Smoothing a Rocky Road

By Fran McNabb

Math teacher Melissa Tanner is managing her dad's beach front, ice cream stand for the summer. The tourist area is near a military base, and she knows the risk of dating service men. But when she meets Captain Ty Waltman, she re-evaluates her prejudice against men on temporary duty. Bachelor pilot Ty loves his globe-trotting career but meeting down-to-earth Melissa makes him reconsider his future. Yet, can he give up a life of travel and tie himself to one base and the Hurricane Hunters in order to be closer to Melissa?

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
• Release date: Sep 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781509233786

Fran McNabb

Fran McNabb grew up along the beaches and islands of the Gulf Coast. After spending the first years of marriage in Germany, she and her husband returned to the coastline to raise their two sons. Today they live on a quiet bayou harbor and spend much of the year boating and fishing. Fran earned both her B.S. and her M.E. from the University of Southern Mississippi, and over the years taught English and journalism as well as presided over writing workshops. This love of the English language prompted her to pen engaging romances, many of which are set along her native coastline. She'd love to hear from her readers at [e-mail] or visit her at www.FranMcNabb.com

Book preview

Inc.

If I didn’t have my students behind me, I’d kiss you, Miss Melissa.

His eyes shone with desire. Melissa’s heart slammed against her chest. She swallowed. And maybe I’d let you. She sat straight and tried to be sensible. "But your students are here, and you won’t be in a few days. We should probably simply sit here and enjoy this wonderful night." So much for ignoring my doubt.

He sat straighter. Here we go again. You really are paranoid about being out with someone from the base.

Not just from the base. The problem is more about being with someone who is here temporarily. Please understand. Put yourself in my shoes.

He laughed. We’re not wearing shoes.

His remark ripped across her chest. She leaned away. Are you making fun of my feelings?

This time he pulled her close.

Before she had time to think, he kissed her. The kiss, fast and hard, left her breathless. She blinked and stared.

I would never make fun of your feelings, Melissa. You have every right to protect yourself from men who want to take advantage of their situation while they’re away from home. I’m not here to hurt you. He pulled his arms back to his side.

Coldness set in where the warmth from his touch had been. Melissa’s thoughts scattered in a million different directions. What just happened? He’d kissed her. She loved the kiss, but now he sat staring out over the water, not touching her. Had she hurt his feelings?

Praise for Fran McNabb

"Ms. McNabb has once again created two strong, relatable characters in SMOOTHING A ROCKY ROAD, a short story set on her beloved Gulf Coast."

~Cara Lynn James, Inspirational Author

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"SMOOTHING A ROCKY ROAD is a great, easy read for someone looking for a story with a wonderful ending."

~Sue Gallaspy, avid reader

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You can count on Fran McNabb to deliver a tender romance with appealing characters.

~Roni Denholtz, award-winning author

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Fun, clean read with likable characters and interesting setting.

~Sandra Carey Cody, mystery author

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"Fran McNabb serves up a sweet military romance… with sprinkles on the top in SMOOTHING A ROCKY ROAD."

~Sofie Couch

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"Fran McNabb never fails to touch the heart. SMOOTHING A ROCKY ROAD is the perfect summer read for those days when you can only think about a lounge in the shade and ice cream."

~Leigh Verrill-Rhys, Novelist

Smoothing

a Rocky Road

by

Fran McNabb

One Scoop or Two

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales, is entirely coincidental.

Smoothing a Rocky Road

COPYRIGHT © 2020 by Frances McNabb

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the author or The Wild Rose Press, Inc. except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Contact Information: [e-mail]

Cover Art by Abigail Owen

The Wild Rose Press, Inc.

PO Box 708

Adams Basin, NY 14410-0708

Visit us at www.thewildrosepress.com

Publishing History

First Sweetheart Rose Edition, 2020

Digital ISBN 978-1-5092-3378-6

One Scoop or Two

Published in the United States of America

Chapter One

A warm breeze blew in from the distant islands of the Gulf of Mexico, giving a little relief to the sunbathers on Biloxi’s front beach. Melissa Tanner stood at the service window of The Pelican’s Roost, her father’s ice cream stand, and handed a cone with a double scoop of strawberry to a young mother for her daughter.

The little girl wearing a red, ruffled bathing suit bounced up and down.

Thank you so much for stopping by. Enjoy your ice cream. Melissa smiled as the lady settled her daughter on the seawall to eat her cone.

Working at The Roost, as her father affectionately called his retirement business, gave Melissa the opportunity to enjoy the interaction of young families with their children. Even though she was on summer break from teaching, she didn’t mind helping her parents while her father recuperated. The bright yellow-striped exterior of The Roost with an in-flight pelican made her smile every morning she came to work.

Before Melissa had time to close the register, a loud crash sounded from the highway behind her and reverberated through The Roost. She grabbed the countertop, squeezed her eyes, and braced herself for a vehicle to smash through the walls and crush her to death. Her pulse raced. Her gut tensed. She gulped air and waited for the inevitable.

Nothing happened.

Still gripping the counter with trembling hands, she opened her eyes. Everything appeared normal inside.