Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Epilogue
A Look Back at the Bishop Family with
Also by Samantha Chase
About Samantha Chase
Copyright 2021 Samantha Chase
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All Rights Reserved.
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No part of this book, with the exception of brief quotations for book reviews or critical articles, may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without express written permission from the author.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
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Cover Design: Uplifting Designs/Alyssa Garcia
Editing: Jillian Rivera Editing
Praise for Samantha Chase
“If you can’t get enough of stories that get inside your heart and soul and stay there long after you’ve read the last page, then Samantha Chase is for you!”
-NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Melanie Shawn
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“A fun, flirty, sweet romance filled with romance and character growth and a perfect happily ever after.”
-NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Carly Phillips
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“Samantha Chase writes my kind of happily ever after!”
-NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Erin Nicholas
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“The openness between the lovers is refreshing, and their interactions are a balanced blend of sweet and spice. The planets may not have aligned, but the elements of this winning romance are definitely in sync.”
- Publishers Weekly, STARRED review
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“A true romantic delight, A Sky Full of Stars is one of the top gems of romance this year.”
- Night Owl Reviews, TOP PICK
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“Great writing, a winsome ensemble, and the perfect blend of heart and sass.”
- Publishers Weekly
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“Recommend Chase to fans of Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Well-written and uniquely appealing.”
- Booklist
1
It’s James Bond…
Peyton Bishop knew she sometimes romanticized things going on around her, but when the perfect man walks into a room wearing a tuxedo and oozing confidence, it’s hard not to think of one of her favorite action heroes.
She pressed herself back against the wall of her café so she’d be in the shadows while she watched this magnificent man. He was tall with broad shoulders, dark hair and even darker eyes, and Peyton felt her heart flutter when his lips lifted with a small smile as he looked around.
Like what you see? I know I do.
He might have been smiling as he looked around Café Magnolia, but Peyton only had eyes for him.
They’d been at a handful of events at the same time, the two of them, but they’d never been introduced. Well, people had always wanted to introduce her to him, but Peyton always ran away like a scared schoolgirl, nervous giggle and all, because Ryder Ashford was like something off a movie screen. He was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome, and the thought of going anywhere near him intimidated the crap out of her.
But then again, the same thing happened the first time she met author Mia Kingsley, who was now engaged to Peyton’s cousin Austin. She had declined an introduction multiple times and when she finally caved, Mia was an absolute delight and now the two of them were good friends.
Somehow she doubted she’d get the same results from being introduced to Ryder.
Sneaking another glance, she wondered what he was doing here at her little café.
And dressed in a tuxedo.
He was no stranger to Magnolia Sound–he’d already purchased several homes, property, and the veterinary clinic that her cousin Garrett now ran. Ryder never came in here before, though. And again, why the tuxedo?
From where she was standing, Peyton admired his strong jaw and the smile on his face as he took in his surroundings. When she inherited the café several years ago, it was somewhat outdated. Truth be told, it still was. But she was doing the updates a little at a time so she wouldn’t have to shut down for any extended period of time. Basically, she’d updated the menu, bought new tables and chairs, painted the walls, purchased new artwork–all cosmetic fixes. The kitchen was next on her list and fortunately, she would be able to do it all without disrupting business. The new appliances were being delivered this coming weekend and the work to take out the old ones and install the new ones would be done overnight. She was proud of what she’d done here and her customers loved it.
It was her next endeavor, however, that she was most looking forward to.
In a matter of days, she would finally be able to put in an offer on a small piece of property she’d been eyeing for a while. Her dream was to build a place of her own–literally from the ground up. For years, Peyton had dreamed of what it would look like, what she wanted on the menu, and already had her sign and logo designed.
She was nothing if not thorough.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ryder chatting with her hostess, Dana. Then she saw Dana turn and point in her direction, and damn if Ryder wasn’t looking directly at her.
Busted.
Straightening, Peyton willed her heart rate to calm down. This was so not the way she wanted to meet him. She wasn’t dressed to impress, but…there wasn’t anything she had in her wardrobe that would wow a guy in what could only be described as a custom-made tuxedo. Still, she seriously wished she was dressed in something a little more stylish rather than a pair of navy capris and a white t-shirt. Her hand smoothed up over her sleek ponytail as she sighed. This morning she swore she looked cute. Now? Not so much.
Straightening, she threw her shoulders back and stepped out from behind the large potted dragon tree with all the confidence she could muster.
“Oh, here she is now,” Dana said with a smile. “Peyton, this is Mr. Ashford. He was looking to speak to the owner.” She stepped away to seat a party of two, leaving Peyton alone with Ryder.
Holding out her hand, she smiled up at him. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Ashford. I’m Peyton Bishop. How can I help you?”