With Bells On

By Mellanie Szereto

Second chances. A love waiting for the right time and right place.
Career-focused Audrey Summerlin (58) has never wanted or needed a caretaker, even when she breaks her ankle from a fall on her slippery sidewalk. A little help might be nice, but she'll be fine on her own. Maybe.
Newly retired Nolan Beckett (57), her former lover from college and her neighbor's holiday housesitter, comes to her rescue. He's ready to play nursemaid and a whole lot more if she'll let him.
The attraction and long-denied feelings are still there, but will their stubborn ways keep them from finding happily-ever-after the second time around?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Amatoria Press
• Release date: Feb 7, 2024
• ISBN: 9781942522638

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

Sprawled in a patch of wet snow next to the sidewalk, Audrey Summerlin straightened her crooked hat and tried to focus on breathing through the intense pain radiating through her ankle. "Ouch, ouch, ouch! Fuck, that hurts."

She plopped back on the ground when spots danced in her vision, despite the icy dampness seeping into her sweatpants. Her butt cheeks would be a pair of wrinkled prunes by the time she slithered to her phone under the bush several feet beyond her reach.

Her cell lit up, and ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’ sang out from the flowerbed in front of her porch.

Go ahead. Mock me for slipping and falling on my ass. Levering up on her elbows again, she tested her ability to sit up without blacking out, but the music abruptly ended before she could scoot closer. Not helpful.

Headlights flashed across her next-door neighbor’s yard in the morning twilight, bringing a moment of warring relief and embarrassment. Sure, somebody might stop to help her, but what self-sufficient fifty-eight-year-old woman wanted to be told she should get a Life Alert necklace?

Yeah, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up, but I’m not old or helpless.

The car crept toward the end of her driveway, its driver obviously more watchful of the black ice than she’d been. Before she could decide whether or not to wave her arms, the vehicle stopped at the curb and the window glided downward. A deep voice carried to her. Did you fall? Are you hurt?

She nodded, hoping her savior was strong enough to help her to her feet—or foot—since her right ankle still throbbed like the dickens and stiffness, most likely from swelling, was making her boot more snug than usual. At least a bad sprain.

Don’t move. He closed the window and turned into her drive. The engine went silent a few seconds later, but her skin grew wetter and colder while he cautiously crossed to her. Any other injuries? Did you hit your head?

Closing her eyes against the ache, she exhaled for a count of five. No. I was salting the sidewalk and slid off the edge and rolled my ankle. I heard a crack. I’m pretty sure that’s a bad thing.

Yeah. It might be broken. Do you think you can balance on your other leg if you lean on me? Or would you rather I carry you inside? He crouched next to her, his face still in shadow from the porch light behind him. I’m your temporary neighbor at the end of the street as of yesterday. The blue house with white shutters? I’ll be housesitting for the next month while I decide what to do with my retirement years. Nolan Beckett.

As she opened her mouth to answer him, her brain stalled and her heart thumped in her chest.

Nolan Beckett? Beck?

He couldn’t possibly be the guy she’d had a torrid affair with in college.

Right, because Nolan Beckett is such a common name.

Their parting had been mutually agreed upon, meaning neither of them should harbor any hard feelings—especially after nearly forty years. It hadn’t really even been a breakup, more like a planned ending.

No reason to be awkward.

She sucked in another chilly breath and held out her hand. Thanks for stopping. I’m feeling a little queasy, but I think I can walk if you help me up.

Okay. Let’s get you inside. He grasped her gloved hands and