The Curveball (The Cedar Creek Thunder #2)

Chapter 1

SAGE

“Pip pip, cheerio,” I cry out as I lift the glass of Guinness my coworker just handed me. I take a sip and grimace. “Oh shit, that’s terrible. Nope, not doing that.” I hand it back to him with a shake of my head.

“I give you a month in Birmingham and you’ll be chugging the stuff,” he says, drinking deeply from the glass.

“Not a chance,” I fire back, picking up my raspberry margarita and taking a long drink to wash the taste of Guinness from my mouth.

A tiny bar in Manitoba wouldn’t be my first choice of location to celebrate finally securing the nursing contract of my dreams, but beggars can’t be choosers. And they do make a good raspberry margarita.

Besides, when the email came in, my shriek was so loud, there was no chance of hiding the news from my current colleagues.

When I told them my next post would be one I’d waited years to get, they insisted we go out for a drink after our shift.

And now, here we are, raising a glass to the fact that in two months I get to go and explore the country I’ve dreamed about for as long as I can remember.

It’s not the way I planned, but that’s not surprising.

Plans are for suckers.

Or emotional masochists.

Not everyone is celebrating my news, however.

Marisol, another one of the nurses I work with at the local hospital, pouts as she leans across the table, her dark brown curls falling over her shoulder.

“Are you sure we can’t convince you to stay here instead of going to England?

You know they’d offer you another contract here when this one’s up, then we wouldn’t have to break in another newbie. ”

I hold up a finger as my phone vibrates in my back pocket. “Hold that thought.”

Fishing my phone out, I see my best friend Fiona, who lives out on the West Coast of Canada, has finally responded to my earlier text. She alone knows exactly how much England means to me.

Fiona: OMFG YES GIRL! I’m so happy for you, babe! But also super bummed that now there’s gonna be a whole ocean between us not just a few provinces.

SAGE: I know Listen, we’ll talk soon, just at a bar celebrating with some work friends.

Fiona: Have a drink for me!

Pocketing my phone again, I turn back to Marisol.

“Okay. First of all, I am not a newbie. I’ve been nursing longer than you have.

” She ducks her head with a smile of acknowledgment, and I lift another finger.

“Second of all, haven’t you heard of overstaying your welcome?

You think you like working with me now, but another six months could change that.

Which is why I love travel nursing. I get to see the country, meet tons of cool people, and most importantly, leave them wanting more.

” I finish with a flourish, bowing slightly as my coworkers all laugh.

“One of these days, you’re going to get tired of being a nomad, Sage,” Marisol says, her hand landing on my arm. “Come back here when that happens.”

I don’t have the heart to tell her that middle-of-nowhere Manitoba is not where I’d settle, if I ever decide to. Instead, I just flash her a smile and give her my standard answer. “It’s definitely on the list of options for when I want to settle down.”

That list doesn’t actually exist, but she doesn’t need to know that.

“But first, England awaits.” I give my hips a shimmy, unable to contain my excitement at finally being able to say that.

Marisol called me a nomad, but I prefer free spirit. Or independent world traveler, except I’ve never actually left North America. I’m the girl with no home, no ties, and no commitments, except to myself and whichever hospital employs me at any given moment.

And I like it that way. Besides, don’t the wise ones say “Home is not a place, it’s a feeling”? Or something like that.

One of the other nurses says something that has everyone in our group laughing, and I tip my head back and join in, even though I don’t know what they said.

I might not be a permanent fixture here, but it’s been a good experience.

They’re a great group of people, hard working, friendly, and fun.

If I wasn’t, well, me, maybe I would stay for a second contract when this one runs out in March.

Nah, not with England finally in sight.

My hand lifts to my left shoulder, where a tattoo of a purple-blue arctic lupine rests.

Losing my mother just about broke me, and the tattoo of her favourite wildflower might have been an impulsive, grief-fueled decision six years ago, but I don’t regret it.

This way she’ll be with me in England, just like she was meant to be.

“Ooh, hot guy, ten o’clock. And I think he’s checking you out!” Marisol nudges me.

As casually as I can, I turn my head to glance over my shoulder in the direction Marisol was looking.

I scan the people standing between me and the bar, then my gaze snaps back to a trio of men.

Two of them are holding hands, so I know it can’t be either of them.

The third, well, Marisol’s initial reaction was an understatement.

He’s not overly tall, but he’s definitely taller than me, and I stand just shy of five feet, nine inches.

Strong, muscular arms are trapped under a tight T-shirt.

It’s impossible to tell his hair colour in the dim light of the bar, but it’s dark, messy, and looks in need of a trim.

But his face is the showstopper. A strong jawline with an easy smile that makes his eyes crinkle slightly at the sides.

He’s delicious. And something about him, I have no idea what, has me almost certain he’s a good guy.

The kind a woman can trust, even if it’s just with a one-night stand.

Which is all I’m looking for. I wonder if he’s down for some fun tonight. Might as well really celebrate getting the England contract.

As I covertly watch him, I see his face sober, and then a noticeable wince crosses his features as he grabs the back of his neck.

Whatever they’re talking about, it’s not a pleasant conversation.

The two men he’s with both seem sympathetic, but moments later, they turn and leave.

And in that second, the mystery guy acts as if he isn’t in a crowded bar.

His shoulders slump and his chin drops down.

It’s raw, vulnerable, and it pulls me toward him.

I’ve never been able to resist someone so clearly in need of cheering up.

I’m up and moving, weaving around people and tables before giving it a second thought.

Marisol's knowing giggles barely register, aside from propelling me through the crowd.

