Chapter 1
A black sports car pulled into Grizzly Gulch Resort’s paved parking lot and came to a stop. The purring motor dissolved into silence.
Heather Francis lifted her cordless drill and tightened the bolt holding the bench on a wooden picnic table, keeping half an eye on the car, waiting for the occupant to emerge. She shouldn’t be so nosy, but she couldn’t help herself, knowing her friend’s brother-in-law would be arriving today. The man Aimee said was the sweetest guy and best chef in the world… at least next to her husband.
“Uncle Levi!” a young girl squealed. Eight-year-old Shelby scampered across the yellowing lawn as the man climbed out of the low-slung car. He caught the girl, swung her around, then flung her over his shoulder, holding her ankles. Then his gaze landed on Heather.
She gulped and revved the drill, but looking away was beyond her ability at the moment. Aimee was right about one thing. Levi Esteban was sizzling hot. The man wore black from his cowboy hat right down to the pointy toes of his cowboy boots. His snap-front shirt accented broad shoulders that tapered to a narrow waist, where belted black jeans took over. Even his hair, curling out from beneath that hat, was all but black. Whoa.
He raised his eyebrows in Heather’s direction, and she waved. Except it was the hand holding the drill, and her finger convulsed against the trigger.
Zing. Zing. Zing.
Heat flooded her face. Could she come off as any more of a moron? And why had she thought catching a glimpse of the man was worth being identified first as a Jill-of-all-trades? But he wasn’t supposed to notice her. Not now. Not today. Not like this. She’d only wanted to see for herself before Aimee introduced them like she’d promised.
Still staring, Heather lowered the drill to the table and let go. Thud. She yelped as pain shot from the bridge of her foot and tears sprang to her eyes.
Somehow, she’d missed the table. How had that happened? Why did she have to be so klutzy? And in front of Aimee’s brother-in-law, no less. There’d be no way he’d look at her twice now, not with anything other than distaste or pity in his eyes.
She turned away, chomping down on her lip, and leaned down to pick up the drill. Ow. Ow. Ow. Her foot hurt like nothing else had since that elbow in her eye when she was sixteen. Who knew a ten-pound tool could cause this much pain?
In a minute she’d peek and make sure the man and his niece were out of sight. Then she’d yank off her steel-toed boot, assess the damage, and cry. Definitely cry.
Stupid, stupid Heather.
“Hey, are you okay?” asked a masculine voice. “Looked like that must have hurt.”
Heather cringed, not looking up. Couldn’t he just go away? Couldn’t he have amnesia and forget this ever happened? Couldn’t she have amnesia?
“You might want to get that boot off before your foot starts to swell.”
She’d get right on that if he’d only leave her alone.
“Here, sit down, and I’ll give you a hand.”
“No. No, I’m okay.” Liar.
Warm hands caught her shoulders through her hoodie and gently pushed downward.
Heather sank to the picnic bench and allowed her shoulder-length blond hair to curtain her burning face. This seriously couldn’t be happening.
Shelby knelt in front of her, peering up. “Miss Heather?” The little girl wore a worried frown.
Please, why couldn’t they leave her alone?
“Which one did it land on?” asked the male voice. “Your right?” Long tanned fingers loosened the laces of her boot, nearly hidden behind the cowboy hat as he bent over her foot.
Heather choked back a gasp at the new flood of pain, but a hitch in her breath likely gave her away.
He gave a nervous chuckle. “This might hurt a bit.”
You think?
He grasped her boot and, with a deft twist, pulled it off.
Heather tilted on the bench as pain swarmed her senses. No, she couldn’t pass out. She needed to stay alert. Get rid of this man. Hobble or crawl to her staff suite in the Tomah House across the resort’s grounds.
“Shelby, sit beside her, and let her lean on you.”
Like an eight-year-old could prevent her from toppling. Still, the little girl wedged against Heather’s side. “It’s okay, Miss Heather. Uncle Levi will take care of everything.”
He rolled the sock off and tucked it in her boot. Warm hands engulfed her foot, thumbs gently probing the bridge of it. “I don’t think it’s broken, but you should probably have an x-ray to be sure.” He gave a wry chuckle. “Good thing those are steel-toed boots.”
