Finding Home in Good Hope (A Good Hope Novel Book 16) Read online

  Finding Home in Good Hope

  Cindy Kirk

  Copyright © Cynthia Rutledge 2021

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

  ISBN: 9798583258376

  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

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Epilogue

  Sneak Peek of Just Say Yes

  Also by Cindy Kirk

  Chapter One

  Gianna Ricci stood amid the New Year’s Eve splendor that was Marigold Rallis’s front parlor, feeling one with the tree. Sometime during the past couple of days, the massive gold tree had been transformed from Christmas-centric into a tree boldly heralding a new year.

  Silver and gold origami stars hung from branches boasting everything from colored champagne flutes to a plethora of Happy New Year tiaras. The focal point, though, as far as Gianna was concerned, was the tree topper. Made out of colorful NYE glasses and party horns, the bright and whimsical collection drew the eye. Just looking at the tree made Gianna smile.

  A smile that quickly faded as memories surged. She once again became an island unto herself in the midst of the New Year’s Eve gaiety. Last year, she’d spent the end of the year alone, mourning the loss of Alan. He’d been her friend, her lover, her partner…and the finest man she’d ever known.

  Perhaps if his death hadn’t been so sudden, she’d have found it easier to cope…

  “I don’t believe we’ve met.”

  Gianna glanced up into smoky gray eyes in a handsome male face. Shifting her glass of champagne to her left hand, she held out her right. “Gianna Ricci. I work with Marigold.”

  There was no need to say more, as this party was at Marigold and Cade Rallis’s home. Marigold and her business partner, Charlotte Vogele, owned the trendy Marigold’s Golden Door Salon and Day Spa in Good Hope.

  Both women were now pregnant, and Gianna had come to help out over the busy holiday season and during their maternity leaves.

  The man took her hand, giving it a firm shake. She was relieved he didn’t try to prolong the contact.

  Though most single women in their mid-twenties would give this man a second glance—and probably a third—Gianna wasn’t looking for another relationship.

  “—Shaw.”

  Gianna realized that while her mind had been wandering, he’d introduced himself.

  “I’m sorry, my mind wandered.” She took a sip of champagne. “I missed your first name.”

  He chuckled, not seeming offended by her inattention. “Ethan. Ethan Shaw.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ethan.” Gianna looked around for Evie. They’d come to the party together, but her friend had disappeared soon after they’d crossed the threshold.

  “Looking for someone?” He inclined his head. “I know everyone here.”

  “Evie Eastman. We came together, but—”

  “The last I saw her she was at the punch bowl in the second parlor with Trent.”

  Gianna hesitated, recalling Evie’s infatuation with the man. Though Gianna didn’t approve of her friend flirting with someone who was engaged, Evie hadn’t asked her opinion.

  “Thanks.”

  When Gianna made no move to leave, Ethan gestured with one hand. “It’s just through there. I can show you—”

  “No need.” As Gianna shifted from one foot to the other, her smile felt frozen on her face. She hadn’t thought coming here tonight would be so difficult. In fact, she’d assumed—wrongly—it would be easier than being home alone.

  She hadn’t been prepared for how it felt to be surrounded by happy couples enjoying the evening. She and Alan had attended many social events during their three years together. Though many of his friends were older, as he’d been, she’d enjoyed socializing.

  Now, casual party conversation seemed a chore.

  Except, she realized, the man at her side wasn’t pushing for more. He—Ethan, yes, she couldn’t forget his name—simply stood beside her, the dark fabric of his coat sleeve close but not touching her arm.

  Like hers, his gaze scanned the crowd. A watchful observer.

  She wondered if, like her, he was lonely and in need of a friend.

  The thought seemed too ridiculous to even consider. In her experience, handsome men like him usually had a bevy of beauties flocking around them. Of course, the same could be said for her, she supposed.

  The Alexander McQueen leather-tiered lace cocktail dress she wore tonight had been a gift from Alan. She’d planned to wear it to the New Year’s Eve party they were going to host last year.

  She’d nearly donated it, but recalling the happy look in Alan’s eyes when she’d tried it on had had her packing it with her other things when she’d moved to Good Hope.

  “Do you live in Good Hope?” she heard herself say.

  “I do.” He sipped his champagne. “I grew up here. I’ve lived other places, but nowhere else ever felt like home.”

  Gianna could understand not having a place that felt like home. She’d grown up moving from town to town, from one apartment to another, never staying long enough to put down roots. Surprisingly, even Alan’s luxurious Lincoln Park mansion hadn’t felt like home.

  “You’re lucky.” Her smile came easy now.

  Puzzlement filled his eyes. “How do you figure?”

  “You live in a place that truly feels like home.” She expelled a breath. “I’m still searching.”