Maybe it's the caretaker in me, or maybe I'm just horny from months of small-town celibacy, but I need to know more about this guy.

Mostly, I need to know if I can make him smile.

“Did you know Scotland’s national animal is the unicorn?”

Rich brown eyes lift to meet mine with a confused stare. “What?”

I grin and nod. “It’s true.”

His eyebrows draw together. “That’s, ah, interesting?”

I put my hand out for him to shake. “Just call me the source of all things random and obscure. Or Sage. That’s my actual name.”

“Brady.” He shakes my hand, a bemused expression on his face. “Do you always greet people with random facts?”

“Only when they look like they need a smile.”

His lips thin slightly. “I’m fine.”

“You are now, because I’m here and now you know what Scotland’s national animal is.”

“You’re pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

My hand goes to my hip as I smirk. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t be confident in myself?”

Now those eyes trail down my body with undeniable interest. “Not from where I’m standing.”

Damn, that’s a good line. And a clear indicator that the attraction I’m feeling is mutual.

“So, Sage-who-knows-all-the-random-facts. Can I buy you a drink?”

I nod. “You absolutely may.”

He gestures for me to go ahead of him to the bar. When his hand lands on my lower back, I feel the imprint of it like a brand.

While he orders our drinks, I lock eyes with Marisol, who gives me a thumbs-up. Then, we find our way to a slightly quieter corner with an empty high-top table. Brady leans against the wall, his eyes locked on mine as he tilts his beer toward me. “Cheers.”

I clink my fresh margarita with his bottle. “Cheers.” We don’t drop our stare as we both take a sip.

But then silence starts to drag between us. Brady looks away for a second, then flashes his gaze back to me before dropping it down to the table. His brow furrows ever so slightly, and I think I see his jaw clench.

Crap.

“You look like you’ve got a lot on your mind,” I say. “That or you’re wondering how to get out of this conversation.”

Brady’s eyes flare wide as he shakes his head, then nods, then chokes out a laugh at himself.

I raise my eyebrows, and he lifts a hand to cut off anything I might say.

“Sorry. No, I definitely don’t want to get out of the conversation, and yes, I do have a lot on my mind. But you’re distracting me from it all.” He seems flustered, and I get the feeling if the room was a little brighter, I might see a slight blush on his cheeks.

Taking a chance, I step closer, slowly raising my hand to rest it on his upper arm. Hello, biceps… “As long as it’s a welcome distraction.”

His smile is endearing. “Very. I’m just a little rusty at all this.” His gaze drops to where my hand is touching him.

“At what? Talking to women?”

“Beautiful ones, yes.”

This time, he’s the one to shift closer.

“Well, you’re doing just fine,” I say, my voice dropping as soft as possible while still being audible. “I’ll make it easier on you. Don’t worry about saying the right thing, just keep looking at me like that, and we’ll be good.”

Brady dips his head closer to mine, his hand coming to rest on my hip. “And how am I looking at you, Sage?”

My eyes flutter closed as I feel the warmth of his breath on my neck. “Like I’m the only woman in this room.”

I feel his body vibrate with his chuckle. “Good. Because as far as I’m concerned, you are.”

I turn my head, and our lips meet. His big hand comes up to cup my cheek, and he presses in deeper.

Okay, then.

I lose track of time as we kiss. Everything around us fades away, and my awareness zeroes in on the scratch of his stubble against my chin, the warmth of his tongue tangling with mine, and the way his fingers keep clenching, then releasing my body.

Like he wants to hold me tighter but is trying to be a gentleman.

He’s a perfect stranger, and this is a perfect moment. A perfect way to say goodbye to Manitoba, to Canada for a while.

Brady pulls back first, a soft smile on his face. He slides a hand down my arm, to the small of my back where it lingers. “Did you know France has more time zones than any other country?”

I rear back, my hands coming to his chest as I look at him in shock. “Did you just random fact me?”

He chuckles and nods. “Sure did. What, you can’t take it?”

“Oh, it’s on.” I grin. “Did you know, on average, we blink fifteen times a minute?”

“Did you know octopuses have three hearts?”

I shake my head at his quick response, far too entranced and amused by this surprising man. “Okay, I’ve got the fact of all facts. Did you know it’s impossible to hum while plugging your nose?”

His hand starts to lift, and then he freezes, and we both burst out laughing.

“Shit, I was actually going to try it.”

I lift my drink once again. “I’m impressed with your knowledge of obscure facts.”

Brady grins and takes a sip from his beer. “Thanks. I’ve got twin siblings that went through a very strange encyclopedia obsession phase. It made for some interesting dinner conversations.”

“Older or younger?” I ask, taking another drink.

“Younger. They just finished high school last year.” Brady turns and sets his beer down on the counter behind him and steps closer to me.

“But I don’t want to talk about my siblings anymore.”

“No?” I ask, the word coming out a lot more breathy sounding than I intended. “What do you want to talk about?”

“Who says I want to talk?” He dips his head down and brushes his lips across my jawline softly before pressing more firmly on my mouth. When I feel his tongue gently probing, I open, taking him deeper. Threading my arms around his neck, I give in and let go.

I don’t want to talk, either.

I pull back, breaking our kiss. There’s absolutely no mistaking the interest and heat burning in his eyes.

“You’re hot and fun, but this can only be for tonight. Don’t go getting attached to me.” I wink.

He nods, his thumb stroking my cheek slowly.

“I’m only back in town for a couple of days as well. And I’m definitely not looking for more than just tonight,” he replies quickly but gruffly.

Perfect answer.

I take a step back, trailing my hand down his arm until it links with his.

“Good. Then do you want to get out of here?”