A Dash of Romance Read online

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Other Books by Sydney Campbell

  Dedication

  CHAPTER ONE Maggie

  CHAPTER TWO Liam

  CHAPTER THREE Maggie

  CHAPTER FOUR Liam

  CHAPTER FIVE Maggie

  CHAPTER SIX Liam

  CHAPTER SEVEN Maggie

  CHAPTER EIGHT Liam

  CHAPTER NINE Maggie

  CHAPTER TEN Liam

  CHAPTER ELEVEN Maggie

  CHAPTER TWELVE Liam

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN Maggie

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN Liam

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN Maggie

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN Liam

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN Maggie

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN Liam

  CHAPTER NINETEEN Maggie

  CHAPTER TWENTY Liam

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE Maggie

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO Liam

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE Maggie

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR Liam

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE Maggie

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX Liam

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN Maggie

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT Liam

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE Maggie

  CHAPTER THIRTY Liam

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE Maggie

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO Liam

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE Maggie

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR Liam

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE Maggie

  CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX Epilogue

  A Dash of Romance

  Sydney Campbell

  Copyright © 2021 Sydney Campbell

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  ISBN: 978-1-990231-13-1

  Cover design by abu-chan

  Editing by Megan Records

  This is a work of fiction. Unless otherwise indicated, all the names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents in this book are either the product of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Other books by Sydney Campbell:

  Temptation - An Allie Styles Romance (Book 1)

  Deception - An Allie Styles Romance (Book 2)

  Reckonings - An Allie Styles Romance (Book 3)

  Beginnings - An Allie Styles Romance (Book 4)

  The Allie Styles Romance Boxed Set

  Reawakening - Courtyard Tales of Contemporary Romance (Book 1)

  Redemption - Courtyard Tales of Contemporary Romance (Book 2)

  Reckless - Courtyard Tales of Contemporary Romance (Book 3)

  Acting out of Love - Mountain Valley Romance (Book 1)

  No Reservations Required - Mountain Valley Romance (Book 2)

  A Dash of Romance - Mountain Valley Romance (Book 3)

  Coming Around Again - Mountain Valley Romance (Book 4)

  Last Call - Mountain Valley Romance (Book 5)

  For AM, thanks for the inspiration.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Maggie

  I was tucking the fitted sheet under the mattress in room 219 when Audra, my supervisor, stuck her head in the door.

  “Hey, Mags, you almost done on this floor?” she asked.

  “Yeah,” I said, straightening up. “I’ve got two more rooms and I’m done. What’s up?”

  “Trashed room on three. I was hoping you could get to it before noon?”

  I nodded, checking the time on my phone. Satisfied, Audra retreated and left me to my work.

  It was early May and I was three weeks into my job on the housekeeping staff at The Elway hotel in Mountain Valley. I’d gotten the job through my brother, Justin, who owned a restaurant a few towns over. I’d called him two months ago, begging him to find me something, anything, that would get me out of the city.

  Mountain Valley was small, but friendly and scenic. Everyone seemed to know everybody. It was a quiet little haven for part of the year, but really came alive in the summer and winter months when it was overrun by tourists and cottagers. Over the past year, movie star Mason Scott had started building a production studio in one of the old abandoned warehouses, and that was bringing in a whole different clientele.

  Which brought me back to the trashed room on the third floor. I’d been in town less than a month, but already I’d spotted quite a few big stars coming in and out of the hotel. They were the kinds of guests a small town wasn’t used to, and everyone was still trying to figure out how to navigate the change. I found it amusing, coming from the city and having a much different perspective on celebrities, but in the end, it meant a busier summer for the hotel and an increased need for staff. So there I was.

  The work itself didn’t bother me—changing sheets, cleaning bathtubs, scrubbing toilets. It was mindless, and that was exactly what I was looking for, something that would pay the bills but not take up any mental space, leaving me free to write in the evenings. That was all I wanted, to be left alone in peace while I wrote my novel.

  I finished dusting, left the room, and was getting ready to tackle the last two when I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. I pulled it out and saw a text message from, of all people, my mother.

  Sweetheart. We’re coming for a visit. Be there June 2. Can’t wait to see you.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Liam

  My alarm was going off much too early. I opened my eyes, letting them adjust to the darkness in the room. Slowly, the forest green walls came into view, along with the framed portraits that hung on my bedroom wall. I turned and saw the vague outline of a body in bed beside me, then turned to find my phone.

  It wasn’t my alarm. Who the fuck was calling me on a Sunday morning?

  “This better be really fucking good,” I said.

  “Liam? Justin. Was wondering if you could swing by this morning.”

  I sat up in bed, despite the sounds of protest from Piper, the woman on my right. I put my hand on her hip to soothe her, running it over the curve of her ass. Justin owned one of the hottest restaurants in Rocky Heights, a resort town twenty kilometres down the highway. This past winter, I’d kind of stolen his sous-chef, Toni, to come work at my restaurant, Cagney’s, in Mountain Valley. Well, Adam’s restaurant, really, but as executive chef, I considered it mine, too.

