The Chocolate Garden (Dare River Book 2) (42 page)
“Aha,” a familiar voice murmured in her ear as strong arms wrapped around her. “I finally have you alone.”
“Hey, darlin’,” she murmured back, snuggling against him.
“So how many appointments do you have scheduled?” he asked.
“Nineteen,” she replied, and the number still staggered her. “Thank you again for having this party.”
“Like I wasn’t bursting with pride over what you did here. I just had to show everyone. Heck, Jake Lassiter put his hand over his heart and said seeing a place like mine come together like this is what he loves best about America. I thought he was going to launch into ‘The Star Spangled Banner.’”
She laughed, imagining the rising country singer doing just that. He was on the hunt for a house in Dare River and, looking like an eager puppy, he’d asked her to “spruce” it up when the time came.
“He’s cute.”
“I’ll tell him you said that since he wants me to write more songs for his next album.”
She knew John Parker had enjoyed working on his first album, so she was happy to hear this news. “Seems we both had a successful day.”
“And Kaylee loves the three songs I sent her too,” he said, nuzzling her neck. “And now it’s time for your present.”
“My present?” she gasped when he released her.
“Rory, Annabelle,” he yelled across the lawn.
Her kids raced over, big silly grins on their faces. “Is it finally time? We’ve been waiting forever,” Annabelle drawled dramatically.
“You come with us onto the porch,” John Parker said, taking her hand and leading her there. “Now, stay here. We’ll be right back.”
Her little trio disappeared inside, and she glanced over at her family and John Parker’s, who’d gathered around for the unveiling. “Any idea what this is about?”
“You’ll just have to see for yourself, sugar,” Rye said, putting his arm around Tory.
She turned to her sister, who had been quieter than usual today with Mama around. “Amelia Ann?”
“Mum’s the word.”
Everyone had secret smiles on their faces. “Does everybody know about this but me?”
Clayton wandered over with a longneck in his hand. “I don’t, honey.”
“Well, good,” she said, “at least I’m not the only one.”
The kids came out skipping, followed by John Parker, who was carrying a huge paper-wrapped rectangle, which made Tammy think it was a picture or a painting. Was he giving them something for the new house to show he was okay with her plans? Heaven knew, he’d bent over backward to help her, showing her what partnership was all about.
When he’d asked about her lease, she’d told him it was month-to-month. He’d laughed, saying that was good since he was going to ask her to marry him again at some point, and it would be nice to know he wouldn’t have to wait until her lease was up to fix their future plans. Talking about getting married hadn’t scared her this time. There was no doubt she and the kids would eventually live at this house with him, but in the meantime, she took pride in all she continued to accomplish for herself and the kids.
He bowed with flourish, presenting the picture to her. “I wanted you to have something special to commemorate your business. I hope you like it.”
“Open it, Mama!” Annabelle yelled, and Rye picked her up so she could see better.
Tearing the paper, she drew it aside, her eyes widening as she took in the beautiful painting before her. There was the chocolate garden with little fairies hiding under all the plants. Two children played with dogs in the corner while a couple in silhouette looked on. At the bottom of the painting,
Visionary Gardening
was scrawled in curvy letters, and under it said,
Owner: Tammy Hollins.
“Oh, my gosh,” she breathed out, and felt Rory take her hand.
“Ms. Susannah is the best painter ever,” her son said, and Tammy glanced over at John Parker’s sister, who was smiling softly at her.
“You can put it in your new office, Mama, so people will know what you can do for them when they come see you,” Annabelle said.
“Oh, you sweet darlings.”
Tammy nodded to Susannah and then kissed her children’s cheeks. The kids had already agreed to share a room so she could use the house’s third bedroom for her office until she was able to afford a separate work space.
“Don’t I get a kiss too?” John Parker asked, his dimple winking at her.
You’ll get more than that,
she thought, and gave him a secret smile. “Of course. Clayton, would you hold my painting?”
“Sure thing, sugar,” he said and took it.
Even though everyone’s eyes were on them, she looped her arms around John Parker’s neck and boldly gazed into his eyes. “That’s the most beautiful present ever, partner.”
