Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley (Arcadia Valley Romance Book 0)
Page 58
“You really seem to be in your element here.”
“I loved this place so much when I was a little girl. And even in Atlanta, I was a regular at the farmers market there. So I guess it makes sense.” She laughed. “Although do you think our customers would judge me if they found out I’ve never had a garden of my own or anything?”
“Really?”
“Just a pitiful container of cherry tomatoes that I grew on my patio at the apartment. But that’s it. I’ve spent the past decade living right in the city surrounded mostly by concrete.”
“That sounds terrible.” He grinned. “Have you given any thought to changing that this year? I know your mom had a garden spot in the backyard.”
“Is that your not so subtle way of asking me what I’ve decided about the future?” She cocked her head at him.
He laughed. “Busted.”
“Thought so.” She took a deep breath. “That’s actually what that conversation was about when you walked in. I got in touch with my boss.”
“I thought your leave of absence was nearly up.”
“Yep.” She tapped her fingers nervously on the desk. “I’m flying to Atlanta first thing Monday morning.”
His heart dropped. He’d known this might be a possibility, but wasn’t expecting it so soon. He’d hoped he might have more time to persuade her to say. “I see.”
“I need to tie up some loose ends.” She gave him a tiny smile. “I’ve officially resigned. Now I just need to pack my things up at the apartment.”
“You’re coming back?”
“Of course. This is where I belong.”
He jumped up and pulled her to him. “It sure is.” He leaned in for a long kiss.
“I’m going to pack up my car and drive back here. It’s a long drive, but I think it’ll be easier than trying to deal with a moving company.”
He nodded. “I’ll miss you. A lot.”
She grinned. “You’d better. I’ll miss you, too. But before you know it, I’ll be back. For good.”
For good. He couldn’t believe that after all this time they were finally getting the chance to make things work. “I can’t wait. There are so many things I want to do together.”
“Fancy dates? Road trips? Candlelight dinners?” she teased.
“All of the above and more.” He smoothed her hair. “The big stuff, of course, but I think I’m even more excited about the small stuff. The day-to-day conversations. Seeing you whenever I want to. Kissing you whenever I want to...” he trailed off and kissed her.
“Just life,” she said softly.
He nodded. “Life.” And suddenly he knew it was time. He’d had the thought two weeks ago, but was afraid he’d scare her away. “Kate.” Looking into her eyes still took his breath away. “I love you.”
She smiled up at him. “I love you too.” She pulled him close and put her head on his chest. “And I’m glad to be home.”
What’s next in this series from Annalisa Daughety?
On Board for Romance
Releasing July, 2017
Riley Jennings has spent most of her life rescuing and caring for animals. From her work with a dog rescue organization to her newly opened pet boarding business, she’s focused on animals the majority of the time. Even her weekends are spent at the Arcadia Valley Farmers Market selling her homemade dog biscuits and educating the public about fostering and adopting dogs in need. Riley keeps herself so busy she has little time for anything else — especially dating. Her sisters claim she’s hiding behind her work so she won’t have time for a social life. Chronically introverted Riley much prefers a quiet night at home with her animals than making awkward small talk on a first date. But when a handsome newcomer arrives in town and needs help establishing a pet therapy program, she can’t help but be drawn to him.
Blake Taylor came to Arcadia Valley for a fresh start after a troubled past. He’s found a dream job at the local nursing home where his beloved grandfather is a resident. When he meets Riley, he’s excited about the future for the first time in a long time. But when his past follows him to town, his hope for a fresh start is crushed and Blake worries his new life is over before it even began.
Can Riley let her guard down long enough to get to know Blake? And will Blake ever be able to leave the past behind? If they can learn to trust each other, they may find that there’s a better plan in store than either of them ever could have imagined.
Dear Reader,
I hope you’ve enjoyed your time in Arcadia Valley! You will be able to visit monthly for the next while, as there are eighteen full-length novels releasing, one a month! This whole project is so much fun, and I think you’ll really enjoy all the things we have planned for Arcadia Valley and for our characters.
So much of the time, writing is a solitary task. Being able to collaborate on this project with five fantastic authors is such a wonderful experience. I’m thankful to be a part of this group.
A Romance Rekindled introduced you to the Arcadia Valley Farmers Market and my Homegrown Love Stories series. You’ll get to see what Kate and Drew are up to in the next book in the series, On Board for Romance. Kate’s cousin, Riley, is the main character, and I think you will enjoy what I have in store for her. Be on the lookout for On Board for Romance in July!
