“Next up,” Joey said, his voice a rich baritone, “is Fire Chief Bud Hammock! He’s single, ladies, and looking for a fun time!”
Rachael craned her neck around to hitch her eyebrows at Lucy. “Single? Looking for fun? I think he just quoted your eHarmony profile, Luce!”
“Oh, bite me.”
She didn’t have an eHarmony profile. Not anymore, anyway, she conceded with chagrin. Leaning back and crossing her arms, Lucy waited for her probable date to prance onstage.
“Here he is, ladies! Fifty has never looked so young!”
Laney and April screamed, clinking their bottles as the fifty-something Bud clunked his work boots toward center stage and danced in a circle with his arms over his head.
“See, when he raises his arms, the beer gut disappears!” Rachael said. “He’s got potential!”
“Great, so on our date, I can tell him to walk around town with his arms swinging over his head like a chimpanzee.” She waggled her eyebrows. “Sexy.”
“All right, listen up.” Joey leaned against the speaker tower and folded his arms over his chest as if he were about to say something deadly serious. As the four ladies at the table next to them hollered for him to take off his shirt, he blushed and dropped the mic to his side. “I don’t think taking my shirt off would make you listen any harder.”
At the mention of something being hard, the station erupted with whistles and catcalls. His cheeks went red.
Oh, Joey Brackett was hot all right.
Just like his twin brother, Dane.
Lucy had always thought they were gorgeous, even when they were in high school. Joey used to be shorter and skinnier than his brother, who’d developed into a total hottie senior year. But since joining the Blue Lake fire crew, Joey had bulked up. He was just under six feet tall, with a flop of dark hair on his head and a five-o’clock shadow covering his square jaw. Ridges of muscle on his chest and arms stretched his white cotton T-shirt, and the dark-washed jeans covering his lower half didn’t look bad either.
Although Joey had definitely caught Lucy’s eye, she’d always wanted to go out with Dane. He and Lucy were two peas in a pod: neither wanted to settle down, and they both took ownership over the family business. She’d inherited StoneMill Winery when her parents died, and Dane had started managing Brackett Outdoor Sports instead of going away to college.
Joey, on the other hand, was the straight arrow of the two brothers. He’d always wanted a doting housewife, 2.5 children, and a house with a white picket fence. He’d always been stable and from what she’d heard, was the more dependable (read: boring) of the two.
Lucy had never wanted that life. Marriage was limiting, a choke chain that could strangle the life out of a person. She’d always have to put someone else’s happiness over her own. She’d always have to check in before she made plans. And going somewhere at the drop of a hat? Forget it. Marriage tied people down, and she had enough responsibility to last a lifetime, right down the highway outside of town.
The legacy her parents had left behind.
She’d poured her heart and soul and all of their dreams and wishes into the place. The stone walls around the winery, the grapes growing on the vines in the two hundred acres, and the employees under her charge…she was responsible for all of it, married to her job, and refused to be tied down in her personal life, too.
Dane believed the same—at least that’s what she’d heard from the women he used to date—but he’d never approached her or made a move.
Didn’t he know how much guiltless fun they could have together?
“I’ve got twenty on Brackett!” the blonde next to them shouted, jarring Lucy back to the auction. “Do a twirl, Joey!”
Smiling, he put up his hands. “I’m flattered, ladies, but the MC is auctioned off last! It’s the chief’s turn now. Who’ll start the bidding at one dollar?”
As he scanned the crowd with those big puppy-dog eyes, Lucy wondered why Joey wasn’t married yet. There were dozens of women in Blue Lake who would kill to have a guy on their arm who was anxious to get married and have children. He either had a whole lot of baggage he’d somehow managed to keep private (not an easy feat in a small town like Blue Lake), or he was horrible in bed.
Hard to believe the last part could be true, but what else could it be?
Within a few seconds, the bidding topped out at fifty dollars, and the chief jogged back to his office.
“For a second there,” Lucy said, leaning over to whisper into Rachael’s ear, “I thought you were going to buy him for me.”
“Thought about it.” Rachael shrugged her shawl-covered shoulders. “But I like him better.” She nudged her chin at Joey, who’d knelt at the front of the runway.
“He’s a huge improvement from the beer gut before him, but you can’t be serious.” Something tightened in Lucy’s middle. Had she forgotten to eat lunch today? “That’s a bad idea and you know it.”
“It’s one date, Luce, and it’s for charity!”
“All right, but don’t come crying to me when I break his heart in two and stomp it through the gutter.”
Lucy ordered another beer. This time when the waiter brought the drink, he placed a plastic dish filled with different kinds of truffles in the center of the table. She dived in immediately, feeling the buzz from the first two beers begin to warm her middle. The chocolate was soft and sweet with a hint of raspberry. Absolutely delish.
As Joey stood from the edge of the stage, the chief returned and took the microphone from his hand. “Before we end the evening, it’s time for Joey to step up! What do you think, ladies?”
The crowd went wild. Joey brought up his hands and backed away as if he didn’t want to take his turn, but the roar of the crowd brought him back front and center.
“Joey Brackett has lived in Blue Lake his entire life!” Bud boomed, his lips practically swallowing the microphone. “He’s never been married, works hard at the station, and owns a cabin outside of town. He’s the ultimate family man. Perfect catch for the lady wanting to settle down.”
Oh yeah. Perfect catch all right. For someone else. Although Bud’s words spoke of stability and future, they sounded a heck of a lot like chains and obligation. As if she didn’t get enough of that already.
