Free Just Say Maybe: A Thistle Bend Novel by Tracy March Page A

glistening. “Things didn’t work out with me and Noah.”
    “I’m so sorry,” Holly said sincerely. But she couldn’t say she regretted that Ellie was no longer with self-centered Noah. Ellie deserved better.
    “Thanks.” Ellie looked so forlorn that Holly hugged her again. “It’s probably for the best,” Ellie said, sounding as if she was trying to convince herself.
    “Holly,” Ginny called from behind the counter, grinning, “got a hot double-espresso with your name on it.”
    “Look who’s back.” Holly led Ellie up to the counter and Ginny beamed.
    “Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes, Ellie London,” Ginny said as she handed Holly two cups with a bakery box balanced on top. “Prettier than ever.” She came around the counter and hugged Ellie.
    “I’ve got a breakfast rendezvous,” Holly said. “So I’d better run.”
    Both Ginny and Ellie gave her knowing looks, as if her rendezvous was romantic.
    Holly tipped her head toward the museum across the street. “With Lindsey.” She set her gaze on Ellie. “She’s the girl I told you about who came to get the museum up and running. You’re going to love her. Let’s all get together soon.”
    “I’d like that,” Ellie said. Holly stepped over and nudged the exit door with her hip. “Thanks, Ginny,” she said as the door opened and the bells hanging from the handle jingled. “So happy to see you, Ellie.”
    The sun warmed her face as she stepped onto the sidewalk, happy that the weather forecast was the same for the rest of the day—with the ever-present chance of an afternoon shower or passing storm. Holly caught herself smiling. She was oddly excited to return to the lodge with Bryce this afternoon to sift through the contents of the secret suite.
    This morning, she’d try to concentrate on work, but only after she chatted with Lindsey, who had no idea that Holly had spent the afternoon with Bryce yesterday, much less gone to the lodge. Holly jaywalked across Larkspur Avenue, where little traffic passed at 8 a.m. Thistle Bend wouldn’t be wide awake until at least nine. But thanks to a bribe with a latte, cinnamon rolls, and the promise of information no one else was privy to, Lindsey had agreed to meet Holly at the museum early.
    No sooner had Holly caught her reflection in one of the museum’s huge plate-glass windows, Lindsey opened the door.
    “This better be good,” Lindsey teased, and faked a yawn. She let Holly in, closed the door behind her, and locked it.
    Holly shifted the bakery box to balance on her cup alone and handed Lindsey the vanilla latte. “If you didn’t let Carden keep you up so late, you wouldn’t be tired.” Holly winked.
    Lindsey raised her cup to Holly and gazed at the ceiling, a love-struck look on her pretty face. “Worth every sleepless moment.”
    Holly could relate for a change. Kissing Bryce had been worth every sleepless moment she’d spent last night.
    Hadn’t it?
    Thinking about how sexy it had been wasn’t the only contributor to her insomnia. The question of whether she should’ve kissed him at all had weighed heavily on her mind, too. He was all about the lodge, which still had her a little skittish. And he had a huge commitment in Costa Rica—another lodge in which he was emotionally and financially invested—meaning he wasn’t likely to be moving to Thistle Bend full time, if at all. If a little fooling around was all she was after, kissing him wouldn’t pose a problem. But she was looking for that one special guy to spend every day with—like Lindsey had found with Carden. Despite all the reasons to be cautious, Holly knew her own heart, and it already had a hankering for Bryce.
    Lindsey leveled her gaze on Holly. “You look a little tired yourself.”
    “And you look adorable,” Holly said, not yet ready to explain why she’d slept so little last night. “That’s not just a dressing-room outfit.” She had coined that phrase to describe an ensemble that seemed like a good