“You’re the most beautiful present ever, partner.”
As their mouths met, people clapped, some whistled, and the kids giggled, but nothing could distract her from the sheer perfection of kissing John Parker, her partner now in all things.
And as the party continued that night, the kids
swore
they saw the chocolate fairies inch out of their secret hiding places in the chocolate plants to watch everyone in the garden before disappearing back inside to make their magical chocolate.
Tammy wasn’t the least bit surprised to hear that since she was sure she’d seen them too.
******
To learn more about my new releases like Amelia Ann and Clayton’s story called FIREFLIES AND MAGNOLIAS and the forthcoming children’s book I created to accompany this novel called THE CHOCOLATE GARDEN: A MAGICAL TALE, sign up for my newsletter
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Dear Reader,
When I finished this book, I felt like I had scaled to new heights in my storytelling. The magic was so palatable. Perhaps because I love nature and fairy tales so much, the combination of them in this novel led me to know in my bones that I had to tell the children’s story as a companion to this book. THE CHOCOLATE GARDEN: A MAGICAL TALE is the book Tammy and John Parker would have read to Rory and Annabelle, and I hope you’ll consider reading it to your children. I know it will make bedtime at our house even more special, and I’m sure the same will be true for yours with your kids or grandkids.
If you enjoyed this book, I would be ever so grateful if you would post a review since they help more readers want to read my story. You can write one on
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If you do post a review, let me know at [email protected] so I can personally thank you. This book is also lending-enabled, so feel free to share it with a friend or family member. Please also consider recommending it to your book clubs and discussions boards. Thanks!
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Now, what about Amelia Ann and Clayton? Is anyone wondering about their story? These two practically sizzle, and I can’t wait to see their journey unfold with the rest of the family. Their book is called FIREFLIES AND MAGNOLIAS.
Once again, let me say how much of a blessing you are in my life and how grateful I am for you reading my stories.
Lots of light and blessing,
Ava
The next Dare River book, FIREFLIES AND MAGNOLIAS (Amelia Ann & Clayton), will be out Winter 2015.
And watch for the next Dare Valley story, THE PERFECT INGREDIENT (Elizabeth & Terrance) coming Fall 2014!
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The following books by Ava Miles are also available now.
The Dare Valley series:
NORA ROBERTS LAND
(Meredith & Tanner)
FRENCH ROAST
(Jill & Brian)
THE GRAND OPENING
(Peggy & Mac)
THE HOLIDAY SERENADE
(Abbie & Rhett)
THE TOWN SQUARE
(Arthur & Harriet)
THE PARK OF SUNSET DREAMS
(Jane & Matt)
The Dare River series (connected to Dare Valley):
COUNTRY HEAVEN
(Tory & Rye)
COUNTRY HEAVEN SONG BOOK
THE CHOCOLATE GARDEN
(Tammy & John Parker)
THE CHOCOLATE GARDEN: A MAGICAL TALE (children’s book)
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author Ava Miles burst onto the contemporary romance scene after receiving Nora Roberts’ blessing for her use of Ms. Roberts’ name in her debut novel, the #1 National Bestseller NORA ROBERTS LAND, which kicked off her small town series, Dare Valley, and brought praise from reviewers and readers alike. Ava has also released a connected series called Dare River, set outside the country music capital of Nashville.
Far from the first in her family to embrace writing, Ava comes from a long line of journalists. Ever since her great-great-grandfather won ownership of a newspaper in a poker game in 1892, her family has had something to do with telling stories, whether to share news or, in her case, fiction. Her clan is still reporting on local events more than one hundred years later at their family newspaper, much like the Hale family in her Dare Valley series.
Ava is fast becoming a favorite author in light contemporary romance (Tome Tender) and is known for funny, emotional stories about family and empowerment. Ava’s background is as diverse as her characters. She’s a former chef, worked as a long-time conflict expert rebuilding warzones, and now writes full-time from her own small-town community.
If you’d like to connect with Ava or hear more about her upcoming books, check out the links below:
Copyright August 2014, Ava Miles. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means—graphic, electronic or mechanical—without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally.
Ava Miles
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