Crashing Into Tess by Lilly Christine Read Free Book Online Page B

Junction, Tess. How are you feeling?”
“A little stiff and sore, but really happy to be here. And
I’m thrilled to finally to meet you.”
“We’ll have fun together. Do you like the place?”
“It’s awesome!” Tess raved.
“Bea was determined to find you something right in
town, since winters are so long around here. Both Bea and
Doc are really tickled that you came all the way from
Philadelphia for a job in Green Junction. Bea keeps calling
you ‘Our Philadelphia Girl’.”
“Oh, golly, how will the locals feel about that?”
“Don’t worry, I don’t think she’ll say it to anyone
outside the office. I’ve been here for over six years, and she
still calls me their ‘Louisiana Girl’.”
“So you are an import, too. That helps,” Tess smiled,
digging through her bags for a linen table cloth, tossing it
on the bistro table.
“Not only am I an import, I’m a Southerner to boot. I
dropped the drawl, though, as best I could.”
Tess set out the napkins her grandmother had given
her, arranging new glasses, plates, and silverware, while
Alice brought dinner in. “I got cheesecake for dessert. It’s
homemade on Fridays. And I brought a split of champagne
for a housewarming toast, and some beer and wine coolers
to stock your fridge.”
“You didn’t have to do that,” Tess said, pleased all the
same. “Is everyone around here so thoughtful, or did I just
strike gold with you and Jake?”
“Well, I promised to keep a look out for you, kiddo.
You’re new in town and I know how that can be,” Alice
said cheerfully. “But Jake is one of a kind. He’s a complete
sweetheart, and he’s just been through a killer divorce. It’s
too bad you guys met under such stressful circumstances.”
Tess couldn’t help blushing.
“Ah, so that’s how it is. Well, Jake is the best catch in
Green Junction, as far as I’m concerned. I don’t think you
could do any better here.”
“He does seem like a great guy.”
Feeling her face flame, Tess popped the champagne
cork, pouring bubbly into two glass Denver Broncos mugs
from the thrift store. Handing Alice a mug, she said, “Salut.
It’s so great to have company my first night here.”
“To your total and complete success in Green Junction,
fabulous times ahead, and a winning season for the
Broncos,” Alice grinned. They clanked mugs and drank.
Champagne was one of Tess’s weaknesses, and from
the smell of dinner, Momma Boccini’s would soon be
another.
    To: [email protected] , [email protected]
From: [email protected]
Subject: LOVING my new place!
Date: Friday, September 23, 9:14 PM
Dear Mom and Dad,
    The bed arrived, and it’s super comfy! Thank you, thank
you, thank you! Alice, my new friend from work stopped by
tonight with takeout, and Bea and Doc have invited us to
dinner on Sunday at their place, so my social calendar is
already filling up.
    My apartment is amazing, so no worries, Mom. It’s an
old fashioned Victorian, right in town, with a wide front
porch and plenty of gingerbread. I took a hot bubble bath
in my claw foot tub, soaked the kinks out from my long trip,
and I’m already online. Mom, thanks so much for
suggesting I set up my electric and internet ahead of
time~that was a good call.
    Green Junction is a tiny, historic town, surrounded by
gorgeous mountains ~ I hope Sam can come out for some
skiing this winter. Please give Buster a treat for me. I miss
you both, but I am fine.
Love, Tess.
    She pressed “send”, shut her laptop and dialed
Samantha’s cell. It’s only 6:30 in New York. I can’t wait to
fill Sam in on life in Colorado!
*****
    Jake and Cassie had a standing invitation to Saturday
night dinner at Aunt Olivia’s stately brick Georgian on
Talbot Street.They’d just enjoyed an excellent meal of roast
beef, mashed potatoes and glazed carrots. Jake sat in front
of the library fireplace, paging through local newspapers.
    Tonight, Cassie had invited her best friend Trudie
along. Listening to