Her Maine Attraction: A Small Town Romance (Pine Cove Book 1)

  Her Maine Attraction

  A Pine Cove Novel

  Book 1

  REBECCA GANNON

  Copyright © 2019 Rebecca Gannon

  All rights reserved.

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

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

  website, blog, and links to all social media:

  www.rebeccagannon.com

  More by Rebecca Gannon

  A Pine Cove Novel

  Her Maine Attraction

  Her Maine Reaction

  Her Maine Risk

  Her Maine Distraction

  Carfano Crime Family

  Casino King

  The Boss (coming May 18th, 2021)

  To my mom, my number one supporter.

  Chapter 1

  I stare at the packed bags around my room and sigh. I didn’t even know I owned this much stuff. But I guess when you shove your entire life into suitcases, boxes, and bags, it will always look like a lot.

  I definitely didn’t think my week would turn out like this, but yesterday was just one mishap after another. I spilled coffee on my white blouse while I was walking into work, I hit my leg on the corner of a filing cabinet that made a huge run in my tights, and I had to work through lunch – surviving off the mints in my desk. Then, to top it all off, my boss called me into his office at the end of the day and fired me.

  I can’t say that I was too upset about it, though, because I absolutely hated my job. Working in a small cubicle and answering questions about insurance policies all day was not something that made me jump for joy. What it did make me do, though, is want to drink a lot of wine.

  I surprisingly felt free when he fired me. I was almost happy, really. Which is new for me.

  I used to be an artist, and I’d like to think I still am, but the degree I have proving that has been sitting on my shelf collecting dust for the past seven years. Which also happens to be the same amount of years it’s been since I painted anything, so I don’t really have the right to call myself an artist anymore. It used to be my escape and my therapy, and I somehow lost touch with that side of myself. But I fully intend on finding it again.

  The first step in making that happen is deciding that I need to leave the only place I’ve ever known. I need a new place, with new people, and new scenery. So, I did what every woman does when she needs to make big life choices. I poured myself a glass–or three–of wine, and took to the internet to find where I’d be moving to.

  It took a few hours, and a whole bottle of wine, but I found the perfect place. It’s a cute little cottage in a coastal town in Maine named Pine Cove. The pictures show it to be a quaint, small town, that looks like it was pulled straight from a Hallmark movie.

  The owner, Dottie, only asked me a few questions before telling me I was exactly who she’s been waiting for. She said she was holding off moving in with her daughter until she found the right person to rent her home to. I’m not really sure why she thinks that’s me, but I’m not going to question it.

  Dottie told me I could come as soon as Tuesday, and I jumped at the chance, not caring that I only had five days to pack up my life. I need to do something crazy for once.

  “Are you sure you want to do this, sweetie?” my mom asks, coming to stand next to me as I stare at the twenty or so bags I have piled around my room.

  “Yes, I need to do this. I promise I’ll be okay.”

  “I know you will be, honey. I’m just going to miss you is all,” she says, tears pooling in her eyes.

  “Please don’t cry, mom. You know I’m going to miss you more than anyone.” I give her a big hug and kiss her on the cheek. “Let’s order pizza. I’ll need to get my fix before I settle for whatever they call pizza in Maine.”

  Laughing, she wipes away a few stray tears. “Well, when you put it like that, how could we not? Your sisters told me they’re on their way over. We’ll get to have one last Friday family night. A proper send off.”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  I smile as we walk downstairs, and just as the pizza arrives, my two older sisters come storming through the front door.

  “I’m going to miss you, baby sis,” Kelly says, hugging me tight. “But I’m really happy for you.”

  “Thanks, Kell. Love you.”

  “Love you too, Ally-bear.”

  “What about me? Come here!” Marissa grabs me away and sweeps me up into a warm hug. “I hate that you’re moving so far away. But I guess this means I have someplace to get away to when Kev is bothering me.”

  “I’m glad to be your hideout whenever needed,” I tell her, laughing lightly. “That goes for you too Kell. Whenever Mike gets on your nerves, just drive up and stay the weekend.”

  “I don’t think I’ll need to escape my husband, but thanks for the offer.” She smiles. “Mar and I will come and stay with you because we’ll miss you, you idiot. We don’t need excuses.”

  “Oh, okay.” I smile, hugging her again.

  “Now, let’s go eat. I’m starving!”

  Our Friday family nights are something the four of us have been doing for the past few years. After my sisters moved out and we were all working a lot, my mom wanted to make sure we had one night every month where we were guaranteed to all be together. We always order pizza from our favorite pizzeria down the street, and we spend the night drinking wine and watching chick flicks. Our monthly night wasn’t supposed to be until next Friday, but my mom called an emergency one under these special circumstances.

  I didn’t want to think that this would be our last one, and tonight goes by way too quickly. The pizza and wine go down way too easy, the hours fly by, and when it’s time to say our goodbyes, my sisters hug me tight.

  “I’m just a phone call away, okay?”

  “I got you Kells. Thank you.”

  “And same for me, too. Let me know if you need anything. I’ll mail or hand deliver it. I don’t care either way.”

