The Orchard Inn

by A. M. Kusi

  THE

  ORCHARD INN

  ORCHARD INN ROMANCE SERIES

  - BOOK 1 -

  A. M. KUSI

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, organizations, events, and incidents are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or to businesses, companies, events, institutions, or locales is completely coincidental. Any trademarks, product names, service marks, and named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are only used for references.

  Copyright © 2019 by A. M. Kusi.

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book or any of its contents may be reproduced, copied, modified, distributed, stored, transmitted in any form or by any means, or adapted without the prior written consent of the author and publisher.

  ISBN-13: 978-1-949781-06-9

  ISBN-10: 1-949781-06-2

  Published by A. M. Kusi

  amkusinovels@gmail.com

  Visit our website at www.amkusi.com

  Editors: Creating Ink

  Sensitivity Edit: Renita McKinney of A Book A Day

  Proofreader: Sara Wilkins

  Cover design and formatting: Archangel Ink

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  Other Books by A. M. Kusi

  Conflict of Interest

  (Book 2 in The Orchard Inn Romance Series)

  Her Perfect Storm

  (Book 3 in The Orchard Inn Romance Series)

  Luna and Sol: A Forbidden Love Story

  (Standalone)

  For a complete list of all our books, visit:

  www.amkusi.com/books

  To all of you who find yourself in situations that seem hopeless. For all who believe some scars will never heal. For all those that believe they are too broken for love.

  CONTENTS

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek of Book 2 - Conflict of Interest

  Thank you

  About A. M. Kusi

  Also by A. M. Kusi

  Quote References

  “Transformation isn’t sweet and bright. It’s a dark and murky, painful pushing. An unraveling of the untruths you’ve carried in your body. A practice in facing your own created demons. A complete uprooting before becoming.”

  – Victoria Erickson

  Chapter 1

  Ella Shaw woke to the buzzing of her alarm. Rolling over, she slapped the button, turning the offensive noise off. She had never been a morning person, but running an entire inn, mostly by herself, meant she needed to get up before the birds.

  Ella sat and tried to rub the sleepiness from her eyes. She looked out the window by her bed and saw the light of day slowly creeping closer to the horizon. The early morning mist left frosted dew-covered cobwebs on the grass in the backyard below. The sky was varying shades of blue and indigo. She could still make out a few stars. As much as Ella loathed waking early, she loved the stillness and quiet peace this time of day brought.

  She took a deep breath before turning on the small bedside lamp that sat next to her clock. The light flicked on, momentarily assaulting her eyes before they could adjust. The room was small, but cozy. The ceiling was white pine panels, with natural dark wood beams vaulted across the middle. One of the bedroom walls was stone and had a large bay window that overlooked the backyard, letting natural light in.

  A few of her own sketches hung in the room, her most prized being the one of Mac by her bed. Ella pushed the purple down comforter off her; it was the one burst of color in the otherwise neutral room. Next, she slid her feet onto the furry white rug before reluctantly standing.

  Ella liked to think of herself as a minimalist. She had come here seven years ago, after arriving with only her backpack filled with her sketchbook and a wallet, and the clothes on her back. She had no intention of overstaying her welcome. Keeping less stuff had become a habit. There was no use collecting items she couldn’t take when she left. Everything had been temporary for her. There was no sense in getting attached. At least, that had been Ella’s theory for most of her life, until she started to open herself up to the one person she had come to rely on these past seven years: Mac. But even that had to come to a bitter end.

  Ella dressed and went about her tasks for the day at the inn. After breakfast was cleaned up, most of the rooms were prepared for the guests. Maggie waited for Annie and little Avery to pick her up in the lobby. The check-outs had ended, and the check-ins came rolling in sporadically. The maids had finished cleaning the rooms. The ladies were now moving on to clean the lobby and breakfast area.

  Ella’s best friend, Magdalena Hicks, sat on a bench in the lobby, chatting with Ella while she worked through the never-ending stack of paperwork. Maggie was tall, thin, and had short blond hair. Her blue eyes always sparkled with joy, and Ella knew Maggie’s wife, Julie, had everything to do with that.

  “How is little miss Avery today?” Ella asked.

  “Oh, she told me she wants to go fossil hunting this weekend to find dinosaur bones.”

  Ella’s eye brows raised in confusion as she asked, “Dinosaur bones?”

  Maggie continued to explain, “She is obsessed with dinosaurs. Mom said I was too when I was five, but I don’t remember ever being so completely captivated by something in my entire life. I mean, she watches documentaries of paleontologists talking about this stuff that makes me fall asleep it is so boring, but she is glued to every word they say. The first time she said paleontology it sounded like ‘pay-lean-nolo-ghee,’” Maggie said in a mock four-year-old voice.

