Could've Said Yes

by Tracy March

  “But your perfectly good bed doesn’t come with a blanket of stars.” Collin blinked a couple times, surprised at himself. Ellie had him so gone, he’d started talking like someone who wrote greeting cards for a living.

  “Aw,” she said. “That’s a good way to look it, but I still might need some convincing.” She winked. He planned to convince her over and over, all night long.

  Collin leaned over and gave her a long, languid kiss. “There’s more where that came from, but right now I’d better tend to my marshmallows before they have a meltdown.” He pulled them away from the fire, put them on top of the chocolate and graham crackers Ellie had laid out, smushed them into a sandwich, and took a big bite.

  Ellie followed his lead, her marshmallows a little browner than his. “Holly said Bryce can’t wait to get you on the job.”

  “Monday morning. Seven-thirty sharp.” Collin was excited about the opportunity, too. He and Bryce had spent hours together, walking the lodge site, surveying the building, and going over all the detailed plans Bryce had for the renovation. Now that the damaged pass allowing access to the site had been repaired, there was a way to get heavy equipment, materials, and workers up to the property. Bryce couldn’t wait to get started, and neither could Collin.

  After Bryce had made the offer, and he and Collin talked seriously about it, Collin’s decision had become a no-brainer. He’d never get far at the EPA after what had happened, no matter how the investigation turned out. It was ongoing, and he was required to cooperate, which he was doing. But now they couldn’t threaten him with disciplinary action or termination—he’d left on his terms, surprised by how easy the choice had been for him.

  But his decision to return to Thistle Bend had been way more about Ellie than the job. About the life they might have together if they gave things a chance.

  “It’ll be nice to have a couple weeks to get used to your new job before your parents come to visit,” Ellie said. “While they’re here, you can take them up to the lodge site and show them around. One look at the view from up there and they’ll understand why you came back to Thistle Bend.”

  Collin smoothed his fingers along her cheek and turned her head to face him. “The view from the lodge is amazing, but it wasn’t why I came back here. One look at Ellie London and they’ll understand.” He set his serious gaze on hers. “I came back for you…for us. For that big pink heart Kenzie drew on her picture.”

  Ellie’s eyes glimmered with tears. “I want that, too.”

  Collin brushed his lips over hers, then kissed her gently. “Mmm. Marshmallow.”

  “And chocolate.” Ellie grinned and took another gooey bite of her s’more. “I can’t wait to meet your mom and dad—but I’m nervous, too.”

  Collin nodded. “That’s understandable, since you’re the reason I’m moving away from them. Have I told you they’re super-pissed?”

  Ellie winced, her eyes glimmering in the firelight. “Sorry…kind of.”

  Collin laughed, and nudged her elbow. “They’re going to love you.” He set his gaze on hers, his heart racing. “But not nearly as much as I do.” He kissed her softly.

  Ellie rested her head on his shoulder. “I’m thinking I’ll paint one of those pictures of you for them.”

  “That’d be cool—since I never got mine.” He winked, and ate the last of his s’more.

  “I’ll do one for you, too.” Ellie took her last bite and raised her eyebrows playfully. Covering her mouth, she murmured, “Unless it sells to someone else first.”

  Collin shook his head.

  “What?” she asked, smiling. “I can always make more.”

  The fire popped, flaring bright orange, then settling back to yellow. Collin leaned over, unzipped the side pocket of his backpack, and pulled out a small box. “I got you something.”

  Ellie bit her bottom lip. “You did?”

  “A while ago, actually. At the arts festival.” He handed her the box. “It reminded me of you—and me.”

  A smile tugged at her lips, her eyes dancing with excitement. He loved to see her happy. Loved it when he was the one who made her feel that way.

  She took the lid off the box and peered inside. Pinching the chain between her fingers, she lifted the long necklace, gazing wide-eyed at the tarnished gold heart and silver key dangling on the end of the chain. “Oh my God. You got this from Cody Silver, the guy whose booth was next to mine. I saw this in one of his display cases on Friday night and fell in love with it. If I’d had the money I would’ve bought it for myself. When I went back on Sunday to have one more look at it, it was gone.” She held the heart in her palm, and rubbed the pad of her thumb across it. “I can’t believe it.” She put the necklace over her head, admired the way it looked, and set her gaze on his. “It’s beautiful.”

