EXCERPT – ADAM – 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers #2
© Roxanne St. Claire – 2018 – All Rights Reserved
Adam Tucker peered into the shadows of a drafty, dingy, far-from-finished former boathouse and huffed out a breath of pure frustration. He had three weeks, but he needed three months for this Herculean task.
Damn his brother and his wild ass and endless bets. And damn that last shot of Jack Daniel’s for making him take a Zane Tucker wager. After sharing thirty-two years on earth and nine months in the womb, Adam should know better than to bet his twin.
But finishing the transformation of a boathouse into a camp dorm had seemed like a no-lose proposition at Baldie’s last night. The hardest part of the construction work was done, and Adam already had interest from YMCAs and youth programs all over the Pacific Northwest to book adventure tours for kids later this summer. He could finish this remodel in three weeks, even if Zane used words like impossible and in over your head and furniture shopping.
But first, didn’t he have a guide interview scheduled? Where was she? Crossing the gleaming hardwood floor he’d refinished himself, he yanked open the heavy wooden door and walked smack into sunshine. And woman.
They both jolted backward at the unexpected contact.
“Oh, oh, sorry.” She blinked up at him, but his eyes were still adjusting to the sunlight. “Are you Adam Tucker?”
Then his eyes cleared so he could get a better look. A much better look. “You’re…” Gorgeous. “Here for the interview?”
Surprise widened ebony-dark eyes and sent long, black lashes up to perfectly arched brows. She wore makeup for an interview that she knew included a trip down the river? That was a first.
“Wow, you guys are quick around here,” she muttered.
Late and sarcastic, too? She better know her way around some rapids.
His hand still on the door, he closed it behind him, not willing to waste interview time answering questions about his pet project.
“We try.” But the only thing he was trying to do was not stare. Impossible. She was so…so…so not a watersports guide.
“River rats” had a look he’d come to know and expect. They all had sun-washed, freckled skin with that faint smell of the rapids clinging to wash-and-wear hair. The dudes were rugged and fearless, the chicks were natural and sunny. Female guides were built for watersports with strong upper bodies, flat chests, and muscular thighs from hundreds of hikes and miles of swimming.
This woman looked like the only swimming she did was poolside in a bikini. She smelled more like flowers than the river, and those tumbling layers of black hair had clearly been in the hands of a professional. If she’d seen the sun, it was from under a hat and a thick layer of SPF 50, because her skin looked like pure whipped cream. And her body wasn’t flat, muscular, or built for anything but…yeah, that.
Definitely built for that.
“You’re ready to interview?” he asked, knowing he had an edge of challenge in his voice, but honestly, he’d already made his decision. This babe was not seaworthy.
“Of course,” she said. “That’s why I stopped in at the front desk at…” She gave a vague gesture in the general direction of the business. “A To Z Watersports, is it?”
She couldn’t even bother to know the company name before showing up? Strike…five, hot stuff.
“That’s what we call it.” Let her figure out that A and Z referred to owners Adam and Zane Tucker.
“Well, I was asking about a job, and they sent me...” She glanced behind him at the former boathouse, those pretty brows drawn in an expression of confusion. “Here.”
“Same business,” he said. “Just a different department. I’m Adam Tucker.” He reached out a hand and noticed that she hesitated just a moment before shaking it. With red-painted nails, no less.
“I’m…” She cleared her throat and nodded once. “Jadyn McAllister.”
Even her name was too glam for a guide. “Jadyn,” he repeated, letting the pretty sound settle on his tongue.
“Like the stone, with an n. Jade-en.”
He realized that he still held her hand, which was soft and tender and…had never gripped an oar in its life. “Been out on the Snake River much?”
“No. I’m from Miami.”
“Miami?” He covered his laugh with a cough. “Like Miami, Florida?”
“That would be it.”
“They have watersports down there?”
“Water? In Miami? You do realize Florida is surrounded by water on three sides?”
Really, the last thing he needed to hire was a smartass who had to blow-dry her hair before taking out a rafting tour. “Miami just seems so different from here.”
“It is,” she agreed. “But I’m a fast study, a hard worker, and I’m looking for work. I was told you have a job that would be perfect for me.”
There was the most imperceptible note of desperation in her voice that twisted something in his gut. “Well, I need to hire someone and fast, but…”
He let his gaze drop over her, taking in the way a white sweater clung to her curves and accentuated that veil of gleaming hair the color of a midnight sky. A thin, cotton sweater with no jacket in forty-five degrees. That probably explained why she had both arms wrapped tightly, denying him a full look and making him think about giving her his down vest.
She wore jeans so tight he could see every line of her long, lean thighs, finished off by high-heeled black boots peeking out from under the denim.
Heels. Seriously. On a watersports guide?
“Are you sure you can do this?” he asked.
She just lifted a brow.
