Sweet Indulgences 1
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
.
“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
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.
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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.
