It Shouldn't Be You, page 1
It shouldn't Be You
Toni Lynn
EG Publishing
It Shouldn’t Be You
Love Saves
Copyright © 2020 by EG Publishing
All rights reserved.
Without limiting the rights under copyright preserved above, no part of this book may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means, (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise), without the prior written permission of both the copyright holder and the publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitious-ly, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
First Edition. August 16, 2020
Published by EG Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-948377-80-5
Contents
1. Chapter 1
2. Chapter 2
3. Chapter 3
4. Chapter 4
5. Chapter 5
6. Chapter 6
7. Chapter 7
8. Chapter 8
9. Chapter 9
10. Chapter 10
11. Chapter 11
12. Chapter 12
13. Chapter 13
14. Chapter 14
15. Chapter 15
16. Chapter 16
17. Chapter 17
18. Chapter 18
19. Chapter 19
20. Chapter 20
21. Chapter 21
22. Chapter 22
23. Chapter 23
24. Chapter 24
25. Chapter 25
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From the Author
Chapter One
Travers had been tracking Colleen all day. For a woman who had just gotten engaged to the biggest catch over three counties, she didn’t look as thrilled as he thought she would be. Instead, she looked like a thief who was about to steal something. Just when he thought his imagination was pulling overtime, Colleen came out of the party and into the garden. He watched her reach into a bush and pull out a backpack. His curiosity was beyond piqued.
Following a short distance behind, he watched Colleen find a bush that was taller than her to offer some cover. She darted behind it and kicked off her heels then pulled a pair of sneakers out of the bag, along with a pair of jeans. She shimmied into the jeans, donned the sneakers, and took off her red dress, leaving her standing in her jeans and a matching red strapless bra. Travers would have bet money nothing could have fit under that dress, but he could see now he was wrong.
Just when he thought it couldn’t get any weirder, she pulled out a brunette wig. Colleen pulled her hair into a bun so tight he winced. Then she planted the brunette wig on her head, making sure none of those lustrous red strands peeked out.
She stuffed her clothes in the denim backpack and then walked toward the valet section.
“Where are you going all dressed up, Red?” he muttered to himself.
Travers knew he should turn around and go back to the party. Colleen Bowers was the kind of woman a man would change his life for. She was smart, intelligent, and fearless. Not to mention tall. Colleen was the woman you hoped your daughters took after and the woman you wanted with you to go into battle.
The problem, of course, was that Travers was firmly married to his job, and a woman like Colleen wouldn’t ever take second place. More importantly, a man who had a woman like Colleen wouldn’t make her take second place. No, Travers’ life was already planned out. He was the COO of Butler Hotels. His friend, the CEO, was having some issues fighting a takeover, but as soon as this issue was resolved, Travers was going to find a nice docile wife who liked to count his money, go shopping, and have a kid or two. Colleen didn’t fit any of those characteristics.
Travers knew what he wanted, but he found himself continually drawn to the quick-witted shrew, Colleen. Five minutes ago, he thought this problem would resolve itself. As soon as she announced the date of the wedding today, Colleen was no longer available. Why was she messing up the plan?
Travers had stopped dating since he’d met Colleen. He wasn’t a man to dine with one and think about another one. He had already scheduled two dates for next week since he knew Colleen would no longer be an option.
He watched her boldly walking up to the valet with a ticket in hand. Travers followed like a bear to honey. What was she up to? Why was Colleen destroying his week's schedule, and how did she think she was going to get her car in a brunette wig? What was so important that she needed to get dressed up in that outfit?
This made no sense. Colleen made him smile with her wit, and her unpredictable antics kept him intrigued. If he were honest, Travers would admit that he’d fantasized about what life would be like with Colleen. Every day would be new, exciting, and chaotic. For a man who scheduled everything, chaotic shouldn’t appeal, but in Colleen’s case, it was a draw he couldn’t resist.
As he walked closer, he could hear the faint echoes of the conversation she was having with the valet.
“Ms., this is Ms. Bowers’ car,” the young valet said.
“I know whose car it is. I have a valet ticket. Can you get the car?”
“I’m sorry, Ms., I’ll need to see some I.D., or I’ll have to call Mr. Chambers.”
“I have a ticket!”
“I can put something in the car for you,” the valet said hesitantly.
“I don’t want to put something in it I want to drive it!” Colleen protested.
She wanted to drive it. What was she doing? Travers looked over his shoulder and then back at Colleen, and the impossible came to him. Colleen was incognito escaping the engagement of the year!
Walking out of her engagement party hadn’t been that big of a problem. They were all there to pat Luis Chambers, her fiancé, on the back. Colleen made it to her stash behind the bush, looking over her shoulder as she tried to escape casually. She took off her pumps and internally cried. Colleen was five foot eleven, but when she put on her power pumps, she was a comfortable six feet. She needed the extra height and confidence to walk boldly into rooms.
