Sweet Reunion (Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series Book 11) Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series

  One

  Two

  Three

  Four

  Five

  Six

  Seven

  Eight

  Nine

  Ten

  Eleven

  Twelve

  Thirteen

  Fourteen

  Fifteen

  Sixteen

  Seventeen

  Eighteen

  Nineteen

  Twenty

  Twenty-One

  Twenty-Two

  Twenty-Three

  Twenty-Four

  Twenty-Five

  Twenty-Six

  Twenty-Seven

  Twenty-Eight

  Twenty-Nine

  Thirty

  Thirty-One

  Thirty-Two

  Thirty-Three

  Thirty-Four

  Thirty-Five

  Thirty-Six

  The Hunters

  Story Worlds

  Author's Note

  SWEET REUNION

  INDIGO BAY SWEET ROMANCE SERIES #11

  by Stacy Claflin

  http://www.stacyclaflin.com

  Copyright ©2018 Stacy Claflin. All rights reserved.

  Cover by Najla Qamber Designs

  www.najlaqamberdesigns.com

  Edited by Staci Troilo

  This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, businesses, events, or locales is purely coincidental or used fictitiously. The author has taken great liberties with locales including the creation of fictional towns.

  Reproduction in whole or part of this publication without express written consent is strictly prohibited. Do not upload or distribute anywhere.

  This ebook is for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be resold or given away to others. If you would like to share this book with others, please either purchase it for them or direct them to StacyClaflin.com for links. Thank you for respecting the hard work of the author.

  To receive 3 free novels from the author, click here.

  Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series

  What is the Indigo Bay Sweet Romance Series? It’s tons of fun for readers! But more specifically, it is a series of books written by authors who love romance. Grab a glass of sweet tea, sit on the porch, and get ready to be swept away into this charming South Carolina beach town.

  The Indigo Bay world has been written so readers can dive in anywhere in the series without missing a beat. Read one or all—they’re all sweet, fun rides that you won’t soon forget. Also, as special treats, you’ll see some recurring characters. How many can you find?

  Sweet Dreams by Stacy Claflin

  Sweet Matchmaker by Jean Oram

  Sweet Sunrise by Kay Correll

  Sweet Illusions by Jeanette Lewis

  Sweet Regrets by Jennifer Peel

  Sweet Rendezvous by Danielle Stewart

  Sweet Saturdays by Pamela Kelly

  Sweet Beginnings by Melissa McClone

  Sweet Starlight by Kay Correll

  Sweet Forgiveness by Jean Oram

  Sweet Reunion by Stacy Claflin

  Sweet Entanglement by Jean Gordon

  One

  Magnolia Kendrick jumped from the booth and darted between the tables, avoiding waiters and waitresses. She didn’t slow until she reached the bathroom. Closing the stall door behind her, she leaned against the wall and took in a deep breath of heavily-sweetened air.

  That had been close. Too close.

  Once her heart rate returned to normal, she exited the stall. An older lady shot her a glare. Probably because she hadn’t heard a flush.

  Maggie flashed her a quick smile and went to the mirror to fix her makeup, though it didn’t need it. She only needed another minute or two to pull herself together before rejoining Aunt Lucille—the reason she’d fled to the bathroom.

  Auntie had a good heart, bless her, but the woman couldn’t take a clue. Or a flat-out request.

  Maggie would just have to try again. What other option was there? She lived with her great-aunt, who had tried to set her up with practically every eligible bachelor in Indigo Bay.

  Now at Figaro’s, the restaurant owned by a distant cousin about half an hour from their town, Auntie was attempting another set-up.

  Lord have mercy. It was almost enough for Maggie to head back home to Georgia—to the one place she could never show her face again.

  Almost.

  Maggie wanted nothing to do with a relationship of any kind. That was part of the reason she’d moved to Indigo Bay. A fresh start in a town where people didn’t know her problems.

  She stood tall and practiced her smile. It was her best feature, unless she listened to the people who adored her too-thick and too-curly dark hair. Long as it was, it was a nightmare. But she hated the way she looked when it was shorter.

  The bathroom door flung open. “Maggie!”

  Maggie turned to find her cousin Savannah. It wasn’t unusual to find a relative at Figaro’s. “Hi, Savannah.”

  “Auntie said you might be in here.”

  Maggie put her makeup back in her purse. “Did she send you to find me?”

  “She said you ran off like a chicken with its head cut off.” Savannah raised an eyebrow, clearly wanting to know more.

  “Can’t a girl use the bathroom?” Maggie adjusted her skirt.

  “Is everything okay, darlin’?”

  It would be if Aunt Lucille would quit trying to set her up with every available bachelor within a twenty-mile radius of Indigo Bay.

  Savannah stepped closer and put a hand on Maggie’s arm. “Everyone worries about you, you know.”

  Maggie smiled as sugary sweet as she could. “I appreciate the concern, but I’m fine. Hey, Auntie wasn’t talking to anyone, was she?”

  Savannah fanned herself. “You mean that new server, Emilio?”

  Wonderful. Aunt Lucille was probably planning Maggie’s date with Emilio at that moment.

