Fall For You: Madison Falls, #1

By Susan Behon

Welcome to Madison Falls, where love is in the air, and gossip is ripe on the vine.

 

Sophie Brandon is in a bind.

 

After eight years, Reed Sutton is back in town and back on Sophie's radar. Her high school crush is home to stay and hotter than ever. How can she avoid the gorgeous construction manager when she needs work done in her bakery?

 

Reed knows he's overqualified for the simple renovation, but when it comes to sweet Sophie, he's the man for the job. Her kitchen heats up when one kiss leads to more and a storeroom mishap throws her right into Reed's arms. Once he catches her, he can't seem to keep his hands off of her…cookies.

Small town gossip mixed with threats against Sophie are a recipe for disaster. Will history repeat itself or will love conquer all?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Behon
• Release date: Jul 21, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386961307

Book preview

Fall For You

A Madison Falls Novel

Copyright © 2017 by Susan Behon

All Rights Reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

This novel is a work of fiction. While references may be made to actual historic events or existing locations, the names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to people either living or deceased, business establishments, events, or locales is purely coincidental and not intended by the author.

Any trademarks, service marks, product names or names featured are assumed to be the property of their respective owners and are only used for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used.

Cover Design by Flirtation Designs

DEDICATION

I would like to dedicate this book to my husband, Brian. His love, strength, and support helped me realize my dream of becoming a writer. He never had a doubt that I would get published. Thank you for believing in me.

He is also the reason I will forever believe in romance and happily ever after. Thank you for the inspiration.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Fall For You was my first published novel, so Reed and Sophie will always have a special place in my heart. I had a wonderful time delving back into their story and getting to know them again. I hope you love them as much as I do.

Thanks to Terri Schaefer, the Acquiring Editor who gave my manuscript a shot and offered me my very first contract. Sometimes, it only takes one yes to get your metaphorical foot in the door.

Many thanks go to my dear friend, Tracy. Her encouragement and honest critiques helped make this book possible.

I also want to thank my daughters for pitching in when they knew Mom was busy writing. I couldn’t ask for better children—I mean, young ladies.

Thank you to my readers for the wonderful reviews. Keep the feedback coming!

BLURB

Welcome to Madison Falls, where love is in the air, and gossip is ripe on the vine.

Sophie Brandon is in a bind.

After eight years, Reed Sutton is back in town and back on Sophie’s radar. Her high school crush is home to stay and hotter than ever. How can she avoid the gorgeous construction manager when she needs work done in her bakery?

Reed knows he’s overqualified for the simple renovation, but when it comes to sweet Sophie, he’s the man for the job. Her kitchen heats up when one kiss leads to more and a storeroom mishap throws her right into Reed’s arms. Once he catches her, he can’t seem to keep his hands off of her...cookies.

Small town gossip mixed with threats against Sophie are a recipe for disaster. Will history repeat itself or will love conquer all?

Chapter 1

Damn! Sophie Brandon was in a bind.

Hiding behind a stack of rye bread might seem odd to the average Joe, but Sophie was a true believer in self-preservation. Considering she absolutely hated the smell of it, her awkward dive behind this particular table was made with good reason.

With a quick peek around the display, she confirmed that the good reason was still standing over at the bakery counter.

After eight years in the Navy, Reed Sutton was finally home. While lying low behind the bread, Sophie admired the view from across the aisle. She had to admit, Reed had only gotten better looking with age. The current object of her secret regard was gorgeous, fit, sexy, and...ordering a cake?

Along with ogling, she could now add eavesdropping to her stalker resume.

Reed had been back in Madison Falls for more than six months and Sophie had yet to have a conversation with him. Given the opportunity now, she still had no idea what to say. After all, he was the one who got away, or more truthfully, the one she never had.

Not for lack of trying, of course.

Back in high school, Sophie wanted Reed with all the passion and hope a girl with a teenage crush could possess. She’d been thrilled when he finally showed a romantic interest in her.

Or so she thought.

Sophie’s dreams of dating Reed Sutton were dashed the night his mom, of all people, shot her down.

It was cruel. It was loud. And it was in public.

After that humiliating fiasco, Sophie couldn’t face Reed. She’d been too embarrassed to even speak to him again. Years later, those feelings still held true considering she was an adult using rye bread for camouflage.

