Chapter One

 

 

 

AVERY

 

Avery took the front steps of the Mountain Meadows Bed & Breakfast two at a time while his friend’s sister practically skipped to the front door.

“This is it,” Katie said, turning the knob and stepping inside ahead of him. “Come on in. You’re going to love it.”

He’d spent the last week in Hope Falls, and the quaint town had grown on him. After retiring as a hotshot firefighter, he had some downtime to live before deciding his next move. He had planned on taking a trip to southern California to visit his friend Ryan and his wife, but they were on their way up toward Tahoe to spend some time with his sister. Katie had come to Hope Falls to finish penning a romance novel. While she was here, she got a little more inspiration than she bargained for. She’s now engaged to a local firefighter. Just thinking about the story had him rolling his eyes and smiling at the same time. It was great to see Ryan and Liz so happy. It was equally nice to see Katie so in love. What was even better is that her man Casey seemed to be a standup guy who loved her just the same. Katie was like a kid sister to him, and he was stoked for her.

Maybe Hope Falls would bless him with the same luck in the romance department. Being a hotshot didn’t afford him the time or energy he needed to settle down and start a family. He lived, breathed, and survived the job; having a relationship never fit into his schedule. Most women who he had fallen for had either been annoyed with his career or more in love with the idea of dating a hotshot than the hotshot himself.

He shook his head free of the thoughts as he soaked in the B & B. It was recently restored—modern with an old style feel. Hell, it didn’t really matter. It sure beat living in a cabin or a buggy in the woods. He wouldn’t miss sharing such small quarters with a bunch of smelly men. It by far surpassed any and all of his expectations.

“Do you know how many guests are here?” he asked Katie.

“It’s just you until next week. I think Shelby said they’re expecting more guests next weekend.”

“Cool. I’m surprised it’s vacant. This is really nice.”

“There were two families coming in, but they had to cancel last minute. Lucky for you or you’d be sleeping on my couch.”

He ran his fingers through his jet black wavy hair, stopping at the back of his head to give it a scratch. “I would have moved on. There is no way I’d impose on you, Katie Bear.”

“Bear?” Katie stood with her hands on her hips. “How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me that? Owen calls me ‘bug,’ you call me ‘bear.’ It’s good to know what you guys really think of me.”

“A little dramatic, are we?” He reached out, hooked his arm around her, and held her in a headlock.

“Dude, you’re messing up my hair.” She tried wrestling herself free, but Avery continued rubbing soft knuckles against her scalp.

When he finally released her, she was out of breath from giggling. “Thanks for finding this place for me. The owners seem pretty cool,” he said.

“They were amazing to me when I first moved here. Shelby and I were instant friends. She actually stayed here when she came to town, too. The hunky owner fell in love with her. I swear, Avery. This place has a love spell on it. You arrive single and depart with your heart in the palm of someone else’s hand. The love bug is going to hit you by the time you leave if you’re not careful.”

Careful? He’d rather be careless if it meant he had a chance to find the right woman. Avery knew Katie sounded like a complete loon, but he kind of liked the idea. He needed all the help he could get in the female department, and if that meant staying in a haunted B & B, then he was all up for testing Katie’s theory. If it had worked for Katie and Shelby, maybe it would work for him.

He’d spent over a decade fighting fires and worrying so much about others that he had very little time to worry about himself. He had really sold himself short over the years. While all of his friends were married and having kids, he couldn’t remember the last time he felt a woman’s touch. It had been months and that was over before it really got started. A real, lasting relationship had not panned out for Avery.

And he regretted it.

He wanted to be happy, just like Ryan and Liz. Like Katie and Casey.

Maybe the B & B had a wishing well or something. He could toss in a quarter and it would spit out the woman of his dreams. He stuffed his hands down the pockets of his jeans. He felt a few coins at the seams and laughed inside. When had he become that guy? All mushy and shit.

“Want a tour?” Katie asked, dragging him from his thoughts again.

“I’m good. Why don’t you go write some more of those Fabio books and stop talking about love hexes? That shit doesn’t happen in real life.”

She rolled her eyes before heading toward the door. “Don’t be such a troll, Avery. If it happened for me, it could happen to you. Don’t be afraid. Embrace the possibilities.”

He wasn’t afraid. Not one bit. If the right girl came along, he knew he wouldn’t have any problems embracing the…possibilities.

