When Alex finally reached the desk, she glanced at him and asked, “How would you like it signed?” The pen in her well- manicured hand was poised above the page.
“Why not say ‘to the real Alex Hargrove’?”
She started to write, then jerked her head toward him. “What did you say?”
“I said I’m the real Alex Hargrove. Might as well sign it to me.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.” Alex smiled at her astonished face.
She broke into a genuine smile and dropped the pen. She held her hand out to him. “I’m so glad to meet you, Alex Hargrove. Several men have claimed to have my Alex’s characteristics, but you’re the first to say you’re actually him.”
“I am, but an older version, of course.” He didn’t understand the funny feeling he felt when he took her small hand in his large one.
“I can vouch for him,” Luke said. “He’s my Dad.”
“Don’t tell me you’re Alex, Junior.”
“Actually, I’m Luke Hargrove.”
Heather seemed to grow conscious of Alex still holding her hand. She smiled at him and pulled it away. He let it go, though he didn’t want to.
“If you’re not in a rush, would you do me a favor?” She looked at both of them.
“If we can” Alex smiled at her.
“There are only a few people in line behind you. If you could wait until I finish with them, I’d love to get a picture with you to put on my web site. My readers will be excited to know I found the real Alex.”
Alex glanced at his son and Luke said, “We’d be glad to wait, Ms. Masterson. My wife is here and she’d love to meet you, too.” Alex and Luke walked away and Heather turned to the next person in line.
“Well, where’s my book?” Brenda asked when they joined her.
Luke told her what Heather had said.
“Great! You’re going to get your picture on her web site, Poppa. I can’t wait to tell my friends. They’ll be impressed.”
“I don’t see why.” Alex didn’t want her to guess he was a little excited about it himself.
It wasn’t long until Heather signed her last book, then walked over to the Hargroves. “Thank you for waiting. Polly is getting a camera for us.”
“No problem,” Luke said and introduced Brenda.
“I see you’re about to become a mother. Is it your first?” Heather smiled at Brenda.
“Our second. We have a five-and-a-half-year-old son.”
“I guess you heard, I’m about to be a grandmother again in a couple of months. My grandson is almost five and we’re all excited about the baby.”
“So are we.” Luke smiled at her.
Heather looked at Alex. “I hope you enjoy being a grandparent as much as I do.”
“I sure do. Jacob and I are buddies.”
Brenda changed the subject. “This is exciting. I can’t believe my father-in-law is going to be on a famous writer’s web site.”
Heather chuckled. “I don’t know about the famous part, but how many writers can say they have a picture with their main character?”
Polly came up with the camera. “Where do you want to pose, Heather?”
She glanced around. “How about over there by the potted palm?”
When they moved beside the plant, Heather reached out and put her arm around Alex’s waist. “Do you mind?” She looked up at him because she barely came to his shoulder.
“I don’t mind at all.” He slipped his arm around her.
“Good.” Polly snapped the picture. “Now, how about one over here at the desk? He can hold up your book.”
They went to the desk, then moved to other locations in the lobby and several shots later Polly said, “Now as we all know, Alex is famous for tweaking the women’s noses. Why don’t you tweak Heather on the nose?”
Alex did.
“He’s also famous for kissing them on the forehead,” Brenda volunteered with a mischievous smile.
“That’d be cute,” Polly said. “Would you mind, Heather?”
“For my Alex, anything,” Heather said with forced drama.
Alex kissed her forehead and Polly snapped the picture. He knew it was only impulse when Heather stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek, but he liked the feel of her soft lips against his skin.
“Thank you so much,” she said when they finished.
“No, thank you. It’s been fun to be photographed with such a lovely lady. I’d like to have a copy of the pictures because nobody is going to believe I actually met you.”
“I’ll be glad to send you copies.” She turned to the desk. “Here’s my card. It has my web site on it. I should have the pictures on the site in a few weeks.” She scribbled a number on it. “That’s my cell number in case I don’t check the site. I get busy and sometimes it’s a long time between my visits on line.”
Alex put her card in his wallet and took out one of his. “This has my business number and I’ll put my cell on it.”
She held her hand out to him again. “It was a delight to meet you, Alex Hargrove. I hope my Alex turns into such a charming man as you.”
“Thank you. I’ll try never to do anything to disgrace him.” He squeezed her hand and let it go.
“I’m not going to promise he’ll never embarrass you.” Alex laughed.
“Before we forget,” Brenda broke into the conversation. “I want to buy one of your books, Heather.”
“No way. After waiting all this time, you deserve more than a book, but I’ll be happy to give you one.” She signed books for all of them.
“Heather,” Polly said, “I’ll get someone to help you to your car with these books. I’m sure glad you had the extra box in your trunk. There are only a few left.”
“I’ll be glad to take them to the car for her.” Alex stepped forward.
After stashing her books in the trunk of her car, he turned to Heather. “It’s getting pretty late, maybe we should follow you to your hotel. Where are you staying?”
“I appreciate you offering to follow me. My GPS is acting up, but I can probably find the place if you point me in the direction of the Grove Park Inn?”
