California Dreamin' Collection

by Heather B. Moore, Kaylee Baldwin, Annette Lyon, Jennifer Moore, Shannon Guymon, Sarah M. Eden

  “Well said.” Baxter smiled and held his hand out for Tru. “Now, how about some pancakes?”

  Truman grinned, grabbing his dad’s hand and looking up into his face as if his father could solve any problem in the world. “I vote donuts.”

  Nellie laughed and jumped into her dad’s arms. “Donuts, donuts, donuts!”

  Jo laughed and stood, wiping a few stray tears off her cheeks. “I vote donuts too,” she said as Baxter grinned and opened the door for them.

  That night, as she sat by the pool with Fitz, he told her everything. How Baxter had been alerted by one of his assistants earlier that morning about what TMZ was about to publish. How Baxter was able to use some leverage to find out who the source was— Haiden.

  Baxter offered TMZ prime interviews with a few of his famous friends if they printed a retraction that afternoon. He’d been in the middle of negotiations when he’d gotten the texts from Truman and hurried home.

  Fitz described the resulting yelling match between Haiden, Bax, and Lila; it sounded brutal.

  “Haiden will do anything to manipulate his sister so that she depends on him emotionally. He wasn’t only trying to get her to turn on you, but on her own husband as well. When Baxter showed Lila proof that Haiden had lied about the affair, she slapped her brother and collapsed on the floor. I think you’ll be relieved to know that Haiden won’t be back.”

  “I still don’t get it,” Jo said, shaking her head. “He took one look at me and decided to hate me. Why?”

  Fitz shrugged as he stared up at the stars. “He’s a twisted guy raised by an overprotective sister and an alcoholic mother. He knows how to manipulate, and he knows how to survive. He could see how much the kids liked you and that Baxter approved of you. He didn’t like what that meant for his position here. I say good riddance.”

  Even so, Jo couldn’t help feeling unsettled. “And when Lila gets back and finds me still here? What then?”

  Fitz looked at her and grabbed her hand. “She knows you love the kids. Now that her brother is gone, she’ll be fine. Listening to him was messing with her head. She can be tough but when it comes down to it, she just wants a good life for her family.”

  She looked down at her fingers linked with his. “I can understand that.”

  He put his arm around her. “Speaking of families, I think it’s way past time you meet mine.”

  “You want me to meet your dad and brothers?” Jo blinked in shock.

  Fitz pulled back, surprised. “Of course. I want them to meet the girl I’ve fallen in love with.”

  Love? Jo stood up suddenly and ran her hands through her hair as she paced the rock courtyard. She turned and stared at him.

  “You love me,” she stated, although even she heard a question somewhere in her voice.

  Fitz stood and walked over, grabbing her hands and looking into her eyes as he pulled her closer. “This morning when I was told to take you to the airport, I realized I might never see you again. I can’t imagine my life without you. If I couldn’t see you every day… I think I’d shrivel up and blow away. Jo, I need you. As much as Tru and Nellie need you, I think I need you more.”

  Jo stared at him, wanting desperately to believe him. “But what if I had left?”

  He put his hands on her arms, bringing their faces closer. “I would have quit and followed you. Don’t you feel it, Jo? Can’t you feel what’s between us?” His voice soft and warm.

  Her hands began to shake. “I do,” she whispered, “but I wasn’t sure if I could trust what I was feeling. We’re so different, Fitz. How can we know it’s real?”

  Fitz cupped her face in his large hands and touched his nose to hers. “Because I was always meant to find you and love you. Our souls are connected on the most basic level there is. Because we belong together.”

  She closed her eyes and lifted her face to the starlight, her heart expanding with pure joy. “And to think I didn’t even want to come to California.”

  Fitz grinned and wrapped his arms around her. “And?”

  Jo lifted her lips to his. “And I love you too,” she whispered before she lifted her hands to cradle his face. The kiss was so sweet and melting that she knew for certain she wanted to kiss Fitz for the rest of her life.