 

 

 

DINA

 

Come on, Dina. Get your shit together. Getting yourself into a wreck isn’t the way to celebrate quitting your job.

“Holy shit! I just quit my job,” Dina said aloud. She peeled out of the parking lot of the office and didn’t look back. She’d been on the road for over an hour before she looked at the time, the gas tank, and the signs on the highway. “Now, where in the hell am I going?”

Why she was talking to herself, she hadn’t a clue. It was the first time in years that she didn’t have a plan. Her days, weeks, months, even years were planned out in fifteen minute increments filled with corporate meetings, lunches, and dinners. She rarely had any time to herself, and when she did, she used it to catch up on sleep or call her mother. Since she had such little free time, both her sleep and her beautiful mother were severely neglected.

She thought about driving the few hours to the desert to see her mom, but that lasted all but thirty seconds. She could recite verbatim what her mother would say about Dina quitting her job. She’d question her about her fancy hair and her fancy car and her fancy house and how she’d keep up with her fancy life without her fancy job. Her mom didn’t mean to be so rude when she talked to her like that, but she couldn’t help herself or the disappointment she felt when her only child had left home never to return. Dina had grown up in a pre-fab house in the Mojave Desert. It was a tiny house and an even tinier town that she dreamed of leaving as soon as she was old enough to do so. She worked hard in high school, even harder in college, and landed her dream job right after graduation. She went straight from her college co-op to a fancy apartment and never looked back.

Going home was out of the question. She’d be going back in a few weeks anyway for her parents’ anniversary party.

She drove another mile before it clicked. She was headed to the last place she was happy. A picturesque mountain town filled with character and characters. Everyone was so happy and kind, and they all made her feel welcome and at home.

Dina hit a button on the steering wheel of her Infiniti and said, “Call Mountain Meadows.” It only took a few seconds for the call to go through.

On the third ring, a woman picked up. “Mountain Meadows B & B, how can I help you?”

“Hello, I was calling to see if you have any vacancies this evening.” It may have been a long shot, but Dina was crossing her fingers the place was free. She knew Mountain Ridge had to be full with corporate events and tourists. The outdoor adventure extravaganza was wildly popular. The B & B happened to be the town’s best kept secret.

“As a matter of fact, we do. We had a cancellation this morning. How long are you looking to stay?”

Dina wasn’t sure. She laughed at the thought. She didn’t have anything but a blank schedule. No calls to make, people to please, nowhere to be. The only person she was responsible for was herself…and it was exhilarating.

“At least a week, but I could be staying longer if you have the space. I suddenly have a lot of time on my hands.”

“Sounds like there is a story there,” the woman said. “A lot of people find themselves in Hope Falls to…regroup. We’re happy to have you, and we hope you find what you’re looking for whether that be rest, relaxation, romance, or a good beer.” She chuckled, causing Dina to smile. She looked forward to meeting this woman when she arrived. “Now, let me get some details from you and we’ll be set.”

Dina spent five minutes driving and talking before she realized she knew the woman. Well, she didn’t know her, but she sure did envy her.

“Shelby?” Dina said. “Do you also work at JT’s?”

“Yes, the hubs and I own the B & B and JT’s. Have we met?” she asked.

“No, not exactly.” Dina bit her bottom lip. She couldn’t very well tell Shelby that the last time she was in town she wanted to boink her husband. They weren’t married at the time, and Levi was so in love with Shelby that she had to walk away. That night really changed her life. “You’re right. There is a story. I’ll have to tell you sometime.”

“Well, Ms. Dina, I can’t wait to meet you officially and hear all about it over a nice stiff drink. I’ll have one ready for you when you get here. See ya soon.”

The women exchanged goodbyes as Dina looked at the time on her dashboard. She still had a good two hours of driving before she’d arrive. At the next town, she’d have to stop and do a little shopping. All she had was an extra pant suit hanging in her backseat and a gym bag in the trunk of her car. She couldn’t spend a week in Hope Falls dressed like a corporate snob or a gym rat. Shopping for some casual clothes would help her enjoy her visit. She also needed to get a bag full of toiletries. She thought about what Shelby had said. Rest. Relaxation. Romance.

Romance? If that was an option, she definitely needed to pick up a toothbrush.

And a razor.