Daring to Fall

By Shannon Stults

Can she forgive the past or will she sacrifice her present?

When she finds herself sole legal guardian of her teenage sister and the heir of a significant fortune, Harper Maddox drops out of medical school to move back to her small hometown of Willow Creek, Georgia. Her return brings her face to face with Russell Hart (aka Cowboy), her fiercely independent and sexy first love who broke her heart three summers ago after gaining her wary trust.

Harper is determined to protect her heart and resist Cowboy’s allure, but when she decides to remodel and reopen her parents’ B&B, she must turn to the one man she was determined to ignore for advice and assistance. Cowboy proves to be a surprising ally and friend, and it’s only a matter of weeks before she finds herself falling for him all over again. He appears reformed, but Harper still questions his ability to fall in love.

Will Harper's fear of getting hurt outweigh a chance at true happiness?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tule Publishing
• Release date: Sep 9, 2019
• ISBN: 9781951190156

Book preview

Author

DAY 1

"I don’t have a shift at the hospital for the next few days. I was thinking maybe we could get dinner with some of my friends tonight. The redhead bombshell in the driver’s seat looked over at Cowboy with bright eyes and a toothy grin. The girls are dying to meet you."

I’ve already got plans, he said, not the least bit disappointed. Well, unless you counted the fact that he’d only just met this woman yesterday and she was already telling her friends about him.

Oh, she sighed, her smile slipping for only a second before it came back at full force. What about tomorrow?

I’ve got a really busy week ahead of me.

She huffed, her shoulders falling as her bottom lip poked out. I understand. But make sure you call me if anything changes.

Okay, he lied.

The car filled with an awkward silence while she continued to pout, occasionally casting glances his way. God, what had he done to deserve this?

Okay, so maybe this was karma’s way of getting back at him for hitting on a woman while his best friend was recovering from extreme smoke inhalation in the Dublin emergency room. In his defense, he’d waited until after Cole was released before he officially made his move on the sexy nurse he’d been fantasizing about for more than an hour.

Dana was sensual and alluring and said in no uncertain terms that she had no interest in anything more than a one-night fling. He’d been raring to accompany her back to her place for a night of fantastic sex, and he’d thought—not for the first time—that he was the luckiest guy in Willow Creek.

At least until he woke up the next morning. He’d barely even had his jeans back on before she invited him to breakfast and started calling him baby and honey and a number of other little pet names that made the back of his neck prickle. Breakfast? As in let this awkward morning-after go on even longer? Sorry, he couldn’t. He really needed to go home and check on his friend.

He sent up a small prayer of thanks for that handy little excuse. It probably took a special kind of person to find a silver lining in his best friend nearly dying.

What about sometime next week? Dana went on now as they rounded a curve on the country road leading back to his place in town.

He really should have brought his own transportation. It was an amateur move, one he sure as hell wouldn’t be making again.

He was mercifully saved from coming up with another excuse when a gray Jeep parked on the shoulder came into view way up ahead. A woman with long, blond hair and a bright orange dress wiped her brow before kicking at what he suspected was a flat tire.

Pull over.

What? Why? Dana’s eyes narrowed, the car slowing infinitesimally. Who is she?

He had no idea, but Dana didn’t need to know that. That’s…Lexi, he said, grasping at a random name. She’s an old friend of mine.

What kind of friend?

The kind who clearly needs my help, he said, his patience straining. Now pull over.

She did as he said, coming to a stop just behind the gray Jeep. Cowboy practically flew out of the car. Hey, I thought that was you!

The blonde woman spun around as he approached, and any uncertainty he’d had of her identity vanished. He hadn’t seen Harper Maddox in almost four years, but this was a small town and he’d recognize their class’s quiet, reclusive valedictorian anywhere.

She squinted at him from behind a pair of red-rimmed glasses. Cowboy?

Yes! She remembered him, too. That was going to make this next bit so much less awkward.

"I didn’t know you’d be in town today, Lexi. It’s been a long time," he said loudly.

Harper’s brow furrowed before her face fell completely flat.

