Staying Accidentally in Love: A Granite Bay Series, #3

By Trisha Harley McCarthy

Staying Accidentally in Love

A Granite Bay Series

Lauren Riley

Lauren shared her first kiss with Patrick at the ripe old age of twelve. Little did Lauren know years later they would meet again at the local watering hole, during a college break. That night changed her life--she met the man of her dreams and falls in love. She loves Patrick, but Lauren also wants to pursue a career in public relations. The small Oregon town of Granite Bay wasn't known for it's job opportunities. When a firm from San Diego offers Lauren a chance to work for their prestigious firm, she jumps at the chance. Fast forward two years later, she shows up in Granite Bay, destitute and full of regrets. Can she claim her old life back and the man of her dreams again? Only time will tell.

Patrick Reid

The night he see's her, the Raven-Haired Beauty, sitting at the bar is being accosted by a drunk--Patrick decides to step in, after all it's the gentlemanly thing to do. When they do meet, he finds out they she is the girl he kissed in his youth. One thing leads to another, and they fall in love only their love is elusive. When Lauren leaves him to pursue her career, everything unravels in his life. The love of his life moves on and took his heart with her. Patrick never got over Lauren. When she returns to Granite Bay, so does her past. But, can he trust her again, and can their love endure?

Staying Accidentally in Love, the third book in the Granite Bay Series, follows the inhabitants in the small town in Oregon written by author, Trisha Harley McCarthy.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trisha Harley McCarthy
• Release date: Jul 31, 2018
• ISBN: 9781643705026

Trisha Harley McCarthy

Trisha Harley McCarthy is a Certified Life Coach, Blog Talk Radio Host, spiritual teacher and romance author. An avid romance reader, Trisha was inspired to write her first romance novel, Just As He Is, A Romance which debuted in August 2012. The second book Written Among the Stars, An Astral Realm series, an epic romance and fantasy series was published in August 2014. The second in the series, Beneath the Stars (Book 2) is due to be released October 2014.Trisha lives with her husband Mike and their chocolate Labrador, Elle in Northern California.

Book preview

Be prepared. Love is not for the faint of heart. Don’t steel yourself against heartbreak. Prepare yourself to accept love knowing it comes with what appears to be crushing risk, but it's just another lesson cloaked in a picket fence fantasy.

- Linda Giangreco

Prologue

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Beta Reader Brigade

About the Author

Prologue

Prologue

PATRICK

YOU KNOW THE DAYS WHEN life throws you little surprises? Take today, for instance. I delivered triplets for a couple who were expecting twins. Surprise!  Or, I’m driving home from my long-ass shift with my girlfriend, Jenna Rawlins. Jenna was a surgical technician who worked with me at Granite Bay Mercy. As we pulled into my driveway, there was someone sitting on my porch. Surprise!  Yeah, it was my day.

I honestly loved Jenna. She was a short curvy blonde who had eyes so green they reminded me of fresh-cut grass. Did I mention she was the adventurous type? Indeed, she was. She made me a happy and content man on many occasions. I had no complaints. We loved to spend our days off in bed having sex capade marathons. Nothing was off limits, though, Jenna was much bolder than I was. I literally was along for the ride. She could also be a jealous shrew, which was terrifying to witness.

Jenna filled a void in my lonely life that stemmed from my breakup, some two years ago with Lauren Riley. Lauren was a raven-haired beauty who I met at college. Her sapphire blue eyes drew me in the very first time I saw her. We met at a bar and went to the same college. I know, cliché, right?  But there was much more to the story.

The night I fell hard for Lauren and my life changed forever was an average Friday night. It was right after finals, just before everyone left for summer break. The Pub, the local watering hole in town, was packed. I’d arrived early to get a booth before the rowdy Friday night crowd showed up. I’d been sipping the cheap draft on tap when I saw a woman shove a burly guy away from her. They were talking, but I could tell from the sway of the burly dude that he was drunk. I got up when Burly Dude tried to pull the woman toward him in an attempt to give her a sloppy kiss. I’ve always been somewhat old school. A woman should never be manhandled by anyone, especially a drunk. They make the rest of us look bad. I mean really bad.

As I made my way over to the woman, I nodded at Rod, the bartender, drawing his attention to the ruckus going on with the raven-haired beauty.

This is your last warning, Brett, I mean it. You touch me one more time, and I’ll take you down. Raven-Haired Beauty said it with enough intensity in her voice that I was a little apprehensive about approaching them.