  “You don’t like him?” Savannah frowned.

  Maggie sighed. “I don’t even know him.”

  “I wouldn’t mind getting to know him. Did you see those eyes? Blue as a clear lake.”

  “Must’ve missed those. Take care, okay? Say hello to Auntie Charlotte for me.”

  “I will.” Savannah gave a little wave. “Tell me if you go out with Emilio. I want to hear all about it.”

  Maggie forced a smile. There would be no date. She’d managed to avoid all of Aunt Lucille’s attempts. She could do it again. Maybe the tickle in her throat would turn into something more if she was lucky.

  As her cousin headed for a stall, Maggie made her way out into the hallway. She’d far prefer to stay in the bathroom until lunch was over, but Auntie would just send more ladies after her until Maggie returned.

  Maggie was so busy thinking about what she would say that she bumped into someone.

  She looked up. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t—”

  Her gaze locked with a familiar but nearly-forgotten set of dark brown eyes that appeared as surprised to see her as she was to see them. Maggie’s heart skipped a beat, then her pulse drummed through her body. Her cheeks warmed, heat spreading across her face.

  Canyon Leblanc.

  He still had the same effect on her he’d had so many years earlier, despite the fact that she’d nearly forgotten about him. Not because she’d wanted to, but because life had taken them their separate ways and they’d lost touch.

  He was just as gorgeous as ever, if not more so. Tan, neatly dressed. His dark hair w
as longer than it had been so many years before—and it suited him.

  A waitress rushed by, bumping Maggie and nearly throwing her against her old friend. He still wore the same aftershave.

  A wave of first-love emotions shoved their way to the surface. Feelings that had overwhelmed her younger self but she’d never allowed herself to act upon. Instead, she’d pined for him.

  Then he’d exited from her life.

  Now things had changed so much. Too much.

  No doubt about it—he was definitely more attractive now. He’d grown out of his boyish good looks and had matured into a ruggedly handsome man. His deep brown eyes sent a shiver to her very core.

  Maggie took a step back so she couldn’t smell him. So she could think straight.

  She didn’t have the time to get distracted by a handsome face—especially not the one in front of her.

  They’d been staring at each other for too long. Someone needed to say something.

  Maggie cleared her throat. “Canyon?”

  He stared at her, his expression practically unreadable. “Maggie.”

  She struggled to find words, so she cleared her throat again just to give herself another moment to think of something to say. “I didn’t realize you were back in town. Just a pit stop?”

  He shook his head. “Nope. I’m back for good. Here for a job interview, in fact.”

  “You are? I’ll put in a good word. My cousin owns the restaurant.”

  “Really?” Canyon arched a brow.

  Something about that simple act took her breath away.

  She needed to get away, and quick. Preferably before Auntie saw him and tried to set up a date.

  Maggie forced a smile. “I’d love to catch up sometime. I’m staying at Aunt Lucille’s. Pop in and say hi when you get a chance. We can have some tea or walk the beach like we used to.”

  Why had she just said that? The last thing she needed was him surprising her for a visit, especially at home. Auntie would want to set them up.

  Awkward.

  He ran his fingers through his hair. “Okay. It’d be real nice to catch up. I’d better get going. Interview in a few minutes.”

  Maggie nodded. “Right. Good luck.”

  Canyon headed down the hallway toward the offices.

  She watched until he was out of sight then headed back to the booth where Aunt Lucille was nearly done with her meal. At least she was alone. Maggie had grown tired of thinking up excuses to avoid dates with the men her aunt constantly tried to set her up with.

  “What took you so long, Maggie?” Aunt Lucille tugged on her perfectly-styled blonde hair and waited for a reply.

  Maggie slid back to her spot. “I kept running into people. You didn’t have to send Savannah after me.”

  Aunt Lucille dabbed her mouth with a napkin. “You’d been in there so long.”

  She hadn’t, but rather than argue, Maggie took a big bite of her salmon.

  “Emilio is free this Saturday afternoon.”

  Maggie nearly choked on her fish. “Auntie, I appreciate your concern but—”

  “But nothing. You aren’t getting any younger and you need to get your mind off the past. Isn’t that why you came to stay with me?”

  “I’m twenty-four. There’s plenty of time to figure out what to do with my life.”

  Aunt Lucille tilted her head and sighed. “Young people these days. You can marry rich and not have to worry about a career. In my day, ladies went to college to get their MRS degree.”

  Maggie shoved a piece of broccoli into her mouth before she said something that would start an argument.

  Auntie got a dreamy look on her face, then started talking about her late husband and their courting days. It may as well have been a hundred years ago, as far removed as it was from Maggie’s situation.

  She fought back tears that threatened. Why couldn’t her aunt realize how painful all this was? Dating wasn’t going to solve Maggie’s problems. Getting engaged again certainly wouldn’t.

  Maggie was done with men, period. She couldn’t take any more heartbreak. Once she figured out what she wanted to do with her life, she could focus on that. But that was the problem.

  Nothing made her happy. She couldn’t escape the pain of her past no matter how hard she tried.

  Two

  Canyon Leblanc tapped his feet, unable to sit still since running into Maggie. He raked his fingers through his hair.

