Matching Mr. Right(4)
But making it onto a list wasn’t why she wrote books about an impish monkey who was always in trouble. She wanted to send the message that mistakes and accidents happen, and that kids need to learn to forgive themselves for them.
Fortunately, most kids didn’t have as much forgiving to do as she did. The scars left after Shelby had accidentally killed her parents and sister with her carelessness ran deeper than those the accident left on her legs. But if she could save just one kid from the guilt she felt everyday, it’d be worth all her efforts, no matter if she made the bestseller list or not.
As she was about to shut down for the night, her computer dinged, announcing an incoming e-mail from her Cyrano site. Eager to push away her unwanted thoughts of scars and guilt, she opened the message.
It was from him.
Clicking on the attachment, she scanned the pages before her. Nick had been true to his word, he’d paid for the full package. His face, in all its annoying perfection, beamed at her from the photos he attached. His questionnaire was completely filled out, and he provided all of his passwords to the social network and dating sites she’d suggested he join so she could edit them. Now the ball was in her court.
She’d googled Nick before she’d met with him and had found he was a year older than her at thirty, and he owned a successful business consulting firm. Nick seemed to be telling the truth about himself and his finances. She’d seen the Porsche he’d driven off in earlier, a similar model to the one she used to own before she’d sold it, deciding to live off of her own earnings, not the money controlled by her aunt and uncle.
Scanning Nick’s preferences in women, Shelby laughed. “Remember the annoying guy from this morning, Jo?”
“Who could forget?” Jo appeared by Shelby’s side instantly. “Is this the handsome caveman’s questionnaire?”
“Yeah. You’re gonna love it.”
Grinning, Jo grabbed the computer and placed it on her lap. “He likes his women tall, so that lets you out.”
“I’m crushed.” Shelby placed a hand over her heart. “But that’s good for you, Amazon girl.”
“Yes, it is.” Jo’s eyes lit with excitement until she saw the next two items. “Seriously? He wants a blonde with big boobs? The guy has no imagination whatsoever. He should expand to brunettes with normal-sized breasts. They’re the best in bed. I read a magazine quiz confirming that, by the way.”
Shelby nodded and worked to keep a solemn look on her face. “Undoubtedly. But don’t stop reading now.”
Jo’s eyes lit with outrage. “The man cannot be serious!”
Nick wanted the impossible. A blonde bombshell who liked to camp, play sports, watch sports, go to brew pubs, and he’d like her to bake for him. He loved sweets.
Shelby chuckled. “Only Nick’s dream girl could slam the game-winning pitch out of the park while not breaking a sweat. Then the team would celebrate at the nearest sports bar, where she’d push the cook out of the way and prepare the best pub grub known to mankind for Nick and his buddies. After that, they’d sit around reminiscing about the game she helped win and drink all those heavy, dark beers, not giving a second thought to maintaining that perfect figure of hers. Then she’d whisper in Nick’s ear how much she looked forward to their planned camping trip because she just adored skinny-dipping under waterfalls.”
Jo leaned closer to the screen. “He has skinny-dipping on his list?”
“No.” Shelby laughed. “But I think we’ve just about covered every fifteen-year-old’s idea of the perfect woman.”
“Good luck with this one.” Jo shook her head and handed the computer back. “Actually, if it weren’t for the tall part, and the big chest, Nick might just fall for you.” Jo batted her eyes, mimicking a proper Southern belle. “Shelby Marx, you’re just about the cutest tomboy God ever placed on this earth.”
Shelby rolled her eyes. “I just hope your brother can forget that part and see me as a woman after all these years, not the girl they used to let play football with the boys after school.”
Jo smiled sweetly and patted Shelby’s arm. “You were the fastest little wide receiver in the neighborhood, Shelby, and the only girl who ever wanted to play with those rough boys. That might be a little hard for Greg to forget. But I’ll put in a good word for you. I’d love to see you guys end up together because then we’d be real sisters, not just of the heart.” Jo gave her a shoulder bump. “’Nite, Tomboy.”
“’Nite, Stick.” Letting out a long sigh, Shelby mumbled, “Please let Greg be the first to truly overlook the scars on my legs.”