Imagine That by Kristin Wallace Page A

by one. “One of them anyway.”
    Julia leaned her hip against the table. “You must be ecstatic over the turnout.”
    â€œI’m grateful. It’s so easy to feel sorry for myself, but my fans remind me why I keep trying. Why I want to keep writing.”
    â€œSpeaking of your writing, I’m sorry about the gang-up the other day in the boutique,” Julia said. “We shouldn’t have been so harsh. Especially since we don’t know you well. Seth is always telling me I stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong.”
    Emily waved in dismissal. “Addison already delivered her mea culpa . Don’t worry, I’ll live.”
    â€œBut will you write—” Julia let out an exasperated yelp. “There I go again. Sorry. Can’t help it. You haven’t met my fiancé yet, have you?” she asked, pointing across the room.
    The fiancé in question had broad shoulders and midnight-dark hair. Emily’s eyes widened in feminine appreciation. He was a preacher? In all the many different religious services Emily had attended, she’d never seen a man of the cloth who could have posed on the cover a men’s magazine.
    There must be something in the water in Covington Falls. It was the only possible explanation for such an excess of male good looks. Unless it was God’s way of ensuring a steady population growth.
    Julia waved and he ambled over. “Seth, this is Emily, the writer I was telling you about. We met in the library.”
    Seth dipped his head. “Welcome to Covington Falls.”
    A preacher with dimples and sapphire-blue eyes? Emily contemplated giving church another try. “Thank you. I’ve never felt so welcome anywhere in my life.”
    â€œWe like new things here,” he said.
    Julia tossed her hair. “Mm-hmm. Gives people something to talk about.”
    Seth chuckled. “Other than a small kitchen fire, you haven’t given much cause for talk, Emily.”
    â€œOh, it’s been years since I’ve done anything noteworthy,” she said, hoping her statement didn’t sound too bitter.
    â€œYou must have faith you’ll find your voice again,” Seth said, all sympathy and understanding.
    Oh, yeah, bitterness detected loud and clear.
    He gave her a smile filled with such gentleness, it was no wonder he’d found a calling as a preacher.
    â€œSure. I’ll say a prayer about that tonight,” she said then winced as she replayed the words in her head and heard the sarcastic bite.
    Seth didn’t take offense. His gaze never wavered. “Not a bad idea.” He kissed Julia. “I told Nate Cooper we’d grab a cup of coffee. I’ll see you tomorrow?”
    Julia batted her eyelashes. “If I’m available.”
    He rolled his eyes and then planted another quick, but potent kiss on her lips before striding over to meet Nate. Emily watched the two men walk to the door. At the last moment, Nate turned his head. He smiled and held the book aloft in a brief salute, and then they were gone.
    â€œWhat are you smiling about?” Julia asked.
    Emily jerked back to reality. “I am?”
    â€œYeah.” Julia made a little curvy gesture against her lips.
    She’d been smiling? Because of Nate? Emily hadn’t even realized. She cleared her throat and tried to look innocent. “I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
    Boy, for a writer who makes up fan tasies, I sure do make a bad liar.
    Julia ignored the faint denial. She was too busy gazing out the door. “Nate Cooper,” she murmured, as if turning over a thought in her mind. “You know him?”
    Do. Not. Give. Anything. Away. “Sort of. He rescued me when my car broke down out by the lake.”
    One brow lifted. “Rescued you? How gallant.”
    Emily had a feeling the not giving anything away plan had failed. “I mean, he stopped and gave me a lift into