by Haven Rose
Love’s Valley Duet
Spark of Love and Lesson in Love
Haven Rose
May Gordon
Copyright © 2019 Love’s Valley Duet (Spark of Love and Lesson in Love) Co-written by Haven Rose and May Gordon.
All rights reserved. Except as permitted by U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without prior permission of the author.
The scanning, uploading, and distribution of this book via the Internet or via other means without the permission of the publisher is illegal and punishable by law. Please purchase only authorized electronic editions and do not participate in or encourage electronic piracy of copyrighted materials.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, establishments, or organizations, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously to give a sense of authenticity. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. This story is intended for mature audiences only.
Cover by: May Gordon
Created with Vellum
Contents
Acknowledgments and Dedication
Blurb
I. Spark of Love
Prologue
1. Chapter One
2. Chapter Two
3. Chapter Three
4. Chapter Four
II. Lesson in Love
5. Chapter One
6. Chapter Two
7. Chapter Three
8. Chapter Four
9. Chapter Five
Epilogue One - Levi
Epilogue Two - Charlotte
About the Author - Haven Rose
Untitled
About the Author - May Gordon
Acknowledgments and Dedication
I want to thank my friend, May, for joining me on this journey, it wouldn’t have been half as much fun without you. – Haven
I want to thank Haven for being an amazing partner, friend, and editor. - May
To those who read us individually, we appreciate you beyond measure and hope you’ll enjoy us just as much as a duo. This is only the beginning. We’re thankful for your continued support.
If you’re new to either or both of us, thank you for giving us a chance.
One look and you will find your soulmate. That’s the legend of one of Love’s Valley’s founding families.
Twins Cecilia and Charlotte lost their mom a year ago, and recently learned their dad never wanted them. Needing to reconnect with family, they travel to their aunt’s and hope to rekindle the bond they once shared. However, fate has other plans when they’re stranded near a small-town where they just might find the home they were looking for.
Levi and Mason have long heard of their family’s legend, but never fully believed it even if they wanted it to be true. Then they experience it themselves and discover love at first sight is real. But it doesn’t always come easy.
Thankfully, legends and fate are stronger than the walls that might keep these couples apart.
Spark of Love
Levi and Charlotte
Prologue
Cecilia and Charlotte Spencer
As kids, you believe your parents can do no wrong and that they’ll always be there for you. In your teenage years, fighting is inevitable as you start to become your own person and they’re sad seeing their baby grow up, but the love is never in question.
Well, that’s no longer our situation. A year ago, we lost our mom and any semblance of a normal family went with her. Dad had always been distant with us while being openly affectionate with our mom. It was as if he knew of us, but didn’t acknowledge our existence unless he had to. Once she was gone, that façade dropped and we learned exactly how he felt about his daughters…and it wasn’t good.
He’d sat us down, empty beer bottles littering the table, and informed us he’d never wanted a child, let alone two. He’d only conceded to her pleas to make her happy. But the joke was on him when the doctor declared her pregnant with twins. Like that wasn’t painful enough to hear, he then added he was done faking it. “All my ability to act as though I cared died with my wife.” His wife, never our mom, like they weren’t the same person.
“What are you saying?” My younger by three minutes sister, Charlotte, had asked.
Dad had scoffed at the question, then said, “You aren’t stupid, so don’t pretend to be.” The thing is, neither of us were. We had no idea what was going on. I mean, who could possibly grasp being told, after already suffering the loss of their mom, that their own father had never wanted them to be born? Continuing to drive the knife into the hearts of two girls that shared his blood, he’d kept going, laughing, “You should’ve gone to college when you had the chance.” The two of us looked at each other, unsure where this was headed. “It’s gone, all of it.” We’d agreed to delay starting for a year when our mom got sick, wanting to spend as much time with her as possible, knowing, unfortunately, it was limited. And though we didn’t regret that decision, learning we may have missed our only chance to attend did sting a bit.
Figuring he no longer deserved the respect a dad is supposed to be given, the title being wasted on him, we’d shared one more glance, then, showing how deep our bond runs, in perfect sync we’d asked, “What the fuck did you do?” Unconcerned about swearing in front of him now, something we never would’ve done before.
“Gambled,” he informed us, then shrugged. “It wasn’t my money, so why not?” So, he used our college fund and saved his own.
“Put it back,” I’d demanded.
“No. I’m done letting you drag me down. My wife was the only person I cared about. I don’t give a shit what the two of you do next, but I know it won’t be doing it here.”
“You’re kicking us out?” Charlotte had asked, whisper soft.
He nodded, a smile on his face, then stated, “You’re eighteen, old enough to have jobs and get your own place.”
“We’re almost twenty,” I’d corrected him, our birthday being in two weeks.
