Storm & Stone Smith's Corner

By Jayne Paton

She’s overcome past obstacles, but is the wall, the man she love’s, too big to scale to win their forever?

Storm Harrison values honesty after starting life going from one foster home to another, where people were anything but honest. She learns never to be afraid to admit to how she feels or goes after what she wants. After a brief encounter with the handsome, middle Smith brother, Stone, he rejects her. But her heart isn’t ready to give up the fight.

Stone Smith’s hard exterior hides insecurities. So when a heated encounter reveals that the stunning girl next door has the power to touch his heart, years of insecurities take charge, and he walks away. But Storm offers him a second chance, now he must face his fears to gain what his heart desires, love.

Can they overcome fears together to find their path to happily ever after?

Storm & Stone: Smith’s Corner is the captivating fifth book in The Heartwood romance series. If you like strong-minded women, protective men, and steamy passion, then you’ll adore Jayne Paton’s pulse-pounding tale.

Buy Storm & Stone: Smith’s Corner for passions words cannot describe today!

Start reading now by clicking on the Look Inside feature above and order your copy of Storm & Stone. "Where I thought his lips would be hard and demanding, they were soft and coaxing."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jayne Paton
• Release date: Jun 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005982119

Jayne Paton

An author just looking to create a little escapism in a world where everyone needs to be romanced.

Book preview

The adults spoke over my head like I was deaf and had no comprehension that I was again being returned into a foster care system that I’d long since accepted was a part of my life. It was like a dress that someone bought and quickly grew out of, so they put it in the back of the closet and forgot about it. But I was returned into places where folks were paid to pretend to care for me while I waited to see if someone else wanted a reject.

I might have only been seven years old, but I understood my life wasn’t anything like it was for other children. This was my seventh home in two years. I’d tried to be good, be the perfect child so someone would love me the way I wanted. The way I’d seen other girls and boys were with parents who were clean and didn’t smell of stale booze. My mother had decided I wasn’t worth her time or money.

One hungry mouth is too many, she’d said often enough. It made something inside me not settle for other folks’ crap. As much as I talked to myself in private about behaving, it didn’t work when someone tried to push me around.

A long heartfelt sigh from above me matched the one in my head. I really did want to find someone to be mine.

She’s got everything she should need for now in the bag, the woman who’d driven me to the foster home said. She had tired eyes, but they at least weren’t mean. I’d learned quickly to read those around me. And I’d acted up a time or two to get away from those with shifty eyes that made my stomach hurt when they looked at me when no one else was watching. Those men were the type who visited Mommy after Daddy died, and they brought nothing but trouble.

The woman she spoke to reached out and took the bag, giving me the once-over. I was sure she didn’t miss my torn dress or the bruises on my arms from the last fight I’d gotten into with the boy at school who thought I’d let him pull my hair. Because it was the son of the woman whose house I’d been living in, I’d found myself yet again back in the system without a family.

What happened to her? the woman asked.

I hit the boy who yanked on my hair. He got his friends to push me to the ground, and he stomped on my arms, I answered, even though the question hadn’t been directed at me. The truth was always best. That way, I couldn’t get into any more trouble.

Another sigh came from the woman who was dropping me off. She’s had a tough time transitioning.

What did that mean? Adults tended to talk in code, some of which I didn’t understand. I shifted and looked at the house in front of me, bored with the conversation. The house was at least welcoming and looked okay. It was small, but the garden was big enough to run around. And there were some toys on the lawn.

Movement caught my eye, and a small dark head popped around the doorframe then disappeared before appearing again. Big green eyes met mine. They were so big they took up nearly all the child’s face, and I grinned shyly, recognizing a soul mate. Someone else who had suffered and understood life wasn’t good to everyone.

The thumb in the child’s mouth popped out, and she gave me a small wave. Before the woman had stopped speaking, I was walking up the path, drawn to the child who had stepped fully into view. Her dress was clean, as was her face.

I’m Storm, I said as I stopped at the bottom of the steps, unsure if I’d get into trouble for walking into a house that I hadn’t been in before.

I’s Delilah. I’s three.

That’s a big name. I’m seven, so I’m gonna call you Dee. We’re gonna be friends, you and me.

Dee’s eyes widened. Okay. She glanced over her shoulder behind her before looking at me, chin wobbling. I’s no friends ere. My sister is coming back for me.

In my experience, family lied, but I didn’t say that. I shrugged. That’s nice.

Her chin continued to wobble. She is. She promised.