  “Yeah, sure thing. What’s up buddy?” I asked.

  “We’ll talk when you get here. Don’t stop for coffee.”

  Shit. I hung up the phone, then leaned over to kiss Piper’s cheek, hoping I wasn’t about to piss her off. She rolled over and looked at me.

  “Listen, Pipes, I’m really sorry but I’ve got to run.”

  I stood up and pulled on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt that smelled okay. Then I ran my hands through my hair before heading to the bathroom to brush my teeth. When I came back, she was still lounging, naked, in my bed. It was very hard to leave.

  “You mad?” I asked.

  “Not at all,” she said. “Just taking a minute to get moving. That a new tattoo?”

  “Which one?” I asked.

  “Lower bicep,” she said.

  I flexed my arm to show off the tattoo, eliciting a smile.

  “You’re welcome to hang here until I get back,” I suggested.

  She shot me a sympathetic smile.

  “Liam. Last night was great and all, but I’m not really one to stick around.”

  I walked over and slapped her on the ass.

  “Just remember to loc
k up when you leave.”

  *

  Thirty minutes later, I was sitting in Justin’s restaurant, nursing a cup of steaming hot coffee.

  “So,” he said. “How’s it working out with Toni?”

  “Great, man. I can’t thank you enough for letting us steal her away. I don’t know how I can ever repay you.”

  “Funny you should mention that.”

  A cold chill went down my back.

  “Anything, man. Seriously. What is it?”

  Justin put down his cup and leaned across the table.

  “My sister is working in that little boutique hotel in Mountain Valley, you know the one?”

  “The Elway?” I said.

  “That’s it. Anyway, she’s a writer, wanted to get out of the city, and so I found her a job that would support her while she worked on her novel.”

  “I didn’t know you had a sister.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me. Now shut up and listen.”

  I took a sip of coffee.

  “My folks are coming for a visit early June. That’s three weeks away. They bought an RV and they’re touring Canada. They’re pissed that Maggie moved out here, and at her age, they think it’s time she get serious and settle down. They want her to come home. So they threatened to find her a husband.”

  I spit out my coffee.

  “Excuse me?”

  He waved me off.

  “It’s not as medieval as it sounds. A family friend they want to set her up with. So she panicked and lied, told them she was seeing someone. And now they’re coming to check him out.”

  “Wow. That sucks. What is she going to do?”

  Justin stared at me like I was slow, and that’s when it sank in.

  “Oh. Shit. You want me to play the boyfriend?” I asked.

  “I do.”

  “For how long?”

  “One week.”

  I swallowed and thought about it. Toni was a great fucking sous-chef.

  “She doesn’t have any friends that can do this?” I asked.

  “She’s been living here for three weeks. She doesn’t have any friends at all. And you’re the only one who owes me a favour.”

  “Huh.”

  “There’s one catch.”

  I looked up, still trying to figure a way out of this.

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  “You can’t touch her. She’s my sister.”

  “Well then why the hell would you ask me? I sleep with everything that moves. Or haven’t you heard?”

  “I’m asking you because I know you’ll do it. And you’ll do it because if you don’t, I’ll offer Toni the executive chef position here.”

  “Justin—”

  “I’m not fucking kidding, Liam. She’s my sister, and I’ll do anything for her.”

  “And knowing what a dog I am, you still trust me with her?”

  “I do. Knowing what a dog you are, you’re the only one I trust not to fall for her.”

  *

  Three mornings later, I found myself sitting in a booth at my favourite roadside diner, nursing another cup of coffee and a massive hangover. The night before, it had been our bartender, Bree’s, birthday, and we’d stayed late to celebrate. Bree mixed a mean cocktail and before long we were all pretty drunk.

  I was contemplating the toast and fried egg on my plate when I a shadow fell across the table. I glanced up and saw a cute redhead, hair tied back, with bright green eyes. Wearing no make-up, she was dressed in jeans, a sweatshirt, and a pair of running shoes.

  “Sorry,” I mumbled, turning back to my eggs. “I’m actually waiting for someone.”

  “Liam?” she said.

  My head snapped back up and I looked at her again.

  “Maggie?” I asked.

  She nodded, relieved, and pointed awkwardly to the bench across from me. I sat up straighter and motioned for her to sit down.

  “Yes, please, sit. I’m so sorry. I was expecting a female version of your ugly-ass brother. You’re actually kind of cute.”

  She blushed furiously, which was oddly charming. Clearing her throat, she reached her hand across the table.

  “I really want to thank you for agreeing to do this,” she said.

  I took her hand and shook it.

  “No problem. Really. I owe your brother big time. Happy to help.”

  She nodded, then pulled a notebook out of her bag and flipped through the pages.

