An Unlikely Mommy

 

In the first draft of this book, not only did Veronica Carter and Jason McDeere fall in love, there was a subplot involving one of Ronnie's overprotective brothers--Devin--and her best friend, Lola Ann, the town librarian.  During edits, the story was tweaked and Lola Ann & Devin's scenes were cut due to space constraints in the book.  But, just for fun, below are the "DELETED SCENES" for those of you who were rooting for Lola Ann and Dev.  Enjoy!

(Unpolished) Deleted Scenes

Lola Ann Whitford was the only child of a mild-mannered mother with an inclination toward day-dreaming and a father who defined “strong, silent type.” The Whitford home had been a happy, but quiet, place. So it had taken her aback the first time she’d ever stepped into the boisterous Carter house, but she’d quickly grown to love being there. Lola Ann tried to pinpoint the first time she’d found herself not only looking forward to seeing Ronnie’s family but to seeing him. Devin Carter.

Her heart accelerated like a reckless speed junkie whenever she thought of Dev—his killer smile, irrepressible sense of humor, broad shoulders and strawberry blond hair that hadn’t looked so good on a man since Robert Redford’s heyday. But those weren’t the only reasons Lola Ann was drawn to him. As an outside observer who’d spent a lot of time with the Carters, she’d glimpsed flashes of vulnerability that Dev quickly and carefully masked. They tugged at her heart and made her feel like the keeper of a precious secret.  

 At the town’s Days of Joy festival last summer, she’d screwed up all her nerve and suggested dancing together, nearly having a heart-attack when he’d affably taken her hand in his and waltzed her once around the floor. A few minutes after their dance concluded, he’d tw-stepped with Ronnie before moving on to flirting with other women. Devin Carter saw her as no more than his kid sister’s best friend, but neither she nor Ronnie were kids. And, dammit, Lola Ann wasn’t his sister. But how did she make him see that without making herself look foolish?

###

 At a Carter  family dinner ( plus Lola Ann)

              Lola Ann stopped puzzling through her own love life—or pitiful lack thereof—long enough to hear Ronnie try to dissuade her oldest brother, Danny, and his well meaning wife, Kaitlyn.

 “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Ronnie  was saying.  But she bluffed better in poker than she did when it came to her personal matters.

 Danny snorted. “If you’re not going to be adult enough to admit the truth, I don’t see why I have to act like an adult either.” His voice went sing-song. “Ron-nie and Ja—Ouch.” He rubbed the spot on his arm where his wife poked him.

 “Try to set a good example for our daughter,” Kaitlyn chided.

 Devin picked up where his brother left off. “If you’re not interested in McDeere, how come the two of you have been spotted together around town so much?”

 “For me!”  Lola Ann hadn’t even realized she was going to speak until the words were out of her mouth.

 Danny, Devin, and Kaitlyn all looked rather startled by Lola Ann’s declaration. They can’t be any more surprised by me. For a minute, no one said anything.

 “I’m confused,” Danny finally offered.

 “Uh, I like Jason?” Lola Ann answered, catching Ronnie’s mouthed thank you in her peripheral vision. “Ronnie’s been putting in a good word for me, trying to suss out whether he’s interested in even dating.  You know he’s barely been out to dinner with anyone and being a single dad must keep him pretty busy.”

 “I don’t believe it,” Devin said flatly.

 Lola Ann glared, forgetting for a second that she was telling a bold-faced lie.  “What’s not to believe?  He’s an English teacher, I’m a librarian.  And have you see him, he’s a hottie.  I’m a woman, Dev.  I have needs.”

 Danny choked on a piece of garlic bread.  Mr. Carter rose immediately. “That’s it.  I’m going to check scores.”

 Ashley, Ronnie’s niece, stood too.  “Can I go with you Grandpa? Adults are weird.”

###

Lola Ann was almost to her car when she heard the front door open behind her.  Her senses were so attuned to him that she knew it was Devin approaching. The night breeze carried intermingled earthy scents of spring, but it seemed to her that she could also smell the men’s soap he used. She’d never known him to use cologne or strong aftershave, and the thought of simply breathing in him, clean and male, was almost embarrassingly erotic.

 “Can I talk to you?” Devin asked.

 She turned. “Shoot.”

 “I didn’t mean to start that conversation about Ronnie’s crush.  I know Danny and Kaitlyn have a habit of pushing everyone together, wanting the whole world to be happy married coupels.  I should probably apologize directly to Ronnie, but, well, she has a temper.  I figured you were less likely to throw things if I pleaded my case through you.”

 “If you’re worried about her temper, maybe you and Danny should stop trying to meddle in her romances.  Ronnie’s all grown up, and she doesn’t need the two of you looking out for her.”

