by Kyra Jacobs
He pushed through a door and disappeared back into the main room.
“Your girl part carnie, Granville, or what?”
Cole grinned at Gavin, shaking his head. “Nah, but lethal all the same. And I wouldn’t ask her to change a thing.”
“Then let’s do this. Come on, boys.”
The members of Radar Love made their way through the same door Miles had stepped through a moment ago, and arrived to hear him announce the band. Polite applause followed, and Gavin chuckled.
“Sounds like we’ve got our work cut out for us.”
Cole held back, letting his other bandmates step around the stage’s rear black curtain. He picked up his guitar, flicked the wireless amp on, slid his earpiece into place, then looked to the ceiling and whispered, “Could use a little help tonight, Pops. This one’s a bit higher than what I’m used to covering.”
On the other side of the curtain, Gavin was getting the crowd warmed up. Cheers sounded, more applause. “And this first one is going out to a special someone.”
The lights dimmed, and someone in the crowd hooted. Gavin chuckled. “That’s right, she’ll know who she is.”
That was his cue. Cole took a deep breath, counted off for the keyboardist, then started in with the guitar lick from Journey’s “Lights.”
He stepped from around the curtain, squinting past the canned lights pointed at the stage. It only took a moment to spot her, sitting beside Ruby and his grandfather, both of whose white-haired heads nearly glowed in the dimmed lighting. Her mouth was drawn into a surprised O, and—thank the good lord—no cutlery was in her grip.
She raised a hand to her mouth, shaking her head and exchanging words with Kayla. And though he didn’t have a clue what was being said, he didn’t care. All that mattered was she hadn’t walked out, which meant he still had a chance.
Cole did the best he could to cover the tune, hitting the high notes and nailing the guitar riffs, all while singing about missing his girl while on the road. And everything he did on stage—the notes, the lyrics, the pleading his case—he directed to Maddie. He sang his heart out, and the song ended to an eruption of applause.
But applause wasn’t what he wanted. Maddie was.
Cole set his guitar down, hopped from the stage, and headed toward her table. Gavin and the boys kicked into another song, allowing him time to make things right. She rose from her seat and…proceeded toward the exit.
Of course she wasn’t going to make this easy. It was Maddie, after all.
He burst through the doors a second after her, but found himself alone in the lobby. Cole raked a hand through his hair, trying to keep calm. She couldn’t have gone far, not in those heels.
“So. You’re back.”
He spun to the right, and realized he wasn’t alone after all. A large ficus had concealed Maddie from his initial glance. He moved tortoise slow in her direction, praying she would stay put and hear him out.
“For you.”
“Uh-huh.” Maddie paused. “A phone call would have been nice. Maybe a hug good-bye.”
Okay, she was talking. That was a good sign, right?
“Phone died. And you were busy with Tyson when I came to deliver…”
“Your letter?” She stepped forward, red-rimmed eyes narrowed. “Probably best for all of us I didn’t find that on my windshield.”
He knew he’d hurt her, but seeing her this way made him feel that much worse. She’d been happy, so happy. And then he’d gotten all stupid and stolen that happiness away.
Never again.
“I was afraid.” He came to stand before her.
“Smart man.”
“And an idiot.”
She smirked. “Getting warmer.”
He took her hands in his. “And if you can ever learn to forgive me, I promise to never leave you again.”
“Never?”
The fury faded from her eyes, replaced by a wary hopefulness. Cole pulled her into his arms and pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
“Wouldn’t be much of a scarecrow if I kept wandering off, now would I?”
Maddie laughed softly. “Don’t even think you’re out of the doghouse just yet, buddy. There’s gonna be a whole lot more groveling ahead from you than this. And making up back in my apartment.”
“I’ll grovel the rest of the day if it’ll lead me back to your place tonight.”
A door behind them swished opened and both turned to see who it was.
“Uh, Cole?” said Miles. “They need you back up on stage.”
“Yeah, I’ll be right there.” He looked back to Maddie as Miles disappeared from view. “That is, if you don’t mind.”
She chuckled. “Go, Mr. Celebrity. Your public awaits.”
“You sure? I mean, I just got back. The guys could do a few more without me if—”
Maddie tugged his shirt and pulled his face before hers. “Cole? Just kiss me already so you can get back to the band.”
So demanding, so understanding, so…Maddie.
