Three Blind Dates - The Prequel: Flynn's Crossing Romantic Suspense, #0

By Yvonne Kohano

It all began here.

They call themselves the girl tribe, a term of endearment for their close-knit circle of professional women, secure in their lives and making their way in the world. That world is Flynn's Crossing, California, nestled in the Northern Sierra foothills. Along its Main Street and rural roads, romance happens when they least expect it – and only after they fully accept themselves.

Serena, Gabby and Roxy can't resist. Tess can't give up on the possibility of love, not when they decide to each provide her with perfect men for three blind dates. In the end, she can pick who found the most suitable match to win the bet. That is, only if any of the dates measure up to Tess's high standards.

Who will she pick? The military vet? The county worker? The chef? Or will her secret thwart them all? It takes Three Blind Dates to decide.

The Flynn's Crossing series is contemporary romance set in the northern California foothills, suspense driven by small town secrets, and complex characters in compelling stories about friendship and love. You can enjoy the books out of order without ruining their surprises!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Yvonne Kohano
• Release date: Apr 11, 2017
• ISBN: 9781940738734

Book preview

THREE BLIND DATES

Prequel to Flynn’s Crossing Romantic Suspense Series

Yvonne Kohano

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Nanokas Press

A Division of Kochanowski Enterprises LLC

Copyright © 2017

About THREE BLIND DATES

It all began here.

They call themselves the girl tribe, a term of endearment for their close-knit circle of professional women, secure in their lives and making their way in the world. That world is Flynn’s Crossing, California, nestled in the Northern Sierra foothills. Along its Main Street and rural roads, romance happens when they least expect it – and only after they fully accept themselves.

Serena, Gabby and Roxy can’t resist. Tess can’t give up on the possibility of love, not when they decide to each provide her with perfect men for three blind dates. In the end, she can pick who found the most suitable match to win the bet. That is, only if any of the dates measure up to Tess’s high standards.

Who will she pick? The military vet? The county worker? The chef? Or will her secret thwart them all? It takes Three Blind Dates to decide.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

About THREE BLIND DATES

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Want to Know More?

Excerpt from PICTURES OF REDEMPTION

Also by Yvonne Kohano

About the Author

Chapter 1

If this is dating in the twenty-first century, forget it. Being single is not a hardship, and in many ways, far favorable to the alternative.

Tess Willowspring would have enjoyed her friends’ reactions to her ardent assertion if she didn’t feel a sting of disappointment over the abbreviated blind date. Didn’t conversation mean both parties parlayed talk back and forth between them? She’d been bored out of her mind and stretching to find common ground.

Tess, not every date will be like that. They say there’s someone out there for everyone. You just haven’t found your someone yet.

Gabriela Cooley-Burke had stars in her eyes, a glow Tess appreciated. Married to her high school sweetheart, Gabby often expressed her contentment with her life. She had a job she enjoyed, a man she adored, and an energetic and precocious little boy to mother. She wanted everyone to find their happily ever after, even if the finding part proved to be a path strewn with thorns instead of rose petals.

I think it’s about values, and finding someone who appreciates the same things in life that you do. Not another florist, necessarily, but someone who knows how to create beauty others can appreciate. Have you made a list of the qualities you want in a man?

Serena Williamson pulled a pad of paper forward and cocked her head toward Tess, her expression expectant. Her social work background popped out at the most interesting times, but Tess wasn’t ready to put her thoughts on paper. She wasn’t sure what those stellar qualities were, but she felt confident she’d recognize them when she saw them. Would it be too much to want someone who accepted the parts of her that were different as well?

It wasn’t a notion she wanted to float, even here within the comforting embrace of her girl tribe. They didn’t know everything about her past and her present, and she wasn’t sure what their reaction would be if they did. She was fairly certain that among her friends, she was the only one holding on to such dark secrets.

Roxy LaFollette glanced over from the barbeque. Tongs gripped in her outstretched hand like a sword emphasized her point. All men are scum and only good for one thing, and most of them don’t know how to do that right, either.

The burst of laughter following her pronouncement overwhelmed Gabby’s moan of dissent. It wasn’t the first time Roxy had uttered those words, and Tess doubted it would be the last. Her friends’ differing views on men always clashed, but she had to admit, they always made her feel better too. After today’s lunch, she needed to feel uplifted.

Deets, girlfriend. Tell us everything. I want to pick this guy apart like a turkey carcass after Thanksgiving. Roxy hefted a wicked-looking knife and stood with arms crossed, a tool in each hand, matching a competitor on those chef challenge shows. The pose was appropriate, since she’d been there and won a time or three. Her expression said she’d love to skewer all unworthy opponents, or all men for that matter.

Tess let her eyes roam over her gardens, lush and vibrant in the mid-spring’s lengthening evening light. What exactly had turned sideways today, besides everything? It had looked like it would be the perfect blind date on the surface. But the bright color of the flower didn’t mean its scent would be pleasing.

Yes, tell us what happened. We’re here to support you, no matter what. Serena leaned closer as she spoke, and Gabby bobbed her head in agreement.

Sighing didn’t help bring things into perspective. They should have been a good match. One of her favorite flower shop customers, Bill, an electrician and wizard at keeping her ancient Victorian from burning to the ground with sparked wires, had provided an electrifying review of the guy. His friend Ed was an architect, and according to Bill, the homes he fashioned were works of art, not unlike Tess’s flower arrangements. Bill was well-versed in this comparison, since he was known to stop by on a weekly basis, bringing home lush designs to a wife he adored.

Tess shifted in her seat, taking a sip of wine to avoid responding to three eager sets of questioning eyes. What had gone wrong? It would be better to ask what had gone right. That list was short and sweet.

His manners were impeccable. Based on the frowns greeting her, she guessed they expected more.