One Hundred Ways: An Aspen Cove Romance Read online

  His phone pinged with an incoming message.

  It’s about as exciting as watching an inchworm cross the street. What about you?

  Cade was four years younger. Trinity was two years behind him. It was right after she was born that their mom decided ranchers and ranch life wasn’t for her. She divorced their dad and moved down to Florida, eventually married a man who owned a night club, and had two more kids.

  New girl in town. Things are looking up.

  He could almost see his brother laughing.

  How many available women does that make? Two or three?

  Contrary to popular belief, there were a lot more single women in town than people realized. The problem was, most were under ten or over fifty.

  Even at three, that’s three more than you have in Wyoming. Those sheep are looking sexy about now, right?

  He waited for his brother to reply. All that came through was an emoji flipping him off. He missed that asshole.

  Maisey swung by and dropped his food off before she moved to Riley’s table with her meal. He lifted his head to see what she was eating. He never liked a woman who couldn’t eat. Was never attracted to the type of woman who nibbled on carrots and only drank sparkling water. Real women had curves. Their asses should overflow a man’s hand. Their thighs should cradle his hips.

  When he saw the grilled cheese sandwich and fries, he smiled. With a meal like that, he bet under that tent of an outfit, she was hiding delicious curves.

  He had finished half of his meal when Dalton breezed into the diner and took a look around. A stranger might think he was robbing the place. He was a character straight out of a Sons of Anarchy episode. His arms were covered in tattoos, and he wore a black bandana with skulls and crossbones. What people didn’t realize was Dalton was as tame as a kitten but could turn into a lion if those he cared about were threatened.

  Riley’s eyes opened wide, and a smile as big as a canyon brightened her face. Dalton nodded toward her. “I’ll be right there.”

  Rather than head straight to his cousin, he stopped by Luke’s table. “Hey, man, we’re having a big bonfire on the beach tonight in front of the house. Could use a fireman… or a friend. Samantha and I would love to have you and the guys over. She’s getting so excited about the concert and photo shoot coming up.”

  “I’ll be there.”

  “See you then.”

  Luke hadn’t known Dalton before Samantha came into his life, but he was grateful she did; otherwise, he’d be working in a Denver suburb instead of Aspen Cove. Samantha White, who was also known as Indigo, was one of the most popular pop stars on record.

  On a sabbatical, she’d tried to hide out in Aspen Cove. That’s how she met Dalton. When her house burned down and she realized the town only had a volunteer fire department and no truck, she held a concert to fund the Aspen Cove Fire Department. It was one of the only privately funded departments in the state. At the end of each summer, she held a concert in the area to keep it funded. Currently, the department wouldn’t need another dime for ten years, but Luke loved that she wanted to secure its future, which in turn secured his future and that of his men.

  This year, she was holding a photo shoot. It was a joint project between Poppy Bancroft the photographer, Charlie Whatley the town veterinarian, and Samantha. They wanted to sell firefighter and puppy calendars. How could they refuse? Since they didn’t have enough staff to cover twelve months, the town voted on the volunteer firefighters who would grace the pages. Bobby Williams, who was injured in the last fire, would be Mr. August. It was the eighth month, which represented his eight kids. That man was busy. Bowie Bishop would be Mr. July, but he insisted his army buddy Trig Whatley pose with him. Having both served in the United States military, it seemed appropriate to give them independence month. Cannon Bishop got March because his wife Sage reminded everyone of a leprechaun. Doc Parker, also injured in the fire, took on December because he was like Father Christmas to each person in town. He refused to go topless, saying it wouldn’t be fair to the rest of them if he showed his over seven decades of finely tuned flab.

  The rest of the months were divided up amongst the full and part-time staff. Somehow, he ended up with February. Something told him Meg had voted more than once to put him on the Valentine’s spread.

  He took a glance at the corner booth where Dalton and Riley were catching up. Her whole demeanor had changed with his appearance. She’d once sat quietly, looking sullen, but was now animated. The color in her cheeks and sparkle in her eyes were captivating.

