Challenging Andie Read online

  CHALLENGING ANDIE

  By

  Sally Clements

  Challenging Andie

  By Sally Clements

  Kindle Edition, Copyright © 2012 Sally Clements

  Cover by Heather Howland

  Edited by Cindy Davis

  All rights reserved. No part of this e-book may be reproduced in any form other than that in which it was purchased and without the written permission of the author.

  This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Amazon.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  http://www.sallyclements.blogspot.com

  Be sure to check out these other great romances also by Sally Clements.

  The Morning After

  Catch Me a Catch

  Marrying Cade

  Bound to Love

  New Beginnings – Short stories

  To contact Sally Clements, or to be placed on a mailing list to receive updates about her new releases, click the ‘contact me’ link on her blog. http://www.sallyclements.blogspot.com

  or contact her on twitter, where she’s @sallywriter

  Some reviews of Sally Clements’s other books…

  For The Morning After

  I thoroughly enjoyed The Morning After. This book has everything you want in a story: a great plot, interesting settings and characters you want to hope for and believe in. Add that these things are all written in a fun, lighthearted way and it was easy to get lost in this story. Though I knew it was a happy ending, I could not wait to see how these two friends worked it all out in the end. I was very pleased, and I think you will be too. I am looking forward to adding more of Ms. Clements' books to my collection. - Coffee Time Romance and more

  For a feel good book, this is the one I really enjoyed, with tension, funny episodes and life lessons learned.

  *

  Catch Me A Catch was a finalist for the Romantic Novelists Association’s Joan Hessayon Award, May 2011.

  Reviews for Catch Me A Catch

  The be-there-in-the-moment style of this dramatic narrative will grab your attention and keep it, cover-to-cover. This one belongs in the must-read pile! - The Long and Short of It Romance Reviews

  Fans of contemporary romances should definitely give Catch Me A Catch a read, as with a great plot and likable main characters, it can’t be classed as anything but an excellent contemporary romance. - The Romance Reviews

  This tale moves quickly with a lot of smiles on the pages... I truly enjoyed this author’s way of building a story and hope to read more in the future. - The Romance Studio

  Without a doubt an adorable read that was very hard for me to put down. - Seriously Reviewed

  I applaud Sally for making a magical story come to life. 4 tea cups and a “buy now” recommendation from Happily Ever After Reviews.

  *

  For Marrying Cade

  If you want to read a good romance, well written then read this book. Loves to read.

  With romance, beautiful scenery and a great plot, 'Marrying Cade' is one not to miss. Marsha Moore.

  In Marrying Cade, you're off to a gorgeous island with cool breezes and sizzling heat between Melo and Cade. Melo is a strong, nurturing female character, with whom most women can relate today. Cade is that sexy, carefree bachelor women long to tame. The connection between the two will draw you in and keep you reading. Maria Waddell, To sleep, perchance to dream.

  *

  For Bound to Love

  WOW!! What an awesome book. I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it all in one sitting. Geeky Girl Reviews.

  Oh la-la. What a steamy, dreamy, thrill ride. Elsie Loves Fiction.

  Bound to Love is a fast-paced mystery that keeps you up half the night to find out how it ends. Manic Readers.

  Dedication

  To Heather Howland and Cindy Davis

  Thank you!

  Chapter One

  It was a new day.

  A new beginning.

  A day to push aside the black cloud of death and embrace life.

  Andie Harte breathed deep in the queue for the rollercoaster and battled down the feeling of unease. Her stomach rolled like the tiny carriages dipping and diving in the air above. Blood-curdling screams rent the air. Andie bit down on her lip.

  I’m brave. I can do this.

  There was no chickening out of this challenge.

  She smoothed down the yellow sundress picked out that morning in an attempt to mimic the golden light pouring in the window. Two unremitting weeks of black were enough. Her bruised heart couldn’t take any more.

  The queue shuffled forward.

  Andie stumbled.

  In an instant, a warm hand grabbed her arm, steadying her. A glance sideways revealed a chest. A very impressive chest. Her gaze travelled up to collide with the deepest green eyes ever.

  “Thanks,” she managed as the stranger released her.

  His hair was so dark it was almost black. Her scanning gaze took a quick inventory: A tanned face with killer cheekbones barely marred by a razor-thin paler scar. A straight nose above a perfect mouth, and a square jaw that hinted he was a man used to taking charge.

  “No problem.” The stranger smiled, and something deep inside Andie kicked. Hard. “Are you okay?” His eyebrows rose in perfect arcs. He pointed ahead. “The queue…”

  A gap had opened up while she’d been gawking.

  “Oh, yes, I’m fine.” It had been forever since the mere sight of a man had thrown her for a loop. In fact, she didn’t think she’d ever been so affected.

  She stepped forward and took a deep breath. Today was turning out to be a day of firsts. The first time she’d faced her fear and actually got onto a rollercoaster of her own volition, rather than being dragged onto one by her daredevil mother, and the first time she’d taken one look at a stranger and melted.

  “We’re nearly there.” His deep voice set off a quake within.

