September Chill

By Linda May

As late September wraps its chill around Mackenzie, she can still hardly believe that she’s achieved her dream of living in New York, which often seems to her like the very heart of the world.

Her move from country Australia seems like a distant memory. She's already fallen in love with a New York detective, Digby, who is opening her eyes to life—its wonders and dangers both.

But as time passes, she grows nostalgic for home. Going back would mean leaving the man she loves. But nothing is forever, and love is not always enough. Will it be, this time?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Linda May
• Release date: Jan 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781310130540

Linda May

Linda May was born into a loving family in Tasmania, Australia, where she grew up with five siblings. She considers her life to have been her education, having had a vast range of life experience. Her varied career has led her through many areas, and she now works as a fully qualified private investigator. Linda is the proud mother of two lovely daughters and three beautiful grandchildren. She lives on Phillip Island, a small yet majestic place in South Gippsland, ringed by beaches and surrounded by the waters of Westernport Bay.In my professional life i am a Private Investigator . My husband and i have a small business that we run together.

Book preview

1

As she made her way to the coffee shop, she pulled her jacket close around her, against the cooler weather.

A September chill filled the air. It was unusual for it to be so cool, that early in the fall. She thought it could be a warning of harsh weather to come in the months ahead. It had been three years since she’d moved to New York, and seeing snow in winter felt unfamiliar and thrilling. She could hardly believe it was real.

People rushed by her in the street, each seeming to have a place they really needed to be. The single men all had their hands in their pockets. The women had dressed for the cooler weather. Couples held each other close to stay warm as the wind swirled around them.

Her life had its good days and bad days, and that day seemed harder than others, for some reason. Perhaps loneliness. It was morning, but she felt a cloud of darkness follow her.

She pulled open the small cafe’s door and sighed. The warm air inside took the chill out of her body, and the barista, Antonio, smiled and waved her towards the busy counter. She bought the same thing every day. She only had to nod for him to start making her regular skinny latte, no sugar.

Antonio was infectiously happy. His short, roundish physique showed that he enjoyed life’s finer things. He loved all kinds of delicious foods, from cheeses to desserts and deep red wines; overindulgence was one of his weaknesses.

But the beaming smile he used to greet every customer showed that he cared for people, as well. He was impossible to dislike.

Even though Mackenzie had been coming to Antonio’s cafe for three years, he still knew almost nothing about her. He knew her name was Mackenzie, knew that she was about forty, pretty, blonde, with an okay figure but deep brown eyes lit up by a killer smile and plump lips he had often imagined kissing. He almost felt their softness on his own rough mouth. She had great legs, which looked especially long and sexy in high heels. His mind wandered as he made her coffee, and a small grin appeared on his face as he imagined her legs wrapped around him and his lips on hers. A small shudder went through him. It was just his fantasy, so far.

Cold morning out there.

Yes. Nice in here though.

She smiled, but she could see he was busy. She took her coffee to go and pushed her way through the crowd to the front door, which opened for her. She looked up. Her glance met steely grey eyes and her heart skipped a small beat. Everything stopped. She could hear her heart, beating properly again, but too loudly, and couldn’t speak. Instead of thanking him for opening the door, she gave a startled laugh and almost ran back into the chill.

She moved too fast for her heels, and after two steps her feet slipped out from under her. She watched her coffee fall from her hand, then felt her backside hit the icy concrete.

The crowds walked around her, ignoring her humiliation. But the man who had held the door for her stepped out of the cafe, and helped her up with a strong hand. She looked into his eyes again and he pulled her back into the warmth. Despite his waiting customers, Antonio rushed to the door to make sure she was okay, promised her a new latte, and rushed back to his counter to make it.

She was fine. She felt foolish, and her behind already ached, but she forgot both once she was sitting at a table with her gorgeous savior.

He waited patiently while she gathered herself.

Can I get you anything?

She shook her head. Antonio brought her water and another coffee, and offered the man a drink on the house.

I’ll have an espresso.

She sipped her water and tried to calm her breathing. Antonio brought the man his tiny cup. The three of them paused for a second, waiting for no reason, until the barista retreated.

Sorry, I haven’t introduced myself. I’m Digby.

They shook hands. Hers was still trembling a little, but became still in his soft palm.

I’m Mackenzie Sullivan.

No man had made her feel that way since she’d left the Australian outback for the Big Apple, as she’d called it before she lived there. Her stomach flipped; she hadn’t blushed like this since high school.

She let his hand go, and shook her head.

Sorry. Thank you. I appreciate your help.