  He pulled back, his eyes soft and intense. “Then promise to stay.”

  She leaned her head against his heart as the warm California breeze caressed her neck. She sighed happily.

  “I promise,” she said and made a cross over Fitz’s heart.

  I live in Utah with my six children and I’m the author of thirty-three books so far. I write YA Paranormal Romance under my pen name, Katie Lee O’Guinn. I enjoy the outdoors, reading and being with my children. I’m also a supporter of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation. For more info on her cause, please go to:

  http://elizabethsmartfoundation.org/

  As you’ve probably already guessed, I’m a huge believer in happy endings. Scarlett really should have been happy with Rhett and it’s a darn shame Leo and Kate didn’t float safely into New York on the Titanic. Don’t even get me started on Romeo and Juliet. To find out the latest on my books, check out my blog at

  www.shannonguymon.blogspot.com or www.katieleeoguinn.blogspot.com. You can purchase all of my books on Amazon.

  Chapter One

  Most people believe the three most important words in real estate to be location, location, location. Ada Canton knew better, and she had four years as the top Realtor in her area to prove it.

  Her three crucial words? Home, sweet home.

  Even if she was helping a client find a vacation home, it was still a home. The key lay in discovering what meant home to each client.

  She looked over the requirements that her newest client, Craig Adamson, had provided. They included the usual emotionless list buyers came up with first: Condo or Townhome. 2+ bedrooms. 2+ baths. Backyard. His price range would work, provided he wasn’t looking for a beachfront or ocean view.

  She had enough to get started. After all, the first day out wasn’t about finding a perfect match; it was about discovering what would make a match perfect.

  “Ada.” The receptionist, Shantice, peeked inside the office, the many strands of her bright yellow earrings clanking about. “Your ten o’clock is here.”

  “Thanks.” Ada closed her laptop. “Any insights?”

  Shantice leaned against the doorframe. She spun her bangle around her wrist. “Late thirties, I’d guess.”

  More likely to have reasonable expectations.

  “Sharp dresser, but nothing designer.”

  Looking for quality but probably not a lot of wiggle room in the budget.

  “He took a call from someone with a missing homework assignment that turned out to be in their backpack.”

  Second bedroom is for his kid. As is the backyard, probably. She mentally crossed one location off her list; the schools weren’t great in that area.

  “Anything else?”

  “He’s hot.” Shantice always brought Ada a report on new clients, but she’d never included that type of information.

  “Why is it important for me, as his Realtor, to know that?”

  “It’s not important… as his Realtor.” She cocked her head to one side, eying Ada scoldingly. “It’s important for you as a woman who hasn’t had a steady relationship in two years or a date in at least a month. I’m telling you, he’s smokin’.”

  “My last boyfriend was hot,” Ada said, pulling her handbag off its hook near the door. “And a jerk. Being ‘smokin’ isn’t enough.”

  “Maybe this guy’s different.”

  “Maybe.” Ada made sure she had her phone. “But he’s not here looking for a date; he’s looking for a home.”

  Shantice gave her an exasperated look. “You won’t even consider it?”

  “I’m not bitter or against the idea of finding someone or anything like that,” Ada said. “I’m just not falling all over myself looking for a guy.”

  “You
were there for me when my life was falling apart,” Shantice said. “I want to return the favor.”

  Ada shook her head. She didn’t really think her life was falling apart. “If I do find someone interesting— especially if he isn’t a total jerk— I’ll give him a chance. I promise.”

  Shantice’s gaze narrowed. “Promise you’ll tell me if it happens?”

  “Of course I will.” They were best friends, after all. “You’re the best.”

  “According to your business cards, you are the best.”

  Shantice had given her a hard time over that ever since Ada’s new cards had arrived. But when a person’s named the top in her profession several years in a row, that sort of thing ought to be mentioned. It wasn’t as though she’d had it printed in an extra-large font or anything.

  Ada slipped the tablet into her shoulder bag. “Time to go work my magic.”