 He shrugged, unrepentant. “A lifetime of habit is hard to break. Besides, what about you? You were looking out for her in there, claiming that you’re the one with the crush, trying to throw us off the scent.”

 Lola Ann bristled. “You assume I was pretending.”

“Come on, L.A.” He stepped closer, something about his grin seriously annoying her. “Ronnie as much as admitted her feelings a few days ago, so you can drop the act. Besides, you’re”     

“I’m what?” she practically growled. She was mortified to feel tears prickling behind her eyelids, frustration seeking a physical outlet. “You don’t think I notice men? Or that a man wouldn’t find me attractive?”

 His easy manner melted away, and he shifted his weight almost nervously. “Don’t put words in my mouth.”

 Which wasn’t exactly an answer. She reached for her car door. “Whatever you think Ronnie implied about her feelings this week, I wouldn’t put too much stock in it.  You’re not exactly a genius when it comes to reading women.”

###

When Lola Ann arrived to help at the new house to help Ronnie unpack, her friend was in the open garage, sawing boards.

 Lola Ann chuckled. “I wouldn’t know how to use one of those even if I did own one.”

 “You’d just check out a book on electric tools and teach yourself.”

 Lola Ann indicated her car. “I stopped by the other place and loaded up smaller stuff. Should I start carrying it in, or is there something else I should help with first?”

 “Well, you could offer my brothers a glass of lemonade.” Ronnie grinned, lowering her voice as someone opened the door from the house. “, lowering her voice. “Devin looked pretty hot and sweaty last time I saw him. You could always offer him a glass of lemonade.”

 “Shh!”

 “Sounds like you can take a librarian out of the library,” drawled a teasing male voice, “but you can’t make her stop shushing people.”

 Taking a few steps backward, Lola Ann glanced to her left to see Devin on the front porch, his navy blue T-shirt plastered to him. Her mouth went dry. She shouldn’t be so turned on—he was grimy from hours of labor—yet she was mesmerized by the muscles outlined beneath the thin cotton. He hadn’t overheard Ronnie’s comment, had he? His sister had been practically whispering. Thank heavens.

 Lola Ann jerked a thumb over her shoulder. “I’ll start unloading boxes.”

 With his long-legged stride, Dev caught up with her quickly. “Let me help.”

 I’ll let you do anything you want, cowboy. She blinked. If he could read her mind, he would have fainted from sheer shock. “S-so, you and Danny have been here all morning?”

 Dev nodded. “We got most of the bedroom set up, and Danny’s assembling the little china cabinet Ronnie inherited from our grandmother.”

 Lola Ann smiled, popping the car trunk open. “Ronnie told me that moving into a house with an actual dining room made her feel really grown up.”

 “You guys don’t have to keep reminding me she’s an adult,” he said sheepishly. He ran a hand through his hair. “Both my brothers are married, Ronnie’s bought her first house. Seems like everyone’s putting down roots.” Dev lived in a rental property owned by Slade Farnsworth, the second wealthiest man in town next to Harrison Breckfield, owner of Breckfield Dairies.

 Lola Ann studied him. “Do you want roots?”

 His eyes locked with hers, and hot shivers ran down her spine. After an interminable moment, he sighed. “Maybe I don’t know what I want.”

 She swallowed. Her problem was that she knew exactly what she wanted. Would saying the words be brave, or just incredibly stupid?

###

Lola Ann crossed the room to the bar, the rhythm of the live band’s music adding an extra bounce to her step.

 The bartender, Jack, smiled at her. “Hey, Lola Ann. What can I get for you tonight?”

 She was about to order a draft beer when a familiar voice drawled from behind her, “Make it a vodka martini. I’m buying.”

 Lola Ann whipped her head around, raising her eyebrows at Devin. “A vodka martini?”

 He gave her a pointedly wry smile. “I figured you were here to nurse your broken heart with hard liquor, since your best friend’s out with the guy you’ve loved from afar.”

 “How’d you know Ronnie was out with Jason tonight?”

 “If she meant for it to be a secret, y’all should have been more discreet dress-shopping. So are you ready to admit that you never liked the guy?”

 “I… See, the thing is, Ronnie and I talked and… No one said anything about love, it was more--” Faced with his smirk, she broke off. “I got nothin’. All right, you caught me. I’ll take that drink now. Make it an apple-tini, please.”

“Done.” Devin handed Jack a ten dollar bill and ordered a soda for himself. Once the bartender had moved off to get their drinks and help other customers, Devin settled himself on the bar stool next to her. “So you’re here by yourself?”

 “As are you.” She looked around for one of his usual blondes. “Aren’t you?”

