Hideaway Hill

By Elle A. Rose

Colliding into love- that’s what most thought of when they saw Veronica Klark and Blake Darwood. Veronica and Blake were known as “the couple of Surpatch” and everyone assumed they were going to be together forever. Nothing could keep them apart, well, that is until it was time for Veronica to go away to college. Nine years later, after leaving Blake for the bright lights of a bigger city, Veronica is back. However, returning to the place she once called home with her new beau, Arthur Stentson isn’t as easy as she hoped. Blake, choosing to stay in Surpatch where he would one day take his place as Mayor, spent years trying to pick up the pieces of his broken heart. Learning to live his life without Veronica was finally going just fine, and probably would have continued that way if she had just stayed away. Now, Veronica and Blake must learn to deal with their feelings from the past and untold dilemmas of the present.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elle A. Rose
• Release date: Nov 11, 2013

Elle A. Rose

Elle A. Rose is an avid reader and is known to stay up all night to finish reading a book. Outside of reading 3-4 books a week, she enjoys hanging out with close family and friends, shopping or just relaxing while watching TV. Elle attends a monthly creative writing workshop at her local Barnes and Noble and takes pleasure in the many different writing exercises and critique sessions offered. She resides in Upstate New York with her husband and cat, Leo Ledger. She is currently working on book 3 of The Chronicles of Amber Harris and a new romance. Make sure to also check her out on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/ElleARose

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Hideaway Hill

Elle A. Rose

Copyright © 2011 By Angela Watkins, Elle A. Rose

All rights reserved.

The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarities to real persons, living or dead are coincidental and not intended by the author.

This book is dedicated to my mother, Chrystal Martin, and best friend’s mother Patty Jo Aylesworth, for your true love in a romance story.

Thank you, Ladies!

Prologue

13 years prior

While playing catch with the guys before school started, Blake Darwood took a few steps back anticipating Ulfred Miller was going to over throw the ball. He didn’t realize until the ball soared in the air that he would need to move a few more steps back.

Hey, Blake! Look out behind you.

Since Blake was not paying attention to where he was jogging, he didn’t have time to stop before he collided into Veronica Klark. Her smaller body was no match for his almost six foot frame. The impact alone sent her tumbling to the ground, resulting in Blake falling over her and onto her arm. Veronica let out a sharp gasp and struggled to get up from under Blake. She squirmed underneath him, and Blake rolled to his side. Sitting up on the grass, he looked over at Veronica who was now holding her right arm.

Ow, ow, ow, She cried, before biting down on her bottom lip.

Gee, I’m sorry. Are you okay? I didn’t see you there.

Well, that’s for sure. Ow, She whimpered. I think my arm is broken.

Blake gave her a skeptic look before responding.

Oh, come on, you didn’t fall on it that hard.

No, idiot, you fell on it. You really need to watch where you’re going.

As she tried to stand, Veronica clutched her arm close to her body to keep the pain from jolting through it.

Hey, I said I’m sorry. Let me help you to the nurse.

No! I don’t need your help. I think you’ve done enough.

With that, Veronica turned stiffly and stomped off to the nurse’s office before classes started. While Blake watched Veronica enter the building, Miller moved from across the yard and picked up the ball.

Don’t worry about it, man. You know how girls are. I’m sure she’ll be in class before the bell rings. Freshmen are nothing but babies anyways. Come on, let’s go.

Blake’s gut twisted with the worry that he may have broken her arm. Still, he tried to put the guilt aside and followed Miller into school.

As the day went on, Blake didn’t see Veronica in the halls. He wondered if it had anything to do with the fact that he was a junior and she was a freshman. Other than lunch, each class stayed in their designated area.

After school, all his worrying came to a head when he walked out the front doors to see his parents waiting for him. Mayor Richard Darwood leaned against the hood of the family car with his arms crossed, and his mother, Carol Darwood sat in the front seat looking straight ahead. Lowering his head, Blake climbed in the back seat of the car without saying a single word. When his father slid in the car and pulled away from the curb, his mother turned and spoke to him in a gentle voice.

