ComingHome

SnowyRidge

LoveatStarlightSeries,Book1

KrisJett

ComingHome

SnowyRidge:LoveatStarlight,Book1

ByKrisJett

Copyright2017byKrisJett

Thisstoryisaworkoffiction.Names,characters,places,andeventsareeitherproductsoftheauthor’s

imaginationorareusedfictitiously.Anyresemblancetoactualevents,locales,orpersons,livingordead,

isentirelycoincidental.

Allrightsreserved.

Thisebookislicensedforyourpersonalenjoymentonly.Thisebookmaynotbere-soldorgivenawayto
other people. If you would like to share this ebook with another person, please purchase an additional
copyforeachrecipient.Ifyou’rereadingthisebookanddidnotpurchaseit,oritwasnotpurchasedfor
youruseonly,thenpleasereturntoAmazon.comandpurchaseyourowncopy.Thankyouforrespecting
thehardworkofthisauthor.

CoverPhotographyfromShutterstock.comandDepositphotos.com

www.AuthorKrisJett.com

WELCOMETOSTARLIGHT

A family-owned pub in the picturesque snowmobiling town of Snowy Ridge, Wisconsin. The weather
maybecoldoutside,butthingsaresizzlingindoors.

Fallinlovewiththenewsmall-townromanceseriesbeginningwith:

ChristmasatStarlight–Amber&Nick(SnowyRidge:ALoveatStarlightNovella,Book0.5)

ComingHome–Jessie&Cade(SnowyRidge:LoveatStarlight,Book1)

TakingChances–Wynn&Bryce(SnowyRidge:LoveatStarlight,Book2)

FindingMe–Luci&Evan(SnowyRidge:LoveatStarlight,Book3)

ChapterOne

“Youaresogoingdownyoulittlef-ers,”JessieFosterhissedunderherbreath.Shepulledthesnow

shovelfarbackoverherheadandjumpedthistimeassheswungforward,missingagain.“Damnit!”

Her mom had asked her to shoot out here and handle the monster icicles over the doorway to the

StarlightPubbeforetheycamedownonanyoftheircustomers’heads.She’dthoughtthejobwouldbefast
sosheonlyworeherNorthFacefleeceoverhernavypubt-shirtandwasnowregrettingthechoice.She
wasfreezingandherfeetweregettingwetfromstompingaroundinthesnow,wavingashovelaroundfor
thelasttenminutes.

Shepulledherrighthandbackbehindherear,shoveltightinhergrip,andlauncheditthroughtheair

likeajavelin,takingdownthreeofthegiantsharpswordsofice.

“Yes!”sheyelled,shootingherarmsupinaVforvictory.
“Youwinningthere,Jessie?”avoicesaid.
Jessieturnedandforcedasmileatthecustomersmakingtheirwayuptheporchtowardherandthe

entrance.“I’mtrying,Mrs.Anderson.How’rethetrailstoday?”

“Frigginawesome,”Kyle,oneoftheAnderson’sfifteen-yearoldtwinsreplied.
Thefamilyoffourweresuitedinmatchingbluesnowmobilesuitsandcarryingtheirhelmetsintheir

arms.Theyhadparkedtheirsnowmobilesattheendoftheporchwiththeotherpatronsandtheystomped
theirfeetastheywalked,shakingsnowloose.

“Youneedsomehelpthere,Sweetie?”Mr.Andersonsaid,slurringon“Sweetie.”
Ugh, was he drinking already? He probably had a flask tucked into his coat. People weren’t

supposedtodrinkwhileridingonthetrailsbutsomedidanyway.Theyallendedupheredrinkingbythe
time dinner hit anyway, you’d think he could wait that long. His wife didn’t even shoot him a warning
look. She was just as content as could be. Probably had a flask of wine tucked in her own pocket.
Vacationers.

“Nothanks,I’maboutdonehere.Gooninandgetatablenearthefireifyoucan.I’llbeinsideina

momenttohelpyou,”Jessietoldthem.Sheinvoluntarilyshiveredwhenshementionedthefire,wishing
she was sitting by it herself right about now. It had to be ten degrees out here and her fingers were
completelynumb.

Thesunwassettingandthewhitetwinklelightsthatoutlinedtheentirebuildingandporchofthepub

flipped on. The rest of the dinner crowd would be funneling in any moment and she had to get these
iciclesdown.ShewatchedtheAndersonsshuffleintothepubandthedoorclosewithathudbehindthem.

“Allright,”Jessiemuttered.“Ifyouwon’tcometome,I’mgoingtocometoyou.”Sheclimbedupa

mountainofsnowontheleftsideofthedoor,createdfromweeksofshovelingthewalkway.Shedugher
feetintoeachsideofthepeakofthesnowhill,tryingtosteadyherself.There.Sheshouldbeabletowhap
theseiciclesonceandforallnow.

Shepulledtheshovelbacktotherightandjustassheisabouttoletlooseattheiciclesafamiliar

voicefromthepastsaid,“Becareful.”

Beforeshecouldcatchherself,sheletgooftheshovelandfeltherhandswindmillingasshecrashed

backwardoffthehillandontotheground.

“Damn,”shegroaned.Jessiewasseeingstarsanditwasn’tdarkenoughforthatyetsosheclosed

hereyes.Shementallyexaminedeachbodypart,tryingtodecideifshewasseriouslyinjuredanywhere.
Nothinghurttoobadly,exceptmaybeherhead.Itwasalittlefoggy.Shecouldhaveswornshe’dhearda
voice that didn’t belong in Snowy Ridge, North Wisconsin. At least not anymore. A voice she hadn’t
heardinoversixyears.Onethatbelongedonamanoffsavingarainforestorprotectingoceanwildlifein
GreenPeace.No,shewassureifshejustkepthereyesclosedthenthatvoicethatsoundedsomuchlike
theonefromherpastwouldactuallybejustanothercustomer,cominginfordinner,not…

“Jessie, are you all right? Open your eyes. Where do you hurt?” the voice said, now about three

inchesaway,hiswarmbreathonherface.

Shebreathedin.JesusChrist.TheguywasstillwearingOldSpiceafteralloftheseyears.Didn’t

anyoneevertellhimyoucanbuycologneoutsideoftheShopRitenow?

Her eyes fluttered open, taking in his face, the same face she used to spend hours staring at yet

completelydifferentatthesametime.Older,rougher,afewdaysofhairgrowthacrossamuchstronger
jawline.Heleanedbackandtookherintohisoutstretchedmuscularforearms,pullinghereasilytoher
feet.Asmilespreadacrosshisweatheredfaceandhisaquablueeyessearchedherface.

JasonKirkland,herfirstloveandthereasonshehadn’tspokentohersisterLuciinsixyears.

ChapterTwo

“I’mallright.Really.Youcanletgoofmyarmnow,”Jessiesaid,refusingtomakeanyfurthereye

contactwithJason.WhatwashedoingbackinSnowyRidge?Oncesomeonelefttheyrarelycameback.It
tookacertainkindofpersontolovelivinginasmalltowninNorthernWisconsinandthatpersonwasn’t
Jason.Neverwas.Jasonwasalwaysallaboutadventure.Basejumpingofftallbuildings,mountainbiking
down a mountain, swimming with sharks. Not hanging out at the Starlight Pub in the cozy snowmobile
townof1000.Lastshe’dheardhewasteachingEnglishtochildrensomewhereinAfrica.

“Here,letmehelpyouovertoachair,”hesaid,tryingtowrapanarmaroundherwaist.
Shepushedhishandaway,hard.“Seriously,I’mfine.Pleasestop.”
Jasonheldhishandsupinsurrender.“Fine,Iwon’thelpyou.Buttellmehowyouare.What’veyou

beenupto?It’sbeensolongsinceI’velastseenyou.”

Andit’sgoingtobeevenlongerbeforeItellyouanythingaboutmyself,Jessiethought.Therewas

nowayshewasgoingtositaroundtalkingaboutthegoodoledayswithJasonKirkland.Norehashingthe
pastforher.He’dhurtherbadly,noscratchthat.He’dkilledher.Andshewasn’tabouttobekindortalk
tohimnow,nomatterhowlonghestoodtherewiththatgoofysmileonhisface.

“You’llhavetoexcuseme,”Jessiesaid.“Myboyfriendiswaitingforme.”Sheturnedherheadand

scannedtheroom,lookingforanyoneJasonmightbuyasherotherhalf.Bingo.“He’sthathotrichguyat
thetableinthecorneroverthere,bythewindow.”Shepointedtoabroad-shoulderedguywithwavyjet
black hair, intensely staring at some paperwork laying open in front of him. His long jean clad legs
crossedattheanklesunderthetable.“He’llmakesureI’mokay.Don’tyouworry.”

Jessiewalkedtowardthemaninthecorner,consciousthatJasonwaslikelystaringatherbackside

and wishing she had worn her good ass-hugging jeans today. She slid into the seat opposite the good-
lookingstranger.

Helookedup,startled.
Jessie talked fast. “Help me out, will you? See that guy behind me, near the fire place, probably

lookingoverherenow?”

Themanglancedoverhershoulderandthenreturnedhisgazetoherface.
“Well,”Jessiecontinued,“Idatedhimaboutamillionyearsagoandthoughthewastheloveofmy

lifeandthatwe’deventuallymarry.Thentheassholesleptwithmysister.”

The stranger cleared his voice and leaned in toward Jessie. “Who do I look like, Dr. Phil? Tell

someoneelseyourstory.”

Jessie gasped. Who was this rude guy? “Hey buddy,” she said, “I’m not asking for a kidney here,

okay?Justletmesitwithyouforaminuteandactlikethesunrisesandsetsonmyveryexistence,all
right?”

