Cupid's Beau

By Nan O'Berry

Do you believe in the power of cupids? A chance meeting in the middle of a snowstorm finds Desiree Warren falling in love with a politician running for election. Not quite sure she believes in the power of love, like her grandmother, it takes a wink from a cupid to get her heart rolling in the right direction. Is Garrett Jefferson the man of her dreams, her Cupid's Beau?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Nan O'Berry
• Release date: Feb 16, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386208662

Book preview

Chapter One

Desiree Warren pushed through the doors of the shop in a hurry to get away from the sharp wind that ushered in the beginning of the second month of the year. Huffing, she pulled the woolen cap from her head heralded by the snap and crackle of static electricity. God, I’ll be so glad to have the weather get warmer, so I don’t have to wear this hat, she grumbled and stuffed it into the over-sized bag hanging from her shoulder.

Is that you Desiree? A familiar voice called from the back of the store.

It’s me, Gram. Desiree moved quickly through the aisles unbuttoning her heavy coat as the warmth of the store chased the chill from her bones.

Good, cause I’ve got some new things that need to go on the shelf.

Pausing to hang her coat on the hook that stood for a century in the small hall separating the front of the shop from the stockroom in the back, Desiree grabbed her apron and tied it on. More stuff, she remarked. Don’t tell me...cupids.

Her grandmother turned and from behind her silver rimmed glasses, Desiree could see the twinkle in her eye.

Of course they’re cupids, she said holding one up. They sell so well this time of the year. She turned and lifted one for Desiree’s inspection. There’s something so magical about them.

Desiree took a deep breath and reached for the porcelain statue. If you say so, she murmured, looking down at the whimsical figurine.

Have you no spark of romance?

A dark brow arched at her grandmother’s comment. In all honesty, my belief in romance has ebbed.

That’s because you haven’t found the right one yet.

She studied the plump little figure standing on one pointed toe. Its arm pulling taunt the thin glass bow string while pointing the arrow in the air. There is no right one, she murmured running her finger over the cool pink tinted glass. "Why are these things always on pink clouds? They look like they were designed by someone promoting Pepto Bismal."

Oh, give me that. Her grandmother snatched the figurine from her hands. I’ll just put these up myself. She leveled a glance in Desiree’s direction that could stop a bull moose from stampeding. I don’t know what the world is coming to when young folk give up on love. The tissue paper in the box crunched as she stuffed the cupid back into the box.

Gram... Desiree’s sensibility took over. Give me that and let me put them out.

No, no. Gram pulled the box toward her ample bosom. I wouldn’t want to insult you. But hear me now, one day, Cupid is going to catch you napping and you’re going to fall so hard your head will snap.

Gram, she begged.

Not another word, Gram snapped and marched to the front of the store. See if your cold calculating mind can make heads or tails of those invoices by putting them in the computer.

Right. Desiree sighed and gathered up the stack of yellow paper sitting on the counter.

Walking toward the office, she contemplated what her grandmother said. True, she didn’t have much to acquaint with the idea of true love. The last man she thought she was in love with left her high and dry with her bank account sixteen hundred dollars lighter. The sour taste in her mouth made her wince. He was a wolf in sheep’s clothing, she murmured to the stillness of the tiny room they called the office.

With a sigh, she pressed the engage button on the computer and pulled out the chair to wait while it came to life. Placing her elbow on the table, she cupped her chin and watched the first flashes