Can't Buy Your Love

By Tressie Lockwood

Vanity came from a childhood of hunger and neglect, so she has a hard time trusting anyone. When the holidays roll around, she usually finds every excuse not to visit the kind aunt who saved her when her parents turned their backs. This year, she gives in to Aunt Ella's invite and travels to Charlotte, only to meet the very sexy and very interested Owen. Owen sets out to show Vanity Christmas is a time for family and sharing, and if she'll just open her heart, she'll receive all the love a man can give.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tressie Lockwood
• Release date: Dec 9, 2014
• ISBN: 9781937394684

Book preview

Chapter One

Vanity tapped the page in front of her and sipped her coffee. She’d been about to pen a quick note of thanks to her aunt like she did every year around the holidays, but for some reason, this time she hesitated. Aunt Ella had come through knee replacement surgery just a few months ago, but what about the next issue? Did she really want to put off seeing her again until January or sometime later? Maybe she should break her own tradition of making excuses around November and December about being busy with work and just visit the woman.

Before she changed her mind, she logged onto her computer and checked flights out of Baltimore. Then she scavenged her closet to see what clothes she would take with her. At least there were no boyfriends or close girlfriends to miss while she was gone, and she had already put in for the time off from work. While she convinced herself this was what living happy and free without obligations meant, she stuffed down the sense of loneliness. If nothing else, Aunt Ella with her eccentric ways would keep her entertained, and the woman could cook her butt off. Vanity had no worries. She would get in and get out, assuaging any guilty feelings regarding her few and far between visits.

After scouring her clothing choices, Vanity decided she had nothing acceptable to wear to Charlotte, North Carolina, so she hit the mall. New thigh-high boots, new jeans, and a lighter coat added to her overstuffed wardrobe, but she packed them in her bright pink flowered suitcase. Rather than book a flight as she had first intended, she rented a car to drive down to her aunt. The trip would take seven or eight hours, but it would give her time to think. She had several creative projects that needed working through, but the February deadlines gave her plenty of time.

Hours later, pulling into Charlotte, Vanity noticed she’d had to lower the level on her heater. Winter had set in, but the Southern state didn’t compare to the chill in Baltimore. Vanity unbuttoned her jacket and eased from the car. She clicked the locking mechanism while strolling up the walkway to Aunt Ella’s rancher. Her aunt’s old clunker met her gaze, and she wondered if the stubborn woman would allow her to buy her a new car this year. Probably not. Until it broke down on the side of the road, Aunt Ella refused to give it up.

Vanity sighed and opened the screen door to the house. She tried the knob and found it unlocked as usual. Vanity would never leave her door unlocked at home, even if she was there. Aunt Ella? she called out as she entered.

Voices reached her from the back of the house. She crossed the small living room to reach the doorway to the kitchen and paused taking in the scene. Muscular legs stuck out from beneath the sink, encased in old, torn jeans, a small dark-headed boy with pink cheeks sat at the table stuffing cookies into his mouth, and Aunt Ella posed near the refrigerator modeling a dress that surely couldn’t fit another dangle on its overcrowded design. Where does she think she’s wearing that thing?

Aunt Ella, I’m here, she repeated in a low tone.

Vanity! Aunt Ella chirped. You came. Come and give Auntie a hug. The excitable woman didn’t wait for Vanity to move. She rushed on unsteady legs toward Vanity and threw her arms around her.

Careful, Aunt, Vanity warned.

Aunt Ella clucked and spun away, taking Vanity’s hand. Owen and Jamie, meet my niece, Vanity.

The little boy uttered a muffled hi around a mouthful of cookies, but Vanity found her attention captured by the man bending out from under the sink. Goodness, did a plumber really need to be as hot as he was? His dirty blond hair tumbled about his head a complete mess, but it added to the sexiness of his stocky build, friendly blue eyes, and easy smile.

Good to meet you, Vanity. I’m Owen. His deep voice complete with country twang sent chills over her skin. She cleared her throat, forcing her gaze away from him.

Uh, you too. Sorry, I don’t know why Aunt Ella felt it necessary to introduce us when you’re just doing your job.

His grin broadened, and her idiot heart did a flip-flop. Oh, I’m not the hired help. He chuckled. Just a neighbor helping out. And that hungry tike over there is my son, Jamie. That’s enough, Jamie. Save some for Vanity.

Aw, Daddy.

Vanity tried not to melt into a puddle at the cute interchange between father and son. As cute as the boy was, he didn’t resemble his daddy much, maybe around the nose, but that was reaching. He probably had a wife at home waiting for him to come back, which was good because she could stick to her plan of a brief visit without complications. Developing a crush on a neighbor would be off program.

Owen stood and accepted the handwipe that Aunt Ella gave him. I think that about does it, Ella. It’s fixed for now, but you should call a real plumber.

Pish. Aunt Ella slapped his arm. You’re the best, Owen, and you always come when I call you. Now, I will make all of us dinner to thank you for your help. She swung away humming as she removed covered dishes from the refrigerator. Owen gazed at Vanity and shrugged. No doubt he knew like she had learned over the years, convincing Aunt Ella to let go of an idea was an exercise in futility. One went along for the ride and waited for a chance to escape the roller coaster.

Vanity stepped toward the doorway to