Nick and Noelle

Nick leaned forward, resting a hand on the counter on either side of her. “Did it ever occur to you,” he growled, his face inches from hers, “that we’d have no problem getting along if you weren’t so stubborn.”

Noelle folded her arms across her chest. “Did it ever occur to you that you might be the stubborn one?”

"I'm trying to be nice."

"Well try harder."

He refused to back up and knew she couldn't as the counter was behind her. "Have lunch with me."

"What?"

"That's what I came in to talk to you about. I wanted to take you to lunch to talk about decorating the church for Christmas."

"Lunch?"

"Yes."

"Where?"

"Wherever you like."

Noelle placed her hands on his chest and pushed. He didn't move.

"What's your answer?”

"I didn't know I was being given a choice."

"You are. What's your answer?"

"Really, Ni—"

"And if 'really Nick' comes out of your mouth one more time today I'll..." He stared at her mouth. She was close enough to silence with a kiss. He was suddenly aware of her palms, still flattened across his chest. For several heartbeats he stood there, incredibly attuned to her nearness, her warmth, the smell of her shampoo.

Had he lost his mind? Abruptly, he backed away.

Kara Lynn Russell at a glance:

• Married to a guy who puts the happy in my ever after.

• Mother of four (and still mostly sane)

• Live in a small Wisconsin town in the heart of dairy country.

• Currently work at the local public library. I got into library work by hanging around until they decided to put me to work.

• I love reading genre books: romance, fantasy, and mysteries. I have a special fondness for those with a Christian slant.

• I write romance and children's stories • I love making lists • Best motivation to write: Avoiding housework!

Contact Kara Lynn at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Visit Kara Lynn at karalynnrussell.googlepages.com