Perhaps Maggie had found someone else, someone who wanted to live in Napa forever, who would move right into her house without a second thought.
He really hated the idea of another man in Maggie's house. But if that were the case, he had no one to blame but himself. He'd been too scared and stubborn to see that what he really wanted in life had been right in front of him. Just because he'd made one mistake earlier in his life didn't have to mean he was destined to live a life of solitude. He was his own man now, and that hadn't been the case when he'd married Carole. His ex-wife was happy now with her new husband; it was time for him to move on as well, really move on—not just leave one town to go to another.
As he neared the hotel, he pushed the motorcycle to the edge of the speed limit. There was no time to waste. He'd already let too many weeks go by. He had to see Maggie now and hope it wasn't too late.
He was driving so fast down the highway that he almost missed the white Jetta on the other side of the road, the flat tire, and the woman wielding the jack. He did a double take as he passed, then immediately took the next exit. He got off the highway and then got back on again, going in the opposite direction.
He pulled up behind her and hopped off his bike, tossing his helmet to the ground.
Maggie jumped back at his approach, dropping the jack on the ground, one hand flying to her chest as he walked toward her. He pulled off his sunglasses so he could see her face, read her reaction. Right now all he saw was shock. But damn if she wasn't beautiful, with her blue eyes and reddish blonde hair, her gorgeous curves, her sweet smile. His body tightened with appreciation. She was even prettier than he remembered.
"Need some help?" he asked.
She stared at him in amazement. "Cole? What are you doing back in Napa?"
"I came to see you." He frowned, seeing the suitcases in her trunk. "Where are you going? Are you taking a trip?"
"I was going to Los Angeles."
His heart leapt into his throat. "Why?" he asked, meeting her gaze.
"To see you."
Blood pounded through his veins at her answer. It wasn't too late.
"I've missed you like crazy, Cole," she confessed.
"Right back at you, babe. The road has gotten really lonely since I left you. Every time I saw something interesting, I wanted to share it with you, but when I looked around, you weren't there."
"Really? You thought of me?"
"So many times." He drew in a breath, wanting to make her understand. "I thought I was happy on my own, with no one who cared about me, no one to answer to. I told myself that was real freedom, but you told me once that I'd always been free, that freedom was a choice, and you were right. I was a fool to choose the road over you. We are good together, Maggie, and I want you in my life. I need you in my life."
She licked her lips, her eyes blurring with tears. "I want you in my life, too, Cole. The last month has been hell. I've never been so unhappy, so restless. I got my paycheck today. All I had to do was put it in the bank and then write a separate check to Mr. Pastorini. He was ready to sign the house over to me, but I couldn't do it. I walked away."
He was shocked by her words. "Why? That house is what you wanted. It's what you've worked toward since you graduated from college."
"It's what I thought I wanted. But you were right, too. It's not a house I want—it's a home. It's a man. It's you. Wherever you are is where I want to be. I realize now why it didn't bother my mother to follow my father around the world, because she loved him. He was her home. And you're mine, Cole. Maybe it's crazy soon to say that. We don't know each other very well, but it's the way I feel."
"If you're crazy, so am I. I didn't think I could fall in love in a week, but I feel like I've been waiting for you my entire life."
"I feel the same, and I don't want you to worry," she added quickly. "I know you don't want a noose around your neck or a permanent address. I don't want to change you or to tie you down. I just want us to find a way to be together, wherever it makes sense for us to be. There are hotels all over the world. I can work anywhere." She let out a breath. "And now I'm going to stop talking so you can say something."
He smiled as he put his arms around her. "Don't ever stop talking, Maggie. I've missed your voice, your smile, and your mouth." He put his lips over hers in a tender, loving, possessive kiss. "I knew the first time we met you were going to change my life. That impulsive kiss was the best decision I ever made."
"I knew it, too, Cole. I just had to fight it for a while."
"I can't believe you'd give up your house for me." He felt incredibly honored by her generosity.
"The house isn't my dream anymore," she said with a simple shrug. "You are. I'm in love with you, completely and utterly in love. I was going to drive to LA to tell you that. But, of course, nothing about my life is ever easy."
He smiled as she tipped her head to the flat tire. "I'm not sorry that tire slowed you down. Otherwise, I would have missed you, and I would have had to spend another day without you. It's not a hardship to give up my traveling for you. That's not the adventure I want anymore."
"What is the adventure you want?"
"You." He kissed her again. "You once asked me if I was running toward something, or if I was running away. The truth is that it was a little of both. Getting away from my old life was good for me. It made me see things more clearly, especially when it came to my job. But I've already learned those lessons, and the farther away I got from you, the worse I felt. Everything I wanted was in my rearview mirror."
"Would you really be happy staying in Napa?" she asked, doubt in her voice.
"I'll be happy if you're here."
"Will you need to make money again?"
"That's a yes, and I have some ideas for my future career."
"Career? That's a big word for a rambling man."
He smiled. "My aunt would like me to take over her role at the Stratton so she and Antonio can travel and do whatever they want to do."