Themansighed,lookingmoreannoyedthanenamoredwithher.“Listenma’am.”
“Youdidnotjustcallmema’am,”Jessieinterrupted.
“Iapologize,”hesaid.“Listenlady,Idon’tknowwhoyouarebutI’mbusy.I’vegotatonofworkto

doandjustwanttogetbacktoitandeatmydinnerinpeace.So,takeawalk,wouldyou?Findsomeother
guytomakeyouroldboyjealous.”

Jessiestoodslowly,smoothingdownherjeans.“Dude,you’readick,”shetoldhim.
RefusingtoseeifJasoncaughtthescenebetweenherandMr.Asshole,Jessiemadeherwaytothe

cashregisterwherehermomstoodwithabiggrinonherface.

“Who’stheass-hatattablefive?”sheaskedhermom.
“One of the Stone boys,” her mom answered. “Three of them just moved to town and opened a

snowmobilerepairshopdownawayshereonMainStreet.Allofthemsingle,justsaying.”

“Colormeshocked.Can’timaginewhywiththesparklingpersonalitythatonehas.”

“IsthatyouroldboyfriendJasonovertherebythefireplace,staringatyou?”hermomasked.
Jessiescoffed.“Yeah.Idon’tknowwhathewantsbutI’mhopingheleavessoon.”
“MaybeIshouldgooverandsayhello,”hermomteased.
“Don’tyoudare!”shesnapped.
ThebellfromthekitchensignalinganorderwasupsoundedandJessie’smomretrievedit.“Well,

here,”shesaidpushingtheplateintoJessie’shands.“BringMr.Stonehisdinnerandbeer,then.”

“CanImakehimwearit?”Jessiemumbled,eyingtheloadedplatefullofmeatloaf,mashedpotatoes,

corn,andbiscuits.

“Onlyifherequestsittobeservedthatway,”hermomcountered.
Jessiepursedherlipsandlookedoveratthenewcomer,who’sheadwasstillburiedinhiswork.He

didhavesomeprettyamazinghair,thekindyouwanttorunyourhandsthrough.Andhehadanicestrong
jawwithadimpleinhischin.She’dalwaysbeenasuckerforchindimples.Toobaditbelongedtosucha
class-Ajerk.

Shemomentarilysettheplateoffooddownonthecounternexttohisfoamybeerandsteppedafew

feetawaytohangupherfleecejacketonahookjustoffofthebar.Shegaveherhairashake.Itwasdamp
fromthetumbleinthesnowshetook.Sheabsentmindedlytuggedathertight-fittingStarlightPubt-shirtas
shepickeduptheorderandmadeherwaybackovertothepissypatron.

“Mydeepestheartfeltapologiesfordisturbingyourworkonceagainbutyourdinner’shere,”Jessie

said.SheslidthemealunderhisnoseandploppedhisGuinnessonacardboardcoaster.

“Youworkhere?”heasked,staringdirectlyatthewords“StarlightPub”splayedacrossherbreasts.
“Wow,you’requick.Whatgaveitaway?”
“Certainlynotyourcustomerserviceskills,”hereturned.
Jessietossedacoupleofnapkinsonthetable.“Actually,Iowntheplacetoughguy.AndIhearyou

justopenedashopdownthestreet.Probablyshouldplaynicewiththelocalcommercefolk,eh?Dolet
meknowifyouneedanythingelse,”sheadded.Sheturnedonherheelandwalkedawaybeforehecould
sayanythingelse.

ChapterThree

CadeStonewatchedherwalkslowlybacktothebar,shakingherassthewholeway.Forwhosebenefit,
hewasn’tsure.Thepubownerslippedbehindthecounterandpoundedawayatthecashregisterwitha
vengeance. He glanced over his shoulder and that guy, her ex or whatever, was still seated by the
fireplace,hairallgreasedbackandstaringatherlikeasmarmyprick.Hedidn’thavetotalktohimto
knowhe’sanasshole.Thatandthescrewinghersisterthingshe’dmentioned.

Cade knew he probably should have helped her out. Been neighborly or whatever being new to

town.Hewasbeingadickjustthen.Itwasareflex.Buthenevercouldstandwhengirlsplayedgames.
Andhedidn’tneedtobedraggedintoanydramas.Hehadenoughofhisown.

Hepushedhispaperworkasideandsettoworkonhismeatloafwhilehestaredoutthewindowonto

MainStreet,SnowyRidge,Wisconsin.Nightlife,nonexistentfromwhathecouldtell.Atleastoutside.
Snowblanketedthetreesandwhitelightsoutlinedeverystoreandbuildingincludingthetinypostoffice
andvillagehallattheendofthestreet.Agiantclockstoodinthecenteroftownshowingittonotevenbe
sixp.m.yetandthetownlookeddead.Occasionally,smallclustersofpeopleshuffledalongthecleared
sidewalks,butmostwereprobablyindoorsinrestaurantshavingdinner.Thetouristswhocomehereeach
winter to snowmobile is why they’d moved here. The promise of a bursting business. The entire
populationwholivedyear-longinthistowncouldprobablyfitonhisblockbackhomeinChicago.

Home.Damn.Whatthehellwasheevendoinghere?HowdidheletCooperandCashtalkhiminto

movingback?Ormorelikeorder.Hehadasweetone-bedroominHydePark,adecentjobasanauto-
mechanic,andashit-loadofwomentochoosefromatamultitudeofbars.Thingsweregood.Butnow
herehewasinthistinyscrapofatown,workingwithhisbrothers.

TheStoneshadlivedinSnowyRidgeaskidsbutCadedidn’tremember.It’dbeentwentyyears.He

wasfivewhentheyhadmovedtoChicagoforhisdad’sjob.Cooperhadallofthesememoriesofamazing
winters: snowmobiling on the trails and family traditions of ice skating, snowball fights, or some other
Hallmarkmoviekindofbullshit.Cademusthaveblockedallthatoutbecausethefamilymemorieshehad
wereanythingbuthappy.Cooperhadfoundthisopportunitytoopenasnowmobilerepairshophereand
saiditwastheperfectthing.Abusinesstheyasbrotherscouldowntogether.Afreshstart.

Whosaidheneededafreshstart?
Cadewassoppingupthelastofthegravyonhisplatewithabiscuitwhenhenoticedthegirlwas

back.Shewasatthetablebehindhim,clearingthedishesandwipingitdown.Hekepthisgazestraight
aheadsoshewouldn’tthinkhe’dbeenpayinganyattentiontoher.

He heard a guy approach her. That guy. “Hey, Jessie, can we just talk a minute? I swear I’m not

stalkingyou.Ididn’tevenknowyou’dbehere,”hesaid.

“Andwhere’dyouthinkI’dbe?”sheasked.
“Well, anywhere, I guess,” he replied. “We always said we’d ditch Snowy Ridge first chance we

got.Seetheworld.Haveadventures.”

“Yeah, that was you who said all that,” Jessie told him. “We all can’t traipse around the world

cuttingdolphinsoutoftunanets.Ihaveresponsibilities.”

“Right.” His voice softened. “I’d heard your dad passed away. I’m sorry. That must have been

rough.”

“Yeah, well,” she trailed off. “Is there something you need? Want me to get you a beer or

something?”

“Nah,I’vegottogetgoing,butlisten.I’mstayingatmyparents’place.Maybewecangettogether

andtalkwhileI’mintown?Getcoffeeorsomething?”heasked.

Jessiehesitated.“Maybe.”
“Good,good,”hesaid.“We’lltalksoon.”

“Uhhuh,”shesaid.
Cadecouldheartheguy’sfootstepsretreattowardthedoorandhetookthechancetoglanceather.
Jessiebegantomovepasthim,balancingabeigetubofdishesononehipandawettowelinherfree

hand.Hewasn’tsurewhatcameoverhimbuthereachedoutandgrabbedherwrist.

Shestoppedabruptly,lookeddownathishandonherwrist,andthenlookedbackathim.
“He’snotrightforyou.Thatguy’sanasshole,”Cadesaid.
Hereyebrowsshotup.“Andwhat?Yourecognizeyourownkind?”
“Yeah.Somethinglikethat.Don’tmeethimforcoffee,”headded.
She angrily flung his hand off her wrist. “I’m sorry but who the hell are you and why should I be

takingrelationshipadvicefromyou?You’renoDr.Phil,remember?Atleastthat’swhatyousaidtome
whenIactuallydidneedyourhelp.”

Cade took a deep breath. She was right. He knew better than to insert himself in other people’s

problems. He shouldn’t have said a word to her. He should have paid his bill, collected his work, and
wenthome.Hewouldn’tmakethatmistaketwice.“I’msorry.It’snoneofmybusiness.”

Jessielookedtakenaback.“Well,yeah,”shesaid,morecalmly.“Itisn’tanyofyourbusiness.”
Cadenoddedbutdidn’tsayanything.
Jessiestartedtoleaveandthenhesitated.“AndnotthatIneedtotellyouanythingbutIwasn’tgoing

tomeetwithhimanyway.Ijustsaidthattomakehimgoaway,”shetoldhimandthencontinuedontothe
kitchen.

Cadesmiledtohimself.

ChapterFour

ThebellshangingovertheheavywooddoortoMoonBeansjingledasJessiepushedherwayinsidethe
warmcoffeeshop.Sheneededadoubleshotmochalikenobody’sbusiness.

Herbestfriendsincejuniorhigh,April,walkedoutfrombehindthecounter,dryingherhandsona

towel.“Whathappenedtoyou?”

Jessiereachedupandpattedherhair.“Isitthatawful?Iwastryingtoknockiciclesofftheentrance

atStarlightandIfellinsomesnow.Andhey,thatwasthehighlightofmyday,”sheaddedinasarcastic
voice.

Aprillookedsympathetic.“Ohno,hun.Here,sitandI’llbringyouadrink.Andachocolatechunk

brownie.Youlooklikeyoucoulduseit.”