“Even better.” Like that’s possible. Then he left the kitchen, standing tall and whistling, like he hadn’t just ripped away the only home we’d ever known by evicting us.
“What are we going to do, CeCe?” Charlotte wanted to know. “Where do we go? I have some money saved up, but not enough to live on for long.”
“Me either, but we’ll figure out something.” We may have been distant in the months following their mom’s death, each using our individual interests or talents to help us cope, but it had also created distance between us. One tragedy may have inadvertently separated us, but another just may help fix what had broken between us.
Later that night, after he who shall now be referred to by name, Lee, left for who knows where, we’d gravitated together, something we always used to do.
“Let’s take off,” Charlotte suggested. “We can pack the SUV and just leave,” she’d continued, referring to the older model vehicle we’d used our combined savings to buy a few years ago.
“Where would we go, Char?” I’d wanted to know, reverting to the childhood nickname for my twin I hadn’t uttered in far too long.
A bit of Charlotte’s spunk peeked through and she replied, “I can’t think of everything.”
We both laughed, then our eyes met and we said with a nod, “Uncle John and Aunt Maggie,” at the same time.
“They did say to call if we needed anything when we saw them at Mom’s funeral last year,” I reminded her. “
And that they’d love it if we visited.”
“Yeah,” Charlotte piped up, “not move in.”
“Like they’d say no.”
“We should at least ask, just in case, before packing up and heading their way.” That’s a good point. Aunt Maggie is ten years older than us, making her more like a big sister, as our Grandma Harley had her later in life.
Placing the cell on the bed between us, I’d dialed her number, then pressed to activate the speakerphone. “How are my favorite nieces?” Aunt Maggie asked in lieu of a greeting.
Charlotte answered with her own question, “How’d you know it was both of us?” as I’d said good-naturedly, “We’re your only nieces.
“Being the awesome aunt that I am, I just knew, and that doesn’t change the fact you’re my favorites.” The happiness at hearing from us faded as her tone became serious, “Have things improved there?” Not wanting to lie to her, we told her the truth, to which her immediate response had been, “He’s always been a piece of shit. I warned your mom that he had tunnel vision where she was concerned. When you two were born, he got worse, acted as if he had no part in your conception nor what came after it.” Even she could see how he treated us. “I think that’s what hurt your mom the most,” she’d said on a sniffle.
Our uncle must’ve entered the room at that point because we hear muffled voices, more than likely her filling him in and assuring him she’s okay – he hates when she’s upset, ready to take out whoever might’ve caused it. The two of us have always envied her that, him having her back in all ways, prepared and eager to fight anything or anyone that messed with her.
“Girls,” we heard him say gently, “why don’t you come for a visit? You know you can stay as long as you’d like.” Accepting the invitation, and admitting we’d hoped they would offer, Uncle John gives us directions, ones that’ll have us passing through a small-town called Love’s Valley Aunt Maggie mentions we should check out. “Pack up whatever you want to bring with you, and we’ll arrange for a moving company to get the rest.” Left unsaid yet still floating in the air around us was the reality we’re never coming back here. We exchange thank yous, I love yous, and see you soons, as well as them letting us know to have things finalized within the next two days.
“Let’s do this,” Charlotte throws out there, so we gathered the belongings she wanted to take, and grabbed some boxes that had been broken down and stashed in the garage to pack up the rest before repeating the process in my room. Aunt Maggie’s text arrived while we were doing that, giving us the necessary information, the company name, when to expect them, etc.
With our hands clasped as we took in the sight before us, nineteen years condensed into bags, boxes, and suitcases, I’d assured her, “It’ll be okay, sissy. I promise.”
“We packed up our past for a chance to find our future,” Charlotte had said in response. She always has had a way with words.
Chapter One
Charlotte
June 7th…
“I told you we shouldn’t have trusted that mechanic,” I tell my sister. We’d stopped not too far back to get a late lunch, only to discover our CRV wouldn’t start when we tried to leave. Without much choice, we’d accepted the quote from the only repair shop located down the street from where we’d eaten, though I’d had my doubts about him.
“Look,” CeCe starts, “what else could we do? We were fucked either way,” she adds, having a point. “We wouldn’t have gotten this far if we hadn’t.”
“I’m surprised we got this far,” I mutter.
“What are you saying? You think he sabotaged it? Why would he do?”
“One, it can guarantee we come back for more work, which means more money. Two, people are assholes. Three, he was flirting with you and you ignored him.”
She looks thoughtful, then nods, “I’ll give you the first two, but not the last.” And then what I’m implying hits her. “Shit, you think it was because of that?” CeCe already knows I do, so I leave it unspoken and move on.
“Where does the GPS say we are? What’s the closest town?”