Cole tipped her chin toward his and whispered, “Yes, ma’am.”
Epilogue
Maddie bent to pull a pan of cornbread stuffing from the oven as the kitchen doors swooshed open and closed behind her.
“Don’t even think about it, Masterson,” she said with her back to the intruder.
“Dang it, Maddie,” said Miles. “When exactly did you grow those eyes in the back of your head?”
“When I started working with you and your thieving cousin. Now drop the turkey leg, and no one gets hurt.”
More grumbling sounded behind her, followed by someone sucking their fingers clean. She set the cornbread down and shot him a dark look.
“What?” he said, hands in the air. “I dropped it like you said. See?”
“Why aren’t you in the dining room with the others?”
“Because they’re all starving and wanted someone to come in and see what was taking so long. I drew the short straw.”
Maddie grinned. “Well, you’re in luck, that was the last of it. If you can get a few helpers, we’ll have dinner on the table in no time.”
“Perfect. Then you won’t be needing this.” He grabbed the drumstick and sprinted back out the doors.
“Miles David Masterson!” exclaimed Ruby from the other room. “You put that turkey leg down this minute!”
Maddie shook her head and crossed the kitchen to grab a serving bowl for the stuffing. Brent and Cole appeared to help transport the last of the meal to the table, Cole hanging back long enough to press a soft kiss to her cheek.
“It smells like heaven in here.”
“It better.” She laughed. “This is the toughest meal I’m asked to make all year.”
“What are you talking about? You’ve made dozens of dishes more complex than this.”
“Yes, but expectations are higher for this meal than any other. If the bird’s too dry or stuffing too moist, I’ll never live it down.”
“Well, then I guess it’s good I’m coming to the table without any expectations,” he said with a wink. “My Thanksgivings growing up looked a lot more like the Peanuts version.”
“Let me guess—you were in charge of the toast.”
“Texas toast, to be exact.”
“Of course.” She pecked a kiss on his cheek and gave his butt a bump with her own. “We’d better get on out there, or toast is all we’ll have left.”
“Good point.”
They joined the others and took the two open seats between Stephanie and Kayla.
Two, not one. Maddie couldn’t help but grin.
The past few weeks had gone by in a blink, with business at the inn winding down and business at Cole’s shop—now run in conjunction with his buddy Gavin—kicking into gear. Truthfully, the timing couldn’t have been any better. And much to everyone’s relief, between Gavin’s connections and the spotlight Amber Jensen aired on their new shop, Mount Pleasant seemed to have accepted Cole as one of their own.
&
nbsp; Finally, everything seemed to be falling into place for him. And Maddie couldn’t be happier for Cole. Of course, when he was happy, she was happy, and their future together was definitely looking bright.
“Thomas,” said Ruby. “Would you do us the honor and say grace?”
“Certainly. Our Heavenly Father…”
Maddie tried to listen, but when Old Tom began to ramble her thoughts drifted to the past year at the inn and all the blessings that’d come with it. To Brent taking over as groundskeeper, and Kayla arriving pre-season, stranded in an ice storm and then staying on as their marketing guru/assistant innkeeper. To Miles’s near departure, and the arrival of Stephanie, who’d finally managed to tame the playboy and cure him of his wanderlust. To Cole, who had joined them part-time this fall in the kitchen, his heart of gold capturing her own. As Tom said “Amen,” she sat beside his grandson thinking life couldn’t get much better.
The meal, thank goodness, proved to be one of her best. Everything had come out just right, even the scalloped corn that she sometimes fought with. Compliments abounded, and soon the group was full, lethargic, and patting full bellies with smiles on their faces.
No sight pleased a chef more.
Relieved that the meal had gone off without a hitch, Maddie rose to begin clearing plates. “Anyone want dessert?”
A collective groan rose from the table.
“Actually, Madds, have a seat,” said Brent. “There’s something Kayla and I want to share.”
All eyes shifted to Kayla as her cheeks took on a rosy hue.
“I know we’d originally set our wedding date for next June,” he said, “but she’s asking that we move it up to January. Something about not wanting to outgrow her dress…”
Stephanie let out a shriek and sprang from her chair to embrace Kayla. “I knew it! I knew when you passed up the wine last weekend that something was up.”