"I saw them earlier. I think they're getting married in Tahoe this week. Did she tell you that?"
"Yeah, she mentioned something about that. I told her to wait and do it at the Stratton. She said she'd never been a patient woman."
"So you're going to be my boss, Cole? That could be a problem."
He frowned. "Really? I wouldn't be your direct boss. You'd still report to the new manager. You like her, don’t you?"
"Very much. But I sort of quit my job today to come find you. So I'm not sure I'm working there anymore."
A smile curved his lips. "I think you can get your job back."
"Do you really want to run a hotel?"
"It is the family business. But I do have some thoughts beyond overseeing the Stratton."
"Like what?"
"Like maybe building a smaller boutique hotel on the grounds of a winery."
Her eyes sparkled. "That would be cool."
"Would you want to help me?"
"I would be happy to. How exciting would that be?"
"My thought exactly. I know we're moving fast, but I want to make something really clear. I'm all in with you, Maggie. I want the house, the marriage, the kids, everything. I want to be tied to you in every possible way. I have no fear of commitment as long as I'm committing to you."
"That's an amazing thing to say. I don't want you to change your whole life. We can compromise. I want you to be happy, too."
"We'll both be happy. I love you, Maggie."
"I love you, Cole."
He kissed her again and then said the words that he'd never thought he'd say again. "Take me home, babe."
Epilogue
Three weeks later
The yard behind an old church on a hillside overlooking the Pacific Ocean in the charming town of Half Moon Bay was the site of Julie's wedding. Maggie stood in the line of bridesmaids as Julie and Matt vowed their love to each other. She was touched by the look of adoration in Matt's eyes as he gazed at his bride, and she'd never seen
Julie look happier. As emotion filled her heart, her gaze drifted to Cole, who was sitting in one of the white folding chairs in the last row.
He looked so handsome in his dark suit and red tie, brown hair styled, his face freshly shaven. He was still her bad boy, but she'd begun to realize that he had a lot more going for him than just a sexy swagger. He was incredibly smart, organized, and determined, and in three short weeks, he'd made significant changes at the Stratton and also in his own life.
He'd moved into her house for one, and he'd also bought some land in the valley to build a boutique hotel and winery, and they'd spent hours talking about what kind of hotel they would build and what kind of wine they would make. For a man who had once been happy to travel the open road with just a duffel bag, Cole was now ready to take on the role of being a landowner, a homeowner, a business owner, and some day in the not so distant future—a husband and a father.
She was happy to share a new dream with Cole, a dream that was so much better than her last one. Although she had officially purchased her home, and Cole had insisted she put the deed in her name only, the accomplishment was not what she had envisioned. She still loved the house, but she loved Cole more. She'd probably sell the house once they got married, once they built a life for themselves together, but that was down the road. Right now, she was happy to share her house with the only man she'd ever really loved.
She turned her attention back to the bride and groom as the minister announced their new union to the crowd.
Julie and Matt then walked down the aisle, the bridesmaids and ushers following behind.
"She did it," Jessica said to Maggie, as they watched Julie and Matt pose for more pictures while the guests began to move toward the meeting room next to the church where they would be treated to a catered dinner.
"It was beautiful," Maggie said. "I liked that the guest list was small. It feels intimate, and that's what Julie wanted."
"It was perfect. She and Matt lead a big life; this day was just for them, and us, of course."
Maggie thought she heard an odd note in Jessica's voice. "Everything okay?"
"Oh, sure, just feeling emotional. Weddings can be happy and sometimes a little sad for me."
"You'll find the right man for you, Jess. I know it."
"I thought I had the right man before, but I didn't."
"You were twenty-one years old. Next time will be different."
"Next time I'll have to be even more careful; I have Brandon now. I have to make sure I don't just pick a good husband but also a good father."
"I know you will," she said confidently.
"So, has Cole asked you to marry him yet?"
"Not yet, but I think we're headed that way."
Jessica smiled. "Well, get in line, honey. We still have Isabella's wedding in the spring, so unless you two want to double up, you better push any wedding dates back to next summer. Thank goodness, I'm going to be living here soon. It's hard to keep up with all the parties."
"We're happy you're going to be closer, too, and I would love a summer wedding in Napa. But Cole and I are not in a rush. We're just really enjoying each other."
"It's great to see you so happy, Maggie. And here we all thought it was only a house that could make your eyes sparkle like that."
She laughed. "I did get a little crazy about that house."
"What's this I hear about you getting crazy?" Cole interrupted, sliding his arm around her waist as he kissed her cheek. "Are you talking about being crazy for me?"
"I was talking about the house," she said, meeting his teasing gaze. "But I am crazy for you, too."
Jessica laughed. "I think that's my cue to leave you two alone."
"You don't have to go," Cole said. "I didn't mean to interrupt."
"You didn't. It's all good. I'll catch up with you both at the reception."
"Is she okay?" Cole asked, a thoughtful gleam in his eyes.
"She gets a little sad at weddings, but she'll be all right. We'll make sure of it."