I walked up the steps and took hold of her hand. There was something about the chin that poked forward. I believe you. I’d long since given up hope of that happening for me, but I wished that it would work out for her.

One Year Later

The woman who’d dropped me off a year ago stepped into the room, and my heart hurt as I struggled to take a deep breath.

What did she want?

I stared at Dee and then at her big sister, Layla, who held her daughter, Cora, and followed behind the woman.

Storm, it’s all right. You have nothing to worry about, Layla said. Her smile was as big as the sun outside. I’d come to trust her. Dee had told the truth about her sister, or more, her mom, because that’s what she appeared to be to me. The way she cared for Dee while doing things I didn’t understand so that Dee could go and live with her and Cora. Deep down, I’d known that Dee would leave me, but I wasn’t prepared for it.

I sniffed and wiped at my nose with the back of my hand.

The woman indicated to Layla. Do you think you’d like to go and live with Layla and Delilah?

A tear ran down my cheek and plopped off my chin, then another followed until I couldn’t see. I hiccuped as I looked between both women. Did they mean it? Really? You want me to come and live with you?

Layla nodded her head while rocking Cora. We do. It’s your choice, Storm. Mr. Harrison— Burt—has a big home with enough room for all of us. And I have legal status to care for Delilah. It also means that I could apply to care for you too if you want to come with us.

But nobody wants me. The words popped out before I could stop them. They were the truth. This was the longest I’d stayed in a home, and it was all because of Dee, who had become my best friend while I’d become her protector. We were inseparable. Layla came forward and crouched in front of me as Dee took hold of my hand. We do. We want you to be part of our family, forever.

The truth was there in the depth of emotion as I searched for the lie in the words. The hand holding mine squeezed tight. We’s family now. You and me. We’s not leavin’ you behind.

My nose ran as I swiped at my eyes again, trying to be a big girl. You won’t give me back when you get fed up? I needed to hear the answer, knowing Layla wouldn’t lie to me.

Never. I can promise you that. The sicky feeling in my tummy went away at the smile on Layla’s face.

Dee held up our joined hands. We’s love you always. A warm feeling filled me up when Dee said those words.

A smile spread over my face. Okay, but that woman heard you say you aren’t returning me. Just so’s you know.

The woman laughed along with Layla. That’s fine. You’re stuck with us too.

I hugged Dee to me. I don’t see no problem with that.

When Cora burst into the bakery, all upset and marked from a school bully, I’d struggled to keep my focus while my best friend since I was seven years old went to take care of her baby sister. Both girls were my family, in every way that counted, so it was hard to not follow them and Dallas, the youngest Smith brother who had been doing his best to court Dee.

I sighed at the long line of folks. Since Dee and I did everything to keep costs down, I didn’t have an option but to stay put and serve the line of customers that reached the door and beyond. Not that I’d complain. It meant Dee’s business would stay firmly in the black.

In a flurry of activity, Dee left with Cora, and I had a promise from Dallas that he’d get someone to help me. The heart that normally sat prettily in the center of my chest had firmly fixed itself to the front of my rib cage at the prospect of who was coming to help me. Stone!

Why had the man agreed?

He’d shown nothing but…

I ran a shaky hand over my face, putting my smile back on when the next customer approached the counter.

Hey, Storm, you alone? Is Dee busy baking some more treats to tempt us with? the average guy in front of me asked. Owen worked at one of the ranches bordering the town and came in once or twice a week. He flirted and was harmless because he had a girlfriend in Farley, or so I’d heard. Small towns meant nothing was kept secret for long.

Dee had to pop out, leaving me all on my lonesome.

His grin grew, and he causally leaned against the counter. Now that’s a shame for a gal like you to be left all on her lonesome.

There was the scent of horses and hay coming from him as I laughed at the exaggerated southern accent. At the same time, the door behind him opened, and I met the stormy gaze of the man I’d had many steamy dreams about. God, the man was made to give a girl heart palpitations.

He was huge, six foot sevenish, with a chest that a woman could curl up against and feel—safe. Eyes of liquid chocolate stared at me as shivers ran down my spine and to places they had no business going when he had put up a sign saying, don’t be looking in my direction.

For a moment, the air fizzed between us with the attraction I figured he hated as his upper lip curled into a sneer that I loathed myself for wanting to kiss right off his lips. The man was…heck if I knew.

Good to see you, Stone. Owen turned to the other man grinning. You addicted to the sweet treats too?

No, he said with such force that I was surprised the windows remained intact.

