Too in Love to Stay

By Tressie Lockwood

Kaleeja Kelly is feeling trapped in a life she didn't choose. When her grandmother got sick, her mom didn't want to run their B&B. Kaleeja took over the business and cares for her grandmother. Then her mom lands flat on her back. Kaleeja is responsible for both the family and their income. There's no time to think about her dreams or finding someone special.

 

Monroe Bruce chose the wrong path. His wife is controlling and mean-spirited. His ruthless father-in-law is his boss. Monroe hates his job and his life. While vacationing at an idyllic smalltown B&B, he dares to dream of something more.

 

Two years after he loses everything, Monroe remembers the beautiful Black woman, who is nothing like any woman he's ever known. When he returns to see Kaleeja, he's a broken man. He doesn't know if she'll want him. But Kaleeja is broken too, and what she desires most is the sweet man she's never forgotten.

 

Can they trust themselves to choose the love that's budding between them?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tressie Lockwood
• Release date: May 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201531584

Book preview

Chapter 1

The rain fell in buckets. Temptation came over Kaleeja to just hang out on the patio and watch it. How relaxing, her muscles begged her to stay put, but the chores around the house wouldn’t get themselves done. Plus, she needed to walk down to the specialty grocery store to pick up a few things.

She sighed. At any time of a day, there were at least a hundred things she could be doing and a hundred more she put off until tomorrow. The work was never done.

But this was your dream, girl, so suck it up.

Her dream? The Bed and Breakfast wasn’t her dream. Her grandmother started the place umpteen years ago. Her mom never liked it and had worked as a roofer until she fell off one of them and injured her back. Kaleeja had dreamed of owning her own business but not this house.

Not that she didn’t love the family’s business. This house with its eight bedrooms—well nine if one counted the exercise room that was now converted into Mama’s—was all Kaleeja knew. She’d taken over the B&B when Mimi got sick, and now she managed the house, her grandmother, and her mom. Most days it felt like too much.

Most days, she wanted to get on a bus heading out of town and never look back.

Kaleeja, her mother shouted.

She tensed.

Kaleeja, where are you? I’m thirsty, and I need to go to the restroom. My leg’s giving me trouble. I can’t do it this time by myself.

With reluctance, Kaleeja left the peaceful scene of the rain falling on the back lawn. Crossing the recreation room, she noticed the board games that needed to be put away and the dirty dishes someone abandoned, and she forgot to clean up. The carpet could use a vacuum, and the mantel needed dusting.

Her creative juices stirred as she glanced at the mantel. New ideas floated in and out of her thoughts about giving the décor there a fresh look. Maybe she could get some reclaimed wood and—no. Mimi’s style was to have all midcentury modern décor, not farmhouse. Kaleeja liked an older more rustic feel. Her ideas wouldn’t fit in with the atmosphere in their home. No sense crying over it. She loved the house anyway, and it was very beautiful.

At her mom’s bedroom door, she paused and frowned at her mom. I asked you not to yell, Ma. You know we have guests.

They’re all the way on the second floor, and we’re in the basement. No one heard me, and I knew you weren’t far. Out there staring at the sky again.

Kaleeja rolled her eyes but not while her mom looked at her. I’m not staring at the sky. I was taking a breather.

Her mom waved a chubby arm at her. The night dress she wore with the button down front flapped open dangerously. Kaleeja averted her eyes.

Come over here and help me. My leg is trying to kill me.

I told you not to have pizza last night. You know what pizza does to you.

Don’t you lecture me. I’m the mom, and you’re the child.

I’m hardly a child.

You know what I mean. Are you going to help me or not?

Kaleeja steeled herself to help. While she was thick and strong built, her mom had her by at least fifty pounds. Kaleeja was always careful when she helped her mom to walk because they didn’t need three people down. Who would help them then? Kaleeja couldn’t afford to injure herself or slow down. Not if she wanted to keep her family provided for and the bills paid.

Who are you people?

Kaleeja was in the middle of stumbling under her mom’s weight when Mimi appeared at her side. Mimi wore a cute rose-colored dress and pink medium heels to match. The handbag hanging from her arm was a throwback from the fifties, leopard print. Slim and tall with youthful cocoa skin that belied her senior years, she looked beautiful. All except for her hair, which she had forgotten to brush. It lay in a tangled mess all about her head.

Mimi, where are you going? Kaleeja kept her tone gentle.

I said, who are you people, and what are you doing in my house? Mimi frowned. I’ll call the cops if you don’t clear out of here.

She sounded reasonable, but Mimi had developed dementia a few years ago. She had no idea that she never left the house without Kaleeja, and she certainly didn’t wear heels because she was unstable on her feet. Mimi often forgot these facts.

Mimi, please go back in your room. I’ll come in with your breakfast soon. Just let me deal with Ma first.

Her grandmother blinked at her and fiddled with the purse’s handle. After a few moments, she lost track of what she had been complaining about and wandered off. Kaleeja didn’t worry her grandmother would end up on the first or upper floor of the house because she kept the door locked between their personal space and what they used for their guests.

Kaleeja got her mom seated on the toilet and straightened to wipe moisture from her forehead and upper lip. A buzzing sounded in the recreation room, and she hurried to answer the phone. The code she punched in activated the line. This was another safety measure to keep her grandmother from using the phone.

Yes, may I help you? Kaleeja said.

I hope it’s not too early to call, but I was wondering if there’s a place nearby where I could grab a few items. I can’t believe I’ve forgotten an important piece of luggage at home.

As usual, a small tingling raced over her skin when she heard his voice. Good Lord, a woman shouldn’t get all hot and bothered listening to a man, especially when that man wasn’t available.