"Before you join the others, there is something I want to talk to you about, Maggie. You've been really busy lately, and I know you haven't had time to think about Christmas, but I have an idea."
"What's that?"
He pulled out what appeared to be two airplane tickets. "I think we should go somewhere for the holiday."
"Well, we did talk about spending Christmas with your parents when we saw them last weekend, but I didn't know that was final."
"It's not. My parents are actually going to Hawaii for Christmas. We are going to Germany."
Her heart skipped a beat, and she was both excited and unsure of his plan. "Really?"
"You've been wanting a holiday family dinner. If they won't come to you, I say we go to them."
"But that wasn't the point."
"The point was to be together."
She sighed. "You're not going to let me be stubborn about it, are you?"
"No, because I think you need to be with your family. I know you missed them at Thanksgiving, and it doesn't matter where the next holiday happens; it just matters that you're together. If you don't want me to go with you—"
"Don't be ridiculous. Of course you're coming with me. I just hope you're ready to meet my father. He can be very much the Army general."
Cole tipped his head. "I can take whatever he dishes out as long as he gives me the right answer to one question."
"What's that?"
"I want to ask him if I can have the hand of his daughter in marriage."
She looked into his eyes and her heart overflowed with love. "Don't you think you should ask his daughter first?"
He smiled. "In this case, I think I might win more points if I went straight to your dad. He seems like the kind of man who likes tradition."
"You're right. He is." She paused. "Just so you know, Cole, when you do want to ask me, I'm going to say yes."
"What a relief," he said with a laugh. "Now go be a bridesmaid. I'll be waiting for you when you're done. We're going to dance the night away."
"I like the sound of that. I love you, Cole."
"I love you back, Maggie. Now and forever."
"I only hope that's long enough."
Dear Reader,
I hope you loved reading Maggie and Cole's story as much as I enjoyed writing it. The Bachelors and Bridesmaids Series continues with FOREVER STARTS TONIGHT in 2016.
I'm also currently writing two other series you might also enjoy. The Callaway series features a family born to serve and protect. Each book features love, mystery and adventure, and to date nine books have been released in the series.
In addition, I have a new romantic suspense trilogy: Lightning Strikes. BEAUTIFUL STORM, the first book in the trilogy is currently available. I'm attaching an excerpt from BEAUTIFUL STORM following this letter.
Want to stay up to date on new books and price drops? Sign up for my newsletter. If you're a super fan and would love to chat about my books with other readers, join my street team!
Until next time, happy reading!
Barbara
Excerpt – BEAUTIFUL STORM
(Lightning Strikes Trilogy #1)
© Copyright 2015 Barbara Freethy
All Rights Reserved
One
The clouds had been blowing in off the ocean for the last hour, an ominous foreboding of the late September storm moving up the Miami coast. It was just past five o'clock in the afternoon, but the sky was dark as night.
Alicia Monroe drove across Florida's Rickenbacker Causeway toward Virginia Key Park, located on the island of Key Biscayne. Most of the traffic moved in the opposite direction as the island had a tendency to flood during fierce storms. According to the National Weather Service, the storm would bring at least six inches of rain plus high winds, thunder and lightning.
Alicia pressed her foot down harder on the gas. As her tires skidded on the already damp pavement, a voice inside her head told her to slow down, that a picture wasn't worth h
er life, but the adrenaline charging through her body made slowing down impossible.
She'd been obsessed with electrical storms all her life. She'd grown up hearing her Mayan great-grandmother speak of lightning gods. Her father had also told her tales about the incredible blue balls of fire and red flaming sprites he'd witnessed while flying for the Navy and later as a civilian pilot.
Their stories had enthralled her, but they'd been an embarrassment to the rest of the family, especially when her father had begun to tell his stories outside the family. Neither her mother nor her siblings had appreciated the fact that a former Navy hero was now being referred to as Lightning Man.
A wave of pain ran through her at the memories of her father and the foolish nickname that had foreshadowed her dad's tragic death years later in a fierce electrical storm.
She'd been sixteen years old when he'd taken his last flight. It was supposed to be a typical charter run to drop a hunting party in the mountains and then return home, but after dropping the men at their destination, her father's plane had run into a massive storm. When the rain stopped and the sun came back out, there was no sign of her father or his plane. He'd quite simply disappeared somewhere over the Gulf of Mexico.
Everyone assumed he'd crashed. They'd sent out search parties to find him or at least pieces of the plane, but those searches had returned absolutely nothing. How a man and a small plane could completely vanish seemed impossible to accept, and she'd spent years trying to find an answer, but so far that hadn't happened.
What had happened was her increasingly obsessive fascination with storm photography.
Her sister Danielle thought she was looking for her dad in every flash of lightning. Her brother Jake thought she was crazy, and her mother Joanna just wanted her to stop challenging Mother Nature by running headlong into dangerous storms. But like her dad, Alicia didn't run away from storms; she ran toward them.
Falling Into You (Bachelors & Bridesmaids Book 5) Page 16