Alex chuckled. “Follow us and we’ll lead you to the hotel.”
• ♥ •
“Well, Dad, you seemed to be smitten with Ms. Masterson.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, son.”
“I think Luke’s right. If not, why are we leading her back to the hotel? It’s not on our way home.” Brenda turned and cocked her eye at him.
“I felt it’d be a nice gesture to show her how to get there.”
“Why didn’t you ride with her?” Luke asked. “It would’ve given you a chance to get to know her better.”
“Why? I’ll never see her again.”
“You never know. The good Lord has a way of throwing unexpected things at us when we least expect it,” Brenda said.
“I don’t think the Lord means for me to get acquainted with Ms. Masterson. She’s out of my league.”
“Why? You’re a nice-looking man, you’re in excellent health, and you have plenty of money. You have a lot to offer a woman.” Brenda turned to look at him.
“Not her. She’s the literary type. I read the newspaper, some horse magazines, and an occasional paper back western.”
“And Playboy,” Luke added.
Brenda punched his shoulder and laughed. “Quit putting words in your Dad’s mouth.” She turned back to Alex. “I bet she reads something besides mystery novels.”
“Well, if you need more reasons, she likes the symphony. I’m a country music fan. She likes ballet. Give me a two-step anytime.”
Brenda frowned. “She said she liked the country group, Alabama. How do you know she likes the symphony and ballet?”
“Dad’s right. She was talking to a woman in front of us about those things.”
“The Alabama remark was probably to get a laugh,” Alex added.
“I see,” Brenda said. After a sli
ght pause she added, “That doesn’t matter. It wouldn’t hurt you to get a little more culture in your life.”
He laughed. “Right. Can’t you see me at one of those high-class functions? I might have a little money, but I’m a country boy at heart.”
“You do kind of fit the Garth Brooks song, Friends in Low Places,” Luke said.
They all laughed as they pulled into the parking lot of the hotel.
Alex got out of the car and waited for Heather to park.
“Thanks for leading me here. I would’ve ridden around for an hour before I found it.”
“Then I’m glad we could help.” He smiled at her. “How long are you going to be in Asheville?”
“I’ll leave here tomorrow.”
“I see.” He shook the hand she held toward him. “Have a safe trip.”
“Thanks, and it was a pleasure meeting Alex Hargrove.”
He smiled and watched her walk to the hotel entrance before getting back in Luke’s car.
CHAPTER 6
As soon as she was in her room, Heather kicked off her shoes and dropped into one of the pull up chairs. She placed a soda on the table and clicked on her computer.
Fishing Alex’s card from her tote bag she typed his name in the search engine. Not only were there several sites listing as ‘character created by Heather Masterson’ but there were more listed in referrals to cattle and farms. She clicked on Hargrove Farms which advertised exclusively grass-fed beef. She also found a winery and a business advertised as Bed, Breakfast and More with a link to it.
This made Heather feel better. Though she’d been attracted to the man on sight, it did seem strange to her when he’d offered to see her back to the hotel. She was glad he hadn’t offered to ride with her. That would’ve made her leery. As it was, it gave her a warm glow inside because he’d been so thoughtful.
She clicked off the computer, took a drink of soda and began undressing. When she was comfortable maybe she could settle down and do a little writing. She wasn’t sure though. Thoughts of the real Alex Hargrove’s arms around her as the pictures were taken kept popping into her mind.
•♥ •
Sitting at his desk at home, Alex took Heather’s card from his wallet, turned it over, and looked at the cell number she’d written on the back. He had an urge to call her. His watch said it ten-fifty-eight.
Did he dare call?
Why did he want to call her, anyway? She was all the fancy things he’d told Brenda she was and these things added up to one thing—not his type. But there was something about her he hadn’t found in any other woman he’d come in contact with since Anna’s death. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he’d seen it in those indigo blue eyes. Then when she’d given him the spontaneous kiss on the cheek, his heart fluttered. He began to feel. That was something he hadn’t done in a long time and he liked being able to feel again.
He glanced at his watch and took a deep breath. Ten-fifty-nine. If he was going to call, he’d better do it. He took another deep breath and punched in her cell number. He began arguing with himself before it rang. “What if she’s asleep? What if she’s already forgotten who I am? No, she can’t do that. Her character has the same name I do. What if she doesn’t…”
His thoughts were interrupted when a gentle voice said,
“Hello.”
He hesitated and she said hello again.
“Ms. Masterson?”
“Yes.”
“I hope you weren’t asleep.”
“No. I was on the computer. May I ask who is calling?”
“I’m sorry. This is Alex Hargrove.”
“Oh.”
“I know I probably shouldn’t bother you so late, but I enjoyed meeting you tonight.” Alex knew he was stalling, but he was beginning to feel like a fool.
“I enjoyed meeting you, too.”
He decided to throw the question out there and see what she said. “I thought if you had time before you left tomorrow, I’d like to come and take you to breakfast.”
