“Can you believe I finally found someone?” Pepper asked.
Her mother captured Pepper’s face in her hands. “I never doubted for a moment that you’d find the right man.” She glanced at Dack. “Sometimes it takes a time or two before you find the exact right match.”
“I never thought I’d think anyone was good enough for you,” Dack said to Pepper. “I was prepared to spend the next few months worried and unable to sleep because I’d be sure you were making the wrong decision. But the minute I met him and saw his earnestness and how he looked at you, I knew. This man is good enough for my Pepper girl. Frankly, I didn’t know there were young men like him or Kyle, or their friends. I thought men of integrity and grit and manners were a dying breed. Three years ago, when you and Maggie and Lisa came up to visit, I thought after you all left—what is wrong with the men of New York? How could they let any of you go? I told your mom, we may as well give up on grandchildren from any of you girls. Thank God Maggie found her way back to Cliffside Bay.”
“Dack, I had no idea you were so worried about us.” Pepper laughed through her tears. She threw her arms around his neck before backing away slightly to look at him. “Thank you for being my dad. For all three of us, you were the only man we knew who taught us what we should expect, what we deserved.”
“You three girls deserve the world,” Dack said. “Don’t forget that.”
They said good night and she watched as they disappeared into the lobby. She ran through the damp air to Stone’s truck and slipped in beside him.
“Well? Did I pass the test?” he asked.
“I’d say so, yes. They love you. I knew they would.”
He let out a long breath. “Thank God.”
She kissed his cheek. “This is such a good day. Not a canned pea in sight.”
“It’s all rainbows and unicorns with you, baby.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her palm. “You came back to me, Pepper Shaker. I’ll never take that for granted. I’m a blessed man.”
“Have I told you today how much I love you?”
He grinned as he put the truck in drive and inched out of the driveway. “I think you may have shown me this morning.”
She slapped his arm and laughed. “There’s more where that came from.”
“You’re going to love me even more in a moment,” he said. “I have an idea.”
“An idea?”
“You’ll see.”
They headed down Main Street toward the Victorian, but instead of turning into their driveway, Stone drove another block and parked in front of the dance studio. He shut off the engine and turned to her.
“What are we doing?” she asked.
“My idea’s a little crazy but hear me out.”
“Sure.”
He gestured toward the dance studio and clinic. “Kyle wants to buy the buildings and start a business that would appeal to tourists but that also passes the Violet test. She wants something that enhances the lives of the residents, as in art or culture. Depending on what he comes up with, he might tear the current buildings down and make one structure.”
She thought about the size of the current buildings. “That would be a huge space. Like Target-sized.”
“Violet made sure the city council agreed to keep big businesses like that out.”
“I’m with her. Why would anyone want to ruin the vibe of Cliffside Bay? Plus, it would drive all the little guys out.”
“Agreed. With that in mind, what if it was an enterprise that brought tourists and enhanced the community?”
“Like?”
“Like a theater,” Stone said. “A small company that does professional productions during the summer and dance and theater classes for kids during school months. This solves the problem of losing the dance studio and provides yet another reason to come to Cliffside Bay and spend lots of money.”
She closed her eyes for a moment as images flooded her mind. A two-hundred-seat theater space. Below would be studios for dance and acting classes. When she opened her eyes, Stone was staring at her with a definite gleam in his eye. “I think it would be wonderful.”
“And who better than you, Lisa, and Maggie to head up the idea?”
“Us? You mean, run the theater?”
“Be the idea and money behind it and hire staff to do the day-to-day. Think about the draw the three of you would have for audiences. Lisa’s fame alone would bring people in droves. You could employ worthy actors and directors. Who wouldn’t want to spend the summer in Cliffside Bay working in a theater? The three of you can form a nonprofit to take advantage of tax breaks.”
She turned to face him. “You’ve really thought this through.”
“I talked it over with Kyle after dinner. He’s all for it.”
Her mind whirled with ideas. “We could start with a summer production, and if it goes well, add a spring one.”
He slapped the steering wheel. “Love it.”
“We could exhibit art in the lobby and feature the Dog’s Brewery beer at the concession stand.” Her head almost exploded with the next thought. “My mom could run the children’s programs.”
“She could.”
“It’s the ultimate revenge, using Frederick’s money to fund a theater run by me and Mom.” She drummed her fingers against the dashboard. “But we should buy the buildings. You and me. It can be another investment for us, and the company wouldn’t have to pay rent. Do you think Kyle would be open to it?”
“I can talk to him.” He suspected Kyle wouldn’t care. It wasn’t as if he needed the money. “You ladies can work with David on the design.”
“Yes, something innovative yet classic.”
“Given the codes, we’ll have to keep the height the same as the other buildings, but we can dig into the ground.” His eyes flashed with mischief. “Between building our house and this theatre, the Wolves are going to be busy.”