  “You’ve come to the right place.” He gestured with his glass. “There’s something special about this community. Stay awhile and you’ll see.”

  Gianna lifted one shoulder and let it drop. “I’m only filling in for Marigold and Charlotte while they’re on maternity leave.”

  “You must be good to be filling in for them.”

  At her look of surprise, he smiled. “Everyone knows of Marigold’s reputation as a top-notch hairstylist. Charlotte also has a good following. They wouldn’t bring in just anyone to fill in for them.”

  “I worked at the Steffan Oliver Salon in Chicago.”

  “Where Marigold worked before returning to Good Hope.” He inclined his head. “Why did you leave?”

  “The man I loved died of a heart attack just after Christmas last year.” Gianna cleared her throat as her voice thickened. “Chicago holds a lot of painful memories. I wanted a change.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” The sympathy in his voice filled his eyes. “I can’t imagine how difficult the holidays were for you this year.”

  Gianna only lifted a shoulder and took a sip of champagne.

  “Do you think you’ll go back?”

  “I tho
ught at first I might, but I don’t think so. I believe I’ll explore other options.” She paused. “I’m hoping…”

  “You’re hoping?” he prompted when she didn’t continue.

  “To one day find that special place that feels like home.”

  Ethan wasn’t sure what to make of Gianna. When he’d seen her standing alone, he’d wanted to do his duty as a close friend of the hosts by making her feel welcome.

  The fact that she was the most beautiful woman in the room might have played a part in his urge to approach her. He was no couture expert, but the stunning dress she wore certainly hadn’t come off a rack. He liked that she hadn’t done anything special with her dark hair. The edgy bob suited her face and made her hazel eyes look huge.

  He had to admit he’d expected they’d flirt, just a little. Maybe a lot. That had been his experience as a single guy with most single women he approached. But as he’d drawn closer to her, he’d seen the sadness in her eyes that even her brilliant smile couldn’t hide.

  She’d lost her partner last year. The tie between them must have gone deep for her grief to still be so raw a year later. Then again, what did he know about grief? He’d never lost anyone.

  Despite her relative disinterest in him, or perhaps because of it, Ethan remained at her side, sipping champagne and gazing out over friends and family.

  He caught sight of his sister and her husband on the far side of the room. When Eliza arched a brow, he merely smiled and turned back to Gianna. “Have you checked out the appetizers?”

  “Not yet.” She brought her glass to her bright red lips, but didn’t take a sip. “The night is still young.”

  Instead of having waiters circulating with food and champagne, Marigold had opted to have the appetizers spread over a table in the second parlor. Waiters still circulated, but only to pick up plates and empty glasses.

  “How do you like living above a bakery?”

  Her eyes narrowed, sculpted dark brows pulling together. “How do you know where I live?”

  He laughed. “Everyone knows where the new stylist lives. There are no secrets in Good Hope.”

  She chuckled. “Of course.”

  “How about I introduce you around?” He kept his tone offhand. “I know Marigold would do it, but she’s got her hands full with the party.”

  “Why would you do that?”

  “Ah, because I know everyone here, and you don’t.”

  “No, I mean, why go out of your way?” She gestured widely with one hand. “This is a party. You should be—”

  When she didn’t elaborate, he prompted, “I should be doing what exactly?”

  “Flirting with pretty girls. Having a good time.”

  “I’m having a good time talking to you.”

  “Let me just get this out of the way. I’m not interested in hooking up with you or with anyone tonight. I realize—” She stopped talking and frowned. “Why are you smiling?”

  He chuckled. “I’m thirty-two. I haven’t gone to parties hoping to hook up since—”

  “Since?” This time, it was her turn to do the prompting.

  He rubbed his chin, his gaze thoughtful. “Since never. I’ve never been interested in one-night stands.”

  A skeptical look crossed her face. “Not even in college?”

  “Nope.” He stared into those big hazel eyes. “What about you?”

  “I didn’t go to college. I went to cosmetology school. On a scholarship.” A distant look filled Gianna’s eyes, then she smiled. “I was so glad to have the opportunity, and I was determined not to blow it. I spent more time studying than partying.”

  “I admire people who know what they want and go for it.”

  “What about you?” She smiled.

  It wasn’t a seductive smile or even a flirtatious one, but it was the first genuine smile she’d given him since he’d walked over and greeted her. The warmth of it arrowed straight to his heart.

  “What about me?” Ethan thought he knew what she was asking, was almost positive he could have responded without asking for clarification.

  The thing was, he wanted to prolong the interaction with her. Something in the way she stood reminded him of someone ready to bolt.

  “Do you know what you want? Do you give it, whatever it is, your maximum effort?”

  He liked her, Ethan realized, genuinely liked her. Liked everything about her, especially the fact she wasn’t into small talk.