“No offense,” he said quickly, kicking himself for talking without thinking. Now she was going to throw some labor law at him for saying something politically incorrect or insulting in an interview. Zane was so much better at this than he was.
“None taken,” she assured him. “It’s just that you don’t even know my qualifications yet.”
“True. Résumé?” He held out his hand.
“Oh, I left it over there. The man behind the counter read it and sent me straight here, telling me I should just talk to you.”
The man behind the counter. Of course Zane would think it would be hilarious to send a beauty contestant over to distract Adam from winning the bet. “Let me guess. He looked just like me.”
She frowned. “He had darker hair, but…yeah.” She considered him for a moment, her gaze moving up and down his body just slowly enough to make him uncomfortable. “He was bigger.”
Bigger? He snorted. “Yeah? You should have seen him as a kid. Went from scrawny to brawny, and his idea of a joke is as massive as his chest, that’s for sure. Sorry, but you’re not what I’m looking for.”
Her jaw loosened. “Based on…what?”
On the obvious fact that she was no river rat. But, fine. He’d play the game. He held up his hands in surrender. “You’re right. I’m being an ass.”
“Ya think?” she mumbled, turning to hide the comment, but he caught it, loud and clear.
“Let’s just get going so I can see what you got.” He nodded toward her jeans and boots. “You bring your own gear and clothes?”
“My clothes are fine. My gear is between my ears. Why don’t you start by telling me what it is you’re looking for?”
“What I’m looking for is someone with enough experience to know you can’t wear high-heeled boots and skintight jeans,” he shot back.
She blinked at him. “What would you have me wear, Mr. Tucker?”
“How about a wet suit, booties, and a splash top that says you’re not afraid of getting good and soaked, if that is indeed even true.”
She stared at him for a second, then her eyes shuttered closed. “You know what? I don’t need a job that bad.” She backed away. “It was a stupid idea. And that other guy seemed really nice.”
As opposed to what Adam was being, but come on. He needed a river guide, not a runway model. �
�Because my brother’s trying to derail me and distract me,” he explained.
She frowned. “That’s not what he said, but honestly? I’d rather starve.” She pivoted and started across the lot, in the direction of Sentinel Bridge.
That’s right, princess. Go to the better side of town where you belong.
Every single step tortured him with a back view that was as fine as the front. He stared until she walked along the wide section of the bridge and hesitated at the door to No Man’s Land, the restaurant his dad owned. The whole time, Adam had one thought echoing in his brain: Zane really needed to die.
“Oh my God, I’m so sorry to be late!”
Adam turned to see a woman powering toward him, a huge smile and a smattering of freckles over suntanned skin.
“I’m Holly Dillard, certified seaworthy kayak and rafting guide.” She held out a hand and shook Adam’s with a no-nonsense grip and a palm full of paddle calluses. “You probably don’t remember, but we met last summer on the Salmon River, where I’ve been a guide for thirteen years.”
He let go of her hand, still processing her introduction as he glanced down at the wet suit she had on under a loose water jacket. “You’re…the guide interview.”
“It’s been a dream to live in Eagle’s Ridge and work for A To Z Watersports. What do you say we take a kayak out and let me show you how I roll?” She flashed a warm smile that lit her whole face and made her eyes twinkle. All without a spec of makeup. Or sarcasm.
“Okay,” he said slowly. If this was his guide interview, who the hell was that other woman?
“Pick a vessel,” he said, indicating a row of kayaks roped along the docks. “I’ll be right back. I need to talk to my brother for a second.”
He took the back door into A To Z Watersports, walking through the kitchen break room, where Gambler, Zane’s yellow lab, snoozed contentedly on his dog bed in the corner. That meant Zane was here for sure because that crazy ass dog went wherever his master went.
He strode over ancient scuffed wood and inhaling the morning scents of coffee and doughnuts someone brought in. He passed the two offices that were once a bedroom and dining room, into the old-time parlor that now served as the business reception area. There, Zane was at the desk, finishing up a call.
“So?” His brother tapped the cell phone to disconnect and looked expectantly at him. “Do you owe me a beer or what?”
“A beer?” Adam stared at him, long used to the fact that his twin brother was a near-carbon copy, except Zane had dark brown hair and Adam’s was bleached light by the sun. Yes, Zane was bigger, thanks to his gym time, but they had the same jaw, only Adam’s was clenched right now. Same smile, not that Adam was wearing one at the moment. And the same eyes that straddled blue and green, depending on the color of the sky and their moods.
Right now, Adam’s mood was surprisingly foul.
“You think I’m so dumb I’m going to take Miss Miami Heat out on a kayak and lose my whole day of work? You really want to win this bet that bad, bro?”
Zane’s dark brows drew together. “It’s just a bet, Adam. Anyway, it’s more fun if I give you an unfair advantage and still win.”
“How in the hell does she give me an unfair advantage? The only thing she gave me was a headache.” And an ache a little lower, but he’d jump naked into a freezing river before he admitted that to his brother.
