Yielding in Yellowstone: Small Town Romance in Double Creek, #3

By Regina Walker

Trena Wallace thought she had found her dream job at a quaint bookstore in Double Creek, but restlessness has been gnawing at her ever since her hiking accident. When an opportunity for a summer vacation in Yellowstone presents itself, she jumps at the chance.

Meanwhile, after years of traveling in his beloved van, Gavin Eidson is ready to settle down and start a family. Yellowstone, his favorite national park, seems like the perfect place to clear his head and plan his future.

When Trena and Gavin cross paths in Yellowstone, their connection is immediate. But with Trena's job and life in Double Creek and Gavin's wanderlust, can they make a long-term relationship work? Follow their journey as they navigate the challenges of love and commitment in the stunning beauty of Yellowstone.

Don't miss the rest of the heartwarming Double Creek love stories: Pursuing the Paramedic, Picking Pears with Piper, Yielding in Yellowstone, Hopeful in Hawaii, Fall and I'll Catch You, and Miracle Inn.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Regina Walker
• Release date: Aug 22, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223630746

Regina Walker

Regina Walker crafts compelling characters facing some of life's hardest challenges. Her heart's desire is to always point toward Jesus through the way her characters face challenges, relationships, and adversity. Regina is an Oklahoma import, although she was born and raised in the beautiful state of Colorado. She likes to curl up on the couch and binge-watch crime shows with her hard-working husband. When she's not wrestling with a writing project, she can be found wrangling their children, riding their horses, or working around their small hobby farm.

Book preview

Chapter One

Where once the smell of old books in the small book store had charmed Trena, now the odor made her stomach churn. Her last shift before leaving for a much-needed summer vacation was dragging. Pushing the metal cart with a squeaky wheel down the aisles, Trena carefully shelved books—new ones and used ones alike.

Mrs. Green, the now-retired English teacher, shuffled down the juvenile fiction aisle behind Trena. She glanced over her shoulder when she reached Trena and laid her old hand on the handle of the cart.

Mrs. Green ducked close to Trena and spoke in a hushed tone, saying, I know you’re going with Mr. Woods on this little trip of his. I packed a basket of goodies for the drive. Please be careful and watch out for him. Yellowstone is a dangerous place.

Have you ever been? Trena raised a brow, assessing the older woman.

Once. As a child. My parents planned this whole trip. It took us three weeks to make it all the way around and back home. I was just a small girl back then. I think I was seven. Mrs. Green glanced back over her shoulder and then, lowering her voice, said, I don’t want my sister fussing over me making a basket for Ronnie. And you, too. Can I just put it in the backseat of your car?

Trena glanced behind her and then she looked at Mrs. Green. I don’t think Mrs. Cato would care.

Mrs. Green chuckled and wagged her finger in the air. My sister Shirley would give me grief from now until a week from next Sunday. She doesn’t find much pleasure in this life, but where she can harass me, that is her greatest joy.

Trena grabbed a book from the cart and shoved it into place on the shelf to her left. My car isn’t locked. You can put the basket in the backseat. I have half an hour before my shift is over.

For a lady leaving on a grand adventure in a few short hours, you don’t seem very excited, Mrs. Green said. She shuffled to the far side of the cart and started putting books on the shelf.

I’m excited, probably too much so. Today has been dragging. I’m all packed, I just need to run by my apartment for a shower and my bags, and then I can pick up Mr. Woods and get on the road. I’m hoping we can make it into Nebraska tonight, Trena said.

Don’t push yourself too hard. You have been working all day. You don’t want to drive off the road or anything. Mrs. Green turned to look at Trena, a sharp, motherly expression etched into the lines of her face. We all want you and Ronnie to return in one piece.

Trena didn’t think anyone in Double Creek would notice whether she returned or not, but she knew that Mr. Woods would be missed if she didn’t bring him back unscathed. I’ll be careful. I will stop if I need to.

Ronnie’s getting older, you know. Night driving will be hard for him, especially seeing in the dark. Don’t let him tell you otherwise, Mrs. Green said.

I won’t. Trena shoved another book onto the shelf and then pushed the cart down the aisle.

The shuffle of feet and the rhythmic tap of a cane hitting the floor brought Trena and Mrs. Green’s gazes to the end of the aisle. Mrs. Cato came around the corner and her face lit up. I thought I heard voices. I was afraid I’d find Trena talking to herself back here. Mrs. Cato lifted her cane and shook it toward Mrs. Green. You can’t be in here harassing my staff, you know that.

