Escape to Indigo Bay: Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series

by Oram, Jean

  In the three weeks since Jessie had kidnapped Eva, the story had grown, unfolding across local and national news sites. It didn’t quite merit the coverage of the 2012 standoff, but there was plenty of coverage about the Family. So far, Eva and Ben had been able to maintain their anonymity, but that would change as the wheels of justice began to turn and they were called to testify.

  The Atlanta police had arrived to the sound of gunshots. Eva’s mother guided them to the Tank and they’d reached the clearing just as Ben was prying the steel cover loose. He’d already shot the three cult members; the two thugs would recover, but Jessie had died at the scene. Once Eva was safe, Ben had spent a couple of hours in handcuffs in the back of a cruiser while the Atlanta PD sorted things out.

  Eva had spent the night in the hospital being treated for hypothermia. She and Ben had both been dosed with antibiotics to counter whatever nastiness may have been in the stagnant water, and then Ben took her home, to Indigo Bay.

  But the beehive had been kicked and the State of Georgia suddenly developed a renewed interest in The Nineteenth Day Church. More than three dozen children were now in protective custody, and Father Neezrahiah, his sons, and several other adults had been arrested. Investigations were underway, but they would eventually stand trial on a wide array of charges including child endangerment, welfare fraud, kidnapping, sexual abuse, and murder.

  Eva’s mother had helped the police, and been kicked out of the Family because of it. She’d moved to a battered woman’s shelter in Charleston. Eva knew that eventually the two would have to come to terms, but not yet. Resolution with her mother was something for later. Right now she wanted to say goodbye to Sam and look forward to a future.

  Ben’s arm tightened around her shoulders as she brushed the tears from her cheeks. “Are you okay?”

  “Not really.” Eva took a shaky breath, then tipped her head to look into his face. “But I will be.”

  He gave her a small smile, his dimple flashing briefly. “I love you, Eva,” he said, pulling her in even tighter. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure you’re happy.”

  His eyes were warm and comforting—like hot chocolate on a cold day. “You already are,” she said. “And I love you too.”

  The kiss was longer this time, and in spite of the swaying boat, Eva had never felt so grounded, so perfectly safe and at peace. Ben’s mouth was warm, and his body shielded hers from the chill of the ocean breeze. Her pulse raced and they were both breathless when they finally broke apart.

  “I hope our babies have your eyes,” Ben whispered against her lips.

  She smiled as her fingers wound through the thick hair at the nape of his neck. No matter how bitter the past, the future would be sweet.

  More from Jeanette Lewis & Indigo Bay

  Want more from Jeanette Lewis and Indigo Bay?

  Indulge!

  Sweet Whispers

  As the executor of her grandfather’s estate, Melanie Bowers is returning to Indigo Bay for the first time in years. Her goal is to be in and out before anyone in town knows she’s there – especially Penn, the high school sweetheart who broke her heart by joining the military and leaving her alone, with no promise for their future together.

  Penn Westover was anxious to complete his tour of duty, then spend the rest of his life with Melanie. But his dream shattered when she married someone else. He reluctantly moved on with his life, but he never forgot.

  When Melanie and Penn meet again in Indigo Bay and realize they’re both single again, their chemistry comes roaring back. The sparks are still there, but can they move beyond their painful memories and forgive, or are they better off leaving the past alone?

  Universal Buy Link: https://books2read.com/u/4DZE5D

  Release Date: June 6, 2019

  Other Books By Jeanette Lewis

  Tamarack Ridge Romances

  Loving the Mountain Man

  Charming the Mountain Man

  Taming the Mountain Man

  The Billionaire Bride Pact

  The Passionate One

  The Rebellious One

  The Adventurous One

  The Glamorous One

  The Ambitious One

  The Hopeful One

  Indigo Bay

  Sweet Illusions

  Sweet Whispers

  Snow Valley

  Feels Like Love

  Tin Foil Tiaras

  Love Coming Late

  Starlight Kisses

  The Lucky Billionaire

  Horses, Hayrides, and Husbands

  Find Jeanette’s full book list at: www.jeanettelewisbooks.com/

  Sweet Reunion

  Sweet Reunion

  By Stacy Claflin

  She's determined to stay single, but everyone else is determined to see her married.

  Maggie Kendrick is trying to start over in the enchanting beach town where she spent her summers growing up. Life has thrown her one too many wrenches, and now she's resolved to move on—without a man.

  Aunt Lucille has made it her life's mission to see Maggie walk down the aisle. Everyone knows it too, as Lucille has tried to set Maggie up with every available bachelor in Indigo Bay.

  Canyon Leblanc was Maggie's first love, and he just returned to town. Sparks start flying again—stronger than ever. Distance has definitely made their hearts grow fonder, but Canyon has spent the last seven years living a wild and destructive lifestyle, and that reputation labels him a less-than-desirable catch.

  Maggie and Canyon see past each other's situations, but nobody in town wants them to get together, least of all Aunt Lucille. Friends, family, and even an enemy work hard to keep them apart.

  Will Maggie open her heart to love again despite the many obstacles, or will the single life prove to be her best option?