Before she could say anything that would give him away, he pulled her into a tight hug. He stood almost a foot taller than her but managed to bring his lips level with her ear. Just go with it, he nearly begged.

Uh…

He released her, keeping an arm over her shoulder as he turned to face the blue Camry he’d just escaped from. Thanks again for the ride, Dana, but Lexi and I have it from here.

Dana glared at them through the windshield. She hesitated for a moment, waiting until Cowboy waved a sign of dismissal. She pulled away, her angry eyes zeroed in on Harper as she went.

Every one of his tense muscles instantly relaxed. Don’t mind her. She may be the jealous type, but I don’t think she’d actually do anything to you. He removed his black UGA cap and wiped his sweaty brow with his forearm. "I owe you one. Usually I can tell the clingy ones before things get too far. If we’d actually made it back to my place, I think she would have started plans to move in and redecorate. So…you think I can get a ride into town, Lexi?"

Harper threw his arm off her shoulder. You’ve got to be kidding me.

What?

"Well, for starters, Russell, that’s not my name."

Right. Sorry about that. I panicked and told Dana you were an old friend. Lexi was just the first name that came to mind.

Second, you just used me to get away from one of your one-night stands. And now you have the nerve to ask me for a ride?

Okay, so that one was fair. But if she’d been in that car to hear Dana debating with herself over whether it was too soon for him to meet her parents, he suspected Harper would be much more understanding right about now.

She didn’t wait for his response. Instead, she let out a frustrated grunt that reminded him of a disgruntled kitten before she grabbed the flat tire she must have already removed, carried it around to the back of the Jeep, and tossed it in the trunk.

He snatched up the tire iron from the ground where she’d left it. Here, let me help you…

Harper.

Right, right.

She scowled at him once again as she tore the iron from his grasp, and he had to bite back the smile that tried desperately to make an appearance. And I don’t need your help. She walked to the front left tire and nearly stumbled in her white heels. She huffed as she bent down and yanked the shoes off her feet one at a time. She shoved them into Cowboy’s empty hands.

You sure?

Yes. I’m not some helpless damsel who needs rescuing from a flat tire. She hiked up the narrow, knee-length skirt of her dress that he only just now realized was torn and smudged with grease and squatted by the wheel.

He chuckled to himself. Clearly.

He watched her with curious interest as she made quick work of securing the tire on its mount. He didn’t know who this fuming, outspoken woman was, but it was definitely not the shy, mild-mannered girl he knew back in high school. This woman was much more amusing.

His eyes raked over her petite figure while she finished tightening the last of the lug nuts and slowly lowered the jack. While the cute librarian look was far from his type, even he had to appreciate a woman who could fend for herself. And the way the orange, lacy material of her dress strained over her chest didn’t hurt either.

So about that ride… he said slowly once she’d tossed the jack and tire iron into the trunk, her white high heels still in his hand.

The skin under her left eye ticked, and she looked like she wanted to stab him with one of those heels right now. But then she took a deep breath, and her scowl was wiped clean. Fine, whatever.

Cowboy climbed into the Jeep before she could change her mind, and she started it up with a soft rumble.

Thanks. You know, most girls would jump at the chance to have a big, strong, undeniably handsome man like myself get down and dirty for them. I have to admit, it’s actually a bit refreshing.

I have to admit, I don’t care. She pulled out onto the road, not even bothering to ask directions. Not that it surprised Cowboy. Everyone in Willow Creek knew that he and his best friend, Cole Tucker, still rented the same small house since their high school graduation four years ago.

He studied her tight lips and creased forehead from the passenger seat before his gaze fell once again on her lacy dress and high heels. Can I ask what’s got you all dressed up this morning?

None of your business.

He laughed, unfazed. Just trying to make friendly conversation with you.

Well, seeing as we’re not friends, you can stop anytime, she grumbled. She turned onto the main road leading into town.

The corner of his mouth twitched. You know, you’re kind of cute when you’re angry.