Harassing? Mrs. Green rolled her eyes and waved her hand through the air. Just having a nice chat and I thought I’d help her put up some of these books. That will help me find my next read.

Did she tell you about her vacation? Mrs. Cato wiggled her eyebrows. She’s headed to Yellowstone tonight. With that beau of yours, Mr. Woods.

Stop it, Mrs. Green said. Her cheeks reddened and she narrowed her gaze at her sister. He’s not my beau.

Trena glanced from Mrs. Green to Mrs. Cato and then she turned back to her cart and the books she needed to put up. While she hadn’t quite figured out why Mrs. Green put together a basket for their trip, Mrs. Cato’s accusation was quite revealing. Trena couldn’t help but wonder if Mr. Woods was interested in Mrs. Green. How sweet would it be for the older couple to get a chance at love? Trena’s heart raced at the thought.

Chapter Two

Stretching his arms above his head, Gavin’s hands ran into his headboard before he was fully stretched out. Rising to his feet, Gavin still couldn’t fully stretch until he exited his van. He strolled to the back of the van, opened the double doors, and then reached high above his head.

Two years of cramming his six-foot, two-inch frame into the van had started to wear on him. He thought he’d live on the road forever, but lately, he couldn’t shake the thought of finding somewhere to settle down. A quiet little town, a vibrant church, a good fishing hole, and a real house all collided in his mind to create an imaginary life that he couldn’t shake from his thoughts.

I want it all, he muttered. A wife. Kids. A dog in the yard. He pulled his chair out of the back of the van and unfolded it. Although visions of the settled-down life he was craving were still in his mind, the view before him took his breath. The water in Yellowstone Lake was crystal clear, and the rocks at the bottom of the lake were a multitude of colors. The rising sun cast the brightest pink across the sky, and the mountains rose in high peaks not so far from where he was.

I need a view this spectacular every day, Gavin said. He shivered from the chill in the air, but he found it invigorating. His bike was still chained to his van and he knew it was the perfect morning for a long ride before he settled in to get some work done. He tossed around the idea of renting a home just outside of Yellowstone, but then an image of a warm beach sunrise crossed his mind.

This is how he ended up traveling around in a van for two years. He could never decide on a view, on a location, on a place to call home. He wanted to see it all. Had he seen enough? He couldn’t answer that question. He had a thirst to see more and an ache to settle down. How could those two opposing feelings dwell within him?

Unlocking his chain, Gavin rolled his bike away from the van. Propping it up with the kickstand, he grabbed his water bottle, filled it, and then locked up his home on wheels. A long ride in the crisp air would do his mind good, even if it wouldn’t help him decide which view would suffice for a lifetime.

Chapter Three

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves on the trees in the orchard. Papa Ronnie leaned against the oldest tree on the farm, arms folded over his chest, watching Cedar play in the dirt.

Piper looked around, thankful that Trena and Megan had wandered off. She leaned toward Papa Ronnie, and said in a hushed tone, Are you sure you’re up for traveling to Yellowstone?

I’m fit as a fiddle, young lady. Besides, I’ve been walking every day and I cut back on the soda and cookies. Papa Ronnie’s eye twinkled when he looked over at Cedar. I feel like you and that little munchkin gave me a second chance to enjoy the best life has to offer. I’ve got to stay healthy for her. He tipped his head toward Cedar.

What if I need help with the orchard? Piper’s brow creased with worry.

Papa Ronnie chuckled and gestured around. Help? From me? Look at the life you’ve brought to this place. A petting zoo, your living Christmas display, the Christmas trees you have growing, the pumpkin patch. And you negotiated that deal to buy the land to the south, all by yourself, Papa Ronnie said.

Piper rolled her eyes upward and stared at the sky. She hadn’t done anything there alone. Hickory Lane Orchard was a labor of love and community effort. She just wanted to give the local families something fun to do year-round.

Have you had any luck finding someone to turn the old farmhouse down yonder into a bed and breakfast? Papa Ronnie pushed off the tree and dusted the bark from his backside.

Not yet. Might have to do it myself, Piper said.

Papa Ronnie reached out and grabbed her arm. "I want you to do whatever