Sophie glanced down and silently cursed her wardrobe choice.

Just shoot me now. This morning, Sophie thought she would be working alone all day in her bakery. It didn’t matter what she wore since no one was supposed to see her. Then, wearing a lime green, threadbare, I’m a real M.F.’er T-shirt, a joking nod to Madison Falls, seemed like a good idea.

Now? Not so much.

Add in the odd chocolate stain or two, her frayed denim shorts, and her slicked back ponytail, and her fashion disaster was complete. Sophie also had a vague suspicion that there was cookie dough in her hair.

Maybe she could army crawl to the next aisle over?

After taking another quick peek out, she found Elaine Newman blocking her escape route. Elaine was one of the town’s biggest gossips.

How long does it take a woman to pick out bagels anyway?

Sophie mentally urged her to make a choice and go away already.

In the meantime, she prayed for invisibility. If that old biddy saw her playing hide and seek behind the baked goods, it would be all over town in no time.

This trip to the Madison Falls Market was supposed to be a quick supply grab, in and out, no problem. Sophie wondered what universal law stated that you always ran into someone you knew when you looked like crap. If she were dressed to the nines, sporting the best hair day ever, the aisles would be completely empty.

Today wasn’t that day.

Of course, Reed looked wonderful. His broad shoulders were perfectly encased in a form fitting slate gray T-shirt. That lucky fabric hugged his well-defined muscles all the way down to his narrow waist. His dark jeans were loose but in no way baggy. The back pockets cupped his butt in a way that made her palms twitchy with a desire to do the same.

He seemed confounded by the options offered by the sullen teenager working the counter. Reed folded his tanned arms over his chest and asked, White cake or yellow cake? What’s the difference? Before the girl could answer, he explained, I’m supposed to get the one with strawberry filling.

Hearing mostly his side of the conversation, Sophie tried to make herself nonexistent. After what sounded like a few mumbles from the teen, Reed stared at the display case and rubbed the back of his neck while deciding. A careless sigh later, he gave the girl an adorable smile and asked her to pick a cake for him. If her noncommittal shrug and second round of mumbles were anything to go by, his charming grin seemed to work on women of all ages. She opened the case and filled a bakery box with her choice for him.

Meanwhile, Sophie’s lungs burned from taking shallow sips of air, afraid the sound of her breathing would give away her location. She hunkered down, attempting to avert her face while pretending to tie her shoe. The fact that she was wearing sandals didn’t help her ruse much.

She closed her eyes and mentally repeated the mantra, be one with the rye, and prayed he would take the cake and move along. Now.

Nothing to see here, folks. Keep moving. Ignore the lady behind the table.

Sophie never was one for luck. Like a cloud passing over the sun, a shadow fell over her in the form of Reed Sutton. She didn’t have to peek to know it was him.

A deep, melodic voice drifted down to her from above and proved it.

Sophie? Sophie Brandon? Looking up, she saw Reed peering over the table at her. His curious expression held a hint of amusement. What are you doing down there?

She was temporarily caught in the grips of fight or flight. There was no way in hell to hurdle the table and sprint out of the store without seeming like a lunatic. She sighed and faced facts. She’d been caught. Giving up any pretense of stealth, she rose to her not-so-stellar height of five feet, two-and-a-half inches, and faced him.

Oh. My.

Reed really was a beautiful man. He had thick, mocha brown hair cut close to his scalp. It wasn’t quite military short since there seemed to be just enough to run her fingers through. His jaw was chiseled and slight dimples creased his cheeks. She imagined he smiled often. Thick, slightly angled eyebrows drew attention to his mischievous, gingerbread brown eyes.

Sophie tried to remember what she’d had for lunch. Her need for food was starting to affect her adjectives. Either that, or it was the scents from the bakery clouding her brain.

While she dreamily waxed poetic over the cookie color of his eyes, Reed cleared his throat and stared down at her in expectation. He was just a few inches shy of six feet tall. It may have seemed on the shorter side for most men, but it was plenty tall for Sophie. She still had to tilt her head back to look him in the eye.

Plastering on her I-meant-to-do-that smile, Sophie blurted, Hi, Reed! I’m looking at bread.

She mentally facepalmed. I’m looking at bread? How inane was that? She might as well have said, I carried a watermelon.