 “You know me, never in a relationship long.”

 She snorted. “You think you’ve had actual relationships?”

 Their drinks had just arrived when Teddy Morris, the town vet, approached. “Didn’t realize you were here tonight. Care to dance? Or…” He trailed off, shooting an apprehensive look in Devin’s direction. “You know what, maybe another time.”

 “But I--” She glanced between the two men, confused. She started to explain that she wasn’t with Devin, but Teddy was already backing away. Annoyed, she sipped her tart green beverage. “Thanks for the drink, Dev, now leave.”

 “Ingrate.”

 “I’m serious. Your watchdog routine with your sister is one thing, but if you stay here, I might never get to dance tonight.”

 Devin rose, extending his right hand in a gallant gesture that probably dated back to medieval balls. “Would you consider dancing with me?”

 Resisting the urge to catapult into his arms, she pursed her lips. “I suppose I could do worse.” She slid her hand into his and almost trembled at the sudden connection—how could he not feel it, too?

 “That’s what I love about you, L.A. You keep my ego from getting over-inflated.”

 Without thinking, she squeezed his hand. “We both know you’re not really as cocky as you lead people to believe. What are you scared of, Dev?”

 He dropped her hand as though it were a live grenade. “One apple-tini is your limit. It’s clouded your thinking.”

 “Half an apple-tini,” she corrected. “And the only thing wrong with my mind is being stupid enough to fall for you.”

 Devin shook his head, as if trying to clear his ears. He looked like a man who couldn’t believe what he’d just heard and, frankly, Lola Ann was hoping to encourage that. Maybe she could convince him she’d said something else.

 “You’ve fallen for me?” he repeated slowly.

  “Ignore me,” she said. “That was the apple-tini talking.”

 He caught her chin in his hand, making it difficult to look away. Not that she really wanted to. He had beautiful eyes. And who knew if they’d ever be this close again?

 “Lola Ann, do you really…” He trailed off as though the thought were so incredulous he couldn’t even voice it.

 “I thought we were going to dance,” she reminded him.

 His expression softened in that horrible, pitying way guys got right before they explained that they adored you as a friend. “You--”      

“Fine.” She jerked away. “If you don’t want to dance, I’ll go find Teddy.”

 “—deserve better.”

 “Than Teddy? I don’t know why you say that.” Tears clogged her throat, but she kept them from welling in her eyes through sheer force of will. “Teddy’s an absolutely great guy!”

 She stomped through the crowd, planning not to stop until she reached her car, but Dvin caught up just outside the front door

 “Stop being stubborn,” he said from behind her. “We both know I’m faster than you, and you can’t avoid me for long in Joyous.”

 “Then maybe I’ll leave town.” The empty threat was petulant, but it sounded so liberating, to go somewhere she wasn’t defined simply as the local librarian and Ronnie’s best friend. Or, more accurately, where she wasn’t so often face to face with Ronnie’s brother.

 “You belong in Joyous.”

 “Like you know me so well?” she asked in her most withering tone.

 “When you’re not acting crazy, I feel like I know you.”

 “Well, you have a point. It is crazy to be interested in you.”

###

Lola Ann had locked the front door and was busily restocking shelves on Thursday evening.  High school and junior high students were well into their spring semester, and most of them had research papers due soon. As a result, her reference section often looked like it had been rampaged by wild wolves by the end of the day.

A muffled knock caught her attention. Even though library hours were clearly posted by the door, she went to make sure there was no emergency and tell the person that the library would be open again tomorrow at nine. She was struck dumb by the sight of Devin Carter on the other side of the glass.

 “We’re closed,” she called through the door.

 “Very funny. Let me in, L.A.”

 Her stupid heart skipped a beat, but she unfastened the deadbolt. “Can I help you find a book?”

 “Got one of those Zaggat guides? I need to find a restaurant.” He hooked his thumbs in the front pockets of his jeans. “At least, I will if you say you’ll go to dinner with me.”

 She saw spots. The room spun around her. “Dinner? With you? I…I…”

 “Is that ‘aye,’ as in all in favor of?”

 “Why do you want to go to dinner with me?” What kind of stupid question was that? When opportunity knocked, you didn’t yell come back some other time!

 He rocked back on his heels. “I’ve been thinking about you a lot, Lola Ann. Even when I try not to. Do you know how dangerous it is for a guy operating power tools to be distracted? Since I haven’t been able to put you out of my mind, by ignoring you, I thought maybe I should give taking you out a try.”

 She frowned. “You make it sound like an exorcism—dinner in order to rid yourself of me. How is it that you get so many women to date you, anyway?”

 He flashed a smile of full-on Devin Carter charm. “I’m an excellent kisser.”

