Page 1 of Three Hearts Hideaway

Chapter One

AVA

She didn’t expect Little Greenfield to be so…little.

This was why she usually made detailed travel plans: so she didn’t end up in an unfamiliar town with a single carry-on suitcase and a lot of regret.

Sitting on the only shuttle from the rinky-dink airport, Ava Anderson was thankful she’d arrived on a Tuesday—one of the few days the airport ran a shuttle into town. A happy coincidence in her otherwise disaster of a day.

She took stock of her surroundings while chastising herself for being so rash. Little Greenfield had one five-block long road with shops and amenities, while the rest appeared residential. Surely, it would have a hotel she could check into. Another reason she normally made travel plans: so she definitely had a place to stay when she arrived at her destination.

Yesterday, when her phone’s entire contact list received a voice message from her dickbag boyfriend—nowex-boyfriend—spilling all her sexual fantasies and sordid secrets, she decided to make herself scarce. Initially, she scrolled through her contactsfor someone to talk to. Someone who could help her get through the embarrassment she was dealing with. But there was no one.

She’d pushed away her two best friends long ago. So she couldn’t call Brittany. Not Layla, either. Not after giving them the silent treatment for the better part of a year. How Sebastian had managed to get her to stop speaking to the two most important friends in her life, she didn’t know. He manipulated her so expertly that she didn’t realize it until the damage was done. She saw that now.

It wasn’t like her to head somewhere unknown at the drop of a hat. But a mini-sabbatical away from Sebastian, away from her job, and away from Ottawa seemed like a good idea. She couldn’t believe she'd left the next day without booking any accommodations or checking to see if there was a hotel. For all that was holy, she was a senior project manager at the second largest marketing firm in the capital of the country. She knew her shit! Her work life was immaculate. But her personal life? At this point in time, it was a disaster. No close friends. No boyfriend. Taking off without proper planning. She shook her head, disconcerted with how she’d landed in this position.

She’d never been to Little Greenfield, but it sounded cozy and off the beaten path. A good place to get away and puzzle out exactly what she wanted in a partner. Because of the prick Sebastian, who was decidedly nota good partner, everyone she knew was laughing at her.

Or was disgusted with her.

Or was too embarrassed to look her in the eye.

Her mom and dad got that voice message. They’d called, of course, to let her know they’d stopped listening at the first mention of the wordslut. They also not-so-subtly suggested she leave Sebastian. She thanked the universe that they lived in Toronto. That conversation face-to-face would’ve been way more awkward.

Not to mention her colleagues, clients, her building manager, and her boss. They all got the voice message, too.

Using her banked paid personal days to take time off work was easier than imagined. Her boss could hardly meet her eyes when he hastily approved her request for ten days off.

She would kill Sebastian. Or cut off his balls. Or egg his house.

But she wouldn’t do anything, because she never did. Standing up to Sebastian was like a Tonka truck standing up to a bulldozer. She’d never hold up. She wouldn’t even make a dent. What he did was unforgivable. She had no way to undo it, so she’d finally mustered enough courage to dump his not-sorry ass and fled the city. Thank goodness she’d had the sense to saynowhen he’d tried to convince her to move in with him six months ago. He’d been making her feel stupid about her choice ever since, but boy was it saving her ass now.

The shuttle stopped outside a post office. The four other passengers piled off, and the driver announced this was the only stop the service made.

“Any chance there’s a hotel around here?” she asked the driver.

“Of course, darlin’. Best hotel in town is two blocks that way.” He gestured straight in front of him. “It’s also the only hotel.” He gave a wry chuckle, clearly pleased with himself.

“I appreciate that, thank you,” she said, exiting the bus.

“Not sure there will be anything available this time of year, though.”

His comment stopped her in her tracks. Nothing available? At all? “Sorry, what time of year is it? Why wouldn’t I be able to get a room?”

“On account of the fishing competition. Best fishing in the area is right here in Little Greenfield at Kawawaymog Lake.Heck, I’d say it’s the best fishing in Ontario, but I’m biased.” He winked.

“How long does the competition last?”

“Oh, it starts tomorrow and goes for a week. The other passengers are here for that reason. Now is the prime time for our fishing tourists.”

Great. She was having a poorly planned, quarter-life crisis in a remote town, and it had a boatload of fishermen booked into the one hotel. Once again, she scolded herself for being so thoughtless.

“Thanks for the heads up. I guess I’ll have to take my chances.” Dejected, she set off toward the only hotel in town, suitcase in hand.

The Quiet Shore Hotel had a worn white façade, green wooden shutters lining each window, and a happy little plant sitting next to the entrance. Noticeably well taken care of. That buoyed her spirits, and she hoped the people inside were good caretakers, too. Maybe they could squeeze her in somewhere.

She entered the bright lobby to the scent of fresh coffee. A cozy sitting area by a fireplace sat across from the reception desk, where an older lady spoke to the passengers from the shuttle. Her heart dropped. The driver was probably right about the hotel being full, too.

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