  Andie turned back and tried a smile. It probably didn’t work, if his expression was anything to go by.

  “You look sort of worried. Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Normally she’d hide her fear. Make some sort of affirmative response. After all, when people asked if you were okay they generally didn’t want a truthful answer—not in her experience, anyway.

  Lying was impossible. Her world had irrevocably changed in the last couple of weeks. She couldn’t pretend anymore.

  “Not really.” She scratched her arm. “I’m scared.”

  He didn’t turn away. Didn’t look embarrassed by her honesty. Instead, his eyes filled with what looked like genuine concern.

  A ripple of unease flickered. What was she doing, being so honest with a complete stranger?

  The stranger’s eyebrows pulled together in a frown. “Why?”

  Andie pointed up the line that snaked ahead. “Rollercoaster.”

  “Rollercoaster virgin?” Dimples winked as he smiled.

  Andie’s heart thumped. “Rollercoaster phobic.” She felt her mouth stretch in a smile to echo his.

  “Honey, you’re in the wrong queue.” He stuck out a hand. “I’m Ryan.”

  The moment his fingers curved around hers a bolt of electricity dashed from palm to heart. Wow, he should work in the ambulance corps, there would be no need a defibrillator; he could bring people back to life with his touch. Women, anyway.

  “I’m Andie, but you can call me cowardly.”

  “Scared
y-pants Andie. Pleased to meet you.”

  The queue shuffled forward. Earlier she’d wished it would hurry up, and then this whole ordeal would be over with as quickly as possible. Right now, the snail’s pace was a blessing.

  “If you hate the idea of rollercoasters so much, why are you in this queue?” Ryan asked. “I mean, there’s no law saying you have to put yourself through something you don’t find enjoyable, is there?”

  Yes there was. The law according to Andie. She’d vowed to face her fears, one at a time.

  Ryan watched. Waiting for an answer.

  Andie pulled in a deep breath. “I’m facing my fears. It’s important to me.”

  Ryan looked serious. “Well, in that case you’re a very brave woman.”

  She sure didn’t feel brave. Not on the Harte scale of brave. Brave meant interviewing dictators in war torn corners of the world. Jumping out of planes—for fun!—her war correspondent mother had explained.

  Her feelings must have shown on her face.

  “I mean it, Andie. Facing your fears is brave.” Ryan took her hand again. “I don’t face mine.”

  “Oh, so what are you afraid of?”

  He was so tall she had to angle her head up to look in his face. His broad shoulders were like Atlas’s, born to carry the weight of the world. He looked like the type of man who would face down charging lions and win.

  “Spiders? Water? Flying?” she prompted.

  “No, I’m okay with all of those.” Wrinkles fanned out from the corners of green eyes as he smiled. “But I’m terrified of shopping.”

  “Okay, that’s something all men are terrified of. Give me something better.”

  The smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Oh, I don’t know, marriage maybe?”

  The queue moved another few feet. Its head was in sight now; they’d probably make the next intake.

  “You know, this is a very weird conversation.” She really should stop holding his hand. It was like a fantasy, standing hand in hand with a tall, dark handsome man. Opening her heart and confessing her deepest fears to a complete stranger. It must be the trauma of the past few weeks that had her so out of kilter. It couldn’t just be him, could it?

  “It’s pretty strange for me too,” he confessed. “But I like it.”

  “Look,” he whispered in that velvet voice that made the hair on the back of her neck stand to attention. “I’m a rollercoaster veteran. The secret, if you’re feeling panicked about it, is to concentrate on something else. You need a distraction.”

  Emerald eyes stared into hers; the black pupil expanding into the sea of green, then his gaze flickered to her mouth.

  “Come on, mate! Queue’s moving!” A shove from behind, and Ryan pulled back.

  “What…” Andie spluttered.

  He’d been about to kiss her.

  And she’d been about to let him. Her mouth tingled as if actually feeling the press of his lips.

  “Come on.” Ryan strode forward pulling her along with him to the front of the queue. “It’s our turn.”

  *****

  Ryan rubbed the back of his neck. At least he hadn’t actually kissed her. Kissing her was more than reckless; it was goddamned stupid.

  They climbed into the rollercoaster seats.

  The assistant checked the constraints holding them in place were fastened securely.

  Ryan darted a glance her direction. “Okay?”

  Andie was whitewash pale, and her jaw was clamped tight. She looked the absolute picture of terror personified. “Okay.” A tight little nod gave lie to her words.

  Admiration swelled in Ryan’s chest. Whatever her reasons, she was going through with this, and for someone who was afraid of rollercoasters ‘The Screamer’ was a courageous choice. He’d never been on this particular one, heck, he’d never even been in this amusement park before, but he’d been on many, and this one looked as though it would live up to its reputation.

  The little red car jerked, rocked from side to side, then inched forward to the sound of clattering metal.

  Andie gripped his hand. Her chest rose and fell with each rapid breath. She gazed over the edges of the track as it left the safety of the starting spot and cranked into nothingness.

