The July Guy Read online

  “No, he didn’t,” was the best comeback Helen Bradford could come up with. Noah almost laughed out loud.

  “Should we go back to coal stoves and iceboxes?” Anita asked. The crowd booed. “Of course not. But Lakeside shouldn’t have everything old torn down, either, because then we lose our history, and we don’t want to forget where we come from. We don’t want to lose the beauty and unique workmanship that has come before.”

  The professor in Anita was coming through. Noah didn’t mind her speaking for him. Right now, she was doing a better job than he could. He caught Sam’s eye, and they smiled. The crowd was listening to every word.

  “What Lakeside needs is what this house has been given. A face-lift on the exterior, showing to the world the best of what the past has given us. But also a new, well-designed interior, with up-to-date appliances and exciting colors. A balance of old and new. A melding of tradition and innovation. Of experience and energy. That’s what Noah Colburn brought to this house. And that’s what he can bring to our village.”

  Applause rang out through the crowd.

  He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “Our village?”

  She grinned. “Let’s talk later. Right now, I think your constituents want to hear from you.”

  …

  It had been a long afternoon. Anita was anxious to get alone with Noah and talk about their future. And also celebrate the great reception they’d received today. The vast majority of the comments she heard were in Noah’s favor. People from the community came and went over the next couple of hours, but unfortunately, Ethan and his buddies, Rudy and Steven, hung around for the duration.

  Anita was sitting on the porch swing, glad to get off her feet, while Noah was out back saying goodbye to Charlene and the twins. Rudy Armstrong sidled over to her with his son-in-law, Steven Holder. “You are quite eloquent, Ms. Delgado.”

  She kept swinging. “Thank you.”

  Rudy crossed his arms over a suit coat that looked a little wilted from the heat. “I still don’t think Noah has a chance of winning this election.”

  “We’ll see.”

  Steven Holder looked out over the property as if he were sizing it up. “Have you had a chance to look over the contract my lawyer sent you?”

  “I’ve decided not to sell. In fact, I’m going to move to Lakeside and live here year-round.” It was beautiful here. It felt like home.

  “But…but…” He glanced around as if he hoped his father-in-law would jump in and save him.

  “Besides, you lied to me. I don’t like liars.” No way was this guy old enough to have grandkids. And just because he might not tear down this house with his own two hands, didn’t mean he wasn’t planning it, along with Ethan and Rudy.

  He wiped some sweat from his brow. “Just business. You understand that.”

  “No. Not at all. Lies are lies. You guys will have to find some other properties to develop. No one’s tearing this house down.”

  “I can sweeten the offer. Hear me out.”

  Some people just didn’t get it. She glanced pointedly at the battered baseball bat she’d left propped up within reach against the railing. “The open house is over. I’d like you both to get off my porch and my property.”

  Noah stepped out after Rudy and his son-in-law shuffled down the stairs. He’d obviously heard the conversation. “You took care of them.”

  “Would you like a seat?” She scooted over, and he joined her on the swing.

  “Alone at last.” Noah put his arm around her and drew her in for a kiss. “I’m so glad you’re here. I’ve been texting with your dad. He tells me he’s staying in Philadelphia.”

  “He’s going to take over the expenses for my condo and pay for my mom’s care. He can afford it. He says he’s making up for lost time.” She turned to Noah. “I don’t want to waste any more time. I know you didn’t ask me to choose, but you did ask me to stay. You didn’t say for how long, but I’m hoping it was a forever kind of request.”

  “What about that life in Philadelphia you’ve worked so hard for?”

  “I can live my life here, too. I love teaching, but it doesn’t have to be at the university level. I’ve resigned my position. I’m thinking of opening an art studio and giving lessons here in Lakeside. I can paint more. I can discover what it’s like to love a man with all my heart.” She squeezed his hand. “I think that will be a real adventure.”

  “I was afraid I’d never get a chance at forever with you.” Noah pulled her onto his lap as the swing made its journey up and back. He locked his intense gaze with hers. “I love you with all my heart, Anita. Please stay with me. I know this town and my family can be a little crazy, but you manage to fit right in. You can stay as long as you want. Forever wouldn’t be too long.” He cupped her face. “I know every day with you will be an adventure. And every night…” He kissed her then with a promise of what was to come.

