Love So Right (The Lawson Brothers #7) Read online

  Love So Right

  Copyright © 2017 by Marquita Valentine

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, transmitted downloaded, distributed, stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, without express permission of the author, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

  This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, or any events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story lines are created from the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  Cover Design by Lindee Robison Photography

  Editing by Cynthia Shepp Editing

  www.marquitavalentine.com

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  Table of Contents

  Copyright Page

  Love So Right (The Lawson Brothers, #7)

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek of Love So Wild—Elijah Lawson and Skye Holland’s book

  Apple McCoy has given up on love.

  Preston Lawson has never given up on anything.

  For years, Preston Lawson has loved the beautiful and unattainable Apple McCoy from afar. Now he’s determined to make her his and he’s not going to let her fear of falling get in his way... until she bolts the morning after he finally gets her into bed.

  Apple refuses to let any man get too close, and Preston is no exception. She won’t allow herself to be seduced by the sexy bartender’s flirtatious smiles and bedroom eyes, which is exactly why she skips town for a much-needed vacation... only to run straight into Preston.

  It’s not until they’re in paradise that she finally lets him in, eagerly succumbing to his persistent charms. But what happens when they return to Jessamine and reality sets in?

  Will Apple shut him out once more, or will Preston be able to show her just how right they are together?

  Chapter One

  Growing up, Preston Lawson had dreamed of one day being a superhero—of wearing an awesome cape, flying, and being able to look through walls.

  Superman was his favorite hero, of course.

  People were happy when he saved the day, used his heat vision to take out a missile, or used his incredible strength to push up a bridge.

  Unfortunately, when Preston tried to save the day, he found out that capes got caught in things, he was afraid of heights, and his neighbors didn’t appreciate him spying on them through their windows.

  So, his dreams of being the next Superman stopped at the age of nine. Instead, he found a new dream, one where he could drive really fast, save lives, and wear a different kind of superhero uniform. His newfound dream was courtesy of the guy his mom married two years after his parents divorced.

  Sam Adams, not to be confused with the brand of beer, was the kind of dad Preston had been missing since his own had moved to Texas. He took Preston to baseball games in Kinston to cheer on the Indians, hockey games in Raleigh to cheer on the Hurricanes, and to his alma mater, Carolina, to cheer on the Tarheels—the latter, Preston tried not to hold against him.

  One night, while they were driving back from Chapel Hill, a car crashed into a van, sending both vehicles skidding across the beltline and into the median. Sam had pulled over, issued a stern warning to Preston about staying in the truck, and jumped out, sliding over the engine of the truck like it was made of ice.

  Preston watched as his stepdad simultaneously talked on his cell phone and gave first aid to the woman lying on the ground. Sam became like a cyclone... he was here, then there, and then over there, checking on the guy in the truck.

  The wind blew, making the button-down shirt he wore over his t-shirt ripple behind him like a cape. The guy beside Preston honked the horn of his car impatiently even as he kept the vehicle moving forward...until Sam put out his hand, making it stop right in its tracks.

  “Whoa.” Preston was amazed. His stepdad was like Superman—he could leap over truck engines, save a woman in distress, and stop a car with only his hand.

  In that moment, Preston wanted to be exactly like him.

  When all was said and done, the woman was taken out on a stretcher and the guy driving the van seemed to be okay since he’d walked to the back of the ambulance that had shown up minutes later.

  “You okay?” Sam asked as he climbed in the truck. He had blood on his shirtsleeves and there was a tear in the collar of his t-shirt. Preston knew that shirt was his stepdad’s favorite because Michael Jordan had signed it.

  Preston couldn’t speak at first. He kept staring at Sam, wide-eyed. “Your shirt.”

  With a small grin, Sam looked down. “A little blood won’t hurt it.”

  Preston swallowed. “That lady...”

  “She should be okay. A long road ahead of her, but okay. She went through the passenger-side window while it was down. Best-case scenario if your seatbelt snaps or your brakes go out.”

  “How did you know how to help her?” Preston’s stepdad owned an ad agency that put designs on clothes for sports teams and schools.

  Sam put on his seatbelt and shifted his truck into gear before easing out into traffic. “My dad was an EMT. He couldn’t afford to go to school to be a doctor, so he learned how to help them instead. He also made sure I could go to whatever college I wanted to, so I could have a lot of opportunities he didn’t.”

  “Oh.”

  “Didn’t your mom tell you that’s what I do on the weekends I’m not at home with y’all?”

  Preston shrugged. “I thought you were at work.”

  Sam laughed, reaching over to rub the top of Preston’s head. “I am, but helping people is better than work. Plus, I get to drive the ambulance really fast when I have to, and I get to wear a cool uniform.”

  Preston grinned. “That sounds fun.”

  “Best of all, I sometimes get to save lives.”

  Preston scrunched his nose. “Sometimes?”

