All Night Long: Kiss The Bride #2 Read online

  All Night Long

  Kiss The Bride #2

  Cynthia Cooke

  All Night Long

  Kiss The Bride Book 2

  By:

  Cynthia Cooke

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  Copyright © 2020 by Cynthia Cooke

  Published by Cynthia Cooke of state of North Carolina. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author.

  Email: [email protected]

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or person, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Book Description

  All Night Long

  Kiss The Bride Book 2

  Cynthia Cooke

  USA Today Bestselling Author

  At a wedding planner’s convention on a snowy mountain, Phoebe Lawson is one step closer to fulfilling her dream of being a wedding planner. Until she literally drops into a snowdrift. Rescued by a Saint Bernard and his handsome owner, she thought her luck was turning, until Beau asks a favor. He needs a fiancé. But the only vow Phoebe wants to keep is the one she’s made to herself—no men until her dream career is achieved.

  Beau is managing a bar in the small ski village but the owner of the building and adjoining hotel promised Beau’s late dad he wouldn’t sell Beau the bar until he gets married. Beau doesn’t believe in true love, nor does he believe in derailing his life to find a wife. Pushed against the wall and feeling out of options, Beau creates a fake engagement, and now he’s found the perfect fake fiancé.

  A fake engagement, a Saint Bernard rescue on a snowy mountain, and suddenly this Valentine's Day, Beau and Phoebe might discover the dream they really want is each other.

  Praise and Awards

  Cynthia Cooke is a USA Today Bestselling author. She has been a two-time finalist in the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Awards, has won the Faith Hope and Love Reader’s Choice Award, and has placed twice in the Kiss of Death Chapter’s prestigious Daphne du Maurier awards.

  “I want to read more and more! Cynthia Cooke has a very special gift for making me love paranormal beings I would not usually care for! Another winner for Cynthia Cooke!” Monique D – Amazon Reviewer

  “Cynthia Cooke is an amazing and talented writer who captures your heart from the beginning of her books to the ending! If I could give this book more then 5-stars I would!” Rose 13 – Amazon Reviewer

  “Cooke keeps readers on the edge of their seats. . .” –Alexandra Kay, Romantic Times Magazine.

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Dear Reader

  About Cynthia

  Other Books by Cynthia

  Thank You!

  Chapter One

  Phoebe Lawson could just pinch herself. She was actually in Tahoe surrounded by endless blue skies, soaring trees, and snow. Maybe too much snow after their big storm last night. She was the first to admit she never liked the cold, wet stuff, but today she loved it because she was on her way to a convention for wedding planners. Today was the first day of her living her dream. She was a wedding planner, and she had the business cards to prove it.

  Phoebe Lawson, Wedding Planner Specialist. She’d spent three whole days designing the cards, and they looked fantastic. She drove her small car through Tahoe, following the sign up the winding mountain road toward a small village called Snowy Mountain. She gripped the steering wheel so hard as she navigated the narrow two-lane road her hands cramped. She didn’t understand snow—it was beautiful and tempting, yet so deadly.

  Finally, she saw the sign for the Snowy Mountain Inn and slowed. The hotel was beautiful and looked straight out of a European Village brochure with its dark timbers and white stucco. The snow framing the windows and roof added to the picturesque charm. A large carving of a bear holding ski poles sat outside the front door. Cute and quaint. She almost squealed with excitement. Unfortunately, there were people and cars everywhere.

  She pulled into the parking lot and kept driving past the inn to a vacant space in front of The Black Bear bar next to the hotel. She was beginning to see a theme and hoped she didn’t see any bears while she was there. She parked, then got out of her small city car, perfect for the streets of San Francisco, not so much snowy mountain roads, and popped the trunk.

  She supposed February in Tahoe always had snow, but the freak storm that brought an extra five feet just in time for her arrival wouldn’t deter her. She could do this. Even if her soft leather ankle boots were soaked by the time she pulled her giant suitcase out of the trunk and wheeled it to the front door of the inn.

  Women were everywhere and the scent of perfume so strong and cloying, pain stabbed at her eyes. She spotted Candy Stevens and gave her a bright smile. Candy worked for Premiere Wedding Planners back home. The number one agency on Phoebe’s wish list. If she could get a job as a planner there, her life would be complete.

  For now, she’d have to be happy working for them as an outside contractor doing jewelry designs. Wedding jewelry was her specialty. She loved creating the pieces for the bride and her bridesmaids, but she wanted more. She wanted to handle the nuptial details from inception all the way through to the I dos. Each element from the baby’s breath to the glittering rhinestones on the bride’s veil. Her dream wedding book was full of such infinitesimal items. No detail was too big or too small. Not when it came to a woman’s magical day.