Zane looked more perplexed, then glanced at the desk in front of him. Picking up a sheet of paper, he held it out for Adam. “I saw this résumé and thought she’d be exactly what you need.”
“If I needed…” His gaze dropped to the words on the page under the name Jadyn McAllister.
Professional interior decorator…residential and commercial…contractor’s assistant…equipment and furnishing…design assistant. Winner of the Markham Space Planning Award for interior design.
Adam just closed his eyes.
“I thought she could help you, man, but if you’re determined to do this on your own, you better be prepared to lose. And the loser has to—”
“I know what the loser has to do.” Adam slammed the paper back on the desk. “Can you take Holly Dillard on a guide test?”
“I have a better idea.” Zane gave a wry smile. “Why don’t you just hire Holly and then go find the unfair advantage you just gave up?”
Adam hated to admit it, but that was a damn good idea.
END OF EXCERPT – BUY YOUR COPY OF ADAM TODAY!
Book List
7 Brides for 7 Soldiers - Multi-Author Series
#1 Ryder - Barbara Freethy
#2 Adam - Roxanne St. Claire
#3 Zane - Christie Ridgway
#4 Wyatt - Lynn Raye Harris
#5 Jack - Julia London
#6 Noah - Cristin Harber
#7 Ford - Samantha Chase
The Callaway Family Series
#1 On A Night Like This
#2 So This Is Love
#3 Falling For A Stranger
#4 Between Now and Forever
Nobody But You (A Callaway Wedding Novella)
#5 All A Heart Needs
#6 That Summer Night
#7 When Shadows Fall
#8 Somewhere Only We Know
The Callaways Boxed Set - Books 1-3
The Callaway Cousins
#1 If I Didn’t Know Better
#2 Tender Is The Night
Take Me Home (A Callaway Novella)
#3 Closer To You
#4 Once You're Mine
#5 Can't Let Go, Coming Soon!
Off The Grid: FBI Series
#1 Perilous Trust
#2 Reckless Whisper, Coming Soon!
#3 Desperate Play, Coming Soon!
Lightning Strikes Trilogy
#1 Beautiful Storm
#2 Lightning Lingers
#3 Summer Rain
7 Brides for 7 Brothers - Multi-Author Series
Luke: Barbara Freethy
Gabe: Ruth Cardello
Hunter: Melody Anne
Knox: Christie Ridgway
Max: Lynn Raye Harris
James: Roxanne St. Clair
Finn: JoAnn Ross
Bachelors & Bridesmaids
#1 Kiss Me Forever
#2 Steal My Heart
#3 All Your Loving
#4 Before I Do
#5 Falling Into You
#6 Forever Starts Tonight
#7 Dreaming of You, Coming Soon!
The Wish Series
#1 A Secret Wish
#2 Just A Wish Away
#3 When Wishes Collide
The Wish Series Boxed Set
Contemporary Romance Novels
Almost Home
Ask Mariah
Daniel’s Gift
Just The Way You Are
Love Will Find A Way
One True Love
Ryan’s Return
Some Kind of Wonderful
Summer Secrets
The Sweetest Thing
The Way Back Home
Romantic Suspense Novels
All She Ever Wanted
Don’t Say A Word
Golden Lies
The Sanders Brothers Romanic Suspense Duo
#1 Silent Run
#2 Silent Fall
The Deception Romantic Suspense Duo
#1 Taken
#2 Played
Angel’s Bay Series
#1 Suddenly One Summer
#2 On Shadow Beach
#3 In Shelter Cove
#4 At Hidden Falls
#5 Garden of Secrets
About The Author
Barbara Freethy is a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of 64 novels ranging from contemporary romance to romantic suspense and women's fiction. Traditionally published for many years, Barbara opened her own publishing company in 2011 and has since sold over 6.5 million books! Twenty-two of her titles have appeared on the New York Times and USA Today Bestseller Lists. She is a six-time finalist and two-time winner in the Roma
nce Writers of America acclaimed RITA contest.
Known for her emotional and compelling stories of love, family, mystery and romance, Barbara enjoys writing about ordinary people caught up in extraordinary adventures. Romance Reviews Today calls her a "master storyteller". Library Journal says, "Barbara Freethy has a gift for writing unique and compelling characters."
For information: [email protected]
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Table of Contents
RYDER
Also Available
Prologue
One
Two
Three
Four
Five
Six
Seven
Eight
Nine
Ten
Eleven
Twelve
Thirteen
Fourteen
Fifteen
Sixteen
Seventeen
Eighteen
Epilogue
Book Blurb - ADAM –7 Brides for 7 Soldiers #2
EXCERPT – ADAM – 7 Brides for 7 Soldiers #2
Book List
About The Author
Ryder (7 Brides for 7 Soldiers Book 1) Page 19