Now available! The First of February by KC Kendricks
February 19, 2025
THE FIRST OF FEBRUARY
Jamison Long wasn’t looking for a hook up, much less the manof his dreams. He was looking for a new ride, nothing more. Then Harper Vancewalked up and shook his hand, and Jamison was smitten. When Harper’s place ofemployment shuttered its doors and the owner skipped town without providingseverance pay, Jamison seized the opportunity and offered Harper a place tolive.
The move is not without consequences. Jamison has an exdetermined to undermine his fledging relationship with Harper. The seeds ofdoubt are planted, leaving Harper unsure if being with Jamison is a good idea.It seems Jamison’s job is the most important thing in his life, just like theex-boyfriend said.
Jamison fights to prove he’s the man for Harper, but issuesarise that Harper can’t overlook. It will take patience and love to prove that theirmeeting on the first of February was the best thing to happen to both of them.
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Purchase links are below, after the excerpt.
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EXCERPT
My line of investigative work made it preferable to drivesomething two, maybe three, years old. And to my sorrow, it couldn’t besomething that stood out from the herd, either. I was looking for a mid-sizeSUV, white, or silver, which looked like a thousand others zipping around PointPleasant.
My boss had set me up with a rental and I was making therounds of the used car lots with an eye on the sky. It looked like it was aboutto start to snow, and I didn’t like to drive in the white stuff. I eased thecar along the line of used SUVs and spotted a pewter-colored Chevy withfour-wheel drive. I parked and climbed out to look at the sticker.
“I can make you a good deal on that one.”
I turned to see who’d spoken and looked straight into themost gorgeous brown eyes I’d ever seen. He held his right hand out to me. “I’mHarper Vance, and I’m serious about making you a great deal on this one.”
I shook his hand. “Jamison Long. What’s wrong with it?”There were good deals, and there was my deal. I’d play the game and see whichone he’d do.
“Nothing, really. It’s four years old and should have a setof new tires put on it. The mileage is spot on to where it should be for theage of the vehicle. The interior is very clean.”
“Non-smoker?”
“I’m pretty sure that’s a yes. I drove it home last nightand didn’t detect a whiff of stale smoke.” He flashed me a smile that showedoff his even white teeth and brought two laugh lines to the corners of hiseyes. He held up a key fob and unlocked the vehicles. “Take a look.”
I’d already seen what I wanted, and I needed more than a keyto unlock it. I asked to drive it knowing full well he’d ride along.
The vehicle met my needs, but I didn’t want to tell himthat. I drove a leisurely loop of several blocks while he outlined thefeatures. I wasn’t paying attention to the details. I detected a hint ofsouthern drawl in his voice, and his clear tenor drew me in and held mecaptive. The first few snowflakes fell, and I decided to head back.
He patted the dash. “This should go well in the snow withnew tires. Do you like it?”
I did but I also didn’t want to overpay for it. I didn’tcare how sexy he was. I steered the SUV into its slot and switched off theignition. “Why don’t you buy me a coffee and we can talk about it?”
Harper’s smile was genuine. His interested gaze held no hintof a man looking to make only a financial deal. “I’d love to buy you a cup ofcoffee. I hope you don’t mind if we take it in my office.”
I didn’t care where we went if it kept him talking longer. Ihanded the keys back to him. “I don’t mind at all.”
His office was little more than a partitioned cubby and Iwas acutely aware of how our voices would carry to his co-workers. He had acarafe of coffee, plus creamer and sugar in his office.
“I like to make a pot and bring it in with me. That way itdoesn’t get cooked to tar.” His explanation made perfect sense to me, and Iaccepted a cup with thanks.
“I drink it black.” I set the cup on the corner of his deskto allow it to cool a bit. He fixed his mug with creamer and sugar.
Harper sat and reached for a pen. “Is the car you drove inthe car you’re trading?”
I shook my head and told him what had happened. He listenedwithout asking questions until I finished the tale.
“So, what I have is a check from the insurance company.” Ididn’t tell him how much it was.
“We can work with that.” He did some quick figuring, wrote aprice on a slip of paper, and handed it to me.
It looked surprisingly good to me, but if I said that, we’ddo the paperwork, and I’d never see him again.
“Can I think about it and get back to you tomorrow?”
He looked out the window. I followed his gaze to observe thesnow getting heavier. “Sure, but I wouldn’t wait too long. The dealership isliquidating, and time is short. Everything is being hauled off the lot at thebeginning of next week.”
It was none of my business, but I was nosey. “What are yougoing to do?”
