by Kirk, Cindy
Also by Cynthia Rutledge / Cindy Kirk
Inspirational/Sweet Romance
Written by Cynthia Rutledge
Unforgettable Faith
Undercover Angel
The Marrying Kind
Redeeming Claire
Judging Sara
Trish’s Not-So-Little Secret
Wedding Bell Blues
Season for Miracles (online read)
Kiss Me, Kaitlyn
A Love to Keep
The Harvest
Two Hearts
Love Enough for Two
For Love’s Sake
Rich, Rugged . . . Royal
Books Written by Cindy Kirk
Romancing the Nanny
The Tycoon’s Son
Montana Mavericks Series
Betting on the Maverick
When She Was Bad
One Night Stand
Love at Mistletoe Inn
Baby on His Doorstep
Meet Me in Montana Series
Claiming the Rancher’s Heart
Your Ranch or Mine?
Merry Christmas, Cowboy!
Rx for Love (Jackson Hole) Series
The Doctor’s Baby
In Love with John Doe
The Christmas Proposition
If the Ring Fits
Jackson Hole Valentine
The Doctor’s Not-So-Little Secret
His Valentine Bride
The Doctor and Mr. Right
One Night with the Doctor
A Jackson Hole Homecoming
Her Sister’s Boyfriend (online read)
The Husband List
Ready, Set, I Do!
The MD’s Unexpected Family
Fortunes of Texas Series
Expecting Fortune’s Heir
A Sweetheart for Jude Fortune
Fortune’s Little Heartbreaker
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, organizations, places, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
Text copyright © 2015 Cynthia Rutledge
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
Published by Montlake Romance, Seattle
www.apub.com
Amazon, the Amazon logo, and Montlake Romance are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc., or its affiliates.
ISBN-13: 9781503949652
ISBN-10: 1503949656
Cover design by Mumtaz Mustafa
To Renee Ryan and Nancy Robards Thompson, fellow authors and fabulous friends. As a writer I should be adept at coming up with something brilliant that conveys how much your friendship, love, and support mean to me. But I’ve never been good at such things. Just know that while a love of the written word may have brought us together, mutual respect, friendship, and love are the glue that binds us. You are truly the sisters of my heart. Thank you, thank you, thank you for your unfailing support!
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Epilogue
About the Author
Chapter One
It may have been only the first of December, but historic Hill House in the small village of Good Hope, Wisconsin, was already gussied up for Christmas. In spite of the festive evergreen wreaths with red ribbons at each window and pinecone garlands around the white porch rail, the home reminded Amaryllis Bloom of an aging film star trying to conceal wrinkles beneath a thick coat of greasepaint.
If anyone understood a desperate need to hide flaws beneath a polished veneer, it was Ami. God knew she’d tried. But she finally had to accept that guilt wouldn’t go away just because she prayed and that past errors, no matter how much she regretted them, couldn’t be undone.
Old memories dipped her sunny mood briefly into overcast. But the clouds cleared when Ami entered the 1870s home. She perked up, eager to see what decorations the historical society had in store for visitors this year.
It certainly wasn’t off to a rockin’ start, not if the gold bows and garland draped on the massive staircase to her right were any indication. The greenery was a nice touch, although also a tad boring.
Things improved significantly when Ami reached the parlor. Her gaze was immediately drawn to the corner where a seven-foot Fraser fir stood. Though Ami was normally a fan of bright holiday colors, the dark green foliage decorated in an understated color scheme of silver, gold, and bronze took her breath away. Instead of a traditional star, fresh holly and large gold temple bells adorned the top.
The elegant scheme extended to a mantel arrangement. There, peacock feathers and mirrored ornaments coupled with curly willow branches added accent color, complementing the tree.
After admiring several less prominent touches the volunteers had added to the room, including shimmering oversize Mercury glass ornaments in a basket by the fireplace, Ami heeded the five-minute warning and took a seat.
The monthly meeting of the Women’s Events League began precisely at one. As red, tart cherries were the main crop on the Door County peninsula, the group had been dubbed the Cherries. These prominent women planned all holiday events in the village of Good Hope.
As the treasurer launched into the financial report, Ami glanced around the semicircle. She caught sight of Anita Fishback at the far end of the horseshoe. It had recently become obvious—at least to Ami—that the midfifties divorcée had Ami’s widowed father in her crosshairs. Ami couldn’t imagine a worse match than one between the piranha and her sweet dad.
Ami averted her gaze and focused her attention on the other members.
While some of the women were near her age, many were old enough to be her grandmother. Or, in the case of the current treasurer, her great-grandmother.
Ninety-six-year-old former community theater star Gladys Bertholf went for flair as she reported on the organization’s current financials. Cadaver thin with a shock of dark black hair boasting a swath of silver, Gladys gestured broadly as she reported, the sleeves of her purple caftan dress fluttering around birdlike arms.
