by Miles, Ava
“Oh, sweetheart,” he said, “you make this old man so happy. Your grandmother would be too, if she were still with us.”
A tear slipped down her cheek. “I love you, Grandpa.”
“I love you too, little miss,” he said, irritated at the wetness in his eyes.
His granddaughters were making him cry like a girl. He looked over at Peggy. “What about you? Are you pregnant yet?”
Her mouth dropped. “Ah, no. But it’s under discussion.”
No surprise there. Peggy was a great mother. Keith had wanted a sibling for years, and Mac would be a wonderful father. “You’ll get there.”
“Congrats, Mere,” Peggy said with a big smile. “I’m going to be an aunt!”
“Hey,” Jill called. “What about my kids?”
“They can’t call me that yet. They can barely open their eyes and look around.”
“Haha,” Jill replied. “So tell me more about this land for the next generation, Grandpa. My mind is already churning out ideas.”
He gave them more details, bouncing Violet gently in his arms. When he finished, he said, “Who knows what will happen down the road? It will be nice to know the Hales are preserving the beauty around Dare Valley as the town continues to grow.”
“And it is growing,” Jill commented. “It’s becoming the place to be.”
“Emmits had a big part in that. He’d be mighty proud of how everything has turned out.”
Dare Valley had changed so much in his life, but some things had remained the same: family, community. The important stuff.
“My time is coming to a close,” he continued. “Now it’s time for you two to write in your own Wish Book about what you want for your lives and your families. You may have taken new names, but you’ll always be Hales. What do you want for your children and grandchildren?”
Meredith gave a slow smile. “We’re just getting used to the news. I’ll have to think about it.”
“Good coffee,” Jill replied, making them all laugh. “I would just hate to think the planet might become so overcrowded down the road that we can’t even grow any coffee.”
“Always my practical one.” Arthur turned to Peggy. “What about you, my dear?”
“Well, even though I know I’ll sound like a softy, I’m just going to come out and say it. World peace. I don’t want my kids or grandkids—wow, there’s a mind twister—to have to worry about crime and violence.”
“An admirable wish, especially for someone in law enforcement, Peggy,” he said rising from the chair, still cuddling Violet close. “Well, if you’ll excuse me, I need to stretch these old bones.”
Meredith took the baby from him, her eyes shining, and he grabbed his cane and walked to the door, a bit stiff, but feeling that glow in his chest that always came in warm moments like this one.
“Regardless of what you choose, girls, choose well. Your grandchildren might be sitting in a room like this someday, talking about you.”
He walked down the hall to the far window. Pushed back the curtain until he could see the endless sky and the sea of stars.
They all looked like a bunch of diamonds to him, and he knew Harriet was up there somewhere.
“Did you hear that, Harriet? Our Meredith’s giving us another grand baby. But you probably already knew, didn’t you?”
He sighed deeply, missing her so very much.
“I’ll see you soon, my love,” he whispered.
And as he said it, a reddish star winked in the darkness and then disappeared. He smiled slowly.
So, she’d found a way to be a ruby, after all, even up in heaven.
Well, she always had been a determined woman.
Dear Reader,
THE TOWN SQUARE holds a special place in my heart because I love Grandpa Hale from The Dare Valley series. I modeled him after my own great–great grandfather, our own journalistic legend, and it’s been wonderful to visit the 1960s and see what Arthur and Dare Valley were like then. And of course to meet the tough and lovely, Harriet, who captures his heart.
Your opinion really matters to me, so I would love for you to post a review and let me know what you think of THE TOWN SQUARE. Additionally, your review helps other readers find my books. If you’re willing, you can write one here.
