by Melody Grace
“Ooh, that’s a great idea for a summer package,” Jules said, filing away the thought. “But there’s no time for that now. The weather says rain will be here by tonight—and it’s going to keep coming all week.”
Reeve emerged from the lodge, and looked around in confusion. “What are all these people doing here?”
“They’re here to help with the harvest.” Jules reached up and dropped a kiss on his lips. “Plus I may have promised them free wine, but we can talk about that later. Now, tell us all what to do.”
Reeve snapped back into action. “Grab a pair of clippers and a crate, and start snipping,” he explained, leading everyone through to the vineyard and showing them exactly how to do it. Soon, everyone was busy, fanning out down the hill, and clipping the ripe grape clusters from the stalks. Some of the guys organized to haul the full crates to the tractor-trailer, and Frank circulated, peering over everyone’s shoulder and begging them to be careful with the juicy harvest.
“Don’t split the skin!” he yelped, as Jules clipped another bunch. “They’re delicate fruits.”
“Dad!” Reeve exclaimed, dragging him away. “She’s trying to help!”
“I know. But she could help a little more gently,” Frank grumbled. Then he saw Aunt June reaching for a low bunch. “Not those, they’re not ripe!”
He dashed off, and Reeve let out a sigh. “There, there,” Jules rubbed his back, teasing. “It’ll be over soon.”
“Until next year,” Reeve muttered, but he was smiling as he said it. “I still can’t believe everyone showed up to help.”
“Believe it,” Jules said happily. “You’re part of this town now. We both are.”
She felt raindrops on her skin, and looked up. It was already starting to rain. “Oh no!” she exclaimed, panicking. “Will we get them picked in time?”
She looked anxiously at Reeve, but he didn’t seem worried. In fact, he wasn’t paying attention to the grapes at all. He was looking at her, with a heart-stopping smile on his face.
“Remember the day we met?” he asked, drawing her into his arms.
Jules’ heart skipped at the memory. “You mean, when I got a flat tire, and yelled at you with my bra showing through my shirt?”
He grinned. “I mean, when you blew into this vineyard like a hurricane, and changed my life forever. Destiny.”
“Oh.” Jules melted. “That.”
She’d never believed in fate before, but maybe it had been waiting for her, all the same. Because all the things that she’d thought had gone so wrong had really turned out right, leading her here.
Leading her to him.
There was a rumble of distant thunder, and the rain really started to pour, but they didn’t move. Reeve kissed her instead, his mouth hot and slow, and Jules savored every moment. This was her forever, and it was sweet.
* * *
THE END
(Almost…)
>>>
Epilogue
A few months later…
* * *
Rose Cardinelli loved the holidays.
Everyone expected spring or summer to be her favorite season. She was a florist, after all, and fresh blooms were hard to come by during wintertime on Cape Cod. But Rose didn’t mind. Bring on the crimson poinsettias, and ivy wreaths in all their greenery. Deck the halls with mistletoe and boughs of holly, she loved Christmas in Sweetbriar Cove.
Ice-skating on Black Bottom Pond… Watching the carolers in the town square, wrapped up in warm blankets with a steaming thermos of cocoa… Planning her presents for the big Secret Santa gift-swap… The moment the first brisk winds of fall arrived, Rose was counting down to the festivities, and this year, she’d been looking forward to them more than ever.
Because this year, for the first time, she would be spending the holidays as half of a happy couple. Skating hand-in-hand with someone; sharing that thermos of hot cocoa. Competing in the Sweetbriar Scavenger Hunt as a team. At least, that had been the plan. So why was she standing by the snow-capped gazebo, watching the man of her dreams laughing and flirting… with somebody else?
“I’m sorry,” her boyfriend Scott said haltingly, when he’d arrived to pick her up for dinner with his parents last week. “I’m just not feeling it. I think we should go back to being friends.”
Friends.
