Praise for Rachel D. Russell
THEN CAME YOU
Warren and Russell’s latest novel exudes all the comforts of coming home as we return to the beloved town of Deep Haven. With a relatable theme of embracing the lives we’ve been given rather than the lives others expect of us, Then Came You is a whirlwind of sweet, fun moments between serious Boone and playful Vivien fending off their instant attraction while discovering what’s truly meant to be. Fans of Nicholas Sparks’ Safe Haven will love this story of true beauty, protective heroes, and hope undaunted.
Janine Rosche, bestselling author of the Madison River Romance Series
Fans of Deep Haven and the PJ Sugar series will be delighted to see familiar faces in this sweet romance—plus a few new ones! If you love hunky detectives, sassy actresses and small town shenanigans, this is the book for you!
Jessica Kate, author of Love and Other Mistakes
STILL THE ONE
Fans of Susan May Warren's Christiansen family novels will fall head over heels for Rachel D. Russell's charming debut. With its likable romantic duo and cast of familiar supporting characters, Still the One is a worthy addition to Warren's beloved Deep Haven collection.
Carla Laureano, RITA® Award-winning author of Five Days in Skye and The Saturday Night Supper Club
A new story set in Deep Haven? Yes, please! Still the One captured my attention from its opening pages. I adored wounded Cole right off the bat (heart eyes for days!) and found myself relating to heroine Megan. Weaving together heart-tugging romance and small-town charm, debut author Rachel D. Russell is sure to win readers with this hope-filled story.
Melissa Tagg, Christy award-winning author of the Maple Valley and Walker Family series
A debut author to watch, Rachel D. Russell has crafted a story packed with genuine emotion, irresistible characters, sizzling chemistry, and well-deserved second chances. The path to love is not easy for long-separated childhood friends Cole and Megan, but the hope and healing they each offer and find along the way will fill the reader’s heart to overflowing.
Bethany Turner, Award-winning author of Hadley Beckett's Next Dish
Then Came You
Susan May Warren
Rachel D. Russell
A Note from Susie May
“Can Boone go to Deep Haven?”
When Rachel Russell came to me with this idea, my heart just exploded. How I love Boone. Broken-hearted, misunderstood, tough but sweet Boone from my PJ Sugar series. Yes, he was from Kellogg, MN, but why couldn’t he take a vacation in Deep Haven?
And maybe it could change his life.
As my readers know, I LOVE to cross series and pluck a character from one book and settle him/her into another—even a different world. I’ve been able to cross my Russian books with my SAR books, my Montana Books with my Alaska books, and my Deep Haven books into all of them…but the PJ Sugar series was feeling a little left out.
“Yes! Please!” I said.
Admittedly, I was a little worried about Boone and how he’d fare in Deep Haven.
But Rachel nailed it.
First, she loves Boone as much as I do, so she did him justice. Then, she created a character in Vivien who is the perfect match for our dear Boone (if he can just open his eyes and get over PJ enough to see it!).
In fact, Rachel might have written a better version of Boone than I did! Sexy, strong, wise, but still getting over PJ—Boone is right where he’s supposed to be in Deep Haven, and I’m so thrilled with his story.
And then there’s Vivien—you met her in the previous Deep Haven books, and in the Christiansen series, but she was waiting for the right man. Her humor and spunk are exactly what Boone needs…but is HE what SHE needs?
Rachel’s voice in this story is excellent. Funny, poignant, sweet—you’ll love the blend of North Shore/theater romance with a hint of mystery/suspense. The perfect summer read—enjoy as you read by the lake.
I know PJ would.
Thank you for reading the next book in the Deep Haven Collection!
* * *
Warmly,
* * *
Susie May
For my husband and sons—
Thank you for all the laughter you bring into my life.
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
Epilogue
Connect With Sunrise
Other Deep Haven Novels
Hangin’ By a Moment
Sneak Peek
Acknowledgments
About the Authors
Chapter 1
Vivien Calhoun needed a man within the next five minutes.
Her gaze swept across the Deep Haven Coast Guard station parking lot. Unfortunately, the Sunday Fish Pic crowd brimmed with either the townees who knew her or tourists who’d come with their families in tow.
But she’d do anything to avoid a mortifying face-to-face with her evil half sister. Sabrina Calhoun stood on the sidewalk, her blonde hair loose, in a teal mini and white tank. She might look innocent enough to the casual observer, but Vivien knew the truth.
Sabrina knew how to draw blood and the fact that she was here in Deep Haven, on the North Shore of Lake Superior, couldn’t bode well for Vivie. What on earth was she—the ruthless mean girl—doing in Vivien’s hometown?
Vivie didn’t care—she just knew that she couldn’t be seen as the loser in the unspoken war between them. She glanced at her reflection in the side mirror of the 1954 Chevy Bel-Air next to her. Excellent. The August heat hadn’t unseated her false lashes. She tossed her long sable locks over her shoulder and promptly whittled down her extensive eligible-bachelor criteria to three stellar qualities in a man.
