“What’s going on?” I asked as I got closer. “What is all of this?”
Micah stepped from between my family and moved to me. “The first time I met you, I knew I’d found something special. There wasn’t a day that came after where I didn’t regret walking away from you. Then I ran into all that beauty and fire in the middle of a grocery store, and the first thing you did was throw attitude.”
I sniffled and lifted my free hand to bat the tears from my cheeks. “That’s because you deserved it,” I said on a laugh. “You started it.”
He smirked, making my belly flutter. “Red, you’re stubborn, and full of attitude. You’re also loving and loyal. You’re wild. And when you burn, it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.” I covered my mouth to stifle a sob as he continued. “There isn’t a single thing about you I’d want to change, because I love it all. And I know down to my bones, that I’ll keep loving it until I take my last breath.”
He took my left hand and lifted it up. I sucked in a gasp, feeling my eyes go wide when he slipped a stunning antique ring on my finger.
“Micah,” I breathed, looking into those beautiful green eyes.
“You’re my safe place. Even when I’m having a bad day, you make everything better, and I want to spend every day from here on out sharing my life with you. I want us to protect each other. And I want you to be my wife.”
“He already asked me!” Ivy shouted from behind him, jumping up and down exuberantly. “I said yes!”
He nodded in confirmation, one corner of his mouth kicking up in a smirk. “She did, so it’s kind of already a done deal.”
I threw my head back on a long, deep laugh as Micah pulled me against him and banded his arms around me. “Well, then I guess it’s settled,” I said on a giggle, staring up into the gorgeous face of my fiancé.
“Good, because, just so you know, Monster was prepared to use The Look if necessary.”
“You forget, that look doesn’t work on me.” I arched a single brow. “You’re the easy target, honey.”
At that, he gave me a big, brilliant smile. “Sure the hell am. And I’m not the least bit ashamed of it.”
I threw my arms around his neck and lifted up on my toes, pressing my lips against his in a slow, steamy kiss.
“You ready to spend every day for the rest of your life burnin’ wild with me, Red?” he asked once I pulled back.
I felt my lips stretch so big my cheeks hurt as I gave him the God’s honest truth. “I can’t wait.”
The End.
Thank you so much for reading.
Keep an eye out for Dalton and Charlotte’s book
coming early 2021
More from Hope Valley
After years of war, Lincoln Sheppard thought he’d left the violence and ugliness behind. He was content with the life he built for himself. Then the woman down the street came in and shook everything up.
All Eden Brenner ever wanted was to have a place to call home. She finally found that in Hope Valley. Then she went and fell in love with the man a few houses down the first time she laid eyes on him. There was just one problem. Women like her didn’t catch the attention of men like him. He was totally and completely out of her league. And to make matters worse, when her past comes knocking, the beautiful world she’s built for herself is at risk of crumbling to the ground.
When danger forces Eden into his arms, Lincoln begins to see her in a whole new light, and he suddenly finds himself wanting things he never expected. And he wants them all with the shy, clumsy woman from down the street. But when the truth comes out, that proves nearly impossible. Now he’s fighting the hardest battle of his life, and the stakes are higher than ever. Protect the woman he’s falling for while trying to win her heart at the same time.
* * *
Temperance Levine had her entire world ripped away from her at eighteen. What had once been a life full of light and happiness was torn to shreds in the blink of an eye. With nothing left but a broken heart and painful memories, she ran away from the only home she’d ever had and tried to start over somewhere else. But the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and sometimes all you can do to heal old wounds is come back home again.
The day Temperance left him was the worst day of Hayes Walker’s life, and he’d spent every one since then merely existing. The future he’d imagined had gone up in smoke, and all he could do was take life one step at a time. But when tragedy brings Tempie back to Hope Valley, he knows this is the only shot he’ll have at getting his happiness back, and there’s no way he’ll let this chance go to waste.
After years apart, Tempie and Hayes are finally starting over and looking toward the future. But when their sleepy little town is rocked to its core, Hayes will be forced into a battle he never saw coming. Now he’s not only fighting for the future he always dreamed of, but also trying to protect the only woman he’s ever loved.
* * *
It wasn’t hard for Nona Fanning to fall for Trick. He was strong, kind-hearted, loyal, and unbelievably handsome. He was the man of her dreams, and all it took was one night to give her a taste of the beauty he had to offer. But while she’d been opening her heart to him, he’d kept his under lock and key.
After Patrick “Trick” Wanderly’s wife left him, ripping away their picture-perfect life, he convinced himself that she’d taken the best pieces of him with her. He wasn’t ready to move on and give his heart to someone else. Then his whole world flipped upside down after spending one night with Nona.
It took awhile for him to see what he had standing right in front of him, but now Trick’s eyes are open, and he’s determined to fix what he broke. But when danger threatens to tear Nona’s world apart, it’s up to Trick to help hold those pieces together while fighting to protect the woman and the new life he’s come to cherish.