  They turned the corner. Only one person sat in the sitting area— a guy, as Shantice had described, probably mid-thirties, dressed nicely but not overdone. And definitely good looking. Dark, wavy hair. A hint of stubble on his firm jaw. An absolutely tantalizing mouth.

  It was a lot to realize about a person so quickly, but not noticing those things would have been impossible. Ada reminded herself that looks could be deceiving— she’d certainly learned that with her last few boyfriends— and crossed directly to him.

  “Mr. Adamson?”

  He set aside his magazine and stood, unfolding himself from the seat. The man was tall and slender without being lanky. And he smelled good too. She allowed herself only the smallest fraction of a moment to add those things to her list of reasons why Shantice had been completely right in her description.

  Back to work, Ada.

  She held out her hand for him to shake. “I’m Ada Canton. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  “You, too. And call me Craig.” His handshake was firm without being painful. Too many of her male clients didn’t know how to strike that balance.

  “If you’re ready, we can get started,” she said.

  He motioned for her to lead the way. Craig even held the door. Nice guy.

  They stepped out into the bright early-summer day.

  “The first property is a condo at the bottom of your price range.” She slid on her sunglasses.

  “Bottom of my price range? I like it already.”

  “Less expensive isn’t always a better deal,” she warned.

  “Are you taking me to a slum?” Nice and a sense of humor.

  “I specialize in slums.” She adjusted her purse to hang more firmly on her shoulder. “And I have a lead on a cardboard box under the Vista Way overpass.”

  “Two bedrooms?” he asked.

  “Of course.” She clicked her car door remote. “Are you single?”

  “We’re jumping right to relationship status? You aren’t even going to awkwardly ask if I want to get coffee or see a movie or something first?” Even his eyes smiled.

  Focus, Ada.

  “I just want to make sure there isn’t someone else who ought to be part of the house search.”

  He laughed. “Ah. That’s why you asked.”

  “Ah.” She mimicked his tone.

  “No one else,” he said. “Just me and my son. Except for every other weekend, when he’s with his mom.” His words stopped abruptly. “I have no idea why I told you that last part.”

  “It’s because of a magical power all Realtors have.” She crossed to her car. “Next you’ll be telling me your middle-school locker combination and who you voted for in the last election.”

  “And then my blood type?” he guessed, stopping at the car parked next to hers.

  “That’s not until the third or fourth property.”

  Man, he had a great laugh. And, man, did she need to focus.

  He followed her to the condominium complex where she meant to begin. She slipped out of her car quickly so she could watch Craig as he eyed the less-than-pristine complex with its faded paint and patchy grass. It wasn’t a dump— far from it— but it wasn’t like new, either.

  Craig looked unimpressed. So aesthetics were important to him. And property upkeep.

  “Let’s take a look,” she suggested.

  His reaction to the condo was what she’d figured it would be— nothing was glaringly wrong with the property, but nothing was particularly eye-catching about it either. Many Realtors started with a bang, presenting the best right away. Ada knew better. She’d learn far more this way.

  Ada pulled out her tablet. “What do you dislike most about this place?”

  He went through a long and telling list. He needed room for his son, a basketball court or at least a hoop, something nearer the beach, with a little pop but not necessarily pizazz. She scrolled through her list of possibilities for the day and quickly chose three. She’d learn more talking to him at those locations.

  “What do you say we move up a little in the world?” she asked with a smile.

  “Does this mean a no on the cardboard box?”

  She slipped her tablet into her bag. “That’s my big finale.”

  They spent two more hours looking at other locations. She took notes, watched him looking over the properties, and gained a better idea of what he was looking for. Through it all, they laughed a lot, and he spoke fondly of his son.

  He didn’t seem like a jerk, but she didn’t plan on telling Shantice that. If she did, there’d be no end to the hints— subtle and not so subtle— that asking him out was the logical next step.

