Enchanted enough, p.1
Enchanted Enough, page 1
Enchanted Enough
Book 7 Love in Montana Copyright © 2024 by Kelly Elliott
Enchanted Enough Copyright 2024
Cover Design by: Hang Le
Interior Design and Formatting by: Elaine York, Allusion Publishing
Developmental Editor: Kelli Collins
Copy Editor: Elaine York, Allusion Publishing
Proofing Editor: Julie Deaton
Proofing Editor: Elaine York, Allusion Publishing
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
For more information on Kelly and her books, please visit her website www.kellyelliottauthor.com.
Table of Contents
About the Book
Author's Note
Discover Other Titles by Kelly Elliott
Map & Family Tree
Prologue - Morgan
Chapter One – Avery
Chapter Two – Beck
Chapter Three – Avery
Chapter Four – Beck
Chapter Five – Avery
Chapter Six – Beck
Chapter Seven – Avery
Chapter Eight – Beck
Chapter Nine – Beck
Chapter Ten – Avery
Chapter Eleven – Beck
Chapter Twelve – Avery
Chapter Thirteen – Beck
Chapter Fourteen – Avery
Chapter Fifteen – Beck
Chapter Sixteen – Avery
Chapter Seventeen – Avery
Chapter Eighteen – Beck
Chapter Nineteen – Avery
Chapter Twenty – Beck
Chapter Twenty-One – Beck
Chapter Twenty–Two – Avery
Chapter Twenty-Three – Beck
Chapter Twenty-Four – Avery
Chapter Twenty-Five – Beck
Chapter Twenty-Six – Avery
Chapter Twenty-Seven – Beck
Chapter Twenty-Eight – Avery
Epilogue – Josh
CONNECT WITH KELLY ONLINE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
About the Book
Finally returning home after years in Paris, ex-model Avery Littlewood never imagined a rerouted flight plan would land her on destiny’s runway. She’s seated next to a gorgeous stranger…and as he shares his story, it’s not long before she discovers why his arresting blue eyes look so familiar. There are several reasons why Beck should be off limits—he lives in Texas; he needs a friend, not a relationship; he's practically family—but none of that overshadows Avery's instant attraction for the man the moment she stepped foot on that plane.
Months after his mother’s death, old love letters have given Beck Dahlstrom the courage to seek out the Shaws, the family of the long-deceased father he never knew. He can't believe his luck when the most gorgeous creature he's ever seen sits beside him on the plane. When he discovers she's not only heading to the same small Montana town, but she's close to his father's family, it’s more like fate. There are several reasons why Avery should be off limits—she’s considerably younger; they’re from different worlds; her father might kill him just for looking at her—but every glimpse into her stunning turquoise eyes just makes him fall deeper.
Montana, the Shaw family, Avery…all of them soon have Beck enchanted enough to consider big changes. But his life in Dallas also has considerable pull, including a person…or two…unwilling to give up Beck so easily.
Hey there! Before you dive into Beck and Avery’s story, have you read Blayze and Georgiana’s story in Fearless Enough (book 1 in the Love in Montana series)? Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but for a better reading experience, I HIGHLY suggest reading them in order.
Blayze and Georgiana’s story is book one, Fearless Enough.
Morgan and Ryan’s story is book two, Cherished Enough.
Hunter and Kipton’s story is book three, Brave Enough.
Rose and Bryson’s story is book four, Daring Enough.
Lily and Maverick’s story is book five, Loved Enough.
Bradly and Mackenzie’s story is book six, Forever Enough.
Beck and Avery’s story is book seven, Enchanted Enough
For a complete list of my entire catalog, including my audiobooks, please visit my website - https://kellyelliottauthor.com/library/
Other Books by Kelly Elliott
Love in Montana (Meet Me in Montana Spin Off)
Fearless Enough*
Cherished Enough
Brave Enough
Daring Enough
Loved Enough -
Forever Enough
Enchanted Enough
Perfect Enough - October 15, 2024
Devoted Enough - January 7, 2025
*Available on audiobook
For a list of my complete library, visit my website.
Prologue
BECK
Lifting the beer to my mouth, I took a long drink. In front of me lie everything left of my mother, my best friend, the only person who had ever loved me completely. I cleaned out her house and donated everything else to a women’s shelter. The only things that remained were those that she had personally boxed up and put in the attic, the things that meant the most to her.
I closed my eyes and fought the burning sensation of tears. Six months she’d been gone, and every day I missed her more and more. If one more person told me time heals, I would hit them.
I took another long sip of beer and set it on the small table beside me. Letting out my breath, I pulled the first box closer. My hand shook slightly as I lifted the lid off and stared inside the box.
“The very first box, Mom,” I said as I glanced up. “You always were a planner.”
Looking back at the box, I reached in and pulled out a stack of letters. They were from him—my father. The man my mother had only told me bits and pieces about.
