Almost Home: A Small Town Age Gap Romance

By Jessica White

When Raena Loomis returns to her hometown in the mountains to rescue her family’s failing business, she faces the ghosts of her past and a heart-wrenching decision.

She’s a city-dwelling entrepreneur now who’s left her rural roots behind her. But when she runs into the game warden on a snowy mountain road, she decides life in that town might not be so awful after all.

If it helps her get back at the brother and father she hates so much, well, that’s just a bonus.

Almost Home is an older man, younger woman romantic thriller from the series, Love Stories from a Small Town. If you like a romance with more mature couples, you’ll love this series!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jessica White
• Release date: Oct 11, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215623695

Jessica White

Author Jessica White - Unveiling Dark Fantasies and Steamy Romance in Small Towns? Welcome to the enchanting world of Jessica White, where the world comes alive with dark immortals, small-town secrets, and sizzling romance. As a passionate storyteller, Jessica weaves tales that transport you to realms unknown, blending dark fantasy, steamy romance, and heart-pounding suspense.? Series Highlights:•The Broken Immortals: Journey into a realm where immortality comes with a price, and forbidden desires ignite a war between light and darkness.•Stories from the Realm: Explore mystical landscapes and unearth the secrets that bind magical beings in this captivating series.•Love Stories from a Small Town: Immerse yourself in the charm of small-town romance, where love blossoms amidst close-knit communities.?‍? About the Author: Jessica, a former Registered Nurse turned masterful storyteller, hails from the breathtaking landscapes of West Virginia. Her graduate degree in Business Administration adds a strategic touch to her narrative prowess. Beyond crafting tales, Jessica is captivated by metaphysical wonders, the beauty of nature, irresistible buttercream icing, and the magic of Harry Potter (still waiting for that letter!).? Stay Updated: Curious about Jessica's upcoming releases? Explore Jessica's world beyond the pages. Follow her journey on https://linktr.ee/authorjwhite and sign up for exclusive email alerts. Be the first to dive into new worlds and discover fresh tales of love, mystery, and fantasy.? Connect with Jessica: Have questions or just want to share your thoughts? Reach out to Jessica at [e-mail].

Book preview

Almost Home

Love Stories From a Small Town Series

Jessica White

Copyright © 2022 by Jessica White

All rights reserved.

No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher or author, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.

Thank you to Artscandare and JJ Boehs for your expertise with this project.

Contents

Dedication

1.The Phone Call

2.Diamonds

3.The Beach House

4.All Sorts of Bad

5.That Felt Amazing

6.Danger Noodle

7.You Can't Afford Me

8.Unicorn

9.My Fantasy

10.Big Brother Routine

11.The Mountain Road

12.Worth the Walk

13.Made for TV

14.Strike Two

15.Real Love

16.Wrecked

17.All I Ever Wanted

18.Only Money

19.What Makes You Happy

20.A Waste of Time

21.Ammunition

22.Closer to Him

23.Hook, Line, and Sinker

24.Effort

25.Being His

26.A Terrible Haircut

27.Competition

28.Once and for All

29.Get On With My Life

30.The Perfect Man

31.A Giant Leap

32.Into the Unknown

33.The Invitation

34.Care and Patience

35.The Best Christmas

36.Love Sick

Follow Me

Author's Note

This book is dedicated to my soul mate, Donnie. Your love and support is everything!

one

The Phone Call

Raena

I haven’t been late a day in my life, and I hoped to slide into work without anyone noticing.

But when the elevator doors opened, he had the hip of his charcoal trousers dug into the doorway as he checked his Rolex and cleared his throat.

One hand clung to the coffee cup at his lips as Simon arched his dark eyebrow at me.

The man who taught me everything about being a ruthless shark in business opened his mouth, and I put up my hand as I rushed past him. I’m sorry I’m so late. I had a personal call I had to deal with.

A step or two behind me until he veered right for his desk, he flopped into his leather chair. This sort of thing wouldn’t happen if you’d stayed the night like I asked you to.

I dropped my keys into the designer purse he bought me for Christmas and pushed it to the edge of my desk. It’s too early to start arguing about this again.

Chirps squeaked out from the bottom of his chair as he rocked with his toe and motioned to the cup of coffee waiting for me. So, tell me about this call instead.

He smoothed his dark curls back under his palm as his forehead wrinkled for my answer. It was, — I flipped the lid off with my thumb and sighed — my father.

Groaning air through the back of his mouth, he leaned over his desk and shook his head. You surely must be joking?

A tiny cloud of steam separated us when I laughed the heat away from my drink. I wish to hell I was.

He rested his cheek in his hand, but that finger was already tapping against his ear, waiting for me to break like I always do. Is he dying or something?

My fingers fanned away from the cup. I wish.

For almost twenty years, I’ve been praying for this one dream of mine to come true.

Every second I made him wait made my smile a little harder to contain. The scuttle-butt is that my super awesome, smart, handsome, — I shook my head as my eyes grew wider — can-do-no-wrong, wonder boy of a brother ran the family business into the ground.

The edges of his eyes crinkled on the other side of his fist as he chuckled into it. Flipping up both my hands to the sky, I stomped on the floor. Thank you, sweet Jesus, for showing the world what an utter douchebag Tony is at last.

His eyes doubled at me as he poked the air with his pen. What does any of that have to do with you, though?

Well, — the back of my hand pushed the cup away, and I clasped my fingers together — Mister Anthony Loomis Senior would like the daughter he thought couldn’t run his redneck sawmill dynasty to come bail their asses out. How’s that for karma?

From how he closed his eyes and dug into his forehead with his fingertips, I sensed how annoyed he was at me already for even entertaining the thought. And I suppose you said yes, didn’t you?

