Cranky - The Book Curmudgeon: Cover and Excerpt Reveal! Safe for Now by Suze Robinson

Release Date: November 13, 2019

Cover Design: Najla Qamber Designs

Synopsis

My plan is simple: escape.

After traveling thousands of miles, love is the last thing I expect to find next door. My new neighbor gives me a much-needed job but also lunch-date conversations my broken soul yearns for.

Too bad he’s my boss and off-limits, and I have a life to rebuild.

But I can’t help taking a risk on us, though if my past catches up with me, it could destroy everything I’ve worked so hard for.

You see, there’s a fire raging inside of me now. This time I’m ready to fight, because this time I have something to fight for: a piece of Reece’s heart.

Goodreads

Excerpt

“Her favorite toys are in this basket.” Reece walks across his living room and picks up a fuzzy pink blanket. “She’ll want this when she gets sleepy. And she’ll watch learning videos before bed. After that, she’ll ask for a late-night snack around seven. I have healthy snacks in the pantry.”

He’s holding Isabella close and pacing the living room, giving me a rundown of his daughter’s routines worthy of an army ranger. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he’d joined the military after high school rather than backpacking across the world while attending UCLA.

“At eight she must be in bed.”

I roll my eyes. I’m at my wits’ end. There’s a detailed itinerary for the night on the refrigerator so I know all this already.

“You can hand her over and go.” He needs this break as much as she needs a break from him. He runs his business this way but I had no idea his daughter had such a regimented routine.

Stella said she and Reece hang out as friends sometimes. She’s away, so the guys are trying. Jackson caught me later and thanked me a second time. He hopes Reece will relax, because the man’s been on edge. A grumpy toddler as a single dad will do that to you.

I walk over and hold my hands toward Isabella. She leans forward, reaching for me. I take her in my arms and shoo Reece toward the door.

He’s dressed in a pair of worn jeans and a tight black T-shirt. His hair is rough, likely because he’s been running his hands through it all day. There’s a good amount of scruff along his jaw, which tics as I kick him out of his house.

“You deserve a night off. You can trust me. I promise we’ll have fun.” And to solidify my statement, I tickle Isabella and make silly faces, drawing a giggle from her.

Anything to get Reece to loosen the reins. Trusting someone new with his daughter is hard, I’m sure, but I wouldn’t let anything happen to her.

He lets out a deep sigh. “Sorry, I’ve never let the guys talk me into this. She goes with our family when I work, but this is new. I’ve never had a babysitter before.” The support from his family is important without Sophia here to help, but with his usual crew all working or out of town, Reece has no one else to lean on.

He’s putting so much trust in me. “Think of me like the others. You’ve got this, and it’s the same as leaving her with your family when you hang out with Stella.”

He can’t keep arguing this with me. I see why his friends struggle to get him to let go of the structured schedule and just live in the moment. It’s natural for him to worry. I’m a new addition to his life. But I’ll show him I can be a steady and sure friend in his life like the others.

“Okay, well,” he scratches his jaw, “Stella and I don’t go out. She comes over to drink and talk about Sophia.” He cringes with the admission. “You know what, I’m just going to go now. The diapers are in the bedroom. She likes to read Where the Wild Things Are before bed.”

I cringe at his awkward confession, but I’m not surprised they get drunk and reminisce about his dead wife. Hopefully it helps him. “Go, have fun, and drink beers. Do guy stuff.”

He raises his hands in surrender. “I’m leaving.”

“She’s in good hands, I swear.”

He walks to the front door. He glances back at us again. A distant look crosses his face as he watches me holding his daughter. She’s safe in my arms. Nothing will happen to her, because I won’t let it happen. With a tip of my lips, I send him a smile and mental waves of reassurance.

“You’re right, I’ll be home soon.” He glances back one last time as the front door clicks shut behind him.

It takes only an hour before the babysitter itinerary is tossed out the window. Educational videos on a Friday night? She needs fun in her life. After drawing, playing, and other revised events, we dance around the living room to loud pop music.

Her tinkling laughter floods the room.

“There you go!” I clap my hands and shake my hips around, enjoying the beats as much as my toddler counterpart.

Dancing isn’t my thing, but with her, it’s fun. My heart is full tonight, the worry receding the farthest it’s been in months.

Giveaway

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About the Author

Suze Robinson is a contemporary romance author. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughter. Her passion is writing stories about strong women, hunky book boyfriends, and happily ever afters.