I hope you’ll find me online at www.annalisadaughety.com and sign up for my newsletter so you can be informed when I have new releases. I’m also on Facebook, and love to interact with my readers there. I hope to hear from you!
Thanks again for reading!
Annalisa Daughety
Acknowledgments
Thanks to Valerie Comer, Danica Favorite, Mary Jane Hathaway, Elizabeth Maddrey, and Lee Tobin McClain for inviting me to be a part of the Arcadia Valley Romance collection. We’ve been brainstorming the series for a year, and it’s so fun to finally see it come to life.
Special thanks to Vicky Daughety, Sandy Gaskin, Christine Lynxwiler, Jan Reynolds, and Lynda Sampson. What would I do without you guys? From offering title suggestions to pointing out grammatical issues to being honest with me when a plot point just doesn’t work... y’all are the best! I couldn’t write without you all.
Johnny, Jessica, Connor, and Abby... I know sometimes it’s frustrating when y’all want to go do something fun and I say “I can’t, I have to stay here and work on a book.” Thanks for being patient and understanding when I’m on a deadline and am grouchy... and the house is a mess... and the fridge is empty. I’m thankful for each of you for pitching in when I’m locked away writing.
Annalisa Daughety is the author of more than fifteen novels and novellas including the Walk in the Park series and Love Finds You in Lancaster County. Her first release, Love Finds You in Charm, was an UPtv original movie in 2015. She writes contemporary stories set in historic locations and classifies her writing style as romantic comedy. Annalisa lives in rural Arkansas along with her husband, three step kids, four dogs, two cats and more chickens and goats than she cares to admit. She enjoys gardening, traveling, and binge watching old shows on NetFlix.
www.annalisadaughety.com
https://www.facebook.com/annalisadaughetyauthor
https://twitter.com/annalisa_
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cot6O5
Other Titles by Annalisa Daughety
Homegrown Love Story Series
(Arcadia Valley Romance Multi-Author Series)
A Romance Rekindled (Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley)
On Board for Romance
A Recipe for Romance
A Reservation for Romance
The Walk in the Park Series
Love is a Battlefield
Love is Monumental
Love is Grand
Love Finds You Series
Love Finds You in Charm, Ohio
Love Finds You in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania
Love Finds You at Home for Christmas
Memphis Moments Series
All Shook Up
Can�
�t Help Falling in Love
Destination Weddings Series
A Wedding to Remember in Charleston
A Wedding Date in Hot Springs
Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries
Off the Beaten Path
Earthly Treasures
Novellas
Rainbow’s End
Kelly’s Charm
Thanks so much for visiting Arcadia Valley, Idaho! If you enjoyed your visit, would you let others know? Please tell your friends about this collection, and leave a review on Goodreads and/or the retailer of your choice. We thank you from the bottoms of our hearts!
We hope you’re intrigued by what will unfold in the next eighteen novels until all six of us have had a chance to share every story in our series. In subsequent novels, you’ll meet many of the secondary characters you’ve come to love in these novellas, as well as catch a glimpse into the ongoing lives of Charlotte and Nico, Ruth and Corban, Patricia and Alex, Joanna and Grady, Caroline and Hayden, and Kate and Drew.
All of us are hard at work on our next Arcadia Valley Romance novels. We’ll let you know details as they unfold through our respective author newsletters. Also, we’ll update the website as covers, descriptions, and purchase links become available. Please visit us at Arcadia Valley Romance.com.
January 2017: Romance Grows in Arcadia Valley
February 2017: Summer’s Glory by Mary Jane Hathaway
March 2017: Muffins & Moonbeams by Elizabeth Maddrey
April 2017: Secrets of the Heart by Lee Tobin McClain
May 2017: Sprouts of Love by Valerie Comer
June 2017: The Thought of Romance by Danica Favorite
July 2017: On Board for Romance by Annalisa Daughety
August 2017: Autumn’s Majesty by Mary Jane Hathaway
September 2017: Cookies & Candlelight by Elizabeth Maddrey
October 2017: Wise at Heart by Lee Tobin McClain
November 2017: Rooted in Love by Valerie Comer
December 2017: The Sound of Romance by Danica Favorite
January 2018: A Recipe for Romance by Annalisa Daughety
February 2018: Winter’s Promises by Mary Jane Hathaway
March 2018: Donuts & Daydreams by Elizabeth Maddrey
April 2018: Joy of My Heart by Lee Tobin McClain
May 2018: Harvest of Love by Valerie Comer
June 2018: The Taste of Romance by Danica Favorite
July 2018: A Reservation for Romance by Annalisa Daughety