Total pages in book: 21
Estimated words: 20861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20861 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 104(@200wpm)___ 83(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Vixen's world turns upside down when Lavender Cove's most eligible (and mysterious) bachelor becomes a regular fixture in her cafe. Sparks may fly, but chemistry doesn't always last. Dare she trust the secretive billionaire with her heart?
Rule wants to believe a second chance at happiness is in the cards for him, but the billionaire also knows Vixen deserves someone whose past isn't mired in painful secrets and mistakes.
Idyllic saltwater-scented days in their coastal town allow Vixen and Rule to take things slow, but all of this crashes into an abrupt end when unexpected danger puts Vixen's life on the line.
This has a happy-ever-after ending.
*************FULL BOOK START HERE*************
One
IT HAD BEEN THREE DAYS since 17-year-old Riley had moved into Lavender Cove with her dad, but a part of her still couldn't get over how the whole island smelled of saltwater and lavender. Its fragrance was almost whimsical and heavenly, and so was the sight that greeted her upon cycling all the way to the top of a cliff.
A lavish abundance of tall lavender spikes blossomed in front of white picket fences, and Riley felt like apologizing as she parked her boring-looking bike at one of the slots provided. It looked so terribly out of place in this hidden slice of paradise, and Riley made a mental note to check Google Maps for any bike shop nearby.
Maybe a basket, the teenager mused to herself, and probably some colored handles. Those should be enough to give her bike a glow-up. Hopefully.
The gingerbread-styled cafe looked like something straight out of Julia's childhood fantasies. A purple-colored roof with snowy white trimmings, huge windows that showcased a cozy-looking interior, and a porch with white brick walls and waist-high shelving in which picturesque clusters of wisteria spilled out of intricately designed metal planter boxes.
Wind chimes tinkled out a melody to welcome her as she entered the cafe. The scent of lavender and saltwater had since faded, and taking its place was the equally delightful aroma of freshly baked pastries, old books, and coffee.
Most of the tables inside the cafe were occupied, and Riley managed an awkward smile as the locals looked her way and smiled in greeting.
People here were so friendly, and for someone who had grown up in downtown Manhattan her whole life, a part of Riley couldn't help but feel self-conscious and out of place.
She wasn't shy in any way, but all her life, she had been surrounded by people who were too stressed and busy to have the time to even say 'sorry' when accidentally (or not-so-accidentally) shoving strangers out of their way. Everyone in NYC was always in such a hurry, but here on the island it was almost as if time had decided to stand still, and people were allowed to just breathe and be in the present.
A girl about her age smiled at Riley from behind the counter. "Hi there. Welcome to BBB. What can I make for you?"
"Just one Americano. Regular."
"And your name?"
"Riley."
"Gotcha." The girl smiled at her again, and Riley couldn't help smiling back. Lavender Cove really had to be the friendliest place in the world, and Riley couldn't even remember the last time she had smiled this many times in under an hour.
"I'm Juno, by the way," the other girl shared. "Are you here on vacation?"
Riley shook her head. "We just moved here three days ago."
"Oh." The other girl's eyes went wide. "Your family's the one that bought Brook Hall?"
"Our new home does have a brook, so...maybe?"
"Cool! It's one of the nicest, most gorgeous homes on the island, you know. And it's, like, listed as some kind of historic site, I think."
Riley wasn't the type to make friends easily, but Juno's cheerful tone had her saying impulsively, "If you're not too busy, my dad and I will be hosting a small housewarming party in the weekend. Maybe you could come?"
Thirty minutes later, and Riley still felt like pinching herself.
Wow.
Ever since her parents' messy divorce two years ago, Riley had found herself withdrawing completely into her shell and avoiding other people's company.
This...was the first time she had felt herself again, and so maybe, maybe her dad was right after all, to insist on giving themselves a fresh new start by moving to Lavender Cove.
Or so she thought...until she saw a new text message pop up on the screen of her iPhone.
Mom again.
Riley hated feeling like this, but she couldn't help it. The only reason her mom called her these days was to rant about her dad. And she had tried, she had really tried to be understanding at first, but it was just too much.
Riley could already feel her stomach cramping in anxiety as she started reading her mom's text.
Why isn't your dad answering his phone? Do you know where he is? Is he with another woman? Call me.
VIXEN NOTICED THE NEWCOMER as soon as she took her place behind the counter, and a smile curved over her lips at the way the teenager perused the personally curated books on the shelves.
"That's Riley," Juno whispered while untying the apron strings behind her back. "She just moved here a couple of days ago."
A rare influx of tourists prevented Vixen from replying, and it was only when much time had already passed, and Vixen was at the back of the cafe and preparing the lovebirds' "dinner" that she belatedly remembered to check in on Juno's new friend.
Vixen waved at the younger girl, and the girl waved back at her with seeming hesitation. Vixen set aside her veggie chop for the moment, and both Salt and Light hopped on one shoulder each as she headed over to introduce herself.