Lips quirked in a half-smile, Reed asked, Bread, huh? How’s that going for you?

Fine. She cleared her throat and tried again. Just fine, thanks. Adding more syllables would make her seem somewhat interesting, or at least rationally coherent, right?

Normally, she was perfectly capable of carrying on her side of a conversation.

Of course, normally, she wasn’t talking to Reed Sutton and all of the yummy dessert-inspired adjectives that came with him.

Sophie pulled it together and rallied. Actually, I ran out of chocolate chips so I’m here on an emergency trip for supplies.

Chocolate chips? Tell me you’re baking something wonderful. Reed gave a hopeful grin at the possibility.

Sophie smiled in return. I’m making cookies.

He rounded the table so he was standing directly in front of her. Cookies are my favorite. Are you making them for a party?

Not expecting him to breach the table barrier, she took a breath and managed not to back into the shelf behind her. No, it’s for my business. I’m the proud owner of The Cookie Jar.

His eyes lit up like he’d spotted a celebrity. "You own The Cookie Jar? I was serious when I said cookies are my favorite and yours are the best, especially the chocolate chip. Reed eyed her grocery basket as if hoping she had some with her. My dad brings a couple of boxes of them to the guys and me every Friday. I can’t tell you how much I look forward to it."

Thank you. She tamped down the urge to do a happy dance at the rave review. I’m glad you enjoy them. You and...the guys?

He clarified, The crew at Sutton Construction. I took over management since Dad retired.

* * * *

Sophie Brandon.

After all these years, she was still right here in Madison Falls. With the size of the town, Reed couldn’t believe he hadn’t run into her sooner. Seeing Sophie now, it took some effort not to stare at her like an idiot.

That was proving damn near impossible considering she was absolutely stunning. Time hadn’t changed a thing.  

How could he not get caught up in looking at her? Her apple green eyes were as big and beautiful as ever. She was so short and cute that she reminded him of an anime character—especially with her eyes. Reed didn’t know if Sophie would like the comparison, but he always thought her petite figure was sexy as hell.

Her sandy blonde hair was pulled back into a high ponytail. It was longer than when she wore it back in school, past her shoulders and heading down the middle of her back. Reed found himself imagining what it would feel like if she had it down and wrapped around his fingers. Stunned by the visceral zing that came with that thought, he yanked himself back into the conversation.

...Fourth of July holiday so my usual supplier was closed. I’ve been so swamped with the extra orders that I didn’t notice I was running low on ingredients. Sophie was explaining her trip to the store.

Reed got back on track. My folks are having a cookout and I was assigned dessert duty. Mom wanted a cake with strawberry filling, so, with a wave toward the cake box, here I am.

Sophie’s smile slipped and she began to inch backward. What did he say wrong? Reed scrambled for a different conversation topic.

Hey, you’re a baker. She knows that, idiot! He winced slightly. So, anyway, I have a baking question. What’s the difference between white cake and yellow cake?

That halted her backward retreat. You mean besides the color? Before he could feel like a complete ass, she threw him a bone. Tell you what, cakes really aren’t my specialty but I’m sure Tracy would know. You remember Tracy King? She’s pretty much a cake guru now. I can ask her for you.

Tracy had been Sophie’s best friend since grade school. She was also owner of King’s Cake in a Cup, the town’s first and only gourmet cupcakery.

Reed wasn’t that into the nuances of cake color but figured it was a good excuse to see Sophie again. Great. Maybe I’ll stop by your shop sometime and you can fill me in on this mystery of the universe.

That sounds good. Sophie gave him a sweet smile mixed with enough spice to hint at flirting. I might even give you a complimentary cookie.

Reed leaned in and lowered his voice. In that case, count on seeing me soon.

For Sophie’s part, she was in full retreat. She murmured, Okay, then. See you around, before high-tailing it out of the bread aisle.

Reed let out a soft huff as he watched her go.

Sophie Brandon. What were the odds?

He headed for the nearest checkout lane and started planning how soon he could see her again.

* * * *

A few hours later, Sophie gave a tired sigh. She’d been baking since five o’clock that morning and it was already well into the afternoon. She filled what seemed to be a ton of cookie orders for a dozen parties and picnics, not to mention three family reunions and two birthday parties.