  Luke finished his meal. He’d considered introducing himself but changed his mind. Maybe she’d be at the bonfire later. He took out a twenty and set it on the table before he left. Yep, things might actually be looking up. He walked outside and passed by an old, beat-up Jeep that looked like it belonged to a damn hoarder. At the end of summer, with so many tourists coming through town, it could be anyone.

  He peeked inside the dirty windows and saw the tanks of compressed gas and nearly blew his cool. What idiot would travel with compressed gas? The car was like a moving bomb. He marched across the street to the bakery and took a sticky note from the wishing wall. The wall was a local tradition started by Katie the bakery owner. People would come in for a muffin and write a wish on a yellow sticky note. Everyone pitched in to grant the reasonable wishes. Last week, he’d helped old man Meyers paint his house. Too bad he couldn’t wish for the end of stupidity. It looked like he’d have to tackle the problem one idiot at a time. On the note, he wrote, If you don’t care about yourself, think about others. Traveling with compressed gas is stupid, stupid, stupid.

  He stuck it to the driver’s side window and left.

  Chapter Three

  Riley finished the last bite of her grilled cheese and drank her coffee while Dalton sat across from her and spoke of how happy he was to have her in town.

  “I’m happy to be here.” She looked around the diner at the life they’d made for themselves. It hadn’t been easy for Maisey or Dalton. Maybe the Blacks were cursed with bad luck. Between the abuse from Maisey’s ex-husband and Dalton’s prison sentence for killing a man, they’d been to hell and back, but as she looked around the diner, she saw what hope and perseverance could do. They’d made it out of hell and were sitting on a nice piece of heaven. Maybe she could, too.

  “Tell me about Samantha.”

  Dalton's smile took up his face. “She’s amazing. I’m so glad she has poor taste in men.”

  “Stop.” She was the queen of self-deprecation. She’d learned how to perfect it from years of hearing everything that was wrong with her, but she hated to hear others speak poorly of themselves. “You’re a great catch. Who doesn’t like a man who can cook? How’s the culinary school going?”

  “It’s turned into more of a take and bake, but I’ve got a few regulars who stop in for lessons. Cannon, who you’ll meet later, sends Sage twice a month. I’d never met a woman who couldn’t boil water until her. Basil Dawson comes in once a week and tries his hand at cooking. He’s become quite the quiche maker. Big cowboy who rides the range all day, only to spend his free time making something as delicate as a quiche.”

  “You never know what’s brewing inside a person until you set them free.” Riley was ready to be emancipated. She needed to find out what she was capable of doing on her own but was scared she’d fail. If she did, what then? It wasn’t like she had anywhere else to go. Returning to Butte wasn’t an option. She’d never go back to the place that had molded her into someone she didn’t want to be.

  “What’s inside of you that’s waiting to be freed?” Dalton leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head.

  “I’m a work in progress.”

  She stared at his tattoos. His arms were covered in sleeves that told the story of his life. She bet if given enough time, she could find every success and failure etched into his skin. She reached behind her and touched the scar on her back. She too bore the scars of life, only she didn’t choose h
ers.

  “Let’s get you started. Finish up here, and I’ll meet you around the back of the bakery across the street to help you unload your stuff. Give me about ten minutes to get there.” He was up and out of the booth before she could say another word.

  Maisey walked over and took Dalton’s place. “I’ve got you scheduled tomorrow for your first shift.”

  Riley had never waitressed before, so she was nervous. “What if I’m a terrible server?”

  Maisey laughed. “Can you talk and write?”

  Riley knew she was trying to ease her fear. “Not at the same time, but yep, I can do those two things.”

  “Can you walk and carry a plate or two?” She reached forward and stacked the silverware and empty glass on top of the plate.

  “Yes, I’m pretty sure I’ve got walking mastered, and I’ll figure out the plate carrying.”

  “You’ll make a fine waitress. Show everyone that pretty smile of yours, and you’ll be great. The tips will be pouring in.”

