Macy Cooper stood in her lavish executive office that overlooked the park below, staring at the termination letter in her trembling hands. Her heart sank as she absorbed the words, spelling out the end of her career in Los Angeles.  

She had dedicated her entire profession to the prestigious Sterling Financial Solutions, but the more she dug into the company’s finances, the more discrepancies she found. What she’d expected was a swift and thorough investigation into who was laundering money.  But not this. Macy should have seen it coming when her boss brushed her concerns aside. None of this was her fault, even though the paper in her fist said otherwise. 

She could hardly get past the first paragraph.  

We regret to inform you that your employment with Sterling Financial Solutions is terminated effective immediately. After a thorough investigation into financial discrepancies within the company, it has been determined that you are responsible for the irregularities.  

Thorough investigation? Apparently, the only one who’d done any investigating was herself. How could he put the blame on her? 

Glancing over the rest of the letter, Macy couldn’t believe what Mr. Guldbrandsen was implying. Serious breaches of trust, misappropriation of funds, and fraudulent activities. The topper: evidence and testimonies collected have substantiated these findings. 

Whose testimony did they gather? The culprit? The boss himself? Was he the one who was the one cooking the books and landing the blame in her lap? How could she possibly go up against their team of lawyers? Macy had seen how ruthless they could be. They’d have her behind bars before she could even prove her innocence.

Macy pulled her contract from her files and perused the terms. At least she’d have her final paycheck, her accrued vacation, and hopefully some severance entitlements.

After crumpling the paper, she tossed it into the trash can and slumped into her desk chair. How had five years led to this? They’d never write her letter of recommendation, especially after what he said in the final paragraph.

She took the paper from the trash can.

We wish you the best in your future endeavors outside the world of finances and hope that you will use this experience to reflect upon and rectify your actions. What exactly had he intimated? 

Outside of her degree in accounting? And, yeah, she just bet he wished her the best. Where could she go to find people who wouldn’t cast her aside? The only place she could think of was her hometown of Miracle, Texas. But was anyone still there who still remembered her?

Chapter 2

Isaiah

Mr. Jones’ shook Isaiah’s hand one last time. “We’re sure going to miss you.” His voice was gruff with emotion.

“The place won’t be the same without you.” Isaiah was going to miss this sweet older couple who’d run Miracle Inn for the last twenty years.

Mr. Jones held onto his hand in a firm grip.  “You have never let us down.”

Mrs. Jones wrapped her arms around Isaiah’s shoulders in a tight hug. “I didn’t put anywhere in the paperwork about your past, so the new owner will have no reason not to keep you on.”

“Thank you so much for everything.” Isaiah knew what they were referring to. After his release from prison, no one would hire him. Being a felon limited not only his employment opportunities, but where he could live, as well. Most places wouldn’t rent to someone like him. His only choice had been to return to Miracle to live with his mother, who’d barely moved here herself. She said it would give them both a clean break.

As luck would have it, the Jones’s previous handman had recently retired, and they were willing to take the risk of hiring him. “I promise I’ll stay on the right path.” That’s what he’d promised him at his job interview almost twelve years ago. Had he really been employed with them for that long?

Mr. Jones put his hand on Isaiah’s shoulder. “I hope the new owner keeps you on.”

Mrs. Jones released her hug on him. “We did give you a good referral.”

“I can’t imagine what I’ll do is she doesn’t employ me.” He shrugged his shoulders. “No one in Texas would hire me with my record.”

Mrs. Jones patted his hand. “That was a long time ago, and you were still in your teens.”

Nineteen was hardly a teenager, but he didn’t mention it. “Do you know anything about the new owner?”

Mrs. Jones tucked a gray lock of hair behind her ear. “Not much, except she’s from here and decided to look for some investment property. She’s settling some things in California. I think she’s waiting on the sale of her house.”

Mr. Jones said. “Might take her a few weeks to get here.”

Isaiah rubbed his chin. “And she really bought this old place sight unseen?”