Too bad it hadn’t been complete medieval foot armor. Heather willed her voice to be steady. “I honestly think it will be okay. It’s not the first time I’ve dropped something.” Not usually as heavy as that drill, though, and not usually on her foot. “I’m sorry for distracting you from whatever you were doing.” For calling attention to her clumsiness.
She could just see Mom’s disapproving head-shake. A little more gracefulness, Heather Jeannine. Remember your training. Right, those twenty-seven pageants had a purpose. To make Mom proud.
“Are you sure? Try putting some weight on it.” His hands settled on her waist and lifted.
Heather pushed his hands away. “I don’t even know you.”
The black cowboy hat tilted up and astonishingly green eyes assessed her from where he knelt in front of her. A grin softened his sober expression and crinkled the skin around those amazing eyes. Aimee had somehow missed mentioning them.
“Levi Esteban, at your service. Shelby knows you, so I’m guessing you’ve met my brother, Jared, and his wife, Aimee?”
She nodded. “I’m Heather Francis. Someone who shouldn’t be allowed near power tools.” Now, why had she said that? Maintenance was part of her job description at Grizzly Gulch Resort. That, and coaching junior contestants for the Miss Snowflake Pageant… both of which required more dexterity than she’d shown in the last five minutes.
“Now that we’ve officially met, Heather, can you try standing on that foot?”
Why did the guy have to be so doggone persistent? He wasn’t going to take no for an answer.
Heather braced both hands on the bench, sucked in a deep breath, and pushed herself upright. She could do this. She only needed to keep her face emotionless long enough to pass his inspection. Then she’d sit back down until he was out of sight, and then she’d crawl to her apartment.
She grimaced as the world wobbled.
“Carry her boot, Shelby.”
And that was all the warning Heather had before Levi’s strong arms swept her off her feet.
Always a princess, never the queen.
As a runner-up in 27 competitions, Heather Francis tries to teach young contestants there’s more to pageants than winning, even though her mother never got that memo. It’s hard enough to focus and ignore the inner voice calling her a fraud without being attracted to Grizzly Gulch Resort’s brooding temporary chef.
Levi Esteban’s temp job as chef in Helena, Montana, and caregiver for his niece, Shelby, would be perfect if it weren’t for the Miss Snowflake Christmas festivities at the resort. Levi’s been against pageantry all his life and isn’t about to change his stance, regardless of his fascination with Shelby’s coach.
When Shelby’s parents’ trip is extended, Levi and Heather must join forces to care for her and pull off the pageant. Is there something better than a crown in their future?
Better Than a Crown releases next week! It’s currently available for pre-order at the following retailers:
I’m offering one reader an advanced review copy (e-book only, worldwide). To enter, simply comment on this post before Saturday, September 16. Let me know about one of your embarrassing moments! Or about the worst damage you ever did to yourself. Or… just comment.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Valerie Comer is a USA Today bestselling author and a two-time Word Award winner who writes where food meets faith and fiction. She injects experience laced with humor into her green clean romances. Her life on a small farm in western Canada provides the seed for stories of contemporary inspirational romance. Like many of her characters, Valerie and her family grow much of their own food and are active in the local foods movement as well as their church. She only hopes her creations enjoy their happily-ever-afters as much as she does hers, shared with her husband, adult kids, and adorable granddaughters.
Embarrassing moments….too many to recall. I tend to be some what of a klutz – kind of like Heather here – so embarrassing blunders abound.
Hi Valerie! Sorry to read that the smoke due to the forest fires is returning. As a high school teacher and mother, I had a few embarrassing moments. Including wearing two different colored shoes and socks to school. Missing tags on a new piece of clothing. Congrats on your book release. Thanks for the giveaway and your generous spirit.
Hi Valerie, have not forgotten about bushfires- even if the media has! I pray for rain for you all. This new story looks like fun, I’m looking forward to reading it:) Hmm, embarrassing moments- mistaking a random stranger for a friend and greeting him as if he were my friend- wasn’t until I was about to hug the guy that I realised it was not my mate (just his double!)…plus soooo many more! I’m a teacher- like Renate said, I think they come with the territory!!