Jessietookaseatinoneofthetwoover-stuffedchairsinfrontofthestonefireplaceandshruggedoff

her coat and gloves, deciding to keep on her scarf until she warmed up a bit more. MoonBeans was a
popular fixture in Snowy Ridge with a menu of delicious coffee drinks and decadent desserts. People
would hang out for hours at the cozy tables scattered around and play board games or read one of the
booksfromtheshelvesthatlinedthewalls.Withsoftmusicandwarmlighting,ithadalwaysbeenoneof
Jessie’sfavoriteplacestohangoutsinceshewasatween.AndithelpedthatherBFFwasthebestbarista
inallofSnowyRidge.

“Hey,Harry,takingmybreak,”Aprilyelledoverhershouldertothelankyteenageboywithheavy

dark glasses and a mob of wild brown curls, as she made her way over to Jessie, a tray of drinks and
browniesinhand.“So,towngossipalert,”sheannouncedaftershetookherseat.“Threehottieshavehit
Snowy Ridge. And they’re brothers! All single. Are you dying?” April picked up her drink and settled
backinherchair.“Lord,whatIcoulddowiththreebrothers,”shesaidwistfully,beforetakingasipof
herdrink.

Jessielaughed.“Youwouldn’tknowwhattodowiththreebrothers.”
April looked at her. “Shoot, I’m up for the challenge. Think they’re a kinky bunch?” She pulled a

handthroughherthickmassofblackspringycurlsacoupleoftimes,beforetuckingapiecebehindher
ear.

Jessieshookherhead.“Idon’tknow.Ijustgotdonedealingwithoneofthembackatthepub.He

hadthesocialskillsofanape.Realjerk.”

“Well,Idon’tneedhimtotalkmuch,justdomeinthestorageroomwhenI’monbreaks,”Aprilsaid.
JessieglancedathercupandthenApril.“Pleasetellmeyoudon’tseriouslyhavesexatwork.”
Aprilshruggedandthoughtaboutthis.“Notthisweek,”shefinallysaid.
“You’resuchafreak,”Jessiesaid.“ButIwilladmitthattheStonebrotherImetwasprettydamnhot.

Hehadbigbroadshoulders,flatstomachfromwhatIcouldtell,andbicepsthatpushedatthecollarshirt
hewaswearing.AndIdidn’tseehimstandingoranythingbutIwouldbethefilledouthisjeansnicely.”
Shebitherbottomlipforafewbeatsbeforeshecontinued.“Gorgeousdarkhairandtheseamazingdeep
browneyesthatgetreallyintensewhenhe’smad.Whichhewas,atme,duringourentireexchange.Not
thatIwasthrilledwithhimeither.”

“Whichbrotherwasit?Cooper,Cash,orCade?”Aprilasked.
SomeonecertainlylikedCnamesintheirfamily,Jessiethought.“Idon’tknow.Wedidn’tgetasfar

aspleasantries.JustfarenoughforhimtellmeIshouldn’tseeJasonagain.”

April spit out the mouthful of coffee she had just drunk. “Jason? As in Jason Kirkland? Captain

Douchebag?You’rekidding.He’sback?”

Jessiehandedheranapkin.“Yep.That’swhatIwascomingtotellyou.He’sbackandhewantsme

togowithhim.Forcoffee.”

Aprilmovedtotheedgeofherseatandwavedahandintheair.“Oh,hellno.Youarenotmeeting

him for coffee. And don’t be bringing him in here. I’ll smack that smug bastard right up the side of his
headifIseehim.Hebetterbrewathomeifheknowswhat’sgoodforhim.”

Jessiegiggled.“Well,thatmakestwovotesfornotgettingcoffeewithJason.”
“Yeah?Meandwhoelse?”Aprilsaid.
“ThatguyIjusttoldyouabout.ThejerkyStonebrotherwhowasatthepubtonight.HeheardJason

askmeoutandhegrabbedmywristandtoldmenottogo.Hewasreallyaggressive,”Jessiesaid.

April’sface changed fromanger to excitement.“Was it hot though?It sounds hot.Did you want to

draghimbehindthebarandridehimlikeacowgirl?”

“Dang, April. Let me get a glass of water to cool you down,” Jessie said. She pretended to look

aroundforHarrytoaskforaglassandthensettledbackinherchair.“Buttoansweryourquestion,no,I
wasn’t all hot and bothered. More like confused. He was so rude just before that I don’t know what
suddenlymadehimconcerned.”

“You’renotgoingtomeetJason,though,right?”Aprilpressed.
“Iamcuriousaboutwhyhe’shereandwhathewants…”
Aprilinterrupted.“Whocareswhathewants?Thatassholemessedaroundwithyoursisterandthe

twoofyouwerepracticallyengaged.RelationshipVOID.Hedoesn’tgettowantanythingfromyou.”

Jessienoddedinagreement.
“Andlookatwhathe’sdonetoyourfamily,”Aprilcontinued.“Youhaven’tspokentoLuciinwhat,

fiveyears?”

“Six,”Jessiecorrected.
“Andyoudon’ttalktoWynneither.Youallareamess.”
“Hey,we’rejustyourtypicaldysfunctionalfamily,”Jessiesaid.It’strue.Shehadn’tspokentoWynn

inaboutfouryearsnow.Andagain,overaman.TheFostersisterscertainlyhadabadtrackrecordofnot
keeping their personal lives personal. Jessie wasn’t mad at Wynn though. It was Wynn who had the
problemwithher.SheknewWynnandhermomskypedonceaweekonthelaptopbutWynnneverasked
tospeakwithJessie.AndWynnnevercamehome.

“Idon’tknow.Idon’twanttotalkaboutmysisters,”Jessiesaid,feelingagitated.
The bells hanging over the door jingled again and Bets came in. “Girlies! Are we having a gab

session?MakeroomforBets,”shecalledout,draggingachairovertowherethetwofriendssat.Jessie
wasgratefulfortheintrusion.

“Hey,Bets,closeonanyhousestoday?”Jessieasked.
Betswasoneofthefewrealtorsintown.Inherearlyfifties,shewassuperspunkyandlikedtowear

long fake red nails, short mini-skirts, and plaster on the makeup. She flirted dangerously with looking
clown-likebutdidn’tquitecrossthelinetoneedingbigredshoesandahorn.

“Indeedy I did,” Bets said. “This is my busy season. Families come north for vacation and fall in

love with our powdery trails that stretch on for over a hundred and fifty miles, the majestic pines, the
amazingsunrisesandsunsets.Andthenofcoursethelocalcolor.SnowyRidgeisquaint,charming,and
picturesque.Andyouknowthepeoplemakethetown.Nicestbunchyou’llfindanywhere.It’snaturalthat
peoplewouldwanttobuyacabinhereforawinterretreatandmakefamilymemoriesthatlastalifetime.

Jessieraisedaneyebrowinherdirection.“You’repracticingyoursalespitchonusagain,aren’tyou

Bets?”

Betschuckled.“Alwayshoney.Always.”
“I’velivedhereforeverandI’mstillnotreadytobuymyownplace.I’mhappywithmylittleone-

bedroomfornow.Infact,”Jessiesaidasshestood,“Ineedtogethome.I’llseeyoualllater.”

“Goodnight,hon,”Betssaid.
“I’llwalkyouout,”Aprilsaid,joiningJessie’sside.WhentheyreachedthedoorAprilasked,“Are

yousureyoudon’twanttogoouttonight?Getadrinkorsomething?I’dhatetothinkthatyou’rehome

mopinginyourapartment.”

“Nah,Ireallyjustwanttogethomeandchill.WatchsomerealityTVorsomething,”Jessiereplied.
“AndnotcallJason?”Aprilasked.
“No,I’mnotcallinghim.Don’tworry.”JessiesmiledatAprilandheadedoutontothestreetlamplit

sidewalk.

The air was biting and Jessie pulled her knit cap down over her ears. She walked quickly down

Main past the closed shops: antiques, kitschy, winter sports supplies, a leather shop, and a hardware
store.TheonlyspotsreallyopenatthistimewerethefewbarsSnowyRidgehad,Dillon’sMarket,and
thetinyone-screenmovietheater,theBijou.TheBijouhadalwaysbeenoneofJessie’sfavoritespotsin
town. Built in the late twenties, it had a French Renaissance décor with rich red velvet walls, bronze
doors and trim, and a gorgeous dome ceiling. She waved at Danny seated behind the glass in the ticket
boothinhistrademarkvestandbowtie,waitingformoviegoers.Dannyhadbeenafixtureatthetheater
foraslongasJessiecouldremember.Itgavehercomforttoknowshehadfriendsnearbywhenshewas
home.Itwaskindoflikeshewasneverreallyalone.

Jessie reached the small used bookstore, Novel Idea, and headed up the stairs on the side of the

buildingtohercozyapartmentlocatedoverthestore.She’dlivedwithhermomintheirhouseupuntil
about two years ago when she decided she was getting too old to still live at home. Her mom kept the
housethoughandJessiestillwentovertohelpherwithyardworkorwhateversheneeded.

She let herself in and hung up her coat, hat, and scarf on the wooden coat hanger. Her white and

brown spotted cat, Joplin, wound her body around Jessie’s ankles in greeting. “Hey there, sweetie,”
Jessiesaidasshescoopedherintoherarms.“Didyoumissme?”ShecarriedJoplinintothekitchento
makeherdinnerandshenoticedtheredlightonheransweringmachinewasflashing.“Hmm,”Jessiesaid
out loud. “Who would leave me a message? Everyone but telemarketers calls my cell phone.” Jessie
knewshewasprobablythelastpersononearthwhostillhadalandlinebutshe’dlostcellcoverageone
too many times during winter storms and she didn’t like the idea of living alone with no way to reach
someone.ShehitplayonthemachineandpulleddownacanofFancyFeastforJoplin.