“She does have some old ties here. Clara Woodward was her great aunt and raised her here.” Mrs. Jones said. “She passed away just before you got here. I remember how sad Clara was when her great-niece headed off to college in LA, and then got a job at some corporate something or other.” She turned to her husband. “What was her niece’s name? Mary, Lacy?”

Mr. Jones raised an eyebrow. “You’re asking me? You’re the one who keeps track of all the goings on. I’m just here for the donuts.”

They both laughed. That had been an ongoing joke between them after watching a funny movie.

Isaiah followed them outside the inn and into the bright sunshine.

“Anyway, her last name is Cooper. I remember that from the contract.” Mr. Jones handed two keys to Isaiah. “I know you have your own set, but make sure to give these to Jack. He’ll want to give them to her as soon as she arrives.”

Isaiah took the keys from Mr. Jones.  “I’ll keep the place secure until the new owner arrives.”

And on that note, his employes left the hotel for the last time.

Chapter 3

Macy

-res- maybe say something about the break-in and how frightened she’d been. Never in a million years did Macy imagine herself leaving Los Angeles to return to her hometown of Miracle, Texas. She’d sworn when she left, she was going to prove to the world she could make in the big city. And she’d kept her promise, except to return when Aunt Clara had passed away, but that was only long enough to sell her aunt’s house and buy herself a nice one in California.

But now, being blackballed in the financial world had landed her with no other options but to turn tail and run home. Home. Not that anyone here would ever remember her since it had been almost twenty-five years since she graduated. She’d be able to make a fresh start, and she wouldn’t have to tell anyone about the accusations.

Luckily, Sterling Financial had honored her contract of the severance package, and with the sale of her house, she’d managed to scrape together enough money for a down payment on Miracle Inn.

If it hadn’t been for her discoveries at Sterling, Macy would have been living the perfect life in her small home overlooking the beach. It wasn’t anything fancy, but the housing market for beach property kept skyrocketing.

Standing on the sidewalk with Jack, her realtor, she stared up at the sign hanging over the entrance. It looked worse than the pictures he’d sent her. The paint was peeling, the door looked ready to fall off its hinges. If the inside looked like this, it probably needed as much attention as well. She couldn’t even remember if she’d ever seen the hotel’s lobby when she lived her with her aunt. First, she’d remodel the exterior to accommodate a drive through entrance for travelers so they wouldn’t have to unload in the rain…and this close to the coast, boy did it rain. 

Jack Seymore held out the keys. “I think this calls for a photograph, don’t you?” 

Macy nodded her head and turned to face Jack’s young assistant standing close to the street. Though the corners of Macy’s mouth went up, her stomach sunk into her shoes. What was she thinking? It would take the rest of her money plus a bank loan to refurbish the old place. 

Clenching her jaw, Macy would prove to herself and Sterling Financial Solutions, she could redeem her shattered ego and make this not only the most profitable hotel in Texas, but the prettiest. She could well imagine all the tourists flocking in to stay at Miracle Inn.

Mr. Seymore’s assistant came running up the sidewalk. “How’s that?” He turned his phone to show her the image. “I can take another one if you don’t like this one.”  

Yeah, her wild hair looked like she’d stuck her finger in a light socket. And the sun shining on it made it look even more reddish orange than normal. Not to mention the corners of her mouth pulled into a frown. The picture would have to do—not like it was going on any online website. 

Macy took the keys from Mr. Guldbrandsen. Her realtor had sent her tons of pictures of the interior as well. The pictures didn’t look so bad, but judging from the outside, it would need a lot more work than what the photos showed.

When she put the key in the lock, the weathered wooden door creaked open. What? No one had bother to lock it? Had someone broken in?

Memories of that horrible night came flooding back. She’d worked until almost midnight going over the accounts, checking and rechecking the numbers. Something just wasn’t adding up. That’s when she’d first suspected someone at Sterling Financial was messing with the numbers. With her mind on what she was going to do the next day, she hadn’t noticed the unlocked door when she’d used her key. It wasn’t until she stepped on broken glass from the entry window, that she flipped on the light and turned around noting the damage to the door.

