A chance fall, p.1
A CHANCE FALL, page 1
A C H A N C E F A L L
(THE INN AT DUNE ISLAND—BOOK 2)
F I O N A G R A C E
Fiona Grace
Fiona Grace is author of the LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY series, comprising nine books; of the TUSCAN VINEYARD COZY MYSTERY series, comprising seven books; of the DUBIOUS WITCH COZY MYSTERY series, comprising three books; of the BEACHFRONT BAKERY COZY MYSTERY series, comprising six books; of the CATS AND DOGS COZY MYSTERY series, comprising nine books; of the ELIZA MONTAGU COZY MYSTERY series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the ENDLESS HARBOR ROMANTIC COMEDY series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the INN AT DUNE ISLAND ROMANTIC COMEDY series, comprising five books (and counting); of the INN BY THE SEA ROMANTIC COMEDY series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the MAID AND THE MANSION COZY MYSTERY series, comprising five books (and counting).
MURDER IN THE MANOR (A Lacey Doyle Cozy Mystery—Book 1), AGED FOR MURDER (A Tuscan Vineyard Cozy Mystery—Book 1), SKEPTIC IN SALEM: AN EPISODE OF MURDER (A Dubious Witch Cozy Mystery—Book 1), BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A KILLER CUPCAKE (A Beachfront Bakery Cozy Mystery—Book 1), and A VILLA IN SICILY: OLIVE OIL AND MURDER (A Cats and Dogs Cozy Mystery—Book 1) are each available as a free download on Kobo!
Fiona would love to hear from you, so please visit www.fionagraceauthor.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.
Copyright © 2023 by Fiona Grace. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author. This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental. Jacket image Copyright Rudmer Zwerver, used under license from Shutterstock.com.
BOOKS BY FIONA GRACE
THE MAID AND THE MANSION COZY MYSTERY
A MYSTERIOUS MURDER (Book #1)
A SCANDALOUS DEATH (Book #2)
A MISSING GUEST (Book #3)
AN UNSOLVABLE CRIME (Book #4)
AN IMPOSSIBLE HEIST (Book #5)
INN BY THE SEA ROMANTIC COMEDY
A NEW LOVE (Book #1)
A NEW CHANCE (Book #2)
A NEW HOME (Book #3)
A NEW LIFE (Book #4)
A NEW ME (Book #5)
THE INN AT DUNE ISLAND ROMANTIC COMEDY
A CHANCE LOVE (Book #1)
A CHANCE FALL (Book #2)
A CHANCE ROMANCE (Book #3)
A CHANCE CHRISTMAS (Book #4)
A CHANCE ENGAGEMENT (Book #5)
ENDLESS HARBOR ROMANTIC COMEDY
ALWAYS, WITH YOU (Book #1)
ALWAYS, FOREVER (Book #2)
ALWAYS, PLUS ONE (Book #3)
ALWAYS, TOGETHER (Book #4)
ALWAYS, LIKE THIS (Book #5)
ALWAYS, FATED (Book #6)
ALWAYS, FOR LOVE (Book #7)
ALWAYS, JUST US (Book #8)
ALWAYS, IN LOVE (Book #9)
ELIZA MONTAGU COZY MYSTERY
MURDER AT THE HEDGEROW (Book #1)
A DALLOP OF DEATH (Book #2)
CALAMITY AT THE BALL (Book #3)
A SPEAKEASY DEMISE (Book #4)
A FLAPPER FATALITY (Book #5)
BUMPED BY A DAME (Book #6)
A DOLL’S DEBACLE (Book #7)
A FELLA’S RUIN (Book #8)
A GAL’S OFFING (Book #9)
LACEY DOYLE COZY MYSTERY
MURDER IN THE MANOR (Book#1)
DEATH AND A DOG (Book #2)
CRIME IN THE CAFE (Book #3)
VEXED ON A VISIT (Book #4)
KILLED WITH A KISS (Book #5)
PERISHED BY A PAINTING (Book #6)
SILENCED BY A SPELL (Book #7)
FRAMED BY A FORGERY (Book #8)
CATASTROPHE IN A CLOISTER (Book #9)
TUSCAN VINEYARD COZY MYSTERY
AGED FOR MURDER (Book #1)
AGED FOR DEATH (Book #2)
AGED FOR MAYHEM (Book #3)
AGED FOR SEDUCTION (Book #4)
AGED FOR VENGEANCE (Book #5)
AGED FOR ACRIMONY (Book #6)
AGED FOR MALICE (Book #7)
DUBIOUS WITCH COZY MYSTERY
SKEPTIC IN SALEM: AN EPISODE OF MURDER (Book #1)
SKEPTIC IN SALEM: AN EPISODE OF CRIME (Book #2)
SKEPTIC IN SALEM: AN EPISODE OF DEATH (Book #3)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY COZY MYSTERY
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A KILLER CUPCAKE (Book #1)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A MURDEROUS MACARON (Book #2)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A PERILOUS CAKE POP (Book #3)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A DEADLY DANISH (Book #4)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A TREACHEROUS TART (Book #5)
BEACHFRONT BAKERY: A CALAMITOUS COOKIE (Book #6)
CATS AND DOGS COZY MYSTERY
A VILLA IN SICILY: OLIVE OIL AND MURDER (Book #1)
A VILLA IN SICILY: FIGS AND A CADAVER (Book #2)
A VILLA IN SICILY: VINO AND DEATH (Book #3)
A VILLA IN SICILY: CAPERS AND CALAMITY (Book #4)
A VILLA IN SICILY: ORANGE GROVES AND VENGEANCE (Book #5)
A VILLA IN SICILY: CANNOLI AND A CASUALTY (Book #6)
CONTENTS
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
CHAPTER NINETEEN
CHAPTER TWENTY
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
EPILOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
Windows had yet to begin fogging up from the chill of the fall weather. Outside, the leaves fell quickly off of the tall trees as April watched from inside Nigel's home. She took another sip of her tea, closed her eyes and smiled.
