Lost at Heart: A Steamy Small Town Romance (Bluerock Series Book 2)

by Danielle Marx

  I swallowed the lump in my throat, and before I could wipe away the tear falling from my eye he kissed me. That soft kiss that I’d ached for every night since I left. I sank into his warm touch, blocking out the war, raging inside my head.

  He moved his lips away, leaving me gasping for more. Still cupping my face, he bore down on me with those sweet, blue eyes. “I won’t come back, Tia. I’ll leave you alone after tonight. Let you go on with your life. Is that what you want?”

  I couldn’t answer. And although his hold on me was possessive, I knew he was telling the truth. Colton would let me go. He’d never push me. He never had, and he wouldn’t start now no matter how lost we both were from my decision.

  “Or you can walk out of here and come home with me.”

  Home. An unfamiliar luxury. One I knew I’d find nowhere else but Bluerock, with this man.

  I swallowed hard again, hoping my voice wouldn’t break too much. “I don’t want to live like this.” It was all I could manage, but it was honest and exactly what he deserved to hear. “I want to be happy. I just gave up on that idea a long time ago. It was easier that way.”

  “It’ll be harder in the long run. Take a risk, baby. Ride it. Just give yourself a break for once. We could spend the rest of our lives smiling. That’s a risk worth taking, right?”

  It was. Fuck it, it was. If I lost him, then so be it. At least we would have had our time together. I’d carry that pain with me forever and still smile. And if I let him go back to Bluerock alone, I knew I’d never smile again.

  I placed my hands on his, guiding him down to meet my lips. He relaxed into my touch, savoring the taste until I pulled back enough to mutter against his lips, “Take me home, Colton.”

  And just like that, I took the biggest risk of my life. I plunged into the unknown without a single sliver of doubt in my mind. I fell head first with him. My brave ranger, with the kind eyes, and the tough blood.

  Damn, what a thrill it was.

  Chapter Thirty

  Tia

  Six months later

  “I don’t know what I was thinking,” Maddie groaned, as she lowered herself down onto the toilet seat. “I should have got something to wear for the reception. You can’t spend the whole night helping me go to the bathroom.”

  I giggled, tugging up at the ruffles of her wedding dress so the poor girl could finally pee. “It’s fine. I’m here all night.”

  “That’s it. No more champagne for me. Cut me off, I’m not having any more liquids.”

  “Are you sure about that? Because by the looks of it, your new husband is planning on an all-nighter. You’re gonna look pretty stupid watching everyone else get drunk whilst you view from the sidelines.”

  She groaned again, standing back up. “Some wedding night, huh? Wasted in my brother’s bar.”

  I straightened her train down for her, running my hands down the silk. “You wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  She rolled her eyes with a smile. “You got me there. As weddings go, this one wasn’t so bad, don’t you think?”

  “It’s perfect. And the night is young. Enjoy yourself, Mrs King. I’ll help you to the bathroom as many times as you need.”

  She gave me a kiss on the cheek. “You’re an angel, T.”

  I held open the door and watched her poofy dress shuffle out into the bar. The Outlaw was packed with friends and family. It was surprising how many faces I knew despite being an outsider. But I wasn’t an outsider anymore, was I? I had become just as much a part of this town as everyone else.

  Most people got to know me from the market stall. I worked my table everyday in the town square with the other traders, selling my prints and commissions. It hadn’t taken too long to set up, and the tourists brought in most of my income. It was perfect for me. A chance to do my own work. I was proud of how far I’d come.

  The first season at the summer camp had been a great success, and the mural had given new inspiration for the town. My young team of artists agreed to help me paint another piece in the town hall, and two more at the school over the summer break. It kept Kyle and Tucker out of trouble, and Shay and Mackenzie loved the excuse to express themselves more. All in all, my decision to return to Bluerock had been the right one. And not only for me.

  Maddie stopped at the bar to chat with her mother, and when I spotted Colton ordering me a rum and coke, I waved her off to join him.

  He picked up the glass and handed it to me. “For you, my lady.”

  “Why, thank you.” I took it from his hand, giving him a peck on the lips.

  “Maddie okay?”

  I nodded while sipping my drink. “Too much tulle.”

  He scrunched up his face. “Was that the white stuff on the crackers?”

  I almost spat it out. God, he was adorable. “Her dress. She needed help holding it up, so she could pee.”

  “Aww, Tia. How sweet of you. When I’m an old man, will you help me to the bathroom, too?”

  “Of course. I’ll even help you tonight when you’re too drunk to find the light switch.”

  “What would I do without you?” He bent down, kissing me deeply. He tasted like wedding cake and whisky. Never had a man’s lips tasted so delicious.

  He looked good too. Damn good in his dark gray suit and shiny shoes. I wasn’t used to seeing him all dressed up. Colton either dressed casual or in his ranger uniform. Watching him step out of the Rabbit Hut in this sexy tailored outfit made my mouth water.

  “I’ve been thinking,” he said, slamming his empty shot glass down.

