Small Town King: A Single Dad Romance (Carlisle Cellars Book 3) Read online

  June chuckles. “We’re a mix… We sell books and wine. My fiancé’s family owns a winery in town, Carlisle wines. Maybe you’ve heard of it. Anyway, we combined two of our favorite things—books and booze.” She chuckles. “Well, not full-on booze but wine. We have our first event in two weeks. You should come.”

  “What is it?” I’m facing her now, intrigued.

  “We’re doing book and wine pairings. Each month we’ll choose a book and three types of wines that complement it, whether related to the story, the characters, or a significant meal in the book and do a tasting. The tasting is free, and then you can order a glass or three,” her eyes gleam, “and purchase the book. We’ll also have bottles for sale if people would like to take a bottle home.”

  “Wow, that’s really cool. Now I know why the barista at The Grind said it was a unique shop.” I take in the store with new eyes.

  “Lucy?” June asks.

  “I think. I didn’t get her name. She’s young, with long brown hair and glasses.”

  “Yeah, that’s Lucy. She’s super sweet. She’s a friend of mine and is always sending people my way.”

  “That’s great. Have you not been here long?” My brows lift.

  “We opened in November. I took over the old bookstore when the owner was going to close. We renamed it and threw in the twist,” she tilts her head toward the bar.

  “I think it’s great.”

  “Thanks. You’re new in town, right?”

  “Is it that obvious?” I feel heat creep up my neck.

  “Nah, it’s just a small town, and everyone knows everyone,” she chuckles at my expression. “I’m from here but lived away for a long time, so I feel like I’m new here, too.”

  “I just got a job here, so I moved last week. I’m originally from Cedar Springs.”

  “That’s not too far from here. It’s a ranch town, right?” June shifts, attentive to our conversation.

  I can’t help but laugh because she’s definitely right. Although Cedar Springs is a small town, it’s not exactly the same as Willow Creek.

  “It’s definitely more rural than this.” I look out the window.

  “That’s cool. If you have any questions about the town, I’ll be happy to answer them.”

  “I appreciate that.” I head back to the shelf she signaled as romance and look at the titles. Finding a title I’ve wanted to read, I pull it out and head toward the counter.

  “I loved this one,” June comments as she rings me up.

  “I’ve been wanting to read it and haven’t found the time.”

  “Enjoy it. You should come to our tasting event.” She hands me a flyer with the wine tasting information. “It’ll be a great way to meet some of the people in town.”

  “Thank you.” I nod, looking at the flyer. I’m not sure if I’ll make it, but it’s nice of her to invite me. I’m sure it’s for business, but June seems friendly.

  Heading out of the store into the cool afternoon, I walk happily with my new book. At least I have plans for the weekend now. Until I start getting paid, I can’t spend money frivolously, so going out for drinks is a no-go for now. Not that I’d have anyone to go with, and sitting alone at a bar doesn’t have the same appeal to it as sitting at home with a cup of coffee and a new book.

  Even when I do get my first paycheck, a good chunk of it has to go to my mom. That’s the whole point of me taking this job, besides the fact that it really is the dream job I’ve been searching for for the last couple of years. I knew when I decided to study mental health therapy and specialize in children’s therapy that I’d have to move from Cedar Springs unless I wanted to open my own practice, and even then, I don’t know how successful that’d be in my hometown.

  When my mom’s diabetes worsened and she was hospitalized, it put our family into enormous debt. Then, the one medicine she needs to survive isn’t covered by her insurance, and we need to pay a shit load of money out of pocket every month. It’s why I need to make sure the few families that are unsure about me taking over for Colleen decide to stay. I can’t let the center think I’m not trustworthy and decide to replace me after a few months. I need those clients, and I’ll do anything to make it happen. My mom’s health depends on it.

  I didn’t think it’d be a big deal making this transition, as Colleen is the only child therapist in the center and in the nearby area, from what I’ve been told. The choice should be clear, but I know not everyone is as rational when it comes to trusting a stranger.