Blessings:)
I really enjoyed reading chapter 1! I tripped and fell while on recess duty. The embarrassing part was that I sent a child in to get ice and out came the superintendent who happened to be in the building. I was hurting and trying not to cry. He nicely took over my duty so I could get off of my foot.
Book sounds like fun, off to order momentarily.
Worst damage done to self: tripping over own two feet walking to a coffee break and landing on my chin, stepping back into office to ask friend/colleague for drive to doctor, fainting and having ambulance ride across the street to emergency room for stitches. Still thankful all turned out okay and friends took care of me.
Wow !!! This books sounds awesome !!
I’ve already pre-ordered this one, but oooh, I can’t wait to finish this series! Don’t know about most embarrassing but more recently anyway, lol. Probably about 6 years ago I had gone to retrieve my youngest (then 5-6) from a friend of his. The easiest way to get there…up a small hill that was easier to climb up than down. I slid on some loose dirt/gravel near the bottom and fell, skinning my elbow and knee. It hurt, but I picked myself up and continued to home, but there were enough young kids in that neighborhood to question whether I was ok.
Aw, I can sympathize with anyone who identifies with Heather! I spent a long time in her head this summer. :)
Thank YOU! I once accidentally wore my top inside out. Pink gingham (remember the days?!?) so it didn’t show except at the seams. I was mortified when I saw it.
Oh, wow. Imagine the poor man’s shock! LOL
That was good of him. I hope you didn’t hurt yourself too badly!
Oh my goodness! Yes, kudos to friends and colleagues for taking care of you.
Thanks, I hope you enjoy!
Sooo easy to slip on loose gravel! It’s good when “all” we injure is our pride. Thanks for pre-ordering!!
I blame any klutzy moments of my own on my eyesight! But a few years ago I went into our local car insurance place to pay for the next year’s insurance, went back out, and put the license plate sticker on someone else’s car. I didn’t realize it until I couldn’t unlock the car then glanced over and mine was two cars down.
In my defense, same make and color and expiry date. I went back in and what a hassle. The other person was also there to renew (same expiry date) and everyone had a good laugh. However, it’s not as simple as her sticker going on my car – they’re barcoded to the vehicle. We couldn’t get the sticker off without tearing it, so it cost me a fee as well for a redo. So embarrassing…
I was with my friend, shopping on a rainy day. She went in one door , I went in the other door and there was a foot space between the door and the mat. I went down! I was ok and got the attendant to mop it up before another old person fell. My friend said “at least we know you don’t have osteoporosis!” You don’t know how many times I’ve fallen and said the same thing!
This book looks extra good and humorous! Thanks
Yikes! I hate when I hit the floor!
Your first chapter was great! Looking forward to the book. I’ve had lots of embarrassing moments hurting myself. One I remembered recently at a wedding was when I cut my arm requiring stitches a few days before my daughters wedding when I was also hurrying to finish making her wedding dress and my dress. At the wedding we all wore wrist corsages on the same side as my non injured arm
Oh, no! I remember my soon-to-be brother-in-law stumbling off a ladder and twisting his ankle while painting the chapel they were to be married in. He limped up the aisle…
What a fun beginning. Love it!
I’ve already got the book pre-ordered. I think my most embarrassing moment was when a friend was visiting us in Hong Kong. We left early for language school, and were supposed to meet her downtown for lunch. We just happened to decide to stop by home to drop off our books before lunch, and were surprised that she was still there. Well, in our half-asleep daze that morning, we’d double-locked the security door (usual habit), and she had no clue where there might be an extra key, so she couldn’t get out!
Thanks! I hope you enjoy it :)
Oh, no! And I imagine that cell phones weren’t an option.