  Ella laughed at Maggie’s impression. “Well, maybe she gets that from Julie. She likes playing with mud,” she joked, stapling a few pages together.

  “Yes, Ella, because pottery is almost the same as a dinosaur dig,” Maggie said sarcastically as she rolled her eyes.

  The bell above the door rang, and Ella felt a warm breeze sweep over her body. A buzzing energy tingled every nerve ending as the smell of the woods, and man enveloped her senses. Confused, she looked up from what she was doing. Her whole body froze momentarily as she took in the sight of the breathtakingly handsome six-foot man in front of her. His brown hair was cut in a short fade, and he wore a snug-fitting black tee that accentuated every muscle in his broad shoulders. Ella looked down past the long camo shorts, all the way to his feet, and saw his black and white Converse shoes, feeling herself melt just a little.

  Ella realized she was ogling the gorgeous man, who had walked up to the counter and was staring b
ack at her with an expression like he knew what she was thinking. She looked into his eyes, embarrassed, and wondered how they had not caught her attention first; they were a light hazel, more green than brown, contrasting against his light brown skin making him seem almost unearthly.

  “G-good afternoon,” Ella managed to stammer. She cleared her throat and asked, “Can I help you?” She felt her breathing increase, and she tried to calm herself. She wasn’t sure why this man’s presence suddenly elicited such strong feelings of desire inside her—feelings that seemed to have lain dormant most of her life.

  Ella suddenly felt out of control, and that terrified her. She felt her protective walls hastily reforming, following the momentary lapse, helping her gain composure.

  The supermodel of a man put his empty hand on the back of his neck as a crooked smirk appeared across his face. Ella felt a rush of heat to her center.

  He answered, “Checking in. River Parker.”

  When she reached down for the paperwork, she saw him glance at the ink on her forearms. Ella forced her gaze back to the stack of paperwork, finding the information she had stapled and prepared. “Yes. I have you as a guest staying until Tuesday, right?”

  “Yup,” he answered, sounding distracted.

  “Great. You’re in the Orchard suite. Here is your room key, a local map, and a list of close amenities. Breakfast is in the dining nook from seven to eleven.” Ella motioned to her right. “You’re on your own for lunch and dinner. I mean, you can eat with anyone you want, but we don’t serve it here…dinner, I mean,” Ella finished, flustered as she motioned to the staircase on her left. Her cheeks flushed pink. River’s smirk turned into a full smile, and Ella could feel the blood drain from her face, moving south. What had gotten into her?

  “Thanks.” River reached for the paper. His finger grazed hers. A bolt of electrified energy shot through Ella’s palm and she nearly jumped. She wondered if the handsome guest had felt it too. River’s eyes flicked to hers before he picked up his bag and walked up the stairs to his right where the sign pointed to the rooms.

  Ella stared at the desk in front of her, willing her eyes not to follow the gorgeous man who had just caused her to lose her composure so completely.

  “You should look. The view of his backside is just as nice as the front,” Maggie said, louder than she needed to.

  “Shhhhh! What if he heard you?” Ella scolded her.

  Maggie just giggled mischievously in response.

  Ella exhaled. “Was I that obvious?” she asked, genuinely concerned.

  Maggie shot her an incredulous look before answering, “Girl, I have never seen you fawn so completely over any man since I met you. You got it bad.”

  “He’s a guest, Maggie. Off limits,” Ella responded, but said it aloud more to remind herself than her friend.

  It had been a long time since she had been with a man. Ella had let that part of herself wither in the darkness since she’d escaped seven years ago. Seven years was a long time, and Ella had since assumed that maybe she just didn’t need sex. Because for her, sex meant men. And there had never been a man she was attracted to that she’d felt was trustworthy enough to let into her heart. She had considered casual hookups, but the thought of someone seeing her scarred body and asking questions immediately shut down the possibility for her.

  “Whatever you say,” Maggie said sarcastically.

  The bell rang again as little Avery rushed into the inn with Annie trailing not far behind her. Avery’s jet-black hair was pulled up into a tight bun, and she wore rainbow-striped leggings, a polka-dot skirt, and a blue top with a unicorn on it.

  “Mommy! Mommy, I missed you!” Avery yelled as she dove into her mother’s arms.

  Annie greeted Ella while Avery and Maggie chatted about the little girl’s day with her gramma.

  Annie had become a surrogate fun aunt for Ella. Two years before Mac’s diagnosis, Annie had retired from her role as the main cook at the inn, except for special occasions. She now watched her granddaughter while Maggie worked.

  Annie reached out to Ella for a hug. Ella didn’t like being touched, but she made an exception for the few who were closest in her life. That list had only grown shorter since Mac’s death.