  No, Ada would enjoy laughing and joking with him for the few days without worrying about anything beyond that. She hadn’t given up entirely on finding love; she was simply unwilling to waste her time on guys who weren’t worth it, or on guys who didn’t think she was worth it, or on relationships that were doomed to fall apart.

  Not again.

  Chapter Two

  “What did you think of her?”

  Craig had been expecting that question from his sister-in-law all through dinner. “Half of the population is made up of hers. You’ll have to be more specific.”

  He met his brother’s laughing eyes. They both dropped their gazes to their plates.

  Bianca wasn’t amused. “Ada. What did you think of Ada?”

  “Oh, that’s who you were talking about.” He held his hands up as he nodded, pretending she’d solved a big mystery for him.

  She’d recommended Ada for his house search, but he’d suspected that she had more personal reasons for the suggestion. The woman had been trying to set him up ever since his divorce was final.

  “How would you like me to rate my impression of her?” Craig asked. “Perhaps on a scale of Gina the dog walker to Hailey the Nordstrom’s makeup counter lady?” He’d been set up by her so many times.

  “I remember Gina the dog walker.” His brother laughed. Gina had been… interesting.

  “Don’t encourage him, Rob.” Bianca shot her husband a warning glare. “He never gives anyone a chance, but Ada is amazing. Didn’t you think so, Craig?”

  He’d liked Ada, really. She was fun. “She’s very good at her job. I think she’ll be able to find exactly what I’m looking for.”

  “And what are you looking for?” Bianca’s pitying tone was all too familiar. “I admit that Gina was a miscalculation on my part, but Hailey was great. You remember Teresa. She was… pretty great. If I just knew what you’re looking for.”

  “I think I know his type.” Rob leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed, brow pulled low. “Someone quite a bit taller than he is. Skyscraper bangs are a must. The fewer teeth, the better.”

  Bianca threw a napkin at her husband. “The two of you are impossible.”

  Craig was immediately back to biting his smiling lips while staring intently at his plate. He loved it when his brother came around, meddling sister-in-law and all.

  “What was wrong with Ada?” Bianca asked.

  “When did I say anything was wrong with her?”
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  “Then you did like her.” Bianca sounded way too excited.

  “As much as anyone can like a real estate agent,” he said somberly. He couldn’t resist peeking at her expression— shocked, just as he’d hoped.

  “You object to her profession? It’s not like she’s a bank robber or something.”

  Good ol’ Rob jumped in. “She’s also not a professional puppy rescuer. So, I’d say there’s room for improvement.”

  “You’re impossible.” Bianca pushed her chair back from the table and stood. “I don’t know why you’re so opposed to dating.”

  “It’s not that I don’t want to. I don’t feel the need to. So I’m not desperately clawing around for a girlfriend.”

  Bianca huffed. “There’s nothing ‘desperately clawing’ about asking someone out if you think she’s amazing.”

  “You said she was amazing,” he reminded her.

  “Don’t you think she is? Or at least might be? You should see her again, Craig. You really should.” Bianca really was too easy to string along.

  “I’m seeing her Friday, actually. Jack will be at his mom’s, so I have the evening free.”

  She clapped her hands in excitement. Craig didn’t dare meet his brother’s eyes.

  “We’re going to look at a couple more properties,” Craig added casually.

  “‘Look at a couple of properties’?” Rob repeated. “Is that code for something? Dinner and a movie? Coffee and dessert?”

  “Dog walking?” Craig tossed in.

  “So it’s not a date?” Bianca demanded, hands on her hips.

  “She’s my real estate agent. Nothing more.”

  Another of Bianca’s signature huffs was cut off by the sound of the back door opening.

  “Dad! I got ten!” Jack came running in, basketball under his arm. “I totally made ten shots in a row.”

  “Up top, little man!” Craig high-fived his son. “Layups or dunks?”

  “Daaaaad.” Jack always drew his name out long when he thought Craig was being ridiculous. “I can’t dunk on a regulation hoop. I’m only nine.”