“Jessie?It’sMom,”heransweringmachinesaid.
Ah,ofcourseitis.Jessie’smomnevercouldrememberJessie’scellphonenumber.
“Why aren’t you home yet?” her mom continued. “Listen, I need you to come into work early

tomorrow.Weneedtotalkabout…something.That’sit.Justpleasecomeinearly.Okay.Goodnight.”

“That’sstrange.WhatdoyousupposeMomcan’tjusttellmeduringwork,Joplin?”Jessieaskedthe

cat.

ChapterFive

JessiewalkedintoStarlightat11:30,ahalfanhourearlyforwork.ShenoddedatAnneandLinda,twoof
their older waitresses who were holding things down and said hey to Nick, her favorite/only bus boy.
NickworkedatStarlightwhilehewenttoschoolatalocaluniversityonfullscholarship.Hewasdating
agirlnamedAmberwhoworkedfartherdownMainatPaterson’sBakery,andthetwoofthemwereso
sickinglycutetogether.IfJessiedidn’tlikethembothsomuchshe’dhaveahardtimebeingaroundthem.
Somepeoplejustdidn’tknowhowtochillwiththePDA.

Therewasn’tmuchofalunchcrowdyet.Mostoftheregularswaiteduntilaboutnoontoshowup.

SomethingabouthittingthePMsignaledthatitwasanokaytimetostartdrinking.Jessieheadedforthe
backofficetofindhermomwhensomething,orsomeone,actually,caughthereye.TheStonebrotherwas
hereagain,thistimealaptopaddedtohismassivepileofpapers.Herfirstinstinctwastomarchoverand
givehimshitforthewayheactedyesterday.Butshehesitated.Maybehewasjusthavingareallybadday
anddidn’tmeantobesoobnoxious.Ifhe’sgoingtobecomingintothepuboftensheshouldmakenice.Or
atleasttryto.

Jessiecrossedtheroomtohistable.“Backagain?Don’tyouhaveanofficetodoallofthiswork

in?”

Cade rubbed his temple before turning to glance at her. “Morning,” he said. “And yeah, I guess I

couldgodothisattheshopbutthenmybrotherswillbeallovermeandIhavetothink.It’scomplicated
stuff.TheymademeinchargeofallthefinancialstuffandI’mnotexactlyawhizwithit.Thisprogramis
anightmare.”

Jessieleaneddowntogetalookathislaptopscreenandshesensedhimfidgetfromhercloseness.

Maybeshemadehimnervous?“Letmelook.Idoallthebookshere.Ah,great.QuickBooks.That’swhat
Iusetoo.What’stheproblem?”

Cade sighed. “Well, I have the purchase order for some inventory and I’m trying to show that I

receiveditandit’snotlettingmedothat.”

“Noproblem,”Jessiesaid.“MayI?”Shepointedtothelaptop.
“Sure.”Heshifteduneasilyinhisseat.
Jessiereachedoverhisshoulderandtookcontrolofthelaptop.“Okay,youhaveaPO,nowyoujust

needtoturnitintoabill.ClickCreate,andchooseBillfromthedrop-downmenu.Nowenterthevendor
name.” She waited for him to type in the name. “Okay,” she continued. “The PO appears on the right.
ClickAdd,thenSaveandCloseanditincreasesyourinventory.Easy,huh?”

Cadelookedather,astonished.“Foryou.Thanks.I’mCade,bytheway.CadeStone.SorryIdidn’t

introducemyselfyesterday.Iwastoobusybeinga,whatdidyoucallme?Adick?”

Jessiestraightenedbackupandblushed.
“No, you were right,” he continued. “I’ve never played well with others. Really though, thanks.

You’vehelpedalot.”

Cadegaveherasexylopsidedsmileandshecouldfeelherblushdeepen.
“Any time. Listen, I’ve gotta get in back to talk to my mom so I’ll leave you with the rest of your

work. Let me know if you need a refill or anything though.” She nodded at the soda glass on the table.
“AndI’mJessie,bytheway,”sheaddedbeforeheadingtotheofficetofindhermom.Maybe this guy
isn’tallbad,shethoughttoherself.

Jessiefoundhermomatherdeskleaningonherelbowswithacupofcoffeeinherhands.Theblinds

wereunusuallyclosedsotheroomwasdimexceptforthelitdragonflyTiffanylampherdadhadgiven
hermomyearsagothatshe’dalwayskeptonthecornerofherdesk.

“Hey, Mom. What’s wrong? Late night?” Jessie took a seat in the worn-in high-back chair across

fromhermomandswungherlegsoveroneofthearms.

Hermomstraightenedupandlookedather.“IhavetotellyousomethingandI’mnotsurehowyou’ll

react. Well, that’s not entirely true. I can pretty accurately guess how you’ll react but I have to tell you
anyway.”

Jessiedidn’tlikethesoundofthis.Whatcoulditbe?Thepubwasdoingfine.Great,actually.Mom

made plenty of money so it couldn’t be financial. She swung her legs back to the ground and prepared
herselfforthenews.“Tellmethen.”

HermomwrungherhandstogetherasshestudiedJessie’sface.“It’syoursisters.They’recoming

home.Tostay.”

Jessieleapedtoherfeet.“What?Why?”shespatout.Logicallyshe’dalwaysknownthisdaywould

eventuallycome.Herestrangedsiblingscouldn’tstayawayforever.They’dhavetoreturnhomeatsome
point.Really,Jessiehadexpectedthemtocomeintovisittheirmotherlongbeforethis.Shejustthought
shewasluckythatthey’dstayedawaysolong.Butstaying?Impossible.SnowyRidgewasfartoosmall
forthethreeofthemtocoexist.

“Iknowyouthreehaveyourissues,”hermomcontinued,“buttheyneedme.They’regoingtolive

withmeatthehouse.Andthey’regoingtoworkhereatStarlight.”

Jessie could feel the heat rising in her and she paced the room. She didn’t know if she was more

angry,hurt,orterrifiedofcomingface-to-facewithhersisters,letaloneworkwiththemonadailybases.
Shespunandfacedhermom.“No!Iworkhere.Thisisourbusiness,yoursandmine.We’vekeptitgoing
all of these years. They can’t just run off around the world doing whatever damn thing they please and
thenshowbackupandwantin.No,absolutelynot.”

Hermomsighedandhervoicesoftened.“Thisisfamily,Jessie.”
“Nottome.Theystoppedbeingfamilyyearsago.No.Theyhavetogosomewhereelse.Idon’tcare

iftheyvisityou.Whatever.Butkeepthemawayfrommeandmypub.”

“OurpubJessie.They’recominghome,andthey’recominghere,”hermomsaid,asoundoffinality

inhervoice.Shetookadeepbreath,suddenlylookingverytired.

Jessiedidn’tknowwhatelsetosay.Shewalkedoutoftheofficeandslammedthedoorbehindher.

ChapterSix

Cade looked up to see Jessie storm into the room, her eyebrows drawn together and her lips pressed
tightlyshut.Shewalkedbehindthebarandslammedabowlofnutsdownsohardonitthattheonlyother
customerinthepub,anelderlyguyworkingonaSudoku,lookedupinsurprise.

Cadeknewheshouldjustkeephisheaddown,dohiswork,andmindhisownbusiness.Hehadso

muchtodoandhisbrotherswantedtohaveameetingthatafternoon.Theshopwasonscheduletoopen
officiallytothepublicinjustunderaweekandwithonlythethreeofthemrunningit,itwassuckingup
allofhistime.Theycouldn’taffordtohireanyhelpuntiltheyknewifit’dbeasuccessornot.Hehadto
keephisfocusonwork.ButbeforeheknewitCadewasonhisfeetandcrossingtheroomtothebar.“You
okay?”hecautiouslyaskedJessie.

“No.”Jessiegrabbedaragandscrubbedangrilyataspotonthebar.
Cade shifted uncomfortably and glanced back at his work lying on the table. What was he doing?

He’sneverbeenthecaring,concernedtype.He’dalwaysbelievedinliveandletlive.Hewasn’tthetype
tointrudewherehewasn’twanted.Yet,forsomereason,hewasdrawntowardthisgirl.Hewantedto
helpherifhecould.Maybebecauseofhowhe’dtreatedherormaybebecauseshe’dhelpedhimafew
minutesprior.Andbeforethatthrobbingblueveininherforeheadexploded.

“Well,”hecontinued,“ifyoudowanttotalk,Icould,youknow,listen.”Heeasedhimselfontoabar

stoolandleanedtowardJessie.

Shestoppedscrubbingandlookedathim,aflickeroflaughterinhereyes.“Likeyoudidyesterday?”
“Hey,Iapologizedforthat,”hesaid,throwingupahand.
Shecockedherheadtotheright.“Notexactlyheartfelt.”
“Forme,thatwasbig.Ipracticallywroteyouasonnet.”
Shesmirks.“Ohyeah?”Jessieglancedoverattheoldmansittingnearthefireplaceandthenbackat

Cade.“Argh!It’sjust,I’msuperpissedrightnowandIdon’tknowwhattodoaboutit.Orifthereiseven
anythingIcandoaboutit.”

Cadenodded,waitingforJessietogoon.
She sighed. “I told you about my one sister yesterday. Luci? We haven’t spoken in six years. Not

since she slept with my then-boyfriend, you know, tall guy, in here yesterday harassing me? We had an
awfulblowupbackthenandItoldhershewasdeadtome.Hadn’tspokentohersince.Shetookoffa
littlewhileafterthat,movedtoNewYorkCity,andthat’sthelastIheardfromher.She’snevercomeback
home.”

