A Change of Plans

By Ann B. Morris

Cara Lewis's life is exactly as she wants it. She expects her longtime dream of relocating both home and business to the country to be a reality by the end of the year. Everything is progressing according to plan. Until she meets Zach Sheridan on a plane trip home from Houston to New Orleans. A successful businessman, Zach lives in his childhood home in the suburbs with his two young sons. He is happy right where he is. After a disastrous marriage to a woman more interested in her career than her family, a romantic involvement with another business woman isn't even a remote possibility. Until he boards a plane and his seat mate is Cara Lewis. Before the plane lands, Cara and Zach make plans for a mutually beneficial business exchange. And then, as the old saying goes…the best laid plans…

• Language: English
• Publisher: Wings ePress, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9781590880968

Book preview

What They Are Saying About

A Change Of Plans

Ms. Morris powerfully portrays a tale of two people fighting desperately against the attraction they feel for each other. Her story is wonderfully romantic, her characters believable and the ending leaves the reader with a feeling of contentment. A Change of Plans, is a must read for all.

—Susan R. Sweet,

A Deadly Agent

www.wings-press.com

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Change of Plans proves that love is definitely more wonderful the second time around. Cara and Zack’s story reaches a very satisfactory conclusion, despite many setbacks along the way, proving that you can mix business with pleasure. Change of Plans is a delightfully sexy and sensuous love story.

—Tricia McGill

Amaryllis, Designing Heart

www.wings-press.com

www.geocities.com/triciamcgill2

A Change Of Plans

Ann B. Morris

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A Wings ePress, Inc.

Contemporary Encore L’Amour Romance Novel

Published by Wings ePress Inc,

Copyright © 2002 by Ann B. Morris

ISBN 978-1-59088-096-8

All rights reserved

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Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.

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Edited by: Lorraine Stephens

Copy Edited by: Elizabeth Burton

Senior Editor: Lorraine Stephens

Executive Editor: Lorraine Stephens

Cover Artist: Pam Ripling

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Wings ePress Inc.

3000 N. Rock Road

Newton, KS  67114

Dedication

To my friend

Anne Chase

ever an inspiration

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and, of course,

to the rest of my buddies at the

Baton Rouge Fine Arts Academy

who always make me feel special

One

Rain whipped against the windows like tattered strips of cellophane as Cara Lewis eased the car to a stop in front of Sheridan’s Automotive Clinic. She cut the car’s engine and forced herself to take a deep breath. Rain, rain, go away, come back some less important day. Today, she needed to get this matter with Zach Sheridan settled quickly so she could be at Southside Realty by nine.

The news over the weekend had been both good and not so good. Good, because her offer on the North Shore property had been accepted. Not so good, because the owners wanted an additional sixty days after the act of sale before she took possession of the property. At this rate, she was going to be hard-pressed to fit all her plans in by the first of the year.

Nervously, she fingered the silver bracelet on her arm. She loved the darn thing, but she still couldn’t quite forgive herself for buying it—or Amy for dragging her into the shop on Royal Street.

If she were a superstitious person she would swear that the proprietor of the Time and Again Antique Shop had put her under a spell. Well, maybe not a spell, exactly, but she had certainly been mesmerized by the caftan-clad Marie de Beauvoir and her gentle, southern charm.

The wearer of this bracelet will find true love when she least expects it, Madame de Beauvoir had promised as she placed the bracelet on Cara’s arm and showed her how to close the special safety clasp. A modern day addition, she admitted.

Legend has it, the friendly proprietor continued, lowering her voice so that only Cara could hear, is that this bracelet and this ring—she held up the silver-and-diamond ring for Cara to see again—"once belonged to a peasant woman, given to her by her lover, a French nobleman.

According to the story, he gave up his inheritance and the favor of his family in order to be with the woman he loved. The bracelet and the ring were his pledge to her that they would be together for all time. It’s said both were with her when she was buried, and it’s a mystery as to how they came to circulate again.

Cara had listened politely and had even promised to think about buying the ring, although she knew she wouldn’t. She’d already spent more money than she should have on the bracelet.

Sometimes, the seemingly ageless proprietor whispered as she held the door open for Cara to leave, no matter how hard we try to resist, love changes our lives forever.

An unlikely story—one clearly manufactured to make a sale and one which she didn’t need. She’d bought the bracelet because she’d fallen in love with it, not because of some drummed-up legend.

Cara brought herself sharply back to the here and now.

Everything was within a breath of falling into place. Her catering business, already one of the largest in the area, was still growing. The gourmet soup line was only months away from appearing in the freezers of local supermarkets. She might even be able to open the new café at the first of the year, since the restaurant that was the integral part of her new purchase needed very little renovation.

