Teaser Tuesday -- Something Beyond the Sample for The Allegheny Chronicles: Eden and the Alchemist
This teaser can be found on pages 51-53 (in paperback version) of The Allegheny Chronicles: Eden and the Alchemist.
As he walked through the tourist area, he noticed that same girl from the pier, once again watching the ocean, looking at it the same way he did. He stopped walking, and looked around, wondering if she was waiting for someone. She was even more beautiful this close and there was a wistfulness about her. He made the decision to go join her at the rail, all the while chiding himself because she was so out of his league. Why the hell was he doing this? She probably wouldn’t even give him the time of day. Still, he felt he needed to try. He lost confidence at the last moment and leaned up on the railing about eight feet away from her, and looked out at the ocean, too. She didn’t even act like she knew he was there.
She had been enjoying the solitude of her thoughts, appreciating the beauty God had created before her, thinking about her future, wondering why she had been feeling so different and changed from her friends. What did that mean? She had let out a sigh and wondered what God had in store for her when someone invaded her inner dialogue. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw it was that same sandy-haired young man from the beach, leaning on the railing. Great, she thought. The last thing she needed was unwanted attention. Cue the cheesy, sugar dripping, flattering, overused pickup line in 3….2….1.
She glanced at him.
He glanced back but said nothing.
She frowned. OK. Strange.
He stood up straight, still looking out at the ocean. He only glanced at her because she shifted uncomfortably. “Think it’ll snow tonight?” he asked as if it were a genuine question.
She was instantly confused. She looked sharply at him. It was summer in the Florida Keys. Was he stupid? “What the hell kind of a pickup line is that? Does it work where you come from?” She couldn’t help but smile when she saw him smile at her reaction, a twinkle appearing in his eyes.
“Wasn’t trying for a pickup line,” he admitted. “But it seemed to get your attention.” He then motioned to the ocean. “It’s amazing, isn’t it? You can stare at that all day and never see the same wave twice. Each one seems like a miracle, its own work of art, playing its tune for you.”
She looked back out at the ocean, too. “It’s an amazing power, that’s for sure. Beautiful, yet destructive. Something to be respected.”
“Just like a woman,” he commented with a smile.
“You’re not very good at this, are you?” she turned to face him. He had hazel eyes, and was good-looking. He had an athletic build and was a few inches taller than she was.
“I don’t know what you mean. I was just making conversation with someone who looks out at the ocean the same way I do,” he shrugged. “I saw you earlier at the pier, surrounded by people but listening only to the ocean as if it were the most captivating orator of all time.”
She looked back at the water, wondering what his game was. He couldn’t really be this dense.
His eyes went to her. “You’re not very trusting, are you?”
“I just met you and I do admit I’m wondering what your intentions are. Guys our age only want one thing.”
He nodded. “True. You are gorgeous. And you’re very intimidating. I would not want to be the poor soul who walks up to you and tries to flirt. You have a ‘Go Away, Asshole’ sign right here,” he motioned across his forehead. “Nope. I wouldn’t want to even try. You’d be cruel, and deservedly so. Girls like you would never be interested in guys like me, anyway.”
“Girls like me?” she tilted her head. So he’d already judged her by her looks?
“Yup,” he nodded. “You’ve got a very bright future, you’re going places, and you’ve got your eye on the prize. No one in this world is going to derail you. You have standards. High ones. You know your worth and you won’t let anyone attempt to make you less. You don’t take shit, and I admire that. Trust is something earned. You don’t have to compromise because you know who and what you are.”
OK, she thought. She will admit he was intriguing….and cute. “And guys like you?”
Liked this teaser? There’s more. Find out what happens next and head over to Amazon to get a sample of the first two chapters. OR, better yet, buy the book! It’s available as both an ebook and a paperback (and free to read if you subscribe to Kindle Unlimited)!!
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