Snowed In: Nikki and Brynn

By Jodi Hutchins

Registered nurse Brynn Norseman hasn’t had the easiest time in her career. Her days at work are spent in the quiet telemetry monitoring station instead of where she truly wants to be -- caring for patients.

All Nikki Mortelli ever wanted was to become a lawyer, but bailing out trust fund brats and corporate sharks wasn’t what she had in mind when she’d passed her bar exam.

A late night spent perusing through the aisles of the local co-op ends in a chance meeting between the two women. Though instantly infatuated with the other woman, Brynn worries her tattered past will get in the way of a meaningful connection. When they’re forced together during a freak snowstorm, can Brynn put her fears aside and open up to Nikki?

• Language: English
• Publisher: JMS Books LLC
• Release date: Jan 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781634867955

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Snowed In: Nikki and Brynn

By Jodi Hutchins

Published by JMS Books LLC

Visit jms-books.com for more information.

Copyright 2019 Jodi Hutchins

ISBN 9781634867955

Cover Design: Written Ink Designs | written-ink.com

Image(s) used under a Standard Royalty-Free License.

All rights reserved.

WARNING: This book is not transferable. It is for your own personal use. If it is sold, shared, or given away, it is an infringement of the copyright of this work and violators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

No portion of this book may be transmitted or reproduced in any form, or by any means, without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of brief excerpts used for the purposes of review.

This book is for ADULT AUDIENCES ONLY. It may contain sexually explicit scenes and graphic language which might be considered offensive by some readers. Please store your files where they cannot be accessed by minors.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are solely the product of the author’s imagination and/or are used fictitiously, though reference may be made to actual historical events or existing locations. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Published in the United States of America.

* * * *

To my wife.

* * * *

Snowed In: Nikki and Brynn

By Jodi Hutchins

A light layer of flurries fell from the sky, a drifting blanket settling over the frigid streets of Seattle as a strong gust whipped through. The atmosphere inside the local Whole Foods was drastically different from outside and Brynn Norseman relished its serenity. However, the store wasn’t truly Whole Foods. She forgot what it was called not long after signing up for the tiny co-op. But she did remember that the long, obnoxious alliteration that was its name exuded a hipster establishment vibe. She didn’t expect less from uptown Seattle. Brynn didn’t get stuck on the name; they carried her favorite brand of chai tea and their almond scones were to die for. Plus, conveniently, the store stayed open until the wee hours of the night, fitting well with a nurse’s odd hours.

Perusing the deserted aisles at half past midnight left Brynn with a soft smile on her lips. It wasn’t as though she didn’t like people, but her job forced her to be around others for twelve hours at a time. Once she clocked out for the day, the little bit of solitude was irreplaceable. She was able to secure a cart without a wobbly wheel, the local indie band playing overhead was distinguishable, and there were no screaming children present. The aromas of patchouli oil, raw ginger, and the musk of sweat surrounded her and she surrendered to her after work bliss.

Standing in front of the shelves of dry pasta, Brynn read the labels, attempting to choose one. It didn’t matter which she chose, as she was simply cooking for herself, but her indecision had her debating between vegetable or whole wheat. There were too many options, at least a dozen different brands and flavors. It’s pasta. Why are there so many choices? Brynn grumbled out loud to the empty aisle. Or, at least she had thought it was empty. Someone chuckled to the right of her and she whipped her head around. The owner of the voice was tall and dressed in an expensive looking suit, her jet-black hair neatly trimmed in a pixie cut. The deep gray material of the suit fit her way too well to be off the shelf and the cufflinks glimmered like real diamonds.

Brynn’s cheeks turned a shade lighter than the crimson of her hair. Sorry, she muttered, thanking her verbal resolve for holding back, because expletives usually fluttered from her mouth on their own accord. She turned back to the shelf and threw a random box of pasta in her cart before moving out of the woman’s way.

You know, they really do offer too many options. How do I know whether I want quinoa-based rotini or— Brynn turned as the woman picked up a box with long fingers, —spinach and artichoke bow tie?

She smiled, the fire in her cheeks subsiding at the other woman’s comment and she looked down to see which one she’d grabbed. I chose fire roasted red pepper linguini.

The other woman nodded. That sounds good. Now, where am I going to find it? she mused, scanning the various boxes of pasta.

Brynn joined her, finding said pasta, and grabbing a box. Here it is, she said, handing the brightly colored box to her.

She smiled, her fingers brushing the back of Brynn’s hand as the woman took it from her, the contact eliciting a pleasant sensation on Brynn’s hand. Thanks. She was closer, and Brynn noticed her eyes were a deep cerulean with flecks of green and they contrasted heavily against her olive cheeks.

You’re welcome. Have a nice night and stay warm. It’s really starting to come down out there, Brynn said before turning back to her cart and pushing it down the aisle. She thought of how rumpled her scrubs looked. Of course, it had to be Brynn’s almost threadbare, hadn’t-seen-the-light-of-day-in-months scrubs because the next day was laundry day. And, they were brown. Who looks good in brown scrubs after a twelve-hour shirt?

Any tips on the sauce? The woman called out before Brynn rounded the corner. Reluctantly, she pushed her cart back to the spot where she previously stood. Her eyes sized up the shelves of sauce and she plucked the jar she usually got, a bland marinara, and handed it to the stranger. Thank you, again. This is perfect, she surmised, looking at the jar before her eyes