  I hop in my car and drive toward my apartment building. I wish it were closer to the center of town so I could walk everywhere. It’s about a mile away, and while walking is great and all, I’m likely to make a wrong turn and get lost on the way.

  Apartments further away are definitely cheaper than those in a prime location. Small sacrifices that aren’t all that bad in the grand scheme of things. It’s all worth it if it means more money at the end of the month to help my mom’s bills. She and my dad don’t make nearly enough to cover it on their own.

  As appealing as the wine tasting event sounds, that’s more money than I need to spend. Although it’d be great to meet people from the town—and I’m sure they’ll be younger people who most likely have things in common with me since it’s such a specific event—I need to keep my priorities in check.

  My new job will provide a decent paycheck, but I can’t go wild when my responsibility is to make sure my mom gets what she needs each month. All three hundred and seventy-five dollars of it, plus any help I can sneak in for the hospital bill that they’ve refused to accept thus far. My goal is to lessen some of the financial burden that’s currently crushing them so they can enjoy their life a bit more. After my mom’s scare, it’s what they deserve before they don’t have the opportunity to do so any longer.

  Chapter 5

  Brett

  I sit on the small couch with a bouncing knee while I wait for Charlie and Chloe to finish their first session alone with Magnolia. After meeting her and having a joint session with Colleen and Magnolia, the girls decided they wanted to keep working with Magnolia. Whatever she did with them, they couldn’t stop talking about her and were excited to see her today. That must be a good sign.

  When my phone buzzes, I turn it over in my hands and see a message from Madison.

  Madison: Hey, you’ll come to Miles and June’s event on Friday, right? I think it’ll be good to get out and to support them. I know June’s nervous no one will show up.

  Sighing, I scratch my jaw. It’s not the first time she’s asked this week, and it seems that part of Madison’s plan in moving back here is giving me a social life I don’t desire to have.

  Brett: I don’t know yet

  She’ll hate my response, but it’s all I can do for now. I may need to work this weekend, check on some things at the winery. My dad’s retirement is approaching. He’s already pushed it back because of the incident with the fire tearing down half our winery. If it weren’t for that, he’d already have retired and handed the reins over to me. I’m grateful to have his support while we get back on our feet, but the stress is greater because I know this is holding him back from living his life.

  He already had his football career to retire from, but he went right back to work when he decided to open the winery. It’s time he and my mom spend more time together.

  I remember asking him when I was younger why he didn’t choose to coach after his injury. It seems that’s what most players do when they can no longer play, or at least some type of work within the sports industry. My dad told me he and my mom wanted to move back home to Willow Creek, and small-town life didn’t exactly fit with a big sports career.

  Madison: Don’t brush me off, Brett Nathaniel Carlisle

  Brett: I’m not, Madison Rose Carlisle

  Madison: Cringe. You know how much I hate my middle name

  Brett: Well, fair is fair when bringing out the middle name game

  Madison: Lol… game? Anyway, you’re coming on Fri
day. Tate has to work, and I’ll need someone to be my DD

  At this, I laugh because I know Madison won’t be getting drunk. She’s always careful about how she acts in public, knowing someone’s always watching and ready to spill to the media—even in the town where my family can do no wrong, and we’re treated like royalty.

  When the door to Magnolia’s office opens, I stand and put my phone away, ready to see how Charlie and Chloe are. They walk out with small smiles, holding hands. Relieved that they seem happy, I uncross my arms and meet them halfway in the middle of the waiting area.

  “How’d it go?” I bend to ask them.

  “It was good,” Charlie says, looking at Magnolia over her shoulder and back at me. “She’s nice.” Charlie leans in to whisper, but Magnolia hears her anyway and chuckles.

  “Yeah,” Chloe echoes.

