Then I Found You

Then I Found You

Contemporary Romance

The idea for this story came after my great-aunt met and married a man in the winter of her life. Elizabeth and Daniel are nowhere near their own winters, but stories often begin with just a thought or a moment.

The bell jingled over the door, announcing a customer. There had been a short pause in an otherwise busy morning and Elizabeth was on her hands and knees between two shelves in the back of her home decor shop, looking in vain for one of the three votive candles she’d picked out for a display.

"I'll be with you in a minute," she called out, taking one last look beneath the shelf. She nearly jumped out of her skin at the deep voice directly behind her.

“Are you looking for this?” Unmistakable humor laced the innocent question.

She glanced over her shoulder at the owner of that wonderful voice. Her breath caught in her lungs at the man towering over her, the delicate pink candle ridiculously small and feminine in his large outstretched hand.

She took in the long legs covered by casual slacks, lean hips that gave way to a thickly muscled chest and broad shoulders accentuated by a white shirt and elegant tie. Dark hair, peppered with white, neatly cut and swept back off his forehead, framed a handsome face with a firm chin and eyes that studied her through a pair of wire-rimmed glasses. Startling green eyes that looked directly at her behind, then came back to rest on her shocked face.

That telling look reminded her of the soft cotton skirt that hugged her hips and the fact that the snug material had ridden up, probably showing an indecent amount of her nylon-clad legs. Sinking back into a kneeling position, Elizabeth resisted the urge to smooth a hand over her dark, chin length hair. Blushing furiously, she tried to gather her wits and think past the heated expression in those startling eyes.

Taking the candle from him, she started to get to her feet, aware that her skirt would make it awkward at best and downright embarrassing at worst.

“Let me help you,” he said. He moved behind her quickly and before she could refuse, he placed those strong hands at her waist and lifted her to her feet. His fingers tightened a fraction, measuring the gentle flare of her hips, before he released her and stepped back.

Her heart beat rapidly beneath her ribs, excitement pumping through her. Turning around, she found herself staring at his strong, tan neck above the crisp collar, and she realized he was at least eight, maybe nine, inches taller than her own five-three. Meeting his gaze, she felt a jolt of pure sexual awareness. The air between them seemed to vibrate with it.

The bell sounded over the door again, dispelling the magical moment. The interruption reminded her that this stranger had come into the store for a reason. One other that finding a stray candle or offering her the use of his strong arms.

“Was there something in particular you wanted?” she asked, then laughed at the half smile that made her heart rate increase again. His expression revealed knowledge of what a woman wants and a promise that he would deliver.

“As a matter of fact, I’m looking for a gift for my daughter’s birthday.”

If he’d said he was looking for the materials to perform strip-o-grams, he couldn’t have surprised Elizabeth more. Or make her feel such acute disappointment.

He already had a wife and family. This man had awakened desires that had been dormant since Steven’s death and he wasn’t even available. The ache in her chest throbbed like an open wound and for a moment all she could do was stare at the sexy lips that had uttered those shattering words.

Then outrage for his nameless, faceless wife erupted inside her. He had been flirting with her. Not only that, but his desire was obvious in the tense lines of his tall frame. Yet he was a married man with at least one child.

She tried to move past him to go help the woman and man that had walked in. His hand clamped on her upper arm and she stopped, out of curiosity rather than fear. She didn’t know why, but her instincts told her this man would not harm her physically.

“I’ve upset you, I’m sorry.” The whispered words so close to her ear sent shivers along her arms in response. The floodgates, tightly sealed so many years, opened now with no hope of slamming them shut. Even when faced with a situation in which she didn’t want to participate.

"I have customers to wait on." Glaring pointedly at the warm manacle on her arm, she said, "Excuse me." As their eyes met, the confusion in his was unmistakable, but she didn’t have the time or energy to continue this any longer.