"Dinner is served," Nigel said from the doorway that led to the kitchen.
He laid out a delicious spread across the table. Roasted vegetables, steak, garlic and herb potatoes. It was a regal meal that made April thankful she was dating a chef.
It was only their third date, in part because April had been so busy with the renovations on the bed and breakfast. But she knew that there was something special here.
Thankfully, the bed and breakfast she'd made out of her childhood vacation home was getting somewhere. Two rooms were complete, along with most of the common spaces. They were already booked for her soft opening tomorrow.
"This looks delicious," April said, beginning to serve herself portions of the steaming dishes. "Thank you for making dinner. I'm sure it's not fun to bring work home with you."
"Oh, please. I love my job. Happy to cook for you any day." His smile gave her butterflies. "How are you feeling about the first guests coming tomorrow?"
Honestly, she was terrified.
She'd been waiting for this moment for so long, and now it was finally here. Her life had revolved around this house for months. All of her dreams lay in the success of that place.
There was still work to be done for the other rooms to become available. But the soft open was a huge deal. It meant that people were finally coming. Real customers, real people with real opinions.
April took a deep breath.
"I'm nervous, but excited. I just want everything to go smoothly."
Nigel reached across the table and took her hand. "Don't worry, April. You've put so much hard work into this place, and it shows. Your guests will love it."
April smiled, feeling reassured by Nigel's words. She couldn't believe how lucky she was to have someone like him in her life.
Nigel continued, "You deserve this success."
She felt a warmth spread through her chest as she squeezed his hand. She knew he was right. She had poured her heart and soul into this bed and breakfast, and it was finally paying off.
Rising to his feet, Nigel stepped closer to her, still hand in hand. He placed his other hand on top of hers. He got down on a knee to look her in the eye. "I'm really thankful to have met you," he said.
April's cheeks grew hot, unable to contain her excitement. "I'm glad I met you too."
Nigel's face slowly got closer to hers. She looked down at his lips, ready for their first kiss. She'd been waiting for this moment since the day she met him.
And just when their lips were about to touch, a knock came at the door.
"One second," Nigel said, standing to get it. His face fell, disappointed. "Just don't forget where we left off."
She wouldn't. She couldn't.
April smiled at him. She took another sip of her tea. Who could possibly be showing up in the middle of their date? Nigel's restaurant was being run by his workers. Maybe there was an emergency.
"Hello, Nigel," April heard from the front door. A woman's voice, low and sultry.
April's heart dropped. Who was this woman at Nigel's door? She turned to find Nigel staring at a gorgeous, tall woman in a tight dress and black heels.
"Lily, what are you doing here? I thought you'd moved away."
April felt a knot form in her stomach as she watched Nigel and Lily greet each other with a hug. She didn't like the way Lily was looking at Nigel, as if there was some sort of history between them.
"I did, but I'm back in town," Lily said, her eyes flickering over to April. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize you had company."
Nigel turned to April, a look of apology on his face. "April, this is Lily. An old friend."
April forced a smile and stood up to greet Lily. "Nice to meet you, Lily."
Lily gave her a curt nod before turning back to Nigel. "I was hoping we could catch up. Maybe grab a drink?"
Nigel hesitated, glancing over at April. "Actually, I'm in the middle of something right now. Maybe another time?"
Lily looked disappointed but nodded. "Sure, I understand. Just let me know."
As she walked out the door, April couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to their relationship than just old friends catching up. Nigel had never mentioned Lily before, and the way they had hugged and looked at each other was anything but platonic.
"Nigel, who was that?" April asked.
When he came back to the table, he didn't resume where they'd left off. He sat back in his chair across from her. "That was Lily. She's uh... my ex-girlfriend."
April wasn't so sure Lily was an ex, based on how they spoke. After all, this was only their third date. How long ago had he been dating that beautiful woman, begging for his attention.
"And she's back in town?"
He looked around the room, unable to meet her eyes or continue his dinner. "I guess so. I had no idea she was coming. Or that she would come here."