* * *
Gypsy Bradbury was never destined for great things. Or at least that’s what she’d convinced herself of. Growing up on the wrong side of the tracks, she had learned that hoping for more was a waste of time. Then Marco forced his way into her life and gave her a glimpse of a future brighter than any she could have imagined. But if her past taught her anything, it was that if something seemed too good to be true... it probably was.
The promise of a quiet, simple life was what drew Marco Castillo to Hope Valley. After experiencing war and death first hand, he was looking for something easy. Then he met a woman with guarded eyes and the most beautiful smile he’d ever seen. The only problem was she came with more baggage than a 747.
There is nothing easy about Gypsy, but Marco knows without a doubt that the promise of her is well worth the effort. She’s the strongest, bravest woman he’s ever met, and when the life she’s fought to build for her and her family is threatened, Marco is determined to win that battle for her. Whether Gypsy wants his help or not.
* * *
Rory Hightower had a good life. She had a loving family, great friends, and a job she adored, running Hope Valley’s local watering hole, The Tap Room. But there was just one thing missing. Ever since she was a little girl she knew there was one special guy out there just for her. Her dream man. And when Cord walked into her bar, she knew instantly it was him. Which made losing him all the more painful.
Cord Paulson had only ever had one person he could depend on. And that bond ran deep. But when he moved to Hope Valley and met the breathtaking bartender with the bright blue eyes and stunning smile, he felt an instant connection. He wanted Rory from the moment he laid eyes on her. But when his past came back and his loyalties were put to the test, he made the biggest mistake of his life.
Then one night changes everything. After avoiding him for months, Rory has no choice but to lower her guard and let him back in. And Cord plans to use that to his full advantage. He’s determined to repair the damage he caused to her heart and win her back. He may have lost the love of his life once already, but there’s no way he’ll make the same mistake twice.
; * * *
The light had been snuffed out of Xander Caine’s world a long time ago, leaving him to suffer in darkness. After a tremendous loss, he closed himself off from anyone and everyone, content to live alone in the shadows. Then a woman blew into town with the force of a hurricane and shook everything up.
Sage Winthrop was looking to start over. She didn’t have a plan for what her new life would look like, but when she landed in Hope Valley, she knew it was the place she wanted to call home. Then one chance encounter outside of the best coffee shop in town set her world spinning.
Sage and Xander hated each other on sight. However, when they’re forced to work together, that hate eventually turns into something neither of them expected. Their attraction proves too strong to ignore. But when secrets from Sage’s past are revealed and her life is threatened, Xander has no choice but to let go of his demons and step out of the darkness in order to save the woman he loves.
* * *
Tessa Day had clung to the notion of a once-in-a-lifetime love for as long as she could remember. Then one chance encounter led her to the man of her dreams. After a whirlwind romance that could only be described as something out of a fairytale, she gave her heart to her other half, only to have him throw it back like it meant nothing.
Bryce Dixon was known as the care-free funny guy with a heart of gold. But it was all a façade. For more than ten years, he’d been holding on to guilt that was slowly eating him alive. He blamed himself for things in his past, and as punishment for his sins, he walked away from the only woman he’d ever loved.
But when Tessa shows up in Hope Valley, Bryce begins to think that maybe he’s been given a second chance. However, when danger comes calling, he soon discovers he’s in for the fight of his life. Not only does he have to protect the woman who holds his heart, but he also has to convince her that he can get things right the second time around.
* * *
After a bitter divorce had left him jaded and cynical, Leo Drake thought he was done. To him, love and happiness were myths. Then the shy, sweet, coffee shop owner looked up at him with those big gray eyes and beautiful smile, and he was done for.
Danika Parrish had been the nerdy girl growing up. The girl who sat in her window, watching the boy across the street, and secretly longing for the day when he might notice her. When that day finally came, she was convinced all her dreams had come true. But after giving her everything she’d ever hoped for, he’d ripped it all away with a handful of words.
Leo’s made a lot of mistakes in his life, but the one he regrets most is hurting Danika. For the first time in his life, he knows what it feels like to love someone, to truly be happy, and he’ll do whatever it takes to win her back. He’s determined to prove to her that he’s worth a second chance. That he’s the forever she’s been waiting all her life for.
* * *
After her husband left her for her best friend, Hayden Young moved to Hope Valley looking for a fresh start for her and her daughter. The last thing she expected was to run into the man who had rocked her world in the middle of the wine section of the local grocery store. And no matter how many times she tells herself she hates the egotistical jerk, she can’t stop the tingle she feels every time she looks at him.
Micah Langford was a man who enjoyed variety. He had absolutely no interest in finding one woman and settling down. Then a one-night-stand from his past—and the best sex of his life—came rolling into town, and the self-proclaimed bachelor started wanting more. The only problem is, she can’t stand the sight of him.