  The bell above the door rang, and a woman in her late twenties to early thirties bounced in. She played up the fifties theme with her pink waitress uniform and black and white saddle shoes. She looked around the mostly empty diner, and when her eyes lighted on Maisey, she hurried over.

  “Hey Maise, is this the new girl?” She smiled like a woman trying to win a trophy.

  “Yep, this is Riley.” Maisey looked past her to where the old man she’d called Doc sat. “I’ve got to cash Doc out. Why don’t you introduce yourself to my niece?”

  Maisey left, and the woman took her seat. “I’m Meg. I’ll be training you.”

  “Hi, Meg. I fear I’m in for a big learning curve. I’ve never waitressed.”

  Meg stared at her without saying a word. She took her in from the top of her head to where her body hid behind the table. “There’s nothing to it, really. The key is to smile a lot and flirt. We have many single men in town, and they have deep pockets for a girl with a nice smile.” She looked down to where the buttons of her dress were opened to reveal a large amount of cleavage. “Don’t forget to show your personality.”

  Riley wasn’t sure what she meant, but with the way Meg looked at her girls, she was pretty certain they were what she’d dubbed as personality.

  “Umm, do I have to wear a uniform?”

  Meg giggled. “No, this is my thing. I like to play the part. I’m good at it.” She swung her head back and forth, and her long brown ponytail swished in the air. “Remember to smile. You may want to murder someone on the inside, but you get more tips with sugar than salt.”

  Riley was sure the saying was something like you get more flies with honey than vinegar, but it never made much sense because why would someone want flies? In her experience, the saying meant you’ll have more success luring people into a trap by being nice than by being mean. She was well-versed in that bait and switch. Kathy used kindness to manipulate situations. Riley fell for it all the time because she thought maybe once, her stepmother was truly being nice.

  She looked at Meg and decided she didn’t have any reason not to trust her motives, and if a smile and cleavage brought her some sugar, or in this case tips, she was game to try anything.

  “It was nice meeting you. I look forward to learning from you.” She looked past her to the window. “I’m supposed to meet Dalton in a few minutes, but I’ll catch you tomorrow.” She looked down at the empty plate topped with her glass and silverware. “Is there someplace I can put this?”

  Meg smiled. “No, sweetie. I can take care of it. That’s what friends are for.”

  Riley wondered if that was possible. Could it be that easy to adjust to a new place? Could she meet someone new and have a friend for life?

  “Thanks. I could use a friend.” She slid out of the booth. She caught her aunt's eyes and pointed to the door. Maisey waved at her and told her she’d see her tomorrow.

  Riley had walked into the diner feeling pensive and walked out feeling powerful. She had a new life. Things were going to be different for her. She’d no longer be a whipping boy to others. She was a strong, capable woman who had a lot to offer the world. She might not be the prettiest or the skinniest or the most talented, but she was something, and it was her greatest desire to find out what that something was.

  When she rounded her Jeep to the driver’s side, she smiled at the yellow note stuck to her window. No doubt it was a note from Dalton, or maybe Maisey had snuck out and left it for her. Her heart felt warm and full until she read it.

  If you don’t care about yourself, think about others. Traveling with compressed gas is stupid, stupid, stupid.

  She stood there with her mouth agape and read it again. She’d been in town less than an hour, and someone had stepped in to take Kathy’s place. She fisted the note and gritted her teeth. Aspen Cove was supposed to be different.

  She opened the door and tossed the note to the floorboard. Maybe what needed to be different was her.

  She turned the key and waited for the Jeep to shake and shudder to life. Thankful it started again, she pulled it around the back of the bakery, where Dalton stood outside talking to a group of men.

  She stepped out of the SUV and leaned against the door, waiting.

  “Riley, come meet my friends.”

  He introduced her to Bowie, Trig and Cannon. She took the handsome men in. They weren’t as good looking as Mr. Green Eyes, but Aspen Cove sure did breed beautiful.