  Chapter 1

  Magnolia Kendrick jumped from the booth and darted between the tables, avoiding waiters and waitresses. She didn’t slow until she reached the bathroom. Closing the stall door behind her, she leaned against the wall and took in a deep breath of heavily-sweetened air.

  That had been close. Too close.

  Once her heart rate returned to normal, she exited the stall. An older lady shot her a glare. Probably because she hadn’t heard a flush.

  Maggie flashed her a quick smile and went to the mirror to fix her makeup, though it didn’t need it. She only needed another minute or two to pull herself together before rejoining Aunt Lucille—the reason she’d fled to the bathroom.

  Auntie had a good heart, bless her, but the woman couldn’t take a clue. Or a flat-out request.

  Maggie would just have to try again. What other option was there? She lived with her great-aunt, who had tried to set her up with practically every eligible bachelor in Indigo Bay.

  Now at Figaro’s, the restaurant owned by a distant cousin about half an hour from their town, Auntie was attempting another set-up.

  Lord have mercy. It was almost enough for Maggie to head back home to Georgia—to the one place she could never show her face again.

  Almost.

  Maggie wanted nothing to do with a relationship of any kind. That was part of the reason she’d moved to Indigo Bay. A fresh start in a town where people didn’t know her problems.

  She stood tall and practiced her smile. It was her best feature, unless she listened to the people who adored her too-thick and too-curly dark hair. Long as it was, it was a nightmare. But she hated the way she looked when it was shorter.

  The bathroom door flung open. “Maggie!”

  Maggie turned to find her cousin Savannah. It wasn’t unusual to find a relative at Figaro’s. “Hi, Savannah.”

  “Auntie said you might be in here.”

  Maggie put her makeup back in her purse. “Did she send you to find me?”

  “She said you ran off like a chicken with its head cut off.” Savannah raised an eyebrow, clearly wanting to know more.

  “Can’t a girl use the bathroom?” Maggie adjusted her skirt.

&n
bsp; “Is everything okay, darlin’?”

  It would be if Aunt Lucille would quit trying to set her up with every available bachelor within a twenty-mile radius of Indigo Bay.

  Savannah stepped closer and put a hand on Maggie’s arm. “Everyone worries about you, you know.”

  Maggie smiled as sugary sweet as she could. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine. Hey, Auntie wasn’t talking to anyone, was she?”

  Savannah fanned herself. “You mean that new server, Emilio?”

  Wonderful. Aunt Lucille was probably planning Maggie’s date with Emilio at that moment.

  “You don’t like him?” Savannah frowned.

  Maggie sighed. “I don’t even know him.”

  “I wouldn’t mind getting to know him. Did you see those eyes? Blue as a clear lake.”

  “Must’ve missed those. Take care, okay? Say hello to Auntie Charlotte for me.”

  “I will.” Savannah gave a little wave. “Tell me if you go out with Emilio. I want to hear all about it.”

  Maggie forced a smile. There would be no date. She’d managed to avoid all of Aunt Lucille’s attempts. She could do it again. Maybe the tickle in her throat would turn into something more if she was lucky.

  As her cousin headed for a stall, Maggie made her way out into the hallway. She’d far prefer to stay in the bathroom until lunch was over, but Auntie would just send more ladies after her until Maggie returned.

  Maggie was so busy thinking about what she would say that she bumped into someone.

  She looked up. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t—”

  Her gaze locked with a familiar but nearly-forgotten set of dark brown eyes that appeared as surprised to see her as she was to see them. Maggie’s heart skipped a beat, then her pulse drummed through her body. Her cheeks warmed, heat spreading across her face.

  Canyon Leblanc.

  He still had the same effect on her he’d had so many years earlier, despite the fact that she’d nearly forgotten about him. Not because she’d wanted to, but because life had taken them their separate ways and they’d lost touch.

  He was just as gorgeous as ever, if not more so. Tan, neatly dressed. His dark hair was longer than it had been so many years before—and it suited him.

  A waitress rushed by, bumping Maggie and nearly throwing her against her old friend. He still wore the same aftershave.

  A wave of first-love emotions shoved their way to the surface. Feelings that had overwhelmed her younger self but she’d never allowed herself to act upon. Instead, she’d pined for him.

  Then he’d exited from her life.

  Now things had changed so much. Too much.

  No doubt about it—he was definitely more attractive now. He’d grown out of his boyish good looks and had matured into a ruggedly handsome man. His deep brown eyes sent a shiver to her very core.

  Maggie took a step back so she couldn’t smell him. So she could think straight.

  She didn’t have the time to get distracted by a handsome face—especially not the one in front of her.

  They’d been staring at each other for too long. Someone needed to say something.

  Maggie cleared her throat. “Canyon?”

  He stared at her, his expression practically unreadable. “Maggie.”

  She struggled to find words, so she cleared her throat again just to give herself another moment to think of something to say. “I didn’t realize you were back in town. Just a pit stop?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. I’m back for good. Here for a job interview, in fact.”

  “You are? I’ll put in a good word. My cousin owns the restaurant.”