  Ryan’s fingers ached as though they were being squeezed in a vice. He glanced up, seeing raw terror written in her tensed jawline and narrowed eyes. Sympathy bit.

  He pitched his voice low and soothing, “It seems like it’s going to be forever, but it’s only six minutes out of your life.” Six minutes of terror could be suffered with the end in sight. “There’s no real danger, it just feels like that. You’re safe.”

  Not like being on the frontline in Bekostan. There, even walking the streets was dangerous. Every trip to buy food was a perilous gamble, fraught with the very real possibility you might not make it back home safely.

  In England, things were different. People walked the streets in safety. The only topic of conversation seemed to be the weather. England was bland, safe, and vanilla. No wonder he’d left the country that was once home at the earliest possible opportunity. The sights he’d seen would shock this pretty blonde in the buttercup dress lighting her up like a beam of sunlight.

  She was his complete opposite. Light to his dark. The sort of woman perfectly accessorized by a solid, sensible type with a positive outlook to match her sundress. An accountant maybe. Or an outdoor type, like a ski-instructor.

  Not a man like him.

  They were close as peas in a pod in a tiny metal carriage. Linked palm to palm, while within, Ryan battled down a totally inappropriate desire to kiss her.

  Her vivid blue eyes widened as the carriage slowed at the base of the first rise. A series of slow clicks filled his ears as the carriage winched slowly up the incline.

  “I’m here,” he said. “It’s all right.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered a moment before the carriage crested the top and dived.

  She was screaming. Her eyes were clamped tight, and the high, terrified sound rang out in the clear air.

  Ryan’s insides churned as the carriage jerked to the left. He held on tight, hoping to provide some comfort that she wasn’t alone.

  Around them people were screaming in shock and delight as the coaster tilted at a perilous angle and shot down into an underground cavern. Another shift, this time to the opposite angle, and they were soaring skywards again.

  The ride slowed. His heart raced with adrenalin overload. Breathing deeply, Ryan let the thrill flow through him. The track twisted and rose higher and higher.

  He glanced over. She’d stopped screaming, but her white face with eyes scrunched tightly shut told its own story. She really hated this. Distress bled from her, like a tangible mist of fear.

  For the first time ever, he wanted a rollercoaster ride to be over.

  Long, black eyelashes dusted against her cheekbones.

  He’d known she was pretty, of course.

  The pictures on the front pages had shown that clearly, even while her face was transformed by grief, and her eyes reddened by tears. The instant kick of attraction he’d felt standing in the queue next to her had been unexpected.

  He hadn’t felt so strongly attracted to a woman since…since forever. It was damned inconvenient that it was this woman. The woman who’d doubtless hate him when she discovered the truth.

  Her mouth opened again as the carriage pitched and rolled in a breathless flurry of action that tumbled his insides.

  Ryan closed his eyes too, and gave in to the terror and delight, the sound of his loud shout ripped away by the wind whipping around them as the coaster dipped towards the earth once again.

  *****

  It was over.

  The bar holding her in place clicked and Andie released Ryan’s hand to push it upwards, and then stepped out of the horrific device. She’d done it! And she hadn’t cried, or made a complete show of herself either. Sure, she’d screamed, but so had everyone. She’d even heard Ryan’s deep tones
raised in a shout on that final dive.

  “Do you want to get the picture?” Ryan asked as they followed the crowd through the exit, where a bank of screens showed the automatic pictures snapped during the ride displayed with numbers below them. “There we are, look.” He pointed.

  “I want one.” Andie scrabbled in her bag for her purse. “Number seven, please.”

  “A number seven for me too,” Ryan added to the girl behind the counter.

  As they waited for the printer to churn out their pictures, Andie took a second look at the screen. Her eyes were closed; mercifully the camera had caught the image in the one brief moment she hadn’t been screaming. She almost looked peaceful, which was amazing considering the terror of the ride.

  Her chest swelled in pride.

  The man sitting next to her wasn’t screaming either. His eyes were open, but he wasn’t looking at the camera. He was looking at her. The captured expression on his face was unexpected. He looked serious and resolute.

  They paid for the pictures.

  “Well, thanks again.” Andie stepped back. It felt strange to leave him, even though they’d only known each other for such a short time.

  “Do you want to go again?” His mouth curved into a smile.

  For the first time in ages, Andie threw back her head and laughed. “You have got to be kidding!” She waved the picture at him. “I’ve done it now. I don’t ever need to do it again.”

  “What…never?” His mouth turned down at the corners in an exaggerated frown. “Are you trying to tell me you don’t want to hold my hand anymore?” His eyes twinkled.

  Gosh, it was difficult not to flirt back. Why shouldn’t she? After all, she didn’t have a boyfriend, and there was no-one waiting for her back home. “I’m sure you can find someone else to hold hands with—are you joining the queue again?” she teased.

  His smile faded. Earnest green eyes gazed into hers. “But what if I don’t want to hold anyone else’s hand?”

  “Look, Ryan—”

  “I like you, Andie. I know we’ve just met, and we’re practically strangers, but if you come for a coffee with me, we won’t be. I’m done with rides for the day.”