Seer's Choice (Book 3 of The Seer Trilogy) - Excerpt Only

Seer's Choice - Excerpt (Chapter Three)

SEER'S CHOICE (BOOK THREE OF THE SEER TRILOGY)

By Maree Anderson

CHAPTER THREE

The Seaview Employment Agency's employee of the month had been more than helpful but Rowan had still been forced to accept a series of temping positions that were less than ideal. She wasn't cut out for temping. The uncertainty of it left her wrung out and more exhausted than usual. So far she'd sold Christmas trees, gift-wrapped Christmas gifts, waited tables, given out perfume samples, and played the role of Santa's little helper. The very brief outfit she'd had to wear for that last one had been borderline scandalous. Never again.

The job giving out perfume samples had been disastrous for a very different reason. She'd been sucked into a lonely old man's death, and had almost emptied a sample bottle of expensive scent over a prospective customer before crumpling to the floor. She'd been politely informed another "epileptic fit" wouldn't benefit the department. As it turned out, Mrs. Riddick hadn't believed the migraine explanation and had been spreading gossip all over town. Evil cow. Even Mona, her über-understanding employment agent, had started asking questions.

Now only a week remained until Christmas, and the chances of snapping up a permanent position before the New Year were increasingly remote. She'd have to tighten her belt a few more notches and hope something came up after the holidays.

The phone blared. Rowan jerked and spilled her tea. That was another thing she couldn't get used to—the early morning phone calls.

"Hi, Rowan!" Mona's gushing tones bubbled from the phone.

Rowan made a rude face at the receiver. It wasn't natural to be that chirpy early in the morning.

"I've excellent news. I've found you the perfect job—a permanent one! I simply can't believe our luck! He needs an assistant and he sounds absolutely divine. I've told him your qualifications and he's really, really impressed. He'd like to meet you. Today. And for you to start immediately if it suits."

Too good to be true—

"There's just one catch."

Wasn't there always?

"He may need you to work during the Christmas break. I told him given your—" a delicate pause "—situation that shouldn't be a problem. I'm sure you'd rather be working than coping on your own over Christmas, right?"

Rowan winced. The cruelty was unintentional but it hurt all the same. "What line of business is he in?" she asked.

"I believe he's a naturopath? I'm a bit vague about all the details. " Mona giggled and Rowan suppressed a snort. Mona was frequently a bit vague about all the details, which was surprising given her line of work.

Mona must have read something into Rowan's silence for she hastened to reassure her. "He's doing some pro bono work up at Seaview Children's Home so he's legit. Oooh, here's a thought. He might be able to help you with your nasty migraines, too!"

When she didn't respond Mona hurried on as though sensing her growing impatience. "He'll meet you at the Prime Roast Café at half-eight. That's half-eight this morning, by the way. Oh, and Rowan? If you could pop on a teensy little bit more makeup so you don't look so pale and wan? First impressions and all that, dear."

"Sure thing." Rowan visualized the woman checking on her own heavily made-up features in a mirror. Mona, regrettably, subscribed to the apply-your-makeup-with-a-trowel school.

"And ring me as soon as the meeting's over," Mona ordered. "I want to hear all about it. He sounded gooorgeous over the phone—his voice made my knees go weak. Don't forget!"