  “It’s a long story,” Ethan warned.

  “I’ve got time if you do.”

  Ethan thought back to the floor plan of the house. He’d been here numerous times when the Dunleveys had owned it.

  Unless Marigold and Cade had made some radical changes in the few short months that they’d owned the house, Ethan knew just the place where he could tell his story uninterrupted.

  “I know a quiet place where we can talk.” He started to walk, then realized she wasn’t following.

  “Where are we going?”

  “There’s a sitting area tucked away under the staircase.” At her suspicious look, he shifted his fingers into the Boy Scout salute. “Scout’s honor.”

  She narrowed her gaze. “Were you really a Boy Scout?”

  He grinned. “Good Hope’s version of an Eagle Scout.”

  Gianna glanced around the parlor, then at the staircase. “I guess.”

  “You don’t fully trust me.”

  “I don’t know you.” She softened the words with a smile.

  “That’s what we’re doing now.” He flashed a smile. “Getting acquainted.”

  “See.” Ethan swept out a hand, gesturing to two chairs separated by a small table sporting a lamp that emitted a soft, welcoming glow.

  Gianna felt a rush of warmth just viewing the nook. The chairs, a burgundy brocade, practically invited a passerby to sit down and relax.

  Though Gianna’s heels were comfortable, she’d put in a full day today at the salon. It seemed as if everyone—everyone, that was, who hadn’t flocked to the salon before Christmas—had been in, eager to look their best when ushering in the new year.

  She skirted past Ethan and dropped into one of the chairs, then slipped off her shoes.

  A smile quirked up the corners of his lips as he took a seat in the other chair.

  She sniffed. “Are you wearing Creed Aventus?”

  His eyes widened slightly, then he grinned. “You’ve either got a good nose for men’s cologne, or I splashed on too much.”

  For one second, Gianna considered telling him it was the same scent Alan had worn, but thought that might make things awkward.

  “You didn’t put on too much. I didn’t notice it earlier.” She smoothed the skirt of her dress with the palm of her hand. “But here, where it’s more isolated and just the two of us, well, the pineapple scent is very distinctive.”

  Just the two of us…

  For a second, Gianna wondered what she was doing with this man. Then she realized that the last year had made her wary of everyone’s motives. In Chicago, it had felt as if everyone was watching her, hoping to see her stumble again.

  That was one of the reasons she’d come here. To simply be Gianna Ricci. To be able to sit and talk with a handsome man without anyone wondering if she was sleeping with him.

  “I bet you’re hungry.”

  The words pulled her from her thoughts.

  “I am,” she admitted. “A little.”

  “I’ll get us a plate. And,” he glanced at her nearly empty champagne glass and lifted a brow, “more champagne?”

  “Club soda.” She smiled. “I’ll wait until midnight for more champagne.”

  “Sounds like a good plan.” He smiled and pushed to his feet. “I’ll be right back.”

  She watched him stride off. The man really knew how to rock a tux.

  Once again, Gianna wondered if, like her, he could use a friend. Though Ethan had said he’d lived in Good Hope all his life, she knew how it felt to be surrounded by people and still fee
l alone.

  Time would tell, she decided.

  The only thing she wanted from Ethan Shaw was friendship. Oh, and maybe a few appetizers.

  Ethan piled the pretty china plate high with everything from crab puffs to crackers and cheese. He wasn’t certain how hungry Gianna was, but he’d skipped dinner and knew the food wouldn’t go to waste.

  After grabbing a club soda from the bartender, he had the stairs in sight when a woman stepped in front of him. She was tall and thin, with thick dark hair piled high. A striking swath of silver swept across the front.

  Her purple and silver caftan sparkled and was nearly as bold as the woman herself. Ethan didn’t know any woman who could rock the ninetieth decade of life like Gladys Bertholf.

  “Gladys.” Despite holding the plate and glass, he leaned forward to brush a kiss across one cheek. “You look amazing tonight. Then again, when do you not?”

  Gladys tittered. There really was no other word to describe the sound. “You are quite the charmer.”

  Her sharp-eyed gaze dropped to the mound of food on his plate. “Either you’re extremely hungry, or that’s a plate meant for two.”

  Ethan supposed he could have let her think it was all for him, but he didn’t have anything to hide. “Gianna and I are going to share.”

  “Gianna Ricci.” Gladys raised a dark brow. “The young woman filling in for Marigold and Charlotte.”

  “What about Gianna?” Marigold appeared at Gladys’s side, her smile wide and friendly.

  She reminded Ethan of an overripe peach ready to burst. The youngest Bloom sister had always been petite, which meant the twins she carried were all out front.

  Though sparkling jewels hung from her ears and her matching colorful necklace caught the eye, Ethan’s eyes were still drawn to her massive belly.