There was a slight pause and he figured she was trying to think of a way to reject him. Now all he wanted to do was end this conversation and get off the phone.
Then her gentle voice said, “I’d enjoy that, Mr. Hargrove. I’ll probably check out around nine. Is that too late for you?”
He let out a sigh of relief. “Not at all. It’s great. And please, call me Alex. I’ll meet you in the lobby at nine. They have a good restaurant at the hotel, unless you want to go someplace else.”
“I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“Then I’ll see you at nine.”
“Thank you, Alex.”
“Good night, Heather. Thanks for saying yes.”
“Good night.”
Alex hung up the phone and sat back with a smile on his face. He couldn’t believe he’d had the guts to ask her, and neither could he believe she’d said yes.
•♥ •
Rachelle shouted obscenities as she stomped around her small living room with the phone to her ear. “Where is she? I’ve called a dozen times and keep getting the answering machine.”
She slammed the phone down and poured another glass of the cheap booze. “Don’t look like she’s coming home tonight. Now, what should I do?”
Taking a deep swallow, she moved to the corner of the room and booted up her eight-year-old computer. It took a while to get to the internet because she still had dial-up. When it finally came up she typed in Heather Masterson and was rewarded with a list of sites. When she found the one listed as home page, she clicked on a listing of events. It didn’t make her happy.
She cursed again. “The witch is in Asheville, then she’s going to South Carolina. Now, I’ve got to adjust my plans.”
She turned off the computer, downed the rest of her whiskey, then headed to the bedroom. She set three alarm clocks, each five minutes apart. “I can’t afford to miss work now. I need the paycheck. I may have to follow her to one of these towns.”
Once in bed she shook her fist at the ceiling. “I’ll get him yet, Heather Masterson. You can’t keep my Alex all to yourself. When you’re gone he’ll be all mine.”
CHAPTER 7
At eight-forty-five the next morning, Heather checked out of her room, stashed her luggage in the car and stood on the main porch of the hotel waiting for Alex. She still couldn’t believe she’d said yes to his invitation.
What had gotten into her? She’d even changed clothes three times this morning before deciding on the low-necked green sundress spattered with streaks of red, yellow, and white. With its spaghetti straps and built in bra it emphasized her cleavage. This wasn’t like her at all. She usually tried to hide anything which would call attention to her body. At least, she did with William. Now, here she was making herself alluring for this strange man. Why, she was a grandmother, for heaven’s sake. If she hadn’t already put the suitcases in her car, she’d go in the bathroom and change into something more…demure.
When he’d called last night, she knew then she should’ve said no to his invitation and she definitely knew it this morning. After all, why would she want to get involved with a man in the mountains? Even a man as intriguing as Alex Hargrove. And why would he want to get involved with her? Yet, his call had left her heart beating faster than normal. After she hung up she sat back and swooned like a teenager over some rock star. It was ridiculous. She was usually level headed and thought things through before making such snap decisions.
She wondered if she should go into the lobby and leave a note for him at the desk. She could say she had to leave earlier than expected. Or she had an appointment she didn’t remember. She could even say she didn’t think it was a good idea for them to get together again. She knew the physical attraction from last night was a fluke and they’d soon forget each other. At least, she felt he’d forget her. She wasn’t too sure if she’d be able to forget him quickly.
She turned toward the door and paused. He was coming across the lobby. Her heart leapt
when she saw how handsome he looked in his khaki pants and starched white oxford shirt with the sleeves rolled up.
She wasn’t the only one captivated by his looks. She overheard a middle-aged woman behind her say, “Hey Thelma, look at that white-haired fox.”
“Wonder if he’s taken?”
Heather was shocked at herself when she realized she wanted to shout, “Yes, he is, so back off.”
Alex came through the door. He saw her and smiled. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.” She smiled back and could have sworn she heard the woman say, “Dang, he’s with her.”
“Ready to eat?” he asked.
“Yes, I am.”
He put his hand on the small of her back and they walked to the edge of the porch. “I made a reservation for nine-fifteen in the dining room. I knew I could cancel it if you wanted to go somewhere else.”
“The dining room will be fine.”
Inside, they were ushered to a table by the window overlooking the Asheville skyline, the resort’s beautiful fairways and of course, the Blue Ridge Mountains. She couldn’t help noticing the sky, dotted with fluffy clouds and the sunlight dancing on the mountains.
She took a deep breath. “Isn’t it breathtaking?”
“I do have to admit, it’s a beautiful part of God’s world.”
It pleased her to know he was a believer. “And you get to live here all the time, you lucky man.”
He smiled and looked at the menu. “As you probably know, the breakfast buffet is outstanding, but if you prefer to order off the menu, feel free to do so.”
Heather looked over her choices as the waiter poured coffee for them. When they were alone again she said, “The buffet items look scrumptious, but I think I’ll choose from the menu. I see they have country ham and scrambled eggs. I used to eat that at my grandmother’s table. I haven’t had it in a long time. I believe I’ll splurge and clog my arteries this morning.”
Stalking her Dreams (A Coverton Mills Romance Book 1) Page 3