The Bluebird Bet

Winning isn’t everything...to other people

Dr. Elaine Watson never loses. Period. So she won’t miss out on a chance to restore the Bluebird Bed-and-Breakfast. The owner’s son, Dean Collins, seems just as determined as she is. A famous photojournalist, he hasn’t been home in years, so why does he want to turn the Bluebird, a charming old B and B, into a fishing camp?

With just a few weeks to create the winning plan, Elaine has no choice but to spend time with the guy. She’s drawn to the handsome, wounded man, but being with Dean would mean giving up the future she’s been dreaming of... And Dr. Elaine Watson never gives up.

“When I want something badly, I don’t waste time.”

“You’d be surprised how quickly I could get this place restored and open for business.” One corner of her mouth tilted up, and if he wasn’t mistaken, that was the fire of determination in her eyes. “Bet on it.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned closer. “I don’t have to. This is my place. My father’s already promised to let me give it a shot. I’m going to make my changes on my own timeline. You lose.”

Her lips tightened and she closed her eyes for two seconds. “Of course. You’re right. I’d forgotten in the excitement of seeing the place.” She stepped back. “Thank you for the tour.”

She held out her hand. Dean reluctantly shook it. Surely it couldn’t be this easy.

Then she smiled at his father. “When this fails, Mr. Collins, please give me a call. As long as the building’s still standing, I’m interested in having my chance.”

Dear Reader,

Have a seat in one of the rocking chairs on the front porch of the Bluebird Bed-and-Breakfast and enjoy the view of Spring Lake. Right now the whole place can use some tender loving care, but Robert Collins has a plan for that. His son, Dean, a famous photojournalist, or Dr. Elaine Watson, the busiest, best doctor in town, will give the place a face-lift.

Elaine’s plan involves restoration, a return to the Bluebird she remembers from happy family vacations. Dean is preparing for an overhaul. He’s looking for adventure and an escape from his painful memories.

Tall Pines, Spring Lake, and this bed-and-breakfast are a mixture of places I’ve visited or wish I could someday. I hope you enjoy your visit! If your first trip to Tall Pines was A Minute on the Lips, you’ll have a chance to catch up with Mark and Andi, too.

If you’d like to know more about my books and what’s coming next, enter fun giveaways, or meet my dog, Jack, please visit me at cherylharperbooks.com. You can sign up for my newsletter, too. I’m also on Facebook (CherylHarperRomance) and Twitter (@CherylHarperBks). I’d love to chat!

Cheryl Harper

The Bluebird Bet

Cheryl Harper

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHERYL HARPER discovered her love for books and words as a little girl, thanks to a mother who made countless library trips and an introduction to Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House stories. Whether it’s the prairie, the American West, Regency England or Earth a hundred years in the future, Cheryl enjoys strong characters who make her laugh. Now Cheryl spends her days searching for the right words while she stares out the window and her dog, Jack, snoozes beside her. And she considers herself very lucky to do so.

For more information about Cheryl’s books, visit her online at cherylharperbooks.com or follow her on Twitter, @cherylharperbks.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

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

EPILOGUE

Copyright

CHAPTER ONE

“LOOKS LIKE YOU’VE been getting plenty of sun, Mr. Collins,” Elaine Watson murmured as she looked over his vitals. “That might be good for your blood pressure but not your skin.” She glanced over her glasses to see Robert Collins roll his eyes over a sunburned nose.

“I’m old, Doc. I’ll risk a little burn to feel the sun on my face.”

“Skin cancer is no joke,” Elaine answered and realized what a bossy know-it-all she sounded like. But she’d seen countless families suffer through the disease, and she didn’t want to watch Robert Collins do the same. He was her favorite patient.

Then she remembered that he’d lost his wife to cancer and realized what a waste of breath lecturing him was. He’d already lived through the worst. No one could forget that.

“Just try some sunscreen while you’re out on Spring Lake, okay? For my sake.” He nodded once, and she decided to believe he was agreeing with her instead of moving the conversation along.

“Any new complaints? You’ve lost another ten pounds, so whatever you’re doing is working.” Elaine flipped through his chart. When he’d arrived at the after-hours emergency care center two years ago, he’d been in bad shape with chest pains and blood pressure through the roof. His improvement was thanks to an angioplasty and medication to control his blood pressure combined with a desire to make a change.