Baking Up Love

by Simone Belarose

  No more phone tag or long delays between emails.

  Everything seemed to be coming together. With Thomas’ revelation that Beth was using her family’s money to buy up the properties, a plan began to form in my mind. Something I’d need to go over with my mom, who was like a walking historian for Sunrise Valley’s founding families.

  The Sigruns - my ancestral family - and the Ingvars hated each other, and I was certain Mom had some dirt on them from the way she practically spat whenever she said their name.

  She hadn’t been surprised when I told her what Beth did to me and Thomas, and it had taken a lot of pleading to stop her from storming their mansion on the east end of town right there and then.

  I had no idea what she was planning on doing, but whatever it was couldn’t have been good. The last thing I wanted was her flying off the handle and doing something reckless, landing herself in jail or getting hurt. I had only recently gotten her back.

  If what Thomas said was true, there may be a way to release the properties from Beth’s grasp. Because even if we made what few shops hadn’t sold out to her into the most marvelous spectacle, the state of Main Street was still an eyesore.

  There would be very little tourism to Sunrise Valley if most of the shops on the quaint Main Street were shuttered and dark. To pull off the ambitious plan I had, I needed every shop front on Main Street open for business and renovated.

  On a day like any other, Thomas came up from behind and wrapped his arms around my waist. He breathed into my ear, “I’ve got a surprise for you.”

  The hair on the back of my neck rose on its ends and I couldn’t suppress the smile it gave me or the glow of delight that ran through my body.

  Now, I normally hated surprises. They’re scary, filled with uncertainty and I never know how I’m supposed to react. But Thomas’ surprises were sweet and adorable little gifts of love and adoration that melted my heart.

  When I said I would trust him, I meant it. There would be no more doubting this beautiful man that swept me off my feet daily.

  I turned around in his arms and he held up a small silk cloth. “Do you trust me?”

  Oh, God. I swallowed against the rising panic and answered him truthfully. “I trust you.”

  He leaned forward and tied the silk cloth around my head, blindfolding me. “I know you’re trying not to freak out right now but I have a good reason for this. It’s a surprise, and I need you to keep the blindfold on. Can you do that?”

  I nodded mutely.

  “Good.” He had leaned in close and I jumped from the closeness of him. His warm breath tickled my ear. Without warning, he scooped me up into his arms and I felt around until I was able to wrap my arms around his neck.

  “This is terrifying,” I said. What I didn’t say, was how strangely turned on I was by it. There was something intoxicating about giving up control, and I was as big a control freak as they came.

  I’d have to remember to work this into our nightly playtime.

  The late October air was frigid with that exhilarating scent of coming cold, the crispness in the air reminded me of apples and trees turning a riot of fiery color. Thomas kept the windows down as he drove the Suburban and I could smell the fresh air of the countryside around us.

  So he was taking me out of town, but where? There were a few apple orchards he had promised to take me to. Rick and Jill’s orchard, friends of his that also happened to be business contacts was close by, could he be taking me there? They supplied all the apples and pumpkins for his heavenly tarts, pies, and wide assortment of growing fall treats.

  I didn’t care how basic it made me seem, I loved anything that even hinted at pumpkin spice. I could have it every day and never grow tired of it and Thomas knew it. So naturally, he was experimenting with insanely delicious creations that yours truly got to taste test as soon as he got home.

  I was excited, he had told me about Rick and Jill before. They were brother and sister, running the family farm together. Both of them seemed like kind people and I could always use more of those in my life.

  Ever since the parade of phone calls that had made me see just how wrong I had been, I went out of my way to meet and get to know the people of Sunrise Valley.

  I wanted to foster a sense of community that was sorely lacking. There was a binder full of ideas and plans back home in the spare bedroom we converted into an office once Sam moved in with Jemma.

  The truck made a sharp left and I felt the bump and jostle of an uneven road. It took us a while, how long I didn’t know because as much as I wanted to see where he was taking me I didn’t dare ruin his surprise.

  Eventually, the car came to a bumpy stop and he got out of the car.

