Fall Into Temptation (Blue Moon Book #2)(67)

The crowd laughed appreciatively. And Gia smiled. It wasn’t an exaggeration. She didn’t doubt that every woman in the room knew Phoebe.

“I look like my father. My mother tells me I walk like him and argue like him, too. But after spending the morning with her I was reminded of how many things of hers I absorbed. Her impact on me is staggering. And it got me thinking about your impact.”

He scanned the audience slowly, making and holding eye contact.

“You are the heartbeat and the backbone of our community, our families. The decisions you make, the boundaries you set, the strength you show all make this world a better, brighter place. Because of you, it never once dared to occur to me that a woman had no business in HVAC or dentistry or town council or the thousand other things you do. Because of you, generations grow up in this town never doubting that a woman can and will do whatever she puts her mind to.

“You’ve all sacrificed something in order to be here today. Businesses demand your time and your energy and as women you are too often faced with unfair standards, sometimes from outside forces and sometimes from within.”

His eyes were on her again and Gia shifted in her seat.

“To do it all and do it all perfectly. But what impresses me the most about each and every one of you is your unwavering dedication to community. You see our community as an extension of family and you encourage us to come together time and again to support someone when they need it the most … whether they ask for our help or not.”

That got another chuckle out of the room, yet Gia strangely felt her throat tighten.

“To be honest, I thought I got my desire to serve this town from my father. But as I step back and look, that’s not the whole story. Not even a fraction of it,” he said shaking his head.

“Growing up here, you have all taught me how to be a better person, a better business owner, a better neighbor, and a better leader. And for that, I am eternally grateful.

“On behalf of all of Blue Moon I would like to thank you for your service to this community and all its generations. You have truly made this town a village.”

The applause was thunderous for such an intimate crowd. Gia noted more than a few watery eyes around the room as they all cheered for the man who saw them as they were and loved them for it.

Gia rose, applauding. His gaze, suddenly serious, zeroed in on her face and she smiled. It was enough to knock the wind out of her, that swift, fierce rush of love.

It took her a moment to realize that heads in the crowd were swiveling from Beckett to her and back again. And that she was the only woman in the room standing. Mrs. Nordeman on one side of the room and Willa on the other took pity on her and stood up, too. Soon the whole room was on their feet, but the attention was still on Gia and Beckett.

When he left the stage, he headed her way, but Gia stopped him with what she hoped was a subtle shake of her head. She dug through her bag until she found her phone and fired off a quick text.


Don’t talk to me. They’ll be all over us like sweat on a Pierce in a yoga class.





Beckett pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket. She saw him smirk.


Cute. Just like your oh-so-subtle one-woman standing ovation.





Gia shot him a glare.


Behave yourself. I’ll see you tonight. In the company of many.





He gave her a nod and tucked his phone back in his jacket before fading back into the crowd.

Gia took one last look at him before scurrying out the door. She was in love with Beckett Pierce. Now what the hell was she going to do?



Gia drove down the lane to the farmhouse as the sun began to set. Evan sat quietly in the front seat while Aurora chattered to herself in the back.

“You’re awfully quiet today,” Gia said to Evan. “What’s going on in that super big brain of yours?”

He shrugged, staring out the window at the pigs in the pasture. “Nothing important. Just some kids and I want to start a debate team at school.”

“Wow,” Gia said, parking the car next to her father’s. “That’s kind of awesome.”

He shrugged again. “It would be if we could find an advisor. That’s what the principal said we have to do.”

“And it’s up to you?” Gia tucked the keys in her bag. “Doesn’t the school usually do that?”

“They’re big on independence here,” Evan sighed. “I don’t know if it’s like, to build up our self-esteem or to dump more of the work off on us kids.”

Gia hid her smile. “Hmm. Do you and your friends have any ideas for who you can ask?”

He shook his head. “Not yet. But we have until Thanksgiving break to find someone or we have to ‘table the team’ until next school year,” Evan said using air quotes.

They climbed out of the car. “Well, good luck with the search and let me know if there’s anything I can do,” Gia said.

“Doubtful. Very doubtful,” Evan smirked.

“Hey, smarty pants, I deliberately didn’t volunteer to be the advisor to avoid your snarky comments on my illogical nature.”

“And the team thanks you for that,” Evan grinned, slamming the door and heading toward the front porch.

“At least Aurora still thinks I’m cool,” Gia called after him, opening her daughter’s door.