Someday is Here

By Lina Rehal

The minute Blair Emerson arrives in Fort Lauderdale, she has second thoughts about accepting the flirtatious Jace Cooper’s invitation to spend a week at his home. She has only seen him twice since he left Carlton Bay fifteen years ago to sail around the world. Is it boredom with her work as a photographer that makes her take him up on his offer, or a secret desire to finish what they started on his sailboat the night before he left town?

Jace Cooper has two failed marriages and a precarious reputation with women. The handsome electrical engineer owns a business, a lovely home and a 33-foot cabin cruiser. The only thing missing in his life is the woman he could never have. After reconnecting with Blair on Facebook, he invites the beautiful ex-wife of a former business associate to Fort Lauderdale.

Things heat up between them, making it difficult for him to honor his promise of no strings attached. When one of Jace’s old girlfriends shows up for a lunch date, Blair realizes she might have misinterpreted everything that’s happened over the last few days. She needs to make a decision.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lina Rehal
• Release date: Aug 8, 2020
• ISBN: 9780997615050

Lina Rehal

Lina Rehal is the author of three contemporary romance novels, two novellas and a book of nostalgia. Someday Is Here is her latest novella. She is currently working on Act Two, the third book of her Tucker’s Landing Series.Lina resides on the North Shore of Massachusetts with her husband. They live close to the beach and have a lovely view of the Boston skyline. She enjoys getaways to Maine, nearby casinos and trips to Disneyworld.She is a member of The Red Rock Rewriters, The Independent Author and Maine Romance Writers. Lina is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.Her books are available on Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle formats and the Swampscott Library and in the Smashwords Store.She loves hearing from readers and other writers. You may contact Lina through her website or via email.

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by

Lina Rehal

Someday Is Here

Lina Rehal

Someday Is Here Copyright © 2020 Lina Rehal.

All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the author.

Published by Lina Rehal

Printed in the United States of America

Cover Design: coversbykaren.com

Author Photo: Katie Martin

Version: 06.26.2020

DISCLAIMER: Someday Is Here is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to actual events is entirely coincidental.

Contact Lina Rehal

Email: [e-mail]

Website: www.linarehal.com

Website: www.thefuzzypinkmuse.com

Dedication

In memory of my aunt and godmother, Dolores Hyder. My Auntie Dolly found her someday and didn’t let it slip by. I know she’s with Uncle Bill, the love of her life, again.

Special Thanks

Thank you to my friends and family for all your encouragement and support. If you critiqued a few chapters, shared my posts on Facebook, or assisted with my research by answering questions, you helped get me to the final draft.

Thank you to Kathie Moulison for reading the second draft. Your comments and suggestions helped me get this book ready for publication.

A special thank you to Mark Dow, my consultant for all things nautical. Thanks for answering all my questions and for sharing your knowledge of boats, yachts and anything to do with life on the water. Your input, suggestions and critiques greatly helped with my research.

I am especially grateful to my writing buddy, Mary. I couldn’t have finished this book without all the emails, critiques and virtual coffee sessions.

To my granddaughter, Katie Martin, thank you for the author photo.

Thanks to members of the Red Rock Rewriters for your comments and critiques.

Thank you to all my friends on social media for the comments, likes and shares.

Thank you to my husband, Dick Rehal, for always encouraging me.

Lina

Other Books by Lina Rehal

Lasting Impressions

Jillie & Sam

Loving Daniel

October In New York

Carousel Kisses

Chapter 1

Blair

The giant wheels of the Airbus A320 touched down with a loud thud. Blair gripped both armrests. Her heart raced as the plane barreled down the runway of the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.

It’s all right, said the man sitting next to her. We’re on the ground. You can relax now.

Blair forced a smile for the dark-haired passenger with the baritone voice and perfect tan who had introduced himself as Alex, shortly after take-off. He told her he had been in Boston on business and was returning home. She was careful not to reveal too much personal information about herself and only told him she was a photographer, liked to paint, and was going to visit a friend in Fort Lauderdale. Chatting with him kept her mind off the long, bumpy flight.

I’m fine.

She let go of the armrests and turned toward the window. It’s not really the landing I’m worried about.

The plane slowed down and headed toward the terminal. Blair looked out at the ground crew scurrying about. Suddenly, the image of a man appeared in the glass. The man she had come to Florida to visit.

Jace?

Did you say something? asked Alex.

She turned quickly. Oh, no. Just thinking out loud.

When she looked back at the window, the image was gone. I hope coming here wasn’t a huge mistake.

Welcome to Fort Lauderdale. The temperature here is a balmy eighty-four degrees. Thank you for flying with JetBlue today.

