Title: Before I'm Gone Author: Heidi McLaughlin
Genre: Contemporary/ Women's Fiction
Release Date: November 7, 2023
AMAZON |
“Palmer stood, brushed her hands down the front of her skirt, and tugged on her jacket. Appearance meant a lot to her. She wanted people to see her as put together and professional. When she came out of her office, she noticed the lobby was beginning to fill up with the lunchtime crowd.
She walked behind the long counter and greeted each of her tellers. When she came to Shaunie, she quietly told her to go to lunch once she finished with her customer and then made her way to the workstation Palmer kept available in case of emergencies. At her terminal, she logged in and called for the next customer to step forward without looking up. When she did, she saw a man who often made her heart skip a beat or two—Kent Wagner.
Kent was a client and off limits as far as Palmer was concerned, not that she’d ever shoot her shot or let anyone know she had a crush on him. He was a favorite at the bank. All the tellers liked him and thought he was too cute for words. Palmer thought he was handsome, with his deep-blue eyes and dirty-blond hair. Kent kept his hair short and often buzzed it during the summer months.
“Hey, Palmer,” Kent said as he approached her station. Today, he wore normal clothes, or what he referred to as his “street clothes.” Most of the time when he came in, he was in his EMS uniform. “How are you today?”
“I-I’m well,” she stammered. “How are you?”
Kent smiled the most adorable, crooked smile Palmer had ever seen. “I’m well. How are you?” He ducked his head and his cheeks flushed with a pink hue, probably realizing he’d asked the same question twice. “I’ve missed you the last couple of times I was here.”
Over the years, Palmer had gotten to know most of their long-term clients, whether it was from being their bank teller, opening new accounts, or helping them with loans, which was how she’d met Kent. She had a knack for memorizing the little things when it came to the clientele, although lately she’d felt her memory slipping more than usual. Palmer loved to listen to their stories, always fascinated by what they could tell her in their minutes-long transactions, but it was her interactions with Kent that had left a lasting impression. He was a kind man and always had a compliment for the staff.
“You have to come at lunchtime,” she told him. “What can I help you with today?”
Kent slid a check toward her. “Just paying my car payment.”
Palmer brought the thin paper toward her and typed his name into her computer. “You know, you can make this payment online.”
“I know,” he said. “But then I wouldn’t get to come in here and say hi . . . to you.” He muttered this last part, so Palmer barely heard him. She tried not to smile, but the giddy emotions she felt took over. It was her turn to duck her head and be coy.
Excerpt From
Before I’m Gone(Uncorrected Proof)
Heidi McLaughlin
This material may be protected by copyright.
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
Heidi's first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital.
To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com
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