“Wow,”hesaidinalowvoice.“That’salongtimetostayaway.”
“Notlongenoughforme.Anyway,Ihaveanothersister,Wynn.She’stheoldest.ItgoesWynn,Luci,

andthenme.Anyway,shehatesme.Haven’tspokentoherinyearseither.”

Cadetriedtohidehissurprise.“Whydoesshehateyou?”
Jessieshookherhead.“It’sstupidreally.Shehadthisguyshemetonline.Totalloserifyouaskme.

But she was so ‘in love.’” She rolled her eyes at Cade. “They’d talk online for hours every day. She
basicallystoppedhavingalifeandjustsatonthecomputertalkingtohim.Hefinallycameupheretosee
heranditwasn’ttheinstanthappyconnectionshe’dhopefor.Thejerkactuallystartedcomingontome.I
toldherandshesnappedatme,sayingIwasjealousofherinternetboyfriend.”

“Wereyou?”Cadeasked.
Jessiecockedoneeyebrowathim.“Ha!No.You’reafunnyguythough.”
“So,whathappened?”
“Well, she slept with him that weekend. Then he went back home and she never heard from him

again.Changedhise-mail,hisphonenumber,everything.Sheblamedme.LikeIcouldmakehimblowher
offlikethat.Whatever.”Jessieshrugged.

“Thatdoesn’tsoundlikeit’syourfault,”Cadeoffered.“Youwerebeinghonest.”
“Exactly!Shewantednothingtodowithmethough.Shemovedaway,marriedthefirstguyshemet

afterthat,hadababy,andthendivorcedhim.Thekidisaboutayearandahalfnow.Neverevenmether.”

“Wow,”Cadesaysagain.“Andshenevercamebackhomeeither?”
“Nope.Ourfamilydynamicssuck.Butluckyme,they’rebothcominghomenow.Andaccordingto

mymom,they’regoingtobeworkinghere.Withus.”

Cadeblewouthisbreath.“Damn.That’srough.I’mnostrangertosuckyfamilydynamics.Butmaybe

yoursistersareinabadway,youknow?Wedon’tallhavetolikethefamilywehavebutweshouldhelp
themifwecan.”

Jessieshothimanirritatedlook.“Idon’tcareiftheyareinabadway.I’vebeeninabadwayfor

yearshavingnosisters.Wewerecloseonceuponatime,untileverythingfellapart.Theyditchedmeand
mymomhere.Starlightisminenow.Idon’twantthemhere.”

Cadenodded.“No,Igetthat.Ido.”
Jessie looked back at the office and then looked at Cade. “I can’t deal with my mom right now. I

needtogetoutofhere.”

Cade stood up from his stool. “Okay. Sorry I didn’t help much with your problem.” He started to

movetowardhistablewhenJessiereachedoutandgrabbedhisarm.

“Holdon.Doyouwanttocomewithme?Upforalittleescapade?”
Cadelookedathispileofworkandthenbackatthiscutegirl,needingtorunrightnow.What the

hell?hethought.HesmiledatJessie.“Always.”

ChapterSeven

TheicycoldairwhippedJessie’sfaceassheandCademadetheirwaytoherdad’sgarage.Sheknew
this was crazy. She didn’t even know Cade Stone. He was virtually a stranger to her. He was new to
town,justopenedupabusinesswithhisbrothers,wasobnoxioustoheryesterday,butkindtohertoday.
ThatsummedupallofherCadeStoneknowledge.Anysanepersonwouldtellhernottotearoffdowna
snowyisolatedtrailwithamanshedidn’tknowbutshedidn’tcare.

JessiehandedCadeherdad’soldsnowmobilegear,stillsittingonashelfinthecornerofthegarage,

exactlywherethey’dleftitafterhediedalmostsixyearsago.Neitherhernorhermomcouldeverbring
themselvestomoveitorgetridofit.They’dcleanedoutthehouse,donatinghisoldclothesandthingsher
momdidn’twanttocharity.Butthegaragehadbeenleftas-is.Jessiewastheonlyonewhoeverusedit
nowforheroccasionalsnowmobileride.Hermomneverrodeagain.Ithadalwaysbeenherdad’sthing;
he’dloveditsomethingfierce.HetaughtJessieeverythingsheknew.Hell,that’spartlywhytheirfamily
livedinSnowyRidgeinthefirstplace.Herdadhadtakenhermomhereoverthirty-fiveyearsagofora
winteradventuregetawayandproposedrightinStarlight.Shortlyafterthey’dmarriedtheycamebackfor
amini-vacationanddecidedtheydidn’twanttoleave.TheyboughtStarlightPubandmadeahomeinthis
tinytown.

Jessiewasonlyeighteenyearsoldwhenherdaddiedfromamassiveheartattack.Awidowmaker,

they’dcalledit.Oneminutehewastalkingtohermominthekitchen,laughingaboutsomethingacustomer
hadsaidthatday.Thenhermomwalkedoutoftheroomtogotakealoadoflaundryoutofthewashand
throwitinthedryerandwhenshereturnedhewasdead.She’dcalledanambulancebuttherewasnothing
theycoulddo.Everythingchangedafterthat.

BeinghitbyJasonandLuci’sbetrayalandthenherdad’sdeathsentJessieinanemotionalspiral.

She’dneverblamedherdad’spassingforthedissolutionofherfamilythough.Sheandhersisterswere
squarelytoblameforthat.Butwithhimbeinggoneandhermomneverquitebeingthesame,itjustleft
littlereasontotrytokeepthemalltogether.Theoncehappyfamilywasfracturedandnoonewantedtobe
theonetotrytoputitbacktogetheragain.ButJessiewastheonewhostayed.Andhersisterscouldn’t
justresurfacenowandmakethatfactgoaway.

“AmIdoingthisright?”Cadeasked.Hepulledatthehelmetbutwasn’tgettingfar.
Jessiewalkedovertohim.“Ithasaflipfront.Letme.”Shepushedthetopupandpulledthehelmet

downonhisheadforhim.Hewassocloseshecouldfeelhisbreathonherface.Shecouldtellhewas
breathingalittlefast.Andhewassodamngood-looking.Shefeltherownheartbeatkickupanotch.

His eyes were big and dark, and she momentarily wondered what they’d seen, what he’d been

throughbeforemovingheretoSnowyRidge.Shecouldn’tevenbegintoguesswhatthisstranger’sstory
wasbutshehadasenseabouthim.Hecarriedpainwithhim.Sheshookherheadslightly,feelinglikeshe
hadstaredintohiseyesforamomenttoolong.“Youbetterusethesunvisor,”shetoldhim,poppingit
downintoplace.Shepulledtheflipfrontdownandlookedhimover.“Looksgoodonyou.”

Cadezippedupthesuit.Itlookedsnugonhisbroadshouldersandaninchortwotooshortinthe

legs,butit’ddue.

“Ishouldwarnyou;Ihaven’tridden.Ever.”
“What?” Jessie couldn’t hide the shock in her voice. “But you have a business repairing

snowmobiles.”

“Yeah,Icanfixthem.NeversaidIcouldridethem.SnowmobilinghadalwaysbeenCooper’sthing.

Hesaidhewasgoingtoteachmetoridethiswinter.”

Jessiewalkedovertothesledandmountedit.Shepattedthebackofherextendedseat.“Hopon.”
“Youwantmetoridebehindyou?”Cadeasked.
“Well,I’mcertainlynotgoingtoletyousteer.”Jessielaughed.“Comeon.Keepyourfeetflatonthe

boardsandgrabthehandgrips.You’llbefine.”

The noon sunlight glistened on the fluffy white snow that gloriously covered everything in sight.

They’dpickedupanotherthreeincheslastnightontopofthesolidbaseandthetemperaturewashovering
inthelowtwenties,makingitaperfectdaytohitthetrails.Thetrailgroomershadalreadybeenoutearly
thatmorningandtheconditionsappearedtobeexcellent.ItwasjustwhatJessieneededrightnow.

ShestartedtheengineandglancedbackatCadetoseeifhewasreadytoride.Helookednervous

butsheknewhe’drelaxinamoment.

ShegrippedthehandlebarsofherSki-Dooandtookoffdownthesnowytrail.Shetookitslowat

first,notwantingtofreakCadeout,butsoontheywereuptoeightymilesperhourandJessiewasinher
happyplace.WhenshetookturnsshecouldfeelCadeleanwithher.Shedidn’tusuallycarrypassengers,
atleastnotaslargeasCade.She’dtakenApriloutonhersnowmobilebeforeandhersistersbackinthe
day.ButCadeonthebackofhersledwassomethingentirelydifferent.Shecouldfeeltheinsideofhis
strongthighsrestonherhipsanditsentajoltofelectricitythroughher.

Theyrodethroughthetallsnow-ladenpinesandacrossthewidefrozenlake.Thetrailwasmostly

desertedexceptfortheoccasionalcabintuckedawayhereandthere.Everysooftenthey’dspotagroup
of snowmobilers on the path but they blew right past them. She sped up a hill and came to an open
clearingandsloweddowntoastop.Aboutahundredorsoyardsoffthepaththerewasatrioofdeer:
mother, father, and baby, she’d guessed, eating from some nearby bushes. She looked back at Cade and
noddedtowardthedeerforhimtolook.Hegaveherathumbsupandshetookoffagain.

Jessiecouldstayoutthereonthetrailalldaybutsheknewthatwasn’tapossibility.Shehadtoget

backtoworkandgetCadebacktohisworktoo.Shereluctantlyturnedthesledandheadedbackforher
garage.

Onceshehadparkedthesnowmobilebackinitsplaceinthegarage,sheyankedoffherhelmetand

lookedatCade.“Well?”Sheabsentmindedlypulledahandthroughherbrownwaves,shakingthemout
afterbeingcrammedinthehelmetforthepasthour.

Cadepulledhishelmetoffandbalanceditonhiship,agrinplasteredacrosshisface.“That.Was.