I closed my eyes as a memory hit. I was six years old, and had been afraid of a storm…
“Shh, don’t be afraid of the storm, Beck.”
“I can’t help it, Mommy. The thunder scares me.”
She rocked me slightly. “Don’t let the thunder scare you. Do you know what it is?”
Shaking my head, I asked, “What is it?”
My mother placed a kiss on top of my head. “It’s the sound from when the lightning hits something.”
“How come it doesn’t make it at the same time as the light?”
She laughed softly. “Maybe we should wait until you’re a little older before I explain that. Your daddy used to love thunderstorms so much. He wasn’t afraid of them at all.”
“How did he die?”
I felt her let out a gust of breath. “He was a soldier, a Marine. So brave and smart, just like you. He was on a secret mission, and something went wrong. He died before he ever got to meet you.”
“Do you think he would have liked me?”
Moving so she could look me in the face, she cupped my cheeks and smiled. “Oh, Beck, he would have loved you fiercely. That was the type of man he was. He loved me, and I loved him. And with that love, we made you together. I know he would have worshipped the ground you walked on.”
I felt hot tears on my cheeks. “I wish he wouldn’t have died.”
She slowly nodded and wiped her tears away. “Me too, sweetheart. Me too.”
I was jolted from the memory when I heard the floorboard creak behind me.
“Did you want any help?” Mateo asked.
I shouldn’t have been surprised he was here. He always had my back, from the first moment we met on the playground in first grade. A kid was making fun of me for my haircut, and Mateo told him to stop. Then he looked at Mateo and said something that, at the time, I hadn’t realized was derogatory. Mateo had, though. Even at that young age, he was already hearing it.
The next thing I knew, Mateo punched the kid, and he and I both ended up in trouble. From that point on, we were the best of friends. And his mom and my mother had become close as well. Both single moms raising unruly boys.
“I appreciate it, but I think I need to do this part on my own.”
He placed his hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. “You know I’m here,” he said.
All I could do was nod. Emotions clogged my throat. He turned, and the sound of the door clicking nearly made me jump.
I took the rubber band off the letters and felt a strange sensation in my chest as I read the return address. Sergeant Beck Shaw. My mother had never told me my father’s last name. Only that I was named after him.
My hands shook as I turned the letters over and started reading them. In the first few, it was clear they had just started dating. Sergeant Beck Shaw had been in the Marine Forces Special Operations Command and was often gone for weeks, or months, at a time. He could never tell my mother where he was going or how long he’d be gone. The letters were sweet and tender, and the deeper I got into the pile, the more their love for one another became apparent.
In one letter, Beck replied to my mother about her news that her father disapproved of their relationship. He said that he’d never want to co
The next letter was dated four months later. He apologized for being unable to write sooner; he was back from a mission, and could she meet him at their cottage? He mentioned an enclosed check that should cover her travel expenses. I smiled as I read the words of a man who was head over heels in love. He told my mother he hadn’t told his family much about her yet. Only that he had met someone and would tell them more about her once he was out of the Marines.
I frowned and wondered why. My question was answered in his last paragraph.
I want to shout from the mountaintops that I love you, Heather. My parents are going to love you, and so will my brothers. I understand you don’t want me to tell them much about you until we figure out what to do about your father, but I swear to you, Heather, I’ll take care of you. If your father cuts you out, I’ll provide for you. I have money saved up, and my father and mother plan on giving me a piece of the ranch. We can build our own little house. We can build our love from the ground up. We’ll hear our kids’ little footsteps in our home, and everything will be perfect. I promise you. Once I’m out of the Marines, we can get married. We can do it there in Dallas, or in Montana. I don’t care. The only thing I care about is your happiness. I’ll wait for you for an eternity. I love you, honeybee, and I cannot wait to hold you again.
Forever yours,
Beck
I folded the letter and slipped it back into the envelope. Then I noticed it was Beck’s last correspondence. There was one other letter, but it was in an official envelope from the United States Marines. Lifting the flap, I pulled out an unopened letter from my mother to Beck coupled with an official-looking letter. My heart pounded in my ears, and I imagined what it must have been like for my mother to read it, knowing she was pregnant with me. I skipped over the formal letterhead information and went straight to the letter.
Dear Ms. Dahlstrom,
It is with regret that I am writing to inform you that Sergeant Beck Shaw was killed in action.
I understand the sorrow this letter will bring you, but I hope you find comfort in knowing that Sergeant Beck provided a heroic service to his country.
The letter fell from my hand, and I wasn’t sure how long I sat there. Eventually, my hand went to my chest, and I rubbed at the dull ache.
Picking up the letters, I stood and headed out to the living room, where I would spend the rest of the night getting shit-faced drunk until my grandfather found me the following day.