You know you don’t mean that, baby, Burly Dude slurred while leaning in toward her. When he did, she grabbed his thumb and twisted it until the large oaf went down to his knees, yowling in pain.

A few barflies snickered as the petite woman took the drunk down. I chuckled as a couple of tatted bouncers intervened and hauled the asshole off. Now, this woman intrigued me.

Raven-Haired Beauty smirked, sat back down at the bar, and turned her attention back to her pink cocktail, a Cosmopolitan by the looks of it. If I’ve learned one thing about women, it’s to pay attention to detail. They eat that shit up. She appeared to be alone, so I decided to do the gentlemanly thing and check on her.

My mom raised me right. Ask any girl I ever dated—their moms loved me. Take for instance, my high school girlfriend, Carly Beyer. Her mom cried more than Carly did when we broke up. I felt terrible, but it was inevitable. Carly was heading back east to go to Cornell, and I was attending the University of Oregon in Eugene. I didn’t do long-distance relationships—they just didn’t work.

So, as I approached Raven-Haired Beauty, I got a whiff of Dolce Gabbana Light Blue. The heady fragrance curled around my senses like a sensual greeting. I knew immediately that I liked this woman—she had excellent taste. I watched in fascination as she licked the tip of her finger after rubbing it around the rim of her glass. That simple gesture caused my cock to twitch and salute Raven-Haired Beauty. Great first impression, I remind myself. I did a simple adjustment and slid onto the stool next to her. I nodded at Rod, who placed another beer in front me. I took a sip and swiveled toward the woman, who had thoroughly captivated me. I tilted my head in her direction and made eye contact with her in the mirror behind the bar. She gave me a friendly smile and then turned away to nurse her nearly empty drink. I signaled Rod for a refill. I thought it would be a friendly gesture. It would surely beat a cheesy line.

When Rod placed the Cosmo in front of Raven-Haired Beauty, she raised her eyebrows in surprise. For a split second our eyes met again in the mirror then she looked away. A flush spread across her face. Another trait I found intriguing—modesty. I shifted on my stool again to lessen the strain against my zipper. My cock had developed a mind of its own around this woman. She was a fucking turn on, and I hadn’t uttered one word to her yet. Come on, Patrick, man up and get your shit together. I didn’t ever recall being so jittery around a woman.

So, if someone makes a pass at me, can I count on you to take control of the situation? I smirked.

A slow smile spread across her face while she sipped her drink. That depends. Are you expecting a drunk to make a play for you?

It was my turn to blush. I tried to salvage my pride as best I could. It’s been awhile since a man has made a pass at me, I quipped.

That earned me a sultry laugh. Raven-Haired Beauty had a sense of humor. I decided I was just about in love with her at that stage. I knew I was in total lust, there was no question about it. She had me on the ropes, and she knew it. That oval face, pert nose, and those black arched eyebrows over her gorgeous eyes had me entranced.

So, is that how you roll? She asked, playfully.

Her plump, ruby red mouth mesmerized me as her tongue darted out and slowly swiped her bottom lip. I almost swallowed my own tongue. Then there was the wrap dress that showed off her curves and long legs and showcased her spectacular eyes. Raven-Haired Beauty was sexy as hell, and I was sure I had died and gone to heaven. I quickly regained my composure. And by composure, I mean my dick.

I’ve never had any complaints from either camp, I responded nonchalantly.

I pegged you for a lady’s man, but I could be wrong.

You don’t say? I gave her one of my panty-melting smiles. It had never failed me in the past, but with this chick, who knew. I hid a smile in my cheap beer. It tasted like crap, but it was happy hour, and I had asked for the cheap stuff.

Lauren, a female shouted from behind us.

I turned to see Kenda Jones waving wildly at Raven-Haired Beauty, who apparently also went by Lauren. My golden ticket just entered the bar—my best friend, Kenda. I couldn’t believe she knew Lauren. Kenda was a spunky blonde horse fanatic who ran a rescue horse sanctuary. Kenda hugged Lauren before she realized I was sitting next to her.

Patrick, what are you doing here?

Waiting for you, I said, sardonically.

I was running late, sorry. She kissed me on the cheek. She pulled up another stool and squeezed in between Lauren and me, much to my dismay. Kenda was visiting from Sacramento and wearing a Sac State shirt, jeans, and boots. The woman loved to rub it in the face of every Ducks’ fan when visiting from college. She was loyal to a fault.

How do you two know each other? I asked.

Lauren is my cousin. I told you that, Patrick. Kenda frowned.

Cousin? You never mentioned you had a cousin named Lauren. I scowled.

"You’ve heard me talk