  Once the introductions were over, the men disappeared. Dalton opened the back of her SUV. “Is this all your baggage?”

  If we’re talking emotional baggage, I left that in Butte.

  She looked at the single suitcase and milk crate that had a few of her favorite things, like the erector set that had gotten her an ass whoopin’ all those years ago.

  “I travel light.”

  He looked to where she’d managed to squeeze two welders and all the supplies she could fit into her vehicle.

  “There’s nothing light about that load.” He picked up her suitcase. “We can take stuff to the studio tomorrow.” He stared at the gas cylinders. “Those empty?”

  She thought about the note left on her window. “Yes. I’d be stupid, stupid, stupid to drive with full tanks in an enclosed, unstable environment.”

  “It’s a good thing you’re a Black, because one thing we’re not is stupid.”

  While she wanted to agree with him, she couldn’t. She’d done a lot of stupid things in her day but moving to Aspen Cove seemed like she was bucking that trend.

  “Lead the way.” She picked up the milk crate and followed him into the back door of the bakery.

  “This used to open into the bakery, but Katie had a door put in so you can have a private entrance.” He pointed up the steep staircase. “You’re at the top of the stairs.”

  They walked up, and Dalton opened the door.

  Riley didn’t know what to expect. All she knew was, today was the first moment of the rest of her life. When she entered the apartment, she smiled. It looked like maybe, just maybe she was getting a piece of heaven too.

  Dalton gave her a quick tour. “There’s a bonfire at my house on the beach. Come early to meet Samantha, Katie, and Sage.”

  She wanted to tell her cousin she was going to pass, but she didn’t have the heart to dismiss his hospitality. “Can I bring anything?” While she offered, she prayed he’d say no because she had nothing to offer except a few cans of vegetarian chili she had tucked behind her seat and the case of Ramen noodles on the floorboard in front of the passenger seat.

  “Bring yourself. It’s your welcome party, although we don’t need a reason to celebrate. Life is good here. You’ll figure that out soon enough.”

  He kissed her cheek and disappeared down the stairs, leaving Riley alone for the first time.

  She walked through the apartment slowly by herself. It was perfect. Two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Fully furnished, it smelled sweet, like honey. She walked over to the window and star
ed out at the town below her.

  People milled about, and she watched a woman with eight children enter the corner store. The old man who had been at the diner walked out and moved toward the pharmacy and clinic. A pregnant woman stepped out of the veterinary clinic and made her way across the street. A few minutes later, she returned with a bag in her hand. Riley smiled, thinking she’d picked up treats from the bakery below.

  The smell of chocolate and coffee wafted through the floorboards and filled her space with the smell of love. At least it smelled like love to her. Brownies and cookies were her go-to when she needed to feel love.

  When she got to the kitchen, she found a note on the table and a plate of love in the shape of cookies, muffins and double chocolate brownies.

  Welcome to Aspen Cove!

  I put some staples in the refrigerator. I’m so happy to have you as a neighbor. Feel free to visit the bakery anytime. Coffee and muffins are on the house. It’s a perk for living upstairs. I’ll see you at the bonfire tonight.

  Katie and Bowie and Sahara and Bishop.

  She smiled at the note and picked up a cookie. She took a bite and moaned at the sweet peanut buttery taste. All she needed was a glass of milk to make it perfect. She opened the fridge and cried. Inside, the shelves were filled with juice and fruit and vegetables and a gallon of milk. There was a package of meat she’d make sure to give back, but outside of that, she was set for a week or more. Never in her whole life had she felt this kind of welcome. Not in her hometown. Not in her home.

  She wiped her tears, poured herself a glass of milk then sat by the window and looked out at her new life. The town, the people, the apartment, the cookie, the milk. It was all perfect. One thing was certain, Riley was determined to bury the old and start a new life here.

  Chapter Four

  Luke parked outside the bed and breakfast and walked between Sage and Cannon’s house and Katie and Bowie’s place. Up the shore, he saw the flames of the bonfire flicker in the waning light.