Chapter One
AVERY
I stared at the monitor as it counted down the time until I could board the last plane for home.
Home.
Another announcement overhead caused me to jump. It had been a long day of traveling: Paris, New York, Atlanta, and Dallas. The storms across the middle of the country were causing havoc with the schedule. I was exhausted, but I knew I’d be back in Hamilton, Montana, soon enough.
I pulled out my phone and saw Juliette’s text, asking if I’d made it to Montana yet. We’d become the best of friends during the last few years that I’d lived in Paris. I thought modeling and fashion was what I wanted to do forever. But that was fifteen-year-old Avery. Eighteen-year-old Avery wanted a completely different life—one of peace and no runways and people telling me I needed to lose weight or gain weight or take better care of my skin.
“Almost over.”
I pulled up Emily’s name and sent her a text.
Me: I’m almost home! I cannot wait to start our new lives!
It didn’t take Emily long to text back. We’d met when she came to Montana over New Year’s to visit her sister Mackenzie, who was my brother Bradly’s girlfriend. We both found out we shared a love of flowers. Once we learned Emily would be moving to Montana with her fiancé, Doug, we knew we had to do something together. We were going to start a flower farm, and I couldn’t wait to hit the ground running.
Glancing at the time, I decided to run to the store across from the gate to grab a few snacks. Now that I didn’t have to worry about my weight, I would eat as many Reese’s Cups as I wanted.
They announced boarding just as I was checking out. I grabbed my snacks bag, carry-on, and purse and dashed to my gate. They were still boarding my first-class seat—an upgrade for all the traveling problems—so I jumped in line and waited my turn.
When I reached my seat, I dropped my head back against the chair, and sighed tiredly.
“Rough day?”
Opening one eye, I turned slightly to see a very handsome man sitting in the window seat. He looked a few years older than me, with sandy-brown hair and ocean-blue eyes that instantly took my breath away.
With a sigh, I smiled. “It’s been a long flying day.” Glancing down, I saw the drink in his hand. “Looks like it’s been for you as well?”
He lifted the drink. “I’ve already had three beers while waiting for my flight.”
I nodded.
“Where are you coming from?” he asked, a southern drawl to his voice.
“Paris.”
He raised his brows. “I would think your layover would have been in New York City, not Dallas.”
“Oh, it should have been, but the airlines had to change around my flights because of the storms. So here I am, in Dallas, trying to make my way to Montana.”
“Wow. That is a long travel day for you.”
I laughed. “Tell me about it. Paris to New York. Then Atlanta and then Dallas. Montana is my last stop.” I rolled my eyes. “And if that isn’t enough, it’s family dinner night.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
With a shake of my head, I answered, “No, not at all. On a typical Sunday, family dinner night would be wonderful. It’s just after the long flights and jet lag, I’ll be exhausted and want to crawl into a bed and sleep for twelve hours. Instead, I’ll be chatting it up with my parents, brother, and his girlfriend, Mackenzie.”
“Do you not like Mackenzie?”
“I adore her,” I said with a smile. “She’s made my brother so happy, and that makes me happy.”
He saluted with his drink. “That’s a good thing, then.”
I laughed and nodded. “Where are you coming from?”
He pointed to the floor of the plane. “Born and raised right here in Dallas, Texas.”
Before I could ask him anything else, the flight attendant asked if either of us wanted something to drink. The stranger held up his empty glass, while I politely declined. I pulled out my phone and sent a quick text to the family group chat.
Me: Hey! I’m on my final flight and will be there soon.
Mom: Bradly and Mackenzie will be there to get you!
Bradly: Is that today? I thought that was tomorrow.
I rolled my eyes and chuckled.
Me: As if Mackenzie would let you forget to pick up your sister. She’s good for you.
Bradly: She is, indeed. We’ll be there. Love you, sis. Have a safe flight.
Dad: Safe flight, baby girl. We’re so glad you’re finally home to stay!
Mom: So thrilled! I love you. Safe flight.
Me: Love you all back. Gotta go, pulling back from the gate. See you in a few!
Glancing to my right, I saw the handsome stranger looking out the window. The captain came on and announced we were clear for takeoff…and my seatmate gripped the armrest. Was he afraid of flying?
“Sometimes if you talk during the takeoff, it doesn’t seem so bad,” I said as I leaned closer to him.
He snapped his head around and stared at me. “I hate flying. I mean, I think I hate it, I’ve actually never flown anywhere.”
Giving him a sympathetic smile, I said, “Just take some deep breaths.”
He dropped his head back and closed his eyes as we raced down the runway.
He looked as if he was about to get sick. I reached for his hand on instinct, then thought he would break my fingers with how hard he was squeezing.
“There was this one time I walked down a runway in a Stella McCartney dress. The Princess of Spain was in the audience, and so was Lady Gaga.”