  “Really?” Canyon arched a brow.

  Something about that simple act took her breath away.

  She needed to get away, and quick. Preferably before Auntie saw him and tried to set up a date.

  Maggie forced a smile. “I’d love to catch up sometime. I’m staying at Aunt Lucille’s. Pop in and say hi when you get a chance. We can have some tea or walk the beach like we used to.”

  Why had she just said that? The last thing she needed was him surprising her for a visit, especially at home. Auntie would want to set them up.

  Awkward.

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “Okay. It’d be real nice to catch up. I’d better get going. Interview in a few minutes.”

  Maggie nodded. “Right. Good luck.”

  Canyon headed down the hallway toward the offices.

  She watched until he was out of sight then headed back to the booth where Aunt Lucille was nearly done with her meal. At least she was alone. Maggie had grown tired of thinking up excuses to avoid dates with the men her aunt constantly tried to set her up with.

  “What took you so long, Maggie?” Aunt Lucille tugged on her perfectly-styled blonde hair and waited for a reply.

  Maggie slid back to her spot. “I kept running into people. You didn’t have to send Savannah after me.”

  Aunt Lucille dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “You’d been in there so long.”

  She hadn’t, but rather than argue, Maggie took a big bite of her salmon.

  “Emilio is free this Saturday afternoon.”

  Maggie nearly choked on her fish. “Auntie, I appreciate your concern but—”

  “But nothing. You aren’t getting any younger and you need to get your mind off the past. Isn’t that why you came to stay with me?”

  “I’m twenty-four. There’s plenty of time to figure out what to do with my life.”

  Aunt Lucille tilted her head and sighed. “Young people these days. You can marry rich and not have to worry about a career. In my day, ladies went to college to get their MRS degree.”

  Maggie shoved a piece of broccoli into her mouth before she said something that would start an argument.

  Auntie got a dreamy look on her face, then started talking about her late husband and their courting days. It may as well have been a hundred years ago, as far removed as it was from Maggie’s situation.

  She fought back tears that threatened. Why couldn’t her aunt realize how painful all this was? Dating wasn’t going to solve Maggie’s problems. Getting engaged again certainly wouldn’t.

  Maggie was done with men, period. She couldn’t take any more heartbreak. Once she figured out what she wanted to do with her life, she could focus on that. But that was the problem.

  Nothing made her happy. She couldn’t escape the pain of her past no matter how hard she tried.

  Chapter 2

  Canyon Leblanc tapped his feet, unable to sit still since running into Maggie. He raked his fingers through his hair.

  She’d taken his breath away. The girl had always had that effect on him, ever since they were kids.

  Every year, Canyon had waited for the summers when she would come to Indigo Bay and stay with Lucille Sanderson, the older woman who was always up in everyone’s business. Canyon had always avoided the aunt but had gone out of his way to spend time with Maggie.

  As a kid, he’d been tall, skinny, and awkward. With a mouth full of braces and two left feet, he’d never had the nerve to ask Maggie out on a date. He’d wanted to. Oh, how he’d wanted to. But the thought of holding her hand had nearly sent him into cardiac arrest.

  How things had changed. Everything had changed, except Maggie’s beauty. He always knew she’d grow up to be exquisite—and she’d far exceeded his wildest imagination. He could get lost in those bright blue eyes, and her long hair looked so soft. Canyon had always wanted to run his fingers through it. And that smile… it had forever been his weakness. Maggie could curl her lips up, ask anything, and he would turn to mush.

  But they were still worlds apart, and now more so than ever. Not only did she come from money, but her sweet and innocent smile told him that she was far too good for him. Especially after his wild living the last seven years.

  Canyon raked his fingers through his hair again. It was a nervous habit that had always annoyed his mom. He’d grown worse with it while being away fr
om her reminders to stop.

  He and Maggie were polar opposites, and once she caught wind of his lifestyle, she’d run in the opposite direction.

  A woman in a black pencil skirt and a tight bun appeared in front of him. “Canyon Leblanc?”

  He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Mr. Sanderson will be ready to see you in about ten minutes.”

  “Thank you.”

  The woman gave a quick nod, then disappeared around a corner.

  Maggie’s words ran through his mind. I’ll put in a good word for you.

  Canyon groaned. He didn’t want a job because someone had pity on him. Because his childhood friend had connections. But even more than that, he didn’t want to work for her family.

  No, he wanted to land a job because he had earned it.

  Canyon rose and hurried out of Figaro’s. He could do the job—any position they gave him—and do it well, but he couldn’t have Maggie thinking he was hired because she’d talked with her cousin.

  He climbed into his rusty Ford Taurus and headed back to Indigo Bay. Maybe he could find a job in the small beach town. There had to be something he could do. It would save on gas, at least. Figaro’s was about a thirty-minute drive.

  Once back in town, he passed his mom’s little dilapidated home and went to the beach. He stayed in the car and watched the beachgoers. A few kids flew kites in a patch of grass. Couples strolled the shore, hand-in-hand. There was an intense game of volleyball off to the side.

  Canyon’s phone buzzed with a text. It was from his friend Archer.