  Annie was tall, like her daughter, but her hair was long and silver with ever-changing bright colored streaks. Annie was what Vermonters referred to as ‘granola’ or ‘crunchy’. She never wore a bra. She used a salt crystal for deodorant, and patchouli oil for perfume. Annie’s clothes were all organic hemp or cotton dresses and pants of varying shades of colors, patterns, and layers. She practiced earthing, which meant that unless it was absolutely freezing out, or there was snow or ice on the ground, she was barefoot. She wore a long crystal and wood mala necklace, and rings on almost every finger. She was the most eccentric, fun-loving, and free-living person Ella had ever had the honor of knowing.

  “How goes it at the inn?” Annie asked.

  “Great,” Ella answered.

  “I would say a little better than great, wouldn’t you, Ella?” Maggie teased.

  Annie looked between Ella and Maggie before asking, “Oh? Sounds like something juicy!”

  Ella crossed her arms and shot a death glare to Maggie, which her friend ignored.

  “Ella nearly had a spontaneous orgasm at the sight of a smoking, fine-ass guest is all. Pun intended.” She winked at Ella. “His name is River.” Maggie filled her mother in before Ella could protest.

  “Be quiet, Maggie!” Ella whisper-yelled.

  “Who’s River, Mommy I want to go to the river!” Avery chimed in.

  “Aves, you and your mommy should go on a hike to the river! Your mommy was just telling me how much she wanted to get outside today and play in the mud. Mud season is almost over, so you better go now,” Ella lied.

  Vermont had what seemed like five revolving seasons, rather than four: winter, spring, second winter, mud season, summer, fall, and winter again. The locals would joke that if you didn’t like the weather, wait five minutes because it was bound to change.

  Maggie didn’t look pleased, but Avery jumped up and down in excitement. “Can we go now, Mommy? Pleeeeease?”

  “Yes baby. Let’s go before Aunt Ella comes up with any more ideas. We can pick up Mama from her shop on the way,” Maggie said, taking Avery’s hand and walking out the door with Avery full of glee. Avery called Maggie Mommy, and her other mother, Julie, Mama. Avery was lucky enough to have two loving mothers, which was twice as many as Ella had.

  Annie gave Ella one more hug and handed her a baggie filled with chocolate hearts.

  “Thanks, Annie.” Ella took the bag.

  “Enjoy!” Annie said with a wink, before following after her daughter and granddaughter.

  At midafternoon Ella needed to take a break, so she wandered into the kitchen to make herself a cup of black tea, after setting the chocolates in the freezer. Her mind wondered back to the striking guest and what had transpired. It must have been a one-time thing, she chalked it up to momentary insanity. It had just been a long time since anyone that good-looking had crossed her path, if ever. Maybe she needed to get out a little more. It was probably her grief, and she just needed a moment to get a hold of herself. There was no point in entertaining fantasies that could never come true anyway.

  Ella decided she would drink her tea and get back to learning how to improve the inn’s website design. The task brought a renewed sense of dread. She couldn’t afford to hire someone as she had just finished paying for the remodel and Mac’s funeral. Plus, this time of year was the inn’s slow season. The business’s bank account was too low for something she was determined to figure out herself. She didn’t want to risk having someone else take over and make a mess of things that she had deliberately spent countless hours rebuilding. Special events, including the wedding season, would be starting in a couple of weeks, and that wou
ld bring in some much-needed cash.

  The challenge of conquering the dreaded task of website design would be the perfect distraction from the hazel-eyed god staying in her inn. If she was numbing her mind with website improvements, there would be no brain cells left to wonder what those full lips would feel like on her own. Ella bit down on her tongue, nearly drawing blood. I bet they are warm and sweet.

  She jolted upright, sitting straight as a board, and shook her head in an attempt to release the thoughts out of fear that the stranger could read her mind through the walls.

  “Best to get busy,” she said out loud to the empty room.

  Chapter 2

  River had seen the look on the hostess’s face. Her eyes had slowly made their way down his body, and he hadn’t been able to help but notice how stunningly beautiful she was. Her breasts heaved against the fabric of the purple dress she was wearing. Her cream skin contrasted with her dark eyes and long brown hair. He wondered if the wavy locks would feel soft in his hand, or against his bare chest if she was on top of him. Was she having similar thoughts when her brown eyes had dilated and her complexion had pinkened as she’d finally met his gaze? It was going to be a long week, but maybe he could have some fun while he was there after all.

  River noticed the ink covering her forearms and felt his shorts get a little tighter. He picked up his bag to hide his obvious physical response and took a step closer. Taking the papers from the hostess, he felt the jolt of lightning strike his body when her hand grazed his. What the hell just happened? He had never felt a shock like that before. River left as quickly as he could to regain some semblance of control.