They’d been friends for years before getting together. Or rather, Scott had seen her as just a friend, while Rose secretly pined after him, until the glorious night when he’d finally realized they were meant to be together. And that, Rose had thought, was that. Her dreams were finally coming true. Her happily-ever-after had begun.
But instead, he’d changed his mind. She’d been unceremoniously dumped, ten days before Christmas.
Happy holidays, one and all.
“Rose!”
She turned. Her friend, Evie, was making her way through the crowd, armed with two cups of something steaming hot, and a knit cap pulled over her dark hair. “Look,” she said, striking a pose to show off the festive sash tied around her shoulder.
“You won?” Rose asked, pretending she was in the party spirit. It was the kickoff for the annual Starbright holiday festival, and all around, she was surrounded by happy, smiling faces. “Summer usually dominates the big nog-off with her recipe.”
Evie grinned. “Oh no, I crashed out in the qualifying round, but it’s like grade school, they gave us all prizes for effort. You should come taste the entries. Aunt June holds the record right now, she’s on her sixth glass. Wait a minute,” she said, her expression changing as she looked past Rose. “What’s Scott doing with that girl?”
Rose cringed. She’d been so giddy over her relationship, she hadn’t thought twice about kissing Scott all over town. Making out by the harbor, and holding his hand as they strolled for morning coffee. Everybody had been so happy for her, she didn’t mind them knowing her personal business.
Now, everyone would know about her humiliating breakup, too.
“We’re not together anymore,” she said, trying to smile through her pain.
“Why?” Evie gasped. “What happened?”
“It just… Didn’t work out.” Rose lied. “No hard feelings, we just weren’t meant to be.”
“I’m so sorry.” Evie said, and Rose knew, her fake smiles weren’t fooling anyone. “Come have a drink,” Evie said, linking her arm through Rose’s. “Debra’s been spiking the punch again, and I guarantee you’ll forget about Scott after just a few sips.”
But Rose shook her head. “Thanks, but I think I’m going to get going. I’m working the Christmas market this weekend,” she added. “And I need to get started on the wreaths.”
“Then dinner, this week,” Evie insisted. “We’ll eat too much takeout, and curse Scott’s name.”
Rose nodded and quickly hurried away from the festivities, before anyone could see the tears stinging in the corner of her eyes. She knew Evie was just trying to be a good friend, but somehow, her sympathy made Rose feel even more pathetic.
She’d really believed it was true love.
At least she had a place to avoid the crowds. Rose unlocked the door of her little florist shop and felt a wave of relief. The store had been her favorite place in the world since she was a little girl, back when it belonged to her grandmother, Ivy. Now, stepping inside the small space was like stepping into a lush, exotic world: filled with foliage and bright plants, with sun streaming in through the main shop window and the skylights in the back. She had a huge antique desk set up as her counter, filled with her latest arrangements and gifts; the walk-in refrigerated cabinet kept buckets of colorful blooms fresh, and she’d covered an entire wall of the shop with living succulents and grasses, as if flowers were bursting out into life.
Rose headed into the back room and sank down at her workbench, finally letting the tears flow, hot with heartache and rejection. She could still hear laughter and music drifting over from the square. Everyone was out, having a good time; celebrating the holidays
, and new romance. She was the only one left alone.
She’d never minded it before: Being perpetually single. Sure, she dated now and then, but nothing that ever seemed to last. Aunt June, and Franny, and even Earl were always brainstorming guys to introduce her to, and she’d taken their matchmaking in good humor, knowing deep down that there was only one person she was supposed to be with.
One man she was destined to love, if he ever looked up and saw what was standing right in front of him.
Except he had looked up. Her soulmate had finally seen her. Kissed her. Made love with her. And then he’d turned and walked away.
So what was she supposed to do now?
Rose was deep in lovelorn despair when the bell over the front door sounded with a gentle ding!
She swallowed. “We’re closed!” she called, but they didn’t leave. Instead, a familiar face stuck his head around the doorway and saw her hiding there.
