The Billionaire's Home Town: Small Town Billionaires, #6

By April Murdock

As the truth wrecks what she'd thought was her happily ever after, can Abbie open her heart to her destiny?

Abbie Dayton loves her small town roots, but the dating options are limited. At least until the new in town super handsome gym owner asks her out. This might be the excitement she needs. A diversion from her boring analyst job is always welcome. And it looks like Cody just might be The One.

Robert Seymour loves his Georgia home town, though his memories are clouded by poverty and need. Growing up poor drove him to strive for more – to help himself and his family. He's far exceeded his plan for success and now he's back in town for a business venture he can't believe has opened up.

When Abbie sees Rob again, she's haunted by what might have been. She's not sure she can handle dealing with the past. What she learns about Rob makes her not want to deal with him at all. He apparently stands for everything she stands against.

By the time she learns that things aren't always as they seem, she may end up losing everything she ever wanted.

Fall in love with a persistent hero and sweet second chances in charming Highland, Georgia.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Sweet River Publishing
• Release date: Mar 26, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393038092

Book preview

Chapter One

Abbie twirled her pen idly around her fingers and tried hard to look like she was reading over her notes. Suppressing a sigh, she let her eyes wander aimlessly over the paper in front of her. In the top corner, she’d sketched a multitude of doodles over the title of the workshop class Martin from Human Resources was leading. If she strained her eyes, she could just make out the words "Breaking Down Requirements Into Core Components" buried beneath her little works of art.

Her best friend, Stacie, sat beside her looking as if she was ready to die of boredom any minute. Abbie ripped off the bottom corner of her paper. She would have texted, but they’d been cautioned to keep their phones put away before the class started.

Can you believe we've been here for two hours? She scribbled the note quickly before covertly passing it to Stacie. Without missing a beat, her friend scooped the note under her hand and slid it under the table to read. Feigning attentiveness, Abbie stared blankly ahead while she waited for Stacie's response. At the feel of the paper brushing against her skin, Abbie looked down and swiped the paper out of sight, scanning its contents under the table.

I can't believe Corporate makes us endure one of these every single quarter!

Abbie grimaced her agreement before jotting down a quick response.

Maybe we'll get out early?

Abbie flicked her eyes up to the ceiling in silent prayer as Stacie read her hopeful reply.

Bet he won't let us out until exactly 5.

Abbie checked her watch, frowning at Stacie’s pessimistic counter. Her heart sank when she realized it was only three o'clock. Martin had a tendency to drag on, and she couldn’t remember a time when he had ended a meeting early or even on time. Glancing back down at her paper, Abbie tried to make out the words underneath all the doodles. Martin was nearly done talking about all the bullet points on his handout. There were only three bullets left to go over. It just couldn’t be possible for Martin to draw out the meeting for another two hours. Bending over the scrap of paper, which was fast running out of space, Abbie grinned as she scribbled out her answer.

Deal. Loser buys dinner at Blaze Pizza.

A wicked smile spread over Stacie’s face as she nodded her agreement. Stacie could never resist the allure of pizza, especially delicious, potentially free pizza.

Thirty minutes later, Martin reached his last slide, which coincided with the last bullet point.

That about wraps it up for me, he drawled, fiddling with his papers.

Abbie crossed her fingers under her desk. This was it. She knew the remainder of her day could go one of two ways. Either Martin would make them split into teams and spend the next hour and a half discussing strategies, or she would get treated to free pizza.

You know what? Martin offered as he glanced down at his watch. Abbie sat at the edge of her seat, doing her best to avoid grinning smugly at Stacie.

Why don't we call this one a day? Martin smiled at the small group in front of him, while Abbie swallowed a shout of joy and victory. They were free!

Stacie hung her head in silent defeat.

Thank you for dinner, Abbie said sweetly, grinning as she leaned against Stacie’s shoulder.

Don't mention it, Stacie grumbled as she collected her notes and computer.

Come on, Abbie, Stacie coaxed for at least the third time that evening. The new class at my gym looks like a lot of fun. I know you will love it. Can’t you just try it with me?

Abbie was munching happily on her art lover pizza, humming with satisfaction as each flavor rolled across her tongue. She glanced over at Stacie, taking note of the desperation in her tone.

You know I'm not big on group workout classes, Abbie told her, shuddering as she recalled the last group exercise class she tried.

She’d shown up to what she thought would be a barre class with her youngest cousin, Chanelle, and was horrified to find she’d unwittingly signed them both up for aerial silks. To make matters worse, she and Chanelle had driven to the next town to take the class. Abbie had hoped she could use the excursion as a way to encourage Chanelle's love of dancing.

Let your passion guide you and embrace your sense of adventure. Don't be afraid to try new things. It's better to do what you love and be happy, even if you don't lead a lavish lifestyle, than to make all the money in the world but hate your job, Abbie had lectured Chanelle in what she considered a valiant attempt at imparting her hard-earned wisdom to the younger girl. Getting through to teenagers wasn’t always easy, but Abbie had been pretty sure her talk had been a success.

