Love on Hold: The Wilkins (Book 1, Contemporary Romance) by Shaw Robin

Author:Shaw, Robin [Shaw, Robin]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2014-03-04T05:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 9

Early Sunday morning Mrs. Wilkins was collecting some vegetables in the supermarket when she heard her name from a distance. Or she thought she had until she saw a tall man wearing a baseball cap eyeing her questioningly. He could’ve easily been mistaken for one of her sons given his broad, athletic build, but as he took off his cap, the similarities stopped there. He had sharp cheekbones, an olive complexion she knew was natural, and a cute cleft at the end of this nose that made his handsomeness unique. Unlike her son Wyatt, this man didn’t carry a proud badge of his good looks like a weapon.

When she lowered her gaze, she grinned amiably and said, “Hello Annabelle.”

It looked like Annabelle had regained some of her exuberance. “Hi Miss Rita. I said your name, and Dad said I was being disruptive.” She contentedly crept over to Mrs. Wilkins, and her father sent her a look of disapproval. Ducking her head, Annabelle returned to his side. As a parent, Mrs. Wilkins hadn’t allowed her children to approach people without her consent, so she completely understood Annabelle’s father’s weariness. Danger lurked in places big and small. There was no such thing as a “safe” neighborhood, just safer neighborhoods. She had never kept her house unlocked even though Bloomfield Township had one of the lowest crime rates in Ohio.

“I am Rita Wilkins. My friend Carol and I met Annabelle this week, and you have a fine daughter. She’s a Barbara Walters in the making.”

While happiness was broadcasted all over Annabelle’s face, her father’s expression was indecipherable. “I am Evan Franks, Annabelle’s father. She told me that she’d talked to you and…Miss Carol. Usually Paulina knows better that to have my child talking to complete strangers but she—” His eyes flashed to Annabelle with warmth and love, the first tender emotion Mrs. Wilkins picked up from him. She concluded that he kept what he loved close to the chest and locked away any tender feelings he had. “—is talented at wrapping people around her finger. I am thankful that you answered her questions about your daughter—”

“—She’s Aimee mom, Daddy! Aimee, the supermodel.”

“Before she pranced around the world scantily clad, she was a daughter to her parents just as you’re my daughter.”

Mrs. Wilkin’s mouth hardened. “Do you have something against my Aimee?” She didn’t bother disguising her steel and ice tone.

“I have nothing against your daughter or my bosses’ sister,” he responded plainly, “but I teach Annabelle to be her own role model. Not admire other people.”

Mrs. Wilkins really wanted to give him a piece of her mind, but Annabelle was with them, and she knew that he wouldn’t let her leave his side. She’d been the same way when her children were they were out in public. “I wouldn’t want Annabelle to be anyone else but herself.” She paused and regarded Annabelle mutely before she continued to speak. “There’s nothing wrong with celebrating one’s physical attributes. As I am sure you’re aware, there aren’t enough models like my Aimee out there being recognized.

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