Secret Love in Blossom Creek: Blossom Creek, #4

By Lexi Buchanan

With Blu, a woman he's grown up with, telling the town she's going to be his wife, Shep Carter finds it difficult to pursue the woman he truly loves. They, too, grew up together, and somewhere during their adolescence, he fell head over heels in love with Louisa Ryland. He's tried his hardest not to act on his feelings because of his friendship with Blu, but he can't do it any longer.

 

Louisa and Shep's friendship turned into love somewhere along the way, and she's been nursing a broken heart ever since. It's all she can do when her best friend, Blu, is also in love with him. Between the Pages, Louisa's bookstore, saved her as she accepted her broken heart and the fact that Shep would one day leave town. After all, that was all he talked about the summer before they left for college...yet he returned home and has made a life for himself in Blossom Creek.

 

Their love has been contained for years, but this summer it's about to explode into a passion neither can control yet hope never ends.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HFCA Publishing
• Release date: Jul 19, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201514020

Book preview

Secret Love in Blossom Creek

SECRET LOVE IN BLOSSOM CREEK

BLURB

With Blu, a woman he's grown up with, telling the town she's going to be his wife, Shep Carter finds it difficult to pursue the woman he truly loves. They, too, grew up together, and somewhere during their adolescence, he fell head over heels in love with Louisa Ryland. He's tried his hardest not to act on his feelings because of his friendship with Blu, but he can't do it any longer.

Louisa and Shep's friendship turned into love somewhere along the way, and she's been nursing a broken heart ever since. It's all she can do when her best friend, Blu, is also in love with him. Love Between the Pages, Louisa's bookstore, saved her as she accepted her broken heart and the fact that Shep would one day leave town. After all, that was all he talked about the summer before they left for college...yet he returned home and has made a life for himself in Blossom Creek.

Their love has been contained for years, but this summer it’s about to explode into a passion neither can control yet hope never ends.

CONTENTS

1. Shep

2. Louisa

3. Shep

4. Louisa

5. Shep

6. Louisa

7. Shep

8. Louisa

9. Shep

10. Louisa

11. Shep

12. Louisa

13. Shep

14. Louisa

15. Shep

16. Louisa

Epilogue – Shep

Dear Reader

To Kiss a Boy

To Kiss a Boy Teaser

Other books by Author

Acknowledgements

About the Author

1

SHEP

Weddings usually make me feel uncomfortable. Not this one. I glance around the garden of Emelia’s where the wedding guests enjoy after dinner music, and I release a sigh. It’s been a pleasant day and hopefully one Emma and Jared, and Levi and Vivien won’t forget anytime soon.

I’ve eaten well and danced a fair bit with my mother, who kept allowing Blu to cut in.

I’m not oblivious to the rumors going around about Blu and me. She’s an attractive woman; however, I do not look at Blu as anything other than a friend. I’ve ignored the gossip, thinking that’s all it is, but I don’t think I can ignore it for much longer. Blu has made it abundantly clear that she intends on becoming Mrs. Shepard Carter one day in the not-so-distant future. Although she’s currently drunk, I don’t think it was drunken ramblings. More like Dutch courage.

Thing is, I’m in love with someone else. The same woman who Blu and I grew up with from kindergarten and upward. I watch her now talking with her sister, Amber.

We’ve had brief encounters and the one night we managed to claim for ourselves out of town, but Louisa is nervous about being seen together. She’s torn because Blu is one of her best friends and someone she’s always confided in. For me, it’s difficult because I know Blu has real feelings toward me, and I don’t want to hurt her. That’s the last thing either of us want to do.

But as I watch my friends and acquaintances enjoying themselves, my heart longs to be able to do that with Louisa, where we can be seen. Not hidden so we don’t hurt our friend.

Breaking away from Amber, Louisa moves toward me and my heart about jumps out of my chest. She’s wearing a lime green bridesmaid dress that looks fantastic on her slim figure. Her dark brown hair is twisted up, showing off her elegant neck. The moment her green eyes lock onto mine, everything disappears. It’s just the two of us. I swallow around the lump in my throat, and say, You look beautiful.

She gives me a secretive smile. You’re looking handsome as ever, Shep. Stepping closer, she takes my hand. Will you dance with me? Her eyes quickly dart around and with a slight hiss, she drops my hand and steps back.

There you are! Blu appears suddenly and wraps her arm through mine. I was looking for you.

Taking in some air.

Let’s dance out here, she says, trying to tug me away from Louisa.

I dig in my heels. I was just about to dance with Louisa, Blu. I’m careful to hide my annoyance. We can’t dance together all night.

Who says we can’t? She turns and peers at Louisa. You don’t mind, do you, Louisa?

Louisa doesn’t get the chance to answer as Blu tugs me across the lawn. I glance back, an apology written on my face, but get Louisa’s back as she rushes away.

My feet continue to carry me toward the makeshift dance floor when I spot the cousins Emile and Blake. I detour and slip my arm from Blu’s.

I’ve had enough dancing for the night, but I’m sure you’ll be in good hands. I pass her to the surprised cousins and beg them with my eyes to take her.

Blake laughs and shakes his head. We’ve got this.

Emile frowns at his cousin.

But I— Blu mumbles.

I don’t catch the rest of what she says because I’m already striding toward the restaurant.

Nicely done, Fire Chief Zeke Daniels comments. She’s in the restroom.

I shake my head. Why does life have to be so complicated?

He chuckles. You need to tell her how you feel.

She knows.

Zeke pauses and then says, I was referring to Blu.

My eyes snap to his and I admit, It’s not that easy. I don’t think Blu will ever want to hear that I look at her as a sister. I wince. So does Zeke.

I should imagine not. However, don’t you think it’s gone on long enough? Life is too short to live it like you are.

I run my hands through my hair and tug on the unruly mess. I agree. I look around me and say, Restroom?

Zeke nods, a smirk on his lips.

My feet crunch on the stone pathway as I make my way around to the back of the restaurant. I slip inside and spot Beatrice coming out of the restroom, her hand smoothing over the baby bump she has going on. She looks cute. Spotting me, she waddles over.

Why are you grinning at me like that?

Can’t I smile at a friend?

You weren’t smiling. You were grinning. She raises a brow.

I was thinking how cute you look pregnant. Happy now?

She chuckles as Ryker comes up behind her. Are you sweet-talking my wife?

Of course, I am. She was my friend first. I tease him and glance at the restroom door. Clearing my throat, I ask, Is Louisa still in there? I nod with my head.

Beatrice tips her head to the side and searches my eyes. With a heavy sigh, she says, She is. She’s alone, if that helps.

It does. I kiss her cheek and grin at Ryker as I move past them.

God knows what is going through Beatrice’s head after that brief conversation.

Inhaling deeply, I push into the ladies’ restroom and pause. My eyes sweep around the room and I notice how much nicer it is to that of the men’s. Then the closed stall at the end grabs my attention.

Louisa? I whisper. It’s only us in here.

The slide of a lock reaches my hearing and then the door slowly opens.

It takes seconds for me to have her in my arms.

Seconds for my arms to hold her snug against me and her arms to wrap tightly around my neck, clinging on for dear life.

I’m sorry, I whisper. "I