Falling for the Wrong Man: Sweet Mountain, Montana, #1

By Olivia Sands

The wrong man for the preacher's daughter.

At eighteen, handsome bad boy Colby Rhodes roared out of Sweet Mountain on his motorcycle with a vow never to return.

But some vows are meant to be broken.

Only his brother's missing widow and baby boy could bring him back. He swears he'll find the woman, make sure she and the baby have everything they need, and then he'll roll on out because small towns never change.

Well, at least one thing changed. Maryanne Smithfield, Pastor John's daughter, has definitely developed a mind of her own. She doesn't care that Colby rides motorcycles or how he makes his money.

She sees and likes the good man hiding under the rough appearance, so much so that she's dead set on making all the Sweet Mountain busybodies change their mind about Colby—before he disappears again.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Olivia Sands
• Release date: Oct 30, 2022
• ISBN: 9798215223741

Book preview

DO YOU LIKE SURPRISES?

If the answer is yes, then go to :

https://oliviasands.com/e/

to sign up for Olivia’s newsletter and receive exclusive previews, special promo opportunities and be informed of new releases.

CHAPTER 1

Despite having lived the first eighteen years of his life in Sweet Mountain, Montana, it felt almost like visiting a foreign land as he rode down Main Street on his motorcycle. Colby Rhodes slowed his speed further, taking time to look at Main Street. A lot of it was as he remembered, though there were new things now, like a yoga studio and an Early Learning Academy that hadn’t been there before.

As he drew closer to the stoplight, he slowed his speed further still, necessitating putting a foot on the ground to balance the bike. What had once been Sweet Mountain Café had now become Running Wolf Pancake House, and he couldn’t help wondering if Marge still worked there. She’d seemed to be a permanent fixture even when he was a kid. He couldn’t imagine her ever retiring. Most likely, Marge would be in the middle of getting someone’s order for coffee when she just collapsed. He grinned at the mental image of her spirit leaving her body and going back to work.

He hit the stoplight then, leaning into his leg to prop up the bike. The Triumph was considerably fancier than the old Honda he spent an entire summer rebuilding that had been his escape vehicle when he left Sweet Mountain years before. It suddenly hit him that it had been twelve years since he’d returned, and he winced.

His associates weren’t big believers in time off for personal reasons, and he’d always found a way to stay busy. Truthfully, most of the time he couldn’t have cared less about returning to Sweet Mountain, but a pang of guilt ate at him. He should have made a better effort for Grammy and Walt, the couple that took him and his brother in when he was seventeen. And also for David. He definitely should’ve come back for David’s funeral.

He tried to shake off the thought, knowing he deserved every ounce of guilt, but now wasn’t the time to dwell on it. In an attempt to distract himself, he continued looking around, noting the new signs on the old businesses. As his gaze returned to the light, the crosswalk activated, and two women leaving the pancake house, obviously having just eaten lunch evidenced by one of them carrying a Styrofoam container, walked into the crosswalk.

He barely glanced at the first one, though they both had similar shades of light-brown hair. It was the curvy figure of the second one that caught his attention. He admired the way she held herself, as if she was ready to take on the entire world. His gaze wandered up, meeting her startling green one eyes. They were an unusual shade, and they prodded something in the back of his mind, but it was only a tenuous connection and quickly gone when she smiled at him.

Whoa. She had dimples, and the grin made her cheeks round while it created adorable smile lines around her mouth. Her eyes sparkled, and she seemed to be truly smiling rather than just offering a polite change of expression.

Abruptly, he realized he was grinning like an idiot too. Colby was usually smoother than that, but he somehow couldn’t wipe the smile from his face. He nodded in her direction and winked at her, eliciting a gasp he couldn’t hear but could definitely see from her companion.

The other woman clutched her chest like she was about to have a heart attack at his impudence, put her arm through her companion’s, and tugged her along. He was gratified to notice that the one who’d caught his eye paused to look back at him once more before the woman she was with half-dragged her the rest of the way across the crosswalk. He chuckled to himself, wondering if he’d have time to get to know her.

The light changed as he recalled exactly why he was back in Sweet Mountain, and he let out a sigh of regret. It was unlikely he would have a chance to pursue anything beyond family business, including a gorgeous smile and a pair of startling green eyes that reminded him of faded glass bottles they used to find down by the river.

He shifted the motorcycle back into gear, soon accelerating to match the flow of traffic. He was aware of the police cruiser falling into line behind him, but Colby was already doing three under the speed limit. He had no doubt the diligent Sweet Mountain deputy was busy running his tags and making sure he wasn’t a felon, but the young man or woman was destined for disappointment. If Colby had once been wild, for Sweet Mountain standards that is, he preferred a quieter existence these days.

When he saw the street for Barb’s address ahead, he clicked on his blinker and took the corner with exaggerated slowness, almost surprised when the officer passed. He had half-expected the deputy to follow him all the way to his destination and grill him about why he was in town.

As he drew up in front of Barb’s neat house, appreciating the tidy lawn and careful landscaping of the flowers, complete with a white picket fence, he couldn’t fault the deputy for noticing him. In a town like Sweet Mountain, he stood out.

