book so I doubt I’m in for any surprises.”

  “There’s a book? I didn’t know.”

  “I just loved it. It was heartwarming.”

  “Heartwarming?” He shrugged, then grinned again, like a small boy anticipating a treat. “They say the special effects are awesome.”

  “Really?” She raised her eyebrows, wondering why on earth the film-makers added special effects to a historical story.

  A voice spoke from over Samantha’s shoulder. “Are those seats taken?” She glanced up to see a young man and woman in business suits, looking harried.

  Her new acquaintance said, “The one over here is free but…” He glanced at Samantha. “You’re waiting for someone, aren’t you?”

  She deliberated then grabbed her coat. “If he hasn’t made it by now, he deserves to lose his seat.” The newcomers looked perfectly respectable, and so was the man she’d been talking to. She’d have no problem sitting beside any of them. In fact, she might enjoy sitting beside the man with the smile.