After this book, I’m taking everyone on a ride into the South with my Nashville–inspired series called Dare River. You’ve met bad–boy country singer, Rye Crenshaw, in THE GRAND OPENING and THE HOLIDAY SERENADE, and he just insisted on having his own story. He certainly finds his match in the sassy cook he hires for his concert tour. Remember how much Rye loves food? Well, this novel is chock–full of Tory Simmons’ recipes. Oh, and Rye’s country songs for all you music lovers like me. Rhett Butler Blaylock makes a few appearances, of course, since he and Rye are best friends. I just can’t wait for you to read it. COUNTRY HEAVEN will be released February 11, 2014.
But what about Dare Valley? Oh, don’t worry, we’ll be heading back there in Spring 2014 in THE PARK OF SUNSET DREAMS. Rhett’s former poker babe and now dog walker, Jane Wilcox, falls for Grandpa Hale’s great–great nephew, lawyer Matthew Hale.
In case you missed the other books in The Dare Valley Series, keep reading. I included brief snippets of them all. If you want to keep up with all of my exciting news and enter my fun giveaways, please sign up for my newsletter and connect with me on Facebook where we have a ball. Happy Reading!
Lots of blessings,
Ava
Coming Soon
The Dare River Series begins…
Book 1: COUNTRY HEAVEN
Country singer Rye Crenshaw and Tory Simmons’ story
A down–on–her luck cook uses food’s magical properties to tame a beastly country singer after he hires her under false pretenses to restore his flagging image.
Available February 11, 2014
Also Coming Soon
The Dare Valley Series continues…
Book 6: THE PARK OF SUNSET DREAMS
Jane Wilcox and Matthew Hale’s story
Available Spring 2014
NORA ROBERTS LAND
Journalist Meredith Hale's ex–husband claimed her Nora Roberts addiction gave her unrealistic expectations about marriage, and she believed him. All dreams of happily ever after—or Nora Roberts Land as her mother calls it— went up in smoke. But when her family asks her to temporarily help their Dare Valley, Colorado newspaper, she decides it’s time to change her life and prove her ex wrong. She's determined to find her own small–town Nora Roberts hero, prove that true love exists, and publish a story about her quest.
War correspondent Tanner McBride has just returned stateside to work for a major newspaper, and the last thing he expects is blackmail. Yet, before he can even unpack, he’s headed to Colorado. His assignment? Make his boss’s ex–wife fall for him and then break her heart. Her article about discovering love à la Nora might air dirty laundry about her marriage to the media mogul, threatening his senate run. The mogul wants Meredith stopped, and he makes sure Tanner has no choice in the matter.
When the two meet, the sparks between them are undeniable. Meredith, who vowed never to date another journalist, begins to succumb. Could Tanner be her Nora Roberts hero? As they work together to uncover the truth behind a suspicious death, the depth of their feelings unfolds and both realize they've kept their secrets for far too long. But before the truth can be revealed, their investigation takes a deadly turn, one that might make Meredith's personal Nora Roberts Land go up in flames.
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FRENCH ROAST
Small–town biz wiz Jill Hale has been in love with her childhood best friend Brian McConnell for as long as she can remember. A falling out led to years of estrangement, but when Brian returns to Dare Valley after trying to make it big as a chef in New York City, Jill’s determined to make amends. She’s convinced that starting a restaurant together will be the perfect win–win situation, allowing her and Brian to work together and play together.
> After a series of missteps sliced and diced Brian’s career in the Big Apple, he came home to regroup and find himself. He’s convinced that reestablishing his connection with Jill, the girl who got away, will put his life back on track. And when she approaches him with her plan for going into business together, he’s certain it’s the one way he can have it all—his dream job and his dream girl.
Jill and Brian are falling for each other all over again when Brian’s ex sashays into town, intent on sabotaging their reunion. Add in a mysterious investor who’s determined to get Jill on board with his project, and the bond between the couple is tested to the limit. Will their second chance at love implode, or will they find their own recipe for a happy ending?