When hate gives way to fire, igniting a passion neither of them can deny, Micah finds himself thinking about the future—or more specifically, how he can fit Hayden into his. But when a case he’s working on heats up, and she starts asking questions he can’t answer, Hayden has a decision to make. She can either take a leap and put her trust in him, or she can let the secrets destroy them.
Enjoy and excerpt from Seducing Lola
If you totally dug the whole enemies-to-lovers vibe that Hayden and Micah had going on before that passion finally exploded, then I’ve got another book you won’t want to miss! Check out Seducing Lola below.
Chapter 1
Lola
“And you won’t believe what that asshole you call a father did this time!” My mother’s voice echoed through the receiver, drowning out the honking cars and the clicking of my five-inch Gucci heels on the pavement as I crossed 7th Avenue. The typical bustling city sounds were lost as Elise Abbatelli ranted and raved through my cell phone.
“No telling, Ma,” I answered with a roll of my eyes.
“Well I’ll tell you!” she continued. “He showed up at The Met with that… that… woman! It was like he wasn’t the slightest bit embarrassed to have a call girl on his arm during the mayor’s birthday celebration! I tell you, Lola, that man has no shame whatsoever. It’s humiliating to know we run in the same circles.”
I let out a deep sigh as I shoved open the glass door of the Starbucks near my building and joined the line of customers, all of us in desperate need of a morning pick-me-up. I inhaled the rich scent of brewing coffee and the sweetness of the pastries as I searched for my calm. Talking to my mother had a tendency to drive me a little batshit. Then again, I came by it honestly, seeing as my own mother was more than just a little crazy.
“For the last time, Ma, Chelsea isn’t a call girl. She’s a gold digger. Contrary to popular belief, there really is a difference. And you wouldn’t run in the same circles if you’d just stop attending all the events you know Dad’s going to be at. The only one you’re torturing is yourself. Hell, no one would even know you two had been married once if you’d quit going around and announcing it to all of Manhattan.”
“Don’t you sass me, Lola Arianna Abbatelli!”
The irony that my father’s surname stood for “little priest” in Italian wasn’t lost on me. The last thing Roberto Abbatelli could ever be compared to was a priest. The man was toeing the line of sixty and still couldn’t keep his dick in his pants. But then again, why would he? He built his investment firm from the ground up, eventually earning so much success he’d been listed in Forbes more times than I could count. With money and power like his, fidelity and commitment were a joke.
“I’m not sassing you, Ma.” I sighed again, moving up another step as the long line shuffled forward. “I’m just stating facts. You’ve been divorced for over two decades. With the money you got from that settlement, you could go anywhere, yet you insist on staying in Manhattan where you know you’ll run into Dad constantly. What’s the point? Move to the Caribbean or something! Find a smokin’ hot cabana boy to fill your free time.” I heard a masculine snort of laughter come from behind me but was too entrenched in my mother’s rantings to give it any thought.
“I have a life,” she insisted haughtily. If I’d been standing in front of her, I had no doubt her chin would have been tilted up, nose in the air. “I have friends—”
“You have acquaintances. And I’ve met most of them, Ma. Believe me, you wouldn’t be missing out by shirking them off first chance you get.”
She didn’t argue with that, knowing good and well most of those so-called friends were nothing but bloodsucking leeches. “I have my work.”
I let out an indelicate snort. “You don’t work!”
“I’ll have you know I’m on the boards of many very influential charities.”
Another eye roll. “You can write a check from the beaches of Barbados.”
“Well… I have your brother!”
There was no way I could suppress my eye roll just then. “That’s just sad, Ma. Dom’s a grown man. You should’ve cut the cord a long time ago. You’re making excuses.”
“I am not!”
I lowered my voice, making sure to keep my tone soft as I said, “I get it, Ma. I do. Dad was the love of your life and it sucks having to let him go, but you’re never going to move on if you’re constantly bumping into each other. And I’m ti
red of seeing you get your heart broken. You deserve better than anything he could ever give you.”
The line was silent for several seconds before she finally declared, “I’m happy with my life, thank you very much.”
My shoulders slumped ever so slightly. It wasn’t the first time we’d had that particular conversation, but it didn’t hurt any less. My mother was in pain and refused to do anything about it. I tried to be understanding, but it was just so damned frustrating. It was like beating a dead horse, then turning around and banging my head against a brick wall. Trying to make her see reason was pointless.
“If you say so,” I told her as the line shuffled again. “But it’s your loss. There’s probably a young guy named Marco on one of those islands just waiting for you to come and show him what it means to be a real man.”
“So scandalous,” she chided, but I could hear the smile in her voice. “If you’re really concerned with making me happy, you’d quit this nonsense and give me the grandbabies I’ve been dying for.”
I finally reached the front of the line, holding my phone to my chest and placing my order before moving to the side and lifting the receiver back to my ear.
“Hate to break it to you, Ma, but if you want grandbabies, you need to start annoying Dom about it. Odds are he’s got at least one illegitimate kid out there anyway. He is his father’s son, after all.”
Love to Hate You: a Hope Valley novel Page 23