Now she was putting on her jeans, which weren’t so bad, but these sneakers. The shoe guy had promised her they were comfy. After having her structured red-bottom heels on, the sneakers felt like she had mini airbags on her feet. She took off her silky dress and put on the rough shirt she’d bought. Life was about to get bumpy, so she better get used to it.
The coup de grace was the wig. Her bright red hair could be seen from anywhere. She had bought a beautiful, dull brunette wig and stuffed her tresses beneath it. She would stop every so often and wonder, Do I need to do this? Then she thought about Luis and his lawyer friends drinking at the bar last night. She had wanted to surprise him by showing up in this new wig so they could go places incognito. Instead, she had been surprised to find him in his cups with his friends. They spoke about how he would do his duty with her but would make sure he didn’t tire himself out for the other women who wanted to be with an up-and-coming district attorney.
She couldn’t believe how easy she’d been taken in. They had discussed it since Luis was coming to Chusada, that the district attorney spot was pretty much his, but she’d endorse him, and the town would agree. When she thought about how he had thanked her and told her she’d never regret it, Colleen felt like she should be putting on a dunce cap instead of a brunette wig.
Colleen knew what she needed was some time to think. She couldn’t do that in town, and too many people would want to “help” her. All Colleen needed to do was get to her car. When she heard the football team was acting as valets, Colleen thought things couldn’t be more in her favor.
She gave herself one final look, and a peek over her shoulder to make sure the coast was clear. She walked and talked with authority. The football captain was no match for her. She walked up to Greg Standers and presented her ticket.
Greg took the ticket and then gave her a once over.
“I’m sorry, Ms., this car belongs to Ms. Bowers.”
“I’m well aware of who it belongs to. I have a ticket. I’m doing an errand. Can you get the car?”
Greg shrugged and looked really sorry but didn’t seem as though he would budge.
“I’m sorry, Ms., I’ll need to see some I.D., or I’ll have to call Mr. Chambers.”
“I have a ticket!
“I can put something in the car for you,” Greg said hesitantly. Colleen looked at Greg and then over her shoulder. They would notice she was gone any minute. It was impossible that she had planned for everything but hadn’t thought about Greg, the head of the football team, becoming conscientious and not getting her car.
“I don’t want to put something in it—I want to drive it,” Colleen protested.
Greg held out his hands and gave his best smile. “I hear you, but Mr. Chambers paid us all a little extra to be extra careful about people getting in and out of this party. He didn’t want anything to go wrong. I have to say, Ms., you don’t look like you belong here. I’m willing to overlook this if you go on your way. Otherwise, I’m going to have to call the police.
Colleen wanted to pull her wig off and eviscerate him with a tongue lashing that would make him cringe whenever he saw her. She was giving it serious thought when she heard a masculine voice clear his throat.
She started to nod her head and turned in the direction away f
“Peggy Lou, you beat me out here.”
Peggy Lou! That was the best he could think of? She wasn’t sure what his game was, but she’d play along. Beneath his tall-dark-and-handsome exterior hid a mindless troll, who would do whatever he had to for a dollar. It was just a distraction that he looked so good.
Colleen stood and then turned to Travers. “Hello, Travy.”
Travers’ smile widened. “Did you get the car?”
Greg interrupted. “Umm, I’m sorry, but she has the ticket for Ms. Bowers’ car.”
Travers gave his ticket to Greg. “I’ll talk to Peggy here. Would you go get my car?”
Greg nodded and then ran off. Travers stood in front of her with a smirk that might make a lesser woman melt at his feet, but not Colleen. She knew the beast that lived within. Travers Winters, COO, and best friend of her best friend’s husband. It was only that fact that made him tolerable.
“I didn’t know it was a thing to play dress-up at an engagement party.”
“Well, you know it’s never too early to insert a little intrigue into the marriage. Besides, I’ve been wondering what Luis really sees in me, and I thought I’d ask Luis to meet me somewhere. It’s my suspicious nature as a lawyer and all.”
Looking over his shoulder and back at her, he nodded. “Yeah, I can see how you would want some confirmation on this deal before it’s signed and sealed. I think you’re supposed to invite the fiancé to this escapade, though, aren’t you?”
“I’ve got that all taken care of.” Why was he staying? “I think your car will be coming up any moment. I don’t want to hold you up.” Certainly, that was the universal dismissal.
Travers reached into his jacket and pulled out his phone.
“Hey, why don’t I help you out here? Why don’t I give Luis a heads up so he can meet you now? That way, you don’t have to go, and this concern will be put away.”
Colleen thought she’d like to put him away. Then her phone rang. Out of instinct, she pulled it out, and the caller ID said, Luis. Nosy Travers looked right over her head.
“Oh, look, it seems like Luis is looking for his fiancée already. Go ahead and answer it. I’ll wait.”