She sighed contentedly in spite of the downpour that kept her from attending to the matter at hand. Her two-year search had finally led her to a beautiful tract of pine-treed land with a former restaurant on the front acre and a beautiful Acadian home on the back acre. Her decade-long dream was about to become a reality. Nothing could distract her now.

Then she remembered the reason for this early-morning visit.

Her heartbeat picked up. Her palms dampened. She switched the engine back on to get some cool air moving. Outside, the temperature was unusually mild for the last week of May, but inside the car it was mid-July in New Orleans.

Suddenly, she was back in the cabin of the airplane before takeoff. The air was stuffy, passengers pressed close on the way to their seats. She was trying to fit her luggage into the already crowded overhead bin. An arm stretched over her shoulder, a hand shot upward and quickly tucked the overnighter away. Sir Galahad in a rumpled white dress shirt, with a cufflink that the modern-day safety chain on her bracelet snagged, causing a few tense moments between them before she finally untangled it.

As luck would have it she and her knight were seatmates, and before the plane left the ground she knew his real name and that he was returning from his mother’s funeral in Houston. When he told her his business was repairing automobiles, the fact that her son was a nineteen-year-old automobile junkie slid naturally off her tongue. By the time they were in the air, she knew he was six weeks away from being divorced, that he shared custody of his two young sons with his estranged wife and that the boys lived with him. She had never been as comfortable with a stranger before as she was with Zach Sheridan.

It seemed only natural to mention that she was widowed. Before she knew it, she had told him of her plans to move to the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain. She even mentioned the appointment she had to look at some property there in a few days. By the time they touched ground she had his business card, and since hers were in her luggage, she had written her name and the phone number of the catering business on an extra one of his.

He owned two automotive repair clinics in Metairie, close to where she lived and worked. Since she had a company van that needed immediate repair and he just happened to be looking for a caterer to handle his annual Fourth of July company picnic, it seemed like the perfect business fit for both of them.

She had even brought a pan of baked lasagna for him and his boys when she dropped off her van and a catering menu to him this past Tuesday. When he seemed genuinely surprised by the gesture, she explained it was merely a thank-you for his help with her luggage and changing her flat in the airport parking garage. Her heart had dipped to her toes when he smiled at her and her stomach hit her knees when their fingers touched as she handed him the aluminum pan.

Cara leaned toward the air conditioning vent and sucked in a lungful of cool air. She dried her damp palms on the knees of her jeans. There was no way she could have known that the helpful stranger next to her on the flight home to New Orleans would become such a thorn in her side. She must have been out of her mind to share so much personal information with him.

So, now, here she was, caught between the proverbial rock and a hard place. She could very well ruin a business relationship before it even got started. She was about to tell Zach Sheridan she didn’t appreciate his interference with her plans for her son.

As suddenly as it had begun, the rain ended. She took one more deep breath before she opened the car door. When she stepped outside it was on less than steady legs, and when Zach Sheridan waved to her from one of the work bays, her knees nearly buckled. He had a staggering effect on her even from this distance. She swallowed hard and stopped where she was.

Zach wiped his hands on a shop rag, stuffed it in a back pants pocket and approached her with obvious pleasure. The killer grin that lifted his cheek and cast his eye in a half-wink lit up his face. She wanted to turn and run. Instead, her tongue crossed her up. I don’t want Brian working for you this summer, she blurted. Her rudeness shocked her and she instantly regretted the words, but, like feathers thrown to the wind, they couldn’t be recalled.

Before she could think of a suitable apology, Zach took a quick step back, the smile replaced by a puzzled frown. Please, he said, holding up a restraining hand, I don’t know what this is all about, Cara, but it’s no way to begin a Monday morning. He gestured toward the door, moving her away from the eyes and ears of his employees.

Cara followed him stiffly past the cashier’s counter to his private office. Zach motioned for her to a chair. She shook her head stubbornly and remained standing.

Now what’s this all about? I offered your son a job and he accepted. He’s a talented kid. He knows almost as much about automobiles as most of my seasoned mechanics. The only thing he lacks is some certified training.

He doesn’t need training, because he isn’t going to be an automobile mechanic, Cara interrupted, anger bubbling up again inside her.

Zach cleared his throat. I apologize if I overstepped. I guess I thought at nineteen Brian was old enough to make his own decision about where he worked. He was like a kid in a candy shop on Saturday. When he mentioned he’d give his eyeteeth to work in a place like this, I offered him the opportunity. He took it without a second thought.

Kid in a candy shop, indeed. When they had come on Thursday to pick up the van and Brian had asked Zach for a tour of the shop, she had tried to talk him out of it. But Zach had not only been agreeable to the request, he had reinforced it with a solid invitation before they left. He had probably realized right then how useful Brian would be as a summer employee.

