Mick had never been a nervous person, even in school when he was on the football team, or meeting girls for the first time. He was confident in his abilities, and he never doubted himself. Until now. He’d only known Nicole for a few days, and already she had his emotions twisted into a knot. Around her, he’d felt like a hero, and now the villain. He’d felt like the sexiest man alive, and now he considered himself unappealing not only to her but to everyone. Mick had always had a head for business, but these past two days, brilliant ideas were not entering his mind. All because he’d wanted to be honest with her. His chest tightened. If only Nicole would have let him explain his relationship with Tara Browning – USA’s next top model. Sighing, he ran his fingers through his hair and stared at himself in the mirror. He really needed to snap out of this depression he’d put himself in. Why was he allowing Nicole to control his feelings, anyway? That was definitely not something he gave
“Tonight, at seven. Okay?” He turned toward his car. “Okay, Mick. Love you.” He climbed in the car, not wanting to give her a reply. He didn’t love Tara. He’d never had those kinds of feelings for the super-model, and it wasn’t until he’d shared that electrifying kiss with Nicole that he realized he needed to break things off with his current girlfriend. There was no use making Tara think there was more to their relationship when there wasn’t. Ten minutes later, he pulled into the parking lot of Adkins Dev-Tech. Once again, he was hit with nostalgic memories. This was where he’d met James Adkins – the man who’d treated Mick as though he was very important and meaningful in his life. James knew who Mick’s father was, but Adkins had never held that against him. It was actually his relationship with James that had made Mick want to get to know his father better. That had been a huge mistake. Although it had made Mick a rich man, he’d rather be a hard-working poor man with a father wh
The longer she listened to Mick, the more hope grew inside Nicole. He might be a skunk, but he had some brilliant ideas on how to turn their profits around. As she watched the expressions on the shareholders’ faces, Nicole could tell they were softening toward Mick. Of course, he had a way with words, and his cocky grin and twinkling gray-blue eyes could change anyone’s mind. Nicole just prayed he could deliver what he promised. The day was long, and she had lunch brought in for everyone. Soon, the men had removed their suit jackets and rolled up their shirt-sleeves. Mick had taken off his tie and released a few buttons at his neck. As much as she wanted to hate him, she couldn’t stop admiring the way he was built. But it was more than that. He was a people-person, and she had the privilege of watching him win over almost everyone in the room. Including her. Several times she caught herself daydreaming, but then she quickly remembered he had a girlfriend. He was the unfaithful type
She leaned back against the same wall he was pressed next to, keeping her gaze on his. “I told you before, Mick. What you’d felt was a combination of the effect of the sleeping pills and the Colorado Bulldog you’d drank that night.”“No, I don’t think so.”“Tell me, lover-boy, why do you think you felt that way, especially since you already had a girlfriend?”The elevator jerked, landing them on the lower level, but neither of them moved. She wanted to hear his answer, and she didn’t want any interruptions. She quickly reached over and pressed the red stop button, keeping them inside for a few minutes longer. When she turned back toward him, she folded her arms across her chest, waiting for his answer.Mick’s eyes smoldered, making them darker than before. Her heartbeat tripped several times, but she tried not to let it affect her in any way.“Six years ago,” he said softly, “I came to visit your grandfather to pay him back for the kindness he’d shown me by helping me get a car loan.
He put his car in gear and drove toward the main road. Was the feeling he’d been experiencing with Nicole really love? They’d only known each other for a few days, even though he’d dreamed about her for a few years. Mick Remington wasn’t a love-at-first-sight type of man. Shoot, he hadn’t ever given his heart to a woman. And yet, only after a few days, he was ready to make a commitment with Nicole? That was hard to believe, and he’d have to do some serious thinking before saying anything to her. The sun was setting earlier these days, and darkness had sneaked upon the little town. He slowed his car as he rounded a curve. A black truck with tinted windows driving the opposite direction zoomed past Mick, making him swerve out of the other vehicle’s path. What a jerk! Who would drive that fast on this particular road, anyway? Drunken fool! As he rounded the bend, a dust cloud from the ravine a half mile up the road captured his attention. The closer he came to that spot, he slowed his
Mick sat on the chairs in the hospital lobby, holding his throbbing head as he waited for someone to tell him what was happening with Nicole. Because he wasn’t family, they wouldn’t tell him anything. They’d bandaged his arms from the cuts he’d sustained when crawling across the broken glass, but thankfully, he didn’t need any stitches. It had been an hour and forty-five minutes since they arrived at the hospital. Too long, in his opinion. Why hadn’t anyone come out to let him know about her progress? Panicked voices from down the hall grew closer. He looked toward the corridor just as a man and woman rushed around the corner. Immediately, he recognized the cowboy who had stomped on Nicole’s foot that night in the lounge. Mick was betting the woman was Mary. When the woman with black, spiky hair looked at him, her eyes widened and her face paled. No doubt about it now. This was Mary. He stood and raked his fingers through his hair. “Mary?” She rushed to him and grasped his arm.
“Does Nicole know about her grandfather?” he asked the nurse. “No.” “Perhaps it’s best to wait until she’s recovering.” “Yes, of course.” The nurse turned to Mary. “I’ll let you know more when I hear it.” “Thanks, Caroline.” Mary gave the other woman a hug. On shaky legs, Mick moved back to the chairs in the waiting room. Mary and the cowboy joined him. “Mick? What happened tonight?” “I wish I knew. Our meeting with the shareholders ran late. Nicole and I were the last ones to leave. She got in her car and left first. I was only a few minutes behind.” He rubbed his throbbing head. “What I think happened was that there was a speeding truck on the road and Nicole swerved her car to keep him from hitting her – which is what happened to me when the jerk drove by my car. But then she went down the ravine.” “She’s so lucky that you were there to help.” Mary touched his arm and smiled. “I… I’m glad I was there, too.” Mick glanced at the cowboy who seemed to be concerned over Nicole.
Nicole’s body ached. Even her hair hurt. But at least she was alive. When she’d seen that black truck coming straight at her, and her swerve causing her to run off the road and roll down the ravine, she thought she was a goner. She couldn’t remember anything after the car stopped. But then she had a very strange dream. She remembered seeing Poppie. They were in a white room… or in the clouds. But he wore a white suit. No longer was he sick. In fact, he looked like she remembered from when she was a child. Her grandfather had been a very handsome, robust man. In her dream, he’d walked up to her, smiling. “I love you, Nikki,” he’d said. “But you no longer have to worry about me. I’ll be very happy in Heaven. So please, don’t be sad, but live your life to the fullest. Never forget, you are a wonderful person with a loving heart.” When he gave her a hug, she’d felt his love so intense, it brought tears to her eyes… tears of joy. There was love all around them, and it was as if the roo