Enjoy the first chapter of His One True Love.
Discontent stalked Scott Headley like he was its prey. On the surface, Scott had zero reasons for discontent. He loved his job as a music teacher at Orange Valley Community College, infusing a new generation with a love of music.
He pushed away from his desk where he was supposed to grade his latest musical theory assignment, but wallowed in self-pity instead.
Scott paced the length of the music room, pausing to run his fingers over the keyboard before moving to tap the trumpet keys.
He was comfortable occupying a suite in the palatial residence where he grew up with his parents and siblings. Meanwhile, he squirreled away his earnings and much of his trust fund to buy a house for his family. Someday. In the distant future, that became more unlikely as he got older.
Perhaps that was the issue. His younger brother Zane had moved into the family home with his wife and four-year-old daughter while they searched for a house.
Though Scott was ecstatic for his brother and loved his sister-in-law and niece, he was jealous.
“That’s the problem, isn’t it?” He glanced around the room to ensure no one had witnessed him talking to himself.
Growing up as the eldest son of Celeste Headley, former opera singer, and Glenn Headley, renowned concert pianist, created plenty of insecurity—but not feeling as if he could measure up to his parents’ accomplishments was second nature.
Scott stormed to the door and jerked it open. He needed to clear his mind before class so he wouldn’t pass this dubious mood to his students.
He tucked his hands into the pockets of his gray slacks and kept his head down as he scurried down the hallway. His soles squeaked against the smooth tiles, and he felt like a student without a hall pass. Scott increased his pace, his footsteps echoing in the deserted corridor.
He filled his lungs with earthy mid-morning air as he ran down the school’s steps. He just needed ten minutes to get his head right.
He spotted a splash of color disappearing around the edge of the building.
“Hey.” He was too far away for the person to hear and Scott darted after the figure.
The music and art departments were hosting a fundraiser at the gym after school. They’d received donations from various companies for a bake sale, and the items were being safeguarded in the gym until the event.
He scanned the area. Where was the guard? Wasn’t he supposed to keep people out of here?
“It would be nice if people did their jobs for a change.”
He wasn’t as disgruntled as he sounded, but it felt good to voice some of his grumpiness. Hopefully, his complaint would dispel the lingering darkness.
He slowed when he realized the person he was following was not a student or anyone he recognized. Scott’s gaze lingered on the woman’s lush curves, appreciating her beauty.
Was she a parent? A business owner? He would remember if he’d seen her before.
She balanced something awkwardly in her arms as she jiggled the handle of the large gray door.
“Hey.” He bolted forward.
The woman stumbled backward and into his arms. Spiced vanilla invaded his lungs, tempting him to dip his head into the crook of her neck to inhale his fill.
“Thanks.”
Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips while Scott remained in a daze. Where had this gorgeous woman been his entire life?
“I’m alright now.” Her husky voice brought him out of his vanilla haze.
“Right.” He helped her to her feet, steadying her. “Sorry.”
He peeled his hands away from her and stepped back as his body, mind, and spirit protested.
He didn’t know who she was, but he wanted to be closer to her, not further away.
His gaze dropped to her left hand, shoulders sagging in relief because there was no ring or sign of one.
She grimaced, and his stomach tightened in a wave of sympathy. “Are you hurt?”
“No.” She tipped her chin toward the door. “This was supposed to be a simple assignment. Drop a batch of cupcakes at the school gym. I didn’t expect to be in an unwilling wrestling match.”
He chuckled at her self-deprecating tone. “It sticks. Let me.” He wrenched the door open, allowing her to enter the cool interior ahead of him.
He trotted after her, slamming the door behind him. “I don’t recall seeing you here before. Do you have a child attending the school?”
She didn’t appear old enough to be the mother of a college school student, but stranger things had happened.
“No.” She shifted the bundle in her hands. “Where should I put this?”
“Uhm.” Scott spun, searching for an empty spot on the dozen tables crammed onto the indoor sports court. “Here.”
He took the transparent carrying case, marveling at the intricate frosting designs. The sweet, buttery scent of the cupcakes filled the air, making his mouth water.
He whistled. “This must have set you back quite a bit.”
She half-smiled, a dimple winking in her cheek, and heat crept up Scott’s face as his words replayed in his mind.
“Nope. I made them.”
“You made these?” He gawked at the scrumptious-looking cupcakes.
“I did.” She ducked her head.
“You’re extremely talented.”
“Thanks.” She wrapped her hands around her waist. “Where is everyone else?”
“Class.”
“Oh?” She tipped her head toward him. “Why aren’t you in class?”
He leaned forward, enjoying her teasing smile. “I’m playing hooky.” He shifted a few things to make room for the cupcakes. “I’ll try one of these later.”
“I hope you’ll think of me when you do.”
“I’m sure I will.” His eyes dipped to her mouth and back. “You never answered. Do you have a child coming to this school?”
She shook her head, a mischievous expression on her face.
“Is your husband on staff?”
He prayed that wasn’t the reason, as she was the first woman who sent every nerve ending into a crescendo with a single touch.
She wriggled her left hand. “No husband or children, either. My sister’s a student.”
“Really?” He stepped closer, getting up the nerve to ask for her number.
The door banged open, followed by a flurry of voices as three teenagers pranced into the room. He widened the gap between them.
“You’re here!” Abigail Moore, his star cellist, bounded over to them and flung her arms around the woman. “And you’ve met Mister H.”
His One True Love (Sweet Haven Book 2)
Table of Contents
She’s not supposed to love him… but her heart won’t listen.
Scott Headley has spent his life standing in the shadows of his famous family, hiding his dreams of becoming a songwriter behind the safe walls of a music classroom. But when a sweet, soulful pastry chef named Nechelle Moore walks into his life, Scott knows he’s finally found the inspiration—and the love—he’s been waiting for.
Nechelle always puts everyone first, especially her younger sister, Deidra. So when she discovers that “Mister H,” the music teacher her sister has a crush on, is none other than Scott, the man she can’t stop thinking about, Nechelle makes the painful decision to step aside.
But Scott isn’t about to let their connection fade without a fight. As their lives become more intertwined, Nechelle must confront her fear of prioritizing her happiness, while Scott learns to embrace the gifts God has placed in his heart.
Can they trust God’s plan to revive what feels impossible? Or will their chance at love slip away?
Filled with faith, music, and second chances, His One True Love is a tender reminder that God’s plans are always greater than ours. His One True Love is a Christian contemporary romance with strong faith themes.