Cara felt the heat rise up her neck. She began to pace. He just can’t work here for you.

Confused, Zach tried to get to the source of her irritation. Well, I certainly have no intention of starting a family feud, so I’ll respect your wishes. But first, could you tell me if you have something against automobile mechanics in general, or just me in particular?

His conciliatory tone completely disarmed her. He didn’t sound like he was purposely out to derail her plans for Brian. It’s not you, personally, Cara said, embarrassed that she had insulted him when that was not her intention. I just want him doing something better with his life. She needed to cut out her tongue. That was clearly the only way she could keep it from misbehaving.

Zach scowled. He took in a hard breath and looked Cara square in the eyes. His lips tightened into an angry grimace. Not even the tangle of thick lashes could hide the amber sparks that flashed in his sea-green eyes.

Better? You want something better? Well, let me tell you something, Ms. Cara Lewis. I happen to have two very successful places of business that make me a good living—no, make that a damned good living. Add to that eighteen other people who think I do pretty well by them, too. He propped his hands on his hips and glared at her as he brought his face closer to hers. Lady, I wouldn’t change what I do for all the oil in Texas.

Caught in a bevy of conflicting emotions, not the least of which was profound embarrassment, Cara rushed to rectify the awkward situation. I didn’t mean to insult you or the work you do. I have nothing against mechanics at all, or against you. I just believe Brian would be better off working in a law office this summer. As a matter of fact, he has an appointment tomorrow at a law firm where a friend of mine works.

I know, Zach said with a smirk, he mentioned it to me. He also said he’d rather be boiled in oil and rolled in feathers than work there.

A look of astonishment crossed Cara’s face. He said that? In just those words?

In just those words, but, Zach added quickly, I’m sure he was exaggerating. He took a deep breath, rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes for a second. Look, I’m sorry I got gruff with you and I’m sorry I offered Brian the job. It just seemed perfect for him. He could also work on Saturday’s when he’s in from college on the weekend. I know you had other plans for him for this summer. It just sort of happened.

So, he did remember. She knew she had told him about her plans for Brian when they had talked so much about their children on the airplane. She distinctly remembered telling him how Brian would not have to work his first summer out of college slinging hamburgers or stock clerking in Wal-Mart. Had it really been as he said, a spur-of-the-moment thing?

Weekends would be out, Cara said, running her tongue over dry lips. By summer’s end we’ll be living across the Lake and it would be ridiculous for him to travel a hundred miles round trip for a part-time job.

You could be on this side of the Lake longer than you expect. Don’t you have to sell your house before you move? What if you have a problem selling it right away?

Her heart skipped a beat. I refuse to think of such a thing. Even if there was a delay it would be slight.

He was just trying to throw her off. Just trying to get her to think of something else other than the reason for her being here. Still, what he suggested was a real possibility. She had considered it more than once herself this past week. But she had been so focused on the final culmination of ten years of planning that she had refused to seriously consider any major setback.

His voice cut into her thoughts. I know you have a lot on your mind right now and I certainly don’t want to add to your troubles by causing a problem between you and your son. It’s going to put me in an awkward position, but I’ll tell him I changed my mind. I’ll tell him—

Cara held up an unsteady hand. No, wait. Don’t.

Zach lifted his brows in bewilderment.

Her sudden change of heart was as much a surprise to her as it was to him. What was she thinking? What was she doing? Where had all the anger gone?

The anger was still there, but she had wisely tempered it with rationale. She realized there were other things to consider, such as the strain her insistence on Brian’s working in a law office might put on their relationship. There was also the glamour this mechanics job might take on in his eyes if he were denied it.

Besides, she consoled herself, she would have the entire school year to convince Brian that next summer he should definitely work in a law office. She would not be taken by surprise again. She would be one step ahead of Mr. Zach Sheridan if he had any intention of repeating his offer next year.

You’re right, of course. Brian is old enough to decide where he wants to work. She got the words out barely above a whisper. And we’ll still be on this side of the Lake for most of the summer, at least. She hoped she sounded calmer, saner.

Are you sure?

Not trusting herself to speak past the lump that had suddenly settled in her throat, Cara nodded, then swallowed hard. And, please, she added, don’t mention my visit to Brian.

He gave her a heart-stopping smile, and the amber flecks that had flashed in his green eyes just minutes before literally sparkled now. I won’t, I promise.

Certain she looked much more composed than she felt, Cara turned and headed for the door. She may have lost this battle, but the war was by no means over. She held her breath when he came up behind her and reached over her shoulder to open the door. He smelled like spice and apples. Why did that surprise her? Did she expect him to smell like stale oil and crankcase grease? Not trusting herself to answer her own questions, she stepped outside and hurried to her car with its promise of safety.

