Luck at First Sight (Kismet Bay Book 4) Read online

  Luck at First Sight

  Dawn Brewer

  Monarchal Glenn Press

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Dawn Brower

  Excerpt: When an Earl Turns Wicked

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  About The Author

  Also by Dawn Brower

  Chapter 1

  It was a balmy almost spring afternoon and Sage Strange wished she could enjoy it. Instead she was stuck in her car for the long drive home to Kismet Bay. She hated returning to the town she’d grown up in and had vowed to stay away. Could she keep to that vow? Nooooo. Her twin sister had to go and get engaged, then begged Sage to plan her wedding. Holly owed her big time for dragging her home. Unfortunately, this little trip was only the planning part of the event. The actual wedding wasn’t going to take place for months. Sage would undoubtedly have to make several more trips to Kismet Bay as she finalized all of the details. She wished for the thousandth time since she discovered Holly’s engagement that her sister could just elope or marry in the city. Her fiancé had offices there. Didn’t it make more sense to move everything away from the gossipmongers immersed in the town she’d grown up in?

  There was no changing her sister’s mind, and whatever Holly wanted, she was going to get. If she were being honest with herself there really was only one reason she didn’t want to return to Kismet Bay. If she were in town the chances of crossing paths with Tristan Scott would be raised exponentially. He hadn’t wanted her to leave. Most of the residents of Kismet Bay, including her own family, didn’t understand why she’d walked away from him. None of them could fathom leaving behind what they perceived to be true love. The magic of the town led its residents to their one true love, and Tristan was hers. If there was one thing she didn’t deny it was that. She loved him. Always would love him. That didn’t mean she was going to throw away her dreams to marry him and have a passel of kids. Sometimes love and marriage just didn’t fit into life the way a person wanted them to.

  It wasn’t long before she passed the sign announcing she’d arrived at Kismet Bay. It was a quintessential small town with all of the nostalgia that went along with it. Main Street hosted a variety of businesses—most of them owned and operated by some member of her extended family. She drove to Serendipity Lane, Holly and Ivy’s store, and found a nearby parking space. She turned the engine off and stepped out of the car. Sage took a deep breath and shut the car door. So far so good… As long as she didn’t see Tristan she might be able to make it through this visit unscathed.

  She pushed the door open and entered Serendipity Lane. Ivy was behind the counter working on something in a notebook. Holly was on the other side of the room setting up a new display. They both glanced up at her entrance and smiled. Holly was the first to reach her and wrap her arms around her in a warm hug. “I’m so glad to see you,” she exclaimed. “Thank you for coming to help me plan my wedding. I wasn’t sure if you would come.”

  That made Sage feel like a first class jerk. She was happy for her sister and it wasn’t Holly’s fault that Sage had issues about returning to Kismet Bay. “And miss being a part of your big day?” She squeezed her sister into a tighter hug. “Nothing could keep me away.” Holly didn’t need to know how difficult it was to be home. Sage would make sure that her twin had everything she needed to have a wonderful wedding. She’d found happiness and she deserved to bask in that glow. Sage stepped out of her sister’s embrace. “Now, tell me everything you want. I brought some books if you need help with ideas.”

  Holly beamed. “I don’t want anything extravagant. I’m going to have Mama’s gown altered for me. We already have an appointment at Inevitable Elegance. Aunt Portia assured me they can make the dress work for me.”

  “I’m sure if it can be done Aunt Portia is the one person that can do it and with a flair.” Sage pasted a bright smile on her face. “When is your appointment?”

  “Don’t be mad at me,” Holly said.

  Sage managed to not snap at her sister, but barely. She’d dealt with more bridezillas than she cared to admit since she started her event planning business. “Why would I be mad at you?”

  “Well,” she began, “It’s for later today after we close Serendipity Lane. I wasn’t entirely certain that you would be here and I needed to get things rolling.”