"It seems as though the two of you have a lot to talk about."
April tried to stop her eyes from watering, but there was nothing she could do. A tear fell down her cheek.
Nigel shook his head and finally looked her in the eye. "No, no. That's not what's happening here. I want to be with you. I just..."
"Just wasn't expecting the love of your life to walk back to your door. I get it."
April pushed her chair back, stood up, and wiped the tears from her eyes. She couldn't believe she was getting emotional over a man she'd only been dating for a few weeks.
"I think I should go," she said, grabbing her coat and purse. "I need some time to think."
Nigel stood up too, his eyes pleading with her not to leave. "April, please. Don't go. We can talk about this. Or we can forget about it and continue our date."
"I can't just forget about it. You have some things to sort out, Nigel. I don't want to be in the middle of it."
“April, please don’t go. This isn’t what you think it is. I’m just… thinking. Don’t let this get between us.” His eyes begged her to stay, but she knew she couldn’t.
She was so confused. The night didn’t go as she expected it to. She couldn’t decipher Nigel’s thoughts. And that scared her.
April grabbed her coat and headed for the door. She heard him call her name, but she didn't turn back.
Outside, the air was freezing cold. A chill ran down her spine as she walked to her car. She wanted to get as far away from Nigel's house as possible.
The thought of facing guests the next day made her stomach sick. It wasn't just that she was nervous about guests, but now she didn't want to face Nigel, who would no doubt be making an appearance.
As she drove home, she tried not to think about how tomorrow was going to be one of the hardest days of her life.
CHAPTER TWO
April woke to the sound of her alarm. As soon as she turned it off, she was replaying the events of last night in her head.
Nigel's ex-girlfriend was back in town and clearly wanted to see him again. And Nigel didn't seem too keen to let Lily know that they were on their third date.
Did Nigel really want to be with April? Or was she just a second choice to the woman who left town?
Her chest felt heavy as she sat up in bed, dreading the day ahead of her. The bed and breakfast still needed some last-minute touches. That was what she should be focusing on.
The first two guests were checking in today. It should have been a joyful yet nerve-racking morning. But all she felt was anxiety.
As April began to tidy up the first floor of the house, she called Georgia. It was her daughter's first day back at school after leaving suddenly last semester.
It took her helping with turning the old family home into a bed and breakfast to get her interested in going back. And this time, she was actually pursuing something she wanted to do forever, interior design.
"Hey, mom," Georgia said as she answered.
April smiled at the sound of her daughter's voice, grateful for the distraction. "Good morning, sweetheart. How was your first day back?"
"It was great, actually," Georgia replied with a hint of excitement. "I got to meet some of the other interior design students, and they all seem really cool. Plus, my professor seems super chill."
April's smile widened, glad to hear that her daughter was enjoying her time back at school. "That's wonderful, sweetie. I'm so proud of you."
"Thanks, mom," Georgia said with a sigh. "How's the first day prep coming along?"
When she paused, her daughter became suspicious. "What's going on? You okay? Do you need me to come down there?"
"No," April exclaimed quickly. "I just mean... It's your first day. You're not coming down here just because I'm a little bit overwhelmed. It's my first guests coming in today. I'm bound to be nervous. It'll be okay."
"Alright, if you say so. Listen, I hate to cut this short, but I have to get to my next class. I'll call you later, okay?"
She felt the ball in her stomach tighten back up again. "Of course, love you," April replied before hanging up.
Though she was hoping for a longer call, April felt a sense of pride wash over her. She was so happy that her daughter had found her passion and was pursuing it with such enthusiasm.
April continued with her last-minute prep. This was the last time she was going to see this place as her home, and the first time she would see it as her bed and breakfast.
She walked around the house, checking in on the details she'd worked so hard to create. The large doors at the front of the house sat open and wide for everyone to see into the lobby, what used to be the living room.
The front desk that sat in the entryway was polished and gleaming. The rooms upstairs were all cleaned and ready for guests, and the smell of fresh coffee wafted through the air from the kitchen.
April took a deep breath and reminded herself that she was ready for this. She had put her heart and soul into this bed and breakfast, and it was going to show.
She heard the sound of a car pulling up outside and quickly checked her watch. It was almost time for her first guests to arrive. Her nerves started to resurface as she took a deep breath and walked towards the front door.
Two people stepped out of the sleek black car. The man wore cargo shorts and a floral button-up. If April had looked up a picture of a male tourist, she thought that he would be what showed up. She giggled silently at his goofy smile.
The short woman had kind eyes, blue and full of wonder. Together, they looked over the property, smiling and staring out at the ocean from the hilltop.
April was glad that even the placement of the home was perfect. After checking in, her guests would be able to go down to that private beach and enjoy the water and sand.
But for now, they stood at the edge of the stairs, looking down at the waves. The man got out a camera and began to snap pictures of the adorable woman, posing for him as if a model in a photoshoot.
This was exactly why she built this place.