The older woman’s voice carried easily throughout the richly decorated room. Unfortunately, there was only so much even a former actress could do with pitch, tone, and movement to make a P&L statement interesting.
While a trifle eccentric, the woman was amazing. Not only was she a whiz with figures and a master of public speaking, as of last month Gladys was now the oldest member of the Cherries.
Her elevation to treasurer had occurred when MarJean Thorpe had passed away at 103. And it had been MarJean’s passing that had opened a spot for a new member.
Ami had been the chosen one. She’d been thrilled to be asked. But sitting here now and feeling completely underwhel
med made her wonder if this was freshman year in college all over again. She’d gone through rush only to realize several months later that sorority life wasn’t for her.
Give this a chance, she told herself sternly and refocused on Gladys.
Ever since her mother died three years ago, Ami had been even more determined to receive a coveted invitation to join the group. Some of this desire sprang from the fact that membership had been something her mother had pursued but never achieved. But mostly it was because Ami, like her mother, believed strongly in their mission.
From a merchant’s perspective, she recognized the financial value of celebrations. The events planned by the Cherries brought much-needed tourist dollars to their small township. But for Ami, the increased revenue was an added benefit. It was the warm sense of community and camaraderie, the way holidays brought people together, that made the planning worthwhile.
As far back as Ami could remember, she’d been a holiday planner. The oldest of four girls, Ami recalled with much fondness the cookie-baking marathons, the ice skating races on Rakes Pond, and all the neighborhood Fourth of July parades she’d helped her mother organize.
Sarah Bloom had loved everything about holidays and had gone out of her way to make them special for her family and neighbors. Her mother would have been an asset to the Cherries, but a stay-at-home mom and wife of a high school teacher hadn’t been on their radar.
Ami found it reassuring that once she got past the sixty-day probationary period, she would be a member for life.
So she had to sit through a few boring meetings to get to the fun stuff. What else was there for an almost-thirty-year-old single woman to do on a snowy Monday afternoon? An image of a roaring fire, a book, and a glass of wine flashed before her. She shoved it aside and caught the tail end of the report.
As Gladys returned to her seat beside Ami, the executive director, Eliza Shaw, took the podium. With her tall, slender figure and natural elegance, she looked more like a New York model than the owner of a general store in upper Wisconsin.
As usual, Eliza was dressed more for style than the weather. While Ami wore tweed pants and a bulky cable-knit sweater with her beloved UGGs, Eliza had chosen black pants that hugged her slender legs like a second skin, a tunic of cherry red, and shiny heeled boots.
When Eliza’s gaze scanned the group of women, it passed over Ami as if she weren’t there. It pained Ami to remember that at one time she and Eliza had run in the same circle of friends. But that had been a lifetime ago.
“We’ll start with our biggest problem first. Beckett Cross.” Eliza’s voice snapped like a freshly washed sheet hung to dry in a brisk wind. “Mr. Cross absolutely refuses to allow his home to be part of the tour.”
A murmur of disbelief rose like an orchestra’s crescendo through the group. Eliza quieted them with a hand.
“He actually said no?” Gladys’s rich voice filled the momentary silence as she slapped a hand sparkling with jewels to her breast.
“Oh, he did more than that.” Katie Ruth Crewes, who’d gone to school with Ami, spoke without waiting to be called upon. “Mr. Grumpy Pants threw Eliza out of his café. I was headed to lunch and witnessed it firsthand.”
Katie Ruth grinned. The pretty blond retained the perky bounce she’d had in high school. Now, instead of leading cheers, Katie Ruth was the front desk manager at the BayShore Hotel.
In her spare time she served as editor in chief of the Open Door, a daily electronic newsletter. Targeted primarily to peninsula residents, it included local news and events as well as a popular gossip feature.
“That man is impossible,” someone muttered in an overly loud voice.
“I believe that is something all of us agree upon . . . with perhaps one exception.” Eliza shifted her gaze to Ami. “Do you realize that your friend will likely—out of sheer pigheadedness—disrupt one of our most cherished traditions?”
Though cherished tradition might be stretching credulity, there was no denying that the annual Victorian Tour of Homes was much loved by residents and tourists alike.
Traipsing through prominent and primarily historic homes festively decorated for Christmas definitely drew the crowds. Since the event had begun, the historic Spencer-Shaw house—the one Beck purchased last summer—had always been the first on the tour. Not to mention the most popular.
Ami frowned. While Beck could be a bit gruff at times, he wasn’t an unreasonable man. “Did you mention to him that touring the Spencer-Shaw home is a tradition in Good Hope?”
“He doesn’t give a fig about traditions.” Eliza flung a frustrated hand in the air. “He pops up here from God knows where, and not only buys the café but snatches my cousin’s home out from under our noses. None of the family had a clue Katherine was even considering selling it.”
Perhaps if any of you bothered to visit her, she’d have told you.