 Yowza. “When did you want to have this dinner?”

 ###

“Quit laughing at me,” Lola Ann ordered. Despite her attempted stern tone, the candlelight reflected the merriment in her hazel eyes.

 “I can’t help it,” Devin said. “I’ve never seen anyone look scared of a meal before.”

 Help,” she cajoled, “What am I supposed to do with these things?” 

“Name them,” he said. “The lobster looks like a George. Not sure about the crab, though.” 

The place they’d picked was known for great seafood. Devin had ordered trout. Lola Ann had ordered what she thought would be pasta, tossed with pieces of lobster and crab in a light sauce. Instead, she had a plate of pasta that was enough to feed a family of four; two cooked and whole crustaceans sat parked on top. 

She eyed his trout. “Wanna switch with me?” 

“Oh, no. This is my entertainment for the evening.” 

It took some wrestling with the crab and use of the silver crackers for her to liberate part of her meal, but she set the meat to the side of her plate with a frown. 

“After all that work, don’t you even want to try it?” he asked. 

“It’s just…a woman has these hopes of being glamorous and sophisticated on a date. And I’m over here wrestling dead shellfish. I almost lost my grip and shot George onto your plate.” When he laughed, she added, “Hey, this sauce is slippery. Cut me a break.” 

“Lola Ann, what about my lifestyle could possibly make you think I’m looking for glamour or sophistication?” 

“Good point.” Seeming somewhat mollified, she popped a bite of the crab into her mouth. “Mmm, that’s pretty tasty. So, what are you looking for?” 

In a woman? If Danny had asked him that question a few weeks ago, Devin would have made a glib and somewhat inappropriate response. “What are you looking for in a guy?” he countered. “You should know, I’m not very well read.” 

To his surprise, her expression softened. “I do have other interests besides books, you know. And you have a lot going for you.” 

“I figured with you being Ronnie’s best friend, she would have told you all the horrible truths about me.” 

“Oh, she has. But even she admits you’re a loyal, caring brother. I know firsthand that you’re great with upir niece and a terrific dancer. You’re generous and good-natured.” She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “And I’ve heard rumors that you’re an excellent kisser.” 

“Lola Ann? I’m glad you said yes.” 

She grinned. “If I accidentally launch this lobster off my plate and in your direction, just remember you said that.” 

Despite her dire warnings, they made it throughout the rest of the meal without any culinary mishaps. On the ride back into Joyous, they argued good-naturedly over control of the radio, Lola Ann claiming that he had no musical taste whatsoever. 

"I suppose you’d prefer I be a gentleman,” he said, “and let you pick the station?” 

She snorted. “You turning into a gentleman would just be eerie. Don’t creep me out.” Dimples appeared in her cheeks as she smiled. “Besides, I’m having more fun ragging on your selections than actually listening to mine.”

 He laughed, but her words—about not morphing into a gentleman—stuck with him. He’d dated more than one woman who’d tried to change him, women who’d tried to help him find a more stable or “prestigious” job, women who’d assured him that they weren’t looking for anything serious either but then dropped hints about their biological clocks or his meeting their parents. He realized that one of the reasons he so enjoyed Lola Ann’s company was that because he wasn’t worried that, once she got to know him, she’d start formulating plans for changing him. Lola Ann already knew him.

 At her place, he walked her to the door, which she unlocked beneath the glow of the porch light.

 She swallowed. “W-would you like to come in for a drink, or something?” She looked as nervous as Red Riding Hood inviting in the Big Bad Wolf. He doubted she knew how pretty she looked, her face framed by glossy, dark hair, her body lush and touchable.

 He jammed his hands in his pockets. “I should take a rain check.”

 “Oh. Okay.” She opened the door, but made no move to go inside yet. “Then I’ll…see you around town?”

“If I promise not to pick a place that serves whole crustaceans, what do you think about having dinner again next Friday?”

Her grin lit up her whole face. “I’d like that.”

 So would he—in fact, Fridy already seemed like too far away. He leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek, right above one of those dimples he enjoyed seeing. “Sleep tight, L.A.”

 She looked bemused as she murmured goodnight and disappeared inside. Frankly, he felt a little bemused himself. A kiss on the cheek? That wasn’t his style. At the end of an enjoyable date with any other woman—

He almost stumbled over a crack in the sidewalk. Lola Ann wasn’t just another woman. She was different. Ironically, despite not showing any signs of wanting to change him, she made him different, too. And he was starting to think, maybe that was a good thing.

 Copyright  by Tanya Michaels  ® and ™ are trademarks of the publisher.  The edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.  For more romance information, surf to:  http://www.eHarlequin.com .