Being the Queen of Clumsy, I have a hard time picking one moment.lol I’ve fallen on my belly at 7months pregnant, fallen down stairs carrying my newborn, fallen down the concrete steps in front of my house and had to get stitches in my head, but my most recent episode is falling out of our 12 passenger van in front of a busy shopping center with a line of cars waiting behind, which resulted in a major sprained ankle. I have been this way my entire life, and unfortunately for my daughter and niece, they have inherited my clumsy gene. It’s a good thing I can laugh at myself or I would be a miserable person!!LOL
This sounds like a delightful book!! I will be ordering it right away!!
Oh, Mandi, I feel for you! Thanks for the pre-order, and I hope you stay safe!!!
Oh my this sounds good! Embarrassing: tumbling down a very steep hill covered in blackberry bushes and landing at the bottom in a heap, looking like hamburger. In front of a cute guy.
Oh, man. Blackberry bushes are so prickly, too! More than your dignity was damaged. I hope you enjoy Heather and Levi’s story. :)
Thanks ?
Yay! This is such a great book (I’m lucky…got an early copy :) )
I’m glad you enjoyed it!!
Better Than a Crown sounds really interesting. Thanks for sharing.
I can’t think of an embarrassing moment right now, but I’ve had nightmares of living the house on my slippers to go to class.. I eventually did that when I was over 30, but not to go to school.
Wearing slippers out of the house is a practice I could get behind!
It was more like winter slippers and not suitable for outside of the house. I was just so in a hurry…
That’s the only kind of slippers in my mind!
The worst damage I ever did to myself was when I used a sheetrock knife to cut the carpet in the hallway so we could remove it. I was squatting down, and because the carpet was old and tough, the knife “bounced” off the carpet and sliced the top of my shoe – and my foot! The only good thing was that it was a perfectly clean cut and healed quickly after stitches. But it did freak my kids out when I took off my shoe to check out my foot! I really enjoyed this first chapter!
I’m glad you enjoyed this scene, and hope the book lives up to your expectation. Yikes on slicing through your shoe and into your foot! I’m guessing the shoe was a goner.
nice excerpt
Embarrassing moment…I walked in on my (then future) mother in law in the bathroom. This looks like a good book!
Thanks for sharing the excerpt! I look forward to reading your book :)
Thanks!
LOL, yes, that would qualify as embarrassing! Hope you enjoy it :)
Thank you! I hope you enjoy it. :)
This book releases on my birthday. Is this a sign?? LOL. My embarrassing moment was at a team building conference at work. I was forced to go even though I was retiring in about a month. Questions were posed then someone was called on to go to the front to answer in front of everyone. Public speaking is one of my fears. Unfortunately I was one of the few called upon. When I got up front, my mind froze and stayed frozen. I finally just said my mind is a blank and returned to my seat. I was humiliated and it was obvious. The woman in charge of the exercise later came to me and apologized which only made me feel worse.
Oh no. I hate being singled out like that, too! That doesn’t sound like it succeeded in “team” building at all!
The book sounds great! About embarrassing moments, I have quite a few… there was this time it was raining and I wanted to get the bus so I started running and suddenly I fell, it was all muddy on the ground and everybody watching! It was quite embarrassing! Thankfully I was heading home, but still I had to go all the way with my pants wet.
Embarrassing AND uncomfortable! Glad it was the end of your day. :)
This sounds great! I loved the excerpt! Can’t wait to read it! :) One of my most embarrassing moments was when I was serving a mission for our church in Peru. When you are serving they call you sister ____ and your last name. Except I was serving a Spanish speaking mission so my name was Hermana Haueter. My maiden name was hard to pronounce and someone called me Hermana Hamster. ? Then a lot of the missionaries heard and started calling me that. I was not impressed. Haha!
I can see why that might not be your fave ever nickname!
I’m sure there are some embarrassing moments in my life, I just can’t recall them off the top of my head right now. Worst damage? In high school, I broke my ring finger on my right hand (my writing hand) twice in the same year! The first time was during volley ball in PE & then during the summer I was shooting hoops with some friends and broke it again. I’ve been pretty blessed to not have too many accidents in my life :-)
Reading the sample, makes me wish I could afford a copy right now, not later.
My son had both wrists in casts at the same time in his senior year of high school – from two different skateboarding accidents!
The special pre-order price is on until the end of the month :)