Colleen rejected the call and then looked at Travers. It was all his fault. Whenever Travers was involved, her plans went south. He seemed so calm and collected, standing there in a dark suit and a pink shirt. What man could wear a pink shirt and still look so masculine? She knew the magic was in his eyes. They were sorcerer’s eyes. They were brown at first glance, but on closer inspection, she always noticed the golden flecks in them that made him look like a wizard from old.
She wanted to say she wasn’t affected by his general appearance, but the whole package only accentuated the brilliant mind housed within. From day one, she had mentally sparred with Travers, and he’d met her tit for tat. He made her feel petite because he was taller and had a body that was no stranger to the gym. When she was around Travers, she started to think there was merit to being a helper and helpmeet in a relationship, and that was when Colleen knew she had to keep him far away.
Colleen’s mother had fallen for that trap. Her father had married her when she was a young law student, and she gave up her career to be a mother. Only to have her father cheat on her and leave her. Sure, her mother was remarried and happy, and her father was remarried and regretted the actions of his youth, but Colleen had been with her mother in the aftermath. Her strong mother had been reduced to tears and an abyss of loss. Colleen was not going that way.
“Well, it was nice seeing you Travers, your car is here,” she said with a big smile. Greg had just brought his car to the front and was holding out Travers’ keys.
Then, before either of them could say anything, they both heard the faint calling of her name. It sounded like two men were calling for Colleen.
“Ahh, Peggy Lou, are you sure I can’t give you a lift?”
Peggy Lou, the name grated on her. Thank goodness it wasn’t her real name.
“I think I can make do; thank you, Travy.”
Greg cleared his throat and looked at Colleen.
“Ms., I can’t give you Ms. Bowers’ car without her being her or Mr. Chambers.”
Travers opened the door to his car. “I can drop you wherever you need to be, but the offer is a limited time only.”
The sounds of her name got louder, and like a jackrabbit about to be pounced on by a wolf, she slid into the car.
“Get in and drive, Travy!”
Travers tapped the car door and gave her a smile. He pulled out a couple of bills for Greg and then got in the car.
“We need to leave now,” she muttered under her breath.
“No worries, I know just the place to go,” Travers said.
“Whatever, just move!”
Chapter Two
Travers was extremely content to focus on Colleen. In a world that was going crazy, Colleen’s crazy made his crazy seem, well, not so crazy. He knew no good would come from helping Red. He was supposed to be on his way to Plentiful, Florida. It was about a four-hour drive from Chusada to there. It was where he had set up the factory to make the pillows and blankets for Butler Hotels. He needed to get there to do an evaluation and to see if he had made a colossal mistake. There wasn’t time for him to play with Red. But no matter how many excuses he gave himself for why he should leave her, Travers just kept right on driving to the one place he knew they would be able to talk.
“We’re almost there.”
“I know I told you to just get me out of there, but I’m thinking it might be best if you dropped me off at my place.”
“Well, I can see how that makes the most sense, Red. I mean, when I ditch my engagement parties, the last place anyone checks is my place.”
She sucked her teeth next to him in the car. “Okay, Sunshine, we can make a stop first to give them time to look and leave, but after that, I’m going home.”
“Sunshine?”
“What else can I call you with those eyes of yours? Dark one moment and then bursts of sunshine in them the next.”
“I didn’t know you looked.”
She rolled her eyes. “You use those eyes like everything else, so don’t pretend otherwise.”
Travers said nothing because she was right. It seemed like women fell at his feet for his eyes . . . that is, all of them except her.
“Being that this seems like a long story, did you want to tell me any of it, or at the very least where you were planning on going, so when you disappear my best friend doesn’t become so distracted by his wife looking for her bestie that he can’t work.”
Colleen sighed. “I don’t know where I’m going. I just know I need some distance from Chusada.”
“You’re a lawyer with responsibilities, especially in a small town.”
“I’ve been training a friend to take my place for the next two weeks. I was thinking I would give her a trial run because I thought I was going to be moving to the district attorney role.” From the corner of his eye, he saw her take off the wig.
“So, you gonna spill it, Red?”
She crossed her arms over her chest and looked away. “After careful deliberation, I’ve decided you may not be the best person to share this with.”
Travers laughed. “Ah, so I’m good enough in a pinch but not intelligent enough to grasp the situation?”
“Don’t be obtuse, Sunshine. I could accuse you of a lot of things, but not being bright isn’t one of them, no pun intended.”
“You slick-tongued devil, you. The compliments just keep pouring out of you. Any moment I’m going to expect you to declare your undying love,” Travers teased.
“Undying love,” Colleen harrumphed. “As if such a thing existed. You want to know why I’m leaving? I’ll tell you. I’m leaving because Mr. Luis Chambers thinks he can marry me for the district attorney position and then put me on the back burner like some cold case that has no clues.”
“Ouch, that must be rough.”