  “I looked at all of Cody’s jewelry, and kept coming back to that necklace.” Collin ran his fingers down the delicate chain. “The key. The heart. I swore I wasn’t going to let anyone in again for a good, long time—if ever. And all it took was meeting you right here on this overlook, spending time with you, sleeping with you in my arms…” Emotion swelled in his chest. “My heart opened so fast I was blindsided—to the point that I acted like an ass at the pub crawl.”

  “I’ve forgiven you,” Ellie said.

  He smiled softly. “As crazy as it sounds, I think everything that happened to me in Thistle Bend was meant to be. Some of it was torture, and some of it was bliss, but it got us where we are now—exactly where I want to be.”

  In a graceful move Collin could never pull off, Ellie turned, put her leg across his, and straddled him. She held the heart pendant in her palm and gazed at it. “I love it.” She clutched the nape of his neck, leaned in, and whispered, “But not nearly as much as I love you.”

  The rasp of her words sent desire surging through him. Beneath the starry sky, he gently lowered her onto the blanket, and proved again that one more night with her would never be enough.

  Epilogue

  OCTOBER

  The waitress set the platters of hot fried chicken in the center of the large round table, and Ellie inhaled deeply.

  Heavenly.

  Milly and Merri had sent the invitations to The Canary—Ellie and Collin, Holly and Bryce, and Lindsey and Carden. No one would dream of declining an invitation from Milly and Merri, and no one would say no to dining at The Canary, even though fried chicken was the only entrée on the menu.

  “My goodness,” Merri said, dramatically inhaling, her blue eyes sparkling. “I wish Milly and I could duplicate that recipe.” She winked at her sister, who gave her an impish grin as if they knew the recipe precisely.

  There had been plenty of small talk among the group over the odd yet delectable appetizers—creamy cottage cheese, sweet-and-sour coleslaw, tomato chutney, and a relish tray with pickles, raw vegetables, and fruits. Merri had ordered champagne for everyone, and Ellie couldn’t wait to find out what they were celebrating.

  She reached for Collin’s hand and squeezed it. Every day had been worth celebrating since he’d returned to Thistle Bend and started working with Bryce on the lodge renovation project. He came home to Ellie happy every night, full of excitement about his new job, and more eager than ever to spend cozy autumn nights in her bed…

  Our bed.

  Once Milly and Merri had heard that Collin was coming back to town, they’d told Ellie to feel free to invite him to stay with her in the guest cottage if she wanted to. They said they liked having a strong young man around, and Ellie couldn’t argue.

  She and Collin sat directly across from Milly and Merri, Holly and Bryce on one side, Lindsey and Carden on the other. Milly picked up one of the platters of chicken from the white tablecloth and passed it to Holly as the waitress returned with fluffy biscuits, creamed corn, mashed potatoes, and gravy.

  “Talk about good ol’ home cookin’,” Collin said with that drawl that still slayed Ellie no matter how many times she heard it. He gave Milly and Merri an apo
logetic look. “Still nothing like yours.”

  Milly waved one of her bony hands his way. “No offense taken. I’d imagine meals like this remind you of home.”

  Collin nodded. “It’s the closest to southern cooking I’ve found in Thistle Bend.”

  “I’ll second that,” Lindsey said. “Growing up in Virginia, I got plenty of yummy meals like this.”

  Holly grinned. “Considering this place has been serving chicken, mashed potatoes, and biscuits for over a hundred years, so did Ellie and I.”

  “My grandmother had a fit every time I came anywhere near this place,” Carden said. “She called it the enemy camp since the Karlssons own it.” He looked apologetically at Lindsey who was distantly related to the Karlssons, and pressed his palm against his flat abs. “I’ve been making up for lost time since you three lovely ladies resolved our families’ feud.” He made a sweeping gesture that included Milly, Merri, and Lindsey.