Single, attractive, and present.
She scanned the crowd of the Fish Pic car show again, hoping Sabrina hadn’t yet spotted her. Maybe she could buy a few more minutes to execute her plan.
There, standing near a red Mustang. Tall, blond, and wow. Definitely not a local. Pale blue eyes took in the festival-like atmosphere and a brush of whiskers darkened his jawline. Short-cropped hair. His tan said he spent a lot of time outdoors and he had muscles to boot. Oh, she’d cast him as a hero any day.
The newcomer couldn’t possibly be single—she jockeyed into position to view his left hand. No ring. No indentation. Not even the faintest hint of a telltale pale line.
No. Way. Today might be her lucky day.
Mr. Hottie was her man.
She pressed her lips together, ensuring full coverage of her hour-old lipstick, smoothed her vintage sundress over her hips, and wove through the crowd, keeping her eyes on the stranger. He wore a faded green T-shirt over his tan cargo shorts. Definitely ready for an adventure. His blue eyes landed on her with the kind of arresting gaze that caused a woman to surrender.
“Vivie!” Her roommate snagged her arm, drawing her attention away from the target. “Did you already announce the Labor Day weekend play?”
“No, Ree, and you have terrible timing.” She pulled Ree Zimmerman behind a green 1970 Chevelle parked on the scruffy grass at the edge of the lot. “Get down,” she hissed.
“Have you lost your mind?” Ree squatted beside her and tucked a wave of her long blonde bob behind her ear. “Why are we hiding?” She adjusted the cuff of her denim shorts and straigh
tened her Mad Moose Motel T-shirt.
“Because for some reason, Sabrina is here.” Ree was one of the few people who knew the truth about Sabrina. Vivien flicked grass blades from her sundress before pulling Ree’s back away from the sleek car. “Hey—be careful. Don’t scratch the paint.”
“Sorry.” Ree scooched away from the car. “Why would she be here?”
“I don’t know.” Because, really, seeing Sabrina was more than enough reminder of everything that had gone wrong in Vivien’s life.
Ree popped her head over the Chevelle. “I think I see her. If she’s the blonde in the teal skirt that seems to be missing a few inches of fabric at the hem, she just went around the corner toward the music stage.” She slid back down next to Vivien. “I wonder what she’s doing here.”
Vivien blew out a breath. “No doubt trying to make my life even more miserable than it already is.”
“Well, I’m still trying to finish up the news story on the community theater event. I need a few quotes from you to polish it up.”
“Right now? I’m a little busy.” She gestured toward the car they hid behind.
“Now’s a perfect time. I tried to do it last night, but you came in too late and I have to get the article to press this afternoon.” Ree shuffled through her purse and withdrew a piece of note paper and pen. “Okay, sorry, reading through my notes here—so, you’re opening up the community theater. How will that support your return to Broadway?”
Vivien’s stomach turned. “I don’t—um, I think I’m done with that.” She smiled and declared, “For a while.”
“What? That’s always been your dream. Why aren’t you going back?”
“I didn’t say I wasn’t ever going back.” Vivien shook off the waves of nausea and straightened her back. “You know what? I just want to focus on being behind the scenes this summer. Give myself time to decide what I want to do.”
“Are you kidding me? You were born for the stage.”
Maybe born for it, but a stalker, a two-timer, and an on-stage disaster had pretty much destroyed those plans. “I’m ready to be a director.” She gave Ree another assuring smile. “For now. I mean, I’ll go back, of course.” Someday. Maybe.
Ree’s jaw dropped open. “Of course? Please. I have been your best friend since second grade. I know your tells. What’s the deal?”
The problem with dear friends is they didn’t always know when to let something go. “The best directors have been on the stage, Ree. I think it’s great to do both. Diversify. I mean, look at Robert Redford. Angelina Jolie. Jodie Foster. So many.” She waved her hand in the air, dismissing the discussion.
“Viv—”
She patted Ree’s shoulder. “I’ll show you I’ve still got it. See Mr. Hottie by the red Mustang?”
Ree took a look. “I take it you don’t mean Nathan Decker.”
“Obviously not. No, Mr. Hottie, the guy talking to Nathan.” Vivien leaned forward and took a quick peek to make sure Sabrina hadn’t come back through. “He’s going to be my plus-one for a little while so I can rob Sabrina of her smug, self-serving victory.” She winked. “He just doesn’t know it yet.”
Ree’s mouth fell open, her eyes wide. “I thought you said you were done with relationships. I’m pretty sure you used the word indefinitely.”
“I am. I simply need a plus-one for today. A stand-in.”
Ree tugged on her arm. “Viv, you can’t do that. You don’t even know that guy.”
“Oh, watch me.” She fluffed her dark waves. “It’s not like I’m preying on a defenseless man, stealing his fortune. I just need him for the next few minutes and it really doesn’t look like he has anything else going on.” Besides, it was just another role for her to play in life.
“I can’t talk you out of this, can I?”
“Nope.”