They sat there grinning at each other like a couple of lovestruck fools. Which they were.
“Do you know something, Stone Hickman? I no longer feel broken.” She placed her hand over his. “I think you’ve healed me.”
He looked at her for a long moment, his expression serious. “I’ll spend the rest of my life grateful you chose me. Being loved by you is the deepest honor of my life.”
“It’s the other way around. Without you I was adrift, lost. You’ve grounded me in the best way. You’re my real-life hero.”
He smiled. “I do love to hear that, even if it makes me seem old-fashioned.”
“You’re just the right combination of old-fashioned meets modern man. My man.”
“That I am.” He leaned over and placed the softest of kisses on her mouth.
The rain intensified and beat against the roof of the truck like the bass of a country song. In an unspoken agreement to stay for a while, she snuggled under his arm. He held her close as they watched rivulets of water slide down the windshield. Outside, white holiday lights twinkled from the bare branches of the trees that lined the street. Through the wet window, they blurred into diffused yellow light and looked like a painting.
She sighed with contentment and nestled closer to Stone. So much of her adult life she’d spent running and spinning in a desperate attempt to escape from the darkness that had broken her. Yet, here in this innocuous moment, serenity had replaced her restlessness. Who knew she’d find magic in the bed of a truck with a guy from Oregon? Not her.
Finding joy in life was not complex. She knew that now. It was not found through the pounding of footsteps on hard pavement, or this never-ending cycle of activity. Or, wonder of all wonders, not even in accomplishments.
This quiet moment whispered the truth. To find joy, listen to the rhythm of raindrops on a metal roof. Watch as lights through a wet window become a watercolor. Move closer to the one you love. Be thankful.
Be still.
For in the stillness, love appeared.
* * *
The End
Ac
knowledgments
A big thank you to my assistant, MaryAnn Schaefer for keeping me sane and taking care of so many details for this absentminded author.
Thanks to the ladies in my street team who encourage me every day. I have the best readers in the world and am blessed by their generosity.
And, as always, my husband, Cliff Strom. All good roads start and end with him.
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling author Tess Thompson writes small-town romances and historical fiction. She started her writing career in fourth grade when she wrote a story about an orphan who opened a pizza restaurant. Oddly enough, her first novel, "Riversong" is about an adult orphan who opens a restaurant. Clearly, she's been obsessed with food and words for a long time now.
With a degree from the University of Southern California in theatre, she’s spent her adult life studying story, word craft, and character. Since 2018, she’s published 20 novels and 3 novellas. Most days she spends at her desk chasing her daily word count or rewriting a terrible first draft.
She currently lives in a suburb of Seattle, Washington with her husband, the hero of her own love story, and their Brady Bunch clan of two sons, two daughters and five cats. Yes, that's four kids and five cats.
For the listings of all Tess’s books, check out her website: https://tesswrites.com/books/
Tess loves to hear from you. Come visit her on social media or drop her a line at [email protected]
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Did you love Healed: Stone and Pepper? Then you should read Blue Midnight by Tess Thompson!
A recent divorcee finally faces the consequences of having denied her destiny, following her heart to her blissful second chance in this mature standalone love story by USA Today bestselling author Tess Thompson.
When Blythe Heywood left Finn Lanigan behind thirteen years ago, she was choosing a life of safety and security over true love. Little did she know how unfulfilled she'd be by the things she'd yearned for since she was a child.
Now, in the wake of her husband's betrayal, Blythe will begin again -- this time in the foothills of Blue Mountain, where her memories of the only man who ever weakened her knees will lead her -- and finally take to heart that sometimes the road not taken is actually the path that is meant to be.
The first book in the Blue Mountain Series will have readers cheering for a set of lovable, complex characters as they explore the painful truths involved in accepting second chances and learning to love after loss.
Read more at Tess Thompson’s site.
Also by Tess Thompson
Cliffside Bay Series
Traded: Brody and Kara
Deleted: Jackson and Maggie
Jaded: Zane and Honor
Marred: Kyle and Violet
Tainted: Lance and Mary
Missed: Rafael and Lisa
Healed: Stone and Pepper
Cliffside Bay Christmas
Christmas Wedding (Coming Soon)
The Blue Mountain Series
Blue Midnight
Blue Moon
Blue Ink
The Legley Bay Series
Caramel and Magnolias
Tea and Primroses
The River Valley Series
Riversong
Riverbend
Riverstar
A River Valley Christmas: Tommy's Wish
Riversnow
The River Valley Series: Riversong, Riverbend, Riverstar, Riversnow
Riverstorm
Standalone
Duet for Three Hands
Miller's Secret
The Santa Trial
Scarred: Trey and Autumn (Coming Soon)
Watch for more at Tess Thompson’s site.
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