  “Here’s to peace, and fried chicken.” Merri lifted her glass of champagne.

  Everyone clinked glasses, and Ellie shared a curious look with Holly. There was no way Milly and Merri had gathered them here to toast to chicken and peace, but they all drank anyway.

  “How are things coming along with the lodge renovation?” Milly asked Bryce. The faceted crystals of her necklace reflected the emerald green of her dress.

  “Since the new pass was completed, and I got Collin on board to manage the project, things are ahead of schedule, and below budget,” Bryce said.

  Collin nodded his appreciation. “The place is going to be spectacular.”

  “You think you’ll make your target opening date?” Carden asked.

  Bryce lifted his sturdy shoulders. “We’ve got the winter to deal with, but I’m confident we’ll have the grand opening in late June.”

  Carden grinned at Lindsey, and nodded. “So you’ll be ready to host our wedding in July?”

  Ellie’s eyes bugged, but not nearly as much as Holly’s.

  “What?” Holly said. “You two are getting married?”

  Milly and Merri beamed. Clearly they already knew.

  Lindsey flashed her gorgeous engagement ring, nearly blinding everyone.

  Ellie’s mouth dropped open. “Whoa.”

  “Wait a minute,” Holly said. “You weren’t wearing that a minute ago. That kind of bling wouldn’t have gotten past me.”

  Lindsey sported a full-watt smile. “I didn’t want to ruin the surprise. I slipped it on right after Carden asked Bryce to host the wedding at the lodge.” She shook her head, all starry-eyed, and clutched Carden’s hand. “I’m still getting used to being a fiancée.”

  Carden dropped a kiss on her lips. “Don’t get too used to it. I like the sound of wife a lot better.”

  Ellie’s heart hitched. Maybe, in time, she and Collin would get engaged, too.

  “Congratulations,” Bryce said. “And we’d be honored to host your wedding at the lodge, right Collin?” He shot a conspiratorial glance at Collin. “This seems like a good time to announce that Collin is going to be running the place after it opens. I’ll still be the CEO, and totally hands-on, but Holly and I will be splitting our time between Thistle Bend and Costa Rica so I can keep tabs on both hotels.”

  Ellie was thrilled that Bryce had shared the news. Now she and Collin wouldn’t have to keep it a secret any longer.

  “Now the champagne makes sense,” Holly said. She cut an amused look at Merri, and shook her head. “Chicken and peace.”

  Everyone chuckled.

  Merri lifted her chin, a sweet grin on her pixie face. “Let me try again.” She lifted her glass. “Here’s to Lindsey and Carden.” She set her glimmering gaze on Holly and Bryce, then on Ellie and Collin. “And here’s to the magic of love.”

  To Dad, with love. Wish you were here.

  Acknowledgments

  It’s bittersweet for me to leave Thistle Bend behind and move on. I’ve loved writing about each smitten couple, all the quirky townspeople, and the sweet little old Montgomery sisters, whom I just might miss the most. Again this year, my husband and I enjoyed three amazing weeks in Crested Butte, Colorado, the storybook Victorian mining town that’s the inspiration for Thistle Bend. It’s a magical place, nestled in the Rockies, with gracious and welcoming people much like those in Thistle Bend. Our vacation included happy times with family whom we wish we could see more often. Thanks to everyone who made the trip so special, including Aunt Linda Yelenick, whose enthusiasm for my stories is truly heartening, and whose recommendation of the French toast at McGill’s made my trip even sweeter!

  To the beautiful “museum ladies” at the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum, thank you for graciously reading my stories even though my fictional museum isn’t anywhere near as awesome as the one you’ve created in real life.

  Special thanks to Sue Grimshaw, and Gina Wachtel at Random House for your guidance, support, and patience. I’m so happy you believed in Thistle Bend!

  I’m forever grateful to my eighty-two-year-old mom, my sounding board, and most enthusiastic cheerleader. What could I ever do without you? ;) And to my sweet niece Jess—thank you for the smiles and the laughter and the friendship. You’re my resplandor de la estrella!