Don’t do that, she snarled, shooting a quick, yet menacing, glower his way, which he found immensely entertaining. She really did make this too easy.

Do what?

Get all flirty with me. I know what kind of guy you are, Cowboy, and I’m not falling for it. I go to Georgia Tech. I’m in the top percentile, and I’m way too smart to fall for your crap.

Is that so?

Yeah, it is. I’m not the kind of girl who’s going to go fawning all over a guy, especially one who doesn’t even remember my name after going to the same school as me for ten years.

They pulled up to the curb outside his house where the only other vehicle present was his white landscaping truck parked in the driveway.

What? she asked when he said nothing. No charming reply?

Come out with me tonight.

Harper stared silently at him for several long seconds. You’re joking. Did you listen to any of what I just said? I’m not going on a date with you!

He could hardly believe he’d said it himself. Not because he was interested in her like that. He’d decided several minutes ago she wasn’t his type, and the fact that he wasn’t already thinking about how to get an invite back to her place tonight was proof of that.

Still, he’d never been the kind of guy to hang out with a woman he wasn’t trying to sleep with either. Normally he couldn’t be bothered without the promise of sex afterward, but something about this girl was practically screaming for his help.

I didn’t say it was a date. Look, clearly you could do with a good unwinding, and I just happen to have a free night tonight. So why don’t you let me take you out where you can let loose a little? Just as friends.

I just told you we’re not friends, she argued as he opened his door.

You still live with your grandma over on Dorchester?

I…yes? she said as if even she couldn’t be certain where she lived at that moment.

Great, I’ll pick you up at seven.

I never said yes! she yelled through the open window behind him as he headed for his front door.

He turned and winked over his shoulder. I’ll see you tonight, Harper Maddox.

Chapter One

Harper let the market door close softly behind her, several heavy grocery bags hanging from her hands as she practically ran back to her Jeep. She knew coming back to Willow Creek would be hard for many reasons, but what she hadn’t expected was the sad, pitying looks everyone gave her. What was meant to be a quick trip to the store turned into over an hour of getting stopped by people young and old, all insistent on giving her their condolences and words of encouragement. It was all she could do not to break down in the middle of Macy’s Market.

Instead, she’d put on a small smile, the one that showed she was perfectly in control of herself, and thanked each of them for their kind words, without a single tear in sight.

Harper was tired of crying. She felt like she’d been crying nonstop for a week now, ever since that night in her Boston apartment when she got the phone call from her little sister.

She pushed the memory away, instead focusing on her three Cs.

Cool. Calm. Controlled.

A little mantra she’d gotten in the habit of repeating anytime her emotions threatened to get the better of her. It had been her saving grace after losing her parents, and it had been the only thing holding her together this past week.

Cool. Calm. Controlled.

She took a deep breath, opened her trunk, and started loading the heavy grocery bags into it one by one.

Harper Maddox?

Harper closed the trunk door and spun around to see a familiar face beaming at her. Lo?

Logan Kase—technically Logan Tucker since her wedding just over a year ago—was jogging across the street toward Harper and her Jeep. She looked almost the same as when she’d last seen her three years ago. Long, dark brown hair and tanned skin that looked amazing in the yellow sundress that was perfect for the early September heat.

One thing that had changed was the very noticeable bump hiding under the flowy skirt of Lo’s dress. Harper’s eyes went wide as her old friend came rushing at her, throwing her arms out and pulling her into a quick hug.

Oh my God! I can’t believe it. I haven’t seen you in forever.

Harper returned her hug, then pulled back and stared down at the other woman’s swollen belly. I can’t believe you’re pregnant! How far along are you?

Six and a half months. Lo was grinning from ear to ear, absolutely glowing with soon-to-be motherhood.

I had no idea. Congratulations! This time Harper was the one to pull Logan into a hug.

Thanks. We’d planned to wait a few years before we started trying to have kids. But we were so excited when we found out, and then Cole almost cried when they told us it’s a girl. He’s already picking out baby clothes and furniture and stuffed animals. It’s adorable.