  I fidgeted, waiting for him to come around and open the door. When the door opened I smelled pine trees and the freshest air ever. It tickled a memory that couldn’t quite surface through the excitement and anticipation.

  Only Thomas could make me happy to have a surprise.

  He undid my seatbelt and hauled me out of the seat. “No peeking,” he warned. I was tempted to thumb my nose at him since I hadn’t even touched the blindfold since he buckled me into my seat.

  I’ve been spending too much time around Sam.

  I was glad I had bundled up with a thick sweater and a pair of warm cozy boots. The wind soughed through the trees above us and Thomas came to a stop, his boots crunching on something that sounded like gravel.

  He set me down on my feet, I instinctively reached out to steady myself and my fingers found a flat plank of wood at thigh level. A table? All the way out here?

  “Take off the blindfold, Claire.” His voice took on that sexy, whiskey voice I loved so much. I wondered if he knew I’d do anything he told me if he did it in that voice.

  Once the blindfold was off, I squinted my eyes against the golden light. Shadows stretched around us and the air was filled with the most beautiful dusty gold light of the setting sun.

  My eyes adjusted and I realized where I was, why the place seemed familiar.

  It was the same place Mom had taken Jemma and me up in the mountains. It was the picnic spot, her favorite spot in the entire valley. It overlooked the town of Sunrise Valley and the glittering lakes of the park that shone like fiery diamonds at this time of day.

  The picnic table was covered in a white cloth and set with a full course meal. Thomas cleared his throat and my eyes snapped to the noise, he wasn’t where I had expected him to be.

  I was so used to looking up into those coffee-dark eyes that I was momentarily confused when I didn’t see him there.

  Then I caught the motion and my eyes dropped, my mouth followed suit once I saw the way he was kneeling.

  On one knee, a small velvet-lined box in his upraised hand. Oh, my God. Oh, my God. A shining band of metal nestled within and a brilliant stone set in the middle.

  My heart nearly burst.

  The words were out of my throat before he even asked the question. “Yes!” I screamed to the mountains. A flock of birds startled by my outburst took flight and I laughed aloud, the excitement bubbling out of me.

  Thomas let out a low, throaty chuckle. “I believe I’m supposed to ask you a question first.”

  I cleared my throat and assumed a very prim and proper pose. “Yes, you’re right. Go ahead.” I was shaking with excitement, I watched as his hands shook too. He must have been nearly as excited as me.

  There was no way he was scared. He had to know I would say yes, even before he went through all this trouble. God. The view, the table, everything was perfect.

  “Claire Walker, will you marry me?”

  “Yes! Yes, I will marry you, Thomas Weller, a thousand times yes!” I held out my hand, it practically vibrated I was shaking so hard. He stilled it with a touch that sent shivers up and down my spine. It was so unfair how much control he had over my body.

  The ring slid onto my finger perfectly. I had no idea how he’d gotten my size, I didn’t wear rings. But I didn’t care
. All that mattered was that I loved Thomas, and I wanted to be with him forever.

  He got off his knee and wiped the warm water from my cheeks with his thumb and then pulled me into a tight embrace. “I love you, so much,” he husked.

  I was beyond words. I was crying and laughing and kissing him all over. I couldn’t believe how deliriously happy I was.

  Thomas had to practically restrain me and bring me to the picnic table where he had somehow set up a dinner for us to share by candlelight. The sun began to sink past the mountain range to the west, burning the sky with its golden rays.

  I calmed down enough to hold a fork and knife. It was the most delicious meal I ever tasted, roasted lamb braised with a savory and sweet sauce. Fresh salad, a creamy soup, and for dessert a pumpkin pie. He truly outdid himself. I could have died.

  In fact, I checked my pulse once or twice just to be sure I hadn’t gone to Heaven early.

  “What’re you doing?”

  “Making sure I’m still alive, it feels like I’ve died and gone to Heaven.”

  He chuckled and reached out for my hands. I joined his instantly, my eyes fastened to the splendor of the ring on my finger.

