Just Say Maybe: A Thistle Bend Novel (22 page)
Read Just Say Maybe: A Thistle Bend Novel Online
Authors: Tracy March
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Holly parked her SUV in front of the garage at her grandpa’s house and got out, catching sight of him at the edge of the vast garden, where many of the plants had grown well above his knees—some even past his waist. But he wasn’t dressed for work on this picture-perfect day in July with its sunny, electric-blue sky and mid-seventies temperature. He wasn’t wearing his signature overalls, or his gardening boots that were constantly caked with dirt.
Whenever Holly thought of him, she always pictured him that way. Her heart hitched as he walked toward her looking extra-handsome in a pressed white oxford shirt, a pair of khaki slacks with a sharp crease, and nice leather shoes. Since he’d retired from Thistle Bend Bank, she’d seen him dressed that way only for special occasions.
Today was one of those for many reasons. It wasn’t a holiday, an anniversary, or a birthday, and it would go by like any other for most people in Thistle Bend. But Holly and her grandpa were headed over to the lodge property, where the landslide had destroyed the access pass back in June, nearly burying Holly’s relationship with Bryce beneath the rubble.
The path through the aspen grove and up to the lodge access road was decent enough that Fred’s shoes and Holly’s suede boots would still look presentable when they arrived at the debris-strewn pass.
Holly took her grandpa’s arm and they walked across the sprawling property and into the aspen grove. “Thank you for coming with me today.” He had been through so much when it came to the lodge—from the Adam Evanston days up to the recent times after Bryce had arrived in town. Both Bryce and Holly had forgiven her grandpa for the conclusions he’d jumped to that fateful day when he’d accused Bryce of being underhanded and scheming. Holly was still working to forgive herself, and thought she was making progress. It was easier now than it had been before, now that she knew Bryce understood.
He’d made it clear the afternoon she’d arrived in Costa Rica as they lazily lounged in his bed enjoying the view.
“You and your grandpa had experienced so much hurt when it came to people associated with the lodge. It was natural for you to become defensive,” he’d said, smoothing his fingers along a lock of her hair.
“He feels awful,” Holly had said. “We both do.”
“Please don’t. Nothing has happened that we can’t fix.” He’d trailed his fingers down the length of her dress, slid his hand beneath its hem, and skimmed his fingertips up her thigh.
Bryce had kissed her long and languidly, reminding her of how much she’d missed him. Of how much she had to look forward to. “I forgive you.” He’d clutched the band of her lacy panties, and gently tugged them down her legs. “Now let me show you how much.”
The silvery aspen leaves shimmered in the easy breeze as Holly and her grandpa neared the path where they’d encountered Bryce, Nick, and George.
“Showing up today is the least I can do,” her grandpa said. “I want you and Bryce to know that I support you, that I believe things can be different with the lodge.”
Her grandpa had initiated a private, man-to-man talk with Bryce soon after he’d returned to Thistle Bend. Holly had no idea what was said, yet both of them seemed pleased with the outcome.
“Thank you,” she said. “I think you’ve made Grandma proud.” She rested her head against his shoulder for a moment until the path narrowed and they had to step one by one across the rocky terrain, up a steep slope, and onto the lodge access road. They made their way past a line of vehicles parked to the side, and up to the landslide area, where a group of people had gathered near a large mustard-yellow front-end loader with tires as tall as Holly.
Holly’s heart soared at the sight of Bryce dressed in a light green button-up shirt that highlighted his sturdy shoulders, black jeans that hung just right, and nice boots. The sun caught the blond in his tousled hair—a little longer these days, and even sexier. He stepped away from the group and walked with a swagger to meet Holly and her grandpa.
“Hello, beautiful.” He took her in his arms and kissed her lightly, sending a rush of tingles swirling through her.
Bryce released her and turned to her grandpa. “Good to see you, Fred. Thanks for coming.” The men shook hands. “It means a lot.”
Her grandpa grasped Bryce’s shoulder and looked him in the eyes. “It means a lot to me, too.”
Smiling, Holly pressed her lips together tightly, determined not to get choked up.
Bryce took her hand and led them toward the group. “We’re just about to get started.”
Holly and Fred mingled for a few minutes, greeting Nick and some of his civil engineering staff; George and his wife, Peggy; and Carden and Lindsey.
“Best landslide party we’ve ever been to.” Lindsey winked.
Lastly, they approached Milly and Merri, who were happily conversing with Greg Ives, a Tom Selleck look-alike and mayor of Thistle Bend.
Holly’s grandpa chatted with the mayor while Holly stole Milly and Merri’s attention.
“Hello.” Milly’s green eyes glimmered, matching her dress.
Holly hugged her, and then Merri, who’d chosen bright blue satin. “I’m so excited for your big day.”
“It’s not just our big day. It’s everyone’s.” Merri smiled, appearing thrilled to be a part of it all.
But she and Milly weren’t just a part of it all—today’s ribbon cutting wouldn’t be happening were it not for their generosity. Their gift of money to repair the pass would reestablish a way for people to reach the Wild Rose Ridge trailhead, create a road for traffic so the lodge project could get under way and thrive, and set Bryce and Holly up with a real chance for a happily ever after. Bryce had left Enrique in charge at Los Halcón. He planned to stay in Thistle Bend and live with Holly while he oversaw the construction of the pass and the renovations at the lodge.
“If everyone would gather around,” Mayor Ives said. Joined by Milly and Merri, he stepped behind two waist-high 4x6 posts that had been set in the ground about thirty feet apart, a bright yellow ribbon strung between them.