He released her reluctantly, but showed no sign of leaving. She directed the couple to the table linens and napkin rings. The stranger’s eyes followed her every step, even as he paused to pick up one thing or another. To a casual onlooker his attentive regard may have gone unnoticed, but Elizabeth could feel the tension coiling inside. By the time the couple paid and left, her nerves stretched taut with the primal knowledge that the chase was about over.

He stepped toward her as the door closed, but to her relief and dismay, he didn’t try to touch her.

"I guess you don’t like kids," he said. "Or is it birthdays you object to?"

"What?" she asked, wondering if perhaps she'd overestimated the intelligence behind those sexy glasses, then she recalled his remark about a gift for his daughter.

“No, I object to married men that behave like they're single." She watched as his eyes widened and he did the last thing she’d expected him to do. He started laughing.

"Why would you assume I'm married?" he said finally.

Since that obviously was not the case, Elizabeth felt silly.

"When you mentioned a daughter, I thought, for whatever reason, you didn’t seem like a man who would not be married to the mother of that child." Embarrassment colored her cheeks and she said, "I don't usually jump to conclusions about people. I apologize."

He looked at her, amusement at her dilemma clear, but something else not so easily explainable lingered in his expression.

"Let's start over. I’m Daniel Morris," clasping her hand between both of his. "Single parent of Piper, grandfather of Jared and Morgan."

Elizabeth's mouth must've dropped open in shock, because he smiled at her, but went on.

"I write computer programs and own PipeDreams Software. I’m fifty-four years old, work out regularly and enjoy an occasional glass of fine red wine. I like John Grisham novels, which I tend to leave lying around. I have a cat named Clyde. I drive a Jag, but also have a pickup." He grinned at her then. "And I'd like to buy a gift for my daughter's birthday."

Her heart fluttered as she sorted all the information, zeroing in on single." She had an almost irresistible urge to giggle like a little girl.

"My name is Elizabeth Case."

When nothing else was forthcoming, one black brow rose in amusement. "That's it?"

"What kind of gift were you thinking of for Piper?" she said, sidestepping the personal stuff.

"She likes angels and mystical creatures," he offered, obviously letting her slide for a moment.

She started to walk toward a section at the back. "I've got just the thing over--"

"Elizabeth, wait." Her name spoken in that rich, deep tone flowed over her. "What are you afraid of?" he asked, moving behind her to touch her shoulders, holding her when she would have stepped away from him. She wondered at his question. Was she afraid?

She felt the inner twisting of desire, but yes, there was an underlying fear that held her tightly, clenching around her soul. A fear of drowning, of losing herself to someone else, of needing too much.

"It's been a long time since I've had anyone but myself," she said softly.

He considered this for a moment, then surprised her by saying, "You must have loved him deeply."

"Yes, I do." She thought of the carefree boy she'd married right out of high school, their passion fueled by a love that could not be measured.

"He died?"

Still not looking at him, she nodded.

"Steven was diagnosed with cancer right after our fourteenth anniversary. It was aggressive and he was gone within the year." The pain of his loss had dulled over time, but there had never been anyone to fill the void he'd left. "It's been fifteen years."

"I'm sorry, Elizabeth." Stepping in front of her, he lifted her face so she had to look at him. "Sorry that you've been alone for so long."

His thumb stroked the curve of her chin, holding her captive with his words and the gentle look in his eyes.

"I think we'd be crazy not to explore the chance we've been given." His mouth turned up in a half smile that sent Elizabeth's heart fluttering. "I've never been a believer in love at first sight, but I'm attracted to you, that much I do know. We have a chance at something wonderful and I'll do whatever it takes to convince you."

He touched her lips in a whisper soft kiss, then stepped away.

"Where did you say the angels were?" he asked, looking over the shelves as if he hadn't just pulled the rug out from under her.

Long ago, Elizabeth had accepted that there would never be another partner for her and she had made the most of what life had to offer in other ways.

Now, as she stepped toward this gentle man, with his laughing eyes and slow smile, she felt hope blossoming in her heart for a second time.

"It's going to take more than that, Daniel Morris."

"I know, Elizabeth Case. This is just the beginning."

The End