I can imagine. Pretty much the entire town had seen just how much Cole Tucker loved Logan, even from when they were kids chasing each other around town and pulling pranks. In fact, Logan had been just about the only person who didn’t see it. At least until a few years ago when she graduated from college and moved back home. The two had started up their games again, and it hadn’t been long after that Lo realized her own long-standing feelings for her childhood rival.

So, it wasn’t at all surprising that Cole would be excited to add one more to the very short list of girls he would love unconditionally.

Now if his brother, Keith, can just get the new house finished before she comes, we can get out of the cramped rental, and I might be able to get in a few nights of good sleep before I’m up twenty-four hours a day with a screaming baby.

Harper laughed. It sounds like you’re both really happy.

How have you been? Logan asked, her smile fading. It was replaced with that same look of pity Harper had seen ever since she got back into town a couple days ago. I heard about your grandmother. Daddy said it was a stroke? she said, sounding uncertain.

Harper nodded. She’d been on blood pressure medication for years. But the doctor said it looked like she hadn’t been taking it for a while.

Oh. I’m so sorry.

She gave her friend a soft smile, fighting the ache that rose in the back of her throat. Thanks. It hasn’t been easy. Grams practically raised me and Sadie after our parents died, and she’s really the only family we had left. Now…now it’s just us. But please don’t feel bad for me. I’ve had enough sympathy to last me a lifetime.

Lo forced a cheerful smile back on her face. So how long are you in town for?

For good, actually. I’m staying.

What? But I thought you still had one more year of med school left.

That’s a long story. And Sadie’s only sixteen, just started her junior year. She’s already taking Grams’s death pretty hard. If I pulled her out of school and dragged her up to Boston right now, I don’t think she’d ever forgive me.

Lo nodded, looking thoughtful. Have you, uh…have you talked to Cowboy since you got back?

Harper had wondered how long it would take for Logan to bring him up. Seeing as he was her husband’s best friend and their current housemate, she was surprised Lo hadn’t mentioned him sooner.

No. Not yet. She was tempted to ask about him but thought better of it. Listen, I’ve got to get these groceries home so I can make dinner and hopefully get some cleaning done. Turns out Grams became quite the hoarder the last few years, and now the house is full of junk I have to weed through and decide if there’s anything worth keeping. Anyway, I should go. But we should get coffee sometime and catch up.

That sounds perfect. I’ll take a look at my schedule and give you a call. Logan gave Harper one last hug, squeezing her tight over the round belly between them. And let me know if there’s anything I can do for you and Sadie.

I will. Thanks, Lo.

Chapter Two

Harper pulled up the short, gravel driveway and put the Jeep in park next to Grams’s old tan Buick. She stared at it a minute, remembering all those times her grandmother had driven her and Sadie to school or to her sister’s various school performances as a kid.

Now it was just sitting here. Not that, according to her sister, Grams had done much driving in the last year since Sadie got her license. Harper could probably sell it for some extra money, or she could ask if her sister wanted it for her own. Just one more item on the extensive list of things she’d have to handle in the coming weeks.

Harper grabbed the groceries from the trunk and made her way around the front of the large colonial house and up the front porch steps. Mercifully, the front door was unlocked, and she managed to get it open even with several heavy bags in her hands.

I’m home, she called out.

That was a lot longer than a few minutes, a deep, male voice called from the room to her left. Harper carefully made her way into the kitchen, navigating through a maze of stacks of newspapers, boxes, and whatever else her grandmother had collected and stored just in the foyer alone over the last several years.

Inside the kitchen, she found the source of the voice—a tall, muscular man with tattoo-covered arms, full facial hair, and shoulder-length brown locks pulled back in a low bun, scouring through the contents of the refrigerator. He pulled out a container of yogurt, checked the expiration date on the side, and cringed before dropping it into the trash can beside him.

He looked over his shoulder at Harper as she set each of her grocery bags on the kitchen counter. Did you have any trouble?

Aside from everyone staring at me and stopping to tell me how sorry they are? Everything was just peachy.