“Love’s Valley. It’s about fifteen minutes north.”
“That’s the place Aunt Maggie mentioned. Seems like she’ll get her wish.” Then we giggle, knowing she’d say it was meant to be. Our aunt is a firm believer in fate.
CeCe, the star athlete, gleefully tells me, “Time to hoof it.”
Muttering that she’s a sadist, I groan. CeCe is a bit leaner than me, while I have more curves, and I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that made me self-conscious. We both exercise, hers is just physical while mine is mental thanks to my books.
We both grab the essentials, purses and backpacks, shoving a few items from our respective suitcases in the latter, we arm the car out of habit and get started.
Of course, the sky darkens within five minutes, causing us to quicken our pace. I know my sister could literally leave me in the dust as the road we’re on is covered in it, but she doesn’t. Things have been strained between us since Mom got sick, but nothing can break our bond. Neither of us have said it, but I think each of us are hoping this time together can glue it back together. That doesn’t mean there won’t be chips on the surface for a while, but those can be smoothed out with new memories, forming a new glue, and a stronger one at that. Two-thirds of the way there, the threatening downpour becomes a reality and instantly soaks us.
“Thank goodness we aren’t wearing white, huh?” She asks with a smirk. We cheer when we spot the sign proclaiming “Welcome to Love’s Valley” and sigh with relief when we enter the small-town and rush to the nearest store overhang. “We should split up,” CeCe suggests.
“What? Why?” I want to know. It’s easy to pull off confidence when your built-in for life best friend is with you, but around strangers? No. Nope. Nuh-uh. I get nervous. Tongue-tied. The brain I’m reputed to have closing up shop and taking a nap. “Is that a good idea?” My voice is suddenly squeaky, but she grips my hand, reassuring me. Breathe in, breathe out.
“You got this?” I nod, still inhaling and exhaling to steady myself. “I’m going to find a place to stay, just in case.”
Raising my arm, I point down the road to a sign on the left. “I’ll head there.”
“LV Repairs,” she says, squinting a bit to see it.
“Why don’t you just wear your glasses?”
“They make me look like a nerd.”
“You mean, as if you read all day? Oh no, the horror,” I tease, causing her to stick her tongue out. If I’m awake, chances are I have a book in my hand in some form or another.
“Go,” she says in mock demand, giving me the gentle push I need to get moving. “Divide and conquer, Char.”
Shivering, from the cold and what I’m about to do, I take one step, then another, and a third, each getting a bit easier, so, by the time I’m standing in front of the garage, my breathing isn’t as choppy.
Loud rock music is coming from one of the open doors, as is swearing. “Hello?” I call out, already knowing whoever is inside won’t be able to hear me, but it seems the polite thing to do. Trying once more, I walk in and freeze in place when I see a bear appear from under the hood, drawing a startled gasp from me as I try to back away. The sound of tools hitting the concrete causes his eyes to shift, catching me before I can pull a vanishing act.
“Can I help you?” A deep voice asks, not unlike what I imagine a growl would resemble.
“I’m so sorry,” I stammer, still retreating.
“Stop!” He commands and I do. Assuming he wants me to pick up after myself, I stoop and begin gathering the tools around me. “What are you doing?” The bear wants to know.
“I knocked them over, so I’m picking them up.” Getting closer, he holds his hand out, patiently waiting until I place mine in it, then he helps me stand, bending a bit to swipe the dirt from my knees. Straightening, my eyes are level with his very impressive chest and I tilt my head to see his face. Legs a bit wobbly, I take him in. Thi
s stranger is sexy in a real man way, not like the pretty boys that think they are. He just stares at me, the silence not uncomfortable, and I blurt out, “I need help.”
That gets his attention. “Tell me and I’ll fix it.”
Giggling a bit because that’s the plan, I answer, “I hope so. Our ride broke down fifteen minutes south.”
“Our?” He asks, something I can’t define in his expression.
“My older sister and I,” I clarify.
“What’s wrong with it?”
“It stopped running,” I reply, loving when the corner of his mouth tips up, giving me an almost smile.
“Cute,” he says, “real cute. Did it make a noise? Was it smoking?”
I shrug, then remember, “It seemed a big sluggish after leaving the auto shop a couple towns over.” This information seems to piss him off and he focuses on it.
“Please tell me you didn’t go to Jerry’s in Shakerville. Fucker.”
“Take it you two know each other.”
“Only by reputation, and his isn’t good. I’ve had numerous customers with a similar story. He “fixed” their vehicle, yet they end up here needing more repairs.”
Processing that, I can’t help but be suspicious. “Nice racket you’ve got going,” I state, glaring at him. Instead of being pissed at my accusation, he looks pleased by it. Does he not understand what I just implied?