Awesome.”

“Yeah?”Jessieshothimacrookedsmileassheslowlyslippedoutofhersnowsuitandhungitupon

itshangerinthegarage.

“I can finally see what Cooper is always going on and on about. The speed, the isolation from

everyoneandeverything;itwasintense.Ilovedit.”CadeshookoffhissuitandhandedittoJessie.

Jessienodded.“Soyou’renottooupsetwithmefortearingyouawayfromyourwork?”
“Notatall.NexttimeI’mdriving,”Cadesaid.
“Uh-oh,you’rehooked.Alreadyplanninganexttime,”Jessieteased,gatheringhisgeartoputaway

forhim.

Cadefollowedhertotheshelfinthecornerandwhensheturnedaroundhewasonlyafewinches

awayfromherandtheireyeslocked.Shecouldsmellthemixtureoffreshairandsweatonhisskin.Her
breathcaughtandforamomentshethoughthemightkissher.Andthatshemightlethim.

“Jessie?”avoicefromjustoutsidethedoorsaid.
Jessie scrunched her eyebrows together and gave Cade a look. He backed up a foot or so and the

momentwasgone.

“Jason?”sheasked,puzzledtohearhisvoiceouthere.
CadeandJessieturnedtoseeJasonwalkingintothegarage.“Good,you’rehere.I’vebeenlooking

everywhereforyou.Doyouhaveaminute?”

JessiecouldseeCade’seyesbecomeangry,possiblyevenprotectiveofher,whichshecouldn’tlie,

gaveheratinythrill.Butshedidn’tneedthetwoguysarguing.

“Listenguy,”Cadesaid,walkingtowardJason.

“Cade, wait,” Jessie interrupted. She needed to stop this fast before things turned ugly. Though if

theydidgetphysicalshewouldplacehermoneyonCade.HelookedlikehecouldripJasonintwo.

Cadeturnedquicklytolookather.
Jessietookhishandandtuggedhimtowardthedoor.“Letmefindoutwhathewants.Goonbackto

thepubandI’lltalktoyoulater,okay?”

Cadepressedhislipsfirmlytogether,hisnostrilsflaredasheexhaled.Withoutawordheturnedand

stompedoutofthegarageleavingJessiealonewithJason.

JessieletoutadeepbreathasshewatchedCadeleave.“Well,you’vegotmyattention.Nowwhat

doyouwant?”shesaidasshefacedJason,crossingherarmsoverherchest.

JasonlookedoutthedooratCade’sretreatingback.“Areyoutwoserious?”heasked.
“What?That’swhatyouhuntedmedownfor?”
Jasonshookhisheadandturnedtofaceher,hisfacerelaxing.“Iwasjustcurious.”
“Whatdoyouwant,Jason?”
JasonreachedoutandtookJessie’shandsinhis.“Jessie,Imadeahugemistakesixyearsago.You

weretheloveofmylifeandIshouldhavefoughttokeepyou.ThatthingwithLuci…Iwasstupid.”

“Oh,comeon!That’sancienthistory.Areyouforreal?Youcameheretotrytogetmeback?Notina

millionyears,there’syouranswer.”Shecouldn’tkeeptheannoyanceoutofhervoice.“Whatelseisgoing
tohappentoday?Firstmysistersarecominghomeandnowthis.”

“Luci’scomingbacktoSnowyRidge?”
Jessienarrowedhereyesathim.“Yeah.LuciandWynnarecominghome.WhetherIlikeitornot.”

ChapterEight

Cade’sadrenalinewasstillpumping.Hewantedtobreakthatguyintwooverhiskneeandhewassurehe
could do it. Guys like that drove him nuts. Always wearing fancy clothes and all clean cut. Acting
superiortoeveryoneelse.AndthewayhekepthangingaroundJessielikethat.Backhomewe’dcallhim
astalker.She’djustneedtogivehimthewordandhe’dmakesureheneverbotheredheragain.Thatguy
neededsomeonetoteachhimalesson.

Although,shedidn’texactlykickhimout.Cadewastheoneshetoldtoleave.
Cade reached Triple C Snowmobile Repair and slammed the door open a little harder than he

intended.

“Takeiteasy,toughguy,”hisoldestbrotherCoopersaid.Cooperleanedonthedoorframebetween

thesmallfrontofficeandthegaragewheretheywouldworkonthesnowmobiles,wipinghishandsona
towel.“Youbreaktheglassinthedoorandyou’repayingforit.”

“Yeah, whatever.” Cade made his way over to the desk in the corner of the room and dumped his

laptopandbriefcaseoverflowingwithpaperwork.

Cooper slowly set the towel down and walked further into the room. “Something wrong, little

brother?”

Cadehatedwhentheycalledhimthat.Liketheyweretryingtowieldsomesortofpoweroverhim.

Always wanting to remind him that he was the youngest brother and therefore somehow less than then
them.Well,hewouldn’tputupwiththatfortoolong.

“Justpeachy,bigbrother,”Cadereplied,hisvoicedrippingwithsarcasm.
Theglassdoorflungopenagain,thistimewithconsiderablylessforceandhisotherbrother,Cash

walkedin.

“Hey boys, beautiful day out there wouldn’t you say?” Cash flashed a winning smile at the guys.

Cadeoftenwonderedifhismiddlebrotherwasslightlystupidordelusional.Healwayscarriedhimself
inawaythatsuggestedhejustwonthelotteryorthathereversedaterminaldisease.Hewasalwaysso
damnupbeat.Cadefounditannoying.

“Iwouldn’tknow.Beencoopedupherealldaywitha1998ArcticCatZR440,”Coopersaid.“Cade

justgotinthough.”

CadethoughtabouttheridehejusttookwithJessie.Itwastheperfectday.Notthathewasaboutto

getallKumbayawithhisbrothersandshare.“Where’veyoubeen?”heaskedCash,tryingtodeflectthe
attention.

“Everywhere,”Cashresponded,grinninglikeanidiot.“Icoveredthiswholetown.Handedoutfliers

andthebusinesscardswiththecouponontheback.AndIhungabunchoneverybulletinboardinevery
store,restaurant,andvillagebuildingIcouldfindthatlinedthetrails.Anywheresomeonemightpullover
theirsnowmobilethey’llseeoneofourcards.”

“Nice,Cash,”Coopersaid.
“DidyouhangoneupattheStarlightPub?”Cadeaskedhim.
“Yep.Thatplaceishoppingwithsnowmobilers.Excellentlocationtoadvertise.”
CadeinstantlywonderedifCashsawJessie.OrifJessiesawhim.Cashhadalwaysbeentheladies’

manofthethreebrothers.Cadewouldn’thaveachancewithherwithhimaround.Cashdrewwomento
him with ease with his good looks and his damn optimism. And Cade was a bit of an asshole, which
Jessiealreadynoted.

Though,Cadestillwasn’tsureifheevenwantedachancewithJessie.Shedidseemtobeladled

withissues.Andshedidjustthrowhimoutofhergarage.Maybeheshouldtakethehint.

“And my coffee habit just quadrupled. You wouldn’t believe the hot chick working over at that

MoonBeans down the street. Tits out to here,” he motioned in front of him with his hands. “Killer long

curly hair and a sweet ass. And she was hot for me. I could tell.” Cash nodded, a pleased look on his
face.

“Youthinkeveryoneishotforyou,asshole,”Cadesaid.Hisbrotherwaslessthanayearolderthan

him, an Irish twin they called it, at twenty-six, but the two men couldn’t be any more different. Cash
rushedintothingstoofastwhileCadehadalwaysbeenmorethoughtful.Cashwasthelifeofeveryparty
andCadeoftenpreferredbeingalone.

“I’llhaveherdoingnewthingswiththatwhipcreamshewassprayingonthosecoffeedrinksbythe

endofnextweek.Trustthat.”

“No,youwon’t,”Coopersaid,lookingirritated.“We’renotjusthangingoutinSnowyRidge,Cash.

We’re building a business. We want to be here for years. You can’t make your way through the town
bangingeveryhotgirlyousee.Wedon’tneedthatkindofreputation.YouleavethatshitinChicagoand
growthefuckup.Actlikeadamnbusinessowner.”

“SonowI’mafuckingmonk?”Cashsaid,hisvoicerising.
Cooper’seyesflashedangerandifwewerebackhomeinChicagothetwowouldbeontheground

beatingtheshitoutofeachother.Butthiswasn’tChicago.

Cooper took a deep breath. “Just don’t be an asshole, okay? Think about someone other than

yourself.Ourbusinessreputationistiedtoyou.”

Cooperturnedthirtythisyearandsuddenlyfoundthisdrivetomakesomethingoutofhislife.He’d

alwayshadthedreamofowninghisownbusinessbutinsteadofdoingsomethingaboutit,he’dspentthe
lasttenyearsfloatingfromonejobtoanother.Hewasacourierinthecity,deliveredpackagesforFed
Ex,workedthecallcenterforanonlinestore,andevenstartedclassesatthelocalcommunitycollegeto
becomeanEMT.Hewasneverpassionateaboutanyparticularfield,though,untilnow.It’sprobablywhy
hismarriagefellapartafteronlytwoyears.Hisex-wifewantedthewholepicture:houseinthesuburbs,
closetfullofclothesandshoes,kidsrunningaround.Cooperwasn’tgivingheranyofthatsoshepulled
theplug.

“WhenhaveIbeenanasshole?”Cashasked,stillnotbackingdown.
“Allright,dropitorwe’llbehereallday.We’resupposedtobehavingameeting.Let’sjustgetto

it,” Cooper said He nodded toward the door at the back of the store where the small break room was
located.Rightnowitwasjustacoffeepotinthecorner,asmalltwo-seatercouch,andaroundtablewith
sixchairs.Buttheydidn’tneedmuchmorewithonlythethreeofthemworkingthere.