  “So, there are a couple of things,” she said, finding her page and running her finger down a list.

  “Yes…?”

  “Well, you know my parents are coming on June 2, right? That’s in about three weeks. I figure maybe we should get together a few times before then, or at least talk on the phone, so we’re not so awkward around them?”

  Awkward?

  “Yeah. Sure. Whatever you want.”

  “Great. We should really get to know each other. My parents are really good at the third degree.”

  The waitress came over and Maggie smiled up at her. Without having opened her menu, she recited her order.

  “I’ll have two eggs, scrambled, well-done, bacon crispy, double the potatoes, whole wheat toast, and I notice you don’t have any strawberry jam in the basket. Can you please bring some with the order?”

  The waitress wrote everything down, nodding.

  “Oh! And an orange juice instead of coffee, please. Thanks.”

  I watched her, impressed. As a chef, I had a healthy appreciation for people who liked to eat. She clearly liked to eat. I pushed my plate aside.

  “All right, then. What are you doing in Mountain Valley?”

  She looked up from her notebook, perhaps confused that I’d gone off-script.

  “Excuse me?”

  “Well, if we’re dating, and I gather pretty seriously, I’d certainly know why you moved out here.”

  She smiled and relaxed a bit.

  “Right. Of course. I’m a writer. I wanted to get away from home, somewhere quiet, and finish my novel. Justin hooked me up with this housekeeping gig, which is great because it pays well, the hours are perfect, and it doesn’t sap my mental energy during the day.”

  I nodded, taking her in. She was cute. I hadn’t been lying about that. Fresh-faced. Scrubbed. All those “good girl” adjectives.

  “What kind of novel are you writing?” I asked before taking a sip of my coffee.

  “Romance,” she said.

  I almost choked. In my mind, romance writers wore black and showed cleavage. Sitting across from me was the exact opposite of that. She was wholesomeness wrapped up with a bow.

  “You write romance novels?” I instantly regretted my incredulous tone.

  She set aside her notebook as the waitress returned with her food. After she left, Maggie took her time digging in before responding to my question.

  “Well, a novel. And it’s not done yet. But yes, I write romance. That amuses you?”

  “Damn straight it does.”

  “Why?”

  “Because those things are pure fantasy. The only thing real is what’s in front of you in the moment. Attraction, chemistry, sex.”

  She cleared her throat and shifted on the bench. I was enjoying watching her squirm.

  “Maybe we should change the subject,” she said. “My brother tells me you’re a chef. Where do you work?”

  “Cagney’s.”

  “And do you like it?”

  “Love it. Nowhere I’d rather be. I think maybe I should read this novel of yours.”

  Her fork was halfway to her mouth and she blushed again, that deep crimson that tickled me so much earlier. She put her fork back down on her plate and wiped her mouth with her napkin.

  “It’s not ready.”

  “I realize that, but if we’re so serious, doesn’t it make sense I’d have read your book? I mean, I’m sure your folks will ask about it.”

  “No one has read it.”

  I rolled my eyes.

 
“Don’t worry. I’m no one. A month from now, I’ll be out of your life and you’ll never have to see me again. Let me read the damn book.”

  In truth, she could’ve just outlined the basic plot and that would have been fine. But I was fucking dying of curiosity to see what kind of romance writing this woman was doing. Justin had warned me not to touch her, but that was the furthest thing from my mind. I felt like if I laid a hand on her I’d be sullying her somehow. She was just that good.

  “How old are you?” she asked.

  “Thirty-two. You?”

  “Twenty-seven.”

  She looked younger. I was relieved, but I wasn’t sure why. Still couldn’t figure out why her folks were so concerned. She was still a baby. When Justin had said ‘at her age,’ I figured she was older than he was, and he was pushing forty.

  She polished off her breakfast, placing her cutlery together at four o’clock. Whatever else, she was certainly raised with manners. She glanced over at her notebook, licked her lip nervously, and glanced over at me for a second before averting her eyes.

  “There’s, uh, one more thing,” she said, barely audible.

  “Yeah? What’s that?”

  “Um, I kind of told my parents we were living together.”

  I raised my eyebrow. This was getting interesting.

  “Well, that shouldn’t be a problem. You’ve got a guest room, right? It’s only a week.”

  “I do have a guest room.” She paused. “My parents are staying in it.”

  Ah.

  “So, you’re telling me I have to sleep in your bedroom for a week?” I asked, amused at how uncomfortable she was.

  “Yeah. I’ll sleep on the floor, don’t worry, it’s just—”

  “You know what, it’s fine.”

  “Really?”

  “Yeah. I have some renovation work that needs to get done at my house. If I’m out for a week, the contractor can get in and have free reign. This works out perfectly.”

  “Liam, I can’t thank you enough. Seriously. I owe you.”

  “No, actually, you don’t. The only reason I’m here is because I owed your brother.”