You want to tell us what happened, son? We received a call from a pretty upset father today.

It was an accident. I told her I was sorry.

Looking at him in the rearview mirror, his father shook his head.

I thought I taught you better than that. I would have at least expected you to make sure she was all right.

Leaning his head back on the leather seat, Blake closed his eyes as he pleaded his case. I tried, but she was too upset. I didn’t want to make it worse.

Well, here’s what we’re going to do. The three of us are going to go over to the Klarks’ house. Your mother and I are going to talk with the Klarks, and I want you to apologize again to the girl and see if there is anything you can do to make up for your rudeness.

Yes, sir.

When they arrived at the house, the Darwoods were met by a burly African-American man. He stood at the front door with his arms behind his back as if he was standing at-ease and waiting for an assignment from his commander. Eugene Klark could make anyone think twice about crossing him. As the Darwoods walked up the front steps, Eugene opened the screen door.

Mayor, Mrs. Darwood. With a slight nod, he welcomed them into his home. Blake followed his parents in, but avoided making eye contact with Veronica’s father.

Blake’s mother seemed the least intimidated by Eugene.

Thank you, Mr. Klark. You have a wonderful home. How’s your daughter?

Please call me Eugene and thank you. Won’t you please have a seat?

Eugene ushered the Darwoods into the living room where they were met by Darlene Klark. She entered from the kitchen with a pitcher of lemonade and cups on a tray.

Hello, Darlene gave a warm greeting and placed the refreshments on the coffee table in front of the guests. She then joined her husband as he sat. She was situating herself when she noticed Blake still standing in the doorway. She smiled.

"Sweetie, if you’d like to go see Veronica that would be fine. She’s upstairs, the second door on the right.

Yes, Mrs. Klark.

Turning to find the stairs, Blake wondered what he was going to say to Veronica when he saw her. He already told her he was sorry. What more could I say? Blake stopped at the door with purple and pink block letters spelling out Veronica’s name. He knocked once. Since she didn’t respond, he started to open the door slowly. With the door halfway open, he peeped in. Blake saw that she had headphones on and was reading a book. He figured she didn’t hear him knock. Standing patiently in the doorway, he hoped she would notice him soon.

While he stood there, he stared at her in astonishment. He never realized how pretty she was. Yes, he had seen her around town and school before. In the gym locker room, the guys liked to talk about the good looking girls in school, and her name came up a few times. But this was the first time he had really looked at her. His heart rate quicken, and his palms became sweaty. Blake tried to wipe them on his jeans. He’d never reacted that way from looking at a girl. His worries shifted from ‘how do I say sorry again’ to ‘will I even be able to speak to her’. He felt as if he had peanut butter stuck to the roof of his mouth.

Feeling a presence in the room, Veronica looked up from her book. The moment she saw Blake looming in the door way, she scowled. Putting her book down and yanking her headphones off with her good arm, she tossed them aside.

What do you want? Are you here to break my other arm too?

Her voice came out with a sharp crack. Blake flinched from the harshness of her tone. Still, he stepped further into the room. The closer he moved to her pretty face, the harder Blake found it to be upset with her snippy remark. He was too enthralled by her looks, to let her snide words send him running.

No, I’m not here to break bones. It was an accident this morning, and you know that. I told you I was sorry. How are you feeling?

The kindness in his voice did little to warm Veronica’s heart.

My arm hurts. How do you think I’m doing?

Blake smiled down at her when he reached the side of her bed.

If it makes you feel any better, your parents called mine. I’m sure I’ll be grounded for the rest of my life, and I’ll probably get some lecture about how the mayor’s family is supposed to act in public.

