Bell Bridge Books

JUST THIS ONCE

by Trish Jensen

So how many people here actually have a bucket list? Things you want to do at least once before, you know, you can’t do them any longer?

Personally, I actually never had one, at least not written down or even in my head until the day I was told I had about two weeks to live. That was almost nine years ago. But the moment I heard that news two things entered my shocked brain. One, that I had to write a will, and two, there was a long list of things I’d never tried that I had no time to try.

This is something that happens to a minister’s daughter, Shannon Walsh when she’s trapped in her back yard by what seemed to be a ferocious beast of a dog who was intent on tearing her apart. In those frightening seconds she begins an instant bucket list; a bunch of things she’s always wanted to do that now she’d never get the chance to experience.

Strangely enough number one on her list was to do something wild, like have a wicked affair with a bad boy, a man who’s all wrong for her. But just once, because of course her life was planned out from the day she popped into the world. When she was old enough, she’d marry a pious member of her small town, settle down and have the perfect family.

In those last seconds she mourns the loss of her chance to explore her wild side. So unfair she didn’t get a chance at that. It was even more important than going to SeaWorld.

But then she learns soon enough that the dog is actually a creampuff, trying to protect her from some unknown danger.

But when the dog’s owner comes to pick him up, Bucket List #1 is standing at her doorstep. Bad boy written all over his gorgeous face and body.

A sign? She didn’t know, but she also wanted to cross him off her list. She could  go to SeaWorld anytime, but he was a once in a lifetime chance. But just once. Just this once. He definitely didn’t fit into her long term goals. But wow, she was ready for just this one time, as long as he respected the fact that is was, and only could be, Just This Once. Too bad that plan blows up in both of their faces.