She smiled into the phone, although he couldn’t see it. You’re not bothering me at all, Mr. Bruce. That’s what I’m here for. If you’ll give me a list, I’ll be happy to pick up what you need. I’m heading out to the store shortly.

If she had to purchase items for him, that meant she would have to drive to the store. Disappointment made her bite down on the inside of her jaw. She’d been looking forward to walking in the rain, splashing in puddles like a kid. Talk about finding entertainment where one could, she was ridiculous.

I don’t want to put you out, and call me Monroe.

She made a small sound of agreement but had no intention of complying. Calling him by his last name would keep the attraction she felt toward him in check. He would be there only a couple weeks, and then she likely wouldn’t see him again.

Monroe, an odd first name.

No, not even in her head. She shook the name away from her thoughts. It’s no problem. Like I said, I’m heading that way. Unless of course you wanted to keep your purchase private. I understand.

He chuckled. Nothing like that. Just wanted to move around. It’s nice here, quiet and peaceful. We’re near civilization but at the same time, it feels like we’re cocooned.

I agree. My grandmother and grandfather had no idea how things would develop around us, but we lucked out. This house has a perfect location.

He hadn’t seen anything yet. The road leading to the small downtown area where she intended to visit, was amazing. The trees on both sides of the road reached over the road, somewhat shielding it from the harsher elements.

In summer, colorful wildflowers blossomed at the base of the trees. In fall, the leaves on the trees turned myriad shades of yellow, red, and brown to dazzle the eyes. On most days, a deer or two stuck its head out of the brush. Driving down that road rather than taking one’s time to walk should be a crime.

The stores aren’t too far. If you’re into walking, you and your wife might enjoy the view. She shared a little bit about the road and left further discovery to him, should he care to take up the suggestion of walking.

My wife doesn’t wake up before noon, he explained. It’s just me, and now you’ve got me eager to see this road. I’ll join you.

Uh… She never said she would go with him.

I’ll be ready in twenty minutes. How’s that?

We don’t have—

Thanks, Kaleeja.

He was gone before she had a chance to reply. The ‘how’s that’ was rhetorical, apparently. He fully intended the two of them to walk together. Was he nuts? The man wasn’t on his honeymoon or his anniversary trip, according to what the couple said when they arrived. The trip was a whim. Mrs. Bruce wanted to visit a nearby wine festival, and her husband had longed to stay somewhere other than a hotel for a change. They settled on Kaleeja’s family B&B and had arrived the day before.

Kaleeja considered calling her customer back and telling him she couldn’t walk with him. Talk about temptation, she wasn’t that type of woman to go fooling around with some other woman’s man. Yet, the possible companionship drew her.

After getting Mimi settled, she changed her shoes to the waterproof sneakers. They were old and well-worn but still in good condition. She prided herself on the choice because the shoes would further make her feel unattractive and therefore not try to subtly come on to a married man.

By the time she stepped out the front door, the rain had stopped. Monroe waited for her. He had dressed in shorts that reached his knees but showed off muscular calves and a T-shirt she recognized from a local shop. If he already had a souvenir, didn’t he know where the nearest shop was for whatever he left behind? She decided not to speculate too closely.

Monroe sported sandals on his perfectly formed, tan, strong feet. White men. They could be so gorgeous sometimes.

Get a grip, Kaleeja.

She pulled herself together and fell into step beside him. He modified his long stride to match hers. She put him at six foot something, maybe six three or four? He was a big guy in height and build.

I hope I didn’t keep you waiting. When I said I could be ready in twenty minutes… Yeah, right. She never said that. …I forgot I still hadn’t fixed Mimi’s breakfast.

He shrugged those big shoulders that made her mouth water. Not a big deal. I have all the time in the world. This is vacation after all.

I hope you’re enjoying yourself so far.

He smiled. Her heart fluttered. I am.

And your wife? Right throw in the wife every time. Did she like my suggestion to visit the flower festival?

We haven’t had a chance to check it out yet, but maybe.

He trailed off, and she figured out that flower sniffing wasn’t Mrs. Bruce’s cup of tea. Everyone who visited the area did so to enjoy the views and take life easy. From the first moment Kaleeja met the woman who looked like she’d never needed to work for anything a day in her life she figured country living wasn’t her thing.

They turned a bend in the road, and Kaleeja stopped to allow Monroe to take in his first view of the special road. He breathed in deep, his gray-green eyes wide. Kaleeja enjoyed watching him take in the vision of trees everywhere, blues skies overhead with fluffy white clouds.

On the ground, the wildflowers swayed in a gentle breeze. Vivid shades of violet, yellow, and orange dazzled the senses. Everything not only looked amazing, but the air smelled sweet and fresh.

As beautiful as this road is, Kaleeja said, I’d love it if it was more of a field and not a paved road, maybe a path between the trees. How awesome would that be?

Very, he agreed. Thanks for sharing it. I would have hated to miss this view.

There are many more around this area. The only requirement is taking your time to enjoy it.

They began walking again.

Did you grow up here? he asked.

I was born here, but when my mom and dad split, we moved to New York for a few years. I did not like the big city! At some point, we moved back here. She didn’t explain the details of her mom hopping around from job to job and other misadventures. Eventually, we settled back here, and I’ve been here ever since. I’m not leaving again. This is home.

I don’t blame you.

She wanted to ask him a few personal questions but decided against it. He volunteered a bit on his own.

I enjoy what I do. I am a division manager at my wife’s father’s company.

She made a noise of acknowledgement, and he offered a wry grin.

"I know what

Reviews for Too in Love to Stay

[Crystal M Chapman · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story was a bit rushed, but a nice read. Somehow I've gotten unintentionally trapped into reading interracial romances. It's not my normal genre at all.

Thank you to the author for not using words such as "mirth" and "innit" that seem to be ever-present in this newly discovered genre. Well played.