Blair undid the seatbelt and lifted her tote bag up onto her lap. She fished out her phone and made a call. We’ve landed.

I know. I’m in the pick-up area. I’ll stand outside of my truck, so you can see me.

I’ll get my suitcase and meet you there.

Text me when you get it…and Blair…I’m glad you’re here.

She hesitated before answering. See you in a bit.

When she put her phone away and looked up, Alex was staring at her. His ink black eyes softened when he spoke. It was nice meeting you, Blair. I hope your stay in Fort Lauderdale is a pleasant one.

Same here, Alex. I enjoyed talking to you.

He held out a white business card with raised blue lettering. Here’s my card. If you need anything, anything at all, while you’re in town, don’t hesitate to call.

Blair took it from him and read it out loud. Alexander J. Beaumont, Attorney at Law. Um, I hope I don’t need a lawyer while I’m here, but I’ll keep you in mind if I do.

He laughed. I’m not trying to drum up clients. I was hoping you might give me a call sometime. I fly to Boston on business a lot.

Oh…well…maybe I will. She slid it in the front pocket of her purse.

People were getting up and opening the overhead bins. Do you have a bag up here I can get for you? he asked.

No, she said. I’m all set.

Alex stood up, pulled a bag out of the bin and stepped back to let her go in front of him. Once off the plane, he walked beside her. When they got past the ticket counter, he stopped and turned toward her. Good-bye, Blair. Thank you for making it a pleasant flight.

A sudden impulse hit her, as he started to walk away. Alex, wait. She dug into her bag and took out a card. Next time you’re in Boston, give me a call.

Smiling, he took the card from her. I’ll do that.

She watched him head for the exit. Did I just give my number to a stranger I met on a plane? He’ll probably never call anyway.

As she made her way to the baggage claim, Blair forgot about the handsome attorney and thought about the image in the window of the plane. She hadn’t seen Jace Cooper in over ten years. They had a drink together during one of his trips back home. It didn’t go well. He brought up things from the past she didn’t want to talk about. Funny that the likeness was of the way I remember him back then. Am I trying to relive the past? Is he? Is that what this trip is about?

Chapter 2

Jace

Jace Cooper stood leaning against his Nissan Titan in the pick-up area of the airport. He hadn’t seen Blair Emerson in more than ten years. He had been trying to convince her to come visit him in Florida since they re-connected on Facebook over a year ago.

You’d love it here. We can relax by the pool or go to the beach. There are museums and shopping malls. I’ll take you out on my boat.

It’s a tempting offer, Jace, but I can’t get away right now.

He knew her usual answer was an excuse. I can’t blame her for not trusting my intentions after what happened on my boat that day when she came to say good-bye and give me a gift. I should have accepted the painting she did of the Aloha, thanked her and left it at that. I shouldn’t have kissed her. But I was leaving Carlton Bay in the morning. Probably for good. Trying to justify my actions by telling her that her husband was doing much worse behind her back was an even bigger mistake. It took her a long time to forgive me. But that was fifteen years ago. It’s in the past.

It suddenly occurred to him she didn’t sound very excited about being here. Maybe she had a rough flight or she’s nervous. I know I am. What if she’s disappointed when she sees me? What if I’m disappointed when I see her? Get a grip. We’ve done FaceTime and Skype several times over the past six months. She looks damn good.

He scrolled his text messages and looked at his watch. What’s taking her so long? I hope they didn’t lose her luggage. Where the hell is she?

Jace scanned the people hurrying to waiting vehicles. He was about to text Blair, when he spotted her coming out of the door, pulling a suitcase. As she got closer, he raised his arm high in the air and waved. He slipped his phone in his pocket and opened the back door of his truck. She was standing in front of him when he turned around. Her wheat blonde hair moved slightly in the gentle breeze.

Sorry it took me so long. Mine was literally the last piece of luggage off the plane. My phone fell down to the bottom of my bag. It seemed easier to just go than to stop and dig it out to text you. I hope you haven’t been waiting too long…

Jace realized she was nervous. He put both hands on her shoulders and looked into her almond shaped, brown eyes. Blair…it’s okay. I’ve only been here a few minutes. You’re here. That’s all that matters.

She took a deep breath. You’re right. I was rambling. I do that when I’m nervous.

He smiled. I know.

He put his arms around her and gave her a big hug. Don’t be nervous. You’re on vacation. We’re gonna have a great week. I promise. But, right now, we have to get out of here.

Jace took her suitcase and lifted it into the back seat. She opened the front door of the truck. He helped her get