  …

  Noah and Anita cast their ballots early on the morning of July thirty-first. Then they drove back to her house. Their house. Noah had moved most of his stuff in. Charlene was going to live in the family home for the time being. Noah and Charlene had decided they wanted the girls to be able to come back to their home for school breaks.

  His family had welcomed Anita with open arms. Sarah and Hannah were wonderful, and she was looking forward to spending time with them when they weren’t in school and getting to know them better.

  Noah took Anita’s hand and brought her out onto the porch. The sunlight was sparkling on the water as it had the first time she’d seen the property. He drew her over to the swing. It had become their favorite place to relax in the evenings.

  “You changed your life for me,” he told her, “and I want you to know I’m making some changes as well.”

  “You’re going to be mayor. That’s a big change right there.”

  “Maybe. But whether I win the election or not, I’m not going to be spending as much time at Colburn and Sons as I have been. I want more time with you.”

  “Sounds great. How are you going to manage that?”

  “Carter and Beckett are going to take over more of the responsibilities. If we spread the duties out between the three of us, it gives me some breathing room. I’m going to spend more time designing and repurposing the salvaged materials.”

  “I love that.”

  “Also, we hired someone to handle the billing, accounting, payroll. All the money stuff I hate.” He caught her gaze. “It’s Charlene. I hope that won’t be a problem.”

  “If it means I get to have you more, it’s fine with me. Besides, her daughters have a stake in the business, even if they’re not working there right now.”

  “I love you.” He kissed her again, the way she loved. “Remember on the Fourth of July when some residents were betting we’d be married before election day?”

  “Yeah. That didn’t work out. Hope they didn’t lose their shirts.”

  He pulled something out of his pocket, and her breath hitched when he got down on one freaking knee. “I know this is rushing things, but you said you didn’t want to waste time. I love you, and I’d love you to be mine for always. July and every other month of the year. What do you say to getting engaged on election day? He took her trembling hand. “Anita Delgado, would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Her heart raced. Her eyes filled with tears. “I was never going to get married. It wasn’t the life I dreamed of. It definitely wasn’t what I was looking for.” Apprehension froze on Noah’s face, and she slid off the swing and knelt down on the floor with him. “I’m not saying no, salvage man. I just realized what a momentous change this is for me to want to say yes.” She kissed him. “Yes, I love you. Yes, I want to marry you.”

  Noah opened the jeweler’s box he held. Inside was a beautiful solitaire. He slid it on her finger, and it fit as if it had been made for her. “I love you. I’m glad your treasure hunt led you to me.”

  Anita called her father and told him
about the engagement, and he made them promise to come out to Philadelphia as soon as possible so they could celebrate. When she got off the phone, she told Noah, “I bet the drive would be a lot more comfortable in Aggie’s Buick.”

  “I forgot about that big red car.”

  “I saw it one of the first days I was here and haven’t been back in the garage since. Let’s take it into town to tell your family about the engagement.”

  It started right up. “Purrs like a kitten, as my dad likes to say,” Noah told her. “Aggie obviously kept it serviced.”

  She showed him Aggie’s note about only driving it to the grocery store and to church on Sundays. He chuckled.

  As they drove to Colburn and Sons Salvage to see Noah’s family, Anita checked out the car, played with the knobs and buttons to see what did what. When she opened the glove compartment, she let out a gasp and pulled out another thick envelope full of money. Surprise!

  Noah’s family was thrilled to find out about their engagement. Donna made dinner for everyone while they waited for the polls to close and the results to be announced. When the time drew near, his whole family drove back into town and gathered with Sam and Ginny and other supporters in a back room at Bud’s to wait for the results.

  After everyone heard that Noah had proposed to Anita, they all began celebrating the engagement with food and drinks. Charlene came over to them. She hugged Noah and then turned to Anita. “I’m very happy for you both.”

  “I have to admit, I thought you wanted to get back with Noah when you moved back here.”

  “No. We’ve grown too far apart. We needed to end our marriage so we could each have a second chance at happiness. And see, you’ve got yours.”

  “Well, I hope you’ll find yours,” Anita told her.

  “Thanks.”