  “I’m happy to hear that.” I stand and look at Magnolia. I’ve been questioning how much experience she has based on my guess of her age, but I know more than anyone that age doesn’t necessarily mean more expertise. My dad was about my age when he opened the winery, and at thirty-six, I’ll be taking over as well.

  “I’d like to speak to you a moment.”

  I furrow my brows when I hear Magnolia’s request and tell the girls to wait for me on the couch. Worried, I follow her into the office.

  “What’s going on?” I ask as soon as we’re out of earshot.

  “Please, take a seat.” She extends her arm toward the love seat.

  Taking a deep breath to hold on to my patience, I sit and tug the sleeves of my shirt, straightening them. I raise my eyebrows and wait for her to speak.

  “As you know, my sessions with Charlie and Chloe are confidential, but they’re also minors.” Upon hearing her, the hairs on the back of my neck stand.

  “What’s wrong with them?” I cut her off.

  “They mentioned more than once today that you work a lot and are hardly home. From what they tell me, you work on the weekends as well, and the girls spend a lot of time with their grandparents.”

  “As you know, we had a fire at the winery my family owns. It’s why the girls are here. Work has been a mess trying to make up for the loss. It requires hours, but I assure you that I’m there for my girls when they need me.” I defend myself, a wave of anger rolling through me. I clench my teeth to keep it at bay, knowing that I’ll gain nothing if I lose my cool.

  “I understand, however, I’d like to suggest working less or taking weekends off so that you can be more present for them. I mention it because, in the span of an hour, it was brought up at least five times. They miss you and want to spend time with you. I think it’d be beneficial to their healing.” Her voice is even, but that doesn’t stop my frustration from rising.

  “I’m doing everything in my power to make sure they heal. I bring them here, talk to them, love them.” I stand now, feeling agitated.

  “I’m not saying you aren’t.” Magnolia stands as well, meeting me face on. “However, Charlie and Chloe both experienced something extremely scary. Their lives were threatened. They need their dad. I’m not saying this from a place of judgment, Mr. Carlisle. The only reason I’m bringing it up is that I think it’s worth discussing. Just consider it. Take a day off, spend it with the girls, listen to them.”

  I shake my head with my jaw locked tight. “You do your job, and I’ll do mine.” I nod once before walking out of the office, calling the girls over. By the look on their faces, it’s clear I didn’t do a good job of hiding my anger.

  I’m doing the best I can to be a good father and keep the company afloat. I never expected to have to balance it all on my own, and so what if my family helps me? I don’t have my wife anymore, the girls don’t have their mom, and now I need to be able to give up the job that allows us to live comfortably and be a stay-at-home dad? Yeah, and unicorns are real, and there’s gold at the end of the rainbow, which will allow for that.

  “Daddy?” Charlie’s weary voice breaks through the fog in my mind.

  “Yeah?” I glance at her through the rearview mirror as I drive home.

  “Are you mad?” she whispers.

  “No,” I lie.

  “You look mad.”

  Blowing out a deep breath, I gain control of my emotions. They shouldn’t be on the receiving end of my annoyance.

  “I’m not.” I shake my head. “I promise.”

  Silence fills the car, and I hate it. The smiles Charlie and Chloe had when they came out of therapy are gone. Fuck, maybe I’m not giving them what they need.

  Making a U-turn back toward town, I ask, “How about we eat out tonight?”

  Cheers sound in the backseat as they start to chant, “Burgers, burgers, burgers…”

  I’m still caught up in my mind as I park near the restaurant and help the girls down from the car. They’re talking about what they’re going to order, but I keep thinking about my conversation with Magnolia. I know that I work a lot, but it’s so I can provide for my family, keep my father’s dream running, and make sure no one is losing anything.

  “How was your time with Ms. Magnolia?” I ask the girls.

  “Good, she’s really nice.” Charlie looks at Chloe, who nods in agreement.

  “She had us draw,” Chloe adds after a beat.