With Dane, there’d be no risk in going on a date or two or three. No threat of him falling in love with her and pressuring her to get married and settle down. But she and Joey were truly mismatched. Complete opposites. He was Mr. Nice Guy and she was a man-eater to the core. He wanted long-term and she wanted something fun and carefree.
She’d destroy him.
“On second thought, I think this is a bad call, Rach,” Lucy thought aloud. “Probably the worst ever.” She shoved a truffle into her mouth.
“Two hundred dollars!” Rachael screamed, holding up a fistful of cash.
Lucy choked on the chocolate and chased the gooey clump with a swig of beer. She reached out to clutch Rachael’s shoulders, but her friend was already on the edge of her seat and pulling away, her arms waving in the air.
Joey’s gaze flashed their way, a hopeful glint in the dark depths. “Two hundred to Rachael McCoy!”
“Not for me,” Rachael corrected, leaning toward the stage. “I’m bidding for Lucy Stone!”
His expression changed. A smile curved the corner of his lips, revealing a tiny dimple on his right cheek. God, he really was a specimen, wasn’t he? Early-thirties. Tall, dark, and handsome. A shadow on his chin and a gleam in his eye. Her skin flushed and heat flooded her center, taking her off guard. Did Dane have the same heated gaze? The same primal intensity? They were twins, so they should have the same smoldering traits, shouldn’t they? She hadn’t seen Dane in a long while, but she shuddered at the thought.
Maybe after she went out on a date with Joey, she could get the 411 on his brother. See what kind of women he liked. She could casually mention she would go out with Dane, too. If he’d only ask her. If she and Joey went on a real date, it�
�d be rude to mention his brother, but their date would be for charity purposes only. They’d start as friends and part as friends.
“Okay, Rach!” Lucy tugged on her friend’s sweater, painfully aware that Joey hadn’t broken eye contact. Her hands were clammy, so she rubbed them on her jeans. “I’m in!”
“Hell yeah, you’re in.” Rachael dug through her purse and fished out another hundred. “I’m buying you a man!”
By the time Lucy’s cheeks burned red with the promise of finally bedding Dane, the auction had ended. She vowed then and there to get her paws on the elusive playboy. But first, his brother would have to be hers for one day and one night.
Lord watch over Joey’s helplessly romantic soul.
CONTINUE READING ON AMAZON
When I Fall in Love, a Blue Lake short story
Coffee shop owner April Cassidy isn’t looking for love.
She’s simply looking for someone to be her date for her parents’ vow renewal. When Mason Henry, freelance photographer and total hunk, asks her to show him around the picturesque town of Blue Lake, April agrees. She’s eager to spend the day thinking about something other than how to tell her meddling Grams that she’ll be going to the ceremony solo.
Mason can’t stay in Blue Lake, and April has no intention of leaving. With only one afternoon to spend together, can Mason convince April that what they share feels a little like love?
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One Sweet Day, a Blue Lake short story
Candy shop owner Laney Owens has a penchant for falling for Mr. Wrong. After her boyfriend broke up with her in front of the entire town, all she wants to do is bury her head in a carton of Chunky Choco Monkey.
She needs a different perspective, and a new shot at life.
Ski instructor Charlie Vonn has had his eye on Laney since she opened up a tasty candy shop beneath his studio apartment. But Charlie is stuck in the dreaded Friend Zone, and Laney is ready to leave town.
With one day left until Laney closes the Sweet Tooth Candy Shoppe and moves back to the valley, can Charlie convince her that life in Blue Lake could be sweeter if they were together?
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Acknowledgements
First, I must thank the crazy-talented ladies in the Lucky 7 Bad Boys anthology: Charity Pineiro, Sophia Knightly, Tawny Weber, Nina Bruhns, Susan Hatler and Virna DePaul. I knew some of you before the Lucky 7 Bad Boys box set was created and others are newfound friends. I’m so happy to be on this journey with each and every one of you. You made the project easy and fun, which is not an easy feat.
Thanks to Kim Killion at Hot Damn Design for designing such beautiful covers for both the Lucky 7 Bad Boys box set as well as Crazy in Love.
Hugs and love to my early readers and critique partners Aggie Smith, AJ Larrieu, and Lisa Sanchez. Thank you for being so willing to read at the drop of a hat. You’ve all earned honorary halos.
Many thanks to Gordon Kennedy and the crew at GK Music for letting me pick their brains about musicians. I think they wanted to laugh at the ridiculousness of a few questions (“In a band, what’s the name of the guy who plays the guitar? The lead? The first?”), but they didn’t. Thanks for bearing with me and letting me write a few chapters in your studio.
Much love to my incredible support group of family and close friends. I may’ve been a cheerleader, but you all make a damn fine squad.
As always, thanks and mad love to Justin, Kelli and Gavin. Without you priceless three, I’d be lost.
About the Author
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Kristin Miller has had a passion for language and literature her whole life. Born and raised in northern California, she often made up stories about faraway places and edge-of-your-seat adventures. After graduating from Humboldt State University, Kristin taught high school and middle school English, married her college sweetheart, and had two beautiful munchkins. In 2008, she took time off from teaching to raise her children, and started writing while they napped.
She is the author of dark and gritty paranormal romances for Avon, light and snarky paranormal romances for Entangled, and is venturing into the sassy world of contemporary romance. Most of books include take-charge alpha males and independent women; all of them contain love that moves mountains.
Find more information about Kristin and upcoming titles on her website: www.kristinmiller.net
Like her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKristinMiller
Follow her on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KM_Miller
Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Epilogue
Chapter One
Acknowledgements
About the Author
Crazy in Love (Contemporary Romance) (Blue Lake Series) Page 15