  “I may take you up on that.” I laugh. “I’ll be craving pork roll, egg, and cheese sandwiches in no time. But, come on guys, I’m not saying I’ll be gone forever. And it’s only a six-hour drive.”

  “We’ll see,” she says, doubtful.

  “Okay, well, we’ll see you soon.” Kelly frowns. “Be safe.”

  “I will,” I promise, hugging both again before watching them drive off.

  Taking a deep breath, I hold back the tears pricking my eyes. That’s one set of goodbyes down, and one more to go. I know tomorrow night is going to be just as hard. I honestly didn’t realize how overwhelming it’d be to say goodbye to everyone I love.

  * * * *

  Opening the door to the restaurant, I’m hit with the delicious scent of freshly made tortilla chips and spicy food, and my stomach growls instantly.

  José’s Cantina is a small Mexican restaurant that always promises a smooth, delicious margarita, and five-star fish tacos. I’ve been obsessed with this place since I was old enough to drink, and will probably have dreams of it while in Maine.

  I’m meeting my three best friends – Ashley, Melanie, and Elizabeth – here, and I know they’re going to have something to say about my move. We’ve been inseparable since freshman
year of high school. We were put in the same group during orientation for ice breakers, and when we all confessed our hatred for ice breakers, it was an instant friendship.

  Elizabeth is the outspoken one of the group, Melanie is the voice of reason, I’m the listener, and Ashley is the wild card. And despite the four of us being so different, we all seem to fit together perfectly. Which is why we’ve remained best friends for over ten years.

  I spot the three of them by the hostess stand and squeal with excitement. “Guys!! Ahhh!! I’ve missed you!” I go straight to hug each of them, but Ellie puts her hand up to stop me.

  “Allyson Rose. What in the hell do you think you’re doing moving to mother freaking Maine in three days?! And you tell us yesterday?!”

  Shit, she’s mad.

  “Ellie, I’m sorry! This wasn’t planned. I mean, obviously. Why would any sane person up and move five states away in a matter of days from the time they decided to move in the first place?”

  “What?” she asks, confused by my rambling.

  “I got it, don’t worry,” Ash says. “You’re not sane, and we agree.” Mel slaps Ash’s arm and gives her a look. “Ow, what? We agreed we wouldn’t be nice about this.”

  “Okay, listen. I just need to do this, alright? This will be good for me, I promise. And you can come and stay with me anytime, and for however long you’d like. That’s a given.” Looking each of them in eye, I make sure they see my sincerity.

  “Fine. We’ll be coming soon, though, to make sure there are no serial killers lurking in the woods or whatever.”

  “Wow, Ellie, always the positive one,” I say sarcastically.

  “This way, ladies,” the hostess interrupts, leading us over to our table.

  “I don’t want to fight about this. I just want to eat delicious food, talk, laugh, and then afterwards, get super wasted at a bar while we dance the night away. Is that too much to ask for from my best friends?”

  “No, it’s not,” Mel says, opening her menu. “It sounds like a hell of a hangover for me, but I’ll get over it.”

  “Yes, you will.” I smile, unwrapping my utensils and placing my napkin on my lap. When I look up, I see Ashley eyeing me with a devilish smirk.

  “Ally, do you remember when you snuck out of your house in high school and climbed down that small-ass tree outside your window?”

  “You’re seriously bringing this up now?” I ask, narrowing my eyes.

  “Yes, I am. Because everything’s game when one of your best friends acts like an ass and leaves you.” I give her a dirty look, but she continues. “You used that shrub of a tree to climb down out of your window while I waited in my car. And like I knew would happen, it went horribly wrong. In the silence of the night, all that could be heard was Snap! Snap! Snap! and your muffled scream as you fell to the ground.”

  “Um, why have we never heard this before?” Ellie and Mel look at each other and then at me and Ash.

  “Because it was a horrible sequence of events, and Ashley swore she wouldn’t tell anyone, even you two, unless I did something bad to her and she needed leverage. Which, I may add, is NOT the situation here, Ashley.”

  “Anyway! As I was saying,” she continues, “all I heard was your muffled scream, and when I looked around for you, I saw you army crawling across your lawn to get to my car!”

  “I didn’t want anyone to see me! I thought I woke everyone up falling out of that damned tree!”

  “So, you thought crawling like a creeper instead of running like a normal human was your best bet?”

  “At the time, yes I did. And I stand by that choice now, even while you’re all looking at me like I’m an idiot. Whatever, Ash, just continue on.” I wave her onward, wishing I already had a margarita in me, and knowing I’ll need a few to get through this.

  “Okay, so you army crawled to my car, got in, and then turned to me with visible scratches on your face and hands and said, ‘I feel like I’m in an eighties teen movie sneaking out of my house about to meet the hot jock at a party where he’ll realize I’m the most amazing girl he’ll ever meet at our god awful high school and then he’ll drive me home in his hot car and we’ll make out.’ Yes, I remember bitch. Word for word!”

  “OH. MY. GOD.” I cover my face with my hands and shake my head.

