GabeI was minding my business. Literally. I promised my dad I’d take care of the Wilder family adventure business in our little Oregon town of Rush Creek, which also means looking out for my mom, my sister, and my rowdy co-workers, AKA my brothers.Now the business is in trouble. Overnight, Rush Creek has become a spa-and-wedding destination, and the new tourists aren’t interested in getting dirty—or at least not in the woods.Then Lucy comes to town, all blond hair and silky blouses and spike heels. It’s her job to give Wilder Adventures a makeover. Camping to glamping, rafting to paddle board yoga, fishing trips to girls’ night sunset cruises. If she gets her way, Wilder Adventures will become Wilder Romantic Adventures.Lucy hates small towns, getting messy, and anything involving the woods or the water—which pretty much makes her Not My Type.That doesn’t explain why when I see her, I can’t look away. Why when I touch her, I can’t stop. And why, even though I know no one can talk a city girl into small town life, I’m still trying.She’s driving me wild. All I can do is make her wilder.
I love how much Gabe loves his City Girl…
Keep reading to see the full Love Note!
Dear City Girl,
The moment I saw you in that ridiculous business suit and those outrageous heels, crouching in the pouring rain—to rescue ducklings, for fuck’s sake—I knew I wanted to be your hero.
I know in those early days I wasn’t always gentle with you or easy to get along with. But I swear, even though I didn’t know enough to love you yet, I loved how it felt to be around you. I loved the way we struck sparks off each other like flint off steel. And I loved how you wanted everything just so, even though my world kept trying to mess up your perfect hair.
Then I loved how you let yourself get messy. You became so much a part of Rush Creek for me that it felt like it would make more sense for me to leave it than for you to.
In the end, I got you to fall for the great outdoors, but I fell so far and so hard that it didn’t even matter. If you’d told me you’d never sleep in a tent, I wouldn’t have cared. I just wanted—I just want—you. And Willow, of course.
And Buck, when he’s not busy chewing up my brothers’ girlfriends’ stuff.
I’m so excited to spend this first Valentine’s Day with both my girls. Loving you has been the wildest and the best adventure of my life.
Happy Valentine’s Day, my crazy-beautiful city girl. I will always love you.
Love,
Gabe
USA Todaybestselling author Serena Bell writes contemporary romance with heat, heart, and humor. A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and you can often find her scribbling in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.
Serena’s books have earned many honors, including an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book of the Year for Romance.
When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also of how often she changes her hobbies and how passionately she embraces the new ones. These days, it’s stand-up paddle boarding, board-gaming, meditation, and long walks with good friends.
