“I think at the very least, I should be the one to enter the premises first,” he continued. “Make sure there’s not a giant-size cockroach in there waiting to attack or something.” He brought his shoulders back, and she wasn’t sure if he was serious.
“They have roaches here?”
“Don’t they have them everywhere?” Ronald shrugged.
“I don’t know.” Autumn pulled out an envelope with the key inside from her purse and handed it over. “I’ll be right behind you, prepared to swing at anything that comes our way,” she assured him.
Autumn was certain he looked relieved at that bit of news, which only made her heart sink a little more.
Secretly, she’d always dreamed of dating a truly capable man. One who could swing in and save the day, battle the cockroaches, spiders, ants, and anything else that came their way. She didn’t need him riding in on a white horse or anything, but she thought it would be nice if a guy knew how to change a tire, at the very least.
Was that too much to ask?
She glanced down the sidewalk to see the guy who’d climbed out of the truck bending over and pulling a few weeds in the yard. He was too far away to get a good look, but it appeared like he was wearing a cowboy hat, possibly even cowboy boots. Within an instant, she saw the man swinging and swatting at something, and she held in a chuckle.
She brought her attention back to Ronald, who was triumphantly climbing the stairs. The sound of wood creaking and splitting made her stop in her tracks as she watched him lug her suitcase up the steps.
Ronald reached for the lock and began to wiggle the handle.
“Well, this isn’t very safe.” He turned around, holding the doorknob in his hand. “It might be a sign.”
“Nah.” Autumn squashed the thought with her hand. “It’s just a sign that I need a locksmith. Nothing more.”
“Why don’t you wait there while I figure this out and go inside?” His toothy grin didn’t hide his uneasiness, but she quickly accepted his offer.
As he fumbled with the door, trying to figure out how to unlatch it, she walked over to the sign hidden by thorn bushes. She reached toward the wooden sign and gingerly moved the vines aside to reveal a worn name.
The Blackberry Patch
Bed and Breakfast
A smile touched her lips as she let go of the thorny vines and admired the name of her new place. Judging by the thicket of vines entwined around the sign, the home was aptly named. Soon, small, juicy blackberries would be dangling from all the bushes, and she imagined herself making batches of jam for the guests. She looked up at Ronald as he stared at the knob in his hand and hoped she’d be able to get inside before it was dark. She didn’t want to step on his manhood, but as each second ticked by, she was less certain they’d actually be getting into the home anytime soon.
“Hello, neighbors.” A sexy voice from behind her surprised her, and she glanced quickly at Ronald, who turned around still holding the doorknob in his hand.
His expression soured the moment he saw whoever was behind her, so she decided to spin around and see for herself.
When she did, it was like the wind had been knocked right out of her. The man from down the street was only a foot away, and he looked sensational with his sparkling blue eyes, chiseled features, and dark hair peeking out from under his cowboy hat.
Her gaze fell to his feet, and sure enough, he was wearing the boots just like she’d suspected, and they weren’t small. A blush crept up her cheeks as she brought her gaze back to the stranger’s brilliant blue eyes.
“I’m Joel North, your neighbor from across the street and down a couple of homes.” He stuck out his hand, which she eagerly took.
She loved the way his strong grip wrapped around hers as he removed his hat to reveal his dark, mussed-up hair.
“I’m Autumn Tucker.” Her admiring eyes couldn’t be pulled from Joel’s gorgeous grin as he gave a quick nod, turning his attention to Ronald.
She stood staring at the sexy man in front of her, wondering how in the world he happened to be her neighbor, but she also knew never to get involved with the man next door—or on the same block, possibly the same city. The list of don’ts could go on.
“And you must be Mr. Tucker?” Joel asked.
“No. I’m not married.” Her green eyes were wide with determination to set the record straight.
“Not yet, anyway.” Ronald came down the stairs, knob still in hand, and reached for Joel’s hand.
“So you two are moving in?” Joel asked. “This is quite the fixer-upper.”
“I inherited it from my uncle.” Autumn’s gaze stayed fixed on this stranger even as Ronald possessively wrapped his arm around her shoulders and brought her in tightly.
“I’m sorry for your loss. He was a good man.” Joel gave a quick nod as he slid his hat back on.