  “I then proceeded to drive us to meet that guy you met on Myspace so I could make sure he wasn’t some axe murderer rapist who was going to lure you away.”

  Ellie throws her hands up in the air. “Whoa, whoa, whoa! What the hell? You told us you ended it with that guy because he started sending you nudes and you needed a magnifying glass to find his junk.”

  “Yes, I did tell you that. And it was true. Just not the part about sending nudes. It was more of an up close and personal encounter that had me finding that information out.”

  “You saw his peen?! You, Allyson, went on a blind date in high school? You, the high school virgin who swore all men were the devil incarnate, went on a blind date in high school and got naked?”

  “Holy hell, Elizabeth! You need to keep your voice down! Ashley, I revoke your right to visit me in Maine now. You’ll never see me again.”

  “Oh, don’t be a baby, Ally-cat. Okay, where was I? Yes, so I drove you to the movies to meet what’s-his-face. I then proceeded to casually walk in a little after you and bought a ticket to the same movie, and then sat a couple of rows behind you. Then maybe halfway through the movie, I heard you gasp, and I looked over just in time to see you slap him across the face. You looked back at me and signaled that it was time to make our escape. And what was it that happened in there, Allyson?” she asks innocently.

  Ellie and Mel are looking at me like they don’t know me while Ashley waits for me to confess my sins. Sighing, I tell them, “I went in my purse to look for chap stick, and when I turned back, he put his hand on top of mine on the armrest. I thought, ‘Oh, how sweet, he wants to hold hands.’ So, I smiled at him and looked down at our hands. Except, what I also saw was his tiny penis out of his pants, and he was trying to move my hand to it!”

  “Ally! I can’t believe we didn’t know about this! Why was it such a secret? It’s hilarious!”

  “Because it was a horrible night. And at that time, super traumatizing. You know how I was back then. I was super shy and hated talking to guys. I was actually scared to talk to them. And yet there I was with this creep I didn’t know who thought he could just whip out his penis forty minutes after meeting me! I had only said like ten words to him before the movie even began, so I don’t know why he thought I wanted to give him a handy.”

  That date was so bad. And looking back now, I guess it is super funny. A slow smile spreads across my face, and soon I can’t contain my laughter – a shoulder shaking, stomach knotting, laugh.

  “Okay, I haven’t thought of that night in years. It’s hilarious.” Wiping the tears from my eyes, I smile at my best friends. “You girls have been there for me through so much. From awkward high school experiences, to the bad choices made in college. And then after college, we figured out life together. This is going to be a totally new experience for me, but I need to do it.”

  I can’t help the tears that start gathering in my eyes or the catch in my voice. “Now listen up, because this is the sentimental part of my speech. No one will ever replace you three, and you better not find one for me. We’re besties forever. Bitches forever. I expect all of you to support me in this and come visit me when I get settled. I mean, we have to show Maine what happens when a group of Jersey girls gets together.” I smile at them with watery eyes.

  “Of course we support you, Ally,” Ellie says. “You know I was kidding before.”

  Ash and Mel both nod in agreement.

  “I know. I love you guys.”

  “We love you, too.”

  After stuffing our faces with tacos and filling our bodies with margaritas, we move the party to a bar down the road where we drink and dance until last call.

  My head is spinning,
and I know I’m going to wake up tomorrow with a massive headache. But a night out with my girls is always worth the next day’s blues.

  As we all stumble outside to wait for our cabs, a round of hugs and goodbyes has me tearing up again. “I love you guys so much,” I slur.

  Ashley’s cab is the first to arrive, and when she reaches the door, she turns back. “Now, Ally, listen to me. Make sure you find some hot piece of ass to show you around town. And by town, I mean his penis,” she says, giggling through her hiccups.

  “Wow, such beautiful words of wisdom,” Ellie mumbles next to me.

  Ashley gives her a dirty look, not finished with her speech yet. “I want you to fall in love. I want you to have hot sex.”

  “Sure, Ash. I’ll just find a hot piece of ass straight away. First thing.” I roll my eyes at the probability of that happening.

  “Allyyy!!!! Yeesss bitch!!!” Ellie yells, and the people around us turn to stare. “Get yourself a man who knows how to fix things. Like cars. And sinks!” She’s always been attracted to men who work with their hands.

  “Ally, you should listen to them. Maybe you’ll have some fun,” Mel chimes in.

  “Oh my god, okay. The way you see my life is super sad. I didn’t know it was so obvious I needed a man in my life.”

  Ashley throws me an air kiss. “It is. Sorry.” She shrugs. “Alright, gotta go babes – home, then throw up, then bed!”

  “’Kay, Ash, bye!” I yell after her as she closes the cab’s door.

  The rest of our cabs arrive while hers is pulling away, and we each stumble in our heels to their doors. “Text me when you’re all home safe. Love you guys! See you soon!”

  Smiling at Mel and Ellie, I get into my cab and close the door. I take a deep breath, trying really hard not to cry.

  Chapter 2

  “Please let me know when you get there, sweetie. Drive safe.” Hugging my mom tight, she kisses my cheek. “Do you have snacks? Are you getting coffee?”