Nick Sterling.
“Can’t you read the sign?” Rose asked, wiping her cheeks self-consciously. Nick was one of her biggest customers, thanks to the extravagant bouquets he sent to the parade of women he dated. They’d always had a teasing friendship, and she loved giving him a hard time about his playboy ways, but today, she wasn’t in the mood for his sharp British humor.
But Nick didn’t comment on her smudged mascara and red eyes. “I brought you a gingerbread man,” he said instead, holding out a paper plate with a massive slice. “At least, I think he was a man, a few vital bits got broken en-route.”
Rose took the plate, her heart sinking at the sympathetic look in his blue eyes. “If you’re being nice to me, then I must really look pathetic,” she said, taking a bite.
“Well, that’s the last time I offer a little empathy,” Nick said with a grin. As usual, he was dressed in a stylish woolen pea coat and designer jeans, with a vintage watch on his wrist, and an artful ruffle to his hair. With his aristocratic good looks, and platinum charge card, it was no wonder he had women lining up for a date.
Date, singular.
Rose snorted. “What do you know about heartache? You don’t go out with women long enough to even learn their last name, let alone get attached.”
Nick gave a cryptic smile. “You’d be surprised,” he said lightly. “And that gingerbread person was for sharing,” he said, breaking off a chunk. He sat on the other side of the desk, and pretended to duel her for a chunk of frosting.
Rose managed a smile. “So is the word out about my breakup?”
He nodded. “I’m afraid so. Once Aunt June heard, all bets were off. But on the plus side, the sooner news spreads, the fewer people will put their foot in their mouths, asking you about it.”
“I guess… ” Rose looked around with a sigh. “I just hate that everything reminds me of him. This shop was always my hideaway,” she confided, feeling a pang, “but all I can think about is how he kissed me up against that cabinet over there, just the other day… And dropped by after closing with pizza last week… And special-ordered a bouquet of sunflowers, because he knows they’re my favorite.”
“Nasty flowers, can’t stand them.” Nick said immediately.
“What? They’re so cheerful,” Rose protested.
“Exactly. Have you seen a whole field of them, bobbing away?” Nick asked. “It’s downright creepy. Like something out of a horror movie. I took a girl to see some for a festival last year, and I half-expected some crazed killer to burst out of the bushes and stab us to death.”
“You’re weird,” Rose said, but she couldn’t help smiling.
Nick grinned back. “See? You don’t need to sit around here moping. You’ll get over him in no time.”
But Rose knew, it wouldn’t be so easy.
“Please don’t tell me to just get back on the horse,” she said. “I hate it when people say that.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Nick replied through a mouthful of gingerbread. “What you need is a greasy pancake.”
“A what?” Rose looked at him in confusion.
“Greasy pancake.” Nick sat up a little straighter. “It’s a marvelous concept, I heard about it the other day at the bakery, from some of the women there.”
“You mean, you were eavesdropping,” Rose said with a smirk.
“The gossip in this town is really something else.” Nick agreed. “Anyway, the way it works is that when you make pancakes, the first one is supposed to be a wash. Something about too much butter in the pan, or something like that. So the first pancake soaks up all the mess, and you throw it out, and then you have the perfect conditions for the rest of the batch.”
“I don’t follow,” Rose said, still confused. “You think I should make pancakes?”
Nick chuckled. “No, it’s supposed to work for men, too. You need a fling, a rebound, someone to soak up all your messy breakup feelings, so you can go out into the world and cook up the perfect romance.”
“Ha!” Rose laughed out loud at the idea. “Let me guess, you’re volunteering for the job?”
“I mean, I’m willing to take one for the team.” Nick flashed one of his charming grins. “On behalf of all mankind, etcetera. Just say the word.”
Rose shook her head, still laughing. “That’s ridiculous,” she said.