  I was going to be married!

  “How did you…” I nodded my chin to the table barely able to form words.

  “A little help from our new family,” he said with a grin. “Your mom told me about this place, while Jemma and Sam helped me plan the route and just before we got here they set up the table. Do you like it?”

  A few tears squeezed from my eyes I smiled so hard. “I love it.”

  More Sunrise Valley

  Looking for more Sunrise Valley?

  Book 3 of Sunrise Valley will be out before Halloween is here and will be the last installment of Claire and Thomas’ steamy love affair! Wedding bells are in the air and they’re so very close to their Happily Ever After!

  Sign up for my newsletter for more updates on all new releases and preorders.

  Afterword

  Thank you so much for Thomas and Claire’s story! I hope you enjoyed this second trip to Sunrise Valley as much as I have. It’s always such a refreshing treat to take a trip into the valley.

  There’s so much more to show you. More cute and quirky characters to meet, and more shops with puns! Claire’s big plans for Sunrise Valley are starting to come together. I can’t wait.

  I fell in love with the idea of a town nestled away from everything where everybody’s fondest memories are far in the past. A town that’s seen better days and could see many more with the right care.

  As Sunrise Valley wakes up to greet a brighter day, we’ll get to see more of the town and the amazing people that live there. Not to mention, plenty of drama and skeletons popping out of closets once people start poking around!

  I hope you all enjoy the silly puns, expect more real soon!

  Writing this has been a ton of fun and I’m really looking forward to sharing this series with you all. You’ll get to see this small town come to life with, community events and get-togethers, typical small-town shenanigans, family craziness, and a whole lot of love.

  Sunrise Valley is here to stay, and I hope you’ll come along for the ride. If you loved Kneading You, please share it with your besties, your friends, your co-workers, hell even your enemies. Show them your superior taste in books! And while you’re at it, leave a review on Amazon to let everybody else know how awesome you are.

  If you’re feeling super generous, come show me some love on Patreon. You’ll get exclusive rewards like access to books before they’re released (or even out on pre-order!), the ability to name characters, preview chapters, input on the creative process, and much more! It is my most sincere wish that one day I could write these stories for you full-time. Every bit goes towards making that dream a reality.

  I’d love to hear what you thought about the Sunrise Valley, so hit me up on social media. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram. Interested in first dibs on preorders, exclusive bonus content and upcoming sales? Then hop over and sign up for my newsletter. I hope to see you around the valley!

  About the Author

  Simone Belarose writes heartwarming small town contemporary romances and romantic comedies with swoon-worthy book boyfriends that will have you fanning yourself with your kindle. Escape into Simone’s world of loyal, mysterious alpha heroes, and quirky, sassy, relatable heroines that go on an intricate journey of love and self-discovery. There’s nothing she likes better than seeing two people discover just how far they’re willing to go for love.

  Other Books Written by Simone Belarose

  Sunrise Valley Series

  Kneading You: A Small Town Love Story (Book 1)

  Come Say Hi!

  Sign up for her newsletter on her website and stay in the loop on all the latest Simone book news.

  Follow her on:

  Website: Simonebelarose.com

  Amazon: amazon.com/author/simonebelarose

  Instagram at: instagram.com/simonebelarose

  Twitter at: twitter.com/simonebelarose

  Patreon at: patreon.com/Simonebelarose

  Contents

  Other Books Written by Simone Belarose

  Newsletter

  About This Book

  1. Claire

  2. Thomas

  3. Claire

  4. Thomas

  5. Claire

  6. Thomas

  7. Claire

  8. Thomas

  9. Claire

  10. Thomas

  11. Claire

  12. Thomas

  13. Claire

  14. Thomas

  15. Claire

  16. Thomas

  17. Claire

  18. Thomas

  19. Claire

  20. Thomas

  21. Sam

  22. Claire

  23. Thomas

  24. Claire

  Epilogue

  More Sunrise Valley

  Afterword

  About the Author

  Other Books Written by Simone Belarose

  Come Say Hi!