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THE GRAND OPENING
When Peggy McBride moves to Dare Valley, Colorado, the last thing she wants is to meet a man. If she’s learned one thing from her divorce, it’s that love is a messy business, and as a single mom and the new deputy sheriff, she has her hands full. But when hotel magnate and poker player Mac Maven moves to town, she becomes enthralled by the very last man she would ever consider dating…
Mac Maven has come to Dare with ambitious plans for his new project, the restoration of The Grand Mountain Hotel as a boutique poker venue. Only one person offers him a less than warm welcome: Deputy Sheriff Peggy McBride, who is dead set against gambling. But although Peggy’s a fierce opponent, Mac senses a tenderness and passion within her that he longs to free. Having helped his sister raise her teenage son, he understands Peggy, and can see past her tough–as–nails exterior.
When a threat to Mac’s hotel surfaces, he and Peggy must join forces to find out who’s responsible. Working together ignites the white–hot connection between them, and their cooperation takes a decidedly personal turn. But can Mac convince Peggy to set their differences aside and take a gamble on love?
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THE HOLIDAY SERENADE
Professional gambler Rhett Butler Blaylock is everything Abbie Maven doesn’t want in a man—flamboyant, flashy, and unreserved. After a horrible experience in her youth, she has spent her life trying to make all the right choices, pouring her energy into being the best possible single mother to her son. But though Rhett doesn’t seem to be husband and stepfather material, he awakens emotions in her that are as frightening as they are powerful. They had a fling she’s never forgotten, and now he has followed her to Dare Valley, Colorado with the intention of winning back her heart…this time, forever.
Rhett’s determined to show Abbie he can be the man of her dreams. He’ll do whatever it takes for the woman he loves, including giving up his flamboyant lifestyle and bad–boy image. As Christmas approaches, he prepares a special surprise for her, hoping the holiday will work its magic and grant him a miracle. Will his holiday serenade heal Abbie’s heart and convince her to give love a second chance?
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About the Author
Ava Miles burst onto the contemporary romance scene after receiving Nora Roberts’ blessing for her use of Ms. Roberts’ name in her debut novel, NORA ROBERTS LAND, which kicked off The Dare Valley Series and brought praise from reviewers and readers alike. Much to Ava's delight, BlogCritics says "It [NORA ROBERTS LAND] captures the best of…a Nora Roberts novel,” while USA Today's Happily Ever After blog praises the series noting its “wonderful, idyllic setting… [and] great characters." Ava continued The Dare Valley Series in FRENCH ROAST, which Tome Tender says “raised the entertainment bar again” and then THE GRAND OPENING, which reviewer Mary J. Gramlich says “is a continuation of love, family, and relationships.” The fourth book in the series, THE HOLIDAY SERENADE, was met with high praise, and now Ava shares her ode to the early 1960s, THE TOWN SQUARE, what she calls Mad Men in a small town with a happy ending.
Born in a small town herself, Ava has created the small, Colorado town of Dare Valley and the residents who make it memorable, including the Hale family who, like Ava, are descended from a long line of journalists. Ava's great–great grandfather won his first newspaper in a poker game in 1892 and her family has had something to do with telling stories, whether to share news or, in her case, fiction, ever since. In fact her clan is still reporting on local events more than one hundred years later at their family newspaper.
Having left behind the "day job," which took her, literally, all over the world, she now writes full–time in the peace and quiet of her northern Virginia porch–swinging–friendly community. If you’d like to connect with Ava or hear more about her upcoming books, check out the links below:
Ava’s Website
Ava’s Facebook
Nora Roberts Land Page
Ava’s Twitter
Ava’s Pinterest
Copyright December, 2013, Ava Miles. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form by any means—graphic, electronic or mechanical—without permission in writing from the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review.
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally.
ISBN–13: 978–1–940565–03–3
Genres: Romance, 1960s, small town, comedy, workplace, Popular Culture & Social Sciences, baby boomers
www.avamiles.com
Ava Miles
Formatting by Anessa Books
Table of Contents
Acknowledgements
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
Coming Soon
NORA ROBERTS LAND
FRENCH ROAST
THE GRAND OPENING
THE HOLIDAY SERENADE
About the Author