Owen, who wasn’t in the least bit phased, aimed a big grin at me and pointed his thumb back at Stone. He’ll cave eventually. We all do to yours and Dee’s sweet charms.

A growl caused the hair on my bare arms to lift. I met Stone’s gaze again. The air warmed, and with it— I’d swear it was that—a flush rose up my chest and into my face. The tight-fitting T-shirt grew tighter, and my body reacted to him in the way I hated…I did.

Sue a girl, the man was hotter than the Las Vegas desert.

When Owen directed my attention back to him with his request, I used it as an excuse to keep my gaze rigidly fixed on the counter while Stone remained by the door, unmoving.

I boxed Owen’s purchase, by which point several more customers had come through the door.

The smile I caught Stone giving a woman I didn’t recognize set off the jealousy button specially designed for the man who didn’t have a problem grinning for the pretty, petite blonde. She was everything I wasn’t. Slim, short, and blonde. Was that the kind of woman he was interested in?

You don’t wanna go there. The voice of reason, as always, was Layla. She was always sensible and avoided hot men that could…

—that one with the pink cream, the blonde said to Storm as the man moved behind the counter. His large body brushed past mine. His scent was woody and masculine, nothing fussy or fancy. It was all man, hard and…

Dear God, save me now!

I side-stepped him and, sounding more than a little breathy, served the next customer.

For months, I’d secretly had a crush on the middle Smith brother. He was grumpy, moody, and often bad-tempered from what I’d seen. None of that made a difference. My heart had set itself in his direction, and it wasn’t for changing. I’d done my best and dated a wide variety of men. Had it worked?

This time I swallowed the sigh.

There was something about the man that called to me every damn time I caught a glimpse of the vulnerability that was there when he watched his brothers. I understood being an outsider. My childhood had made sure of that. After I’d first seen Stone in the grocery store, I’d done a little research on who the hunk was. At the time, I didn’t know that I’d end up working right next to his bar, the one he co-owned with his four brothers. One of which was in prison from what I’d heard from those in town who liked to gossip.

Was that why he sometimes looked sad?

You gonna stand and stare at that guy or serve him? Ain’t this a place of business, not a pickup joint? Stone muttered sharply right next to my ear, loud enough for everyone to hear.

The guy I hadn’t noticed gave me a sexy smile, one I’d seen a thousand times, one that meant nothing when I had no interest in anyone other than the idiot standing next to me.

My eyes narrowed.

Was Stone jealous?

It wasn’t a concept I’d considered for the man next to me. Yet?

I shifted to glance up at him. He was so close, and though I was five foot nine, I still had to crane my neck back. You realize that, in here, there is only one boss right now, and that’s me. I jabbed him in the chest. You hear me. No one tells me what to do, especially not a great hulking goon like you, who forgot where he parked his smile when he went to bed last night. And if I wanted to flirt or pick up a guy, it ain’t none of your business.

There were titters of laughter as Stone’s eyes glittered and my mouth dried at the intent firing at me. I never moved. I was not one to back down from a challenge. And there was a challenge being thrown at me. The perverse side of me wanted to see what he’d do next.

He swung to the counter full of customers watching us with avid interest. Who’s next?

His voice was so damn gravelly I was surprised we didn’t all have scrapes. He served the guy in front of me as I struggled to not show my disappointment.

The next hard stare from him got me moving, and I managed to keep my focus for a brief time. It was only when the next lull came that things got tricky.

He picked up two empty trays and disappeared into the kitchen, returning a minute later with a cloth to wipe down the counters. It was normally something I did throughout the day, and that he knew the routine was…interesting.

How many times had he watched us?

A few, it had to be because how the hell would he know what came next without asking. I slipped into the kitchen and found that he’d placed the empty trays in the sink and ran water over them. I went to the large stack on the counter to retrieve a clean one and refill it with what we needed.

The familiar scents of cookies and cakes helped settle my stomach that up to now, I’d avoided thinking about why it was dancing a fast two-step. Whenever I got nervous, my stomach would let me know. Right now, the feeling in the pit of my stomach was making it hard to think about anything other than the nerves. Nerves that I’d never allow myself to acknowledge were all connected to Stone, not aloud anyway.

I breathed in what had always given me pleasure, willing it to work the way it always did. Dee had baked treats since childhood, and that scent brought with it good memories of what I’d been given: family. When the opportunity came to help Dee fulfill her dreams of owning her own bakery, I’d been glad to give back a little of what they’d freely given me over the years: love. I didn’t have any real ambition for a career like Layla and Dee, but I was more than happy doing something that allowed me to be with my sister in all but blood.

