Stacy Connelly - Small-Town Cinderella

“Well, thank you,” she said as she reached for the pink material, “but I can take care of myself.”

Drew didn’t doubt it. Debbie had been on her own since her mother died. “I know you can. But once in a while, it’s nice to have someone take care of you.”

Sliding the shawl from her hands, he draped the material over her shoulders, keeping hold of both ends. “Maybe,” she conceded. “But I don’t need—”

“This isn’t about need,” he interrupted. “It’s about want.”

Debbie swallowed. “Want?”

“It’s like … dessert. Not something you need but certainly something you crave.”

“And let me guess. You’re craving something sweet .” The sardonic twist on the word told Drew what Debbie thought of that description—one he’d been guilty of using in the past.

“I was thinking more along the lines of something rich, decadent, a little sinful even.”

Debbie’s eyes widened, huge and sparkling in the faint light streaming through the French doors. He’d gone too far, he thought.

* * *

The Pirelli Brothers:These California boys know what love is all about!

Small-Town

Cinderella

Stacy Connelly

www.millsandboon.co.uk

STACY CONNELLYhas dreamed of publishing books since she was a kid, writing stories about a girl and her horse. Eventually, boys made it onto the page as she discovered a love of romance and the promise of happily ever after.

When she is not lost in the land of make-believe, Stacy lives in Arizona with her two spoiled dogs. She loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at stacyconnelly@cox.netor www.stacyconnelly.com.

To the staff at The Red Garter Bed & Breakfast in Williams, Arizona. Thanks for answering my questions about running a small-town bakery.

Contents

Cover

Introduction “I thought you might be cold out here.” He held up the shawl. “Well, thank you,” she said as she reached for the pink material, “but I can take care of myself.” Drew didn’t doubt it. Debbie had been on her own since her mother died. “I know you can. But once in a while, it’s nice to have someone take care of you.” Sliding the shawl from her hands, he draped the material over her shoulders, keeping hold of both ends. “Maybe,” she conceded. “But I don’t need—” “This isn’t about need,” he interrupted. “It’s about want.” Debbie swallowed. “Want?” “It’s like … dessert. Not something you need but certainly something you crave.” “And let me guess. You’re craving something sweet .” The sardonic twist on the word told Drew what Debbie thought of that description—one he’d been guilty of using in the past. “I was thinking more along the lines of something rich, decadent, a little sinful even.” Debbie’s eyes widened, huge and sparkling in the faint light streaming through the French doors. He’d gone too far, he thought. * * * The Pirelli Brothers: These California boys know what love is all about!

Title Page Small-Town Cinderella Stacy Connelly www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author STACY CONNELLY has dreamed of publishing books since she was a kid, writing stories about a girl and her horse. Eventually, boys made it onto the page as she discovered a love of romance and the promise of happily ever after. When she is not lost in the land of make-believe, Stacy lives in Arizona with her two spoiled dogs. She loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at stacyconnelly@cox.net or www.stacyconnelly.com .

Dedication To the staff at The Red Garter Bed & Breakfast in Williams, Arizona. Thanks for answering my questions about running a small-town bakery.

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

Extract

Copyright

Chapter One

“To the newlywed and the two brides-to-be,” Debbie Mattson said as she raised her margarita to her friends. “May you always be as lucky in life as you have been in love.”

Darcy Dawson, the bachelorette of their party, lifted her green-apple martini. “To luck and life and love,” she echoed.

The four women—Debbie, Darcy, Sophia Pirelli Cameron and the newest member of the group, Kara Starling—had gathered at The Clearville Bar and Grille for Darcy’s final send-off as a single woman. The rustic bar was a favorite locale for tourists and townies alike with its flat-screen televisions for the sports lovers and small dance floor for music lovers. Had Debbie been in charge of the bachelorette party, she might have tried for something a little more exciting than dinner and drinks, but Darcy was clearly having a good time, and that was all that mattered.

Six months pregnant, dark-haired Sophia sipped at her own cranberry juice. If Debbie had ever seen a woman with a pregnancy glow, it was her friend, who looked adorable in a floral skirt and long-sleeved pink peasant blouse draped over her round belly. Of course, it just as easily could have been a newlywed glow, as Sophia had married Jake Cameron the previous summer.

Love clearly agreed with Sophia and seemed to be first and foremost on her mind as she exchanged a glance with Darcy and Kara before looking over at Debbie. “With the three of us already finding our guys, you know what that means, right? It’s your turn now.”

Debbie held on to her smile even though she groaned inside. How many times had she heard that over the past few months? Ever since her friends had met their soul mates, they’d set their sights on the only single member left in their circle. At times, she felt very much the lone sheep about to be set upon by wolves. Cunning, devious, matchmaking wolves.

Show no fear, she thought to herself, knowing if she wavered even slightly she was dead meat.

“I’m happy for all of you, I really am. But I’m nowhere near ready to settle down. I’m finally at a place in my life where I have time to look for a little adventure and excitement.”

“And romance?” Darcy chimed in slyly.

“I wouldn’t be opposed to having, oh, say...a red-hot fling.” Debbie took another sip of her margarita, the salty, tart combination making her taste buds tingle while the alcohol warmed her to her subject. “With a guy who’s dark and mysterious and exciting, who’ll ride into town and sweep me off my feet. Someone who’ll take me completely by surprise and keep me on my toes.”

“Now you’re talking,” the gorgeous redhead said with a grin.

“Excuse me?” Kara protested, using a look her friends had dubbed her “professor glare.” “Need I remind you that you’re getting married this weekend?”

Lifting up her hands in an innocent gesture she couldn’t quite pull off while still holding her martini glass, the bride-to-be retorted, “All the more reason to live vicariously through Debbie’s escapades. So tell us more about this mystery man.”

Feeling heat rush to her face, Debbie set aside her margarita. “Well, I can tell you one thing. I’m certainly not going to find him here,” she said wryly.

“At the bar?” Kara asked.

“Not here at the bar. Not here in Clearville.” A quick glance around their section of the restaurant confirmed what Debbie already expected.

She knew every single guy in the place. More than that, even; she’d known them all for years. If she thought back, she could picture any number of their embarrassing, awkward moments that were part and parcel of growing up in a small town.