  “Yeah, I’d like to say I save them all, like a superhero would, but I don’t want to lie to you, kid. It’s not easy, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”

  *

  The one thing his stepdad neglected to share with Preston was how damned soul-sucking it could be when he couldn’t save a life. When they didn’t make it to the hospital on time... or when they simply arrived too late on scene.

  In the beginning, Preston relished his role as an emergency medical technician. Relished it so much that he put off college to work full time for the county.

  But the worst—the absolutely worst moment—was when he had to watch his cousin’s wife die. There had been literally nothing he could have done while they waited for the ambulance. Never in his life had he felt so damned helpless, not as much as his cousin had, but hadn’t he been trained for accidents just like that one?

  Preston took a sip of his beer, propped his feet up on his deck, and watched as a trio of sailboats made their way down the Pamlico sound, toward Holland Springs.

  Today was no different, except this time, he hadn’t been able to keep a little girl alive. And yeah, he knew the chance of recovery when it came to CPR was three percent, but in the past, he’d always held out for one-hundred-percent recovery. Probably a rookie move, but
he’d been holding onto that for over a decade now.

  Lately, however, he was banking more losses than wins.

  It was getting to him. Getting to him so much that he needed a change, needed to make something else the center of his life. Which was why he’d agreed to go in with his cousin, Elijah, to purchase a rundown bar at the edge of town earlier this year. They’d already renamed it Whiskey Hollow and had the place gutted in order to start from scratch. The building itself was in great shape, but the wear and tear combined with lack of upkeep had rendered the inside beyond repair.

  He should be more excited about that. Hell, he was... but he wanted someone to share that excitement with. Someone who’d encourage him and maybe even tease him a little when he got enthusiastic over napkins.

  Yes, his mom and Sam were happy for him, as were his dad and stepmom in Texas, but it wasn’t the same.

  He was almost thirty-two, and he wanted to settle down. Wanted to have a wife, kids... the whole package.

  Unfortunately, the only woman who would do was currently not interested in him in that way... or at least, she insisted wasn’t.

  But earlier today, Apple McCoy tossed her hair and flashed her baby blues at him before sharing exactly where she’d be eating dinner this evening.

  How was he supposed to resist that?

  Hell, it was exactly what he needed after a shittastic day. Being with her, sparring with her, and giving her over-the-top compliments would take his mind off this morning’s disaster.

  The only thing was... did she see him like everyone else who mattered to him did—like the goofy horndog his cousins liked to call him? How long would he have to live that reputation down?

  In his opinion, that was one of the worst things about living in a small town. Reputations were not easily shed. Minds weren’t easily changed.

  Women like Apple wouldn’t give Preston the time of day... until she did.

  He grinned a little and took another drink.

  There had always been something about Apple, something strong and vulnerable that had made him notice her. A few times he thought he’d caught her noticing him as well.

  But then... that one time, when she’d come into Whiskey Hollow, looking so achingly vulnerable as she faced down Caleb, demanding answers. When it was obvious the conversation was going downhill and she’d likely make a fool of herself, he’d pulled her into his arms and onto the dance floor, holding her until the music ended.

  She’d invited him to come home with her.

  It had taken every ounce of self-control not to take her up on the offer, but refuse, he did. She’d looked shocked that he would dare to turn her down, but in the end, he’d walked her outside to her Mercedes and made sure she got into her car safely.

  Now she avoided him, crossing the street when she happened to see him first. Most likely, she hated how vulnerable she’d allowed herself to be with him. She didn’t find strength in that, only weakness. And he’d added insult to injury when he’d turned her down... but it was for the best. He didn’t want only a one-night stand with Apple.

  So, he either had to wait a bit longer or pray to God she’d stop avoiding him... or even better, make it so they accidentally ran into one another.

  Thankfully, he’d accidentally run into her on his way to Parkman’s Drugstore to get a milkshake this afternoon.

  “Oh, it’s you,” she said, her nose scrunching as she looked up at him. He could have sworn she blushed.

  He tipped an imaginary hat at her. “At your service, ma’am.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Do you always have to act like you’re in Western when out and about?”

  “And here I thought I was paying proper respect to a lady.”

  Her full lips twitched. He knew he had her then.

  While she rolled her eyes and scrunched up her nose, it confirmed his assumption that the way to her heart was through laughter. She didn’t do it often, which was why he thought it to be a big damn deal when she did, even more so when he was responsible for her giggle and the reason she smiled.

  Man, her smile, the real smile she didn’t share that often, was beautiful.

  “You’re forgiven.” She stood there, not moving at all, so Preston took the opening as a sign that she’d forgiven him for turning her down.

  “Can I take that for you?” he asked, indicating the large tray of pastries she held.

  Panic flared in her blue eyes. “I’m perfectly capable of lifting a tray.”

  “I’m perfectly capable of carrying it for you, sweetheart. You’ve got quite a haul to Evergreen if you plan on walking.”