  “Uh-oh. That’s dangerous.”

  He let out a low chuckle. “ Brutal .”

  “I’m sorry,” I said with a giggle. “Go ahead.”

  “Europe.”

  “ Europe ? What do you mean?”

  “We should go. All that art and scenery, and the food is good. We could go to Rome, or maybe even Paris. Switzerland looks incredible. What do you think?”

  “Are you serious?” I couldn’t be sure with the way he was just casually talking about it. Colton had never once talked about going on vacation with me. To him, home was good enough.

  “Absolutely. We’ve got the renovation at the Rabbit Hut next month, and we have to move out for a little while. What better time? You’ve never had the chance to travel. Here’s our chance.”

  “Oh, my god,” I squealed, wrapping my arms around his neck and giving him a huge lipstick kiss. “That would be amazing.”

  “We could get married there too. Wedding and honeymoon all in one. Although we would have to face the wrath of Cathy Haxley when we get back home. But I’m sure she’d cool off if we brought her back a souvenir.”

  I couldn’t speak. All of a sudden, the noise from the party faded away and all that was left was Colton’s casual voice, as if nothing he had just said was at all out of the ordinary. I stuttered a little, trying to form a cohesive sentence. “Did you..did you just–”

  “Propose? Yeah, I did.” He brushed a loose strand of hair from my bun and tucked it behind my ear. “It’s not much better than a grocery store, but I like spontaneity.”

  “I...I don’t know what to say.” My heart thudded so hard against my chest that I couldn’t even hear my own voice. Was this really happening?

  “You’re supposed to say ‘yes’. Or ‘no’. But you should definitely go with the ‘yes’.” He smirked while sipping his beer. “What do you say, beautiful? You in?”

  He was serious. He was really asking me to marry him, right here in the middle of the bar.

  It was hard to believe I would ever say no, but the old Tia wouldn’t have just said it, she would have ran for the hills. How different things had turned out. I’d felt more happiness this year than in my whole entire life.

  I had a job I loved, and friends I didn’t keep at a distance. I had discovered what family truly was and slipped into the Haxley clan with more ease than anyone could have imagined. And I’d found a home. A comfortable, safe, and inviting place, car
ved out in the world to call my own. I could say with pride that this was where I belonged, without an inch of doubt.

  But most importantly, I’d found love. Something I gave up on a long time ago. I found total acceptance from this man. He loved me unconditionally. The type of love I was certain I’d never be blessed with.

  I knew exactly what I wanted, and exactly what I would say. “Yes. I’m saying yes.”

  Colton looked like a kid on Christmas morning. He grabbed me around the waist, pulling my body close to his. His hold was like a security blanket. Strong and safe, and all I’d ever need. He brought his lips down to mine and kissed me with absolute devotion.

  “Hey!” Shay bellowed from across the room. When I looked over to her, she had her brother’s mischievous smirk on her face. “Get a room, losers!”

  Kyle stood with her, laughing next to the buffet table. They’d been inseparable all summer and could hardly call us out for the public displays of affection.

  “ Losers ?” Colton scoffed, nuzzling into my cheek. “I’m anything but.”

  “Feeling pretty lucky, Ranger?”

  “You are my lucky charm, Tia. I can’t lose with you by my side. I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”

  I stroked his cheek and fell into his eyes. “Bullshit. I’m the lucky one.”

  Seconds later, Tommy stood up on the bar and gave a disgustingly inappropriate speech for the happy couple that had the entire room in gasps and hysterical laughter. We drank and danced all night, keeping our engagement to ourselves so we wouldn’t steal Maddie and Logan’s thunder. And also to have this secret all to ourselves for tonight.

  I stood at the bar with Colton’s strong arms wrapped around my waist, and as I reached for my fresh glass of champagne, my eyes drifted down, falling on my tattoo. The intricate friendship bracelet with the delicate feather charm.

  It was still painful to think of Lily. Colton had told me it would always sting, but as time passed it would get easier. The grief would always remain, just as it did for him with his brother. But we would make it through, and live out our lives in their honor. Embracing each risk, thrill, challenge and dream the way they would have always wanted us to.

  After all, life was a fast ride, and I wasn’t wasting anymore time hiding away in the dark. I wasn’t born to be alone. I was born to be in the light. In the color. In the beauty of this world. And most importantly, in my Colton’s arms.

  xXx

  Thank you for reading!

  If you enjoyed this book, then please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads.

  I would love for you to join us again for more love in the mountains.

  ALSO BY DANIELLE MARX

  BLUEROCK SERIES:

  Mess at Heart

  Lost at Heart

  AFTERWORD

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Danielle Marx lives in a small town in the north of England, with her fiancé and their son.

  After devouring countless books, she decided to take the plunge and write one herself. She is now a full-time romance author, writing steamy love stories that will melt the heart.

  When Danielle is not writing, you can usually find her spending time with her family, enjoying the English countryside, or curling up with a swoon worthy book.