Sophie specialized in a variety of cookies, from peppermint fudge bars to orange creamsicle drops. Even with the wide choice of flavors, ordinary chocolate chip seemed to be the most popular. Considering how many times she’d followed the same recipe, Sophie enjoyed the motions of mixing and stirring while letting her thoughts drift. They drifted toward Reed again.

He didn’t know it, but she’d seen him in town before actually talking to him today. Sophie smiled when she thought about the night she heard him sing at Sarah’s Suds and Spuds, their town’s local bar and grill.

Her sister owned the place, so she and Tracy got drinks half-price and appetizers for free. They made a routine of coming in to enjoy karaoke night once a month.

On one of those nights, they were getting settled at their table when she spotted Reed on the other side of the crowded room. Sophie had been so startled, she almost dropped her drink in her lap.

He sat with his brother and another familiar looking, dark-haired man. They talked animatedly to each other, and after a swig from his beer, Reed left his seat and went to the microphone.

The spotlight was on him so he couldn’t see her in the crowd. It was a free opportunity to stare at him and she took it. The man was delectable. To her surprise, he was also an amazingly good singer.

Interrupting her musings, Tracy came in through the back door. Their shops shared the ovens in the kitchen and were only separated by different color schemes up front.

Tracy King was considerably taller than Sophie by a good six inches. Her shoulder length, chocolate brown hair was usually beautifully wavy. Today it was frizzed up in a poufy cloud surrounding her face.

I’m telling you, Sophie, if I have to hear one more time that it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity, I’m going to go medieval on someone’s ass!

Tracy had a way with words.

She blew some fluffy strands off her forehead and took a seat next to Sophie.

Sophie began boxing up cookies and glanced over at her friend.

Hey Trace, I have a question...

Yes, they’re real. Her friend wore a flour-dusted purple T-shirt that said, Wanna Touch My Cupcakes?

From the looks of it, Tracy hadn’t planned on leaving the bakery today either.

Not about those... Sophie finished by waving toward her friend’s voluptuous figure. Next to Tracy’s curves, her meager ‘A’ cups had her looking like a twelve-year-old boy. Anyway, she continued, what’s the difference between white cake and yellow cake?

You mean besides the color? Tracy offered.

Yes, besides that.

Tracy shrugged. Well, the differences are subtle. Yellow cake uses whole eggs and is normally vanilla while white cake uses egg whites and can be vanilla or almond flavored. Sometimes the color has nothing to do with the flavor. Why?

I ran into Reed Sutton at the grocery store and he wanted to know. Sophie tried to sound blasé and wasn’t quite sure she pulled it off.

Reed? Tracy raised her eyebrows at Sophie. "Your Reed? Did you two catch up on old times and such?"

Sort of. Sophie gave a little groan. It was embarrassing. I made a complete fool of myself.

Tracy frowned. What happened?

I looked awful so I tried to hide from him.

Where did you hide?

I ducked down behind a bakery display of rye bread. She grimaced when she remembered the sharp, musty scent of the stacked loaves. He found me crouched on the floor behind the table.

You hate rye bread more than I hate humidity.

Sophie tugged at the hem of her lime green fashion faux-pas. I was desperate! Did you miss the part where I looked awful? She rubbed her cheek on her shoulder, adding another smudge to the T-shirt. I imagined that when we finally ran into each other again, I would at least look human.

You always look good. Tracy studied her and noted the chocolate stains. Sweetie, is that cookie dough in your hair?

Sophie’s hand flew up to her ponytail to check. Are you serious?

Tracy bit her lip. It’s stuck in your ponytail about halfway down.

Sophie finger-combed her hair and found the glob in question.  Fabulous. I was talking to him with this in my hair the whole time? She checked the bottom of her shoe to make sure toilet paper wasn’t stuck to it too.

Tracy patted her shoulder. Okay, so you’re not at your best right now. Even messy, you’re still cute. No more hiding from Reed.

It doesn’t matter since he found me anyway.

Nudging her, Tracy asked, Did he have Ben with him?

Sophie shook her head. Reed was by himself. Who’s Ben?  

Tracy took her own stab at nonchalance. I haven’t mentioned Ben? Oh, well, you see, he moved here not long after Reed. They work together. Ben comes in once a week to try my new cupcakes. He doesn’t say much, but I’m working on him. She gave