Panties.
I stare at the scrap of black fabric in my hand and it’s like everything around us goes blurry. My eyes shoot to hers, all wide and green. So many shades. A mosaic.
I’m not known for smiling, but the corners of my mouth twitch. “You, uh, dropped your panties, ma’am.”
A strangled laugh bursts from her as her gaze darts to my hand and back to my face. “Wow. This is awkward. I’m really—”
“Your coffee is ready, sweetheart!” Ellen calls.
The redhead’s face flips away, like she’s relieved by the interruption. “Thank you!” she calls back a little too brightly before slapping a five down on the counter and grabbing the paper cup. Without another glance, she’s making a bee-line for the door. Like she can’t get away fast enough. “Keep the change! See you again!”
I swear I hear her giggling under her breath as she breezes past, clearly avoiding my gaze while murmuring something to herself about this being a good story to tell her kids one day.
I absently wonder what the fuck kind of stories this woman plans on telling her future children before I call out to her. “You forgot your . . .” I trail off because I refuse to shout this across the coffee shop full of people I have to face day in, day out.
She turns to press her back into the door when she gets there and holds my eye for a beat, barely contained laughter touching every feature. “Finders keepers,” she says with a shrug.
Now, she does laugh, full and warm and so damn amused. Then she exits into the sunlit street, hair shining like fire and hips swinging like she owns this town.
She leaves me stunned.
And when I look back down at my open palm, it hits me that she’s long gone, I have no idea what her name is, and I’m still here . . .
Holding her panties.
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Books by Elsie Silver
The Gold Rush Ranch Series
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Off to the Races
A Photo Finish
The Front Runner
A False Start
Acknowledgments
If a year ago someone told me I’d be here, doing this, I’d have laughed in their face. But the world works in mysterious ways, and like the quote at the front of this book says: sometimes the moment seizes you.
What a ride. What an adventure. What an absolute blessing to have stumbled into a career that brings me this much joy.
But this job is only this incredible because so many other people help make it that way.
To my readers, thank you. From the bottom of my heart. Thank you for spending your precious free time reading my stories. For loving them, for sharing them, for blowing up my inbox with your messages. I love it all.
To my husband, you’re the ultimate book boyfriend. You inspire little pieces of my books every time. I love you beyond measure.
To my son, you make me laugh every day. You give the best hugs. I’m so lucky to be your mama. I love you to the moon and back.
To my parents, you always knew I’d figure out what to do with myself. Even when I wasn’t so sure you were right. You’re the two best cheerleaders a girl could ask for. I love you both with all my heart.
To my assistant Krista, I hate calling you my assistant. I feel like you’re just my really cool fun friend who helps me with ALL OF THE THINGS. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.
To Lena, you’re my ride or die. My fellow delightful pervert. You make this gig more fun every day. Who else would I say all the inappropriate things to?
To Catherine, you are the most wonderful top secret mentor a girl could ask for. I feel so fortunate to have you in my corner.
To Kandi, you have to be one of my favorite people . . . ever. I will never forget your generosity and your kindness. I can’t wait to pay it forward one day. I’m so lucky to call you my friend.
To Sarah from Social Butterfly, I love our working relationship. But I also can’t wait to eat a waffle penis and do goat yoga with you.
To my beta readers, Amy, Krista, and Kelly, thank you for your hard work and keen eyes. You catch the things my brain is too jumbled to notice.
To my editor Paula, basically… I’m obsessed with you. Haha. Thank you for always being available to bounce ideas off of and joke around with. You are irreplaceable.
To my cover designer Casey/Echo, you worked so hard on this cover and goddamnit, it paid off. Your expertise and opinions are invaluable to me. You also crack me up, so there’s that.
Finally, to my ARC readers and street team members . . . I don’t even know where to start. You make a bigger difference than you’ll ever realize. Every post makes me smile, every review has an impact. I don’t care how many followers any of you have, you’re all wonderful and deserving and I appreciate each and every one of you more than you know.