Always A Bridesmaid: A Whiskey Ridge Romance Read online

  “Sam?” he repeated again.

  “Yes?”

  “Why are you here? Why aren’t you in Atlanta?”

  She looked at him as if she was confused. “Well, that would be because my life is here in Whiskey Ridge, Tucker. And my business is here.”

  “What?”

  She put her hand over his. “Tucker, you misunderstood what you heard that day at Katie’s.”

  “I don’t get it…” He was truly confused and at a loss for words.

  “I met Mister Downs a few weeks ago at the coffee shop. We had a nice talk, and he let me know that he was looking for someone to take over here.”

  “I know. I told you that, remember? We were going to use it to fool Clark.”

  “Well, I realized that I could take this place over and do great things with it. More than just real estate closings. People up here really need a good attorney, someone who can fight for their rights. People in the city don’t need me like these people do.”

  “And people in the city don’t need you like I do,” he said softly, taking both of her hands. “But what about the conversation I heard? You had some big offer?”

  “I did. But before you walked up, I’d told Eileen that option one was buying this place and staying in Whiskey Ridge. And then she told me about that offer.”

  “But then you told her you wanted option one.”

  “Right. So, I put two of my associates in charge of my cases in Atlanta, and I’m in the process of selling my company there for a fat wad of cash.” She grinned.

  “And you’re okay with that?”

  “Absolutely. That money is going to allow me to redecorate this place and start a whole new business that feeds my soul.”

  “But Katie told me you were in Atlanta.”

  “I was for a short time. Just to tie up loose ends. I swore her to secrecy.”

  “I can’t believe this. I thought you wanted to be in Atlanta.”

  She squeezed his hands. “I want to be wherever you are, Tucker Ellison.”

  “And you’re sure? You won’t regret it and then hate me?”

  She stood up, pulling him with her. “I will never regret choosing you, Tucker.”

  He pulled her into a passionate kiss, opening his eyes at the end only to notice Mr. Downs standing in the hallway with a smile on his face.

  Six Months Later

  “To the left. Perfect!”

  Samantha stood in Tucker’s living room, her hands on her hips, as she watched him hang the last piece of artwork she’d picked out for him.

  “And we’re done!” Tucker said as he jumped down off the step ladder.

  “It looks wonderful, Tucker. A perfect reflection of you,” she said smiling.

  “And you, I hope?”

  “Yeah, I guess there’s a little of me mixed in here,” she said with a chuckle.

  He pulled her close, his arms around her waist. “I can’t wait for you to be my wife, Samantha Ryan.”

  He’d asked her to marry him just four weeks ago, and she’d said yes without hesitation. After all, he’d been her fake fiancé for over seven months now anyway.

  “I can’t wait either,” she said, pressing her lips to his.

  “Did you ever think we’d outlast Clark and Monica?” Tucker asked with a grin on his face.

  “Now, Tucker, that’s not nice,” she said, struggling not to laugh. Clark and Monica had split up weeks before their wedding when she’d met someone else on a yoga retreat out West. Apparently, their chakras had aligned and she just had to be with this guy who called himself Moonbeam. It was an almost unbelievable story.

  Clark had crawled back to whatever hole he came from, which made Sam happy that she could enjoy Whiskey Ridge once again without fear of running into him.

  Clark’s opinion didn’t matter anymore anyway. She had the man of her dreams and a life she could’ve never imagined, and her turn to be the bride was coming up soon.

  “Knock knock! I come bearing gifts!” Katie called from the foyer. She was holding a big bouquet of flowers. “These are for your dining table.”

  Tucker took the flowers and placed them carefully on the table.

  “How did you carry these heavy things?” he asked.

  “I propped them right here,” she said laughing as she pointed to her large belly. She was only six months pregnant or so, but she was having twins. Being short made her look like she was ready to pop any day now. “Gotta run. Rick’s waiting in the car for my doctor’s appointment. Have to find out how much these little nuggets weigh now!”

  With that, Katie scurried out the door. Well, as much as someone carrying two babies can scurry.

  Samantha stood there and smiled.

  “What are you smiling about?” Tucker asked, sliding his hands around her waist as she looked up at him.

  “I’m smiling at how much my life has changed since I met this sarcastic, critical veterinarian a few months ago.”

  “Oh, that’s right around the time I met this snotty attorney who just couldn’t take a joke.”

  “Oh really?” she said, inching closer to his lips. “And what ended up happening to her?”

  “Well, this knight in shining armor helped her live happily ever after.”

  She pressed her lips to his. “I like the sound of that.”

  “I do have one more question for you, Sam Ryan.”

  “And what’s that, you hunky veterinarian?”

  He smiled. “Can we get a puppy?”