He had yet to see another motorcycle, though he’d just arrived back in town. It was possible some of the people had loosened up over the years, and he might even find a few here and there. He doubted any of them had suddenly taken up wearing leather jackets and chaps to protect from road accidents, and he took a moment to divest himself of the chaps and stuff them in the saddlebag before fastening his helmet to the motorcycle. He’d parked behind Barb’s economy hatchback, which made his bike seem even bigger in comparison.

He walked up the driveway, bracing himself. This was going to be awkward. He’d met Barb before, but always when David, Penny, and Barb had traveled into the city. It was the only time he ever met up with his brother. He hadn’t even come back for David and Penny’s wedding.

That much-deserved shame pressed on him again, but he tried to push it back as he walked up the steps. He frowned when he noticed the second one creaked and wobbled, making him reach for the railing automatically. The property looked like it was neatly kept, but it was obviously in poorer condition than it appeared.

He stepped across the porch, noticing a couple of other weak spots, and by the time he got to the front door, Barb stood in the doorway. She reached forward and opened the screen door for him, or perhaps it was for her, because she stepped out a moment later.

She was as he remembered, with short white hair, a slightly chubby build, and a cool smile. He supposed he was lucky to get even that. Hello, Barb. His voice sounded stilted.

She inclined her head. Hello, Colby. I’m glad you came. Though her tone wasn’t entirely warm, she seemed sincere about that. He’s in the house.

Colby felt a twinge of dread go through him as he followed his brother’s mother-in-law into her home. What would it be like seeing him? He’d seen the pictures, and he knew there was more than a strong resemblance, but it still didn’t prepare him to see his nephew for the first time a moment later.

Jesse sat on a blanket in the middle of the semi-tidy living room, and he was currently banging two blocks together.

Jesse, there’s someone for you to meet.

At Barb’s bubbly tone, Jesse looked up, meeting Colby’s gaze. There was curiosity in his brown eyes that were so much like David and Colby’s. He stared at Colby with calm regard for a moment before babbling something and bending his head to return his attention to his blocks. His hair was full of thick, lustrous curls, but it was the same dark brown as David’s. Colby’s was blacker than David’s had always been, and Penny was a blonde, so she sure hadn’t left her mark on her son in the hair, except for the curls. The Rhodes men tended to have hair as straight as straw.

He seems really impressed to meet me. Colby directed that lighthearted remark to Barb.

The older woman actually gave him a small smile. He’s quite busy with his blocks.

I can see that. He knelt on the floor, his worn denim so used to the architecture of his body that it molded and moved easily with him. He squatted by his nephew, picking up an abandoned block and turning it over in his hand. How has he been doing?

Barb blinked, and for a moment, it looked like emotion might overwhelm her. Not that well. I mean, he’s calm right now, and he’s not so bad during the day. He’s used to Penny leaving him to look for work, and though he always fussed a bit, I was able to distract him. Nights are the worst.

I can imagine. Would you like some coffee or tea, Barb? It was her house, but he wanted to lighten her load. It was obvious from the way she was standing she was having a rough day, and he certainly didn’t want to add to it. He wasn’t entirely certain what her disability was, but he knew it involved chronic pain. It must’ve been difficult for her to care for her grandson while Penny was out looking for work, but for the last month, with her daughter not returning at all… She must be exhausted.

No, but I can get you something—

He shook his head. I’m here to help you and Jesse. Now, if you don’t want tea or coffee, there must be something you’d like?

She hesitated for a moment before sitting down in her recliner. I’d just like a quick break.

He nodded and sat down on the couch, having no real interest in a drink himself. He only wanted to take care of the older woman. I’m sorry I didn’t make it back for David’s funeral.

Barb’s expression didn’t change, though he was certain he saw a hint of condemnation in her eyes. He was your younger brother.

I was in the middle of… He trailed off, not able to talk about exactly what he’d been doing. Let’s just say, I couldn’t rearrange my schedule.

And the years leading up to your brother falling in the machine at the mill? Were you too busy then? Some of her obvious resentment was boiling toward the surface.

He couldn’t blame her. She had every right to feel it. Partially, it was what I do that kept me away, but it was also a reluctance to return to this town. It wasn’t because I didn’t want to see David or get to know Penny or you. Sweet Mountain doesn’t feel like home to me, and I let that influence me into staying away from my little brother. It was a terrible thing to do.

Yes, especially since your reputation tarnished David’s. That boy was never in trouble, but he was always perceived to be one step away from crossing the line. It limited his options. Even with a degree, he couldn’t find a job at the bank or any of the finance places around. That’s why he was working at the mill.

Colby winced, absorbing the unspoken accusation. And yet, he hadn’t been such a hellraiser. Still his rebellious nature had left a negative impression on the townsfolk. It shouldn’t have spilled over to affect his brother’s reputation either. If David had been able to use his degree in finance, he wouldn’t have been in the mill and fallen into the machine that killed him. A lump burned in the back of Colby’s throat, and he searched for a way to make things right. Unfortunately, he couldn’t find one. At least, nothing that can make it up to David, but he could be here for Jesse and for