Nick gave a shrug. “Suit yourself. But the offer stands, if you need an extra pair of hands for anything. Or lips,” he added, getting up from his seat.
Rose felt a pang. The holidays were made for couples, and now Scott would be out there, snuggling up with somebody else. “You’re sweet to offer,” she said with a sigh. “But I think I’ll just steer clear of all of that for a while.” She gestured outside, to where someone was singing a booming rendition of ‘Santa Claus is Coming to Town’ over the PA system.
“And let him ruin Christmas?” Nick shook his head, mock-stern. “I didn’t take you for a quitter.”
“I’m not a quitter.” Rose argued. “I just lost my soulmate, I’m allowed to take a beat.”
Nick gave a snort of derision. “Soulmate? Ha. Scott wasn’t the man of your dreams. He wasn’t even the man of your hazy late-night cheese-eating nightmares.”
“And how do you know that?” Rose asked.
Nick gave her a smoldering look, his blue eyes full of seductive charm. “Because I know things.”
Rose paused. She knew Nick’s charm was well-practiced, and he’d probably used that smolder on a dozen other women – today, alone – but right then, she didn’t care.
She wanted him to be right. About everything. For the ache in her chest to subside, and the hot flush of humiliation to disappear.
And for her chance at love and happiness not to have just come to a sudden end, ten days before Christmas.
Before she knew what she was doing, she crossed the room towards him. Nick barely had time to raise an eyebrow before Rose reached up on her tiptoes, threw her arms around his neck, and kissed him. Nick stepped back, making a noise of surprise, but Rose kept kissing him, determined.
He’d volunteered, hadn’t he? To show her that Scott wasn’t the be-all and end-all of her romantic life, that she would forget him in no time. But pressing her lips to Nick’s just felt awkward and vaguely embarrassing, and she quickly stepped back.
“See?” she said, disappointed. “All the greasy pancakes in the world won’t make a difference. It was supposed to be him. It was always supposed to—”
Her words faded, swallowed by the hot press of Nick’s lips. He was kissing her again, and this time…
This time, there was nothing awkward about it.
His mouth was smooth on hers. Smooth, and strong, and full of passion: parting her lips and easing his tongue into her mouth. Rose’s pulse kicked with a sudden thrill as Nick pressed her back against the desk, one hand around her waist and the other tangled in her hair, drawing her closer, crushing her so near she could feel the heat from his body blazing beneath his coat.
Oh.
She’d never been this close before, never
suspected what those preppy suits concealed. Rose slid her hands under his lapels, happily exploring the planes of his chest as she sank deeper into the magic of his kiss. Their tongues tangled in a sensual dance, and she gasped for air, head spinning with the unexpected passion of the moment.
It was hot. It was wild. It was…
Nick Sterling?
He finally drew back, and Rose was glad she was practically draped across her florist bench because she was pretty sure her knees were too weak to stand. “So…” she blinked, trying to re-engage her brain. “I… ummm….”
Nick looked entirely too smug, reaching across to push a lock of hair from her eyes. “Like I said. You’ll be just fine.”
And then he stole the last piece of gingerbread, turned, and sauntered back out into the snow, leaving Rose standing there, her heart still pounding and her body…
Well, her body was wide awake. And her ex-boyfriend? He was the last thing on her mind.
A slow smile spread across Rose’s face, and she couldn’t help but laugh. Maybe Christmas would have some surprises this year, after all…
* * *
To be continued…
What happens next? Rose and Nick’s festive romance is just getting started. From This Moment is available to order now, featuring all the fun of the holidays in Sweetbriar Cove.
* * *
***CLICK HERE to order from your retailer of choice***
Deck the halls in Sweetbriar Cove this holiday season with this romantic, feel-good novella!
Rose Cardinelli thought she had happily-ever-after all figured out, until her boyfriend dumps her just ten days before Christmas. She’s ready to skip the holidays and wallow in a winter wonderland, until she gets a surprisingly tempting offer to spice up the season…