  Her sister was moving fast, but she couldn’t fault her. It was her wedding and Sage had been evasive when they’d last spoken on the phone. Though her twin should have realized Sage would not have abandoned her. She never had before and she wasn’t about to start now. “That actually works well for me. I can’t be in town long. I have a big wedding coming up this weekend and I don’t entirely trust my new assistants to take care of everything.” That wasn’t entirely true. Sage had one really efficient assistant that could take over for her on anything if she needed her to. She had actually been considering promoting her. Holly didn’t need to know any of that though. It was a ready excuse she could use to escape the confines of Kismet Bay and Sage would use anything necessary to make a quick exit.

  Holly squeed loudly and hugged her again. “This is going to be so fabulous. Don’t worry I won’t keep you here longer than is absolutely necessary.” She grabbed Sage’s hand and led her to the back of the shop. “While we’re at Inevitable Elegance we can discuss bridesmaid dresses. You will be my maid of honor won’t you?” She didn’t give Sage a chance to answer that question just kept going. “Ivy is going to be a bridesmaid along with Esmeralda and Caprecia. I think four total bridesmaids will work out all right.” They reached a table that was full of ribbon and lace and several different open magazines. “Sit,” Holly said and gestured to one of the chairs. “I have been looking at a few things myself while I waited for you.”

  Sage smiled congenially at her sister and did as she asked. She nodded when Holly seemed to expect something from her but she tuned her out. It was a horrible thing to do but she kept thinking about being her maid of honor. That would require even more of her and she’d probably have to be in town more than she originally anticipated. Maybe she could talk Holly into having Ivy be her maid of honor…. One thing at a time, first she’d get the planning of the main parts of the wedding going. She turned her attention completely on her sister. Sage’s misgivings could be set-aside for now. Holly’s wedding had to take precedence.

  Chapter 2

  Tristan wiped down the counter near the espresso machine until it shined, then ran the cleaning cloth over it again even though it didn’t need it. That was what he kept doing over and over again more out of nervous agitation then because anything actually needed to be cleaned. He had to do something or he’d lose his mind or do something much, much worse.

  Sage was in town.

  He’d seen her drive down Main Street and it took every ounce of his self-control not to seek her out. She’d made her wishes clear when she left Kismet Bay. Sage had plans and none of them included Tristan. It had been a bitter pill to swallow and it hadn’t gone down easily. It didn’t help, that even now, he’d take her back. Loving her was as much a part of him as breathing. Both equally essential to the fundamental aspects of his life and soul—he’d never be able to reconcile the loss of her from his life. He respected her wishes though and it was for that reason he did his damn best to keep himself busy.

  “How many times have you wiped that counter now?” Nicholas Bell asked. “I’m no expert on cleanliness but I think that it’s good to go.”

  Ever since Nick rolled into town at Christmas he’d been a permanent fixture in Kismet Ba
y. He left periodically for short periods of time to handle business, but he always returned. He was marrying Sage’s twin sister, Holly. A small part of Tristan was jealous of Nicholas. He’d manage to find love in Kismet Bay and not lose it. He was in the process of moving parts of his business operations from the city to Kismet Bay so that when he married Holly he wouldn’t have to leave often. Why couldn’t he make something like that work with Sage? Probably because Sage wasn’t willing to make the effort… Tristan glanced over his shoulder and glared at his new friend. “Don’t you have a wedding to plan or something?”

  “I don’t have a lot of input on the actual plans. My only job is to show up at the right time and to supply a list of male friends for the wedding party. Speaking of which…” He scrunched his eyebrows up and stared at Tristan. “How would you feel about being my best man?”

  That question took him by surprise. They were friends, yes, but not close. They had only known each other for a few months. “What about Gabriel or your cousin.” He couldn’t remember the man’s name that Nicholas was in business with.

  “Gabriel is still trying to find someone willing to guarantee they can help him get back playing football and doesn’t want that big of a commitment.” He tapped his fingers on his counter. “And Dexter will be in the wedding party, but he said he can’t put in the time needed to be my best man. Soooo…” Nicolas lifted an eyebrow. “Holly suggested I ask you.”