Chuckling to himself, he knew it wouldn’t be the first or last time he and his brother would hear that speech. Veronica didn’t seem to catch the inside joke, she sighed and pursed her lips together. Blake tried hard to keep a straight face. He knew she was still mad at him, but he thought the face she was making was cute.

You still didn’t answer my question. What do you want?

I think I did. I said I came to see how you were doing. I also came to see if there was anything I could do for you.

Veronica’s lips pulled into a sneer.

Nope, I think I’m all set.

She then carefully patted her cast before reaching to put her headphones back on. Without thinking, Blake lifted his hand and prevented her from placing the earpieces on all the way.

Are you dismissing me? He gave her a cocky smile. He was enjoying their banter. I was kind of hoping we could talk. I’m not sure how long our parents plan on visiting, but I would rather not go back down there until they’re done.

Rolling her eyes, Veronica dropped her headphones back on her lap. Blake sensed she was trying to be nice, and realized he didn’t want to go away. She pointed to the chair next to her closet.

Fine, have a seat.

Veronica was surprised by how striking Blake was. After he turned the chair to face her, she found it hard not to stare at him. He had piercing blue eyes and a very handsome face. Prior to that moment, she never really looked at Blake Darwood. He was someone she knew would never give her a second glance. Blake could have anyone he wanted. He always had a girl hanging on his arm. Staring at him, she felt her heart beat quicken. She feared she was blushing, and hoped he didn’t notice. She wondered how it was possible that just before she looked him in his eyes, she was so upset with him over breaking her arm. However, the moment their eyes met, all that anger went away. Veronica felt as if her mouth was stuck together with laffy taffy. What is wrong with me? Before he sat down in the chair, she wanted nothing more than for him to leave her alone. Now, she didn’t want him to leave at all. Her cheeks grew hotter. Trying to breathe normally, she leaned back into her pillows.

So what do you want to talk about? She questioned, while pulling in deep, even breaths.

*

When the parents came to check on them, they were both laughing and getting along like they were the best of friends.

Are you ready to go home, son? Seeing his parents standing in the doorway, Blake’s face dropped. Sighing, he stood and put the chair back against the wall.

I guess so. He then turned to look back at Veronica. I’ll see you tomorrow.

She smiled back at him. Okay, goodnight.

As he headed for the door, his dad gave him a puzzled look.

Tomorrow? You’re coming back tomorrow?

Yes, I told Veronica that I would bring her homework over. The doctor wants her to stay out of school for the rest of the week.

After the Darwoods said their goodbyes to the Klarks, they headed home.

The following day Blake couldn’t wait to leave school, so he could drop Veronica’s homework off. He could do nothing but think about her all day. The night before, once he was home and getting ready for bed he thought of a plan to ask her out, and dropping her homework off would be the best time to put his plan into motion. Blake stopped by Mrs. Middlerow’s Flower Shop on the way and he picked out a white rose. Once at the Klark’s house, Mrs. Klark let him in. Veronica wasn’t in her room like the day before. Today, she was sitting under a blanket in the living room. Her face lit up when he walked in the room. Blake hoped it was from seeing him and not from the rose. Seeing the gift, Mrs. Klark brought a small vase to place the rose in. After setting the flower aside, Darlene left the room. Blake waited until they were alone before he spoke.

How are you feeling today?

I’m okay. I decided not to take any more of those pain pills, they made me feel weird.

Looking over at her rose, Veronica smiled again.

Thank you for the rose. It’s beautiful.

You’re welcome. I can’t stay long; my dad told me I had to come straight home after dropping your homework off.

He gave her a sheepish grin, and she laughed out loud.

I’m sorry. So he ended up grounding you? If you like, I can call and tell him it was an accident and I forgive you.

With a simple gesture of his wrist, Blake brushed her offer aside.

It’s not so bad and it’s only for this week. Well, having to wash the dishes for the next two weeks sucks, but besides that, I just have to come straight home after school for the next week.

Hesitating for a moment, Blake contemplated if he would ask her out or not. But when she looked