Meryton Matchmakers-Lottie Pursues Bill (Book 1)

Chapter 3

As was her custom, Elizabeth ran four to six miles each morning before work. When one lives and works with their sisters, one needs as much time away as possible and an activity to work out frustrations. For Elizabeth, that's running and today was a runner's dream.

The sun, bright and glorious, was complimenting the blue sky. Mother nature offered a gentle breeze, and by glancing at her watch she was pleased to see she'd increased her running pace by seven minutes. Using the tab on my headphone cord, Elizabeth increase the volume and let the beat of the heavy pulsing metal band push her. She hoped to harness some of the vibe for work today. The Bourgh's visit was scheduled today and she was determined to make this day as positive as possible. Increased run pace was a great start.

The morning has yet to begin for the rest of Westerham only the local tea and coffee shop and grocer were seeing any action. Elizabeth's best friend, Lottie, was the owner of The English Fog Coffee house. Elizabeth knew she started her day before the sun rose and it would be right about now Lottie could be persuaded to take a break.

The sidewalks of Westerham were wide and offer a tremendous amount of room for walkers, strollers, and the like during the normal hours of the day. Imagine her surprise when she turned up the block toward Lottie's shop and standing directly in her path was a tall guy doing a remarkably good impression of a statue. He appeared to be built like one, too. Broad and solid, his stance wide as he held a coffee cup in one hand, the other tucked in his front pocket. He looked out toward town completely unaware that she was headed for him.

"Heads up" Elizabeth shouted over the music only she could hear.

He turned his head slowly toward her, still not moving.

"Queue to your left, please." She assumed he'd turn to her and then follow her instructions.

Not so much.

Simultaneously, they move in the same direction, closer to the buildings. Then closer to the street. Then back again.

Elizabeth pulled her earbuds out. "Go up." She gestured manically for him to move, hoping to not break her stride but it was too late. Their uncoordinated dance caused her to falter her steps. It was not one of those cute 'excuse me' dances were both parties tried to move from each others path only to find themselves closer and laughing. No, the thin press of his lips told her he found nothing cute about it and as she drew closer she watched him briefly arch one brow before he brought the mug to his lips. He came off almost...haughty.

The next thing she noticed were his laser blue eyes, then his demeanor. He wasn't smiling nor was he glaring. He's searched her up and down with his icy gaze, his brow winging slightly more.

Elizabeth knew he wasn't from the area. There wasn't a single thing about him that spoke of their small country town. Not his dark washed jeans and light knit jumper in matching steely grey. Like he's meant to be on a magazine layout. Yet, there was something awkward, or dare she say stiff, in his posture.

When his gaze met hers a thrill of something so wholly unfamiliar to her raced through her body and heated her from the inside out. That alone was enough to help her find her manners.

"Good Morning." It surprises her that she managed to sound normal because at the very least she expected her racing heart to affect her speech. Make it stammer or something.

He nodded slightly. "Morning."

She wanted to say something else, something clever but that's hard to do with a complete stranger. She went with, "Next time queue up to your other left. Unless you were trying to get me to collide with you." She gestured toward the top of the pavement and smiled so he knew she was teasing. Maybe even think she was flirting. Which she might have been? She wasn't sure. It had been so long since she'd found anyone worthy of the energy.