  “I’m not even your first choice?” He wasn’t offended but he felt the need to give Nick a hard time. “I don’t know… An offer like that doesn’t exactly inspire me to accept it.”

  “Oh come on,” Nicholas said with a bit of exasperation in the tone of his voice. “Please do it. Holly will have my head if I don’t give her that list of names by the end of the day. I need a best man and you’re my only hope.” He shook his head a little dismayed. “I am a man short as it is. I only have Dexter and Gabriel barely agreeing to be in the wedding, but I’m told I need a third groomsman and a best man. I don’t know where I’m going to get this mythical fourth man.” Poor guy would be berated for his failure later…

  Tristan held back a grin at Nicholas’s frustration. He wouldn’t want to be in his shoes. He only had two best friends himself—Gawain and Percival. Gawain was probably frolicking on a movie set somewhere and Percival had just started dating Amadea Strange, but at least he still resided in Kismet Bay. “All right I’ll be your best man.”

  “Thanks,” he said—relief etched through his voice at Tristan’s agreement. “But I still have to find another man to agree to participate. I don’t suppose you have a suggestion.”

  “I am not certain….” The crestfallen expression on Nicholas’s face had him adding, “But let me think about it.” Surely there would be someone that he could persuade to join the wedding party. The female half would surely be comprised of Strange women, but they could have fun planning a bachelor party for Nicholas. He would need a fun sendoff before he joined that particular family for the rest of his life. Something that Tristan had believed he’d do one day himself. Up until the moment he had to face the fact he’d never have that opportunity. He’d never marry Sage, but he would love her for the rest of his days. Even when she denied him the chance to do it openly.

  The door to Witch’s Brew opened and sunlight poured into the room. It momentarily blinded him so he didn’t know who had walked into the coffee shop at first. When the door closed and the sunlight slid out of the room with it to reveal the customer it nearly knocked him senseless. A woman with long wavy midnight locks and blue eyes the color of dark sapphires stood a few feet away—a woman he couldn’t shake from his mind and knew every detail of. Sage Strange had come into his coffee shop and he had no idea what he should do. She stood transfixed at the entrance clearly as flummoxed as he was and equally uncertain what to do.

  Nicholas stared at Sage and then back at Tristan. He tilted his head to the side and it didn’t take long for him to realize why Tristan had froze in place. Anyone that knew him, and of Sage, had an inkling of that particular problem—now the issue was how to handle Sage’s presence and not make a complete fool of himself.

  Chapter 3

  At the first sight of Tristan, Sage knew luck was not on her side. Instead of love at first sight it should be: No luck at first sight or rather sighting. His dark brown locks clung to his neck in soft waves. It was more unruly than the last time she’d seen him, and more on the longer unkempt side. His hazel eyes appeared almost—haunted. Probably because of her or perhaps she was being a bit narcissistic believing that.

  She mentally shook her head. She needed an hour or ten of sleep. Sage was running on fumes as it was. Too many long nights and not enough hours in the day to get everything she needed to do, done. She probably only managed three hours of shuteye last night. Hence the reason she was now in Witch’s Brew. Sage desperately needed a fix of caffeine and Holly had reassured her that Esmeralda should be working, not Tristan. She’d have a little talk with her twin when they met up later about her interfering ways. What did she think would happen if Sage and Tristan were forced to see each other? She’d throw her arms around him and beg him to be with her? It wasn’t that simple…

  She steeled herself for the upcoming confrontation. Tristan wouldn’t be difficult, but the exchange would be difficult nonetheless. Sage walked over to the counter and nodded at him. “Give me a double espresso black.”

  Tristan didn’t say a word. He had no expression on his face what-so-ever. All he did was nod briefly and walk away with an abruptness that should have given her whiplash. It pained her to see him and it must be equally so for him. There was only so much a person could take and Sage had driven Tristan to the brink.

