Just Fall (The Fall Series)
Read Just Fall (The Fall Series) Online
Authors: Annica Rossi
Just
Fall
By
Annica Rossi
Just Fall
By Annica Rossi
Kindle Edition
Copyright © Annica
Rossi 2013
Published By Annica
Rossi, LLC 2013
All rights reserved.
No part of this publication can be reproduced, scanned or
distributed in any
printed or electronic form without the author’s permission
with the exception of
short quotes used in book reviews.
This is a work of
fiction, and any names, characters, places, and incidents are
the product of the
author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance
to actual persons,
living or dead, events, or locales Is entirely coincidental.
The publisher does
not have any control over and does not assume any
responsibility for
author or third-party websites or their content.
A special heartfelt thank
you goes out to all my friends and family who never stop believing in me no
matter how outrageous my ideas may seem and to my beta readers, whose time and
dedication have helped make this book possible.
Finally, THANK YOU to
each and every person who has purchased and/or read my book. I hope you enjoy
my work! As long as you’re out there, I will continue to give you my very best.
“One of my favorite
things about Lake Michigan is that it seems to go on forever like the ocean, and
visitors who see it for the first time are often amazed when they realize they
can’t see the other side.”
“As humans it’s our
nature to want to see everything, and I’m no exception. Not knowing what’s in
store is a hard pill to swallow, especially when it seems like everything’s
falling apart. This lake reminds me that sometimes I’m better off not seeing so
far ahead. Sometimes I need to be patient and appreciate each little part as its
revealed, otherwise I might miss all there is to discover along the way.” –
Lauren St. John
A MOMENT IN TIME
Looking
around the crowded tavern I realized “this is it”. This is what I’ve been
waiting for. The countless caffeine fueled nights I’d spent pacing the floor,
pouring over financials, plotting my battle plan to get The Grandview Inn whole
again, looks like they’re finally paying off. And not a moment too soon.
With
every room booked for the weekend, people were crowded into the rustic wood
booths and tables in intimate groups, their laughter rising above the clatter
of dishes and the exhilarating beat of live music resonating from the stage. It
was still early for a Friday night, but even the dance floor was packed with countless
pairs of cowboy boots, stilettos and summer sandals moving in and out of the
shadowy stage lights. Mouthwatering smells from the grill combined with
alcohol, suntan lotion and fresh lake air created an intoxicating cocktail
inviting visitors to leave their troubles at the door. My heart swelled with
pride as I took in the scene. The Grand was alive and buzzing with activity.
You could almost feel her heartbeat. Full to capacity for the first time in
months, it was definitely a good sign things were finally turning around.
“Hey,
Lo, can you grab some shot glasses from the back?” Steve shouted over the roar
of the crowd as he worked on installing a keg.
“Yeah!
Need anything else?” I smiled at him appreciatively as I wished I had ten more
Steves on a night like this.
“Straws
and cocktail napkins. That should do it.”
I
nodded in acknowledgement as I made my way to the back room. It had been a
while since I worked the bar, but it always felt familiar, just like riding a
bicycle. Tonight it was more like riding a bicycle downhill with the wind
whipping through my hair. I loved it.
As
I scanned the shelves for the supplies I caught a glimpse of the lines drawn in
permanent black marker on the door casing. Every time I saw those lines I felt
happy and sad at the same time. Sounds crazy I know, but it’s like the feeling that
comes from looking at a photograph from a time when everything was perfect and
realizing you can never go back.
Those
lines looked faded and forgotten now, but they’ll always be my photograph. My
dad used to measure my height right here against this door. It was our
tradition until I was a teenager, and I still see him standing here like it was
yesterday, marker in hand smiling from ear to ear. Lost in thought I traced my
finger over the worn numbers.
Every
memory of my childhood lived in these walls. My mom and dad bought this place
before I was born. The Grandview Inn was the only home I’d ever known. A smile tugged
at my lips as I looked from my dad’s scribbled numbers to the boxes in my
hands.
I
could hear his voice in my head. Every time he caught me doing a “staff job”
he would say the same thing, “Lo, we have people for that”. He tried to sound
stern, but he would laugh with a twinkle of pride in his eyes. He never spoiled
me. He just wanted me to “work smarter not harder”. He sent me off to MSU just
to make sure of it. Dad never went to college himself, and he and mom did every
job around here in the early years. It’s hard to believe they turned a shabby
run-down motel into the graceful gem that so many people affectionately
referred to as “The Grand”.