  I wish I could express the depth of my gratitude to my superhero husband, Mike. I’m continually blown away by your generosity, patience, and positivity. Thank you for keeping me laughing, and forever believing in You and Me.

  BY TRACY MARCH

  Thistle Bend

  Should’ve Said No

  Just Say Maybe

  Could’ve Said Yes

  PHOTO: © CAROL B. HAYES

  Award-winning author TRACY MARCH writes contemporary romances inspired by her real-life happily ever after.

  Always up for travel and adventure, she has flown in a stunt plane, snowmobiled along the Continental Divide, zip-lined in the Swiss Alps, and been chased by a bull in the mountains of St. Lucia. She loves Washington Nationals baseball, hiking in the Rockies, Saturday date nights, and Dairy Queen Blizzards—and rarely goes a day without craving pizza.

  Tracy lives in Yorktown, Virginia, with her superhero husband, who works for NASA.

  tracymarch.com

  Facebook.com/Tracy March

  @Tracy_March

  Instagram.com/​AuthorTracyMarch

  Pinterest.com/Tracy March

  Goodreads.com/Tracy March

  Plus.Google.com/​Tracy March

  tracymarch.com/#!get-in-touch/cihc

  Read on for an excerpt from

  Hard to Fall

  A Take the Fall Novel

  by Marquita Valentine

  Available from Loveswept

  Chapter 1

  Hayden

  For me, family comes first, and before you get that Oh, isn’t he just the sweetest, allow me to disabuse you of the notion. It’s our family business that comes first and it’s American as the Declaration of Independence.

  Walkers are career politicians.

  Have been since the Revolutionary War.

  Which is why I’m here, at my family’s home, listening to the senator wax poetic about the great expectations his constituents have entrusted in him and how he’s going to continue to meet every single one with lower taxes and small business incentives, instead of spending my weekend off at the lake.

  And I fucking hate it.

  Don’t get me wrong. I love my family—my brothers—the little shits, who aren’t so little anymore—and my parents. What I don’t love is being held to a promise I made when I was barely eighteen, before I had a chance to really explore what life had to offer. Before the blinders were removed and I stopped believing that politicians could change the world.

  As a waiter passes, I grab a glass of champagne and head for the table laden with food. One thing I can always count on is the amazing spread. This time the theme is seafood, and due to my family home’s close proximity to the coast, it makes sense. If there’s one complaint I have about living so
far inland, it’s the lack of right-off-the-fishing-boats seafood.

  “Hayden, darling. Come give your momma a kiss and say hello to Lyla Jane Barringer.” Georgiana Walker is the epitome of a southern belle. Her voice is graceful, she floats rather than walks, and her sense of style is impeccable. Nearing sixty, she doesn’t look a day over forty, with her light brown hair and sea-green eyes. The laugh lines on her face are few and far between. Whether this is due to genetics or Botox, I’ll never know because I’ll never ask. She’ll never tell either.

  We don’t call her the keeper of all secrets for nothing.

  Either way, I love my mother. She’s the rock of our family, and frankly, I know that without her influence, my father would have never allowed me to leave Burgaw again once I graduated from Duke University.

  Like the dutiful son I am, I pivot and do exactly as my mother asks. “Momma. Ms. Barringer.”

  “Call me Lyla.” Her gaze is assessing as she licks her bottom lip.

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  Her cheeks flush pink. Charmingly so, but I don’t believe for a second that it’s real. “We went to Easton Prep together. I was a year behind you, though. I doubt you remember me.”

  I nod; bits and pieces of my high school years flicker through my brain. “You were yearbook editor, right?” At her happy nod, I continue. “Wow. I don’t know how you did it, but thanks for not making me look like a tool in my pictures.”

  “That wasn’t me. That was all you, Hayden.”

  My mother pats me on the shoulder. “Looks like the two of you have so much to catch up on that I’ll leave y’all to it.”

  “Would you like to get something to eat?” I ask.

  “I would love to!” Right after my mother is out of earshot, Lyla lowers her voice and purrs, “Actually, I’d love to have some private time with you. I heard you provide all of your dates with amazing…views.”