“I’m trying to get a photography business off the ground.It’s slow going, but my client list is growing. I take good pet pictures.” Helaughed and I joined in.
“I’ll tell my sister. She’s bonkers over her mutt. Got acard I can give her?”
He handed me one as an older man stuck his head around thecorner. “Hey, Harper. They just announced the buses are canceled due to thesnow. You’d better hurry if you don’t want to walk.”
Harper nodded and thanked him for the weather update.
I knew an opening when one was handed to me, and I jumped onit. “If you need a ride home, I can take you. In fact, I’d like to take you todinner tonight.”
He cleared his throat. “Thank you for the lift home, butgoing out might not be a good idea. How about I cook for you instead?”
I batted my eyelashes at him. “You just want to sell me acar.”
He met my gaze with a ruttish stare and slowly shook hishead. “I want to get to know you better.”
“Sounds like a good plan to me. When can you leave?”
Harper motioned at the showroom. “It looks like everyone isclearing out. With us closing, and the weather, there’s not a lot of incentiveto hang out for another half hour.”
We stood and I held his coat for him. He shoved his glovesin his pocket, picked up his carafe, and we walked out together like we did itevery day. It felt that right. He didn’t say a word when I opened the car doorfor him.
I was a bit shocked at how fast and heavy the snow wascoming down. It looked like there was about an inch on the ground. I slidbehind the wheel and started the engine.
“Was this in the forecast, Harper? I don’t remember.”
“The weather guessers said it was a sixty percent chance ofsnow, but it is the first of February. It’s our snowy time.”
“True. Do you need to stop for anything?”
“No, but thanks for asking. I live at Bayfront Commons.”
He didn’t need to tell me where that was. Anyone who’d livedin Point Pleasant any length of time knew. It was a mid-century apartmentcomplex that was in its day very upscale but was now developing a reputation asa drug hub. Once we got there, I parked but left the engine running.
“Harper, I’m sorry, but I think I’d better get home. There’salready two inches of snow on the ground and it looks like there is a lot moreto come.”
He sighed and nodded. “I think you’re right. I’m sorry, too,because I would have enjoyed cooking for you. Another time?”
I grinned and held my hand out to him. “Absolutely. I’llhold you to it. How would you feel about giving me your private phone number?”
He squeezed my hand and then let go to get his phone out ofhis pocket. We exchanged our private numbers, and he shifted in his seat.
“You’d better get going, Jamison. The streets are going tobe icy.”
I held my hand out again, and when he wrapped his fingersaround mine, I lifted our joined hands and kissed his knuckles under his amusedgaze.
“I’ll see you tomorrow about the SUV, okay?”
Harper nodded and made a fast exit from the rental. Iwatched him hustle down the walkway and disappear inside. Feeling like aschoolboy, I sat in the car and watched for a light to suddenly shine through awindow, but it didn’t happen. Driving carefully, I made my way home and settledon a potluck for dinner. It wasn’t a home-cooked meal, but it was frugal. Ifinished the Kung Po Chicken, the slice of pizza, and the last slice of hamlunchmeat wrapped around a slice of cheese.
Well, hell. I was getting slow. I grabbed my phone andcalled Harper. He answered immediately.
“I hoped you’d call me, Jamison.”
“I’m happy you answered. Hey, man. How are you getting towork tomorrow? Should I come by and give you a lift?”
I swear I heard him smile.
“I would like that. They’ll have the buses running, but whoknows if they’ll be on time.”
“I know. What time should I be there?” I hoped it wasn’tsome ungodly hour like six o’clock but if it was, I’d man up and be there ontime. He’d offered me dinner. Would he ask me to breakfast instead?
“I don’t have to be there until nine, but if you need tomake it earlier, that’s fine. I have the code to get into the building. I’ll bewarm and dry.”
I breathed a quiet sigh of relief. “I have a staff meetingat nine, so I’ll get you at eight-thirty. How’s that sound?”
“You know, Jamison. You could stop for donuts and come alittle earlier. You know I fix a mean cup of coffee.”
Yes!
“Good idea! I love donuts. Be there at eight?”
“I like the ones with chocolate icing. Don’t disappoint me.”
I laughed. “I never disappoint, Harper. I can bring you references. I’ll try to surprise you, but there will be chocolateiced.”
"Okay, then. Sleep well. Bye.”
“Good night, Harper.”
The connection broke. I clutched the phone to my chest likea teenager, grinning like a fool. Harper liked to flirt. I could work with that, I really could.
The First of February is available at:
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