CadetookaseatbetweenCooperandCashatthetablethinkingitwasprobablywisetokeepthem

apartforthemoment.Coopertookoutanotebookandstartedtickingthingsoffonalist.

“We have some final things to run-through before doors open Monday,” he said. “All inventory in

andenteredintothesystem?”

“Yep,”Cadesaid.
“Things squared away with the bank? Got the registers set up and ready to process transactions?”

Coopercontinued.

“Allthat’sready.Allweneedarethecustomers,”Cadesaid.
“They’llcome.I’malloverit,”Cashsaid.
The brothers never officially ironed out who held what position in their business and they didn’t

think they needed to. They were partners and divvied up the tasks as equally as they could. All three
would work on the snowmobiles. Cooper handled the daily operation and interaction with the
townspeople.Cadekeptthebooks.AndCashhandledmarketingandsales.They’dneverrunabusiness
beforesotheytookthingsdaybydayandjusthopedtheyweregettingitright.

CadefelthimselfspacingoutwhileCooperwentonaboutopeningdaydetails.Histhoughtsdrifted

tosittingonthebackofthatSki-Doo,racingdownthetrails,withJessieseatedinfrontofhim,hislegs
wrappedaroundthebackofhers,onlyclothesandsnowgearinbetweenthem.Andbackatthegarage

afterthey’dputawaythesledandtookofftheirgear.Therewassomethingthere.Amoment.Hewassure
shehadfeltittoo.Hewasabouttokissherbeforeherassholeex-boyfriendwalkedinandinterrupted.He
couldpracticallytasteherlips.Hebettheywouldbesweet.

“Cade.Cade,”Cooperrepeated,louder.
“Hmm?”Cadesaid.
“I’daskedyouaquestion.Didyougettherebuiltcrankshafts?”
Cadeshookhishead,tryingtorefocus.“Oh.Yeah.Sorryaboutthat.They’rein.”
CoopergaveCadeanotherlookandthenscratchedsomethingonhislegalpad.
Caderanhishandsdownhisfaceandthenclaspedthemtogetheronthetable.Heshouldforgetabout

thisgirl.Shehadalotgoingonrightnowandsodidhe.Hewaslaunchingabusinessnextweek.That
washuge.MaybeCadeneededtofindanewhangouttoworkinwhenhewantedtogetoutoftheoffice.
JessieFosterwasadistractionhejustdidn’tneedrightnow.

ChapterNine

JessietookadeepbreathandthenslowlytrudgedbackintotheStarlightPub.Shewasstillangrywithher
mother but had cooled off some after that ride with Cade. Not to mention he currently occupied about
ninety-five percent of her thoughts. Seeing him standing there afterward in the garage with the helmet
cradledunderhisarm,hewassodamnhot.Shehadapulseandobviouslyhadrecognizedbeforethathe
was extremely good-looking. But just then with that huge smile on his face, the corners of his eyes
crinklingandhislongyummyeyelashes,shefeltcompletelycaptivatedbyhim.Hehadthesexiestshort
darkbeardandshebadlywantedtokisshiminthatmomentandseenwhatitfeltlikeagainstherface.

Butthenherridiculousexwalkedinandruinedthemoment.
“JessieLynnFoster,”hermomsaid,exitingthekitchenwithatraypiledhighwithfood.“Wherethe

hellhaveyoubeen?”

Jessie takes the tray from her mom. “Settle down, Mom. I’m not nine. Now where is this food

going?”

“TabletwoandI’mnothappywithyou.”
“Ofcourse,you’renot,”Jessierepliedasshebreezedpasthermotheranddeliveredthefoodtothe

familyoffivesittingnearthefireplace.Shecouldfeelhermomstaringatherbacktheentiretime.She
slidthetrayunderherarmandmadeherwaybacktowardthekitchen.

“So,thisishowit’sgoingtobethen?”hermomaskedwhenJessietriedtoslidepasther.“You’re

goingtokeepgivingmeattitudebecauseI’mhelpingourfamily,yoursisters,mydaughters?”

“Prettymuch,”Jessiesaidcurtly.
“Well,that’sunfortunate.”
Jessie grabbed a couple of menus and headed for the door to seat a young snowmobile suit-clad

couple who just walked in. Her mom and her worked the rest of the lunch shift in silence. Each one
thinkingtheotherwaswrongandshewasright.Neitherwillingtobackdown.

Jessie was tallying table six’s tab when she felt a blast of cold air on her back. She’d thought the

lunch crowd had ended but apparently, they were getting stragglers. With a slam of the cash register
drawersheglancedoverhershouldertoseewhowascomingintothepub.

“Igotinearly,”hersisterWynnsaid,herarmsfullofbagsandabouquetofdiscountstoreflowers.
Jessieheardhermomgasp.Thereweretearsinhereyes.
“Wynn,”hermomsaid,claspingherhandstogether.
FrombehindWynnatinylittlegirlwithamopofblondecurlscametoddlingout.“Hi!Hi!Hi!”she

said.

ItwasMelody.Jessie’sfirstandonlyniece.Shecouldfeelherheartthawslightlyatthesightofher.
“My baby!” Jessie’s mom exclaimed. She raced toward Melody and scooped her into her arms.

“Grandmalovesyou,babygirl.”HermomsqueezedMelodytightlyandthenreachedforWynnandpulled
herintotheembrace.“I’msogladyou’rehome.”

Jessiewasgluedtoherspotnexttothecashregister.Shedidn’tknowhowtorespondorwhattosay.

Was she supposed to approach Wynn and the baby and embrace them too? Wynn hated her. Maybe she
shouldhangbackandletWynnmakethefirstmove.

Jessie studied Wynn. It had been almost four years since she’d laid eyes on her. She was still the

sameWynnbutdifferentatthesametime.Maybeabitfrazzled.Herhairhadthinnedoutandwasn’tas
fulloflifeasithadbeenlastshe’dseenher.Wynnhadalwayshadbeautifulthickauburnwavesandnow
herhairlookedflatter,sadder.Andherfacehadaged.Shelookedtiredlikeshecouldsleepforaweekif
someonetoldheritwasokayto.Shewasthickeraroundthemiddlealso.Notheavyexactly,butshehad
tobeagoodtwentypoundsheavierthanthelasttimeJessiehadseenher.

“Jessie?”hermomcalledouttoher.“Comesayhellotoyoursisterandniece.”

“Hi,hi,hi!”Melodysaidagain.
Shewasprettycute.
Jessiehesitatedandthenslowlymadeherwaytowherehermotherandsisterstood.Shekepther

armscrossedoverherchestandavoidedmakingdirecteyecontactwithWynn.“Hello.”

“Hi,Jess,” Wynn said,also hesitant. Whichin a way relievedJessie. At leastshe wasn’t the only

onefeelingincrediblyawkwardatthisreuniting.“Youlook…good,”hersisteradded.

Jessieshrugged.“Thanks.Youtoo.”
Her mom let out a happy whoop and grabbed her and Wynn around the neck, pulling them both

towardherinahug.“It’ssogoodtohavemygirlstogether!”

Jessie squirmed uncomfortably, only inches from her sister’s face. She looked in her eyes and

Wynn’slookedcoldandunfeeling.

Shestillhasn’tforgivenme,Jessiethought.It’sanact.
Jessiegotloosefromhermom’sgripandsteppedbackacoupleoffeet.Shelookeddownintothe

bigblinkingeyesofherniece.

“Hi,Hi!”Melodysaid,droppingthegiantstuffedMinnieshehadbeenluggingaroundwithher.
JessiesquatteddowntoherlevelandpickeduptheMinnie.“Hereyougo,”shesaid,handingback

thedoll.

“Hi,”Melodyrepeatedagain.
“Hi,”Jessieechoed.
Jessie’smompulledWynnandMelodyovertoatablenearthefireplaceandtalkedanimatedlywith

them.Jessiereturnedtobehindthebar,tryingtofindsomethingtobusyherselfwith.Shefeltstrange.Out
ofplace.Likeshewasanintruder.Whichwasridiculous.Thiswasherpub,herhome.Ifanyonewasthe
intruder,itwasWynn.

Jessieglancedoveratthehappyreunion.Sowhydidshefeelsofunny?
CadesuddenlyfilledJessie’sheadandsheglancedaroundthepub.Washisstuffallgone?Didshe

misshimcomingbackintopickuphisthingswhenshewasarguingwithhermom?Shehadhopedhe’d
maybelingerawhile.Thattheycouldtalksomemore.Orpickupwherethey’dleftthingsbeforeJason
hadinterrupted.Shewonderedwhatit’dfeelliketohavehislipsonhers,hisarmswrappedaroundher.
Shehadbrushedhisbicepwhenshewastakinghissnowgearfromhimandhefeltlikearock.She’dbet
hecouldeasilyliftherandthrowherupagainstawallandhavehiswaywithherifhewassoinclined.
Jessie could feel her face flush as her thoughts grew wilder. She could tell Cade was no Jason. The
missionarymaniswhatsheusedtojokinglycallhimtoAprilwhenthey’dtalkaboutsexbackthen.He
wasveryvanilla.WhichmadeJessieallthemorestabbythathe’dsleptwithhersister.

JessiegrabbedawashclothandbeganwashingdowntablesasshecontinuedherthoughtsofCade.

Which were infinitely better than thinking about her sisters’ homecoming and the happy family reunion
happeninginthecornerwithouther.

ChapterTen

JessierappedonthelockeddoorofMoonBeans.ShecouldseethroughthewindowthatAprilandHarry
werebusyclosingupthecafé.