  Evergreen was the assisted-living center in town, and Apple was frequently seen there, although she claimed it was only to write down the living history of the town’s elderly citizens.

  Privately, Preston thought she enjoyed spending time there. Why else would she arrive with enough goodies to feed everyone, and occasionally go on trips with them out of town?

  “I’d planned on driving, but thank you.”

  “Any more trips coming up?”

  She flushed. “Not until next month. I don’t imagine anyone will want to see you on it either.”

  He knew not to take it as an insult. The way he’d discovered her little secret in the first place was that one of the passengers in their van had passed out from heat exhaustion and he’d been first on scene.

  “Aw, c’mon now, everyone likes to see me.”

  Her lashes flicked up and then down. “I suppose that’s true enough for people needing help.” She tipped up her chin. “Well, I don’t have time to listen to you talk my ear off. And if you just so happen to be in town this evening, around six-thirty, don’t bother me while I’m eating at Sunny Mac’s.”

  He stared at her for a moment. “Wouldn’t dream of bothering you while you eat at Sunny Mac’s this evening. At six-thirty.”

  “I’m so thrilled you have on your listening ears today, Preston.” She gave him a tight smile, and he stepped back to let her pass. “Be sure to say hello to your parents for me.”

  “I’ll do that.”

  “Fine.”

  He tipped an imaginary hat to her again, and she simply shook her head. “Have a good time at Evergreen.”

  “I always do.”

  “Good to hear.”

  “Yes, it is.”

  He bit back a laugh. Either she wouldn’t let him get the last word... or she didn’t want their conversation to end.

  “Who are you interviewing today?” he asked.

  “Simon Askew. He was a Navy Pilot, flew a dozen missions and saved countless lives.”

  “What else?”

  “Isn’t that enough?”

  He shrugged. “You’ve only told me what he did. While that’s honorable and commendable, it’s not everything about him. That’s only the public information you’ve gotten so far.”

  “Not everything is for public consumption. Besides, I’m only sharing what Simon allows.”

  He liked how protective she was of Simon. “Is that what you do?”

  Her eyes rounded a little. “Naturally. I don’t print things just to get a click or readership.”

  “That’s not what I meant... do you only share what you think is fit for public consumption, or will you ever allow anyone to see what’s beneath the surface?”

  Apple laughed. “You know as good as I do that I share what’s beneath the surface with whomever I please.”

  “Again, you’re not answering my question.” He took a step forward. Lowering his voice, he continued, “I’m not asking about your lovers; I’m asking about you... what makes you tick?”

  Her smile was brilliant but cold, like a distant star at night. That was right where she seemed to want to keep him—at a distance. “Wouldn’t you like to know?” she replied lightly.

  “Yeah, I would. How do you feel about that?”

  “Nothing at all.”

  “When you and I danced a couple of weeks back, did you feel nothing then, too?”


  “I felt like dancing.” Her gaze skittered away.

  “How did you feel about your dancing partner?” he pressed.

  “He was adequate.” She turned away from him, her grip tightening on the tray. “Do be a stranger and all.”

  Crossing his arms over his chest, he’d watched her walk away, her hips swaying and her hair bouncing as she strode across the parking lot, wearing high heels and a designer dress that clung to her curves and made him weak in the knees.

  He liked how she dressed, how put together she was... a confident woman who knew her own appeal was one of the sexiest things in the world.

  The phone rang, jolting him out of his head. He pulled it out of his pocket and checked the screen.

  With a sigh, he answered it. “Preston.”

  “Hey, this is Jamie. You up for a double?” she asked.

  “Not tonight. I’ve met overtime allowances.”

  She muttered a curse. “Now your account has been flagged. Lord, this new program is going to be the death of me. Enjoy your night off.”

  “Thanks.” He ended their call and stood, then moved inside to the kitchen and poured the rest of the beer down the sink. The only way he could enjoy his night off was to take Apple up on her invitation to not bother her this evening at Sunny Mac’s, at six-thirty.

  Chapter Two

  Apple narrowed her eyes at Preston while he simply smiled back, dimples appearing in his cheeks. It was almost as if he didn’t care that she’d wasn’t outwardly happy to see him. But inwardly, oh, inwardly, seeing him here was beyond words.

  “Can I help you?”

  “Mind if I sit with you?” he asked.

  Please do. “No.”

  Preston’s eyes crinkled. “No... you don’t mind, or...?”

  “What do you think?” She was always saying no to him when it came to dinner, lunch... or escorting her across the street to make a delivery of pastries. As if she needed help walking in heels.

  But she knew that wasn’t how he meant it.

  “I think that if you didn’t want to have dinner with me, then you wouldn’t have bothered to tell me the time and place,” he pointed out.

  Bingo. “I forgot to change my plans at the last minute.” Actually, she hadn’t forgotten anything because she wanted to see what Preston would do.