“Thank you.” She nodded and glanced at the knob Ronald still clutched in his hand. Joel’s gaze followed hers, and his smile widened, which made him sinfully delicious.
“That’s a hell of a welcome to your new place.” Joel took a step closer and looked over at the front door. “Need some help?”
“I’ve got it.” Ronald shook his head and straightened up as Joel’s gaze fell to Autumn’s.
“Actually, if you have any experience with this kind of thing . . .” Her voice trailed off, and Joel couldn’t help but notice her beauty. Her auburn hair cascaded down her shoulders, and the playfulness behind her brilliant green eyes intrigued him, and he wasn’t easily captivated.
“Believe it or not, I’ve broken into my fair share of homes around town.” Joel laughed, and Ronald pulled Autumn closer. “It isn’t as—”
“I’ve got it handled.” Ronald cut Joel off, which only made Joel’s smile widen.
Autumn momentarily wavered but took a steadying breath and nodded. After all, Ronald did drive a thousand miles to get her here. The least she could do was humor him. “We don’t want to trouble you, but thanks for the offer.”
Now fully satisfied with her allegiance, Ronald let go of Autumn and made his way back up the stairs.
“So where’d you two move from?” Joel asked, folding his arms and studying her with his gaze peeking just below the tip of his hat. The way he looked at her sent the missing spark clear to her toes.
Autumn’s gaze skirted down his exquisite frame that happened to be wrapped in a plaid button-down and low-slung jeans. He appeared to be the exact opposite of any guy she’d seen in California in the last decade. Present company certainly not excluded.
“California.” Autumn turned her attention to Ronald, who was cursing at the top of the stairs, when Joel bent down and whispered.
“You know, all you have to do is put your finger in that hole, move it to the left a little, and that door will pop right open.” His mouth was close to her ear, and the softness of his breath skated across her neck, shocking her senses into a tailspin of anticipation.
For what, she didn’t know.
Her mind flicked back to the failed kiss from Ronald, and she couldn’t understand how she felt so alive just standing next to this perfect stranger.
“That’s it?” she asked, almost breathless, turning to look into his eyes.
“That’s the secret,” Joel replied before he turned and walked away, leaving Autumn to wonder what had just happened to make her luck turn around.
HAPPY TRUTH ABOUT LOVE
Now Available!
BOOKS BY KARICE BOLTON
ISLAND COUNTY SERIES
HAPPY TRUTH ABOUT LOVE
ISLAND COUNTY SERIES
FINDING LOVE IN FORGOTTEN COVE
LOVE REDONE IN HIDDEN HARBOR
TANLGED LOVE ON PELICAN POINT
FOREVER LOVE ON FIREWEED ISLAND
TEMPTING LOVE ON HOLLY LANE
CHANCE AT LOVE ON MYSTIC BAY
IRRESISTIBLE LOVE AT SILVER FALLS
LUCKY IN LOVE ON HOUND ISLAND
BEYOND LOVE SERIES
BEYOND CONTROL
BEYOND DOUBT
BEYOND REASON
BEYOND INTENT
BEYOND CHANCE
BEYOND PROMISE
BEYOND the MISTLETOE
LUKE FLETCHER SERIES
HIDDEN SINS
BURIED SINS
REDEMPTION
MIA
V MAFIA SERIES
BLAKE
DEVIN
JAXSON
AFTERWORLD SERIES
RecruitZ
AlibiZ
Zombie UprisingZ
THE WITCH AVENUE SERIES
LONELY SOULS
ALTERED SOULS
RELEASED SOULS
SHATTERED SOULS
THE WATCHERS TRILOGY
AWAKENING
LEGIONS
CATACLYSM
TAKEN NOVELLA (A Watchers Novella)
Contact the Author
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About the Author
Karice received an MFA in Creative Writing from the U of W. She has written over thirty novels, and she has several exciting projects in the works (or at least she thinks they're exciting). Karice lives in the Pacific Northwest with her awesome husband and two cute English Bulldogs. She loves anything to do with snow, and she seeks out the stuff whenever she can, especially if there's a toasty fire to read by.
Lucky in Love on Hound Island (Island County Series Book 8) Page 21