From "Finding Beth" to "Loving Tiffany"

Happy Friday! Here's the latest:

Beth Gallagher is happily waiting to be found by an agent and/or publisher. Her story is written and now it's time to turn our attention to Tiffany. Anyone who read the early version of Beth's first chapters are familiar with Tiffany. Some even begged for her story to be next. Well, I'm pleased to officially announce that Tiffany's story is in the making - "Loving Tiffany." Here's a little blurb to entice you. Just keep in mind that, as with Beth's beginning, this is a first rough draft:

A woman recovering from a lifetime of abuse... A friend dealing with his own heartache... A wealthy man promising security... A God who demands she give him all...

            If Tiffany Nash’s nerves wound any tighter, she’d snap like a guitar string. She followed Reece Kemper to his office bracing her self for – What?

            “Here we are. Please. Have a seat. Make yourself comfortable.” When he closed the door, her senses shifted to high alert. “Would you like a Coke? Sweet tea? Anything?”

            She faced him, her body so brittle the least little move and she just might shatter. And he wanted her to relax? Get comfortable? Ha! Like that was going to happen.

            He popped open a mini-frig that hadn’t been there with the last bank manager. Courtesy of his father the bank president, maybe? His brows raised, but he said nothing more.

            She cleared her throat. “Nothing for me, thanks.”

            He shrugged, grabbed a Coke and settled behind his desk. She pivoted just enough to face him, keeping the door in her periphery. He took a swig of soda, set the can down and cleared his throat.

            “I like what I see.” The intensity in his pale gray eyes unnerved her. She sucked in a breath and took an involuntary step back. He leaned forward, resting his chin in hand. “Since I’ve been here I’ve watched you train new CSR’s, assist the others in the transition of having a new boss, and run the schedule with precision… I’ve never heard a single complaint about scheduling and everyone actually gets along. I have to tell you, I’m very impressed.”

            She swallowed hard, clasped her hands in front of her and squeezed tight. “Really?” Was that her voice that sounded so small and… needy?

            “Really. I am wondering about one thing, though. What’s up with Beth Gallagher?”

Tiffany creased her brows. “What… what do you mean?”

“She’s listed as full-time employee and yet she’s constantly taking off, working less and less hours. I looked into her work history and the first three years of employment she not only worked every hour she was scheduled, but filled in for others, too. Very strange. I know you two are friends. I’ve been here nine months. Long enough to get to know you both and it seems out of character for you to show favoritism or for her to take advantage of your friendship. So, enlighten me.”

“Beth put in a request to reduce her hours.” She shrugged. “The other girls wanted more hours, so it all worked out. It’s taken some time to find a good balance, but I think we’re finally there.” If he wanted to know Beth’s personal business, he’d have to get that information from Beth.

He tapped a pen on the desk and studied her. Adrenaline fired through her veins, kicking her into survival mode. She forced a blank look and stared right back.

A smile crept to the edges of his lips and he nodded. “I like you, Ms Nash. I like you a lot. I think we’ll work well together.”

In your dreams. “Did you need anything else, Mr. Kemper?”

“Reece. Please. Call me Reece. Mr. Kemper is my dad.”

“All right. And I prefer Tiffany over Ms. Nash.” And not because I like you. I just can’t stand to be called by my deceased husband’s name.

He nodded and grinned, showing off the deep dimple in his right cheek. “Tiffany it is. Your work ethic is impeccable. Thank you for that.”

Her heart fluttered at his praise, but she clipped the butterfly wings by sheer mental force. “I always give my best. Thank you for the recognition.” Her face relaxed a bit as a tiny smile crept to her lips.

“You bet.” He rose from his chair and moved to open the door.  His height always caught her off guard. Six feet and three inches was nothing for a five feet and two inch gal to sneeze at. Tiny and vulnerable. That’s how he made her feel and she didn’t like it one bit. At five feet and ten inches, Michael Olivier stood tall next to her, but in a comfortable sort of way.

Michael. When would she see him again? It’s been nearly three weeks.

“I meant what I said.” Reece’s voice jarred back to the present.

“What?”

“You are the best CSR manager I’ve had the pleasure of working with and I really do appreciate you making my transition here so easy.”

“Oh.” She flushed. Totally irritating! What’s wrong with her? “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome. After you?” He waved her through the door and followed behind.

His praise seemed sincere and it made her a little light headed. Had any man ever praised her? Well, yeah. For… other things. Things that whispered and echoed in her head, threatening to consume her, but she forced them back. She would not go there.

“I’m off to a business luncheon, but I should be back before closing. Mr. Sanford is coming in to close his loan. I’ll be cutting it close, so can you have everything in order and ready to go? I believe the appointment is for four-thirty?”

She glanced over her shoulder. “Four.”

“Really?” He glanced at his watch. “Okay. That cuts the meeting a little close, but…” He looked at her and winked. “Thanks. You may have just saved a sale.” He grinned and her heart lurched.

She caught movement out of the corner of her eye and looked over just in time to see Michael Olivier step back from her desk. Her heart flipped. She smiled at him, her first genuine smile of the day, and held up a finger for him wait. She glanced back to Reece.

“I’ll have everything ready for you.”

“Good deal.” He rested his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. She froze. “See you later.” He stepped through the half-door separating the bank from the grocery store, gave a little wave and nearly collided with Michael on his way out.

Michael wore an unreadable expression, but his gaze was fixed to hers. Searching her. 
Her smile for him still in place, she said, “Hey, stranger. Did you just get into town?”

~

So, what do you think? Sound intriguing? Want to find out more? Tell me. Please! I really want to know!