  The man sitting by the counter shuddered. “That sounds horrid. How can you drink it with nothing in it.”

  “I don’t need the extra calories,” she explained. “As much caffeine as I consume on a daily basis I’d have to be rolled out of here from the sugar and cream intake.”

  He chuckled lightly. “I doubt you’d blow up that fast,” he said. “Are you by chance Sage?”

  She lifted her gaze to meet his, startled at his question. She’d never met this man in her life. He couldn’t be from town—she knew everyone in Kismet Bay. “I might be,” she answered slowly. “And who might you be?” She lifted a brow questioningly.

  “Nicholas Bell,” he said and held out his hand. “I do believe we’re about to be related through marriage.”

  Ah, Holly’s fiancé. Sage glanced at him from head to foot and then back up. Her sister had amazing taste. Her twin’s fiancé was gorgeous with inky black hair and pale blue eyes, and he also happened to be quite wealthy. The latter she’d known after doing some secret background checking on him. She wasn’t going to let her sister be taken for a fool. Unfortunately, her background check hadn’t included a photo. He was a bit reclusive and allowed his cousin, Dexter, to take the spotlight and be shown as the head of the company. “Thee Nick, Holly is constantly raving about. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, but I must ask something.” She quirked her brow upward. “How did you guess who I was? Did Holly show you family photos?”

  He shook his head. “Not exactly. It was more his reaction than anything else.” Nicholas gestured toward Tristan who was brewing her espresso. “Never seen him close up that fast. I may be a newbie but even I know that he carries around a broken heart that can only be attributed to one person.”

  Damn the town gossip. They talked more than a group of little old ladies at afternoon tea. She didn’t want her soon to be brother-in-law to think badly of her, but there wasn’t much help for it. She had broken Tristan’s heart and she couldn’t—no wouldn’t—change it. As much as it might pain her to see him with someone else, Sage had hoped he’d move on. It might make things easier for the both of them. She had a thriving business in the city. Tristan deserved to find happiness and she wanted that for him. “I was told he wouldn’t be here,” she said quietly. “I
wouldn’t have put him through this…”

  “There seems like an easier fix than avoiding him,” Nicholas replied.

  “And what do you think that is?” She tilted her head. “Let me guess… Tell him I still love him and always will?”

  “Well, that would be a good start,” he agreed. “Especially since it’s clear that you do.”

  Sage sighed. He wasn’t wrong, but it wasn’t as simple as he believed it to be. How could she give up on her dream of having a successful business outside of Kismet Bay? What would that say about her? Her heart hurt. Sage lifted her hand to her chest and rubbed at the ache in an attempt to relieve the sharp edge, but it only worsened at her touch. “Loving him was never the problem,” she said softly. “Staying in Kismet Bay was. He is rooted here and I don’t want to let the town own me as it has the rest of my family.”

  Nicholas shook his head in a silent rebuke. “If there is one thing I’ve learned living here and loving your sister—no one controls a Strange. If you wanted him and whatever it is that is keeping you away—you’d find a way to have it all. Something has you running scared and maybe it is time you faced it.”

  Tristan came back and handed her the espresso. “No charge,” he said and rushed away, as if, even saying that much had been a struggle. She was such a horrid, horrid person. Perhaps Nicholas was correct. Fear could be a cruel bitch and she’d let it rule her for a while now. She had some decisions to make.

  “Thanks for the advice,” she replied. “I have to go meet Holly I’m sure we’ll see each other again real soon.”

  With those words she turned and left Witch’s Brew. She resisted the urge to look back and see if Tristan had reappeared. Sage craved one more glimpse of the man who held her heart, but she didn’t want to make it harder on him. Until she figured what she wanted out she would keep her distance. She owed to Tristan, and to herself, to either embrace their love or make one last clean break. Until she knew which decision was best, she’d keep her distance. No matter how hard it would be to do so.