  Great, she’s telling me how to be a better father while she’s making my girls color during my expensive as fuck hour.

  “Yeah, she said it was art therapy, so I told her art is my favorite subject in school.” Charlie smiles.

  “Did you like her, too?” I look closely at Chloe.

  I want her to know she has a right to her own opinion and doesn’t have to follow everything Charlie says. Chloe was more affected by the fire, so I want to make sure she’s getting the help she needs.

  “Yeah,” she nods subtly.

  “It’s okay to have a different opinion,” I tell her.

  If there’s one thing I’ve always done is to talk to my daughters as if they were adults. I never incorporated baby talk, and maybe it was our situation and my wife’s passing, but I want them to be strong, wise, and knowledgeable.

  “I like her.”

  “Good.” I nod once and get ready to order our meals. All the while, I continue to turn Magnolia’s words over in my mind, unable to let them go.

  Do the girls really feel that way? If they mentioned it so much to her on their first day seeing her, then it must be something they truly worry about. I know they don’t like me going to work, but that’s because of their fear that another fire will start despite explaining to them it’s safe and the entire place has been checked. When you have a fear of something, rational thought is extinguished, and I’m sure that’s what happens to them every time they bring up wanting me to stay home.

  I have to do better for them if I expect them to be better. Maybe I can ask Miles to help a bit more in the office. He’s offered, but I’ve always brushed it off, saying I’ve got everything under control. I think it’s time to admit I don’t have anything under control.

  Chapter 6

  Magnolia

  Adjusting my sweater so that it falls just right, I stand outside of Beauty and the Books at my mom’s insistence that I go and socialize. Except, I’ve been out here for way too long, talking myself into walking in. I hate awkward encounters, and the idea that I’ll walk into a bunch of people who know each other and I’ll be alone in a corner isn’t exactly appealing. I know how tight-knit small town communities are, and even if I were the most social person, which I’m not, it’d be difficult to break through their cliques.

  I could turn around and walk away, but then my mom’s voice breaks through my escape plan. You made this move for me, already sacrificing so much. I feel guilty, so please go out and have fun, drink a glass of wine for me.

  I suck in a deep breath and open the door. Chatter hits me immediately. It’s not loud like a bar, but it’s enough to combine the sounds and create its own soundtrack. I look around, noticing most people are
by the bar area.

  “You made it!” I turn to the right and see June behind the check-out counter with a big smile.

  “I did,” I nod. “I’m a little late.”

  “No way, there’s no set time to be here. It’s an open event, so come when you can and leave when you want.” She rounds the counter. “Come on. I’ll show you around.”

  As I follow her, I take in the different people. Most are young, but there are also a few older people. It’s nice to see a mix of ages. When I see Lucy from The Grind, I sigh in relief at the familiar face.

  June turns to me. “I am so sorry… I never got your name when you came in.”

  “It’s Magnolia.”

  “Such a pretty name. I’ll introduce you to a few people.” She walks up toward a handsome man with light red hair, who instantly smiles when he sees her. The look in his eye tells me he must be June’s fiancé that she mentioned the other day.

  “Hey, Junebug.” He winks at her then looks at me with a smile. “Hi, you must be who June was telling me about.” He reaches his hand out, and I shake it. “I’m Miles.”

  “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Magnolia.”

  “Magnolia?” Miles furrows his brows.

  “Yeah…” I say slowly, drawing out the word.

  “It’s nice meeting you,” he says. I shrug off his odd expression when I told him my name.

  “I’m going to introduce her to a few other people,” June says, breaking up the awkwardness.

  “Sounds good, babe.” He smiles at her with love.

  “Lucy’s here, so you’ll have a familiar face.” June guides me toward a group of women where Lucy stands.

  After introductions and Lucy telling everyone how nice I am, which causes me to blush, June takes me to the bar for the tasting. She explains the reasons why the wines pair well with the book without spoiling the story. It’s clear she was meant to share her love of reading with others.