Add to your TBR List!

Excerpt

I plop down in an empty seat and look up to see Shay coming my direction with a huge grin on her face. She’s worked with me at the hospital for years. While I’m permanently located in the emergency room, Shay floats to any department that needs her. So when she’s working with me in the ER, it’s a real treat.

“What a great surprise, huh? And it’s air conditioned.” She beams.

“I know. I still haven’t recovered from the shock,” I reply, settling in to the unexpected ride as if we’ve been given limo service instead of an old school bus touched up for the purpose of getting employees on the job quicker.

I tap my lip with my fingertip, reflecting on the sign at the entrance to the small bus. Courtesy of Hightower Construction. Figures. It wasn’t the hospital administration thinking about us at all. It was the construction company. Working all day under the harsh Florida sun, I’m certain their crew appreciates this small bit of generosity better than anyone. They’ve probably set this up for their other clients too, likely a selling feature to gain new building contracts in the area. Well, whatever their motivation, they’re to be commended. It’s nice to see the hospital doing business with a company that cares.

The bus feels as if it’s barely picked up speed before it’s slowing down to let us off. The distance from the shuttle stop to the ER doors seems so much shorter when you’re cool and comfortable.

“I almost want to ask him if he’ll make another loop before we have to get off.” Shay giggles as she stands from her seat.

Everyone gathers their belongings and exits the bus. There’s a low hum of appreciation at our good fortune as we all head to our final destination. Once I step down, I’m surprised to find the driver hasn’t let us off at the front entrance, but across the street. Heck, I’m not complaining. There’s probably a rule against blocking incoming traffic.

Shielding my eyes, I instinctively peer up into the overpowering rays of the sun to see the rugged hard hat hottie positioned on a platform a floor above me. As predicted, he’s staring down at me with a toothy grin, his bronze skin glistening in the summer heat.

“He’s so freakin’ hot,” Shay moans.

“Yeah.” I’m practically drooling at the sight. “Do you think if we accidentally broke something inside they’d let him come in and fix it?”

“Gah. One could hope.” Shay giggles. “But then again, none of the nurses would get anything done.”

I watch as he lifts his bright yellow hat from his head long enough to run a large muscular hand through his dark blonde hair, his smile never wavering.

Shay leans in to me and releases a heavy sigh. “I bet women just throw themselves at him wherever he goes.”

“Uh huh.” I breathe, biting into my lower lip as I picture him catching me, all toned and tan, his pecs and abs on full display.

“You two better get a move on or you’re going to be late,” Gretchen says as she walks by. It’s at that moment I realize the van has made a second loop in the time we’ve been ogling this sexy specimen.

I give him a short wave and a coy smile as I make my way to the entrance doors. It’s fleeting, this exchange at the start of each shift. There’s no obnoxious cat calls or whistles. It’s all in fun. Heck. He’s probably got a wife and kids. It’s not that I’d ever act on it. But that short greeting puts a spring in my step as I start my shift. And around here, much like the shuttle bus, that’s a rare delight.

“Harlow. How do you like that? We can start the shift without needing to wring out our clothes first.” Sadie laughs.

“She might still need to.” Shay gives me a knowing grin. “All buff and beautiful was giving her his usual welcome to work greeting.”

I can’t keep from smiling. “Yeah, he has about the same effect on me that sweltering walk used to.”

Pre-order Link

Giveaway

One of Five eARC's for Hard Hat Hottie

a Rafflecopter Giveaway

Connect with LM Fox

Website: https://bit.ly/2Xt9hrL

Newsletter: https://bit.ly/3yST3pT

Facebook Author Page: https://bit.ly/3jXfiVj

Facebook Reader Group: https://bit.ly/3E3dumM

Goodreads Author Page: https://bit.ly/3AP1enG

Twitter: https://bit.ly/3CVdHI8

Instagram: https://bit.ly/3iR6TmY

TikTok: http://bit.ly/3vhmuSG

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/3xT25BJ

Bookbub Author Page: https://bit.ly/3CaAGxJ