Small Town Hero: Small Town Brides, #1

By Ava Catori

Rebecca is saving herself for marriage. After a crushing betrayal, she spins out of control after catching her fiancé and best friend in bed together. Grief-stricken and desperate, she finds herself stranded in Tennessee and forced to rely on the kindness of a stranger.

Ryan knows heartache. The only woman he loved walked away the day he proposed to her. He knew in that instant he'd never trust his heart to another. At least he has his dog to keep him company and a good job as a local firefighter.

When Rebecca ends up in Ryan's path, they blend like oil and water. While he's content with what life gives him, she escapes by seeking her identity in expensive things. Can two broken souls find salvation with their complete opposite?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ava Catori Books
• Release date: Oct 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781386833109

Book preview

Chapter 1

REBECCA GLARED AT THE man who stood before her at the register. His tires had kicked dirt up onto her new shoes when he’d spun carelessly into the parking lot. She leaned down to dust them off, but a slight outline remained. Why a business still had a gravel parking lot was beyond her. Most would have paved their lot by now. It was as if she had stepped back in time.

She barely made it into the gas station before her car ran out of gas. She’d been running on fumes the final mile. Stopping at the last exit would have made more sense, but she couldn’t get over in time and figured she would hit the next. Had she’d known it would be forty miles later she might have tried harder.

The barren exit housed a weary and worn gas station with a small food mart attached. The pumps had seen better days, while the outside needed a good power wash.

Rebecca paid for her Diet Coke and twisted the lid off the soda. The familiar hiss of escaping air couldn’t come fast enough. Parched, she tipped the bottle up and took a long swig. The cool liquid fizzed at the back of her throat.

Once back at her car, she dug through her handbag and blindly felt for her wallet. Doing it in line would have made more sense, but time was catching up with her. She was exhausted. She found the credit card she needed and jammed it into the gas pump. She unhinged the gas cap and pushed the nozzle into her empty tank.

Had she planned her drive better she might have packed a lunch, worn more comfortable shoes, or even filled a cooler with ice cold drinks. Of course, finding her fiancé in bed with her best friend meant that she was still wearing last night’s outfit from when she’d stumbled onto the unfortunate scene. Without a word she stomped down the hallway, slammed the door, and hit the road without another thought. She couldn’t stop. If she did, the pain of betrayal would be unbearable. Instead, she drove.

Rebecca watched the numbers roll higher on the gas pump as the fuel filled her tank. Derek’s words still rang in her ears. Did you really think I could hold out until we were married? Not likely.

Allison had said nothing and buried herself under the covers to hide the fact she’d be caught red-handed. Her best-friend of all people...the knife twisted deeply.

After she’d stormed outside, she sat in her car and held fast to the steering wheel. Her shoulders buckled, and her lip trembled. No. Don’t. She needed to get out of there—now.

Rebecca started her car and drove aimlessly into the night. She needed to clear her head. Wired on anger and caffeine, she hit the highway.

It had been a long night.

Her eyes drooped, heavy from lack of sleep. A nap was in order, even a short one. Maybe she should pull into a spot behind the convenience store and close her eyes for twenty minutes. Just a cat nap. Twenty minutes, no more.

After pumping her gas, Rebecca climbed into her car and slowly crept around the back of the convenience store. She settled into a quiet space beneath a tree for shade. She settled in, ready for some shut-eye.

Knock! Knock!

She startled awake. Drenched in sweat, she flinched and placed a hand over her eyes to try to focus on the source of the noise.

A man stared in at her. Are you okay?

She nodded and glanced down at her watch. Fudge! She’d lost track of time. Not that it mattered, but four hours had passed. It’s not like she had anywhere to be. She mouthed at the stranger to go away.  

Do you need an ambulance? Are you lost? he asked, not taking the hint.

Rebecca sighed, then rolled down her window. She was certain she looked like a melted candle.  I took a nap. Is that a crime?

Without an ounce of hesitation, he continued, You’re loitering.

Loitering? That’s what he was bugging her about? Annoyed, she snapped back, Seriously? You’d rather me drive on the road while tired and possibly cause an accident?

No. I’d rather you get a hotel room instead of camping outside of a store like a derelict.

A derelict? Do I look like a derelict? Do you know how expensive this car is? These shoes probably cost more than your weekly paycheck. She’d never felt so insulted!

Ma’am, I’m not disputing that you’re foolish enough to spend that much money on a pair of shoes. I’m simply stating that you can’t loiter in the parking lot.

Foolish? She huffed in disgust. You’re rude.

And you’re loitering. You’ll need to leave the premises.

She grunted, then started her car. Fine.

The tall man placed his hands on his hips. His shoulders extended for miles. He reminded her of an old-time sheriff or something, but he wasn’t a cop. He didn’t have a badge and wasn’t in uniform. Who was he exactly?