  As it grew closer to the time when the election results would be announced, Anita began to pace. She hadn’t expected to be so nervous.

  Noah slid his arm around her waist. “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing. I just want this for you. You’ve worked so hard, and our village needs you.”

  The sharp tap of a finger on a microphone interrupted any further conversation. She and Noah turned to see Sam standing at the front of the room. “The results are in,” he announced. Murmurs of excitement buzzed through the room. He had to hold up his hand and wait for the hum to die down before he could go on. “The winner of the election for mayor of Lakeside, New York, by a wide margin, is…Noah Colburn.”

  Cheers and applause rose up in celebration. Anita threw her arms around Noah’s neck. “I knew you could do it, Mr. Mayor.”

  He kissed her. “I don’t think I could have done it without your support.”

  “Of course you could have. But I’m glad I was here.”

  Noah stepped up for his acceptance speech. Anita’s heart could hardly hold the pride and love she felt for this man. His speech was short and sweet, one more thing she loved about the man. More food and drink appeared. Lakeside knew how to party.

  Anita wandered around the room, chatting with many of the people she now thought of as friends. She never would have imagined, only a short month ago, she’d call this community home. She caught up with Noah where he was talking to Sam and another member of the village board. When he looked over at her, his relieved expression told her he’d had enough politics for the moment.

  “Excuse me, gentlemen. I’m going to steal the mayor away for a while.” They smiled good-naturedly as she put her arm through Noah’s and steered him toward the table loaded with munchies.

  “Thank you for rescuing me. I have a feeling I’m never going to stop wondering what I would do without you.”

  “I’m happy to be here. I doubt Aggie planned to be a matchmaker, but we have her to thank for bringing us together.”

  “I almost forgot. Let’s sneak out here for a minute.” Noah led her to a small bench out back under a huge maple tree. The sun had set, but the air was still warm. Wispy clouds breezed past the bright moon. He pulled a small envelope from his pocket. “I found this behind the mantel when I pulled it off the wall.”

  Aggie had left her something else? Anita opened the envelope and pulled out a card that had one of her paintings on the front. She opened the card. A black-and-white photograph slid out. In the photo, her grandparents were sitting on a swing much like the one that hung on the porch now. A young Patty sat on the floor in front of them playing with some dolls. Chills ran down Anita’s back.

  “That’s a lot like the picture you painted,” Noah said softly.

  “I know.” She recognized her grandmother’s handwriting on the card.

  Life is a treasure hunt. You search for what you think you want, but often what you find is not what you expect. Sometimes it’s even better. I hope what you find will bring you joy. Your grandmother, Aggie.

  Anita passed the card to Noah. “Do you think she expected I’d read this card before I found any of the money?”

  “Maybe. But like she said, life itself is a kind of treasure hunt.”

  “I found you and I wasn’t even looking.” She leaned against him. “Well, maybe I was. Maybe all those travels were part of my hunt for you.”

  He bumped his shoulder lightly against hers. “Now that your life is here in Lakeside…what about July?”

  “July?” It was still July. For a couple more hours, anyway.

  “I hope you might still want to travel once a year.” He took her hand and intertwined their fingers. “You’ll be able to take your July guy with you wherever you go.”

  “What a wonderful idea.”

  No, this wasn’t the life she’d been looking for. It was even better.

  Did you love this book from Entangled’s August imprint? Check out more of our titles here!

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  Acknowledgments

  A big thank you to Heidi Shoham, who made this book shine.

  To Karen Booth, Margaret Kidwell Ethridge, and the gang at Seasoned Romance, and to Lisa Salvary and the gang at Romance in Her Prime, you are all proof that the world is full of older, vibrant people and we need them in our romances, too.

  As always, Amanda Usen, Jessica Topper, and Alison Stone. For the support, friendship, and laughter.

  About the Author

  Natasha Moore fell in love with the written word as soon as she could read. She’s the author of more than twenty romances and believes that stories of love and hope are important. Love can happen at any age, and she often writes about vibrant and passionate characters finding love later in life. She’s a snowbird, spending the winters in sunny Florida and the rest of the year in beautiful western New York with her real-life hero who is happy to tell everyone that he’s her inspiration.

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