“Well, then I should warn you Sabrina’s still on the prowl.” Ree pointed with her pen toward the judges’ booth where the prima donna was engaging locals in conversation, her laughter less than genuine.
“Then, take notes, my dear. This is how it’s done.”
Vivien stood and made her way around the Chevelle to the red Mustang as Nathan departed. The man turned, his eyes meeting hers across the hood of the car. He stilled. Stared.
“Nice ride.” Vivien smiled, looked down, and ran her hand across the pale interior of the convertible. “Is this the 225 or the 271 V-8?” She raised her eyes back to his.
He tilted his head, smiled. “You know your cars. The V-8.”
Oh, yeah, she knew the beautiful car had the V-8 under the hood. “This must be your first time in the car show. I’d definitely remember this car.” And its driver, who managed to look even better close up. She stepped closer and a faint hint of cologne, a blend of citrus and sandalwood, reached her. A woodsy, masculine scent that made her want to lean into it.
“Thanks. It’s actually not in the car show. She’s just my baby.”
Definitely not married.
“Oh?” She held out a hand to him. “Vivien Calhoun. And you’re…?”
“Late.” He said it with a twinkle in his eyes and pulled his car keys from his pocket.
She laughed. “Okay, Late. Hey—I need your help with a little something, and you look like the kind of guy who’d help out a girl in trouble.”
He frowned. “What kind of trouble?”
Sabrina had started wandering through the cars.
Vivien placed a hand on his arm, gave it a little squeeze. He stopped in his tracks and looked down at her, a little blaze in his eyes. “Here’s the deal. All I need is for you to take a walk with me—you know, like we’re…together…so Ms. Venom-for-Blood leaves me alone.” She tilted her head toward the blonde interloper who’d started toward them.
He gave Sabrina a casual glance and turned back to Vivien. “Ouch.” He smiled, something slow and teasing. “What if I told you she’s my date?”
“Oh, hon, if she’s your date, then you really do need me to save you.”
A rich, warm laugh broke free. The kind that thrummed through her like a favorite show tune. “I thought I was saving you.”
“We can save each other.”
He laughed again. “I’m sure she can’t be that bad.”
“Trust me. If you consider the totality of her transgressions, she is exactly that kind of terrible, no-good, very-bad person.”
Several drivers started up their engines, the rumble so deep she could feel it in her chest.
“I’m really sorry, but I need to get going.” He stepped away.
“Ten minutes into town and of course, I run into you.” Sabrina sauntered over, ensuring she was loud enough to draw stares. Sabrina was beautiful, with her long legs, perfect white teeth, and deep blue eyes.
But Vivien had acting chops. She wouldn’t have landed the role of Belle in Beauty and the Beast in New York if she didn’t. Vivien turned. Flashed her megawatt smile. “Oh, Sabrina. What a…surprise.” She seriously doubted it was the fishing contest or smoked walleye that had brought Sabrina to the remote location.
“What are you doing here?” Sabrina waved her hand in the air. “Oh, that’s right. All those things that happened in New York City caused you to turn tail and practically run out of—” She covered her mouth, her snotty smirk still visible. “Oh, there I go. Sorry. Well, I know that was probably so humiliating. I can’t even imagine how mortified you must have been.”
And a little piece of Vivien broke away. Because Sabrina was right. Flames of embarrassment heated Vivie’s face, burning hotter than the summer sun. And, just like in New York City, she stood alone. All eyes on her.
“Hey, Viv—you ready to go?” The voice, rich and deep and solid, reached right through the chaos of emotions, grabbed her, and held on.
She blinked, felt a solid hand slip around hers, and turned to see her hero nod toward his car. “The parade is about to start.”
Sabrina’s eyes painted Mr. Hottie in slow motion, up and down, landing on his h
and joined to Vivien’s.
Yeah. Hottie for the win.
Vivien swallowed, nodded, tossed her goodbye to Sabrina. “See you around.” Or not. Handsome held open the passenger side door and she slid in. The daggers in her back from Sabrina didn’t even hurt as they pulled away.
“That. Was. Awesome.” Vivien turned, blinked away the moisture in her eyes. “Did you see her face?”
Her rescuer nodded, his face tight.
Oh. “Hey—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you even later.”
“It’s okay.” He tilted his head toward Sabrina’s indignant figure behind them. “I have little use for people like that.”
“Well, thank you.”
He nodded. “Clearly a friend of yours.” He looked over at her and winked.
And that made her smile. “Right. You can drop me off at the end of the parking lot and I’ll catch a ride with my roommate.” She could find some other way to avoid Sabrina the rest of the afternoon.
He stopped the car. “Oh no.”
“What?” Vivien followed his gaze. “Oh no,” she echoed. Cars had pulled out in front of the Mustang and behind. The car show entrants. “Um, looks like you’re going to be in the parade after all.”
“I was kidding.”
She started singing. “You’ve got to… Live a little… Laugh a little…”
“I don’t think you understand. I—” He made a face. “This is bad.”
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