When they had walked into the room, Chanelle's entire demeanor transformed as she gazed in rapture at the pastel-colored silks dangling from the ceiling. There was no way Abbie could let her down. Although she was unfamiliar with the physical demands of aerial silks, Abbie felt confident she could master at least the basics by the end of class. She knew she owed her well-toned, slim figure to her daily yoga exercises and mistakenly comforted herself by insisting her strong core and flexible limbs would be a credit to her. Instead, Abbie quickly discovered she lacked all of the ideal skills for an aerial workout. By the end of the class, Chanelle was suspended upside down like a beautiful butterfly, and Abbie had barely made it an inch off the floor.

One class and you’re done trying new things for life? Stacie’s incredulous voice brought Abbie’s mind back to the present. She took a quick sip of her sweet tea, giving herself time to think.

You know Sweetie and I do yoga in the garden every day, Abbie answered, realizing she was about to lose the fight but not willing to go down easy. She would be upset with me if I skipped out on it.

I think your puppy will be just fine if you try this class, Stacie responded, grinning. Abbie raised an eyebrow at Stacie. I'm serious, Abbie, Stacie continued. I think you'll love it. Shape Up Fitness is so different from any other place I've tried before. The entire atmosphere is about whole-body wellness.

Really? Abbie perked up in interest, despite her misgivings.

Serious, Stacie nodded. It's unlike any gym I know of. Plus, this class is perfect for you.

Abbie hesitated.

It's a lot like yoga, Stacie added suggestively.

What is it?

If I tell you, will you spend the night Googling different videos of it on YouTube? Stacie asked, rolling her eyes.

Abbie smiled guiltily. Stacie knew her so well.

And that's exactly why I won't tell you, Stacie concluded, noting Abbie’s guilty look. Just come with me in the morning. Take a chance for crying out loud and don't be afraid to try new things. A bright gleam flickered into Stacie's eyes. It's much more fun when you don’t know what’s going to happen.

Fun for you maybe, Abbie sighed good-naturedly.

You know you love surprises, Stacie goaded.

Since I love surprises so much, Abbie began, Why don't I surprise you with my answer later tonight?

Abbie chuckled as Stacie rolled her eyes playfully. The rest of their evening was spent discussing Stacie's approaching wedding and various pieces of workplace gossip.

It wasn't until the drive home that Abbie began to seriously consider going with Stacie to Shape Up Fitness in the morning. I know she didn't realize it, but Stacie gave me the exact advice I gave Chanelle, she thought.

Pulling into her driveway, she gazed up at her house. It was a simple house, much like any other one on her street. She had a front porch, a small flower bed, and even the same mailbox as everyone else in the subdivision. The only thing that made her house unique was her teal front door. Smiling, she recalled her decision to paint it. She’d done it a few days after moving into her cookie-cutter house, which she’d bought for herself after working as an analyst for a year.

Abbie-Jean, her grandmother had gasped, Why on earth would you paint your door? You bought this house brand-spankin' new. It didn’t need anything done to it!

Abbie hadn't responded. She’d only smiled and leaned her head affectionately on her grandmama's shoulders for a moment before escorting her into the house. Now, Abbie looked at her door wistfully and, truth be told, a little guiltily.

She’d painted it as a reminder of who she was, or rather, who she wanted to be. It rankled Abbie every day how she’d given up on her dream of becoming an artist. She’d done exactly what she’d been trying to stop Chanelle from doing. Abbie had let her dream die when life got too complicated. When the unknown began pressing in on her, she didn't fight it. Instead, she gave up and became an analyst. She’d accepted without question that her dream of having an extraordinarily creative life as a sculptor wasn’t a reality for her. Her defeatist attitude sickened her, but she still held onto one tiny shred of hope, and hope was why her door was teal.

Sighing, she walked up her driveway and unlocked her treasured teal door. It's been four years. Four years working the same dull job I never liked to begin with. Nothing's changed. Her desperate thoughts invaded her mind with surprising strength. She hadn’t thought about her abandoned dreams in so long; she’d almost forgotten how her life wasn't the grand adventure she’d hoped for.

Oh, how she wished she could have followed her heart's desire! She felt the longing to open up an art gallery in this sleepy town of Highland, Georgia. It was a longing that she hadn’t felt this strongly in four years, and it took her breath away. She couldn’t help wondering what had stopped her. Highland was so small; Abbie was well aware some people wouldn't know how to approach an innovative art gallery. However, she also knew there were young artists, just like she’d been, who were looking for a safe space to exhibit their masterpieces.

Sighing, Abbie had to admit to herself that her failure to open a gallery was, in fact, her fault.

At first, she’d wanted to achieve her goal, putting her heart and soul into the dream she’d cherished for as long as she could remember. She’d created countless works of art in the hopes of filling the gallery while imagining exactly how she wanted the place to look. She’d entertained thoughts about the studios she would rent out and the lives she would change when she gave young artists

Reviews for The Billionaire's Home Town

[Deb Pden · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There is cheating..but there is also lifelong friendships and families that love one another.