“Well, both our clocks are starting to tick,” she said with a shrug and radiant smile. “So we figured we’d just let nature take its course.”
Miles met Maddie’s gaze in the midst of the continuing congratulations. She pointed to the happy couple and mouthed the words “Key lime pie.”
He just laughed, then looked to Stephanie’s empty plate and back, his eyes wide and smile slipping. “Need to cut back,” he answered in a loud whisper.
Maddie winked. Miles could say that all he wanted, but she knew Stephanie had a plan of her own. Besides, now that Kayla was pregnant, baby fever was sure to descend on the Checkerberry Inn. Perhaps it was a good thing it was now officially closed for the season. Otherwise, things might look a whole lot different by this time next year.
Ruby shushed everyone, then cleared her throat. “Brent, Kayla, we are all so very happy for you. And how exciting it is, as we look forward to welcoming the next generation of Mastersons into the inn.” She looked to Tom, who gave her a wink. “I wanted to let you all know that Thomas and I have some exciting news as well.”
The room fell instantly silent, save for Stephanie who giggled at the look of concern on Miles’s face.
“I’m pretty sure your grandmother isn’t expecting, too, darling,” she whispered.
“No, dear,” said Ruby. “But changes are indeed coming. First, with my name.”
Old Tom rose from his seat and placed both hands upon Ruby’s shoulders. “I hope you all don’t mind my not asking your permission first, but I’ve asked your grandmother for her hand in marriage.”
“About darned time,” muttered Brent under his breath with a grin.
A fresh round of congratulations was exchanged, ending with Kayla dabbing her eyes.
“Sorry,” she mumbled. “Silly hormones kicking in already.”
“So we get the name change, Grandma,” said Miles. “What other surprise are you planning to spring on us tonight?”
“We’re eloping over Christmas.” Ruby’s smile widened. “And becoming snow birds. Don’t worry, though. We’ll come back for your January wedding.”
The room fell instantly silent, cousins and staff exchanging confused looks.
“But Ruby,” asked Miles. “How will you prep the inn for next season from down there?”
“I won’t,” she said, her smile unwavering. “I think it’s high time to listen to your advice, boys, and retire.”
“Retire?” Maddie said, breaking her silence. “Are you selling the inn?”
“Heavens no,” said Ruby. “Merely handing it over to my grandsons. Seeing as I’ve taught them all I know, the Checkerberry will do just fine.”
“And the hardware store?” Cole asked.
Old Tom smiled. “Don’t worry about my store, son, you focus on your music. I’ll have my hands in the operations for several years to come, even if it’s across phone lines a few months of the year.”
“Phone lines?” Kayla shook her head. “We’re gonna need to set you two up with laptops, and iPads, and Skype, and…”
Maddie felt Cole’s hand rest upon her knee beneath the table. She turned to meet his gaze, concern clear in his eyes.
“You okay?” she whispered.
“Yeah, just nervous to think of Ruby and my grandfather being so far away,” he said. “What if something happens?”
“First, this is Ruby and Old Tom we’re talking about. Both tough as nails. And second, they said snow birds, which means they’ll be back here half the year.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
She looked around the table at all the smiling faces, so near and dear to her heart. They’d hired her at the inn, made her one of their own, and forever changed her life. And, crazy as it could be at times, Maddie wouldn’t want it any other way.
She rested her hand atop his and gave it a little squeeze.
“Besides, I think between all of us, they’ll have more than enough reason to come back and visit the Checkerberry for many years to come.”
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Acknowledgments
This series would not have been possible without all of my amazing family, friends, and fans who supported me during its development. The Checkerberry Inn has become a second home to me, its characters near and dear to my heart. Special thanks goes to my editor, Alycia, for helping me bring the characters and their stories to life, to the wonderful staff at Bliss, and to Entangled Publishing for believing in me and my stories.
About the Author
Kyra Jacobs is an extroverted introvert who writes of love, humor, and mystery in the Midwest and beyond. Her romance novels range from sweet contemporaries to romantic suspense and paranormal/fantasy. No matter the setting, Kyra employs both comedy and chaos to help her characters find inspiration and/or redemption on their way to happily ever after.
When the Hoosier native isn’t pounding out scenes for her next book, she’s likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to read, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan.
Be sure to stop by her website www.KyraJacobs.wordpress.com to learn more about her novels and ways to connect with her on social media.
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