The last of the season’s tourists had abandoned the beaches, and I took my eyes to the pristine sand right below our wall of windows to escape the disappointment on his face. I told him I’d think about it.

Like a paper airplane, his favorite gold pen sailed through the air at me. You don’t owe that son of a bitch a damn thing, Rae.

Tapping my finger into the desk, I leaned over and whisper-shouted so the nosey-ass secretary outside didn’t eavesdrop. I understand that, but it happens to be the biggest employer in the county.

He rolled his eyes away from me, and I tilted my head to follow him. A lot of people who are already barely getting by will be completely fucked if it folds.

Most days, I didn’t give that old life a second thought, but I shrugged at the one face in my memory I never would get over. I don’t think I can live with so many people losing everything they have.

Between the two of us, we’d single-handedly closed down at least a dozen businesses in this city with our schemes. That cool British accent of his seemed even colder as he reminded me of it. It’s never bothered you before.

It didn’t matter how much money we lined our pockets with, the little girl in me was still dying for her father’s approval. I don’t give a damn about any of those people we rolled over.

My thumb curled back at me. I grew up with the folks who work for my family, though. Went to school with them.

Instinctively cringing at the thought of going home again already, I shrugged back at him. I have to at least put in my two cents. Don’t I?

I flipped my hand over and relaxed into my chair. What they do with the information is on them.

That rock-hard jaw of his slid sideways as he stared out over the ocean and sighed at the plan coming together in his head. Do you have plans later?

Every once in a while, I got the hankering to fix things with my father, and I always ended up brokenhearted.

Over the past ten years, Simon had nursed me back every single time, and the toll it took on him was apparent from how he stretched out his neck.

Simon’s opinion was the only one I cared about. So, at times like now, I basically did whatever he wanted to smooth things over again. Not a thing. You have something in mind?

When they returned to me, something flickered in his eyes, sending a warning through my palms that made them drenched instantly. Yes, I do.

In one swipe of his hand, he took his phone and keys from his desk and pushed his chair away. And if you don’t stay with me tonight, you’re fired.

Smiling as he strolled into the lobby, he disappeared from the window as I watched his reflection. In my mind, though, I was seventeen again, kissing the best-looking man on the planet and hoping to God he never moved away from the little town of Oakridge.

two

Diamonds

Raena

Calm and composed most of the time, the man across from me now buzzed with nervous energy as he vibrated the floor with his knee bouncing.

Annoying me enough to peek up at him, he sank away from the fist his chin rested against as he stared at me.

The Tiffany-style lamp, I’m certain was authentic, switched off when he tugged the chain between his fingers. Go on and finish up what you’re doing. We have places to be.

Waiting for my file to save, I leaned over the side of my chair. Searching for the handle of my bag, I stretched my neck to peer over my stacks of papers at him. You never told me where we’re going.

He was a man who hated surprises. So when he bit back that smile starting on his lips as he held out his hand for me, a sinking sensation started in my belly. You’re right. I didn’t.

Tilting his chin away a bit, he nodded and squinted at me in that ‘you have no choice in the matter’ way. But trust me, I think you’ll be pleased once we arrive.

Though he’d loosened up a bit about public displays of affection over the years, I rolled away from his arm when he put his hand on my back as we stepped out of the office. Quit it.

Since I did the payroll myself until a few years ago, I understood the secretary made enough money never to let on what she suspected about us.

Every time she caught him with his hands on me somehow, though, a slight curl of her lips turned up. Have a great night, you two. See you in the morning.

His hand waved out to her and went straight to my back again as I pushed the down button. Be careful on your way home, Sarah.

The moment the doors closed behind me, he squished my buttock in his hand, and I whacked him with my elbow. Would you stop?

At least a head taller than me, he had arms nearly as long as my body. Keeping one locked around my waist so I couldn’t escape, he chuckled into the side of my head. What’s the point of hiding it anymore?

Scented in the ocean breeze aftershave I liked most, his smooth chin moved over my neck as he mouthed my earlobe. It only makes us look like a couple of pricks who are too good to share their lives with the people they work with.

A perfect gentleman in every public situation, he swept his hand away for me to go first when the doors opened.

Shaking my head at how he switched the rules up on me again without asking, I wiggled my finger over my shoulder at him as I stomped away. You were the one who told me to play it cool. Remember?

His keys jingled in his pocket as he fished them out and unlocked the car. That’s when I was a forty-something-year-old man trying to lure his twenty-something-year-old accountant in the sack.

Shrugging, he spun the keys around his finger, his eyes jerking open wider as he shrugged. But now I’m a fifty-something-year-old man in love with his thirty-five-year-old business partner.

Holding the door shut with his palm as I tried to yank it open, he bent down to make me pay attention to him. It’s hardly the same thing we’re talking about anymore. They want to be happy for us.

Opening the passenger door, he waited for me to climb in and kept his forearm over the top so I couldn’t pull it closed. They want us to tell them all about snorkeling in Mexico at Christmas and have an opinion on whether I should give you diamond earrings or a spa weekend with your friends for your birthday.

I jerked the door away and slammed it shut, and he slid his fingers along the hood of his brand-new Jaguar as he came around the front.

The door closed behind him, and he twitched the shoulder of his light gray dress shirt as he pulled the seatbelt across him. Which one would you prefer, by the way?

The sedan glided out of the parking space as I huffed a laugh at myself in the visor mirror. Now, when has my mean ass ever had any friends?

At the edge of the lot, he leaned across the steering wheel to peek up and down the street and twisted his lips. Diamonds it is, then.

The lip gloss wand I swiped over my lips twisted close again, and I smoothed it out in the mirror as he pulled onto the highway. You bought me diamonds last year and the year before that.

His hand met my knee, and I turned toward him, laying my