Dee had taught me a lot over the years regarding baking, but I didn’t have the same flair as she did. It was fine. I excelled at selling the things we made. We were the perfect team, and though it was Dee’s business, I worked hard to make sure it was a success. All the hours she’d spent fretting over the loan payments that were set against the home that Layla had bought them, I’d been there for Dee.

It was the same for her. She’d always been there for me.

I jerked and cookies landed on the counter when Stone’s deep voice interrupted my thoughts. Are you lazin’ around? It’s busy out here.

I glanced back over my shoulder and gave him a smile the girls would have recognized instantly as a warning to back off.

Stone didn’t appear to get the same message as he stepped in and let the door shut behind him. What, you givin’ me the silent treatment now? he sneered.

It was too much.

I dropped the cookies I still held and rubbed my palms down the side of my apron while I stepped to the man who stood…daring me with his eyes. I was sure that’s what he was doing, which was his second mistake. The first was not picking up my earlier warning.

My hips swayed as I walked to the man who stood motionless. I put on my best sexy smirk as I reached him. His nostrils flared as I yanked on the front of his Tshirt to pull him closer to me. He came, albeit reluctantly.

You know nothing about me or what I’m like. His sweet-scented breath touched my flushed skin as I stood on my tiptoes to brush my chest against him. But you’re judging me all the same. He had no time to reply as I took his mouth in a kiss that was full of temper and desire.

His lips parted, and he groaned into my mouth. His taste was addictive after one sweep of his tongue against mine. Where I thought his lips would be hard and demanding, they were soft and coaxing. My temper fizzled out, leaving room only for desire.

His large, strong hands stroked down the sides of my body before cupping my ample ass. The groan that followed rumbled up his chest and was all need. He spun me around and pressed my back to the door, and with it came the reality of where we were and what we were doing. Fighting to gain control, I released the grip on his T-shirt and pushed at his chest. He didn’t resist as his mouth released mine, and hot and potent eyes stared at me with dark desire.

Not here, I said breathlessly, knowing there was no point denying what was going to happen between us.

He nodded slowly and stepped back. The strain around his eyes as they swept down my body left me with a racing heart and a wish that I could say fuck it and close the shop. The part of me that loved to take risks was tempered by the understanding Dee trusted me to be here. I felt for the handle at my back and grabbed on tight, twisting it to escape.

Stone placed a hand on the door next to my head. Your place, tonight.

A shuddery breath left my chest. Yes. I spun around and escaped out the door before the rest of my sanity left me.

My foot tapped in time to the band playing as I shifted my gaze from the happy couple swaying together on the dance floor. The wedding had been beautiful, and I’d had a few moments where I’d worked to contain my emotions. Ash and Alora deserved their happy ever after. They’d worked for it, suffered for it, and thankfully it had all come good in the end.

Ashe ran through the crowd toward me. Uncle Stone, dance with me.

Her eyes pleaded as she gave me a beaming smile that warmed me from top to bottom. It was still a shock how many feelings this little girl could create inside me. I sucked in a defeated breath and got up off the seat. All right, but only one.

The smile aimed at me said I was flapping my lips in vain. I swept her into my arms, and she immediately put one of her small arms around the back of my neck. Her fingers went into my hair, and she started to twirl it, a habit I secretly loved.

There, look a space in the corner.

The smile slid from my face when I noticed the woman sitting at a table right next to where Ashe was pointing.

Regrets, I had plenty of them, and the biggest of them was the woman sitting acting like I didn’t exist. It was all my fault. I knew after I’d gone to her small home and…

Memories of the feel of her lush curves and the sweet mouth invaded my thoughts against my will, as they had many times since that fateful night. For months, I’d wished for a different outcome to that one visit to Storm’s. Would things be different if I hadn’t run like the coward I was?

When I’d kissed her, held her in my arms, something frightening had happened. I’d lost sight of everything but her. It had scared the fuck out of me, so I’d run, leaving both of us aroused and with no release for the passion we’d created. For that, she’d made me suffer. Her promise that she wouldn’t give me a second chance had been proven repeatedly by the men she flaunted in front of me.

Ashe’s hand touched my cheek to bring my face toward her. Her little brow was marred with small furrows. Uncle Stone, why are you scowlin’ like that? Did someone upset you? I’ll sort them out for you.

I chuckled at the determined set of her jaw that reminded me of her daddy. That’s my warrior princess. I tweaked the end of her nose. "But no one’s