  She’d taken his breath away. The girl had always had that effect on him, ever since they were kids.

  Every year, Canyon had waited for the summers when she would come to Indigo Bay and stay with Lucille Sanderson, the older woman who was always up in everyone’s business. Canyon had always avoided the aunt but had gone out of his way to spend time with Maggie.

  As a kid, he’d been tall, skinny, and awkward. With a mouth full of braces and two left feet, he’d never had the nerve to ask Maggie out on a date. He’d wanted to. Oh, how he’d wanted to. But the thought of holding her hand had nearly sent him into cardiac arrest.

  How things had changed. Everything had changed, except Maggie’s beauty. He always knew she’d grow up to be exquisite—and she’d far exceeded his wildest imagination. He could get lost in those bright blue eyes, and her long hair looked so soft. Canyon had always wanted to run his fingers through it. And that smile… it had forever been his weakness. Maggie could curl her lips up, ask anything, and he would turn to mush.

  But they were still worlds apart, and now more so than ever. Not only did she come from money, but her sweet and innocent smile told him that she was far too good for him. Especially after his wild living the last seven years.

  Canyon raked his fingers through his hair again. It was a nervous habit that had always annoyed his mom. He’d grown worse with it while being away from her reminders to stop.

  He and Maggie were polar opposites, and once she caught wind of his lifestyle, she’d run in the opposite direction.

  A woman in a black pencil skirt and a tight bun appeared in front of him. “Canyon Leblanc?”

  He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Mr. Sanderson will be ready to see you in about ten minutes.”

  “Thank you.”

  The woman gave a quick nod, then disappeared around a corner.

  Maggie’s words ran through his mind. I’ll put in a good word for you.

  Canyon groaned. He didn’t want a job because someone had pity on him. Because his childhood friend had connections. But even more than that, he didn’t want to work for her family.

  No, he wanted to land a job because he had earned it.

  Canyon rose and hurried out of Figaro’s. He could do the job—any position they gave him—and do it well, but he couldn’t have Maggie thinking he was hired because she’d talked with her cousin.

  He climbed into his rusty Ford Taurus and headed back to Indigo Bay. Maybe he could find a job in the small beach town. There had to be something he could do. It would save on gas, at least. Figaro’s was about a thirty-minute drive.

  Once back in town, he passed his mom’s little dilapidated home and went to the beach. He stayed in the car and watched the beachgoers. A few kids flew kites in a patch of grass. Couples strolled the shore, hand-in-hand. There was an intense game of volleyball off to the side.

  Canyon’s phone buzzed with a text. It was from his friend Archer.

  Archer: Itching to come back?

  Canyon: Nope, sorry.

  Archer: Not the same w/o you!

  Canyon: I’m done. Going to find work at home.

  Archer: Boring.

  Canyon: Haha.

  Archer: Meet any hot chicks?

  Canyon: I’m looking for a JOB.

  Archer: Doesn’t mean you can’t have both.

  Canyon: Don’t you have work to do?

  Archer: On break. So many babes this week.

  Canyon: Can’t talk me back.

  Archer: Bored w/o you here.

  Canyon: Think up trouble yo
urself.

  Archer: Give me some ideas.

  Canyon: How about sleep? They work you to the bone.

  Archer: Don’t I know it. Cutting out now.

  Canyon: Have fun.

  Archer: You’ll be back in a week. You can’t stay away.

  Canyon: This time I am.

  Archer: Gonna eat those words.

  Canyon: Wanna bet?

  Archer: There’s the Canyon we all love. You show up here, you owe me $50.

  Canyon: Deal.

  Archer: Easiest money I ever made.

  Canyon: Dream on. You’re gonna owe ME $50.

  Archer: You wish. Bikini headed my way. Later.

  Canyon: Bye.

  He tossed his phone on the passenger seat and sighed. Since seeing Maggie, chasing after women with the guys just didn’t hold the appeal it used to.

  Canyon had left the cruise line for many reasons. Wanting to settle down was one of them. Maybe not marry, but at least find a nice girl he could date long-term while holding down a job where he could have weekends off.

  Traveling the world had been a blast, but working seven days a week serving spoiled vacationers had lost its appeal. Getting chewed out by a fourteen-year-old brat because she didn’t have enough blankets a few weeks prior had been the last straw.

  He’d given his notice, and now he was a free man. If “free” meant living with his mom at twenty-five while all his old buddies were either married with kids or out of state.

  Canyon tapped the steering wheel. Where would he find a job in Indigo Bay?

  Three

  Maggie spread out the beach towel, lounged on top of it, and closed her eyes. The warmth of the sun’s rays relaxed her. She needed it after Aunt Lucille had just about set up a date for her and Emilio for Saturday afternoon.

  Maggie had made up an excuse about having a hair appointment at that time. Now she had to schedule an appointment she didn’t need. Maybe she could get some highlights or a trim.

  But that was only a Band-Aid for a much bigger problem. Auntie would just keep trying to set Maggie up, thinking that would solve all her problems. There was no convincing her that she was just making it worse for Maggie. The woman was certain marriage would fix everything.