In the light a young man, holding a stack of papers peered at her. Shock registered on his face as he dropped the papers and pulled a gun from his pocket. He spun, aimed at the sliding glass door, blowing it to pieces. He’d escaped onto the deck and fled in the dark toward the beach.

To frightened to move, Macy stood in the living room, forcing her hands to stop trembling enough so she could call the police.

Mr. Seymore touched Macy’s arm. “Are you alright?”

Macy shook her head. “Would you mind calling the police to check things out?”

Mr. Seymore chuckled. “Nobody locks their doors in Miracle”

“Still…”

“I’ll check.” Mr. Seymore left her standing in the lobby.

After what seemed like an eternity listening to the creaks of the old building, Mr. Seymore finally returned. “Nothing here.”

 With a sigh of relief, Lacy determined that the first thing on her list was to purchase a new lock.

Mr. Seymore patted her shoulder. “I can understand how living in the big city might make you a little jumpy.”

That was an understatement. But then Aunt Clara never locked her doors, and no one had ever bothered them back then. “Thank you for checking.” She didn’t want to explain what happened to her in LA. The police never did catch the guy.  “I’m sure with a little TLC, you’ll have this place up and running in no time.” He’d assured her last week that the hotel had only been closed for a few weeks after its sale, which was a good thing since this was the off-season time of year. With the air conditioner off, the air hung thick with the summer humidity. The handyman who worked for the previous owners had stayed on to make sure things were secure. She’d have to have a word with him about the front door being unlocked. He was obviously negligent in his duties.

Macy flipped a switch, but the lights didn’t come on. She’d have to go to city hall and make sure to get the power turned on before dealing with the front door.

The grand staircase swept into the lobby. With the sunshine from the antique beveled windows casting light across the carpeting, it showed years of wear. 

Her realtor motioned to a hallway leading to another door with a single flat window in it. “Through that door is SweetHart’s Café. I’m sure you saw pictures of that as well.” 

Macy’s heart sunk. Nowhere in the sale of the inn did it mention a restaurant. “You mean I’ll have to run that as well?”

He twisted the antique doorknob. “Oh, no. That’s owned and operated by Olivia Hartman.”  

Macy breathed a sigh of relief. Hartman. She vaguely remembered the Bar Z ranch. Old man Zeke had the best rodeo in town…in fact, the only rodeo in town.

She stepped through the door as Mr. Seymore held it open for her.

The quaint diner, reminiscent of the 1950s, held a unique charm perfect for this small town. From the black and white checkered floors to the red and white décor, this place could easily draw the local clientele as well as other folks around the coastal Texas towns. Hopefully the cooking was as wonderful as the atmosphere here.

Mr. Seymore led her to the hostess station. A plumb brunette smiled at Mr. Seymore. “Hey, there, Jack.” She took two menus from below the cash register. “Booth or table?” 

He waved a hand in rejection. “Oh, we’re not staying.” 

“Ah, that’s too bad. Hector’s specialty today is Eggs Benedict. I know how much you love it.” 

Jack grinned and smacked his lips. “Yeah, normally. But the missus made a huge breakfast for me.” He motioned to Macy. “This is Macy Cooper, the new owner of Miracle Inn.”

“Well, howdy! My name’s Celia.” A huge welcome spread across the hostess’s face. “We’re just mighty glad to get that hotel up and running. The town just ain’t been the same, and business at the diner has dropped off pretty bad.” 

Didn’t Jack say that the hotel had only been closed for a month? Macy shot a questioning glance at Jack. He ignored her. “Is Olivia in? I’m sure she’d love to meet Macy.” 

“She’s not in this morning.” The hostess set the menus back under the counter. “She should be in around eleven, though, if you want to check back later.”  

“Sure. We’ll be back.” Jack leaned against the counter and said to Macy, “You’re going to love Olivia.”

“I can’t wait to meet her.”

The front door chimed and in walked the most handsome cowboy. He reminded her of the one thing she loved about Texas–her obsession with hard chiseled muscles, strong jaws, and sun leathered faces…so different than the skinny office boys back in LA. Her heart skipped a beat when his pale brown eyes met hers. She would have come all the way back to Miracle just to take a gander at him.