He sighed. I told you I would go to the store for you.

It’s fine, Aiden. I needed to get some fresh air anyway. Harper looked around the kitchen while he turned his attention back to the contents of the small fridge. She had to hand it to him. In the hour since she’d left for the market, the kitchen had gone from a cluttered mess of papers, old mail, and stacks of coupons covering every inch of the white countertops and table, back to the neat and tidy kitchen she remembered as a kid. For the first time in days, the pale green walls and dark oak floors and cabinets were somewhat comforting.

Memories of watching Grams move from fridge to stove to counter as she magically turned a pile of random ingredients into a masterpiece of Southern comfort cooking surfaced briefly in Harper’s mind before she pushed them back down again.

Okay, that’s the last of it, Aiden said, letting a bag of what looked like fuzzy green cheese fall into the already packed trash bin. He let the refrigerator door close and started to pull the strings of the bag into a tight knot.

Harper leaned back against the island counter. Thanks again for helping me with all this. You didn’t have to come all the way down here just for me, but it means a lot that you did.

He shrugged, standing tall. What are friends and roommates for if not to help each other out? Even if that help means throwing out foul, questionable, and expired food products.

And offering to cook dinner every night?

That’s more for my benefit than yours. I still remember when you tried to force feed me what looked like black hockey pucks that first night you moved in.

It was corn bread.

It was a choking hazard. And the last time I will ever let you try to cook anything.

That much had been true. In the years since Harper had moved into Aiden Weaver’s Boston apartment, he’d never once trusted her to cook anything more than toast. And even that tended not to end well. It was certainly going to make meals interesting when he finally had to get back to his job and med school classes up north.

Harper was just about to remind him of the time she’d made almost edible pudding—granted, it was instant and from a box, hardly a culinary feat—when the sound of creaking floorboards and footsteps in the hall upstairs caught her attention. She walked over to the kitchen doorway just in time to catch Sadie coming down the stairs. Her hair, the same light blond as Harper’s, fell in perfect, manufactured curls down to the middle of her back. She had on skinny jeans, a black sleeveless blouse, and black, high-heeled, ankle boots.

Harper crossed her arms in front of her chest, leaning against the doorframe. You look nice. Got plans tonight or something? Seeing as this was the fourth evening in a row her little sister had come down the stairs all dolled up and looking straight out of a magazine, it was more of a rhetorical question.

Still, Sadie nodded as she reached the last step. She grabbed her purse from the hall table. Margot and I are going to the movies, and then we might stop by a friend’s house after for a few hours.

Oh, well…that should be fun. Do you at least have time for some dinner before you go? Aiden wanted to make you his famous spaghetti chicken and garlic bread. Seriously, it’s so good it might actually make you cry, Harper said with a smile.

Sadie shook her head while rooting through her tiny bag, not once looking up. Not hungry. But I’m sure you two will have a great time without me. She pulled her hand from the bag, the keys to the tan Buick dangling from her fingers. I’ll be back in a couple hours. Don’t wait up for me.

Okay then, drive safe, Harper managed to get out before Sadie was halfway to the door. We can just do dinner tomorr— The door shut loudly, cutting Harper off midsentence.

She turned back to the kitchen where Aiden stood with the same sympathetic look she’d seen all day. At least this one was about something other than her grandmother.

She hates me, Harper determined as she slowly made her way back over to the kitchen island.

No, she doesn’t. She’s just grieving. Not to mention she has to get used to you being home again. It can’t be easy after three years. Harper winced. Three years sounded like such a long time, but any time she’d contemplated coming back to Willow Creek, she’d known deep down she wasn’t ready. While she knew that distance from her hometown was the best thing for her, she clearly hadn’t considered what it would do to her and Sadie’s relationship.

And she couldn’t even bear to think about what that time away had felt like to her grandmother. They’d talked on the phone every few days, and even Skyped occasionally, and Grams always swore she understood why Harper stayed away. But now all Harper could think about was how much she wished she’d sucked it up and made the trip home anyway, how she would give anything to see Grams again.