~ * ~

Zach watched from the doorway as Cara walked to her car. She intrigued him. So what if she seemed a little too possessive where her son was concerned. She was a single mom. He’d heard they were often over-protective. Actually, he found both her concern and her anger becoming to her. If what he had just witnessed was any indication of how fiery she could be when other emotions were aroused, he could hardly wait to find out more.

He couldn’t take his eyes off her. When she opened the car door and tossed her jacket carelessly inside, unselfconsciously stretching her body in a graceful arc, something wrenched in his gut. Within seconds she was in the car and out of sight. But she was still on his mind, from the top of her sun-streaked blonde hair, to the spray of freckles on the bridge of her pert little nose and right down to her lusciously curved rear end.

~ * ~

During the drive to Southside, Cara replayed the scene in Zach’s office over and over. One minute she wanted to kick herself for giving permission for Brian to work for him. The next minute she congratulated herself for making the best of a bad situation. But if that were really the case why did she feel so upset with herself? Why did she feel like she had been conned into doing something she would later regret?

It was that crazy, lopsided smile that threw her off-balance, that’s what it was. Or maybe it was the mahogany-brown crewcut with the touch of silver at the temples. Or those damned green eyes. She tightened her grip on the steering wheel.

She was acting like a silly, moonstruck adolescent. Just because he was the best-looking man she had seen in a long time—a hunk, actually—was no reason to let her judgment of him become obscured. In spite of how good he looked and how charming he seemed, he still irritated her in more ways than one. For the second time that day her thoughts took her back a week, this time to the airport parking garage.

Upon reaching her car they had discovered a flat tire. In a matter of minutes, Zach had the flat off and the new tire on. She was terribly impressed watching those huge, masculine hands, that had stowed her luggage in the overhead bin so forcefully, work like those of a skilled surgeon on the stubborn lug nuts.

Then he made that stupid remark about how, after witnessing his skill with cars, she could tell her boss what a good job he would do on his van. She would have set him straight right then had she not decided putting him in his place would be best served some other time. That time arrived sooner than she expected.

The following afternoon when he’d called to discuss the catering for his picnic, she had mentioned casually that she was, at that very moment, getting ready to call him about looking at the van. She smiled now, remembering his comment.

I take it you gave your boss a sterling recommendation of me.

It was a perfect opening and she jumped on it. That wasn’t necessary, she said, in a sarcastically sweet voice, since the boss witnessed firsthand your work of wonder.

There was a sharp intake of breath and a whoosh when he let it out.

The boss, huh? Well, I guess that puts me in my place pretty fast.

Feeling generous, she told him sweetly, It was an honest mistake. There was no way you could know that I was the owner.

Right, he agreed. I guess it was just wishful thinking on my part.

She let out a long, exasperated sigh. Don’t tell me you have something against women business owners.

Only one in particular, he said gravely, then, catching himself, quickly added, But I think we should get off that subject and talk about discussing my picnic when you bring the van in. Is tomorrow around six convenient for you?

It had been too convenient.

Get a grip. Get back in focus. Get back to the plan. She slipped into a vacant spot in front of Southside Realty and cut off her thoughts along with the engine.

~ * ~

Brian was sitting at the kitchen table when Cara came home Monday evening. He looked up sheepishly, then waited until she had checked the answering machine and tossed her purse on a chair in the breakfast area before he spoke.

I’m sorry about the way I talked to you the other night.

They had had a nasty argument the previous Saturday night when she found out he spent the entire afternoon and evening with Zach Sheridan and his two boys. It was then he had told her about accepting a job with Zach for the summer. She had been furious. Demanded that he call and tell Zach he couldn’t take the job. Then, for the first time she could ever remember, he flatly told her he was going to do what he wanted, even if she disapproved.

Mom. Brian called her back to the present.

She waved a dismissive hand in the air. It’s okay. I was out of line myself. It’s over and done with. But I am curious about one thing. Did you actually ask Zach Sheridan for a job or did he offer you one first?

Brian looked at her curiously before he answered. I guess you could say I asked him. I mentioned how much I’d like to work in a place like his and he said he could use me during the summer. He was really impressed with what I know about cars.

Cara released her breath in a rush. When do you start working for him?

Obviously pleased by her sudden change in attitude, Brian answered her question eagerly. Next Monday.

On her way to the bedroom to change, Cara stopped and turned back to him. Did you call Bruce’s office to cancel tomorrow’s appointment?

Yes.

It was final, then. His determination to spend the summer in a mechanic’s shop instead of Bruce Spelling’s law office was as strong as her determination to see that it was never repeated. Suddenly, the realization of just how much he had grown struck her like a sharp slap in the face. The little boy had disappeared and a man had taken his place. In