It
was the perfect name for his masterpiece, and he left traces of his heart and
soul everywhere. He may have called me his “Golden Girl”, but she was his first
love, even above mom at times. When I got older I understood why. Everything
about her was beautiful, from her detailed white cornices to her high peaked
rooftops. She towered over the other buildings, and from a distance she looked
like she was coming right out of the mountainous hillside. She had wide white
porches that seemed to wrap around for miles. Balconies overlooked the shore
from the rear rooms, while dormers crowned the lines of large windows in the
front, and in her backyard her curves followed the shoreline of Lake Michigan.
But even better than her stunning beauty was the feeling she gave you when
you’re here. It was magical.
The
door opened and music poured into the stockroom followed by Steve’s face
peeking through the crack.
“Sorry!
I was just coming out.” I tried to sound confident, but the look on my face must
have gave me away.
With
a quick apology Steve ducked out of the room.
Now’s not the time for a
stroll down memory lane, Lo.
Drawing a deep breath I walked back into the
bar.
Steve
grabbed the boxes from me and flashed a contagious smile. “Hey, do you hear
that?”
I
smiled back with wide eyes and nodded my head. My insides felt warm and fuzzy.
I knew exactly what he meant. The energy and excitement in the air felt like Christmas
morning when The Grand was firing on all cylinders, and tonight was just like old
times. A full house.
“Looks
like this band can really draw a crowd, huh?”
“I’ll
say,” he replied giving me a fist pound as he walked past.
It
was going to be a long night, and I needed to change my clothes. I was still in
my office attire and my feet were already killing me. I bent down next to Steve
grabbing the napkins. “We could use at least two more bartenders in here
tonight.”
“Yes,
we could, but who knew? This is the busiest we’ve been in a long time.”
“I
know. It’s fucking amazing!” I couldn’t stop gushing. “Think you could spare me
for a minute while I run upstairs and change?”
“No
worries. Shawn and Matt are on their way. Besides, with you dressed like that
our guests won’t know whether to order a drink or make a reservation.”
Laughing
loudly I could feel the tension in my shoulders unwinding, and I gave myself
permission to relax a bit. As much as I wanted to believe the entire summer
would be this good, I knew I still had a lot of work ahead of me, even so, I
decided to enjoy this night while it lasted.
“And
that’s why I pay you the big bucks, Steve, always one step ahead of me,” I shot
back.
The
band announced a fifteen minute intermission, and the dance floor began to
clear. My collar was sticking to the back of my neck from working behind the
bar for the last two hours, and I was a hot mess. I was looking forward to a
quick shower and some fresh clothes before coming back down to help out and
mingle with the guests.
I
scanned the room waiving at a few familiar faces as I planned my exit. Needing
some fresh air, I headed for the patio door. Outside, the sound of waves
crashing on the beach greeted me, and the light breeze made my clothes feel
damp against my skin. I had just reached the staircase when I heard someone call
out my name.
“Lauren!
Lo, over here, dear!”
I
looked up at the door to my suite.
Damn it!
I was so close, but I knew I
had to turn around. I would recognize Mary Blackwell’s voice anywhere.
The
Blackwell family had been staying at The Grandview for years. I played with
their daughter Sarah every summer vacation from the time we were four until we
went off to college, and we still kept in touch, mostly through emails and the
occasional phone call. But Mary? She was like a second mother to me, not to
mention one of my most loyal customers. I always looked forward to seeing her, even
at a time like this.
I
turned around with a warm smile and greeted the woman whose presence always put
me at ease. “Mary! I’m so happy to see you!”
“Nonsense!
Come here you,” she beamed as she pushed her chair back and held her arms out
to me.
The
familiar smell of Chanel No. 5 wafted all around me as I squeezed her, and when
her lips smacked loudly against my cheek, I knew she was leaving her signature
red lipstick marks behind, but I didn’t mind. Her loving embrace made forget
how terrible I looked temporarily. Besides, Mary wasn’t uptight about appearances.
She came from old money, but aside from my own mother she was the most
down-to-earth genuine woman I’d ever met.
She
held me at arm’s length for examination. “You’re beautiful as ever, Lo, but you
look a little skinny. Have you been taking care of yourself? By the looks of
this place you’ve probably been working way too hard, haven’t you?”