  Phoebe lifted her hand to wave to Candy. Networking was half the reason she was here. In this business, like most others, it was all who you knew. Unfortunately, Candy didn’t recognize her and turned away. Surely Phoebe wasn’t that forgettable? She was just at the Premiere offices three weeks ago signing a contract to make the jewelry and matching headpieces for the Reagan bride and her six, count them, six bridesmaids. Oh well, after this weekend, she would be more than a jewelry designer, she would be a wedding planner. Disappointed but not deterred, Phoebe made her way to the front desk.

  “Can I help you?” an older man asked, looking slightly disheveled and definitely overwhelmed.

  “I have a reservation. Phoebe Lawson.”

  He ran his fingers down an open book where everything was written neatly by hand. “Yes. I see.” He looked up at her. “I’m sorry, miss. But we’ve sold out of the rooms in the hotel.”

  Her eyes widened as panic shot through her. “What? I have a reservation. That can’t be right.”

  He gestured wide with gnarled hands. “Don’t worry. We have an overflow room for you right next door over the bar.”

  “You want me to stay at the bar?” How could this be happening? How was she going to network if she was by herself in a room over a bar? Or sleep? She imagined pounding music, threadbare blankets, and a forty-year-old thin creaking mattress held together by dust mites.

  He shrugged apologetically. “It’s quite late, ma’am. We release the rooms on a first come, first serve basis.”

  “Di
d it say that on the website?” She tried to remember, then recalled there wasn’t a website. Just a small one-sentence chamber listing with a phone number to call. How could he run a business like this?

  “I’m sorry, Miss. We don’t have a website.”

  “But that’s so—”

  He arched a brow, waiting for what she was about to say.

  “Old-fashioned.” She took a deep breath. She shouldn’t have stayed home this morning to work, but she wanted to get as much done on the Reagan wedding jewelry as she could.

  “Please, follow me,” the man said and walked around the counter. He grabbed the handle of her bag and led her through the room and down a long hall to a door in the back that opened into the bar next door.

  The first thing Phoebe saw when she walked into the room was the man, who filled out his jeans very nicely, standing on a ladder hanging a large banner that read, Women Wanted. She smothered a laugh then swallowed it when he turned to face her. Lord, this man could have her forgetting her annoyance at being stuck above the bar, not to mention her vow to stay clear of the male side of the species until she landed her dream job and her career was up and running.

  The next thing she saw was the multitude of animal heads filling the walls, all staring at her through glass eyes. She grimaced and hoped there weren’t any in the rooms upstairs. She scowled. Definite rustic charm. A long wooden bar lined one wall with a lot of bottles filling the shelves behind it. Pictures, old and new, covered the walls everywhere. How long had this place been here?

  “Beau, this is Miss Phoebe Lawson. She needs one of the overflow rooms.” The older man turned back to her. “Thank you, miss, for your understanding.”

  She nodded and gave him a small smile. It wasn’t his fault, she reminded herself. She was the one who got a late start, but he needed a website to keep people informed. She couldn’t imagine running a hotel by hand. This wasn’t a great start to her trip. She watched him disappear through the door they came in, then turned to the hottie on the ladder.

  The rest of the banner unfolded. Valentine’s Day Party. First drink is on us. Ladies only.

  “How many men do you think will show up in a skirt?” she asked, then almost choked on her words as he stepped down from the ladder. Okay, Levis and flannel she expected, but drop-dead gorgeous, melt-in-your mouth chocolate-brown eyes, too long, unkempt sexy dark curls hanging over those eyes, and a stubble beard to die for? Here? In the middle of absolutely nowhere? Not in her wildest dreams.

  “In this town?” he said with a smile that had her heart jumping into her throat.

  She swallowed and laughed nervously as she tried to get ahold of herself. “So how terrible are the overflow rooms over here at the bar?”

  He looked offended. “Hey now, I live in one of those rooms.”

  She cringed. “Okay, let me rephrase. Are there any rooms that will not vibrate with noise all night long? I’m more of a morning person.”

  He groaned. “Oh, I’m sorry. I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.”

  “Don’t be sorry. Morning people are awesome,” she defended as he walked closer to her.

  He was even more gorgeous up close. “I have the perfect place for you.”

  “Uh-oh. I hope that’s a good thing.” The way her day was going, she wouldn’t be surprised if he stuck her in a shed out back.

  He grabbed the handle of her extra-large bag. “Wow, how long are you planning to stay?”

  “Just the weekend.”

  His eyebrows raised.

  “I didn’t know what to wear. Plus, I brought work from home with me.”

  “A working vacation?”

  “A working trip.”

  “Well, luckily for you, the room has a desk.”

  She smiled, and he paused, staring. “What?” Did she have something in her teeth?

  “You have a nice smile.”