Ami kept the uncharitable thought to herself. She and the spry octogenarian met weekly for tea, and the sale had been as much of a surprise to her as it had been to Katherine’s family. Never once had her elderly friend mentioned selling her home and moving to Arizona. Not until it was a done deal. But then Kate had always been an intensely private person and a little eccentric.
“We must stay focused.” Gladys raised a clenched fist, much like a general rallying the troops. “We can’t give up.”
“Since Eliza wasn’t able to persuade Mr. Cross to open his home, perhaps Ami should try,” Katie Ruth suggested. “She might have better luck.”
The cushioned seat beneath Ami turned rock hard and she shifted uncomfortably. All eyes were now on her. “I’m sure Eliza laid out the facts quite clearly. I don’t know what I could do. Mr. Cross has made his decision.”
Though she wanted to help, Ami’s contact with Beck was minimal. Sure, she saw him every morning, but theirs was a superficial relationship, kept alive by a mutual predilection for pastries and strong coffee. She had no more insight into what made him tick—and regardless of what Eliza believed, no more influence on him—than any other woman in the room.
“I don’t believe what I’m hearing.” Eliza’s gaze narrowed. “Are you refusing to help?”
The direct question, and the venomous undertone, caught Ami off guard. “No. No. Of course not. I was merely saying—”
Eliza leaned forward, resting her arms on the podium, her gaze riveted on Ami. “Though some in the group expressed concerns about bringing you in as a member, the majority was convinced you strongly supported our mission in this community.”
Ami had no doubt one of those who’d expressed concerns had been Eliza. She knew why the woman hated her, understood and accepted the animosity. But Ami wouldn’t allow her—or anyone—to impugn her loyalty to Good Hope.
For years, Ami had worked tirelessly to increase participation by the merchants in the holiday celebrations planned by the Cherries. As owner of Blooms Bake Shop, located in the heart of the Good Hope business district, Ami knew the extra revenue these celebrations generated.
This was especially true in December, when the entire village was transformed into a winter wonderland for the Twelve Nights celebrations.
“I have always supported the group’s efforts. I believe strongly in the mission.” Ami spoke slowly and distinctly so there could be no misunderstanding. “But Mr. Cross isn’t from here. He—”
“—refuses to be a team player,” Eliza interrupted, pulling all eyes back to her. Her dark hair, cut in a stylish bob, swung like a shiny black curtain as she whirled to directly face Ami. “You will make him see the error of his ways and secure his cooperation.”
When Ami opened her mouth to reiterate—again—that she had no control over the man, Eliza lifted a hand, palm out. “Don’t bother to deny your connection. We’re all aware of your tête-à-têtes when the café is closed.”
Heat rose up Ami’s neck at the openly speculative looks directed her way. “His café is next to my shop. We—”
“It’s settled.” Eliza
’s tone brooked no argument. “Your first official assignment as a Cherrie is to convince Beckett Cross to open his home to the tour.”
Irritated by the autocratic tone, Ami took a few seconds to rein in her temper. She drew in a breath, let it out slowly. Somehow, she managed a smile. “I’ll give it a try.”
“Trying isn’t good enough. Take whatever measures necessary to achieve the goal.” Eliza lifted a shoulder in a careless shrug. “Otherwise . . .”
“Otherwise what?” Ami asked bluntly, her patience gone.
“Just make sure he agrees.” Though Eliza smiled, her eyes remained cool. “That will be in everyone’s best interest, including yours.”
Ami thought about Eliza’s threat on the short stroll to her apartment over the bakery. Considered it again as she polished off a late lunch of corn chowder. It was obvious that if she didn’t get Beck to agree, the vote to grant her full membership in the Cherries might not go her way.
Who needs them anyway? But then Ami remembered her mother’s unfulfilled dreams. She’d give the next sixty days her all. If they booted her out, well, she’d have done her best.
At peace with the plan, Ami slipped downstairs to the shop she considered her second home. A scent of yeasty earthiness with a dash of cinnamon teased her nostrils. She paused in the doorway to survey her kingdom and experienced a rush of pride.
The interior was still very much a work in progress. Yet every day, with each acquisition, it became more her own. Ami adored the antique chandelier and the exposed brick walls she’d painted a soft turquoise.
She let her gaze linger on the bright yellow shelving holding vintage tea tins, each brimming with an assortment of growing herbs.
As most of the business was carryout, seating in the shop was limited to two tables and a counter with stools by the window. Wanting to build on the boho-chic vibe, Ami had sanded down the tables to bare wood, then painted one a bright watermelon pink and the other an eye-popping cobalt blue. Brightly colored mismatched chairs added to the vibrancy of the room.
When the bakery was closed, Ami liked to sit at one of the tables and enjoy a scone with a cup of tea. She always took her time picking from the eclectic mix of china cups dangling from the mug tree on the counter. With the shop now on winter hours and only open Friday through Monday from ten to four, Ami had plenty of time to sit and savor.