It didn’t matter. She’d never be there again. The tiny dust ball of a town would be a distant memory in her rear-view mirror soon enough.

Rebecca started to back out of the spot while still glaring at the man. She shoved the gear shift into drive, but the car didn’t budge. Her brows furrowed as she checked the shifter. Had she put it into neutral? She took it out of drive, then placed it firmly back. Again, the car wouldn’t drive. She tried reverse. This time it moved. She put it back in drive once again. Nothing.

The man watched quietly, then finally walked over to the new spot she was stranded. The corner of his mouth curled up as he tried to hide his chuckle.  Looks like your fancy car blew its transmission. Need a tow? You can’t stay here.

Who are you, king of the convenience stores? Seriously, I got the hint. You can go now. She turned away from him and dug her cell phone out from her leather bag.

Ah, am I being dismissed? I didn’t realize you were the queen. Had I known you’d made it safely to town, I’d have rolled a red carpet out for you.

Rebecca rolled her window back up, more to point out she was no longer listening to him than anything else. She sifted through her wallet to find her AAA card and called road side assistance. They said that they’d dispatch a truck to her location with an estimate of an hour. An hour? Ugh. She threw her car into reverse, wrapped around in a circle and backed into a spot to wait.

She wanted to kick her tire and vent some steam but refused to show another ounce of frustration to the stranger. She wouldn’t give him the satisfaction of seeing her fall apart. She stepped out of her car, brushed her matted hair off her face, and went into the store to get another cold drink. Her earlier soda was as warm as toast.

The tall man followed her inside.

You don’t have to stalk me. I’m just getting a drink. He had some nerve checking up on her. Who was he anyhow?

This isn’t about you, he said, then turned toward the counter. He spoke with the woman behind the register. She fell asleep. Now her transmission’s blown. She’ll be out of your hair soon. A tow is on the way. I’m guessing it’s Randy, so he shouldn’t be more than twenty minutes.

She couldn’t help but overhear him. Out of your hair? I fell asleep. It’s not a crime.

The woman by the register pointedly looked at her. You can’t sleep here.

I get that. I’ll be leaving shortly.

The cashier sized Rebecca up. Where are you headed?

I don’t know. Where’s the restroom?

You’re not going to camp out in there next, are you? the woman asked.

Seriously? Do I look like the kind of woman who has nothing better to do than hang around some third-world mini mart?

Third-world mini mart? the cashier flipped her nose up in the air as if insulted and pointed toward the restroom.

Classy lady, the man snapped sarcastically.

Obviously, not from around these parts.

Rebecca would be glad to get out of the tiny town once her car was fixed. And how long would that take? What a mess. Derek turned her world upside down, and here she was on the run. This was all his fault. Stupid man. The betrayal cut deep. She couldn’t even call her best friend to talk about the situation. After all, she was probably still in bed with Derek. Not a single call came through to her phone begging for forgiveness. Nothing. That stung more than anything. Maybe she’d made it too easy on them. Maybe her leaving that way was what they wanted.

Rebecca closed the bathroom door behind her. The white paint on the walls had grayed. The small bathroom seriously needed a remodel. The warped piece of plastic that resembled a mirror was all but useless, and the tiny sink was the size of a salad bowl.

She turned on the hot water faucet, but nothing came out. Great. She tried the cold side. The water sputtered out, then finally flowed. Rebecca leaned down, splashed her face, and then ran her fingers through her hair. She was quite the sight.

She made her way back to the main area of the store and grabbed a bottle of water, another diet cola, and a bag of pretzels. She’d pay for her things and wait outside for the tow truck driver. Reluctantly, she asked the cashier, Is there a nearby hotel? I don’t know how long it will take to get my car fixed.

Nope. Not here. A few towns over.

Great. She’d need to get a lift to wherever it was. How far was the tow truck driver willing to go? It would be easier to grab a rental car and go home. How long had she been driving? Stupid luxury car. What was the point of paying a small mortgage on a vehicle if was going to break down in the middle of nowhere?

I can help you out, the broad-shouldered stranger offered. Need a lift somewhere?

I don’t know you. Thanks, but I’ll pass.

Suit yourself. He shrugged, then turned to leave. He stopped for a moment to speak with the cashier. Hey Karen, I’ll catch you later. Give me a shout if you need anything.

Thanks, Ryan.

Chapter 2

RYAN SPENCER OPENED the door to his dusty pick-up truck. His old Ford had been a reliable companion for ages. It always started, didn’t die, and the transmission worked just fine. He took one final look over at Ms. BMW and shook his head.

What sent her down the ramp to Branchburg? It wasn’t a big, popular exit. The bigger exits housed rest areas, restaurants, and other sources. Branchburg only got a ramp because of its proximity between other exits.

The name on the gas station sign had changed so many times since