  “Oh.” Her heart flipped as warmth stole up her chest and heat coiled in her belly. He’s a male. He lies. Stay away from him. “Thank you.” She glanced away, hoping he wouldn’t see the effect he was having on her libido.

  He pulled her bag toward the back of the bar. They walked through a small alcove. A staircase to the left went upstairs, and a hall to the right led past the kitchen and toward the far side of the building away from the bar. There were two doors across from each other. “This is my room, so if you need anything you can knock on the door, and I’ll help you. As long as it’s after nine a.m.”

  “Not a morning person?” she teased.

  “Nope. Nocturnal all the way. I find the best things happen after dark.” The suggestive smile curving his lips had heat rising in her cheeks as she imagined just what things he was referring to.

  He opened the door to the room across from his. Surprise stole her breath as she walked inside. A plush comforter with four pillows covered a thick queen mattress. A small kitchen was in the corner, and next to French doors, a sofa faced a television. “There’s a small patio through those doors, and as promised, a small desk for you to work at.”

  Reality chased her fears away. “I must confess, I was expecting animal heads.”

  “Those are in the rooms upstairs.”

  “I am a lucky woman. This is lovely. Thank you.”

  “It’s the morning people’s upgrade.”

  “I really appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome. There is coffee and a coffee pot in the kitchen, but we usually have a large pot in the bar for the guests. Just help yourself. We have a cook on duty who makes a limited breakfast. Nothing fancy. No avocados or quinoa, but it’s fresh, and it’s good.”

  “Perfect. I can’t imagine needing anything else.”

  “Great.” He started for the door. “Make sure you come to our Valentine’s party Saturday night.”

  “I’ll try. I’m attending a conference, so I have to check the schedule.”

  “You’ll be available.”

  “I will? How do you know?”

  “It’s why we’re so full. Everyone here is attending the conference.” He winked and turned away, shutting the door behind him.

  She stared after him for a long moment. Why couldn’t it be the old guy with the gnarled hands who lived across the hall? She walked over to the French doors and pulled them open. There was a small snow-covered table and chairs looking out at a gorgeous view of the mountains. In the summer this place must be incredible. She would definitely have to come back. Maybe by then she’d be more open to getting to know the handsome bartender.

  Chapter Two

  Beau Rivers pulled the silk roses and small tabletop vases out of the storage closet and started putting them on the tables. “Looks like you will have a big night,” Rich said as he came back into the bar.

  “Big weekend. These wedding planner ladies like to party.”

  “It’s great business for us all,” Rich said, taking a seat at the bar.

  “Are we going to have any more overflow guests? I still have three empty rooms upstairs.”

  “I don’t think so,” Rich said. “Could be.”

  Beau grinned. “You know, maybe it’s time you get a computer to help with the reservations. You can even have people book the rooms themselves online.”

  “What fun is that?” Rich grumbled. “I enjoy talking to people on the phone. Computers are taking the civility away from everything. Besides, having a computer just causes more work. Take you for instance. You seem to do twice the amount of work managing everything for this bar on that computer of yours than I did when I just put it all down on paper.”

  Beau heard the same story since he took over running the bar from Rich five years earlier after he got out of the Marines. “I’ve been talking to Craig down at the bank. I finally have what I need to make you a real offer on this place.” Beau watched Rich’s face closely. It wasn’t a surprise Beau wanted to buy the bar and the hotel from him, or at least become a full partner. He’d been working at the inn since he was a teenager and running the bar since he go
t out of the service. He knew what he wanted. He wanted to call The Black Bear his own.

  “Well, Beau, truth be told, I’ve been waiting for you to settle down first. Become responsible. Get married first, then we’ll talk about you buying the bar. A man needs a woman in his life to offer balance and keep him grounded. That’s what Marge did for me. That’s what you need.”

  “Not me,” Beau insisted. He still couldn’t believe Rich was singing the same old song. Married? That was a pile of bear scat.

  “Definitely you. You flip through women faster than a dealer flips through a deck of cards. Until you find the right woman to settle down with and start your life, you’re only half living.”

  “I like my life the way it is.” Beau couldn’t believe he was still having this same old argument. A woman wasn’t the answer to what was missing in his life; a woman offered a man like him a moment of distraction, nothing more. And that’s how he liked it.

  Rich shook his head. “I’ve watched you your whole life. Watched the women come and go, some good, some not so good. But you didn’t give a single one of them a chance.”

  “I’m just not the settling down type.”

  “Or you’re just the stubborn type. You get something in your mind, and you don’t let it go. You don’t have to choose between having a family and this bar. Not every woman is like your mama. Your dad was my best friend and leaving him like she did wasn’t right, but he remarried a good woman. Connie gave you a sister and raised you as her own. Your dad found happiness. You can too.”