“No,
I’m fine, Mary. Even better now that you’re here.” I looked at the table and
spotted her Merlot along with two empty rocks glasses. “Where’s Tom?” He must
be nearby. Mary never came to The Grand without her husband of 40 years.
“Oh,
he’s here, honey. He went up to get us a couple more drinks. It’s so busy here
tonight.”
“I
know! I’m sorry. This crowd was totally unexpected. We have more staff coming
in as we speak.”
“It’s
fine, dear. Hell, we’d come back here even if we had to make our own drinks!”
She
always made me laugh. “I love you, Mary!” I hugged her again.
“Are
you going to be out here a while? I need to go upstairs and change out of this
suit, but I’d love to join you when I’m done.” As I spoke, Mary was motioning
to someone over my shoulder.
“That
sounds lovely, dear. I can’t wait to spend the evening with you, but just a
minute there’s someone I want you to see first.”
I
was immediately filled with dread at the prospect of greeting her guest in my disheveled
condition, but I knew Mary Blackwell too well. Once she had her mind set on
something she wouldn’t take no for an answer, so I smoothed my hands down the
sides of my skirt and prepared to greet one of Tom’s business partners or one
of the many couples they’d vacationed with after their kids left home.
As
soon as I turned around, I felt the color drain from my face, and my smile
quickly faded. I wanted to crawl under the nearest table, but my feet felt like
they were cemented in place, and I had to remind myself to breathe. Just a few
feet away stood the most intriguingly gorgeous, tall, blonde and dangerously
fuckable man I had ever laid eyes on. His perfect white teeth and deep dimples
were slowly revealed as an inviting smile spread across his lips, and I noticed
immediately the way his mouth curled at the corners just a little. I swore I
felt testosterone radiating from his very presence as even the air seemed to
thicken, instantly impregnated with seduction and mischief.
And
his hair! He had bedroom hair. I don’t mean in the bedhead kind of way. I mean
in the “I could bang any bitch in this room and leave her begging for more”
kind of way. When his emerald green eyes locked on mine I was mesmerized. The
blood that had obviously drained from my face headed south to my stomach and
beyond causing my thighs to tighten as an intense warmth swirled through my
lower regions.
What the hell?
I
quickly closed my mouth and tried desperately to regain my composure, even as
my disobedient eyes continued to greedily devour every last inch of him. They
noticed how the breeze pressed his white V-neck T-shirt tightly against his
body, causing it to cling to every sculpted line of his rock hard six pack
before traveling downward to evaluate the possibility that the rest of him
could be as equally impressive. G
et a fucking grip, Lo!
I’m
not normally attracted to bad boys, and he was the perfect specimen, but there
was an air of confidence about him that came from more than just his stunning
good looks, and it beckoned me to investigate. He was picture perfect in every
way…but as you know looks can be deceiving.
As
I recovered from my momentary brain lapse vague memories began to surface in
the back of my mind.
I couldn’t put my finger on it, but there was something
very familiar about those dimples…
Mary’s
voice jarred me from my daydream. “Parker, you remember Lauren St. John, don’t
you? Lo, do you remember my nephew Parker Blackwell?”
Seriously?
Just fucking shoot me now. How could I forget?
We
stood there bewildered as we shook hands. I couldn’t help but notice how mine
fit entirely inside of his, and how even as I let go he held on for just a few
seconds more. Then suddenly as if we were looking in the mirror his hand went
to his cheek at the same time as mine to wipe the red lipstick marks away. We
both smiled, and his eyes seemed to penetrate the invisible shield I was trying
to put up between us. It was almost like he was reading my thoughts when his
expression turned darker and his tongue slowly dragged across his bottom lip.
Predatory.
Our smiles quickly faded, and I wondered briefly if he had picked up on the
effect he had on me.
“You,
Sarah and Parker were like The Three Musketeers all those summers! It seems like
just yesterday!” Mary continued. “I couldn’t wait to see you two together
again. I wish Sarah were here. She’d be sad to know she missed this reunion.”
Reunion?
Aside
from the unexpected, albeit intense fireworks just now, this felt more like a
nightmare than a reunion!
The sudden flood of emotions caught me off
guard. Seeing him again hurt more than I cared to admit.
Thankfully
Tom broke the tension. “Lo, come here and hug me! You get more and more
beautiful each summer.”
“Thanks,
Tom.” I felt my cheeks blush as he lifted me off my feet in one of his famous
bear hugs.