One of Nick’s men climbed up into the cab of the front-end loader. Everyone else convened on the other side of the ribbon, facing the mayor and the Montgomery sisters, whose patent-leather shoes gleamed in the sunlight. Bryce stood with his arm around Holly, holding her close.
“I’m pleased to be here,” Mayor Ives said, “to recognize Millicent and Merribelle Montgomery for their generous gift that will enhance the lives of the people of Thistle Bend and our visitors.”
Everyone applauded, and Milly and Merri beamed.
“Ladies,” Mayor Ives continued, “we’re excited for you to cut the ribbon, reveal the name of the new pass, and mark the official start of the construction.” He handed Milly a large pair of silver scissors.
Holly’s heart clenched as Milly and Merri stepped up to the ribbon. Where would she and Bryce be without those sweet little old ladies?
“Thank you, Mayor,” Merri said. “Milly and I are thrilled to be a part of this exciting project, and we’re looking forward to all the good and happiness this pass will bring the people of Thistle Bend and those who visit us. With that in mind, we debated over the best name for the pass, and decided to call it…” She gazed expectantly at her sister.
Milly gave those gathered an impish grin. “Merri Way,” she announced as she cut the ribbon.
“Aw,” Lindsey said, loud enough for everyone to hear. “That’s adorable.”
Bryce smiled and nodded. “Perfect.” He began applauding and everyone joined him.
Mayor Ives signaled the man in the front-end loader, and its engine rumbled to life. The man guided the huge machine over to the debris field, causing a clatter as he filled the front bucket with rubble, raised it high, and gave them two short blasts of the horn.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Mayor Ives said. “We’re officially on our Merri Way.”
Everyone laughed.
Holly turned to face Bryce, pleased with the look of excitement on his scruffy face. “Merry in so many ways,” she said.
He brushed his lips against hers. “You’ve made my life merrier ever since the first time I laid eyes on you—looking so amazing with your auburn ponytail sticking out the back of your green baseball cap, smelling like homemade peanut butter.”
She grinned, loving how he remembered all the details. “Better than a nine-point-three?” she teased.
He cupped her face in his hands and set his loving gaze on hers. “No doubt about it. You’re the one, H. G. Birdsong—my elusive perfect ten.”
To Mom, who shows me what it means to always love.
It’s hard to believe that we’ve completed another visit with the quirky folks of Thistle Bend. Last year, my husband and I enjoyed three amazing weeks in Crested Butte, Colorado, the storybook Victorian mining town upon which Thistle Bend is loosely based. It’s a magical place, nestled in the Rockies, with gracious and welcoming residents much like those in Thistle Bend. Special thanks to the ladies at the Crested Butte Mountain Heritage Museum for always making us feel as if we belong, and to the fine folks at the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory for giving us a fascinating inside peek at your incredible operation. As for all you mountains, sit tight, we’ll be back to do more hiking!
I’m so grateful to Sue Grimshaw and Gina Wachtel for giving me the opportunity to bring Thistle Bend to life, and to Erika Seyfried and Ashleigh Heaton for working tirelessly to introduce my books to readers. Thanks to my angel friend Nancy Naigle for everything from support, to laughter, to writer-girl getaways, and for sharing much-needed Dairy Queen Blizzards when we need them most!
I wish I could find more ways to thank my eighty-one-year-old mom for all of her encouragement and understanding—but she says she’s satisfied with chocolate! Last, but never least, I thank my husband, Mike—my generous, patient, funny, and loving superhero. I love spending happily ever after with you!
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RACY
M
ARCH
Thistle Bend
Should’ve Said No
Just Say Maybe
Could’ve Said Yes
PHOTO: © CAROL B. HAYES
Award-winning author
T
RACY
M
ARCH
writes lighthearted romances inspired by her real-life happily ever after.
Always up for travel and adventure, Tracy has flown in a stunt plane, snowmobiled on the Continental Divide, ziplined in the Swiss Alps, and been chased by a bull in the mountains of St. Lucia. She loves 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.
Want more from Tracy March?
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Swing into spring this May with Loveswept! We’ve got something for everyone, so take your pick from these fabulous romance books.
Tracy March brings you another enchanting novel set in Colorado, with book two in her Thistle Bend series,
Just Say Maybe.
Brenda Rothert releases her first Loveswept book,
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Bestselling author HelenKay Dimon makes her Loveswept debut with
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Moving on from the suspenseful to the sensual is a novel of pleasure and persuasion revolving around a high-stakes business deal in which the rules of negotiation are defined by desire in Shawntelle Madison’s
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bestselling author Noelle Adams introduces a notorious tech mogul who makes a mild-mannered woman an offer she can’t refuse and gets in return a battle for control—and a million-dollar affair—in
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The Hunt Club continues with Pamela Labud’s
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bestselling author Erin McCarthy follows Nashville’s hottest country music duo as they fight for love in a city where dreams often cost a broken heart in
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Wait—there’s more! Gina Gordon’s White Lace series continues in book two with lots of sizzle and heat in
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A. M. Madden continues the True Heroes series—
hot hero alert!—
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Two tortured souls share an unbreakable bond even as they break taboos, as Laura Marie Altom does it again with a fabulous stepbrother romance in
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. Back in the sporting world,
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continues the Pilot Hockey series from Sophia Henry, where a young single mom falls for a damaged coach pulling double-duty as a cop.
It’s a great month for relationships, so follow us on Facebook and Twitter and let the romance begin!
Until next month ~Happy Romance!
Gina Wachtel
Associate Publisher