Aprilunlockedthedoorandswungitopen.“Hey,girl,comeonin.”
Jessiewalkedintothewarmstoreandunwoundherscarffromaroundherneck.
“Everythingallright?”Aprilasked.
Jessiesighed.“CanItakeyouuponthatdrink?”
“Don’tsayanotherword.Harry,I’moutofhere,”sheshoutedoverhershoulder.
“Hey,hey,youcan’tditchme.”Harrywalkedoutfromthestorageroominback.
“It’sfine,”JessietoldApril.“Icanwait.”Thechairswereallontopofthetablesandthefloorwas

stillwetfromwheretheymusthavejustmopped.Jessietookaseatonthebrickinfrontofthefireplace.
Therewasnofirenow,butitstillfeltwarm.

“Fine,butlet’swrapitupinfiveminutes,Harry,”Aprilsaid.
AprilandHarryracedaroundtheroom,shuttingdowneverythingforthenight.Jessiepickedatthe

barkonalogatthetopofthewoodrack.Wynn’scominghomehadbeenharderforherthanshethoughtit
wouldbe.Shecouldn’tbelieveWynnstillhatedher.Shedidn’tsayitofcourse,butshedidn’thaveto.
Jessie could feel it. When the hell would Wynn ever grow up and get over herself? Starlight Pub has
alwaysbeenJessie’shappyplaceandwithWynnsittingtherewithhermother,gabbingawaylikeitwas
perfectlynormalforhertobethere,itjustmadeJessieill.Shewantedtogetawayfast.Shesurewasn’t
goingtostickaroundforLuci’sarrival.

JessiethoughtaboutWynnandLuci’srelationship.Sheneverthoughtofthemasclosebutshewas

surethattheykeptinsomekindofcontact.Asmuchastwopeoplelivingfarawayfromeachothercould.
Luci went to New York to chase a dream but Wynn ended up in St. Louis, Missouri by default. She
followedherhusbandtherebecausehehadgottensomesupposedlygreatjobmanagingalargegrocery
store.Thenwhentherelationshipendedshewasstucktherealone.

Nowthateveryonewasbackwouldtheybeganginguponher?Shewastheyoungest.Wouldtheytry

and push her around? She sure as hell wasn’t going to let that happen. She knew she had to stand her
ground.Theychosetoleave.Thiswashertown,herpub,andhercommunity.Shewasn’tgoingtoletthem
comebackandtakeanyofitawayfromher.Ifanyonewouldbemadetofeellikeanoutsideritwouldbe
them,nother.

These thoughts pounding away in her head were all too much. That’s why she came looking for

April.She’dhelpherforgethertroubles,atleastforthatnight.

“All right, hon,” April said as she shrugged on her coat. “Let’s get out of here. See ya tomorrow,

Harry.”ShepulledJessietoherfeet,loopedherarmthroughhers,andpulledheroutintothecoldnight
air.“Sowhereareweoffto?Downspout?Shakey’s?”

Jessiethoughtaboutthis.“Couldwegetoutoftownactually?I’mnotinthemoodtoseeanyoneI

know.”

Aprilsmiled.“Iknowtheperfectplace.”
The girls climbed into April’s car and twenty minutes later found themselves in front of Rummy’s

Tavern.

“Rummy’s?”Jessiesaid.“Neverheardofit.”
“Whichiswhyit’sperfect,”Aprilsaid,pushingthroughthedoors.
Jessiescannedtheroom,takingitallin.Therewereacoupleofdartboardsonabackwall,apool

tablewithagroupofmenaroundit,andalong,longbarwithmensittingoneverystool.Thisplacewas
crawling with men, actually, which was probably why April liked it. Not her usual type though. April
wentmore for theput together guy.Crisp collar shirt andexpensive slacks orironed jeans. These guys

weresportingflannelsandtruckerhats.

“Endofthebar,thirdfromtheleft.He’smine,”AprilwhisperedinJessie’sear.
Jessiegrinned.“Gotit.”
Aprilhadalwaysbeenunapologeticallysexuallyadventurousforalackofabetterword.Whenmen

sleptaroundtheywerepatontheback.Calledplayersandstuds.Whenwomensleptaroundtheywere
calledhorrorsandsluts.Totaldoublestandard.April'smultitudeofmenusedtobotherJessiesometimes
when they were younger. Like the time they walked into a full bar one night and April had said there
wasn’t a man in the room she hadn’t been with. Skeev factor aside, it certainly narrowed the choice of
datingmaterialforJessie.Butthenagain,ifthesemenwereallsowillingtohaveonenightstandsthey
probablyweren’trightforaserialrelationshipgirllikeJessie.

JasonhadbeenJessie’sfirstrealloveandtheyweretogetherthelongestatthreeyears.Sincethen

she’dbeenondateshereandthereandhadonelonger-termrelationshipwithasoftwaredeveloperwho
wasdoingaconsultingjobhereinSnowyRidge.HisnamewasJacksonandthey’ddatedforalittleover
ayear.WhenhisgigwasupandhewantedtotakeanewconsultingpositioninNashville,Jessiedecided
toendthings.WhileJacksonwasalotoffunandagreatguy,shewasn’ttrulyinlovewithhim.Notso
muchthatwhenthechoicecamedownbetweenbeingwithhimandstayinginSnowyRidgewithStarlight,
shechoseStarlight.AprilhadbeenbugginghertogetbackoutthereanddateagainsinceJacksonleftbut
no one had really piqued her interest. Until Cade anyway. Most guys in Snowy Ridge Jessie had either
knownforeverortheywerejustpassingthroughonvacation.

Jessiemarcheduptothebartender.“TwoshotsofFireballandtwoLongIslandIcedTeasplease.

We’ll be sitting over there.” She’d pointed to a table in the back away from the door and the cold air
blastingineachtimesomeoneentered.

“Youwanttositwaybackhere?”Aprilaskedastheymadetheirwaytothetable.“Noonewillsee

us.Andyoudidn’tevenletmeworkmymagicyet.Icouldhavehadthosedrinkspaidfor.”

“Youworkonthenextround.”Jessiewinkedather.
ThegirlstooktheirseatsandJessiestaredupatsomehockeygameontheTVoverhead.Shehadno

ideawhowasplayingnordidshecare.Shewasnevermuchintosports.Aprilfacedthebarandmade
eyesatvariousmen.

Jessieguzzledherdrinkandhershotquicklyandimmediatelyfeltalittlebuzzed.Whileshedidrun

andoperateapubherself,shereallydidn’tdrinkallthatoften.Orthisquickly.Beforeshecouldorder
anotherround,awaitressappearedwithtwomoreLongIslandIcedTeas.

“Courteous of the man in the brown flannel and backward Chicago Bears cap there,” she said to

them.

Aprilscannedthemen.“Oh,that’smyfuturehusband.I’llhavetogothankhim.”
Jessielaughedandstartedherseconddrink.“Thankhimformetoo,wouldyou?”
Aprilsaunteredovertothebarandwrappedanarmaroundthebackwardbaseballcapguy.Afew

minuteslatershereturnedtothetablewithhim,hisbuddy,andfourshotsofTequila.

ThemenintroducedthemselvesandJessiewassurethattheywereveryniceshewasjusthavinga

difficult time concentrating on what they were saying. She was feeling warm and toasty and a little bit
dizzy.Thelightfromthebeersignonthewallwasstartingtogiveheraheadache.Shewonderedifshe
couldpullaplugsomewhereandturnitoff.

Apriltoldstoriesandlaughedandlaughedandthebackwardbaseballcapguywasmakinghimself

moreandmorecomfortablewithher.Aprilwaspracticallysittinginhislap.Theotherguykepttryingto
engageJessieinconversationbutJessiedidn’tfeellikemakingidlechitchatwiththisguyshewassure
she’dneverseeagain.

TheguygotupandretrievedmoredrinkswhichJessiereadilytook.Shewassuddenlyverythirsty.

AndshetriedhardtoconcentrateonwhatAprilwassayingtoherassheshookherarmandpointed.

“Look,Jessie!Jason’shere.”
Jessie stood and twirled around, almost falling flat on her face. Jason caught her in his arms,

laughing.“Jason!You’rehere!Didyoucomeforme?”

“Isuredid,”hewhispered.

ChapterEleven

This might not be the worst idea in the world, Cade thought. He followed his brothers into the old
towniebar.Theplacewasfilledwithwhatcouldonlyberegulars.Menwithunrulybeardswholooked
likethey’dbeensnowplowingortruckingalldayandwomenwithsprayedhair,heavylipstick,andshort
skirts.Cadewassurehestoodoutinhisblackleatherbikersjacketandhisheavyblackboots.Itwasn’t
thekindofscenehewasusedtobackhomeinChicagobutit’ddueforthenight.Cashhadmentionedhe
stumbleduponthisplaceonedaywhiledrivingbackfromFarmandFleetandthatthebeerwascheapbut
good.Can’tbeat$2bottles.

TheytookseatsatthelongbarandCooperorderedaroundofdrinks.Helookedstressed,probably

crunchingnumbersinhishead.HewouldtalkaboutbusinessallnightiftheothertwolethimbutCade
hadnointentionofdoingthat.Heneededanightofffromworkandallresponsibility.Eversincehegotto
SnowyRidgehe’dfeltlikehewasdoingforeveryoneelseandcompletelyignoringhisownneeds.

Cadedownedhisbeerquicklyandorderedanotherround.Helookedaroundtheroomashedrank

his beer, amused at how different his life was now from just a few short months ago. His friends back
homewouldneverhangoutatplacelikethis.They’dprobablygetagoodlaughatseeinghimsittingin
there.Hethoughtaboutthemeverysooften:Jake,Kyle,andMikey.Theyweregoodguys.They’dwork
togetherforyearsandhungoutontheweekendswhentheyweren’ttieddownwithonegirloranother.He
hadn’theardmuchfromthemsincehe’dmoved.Acoupleoflameforwardedjokeemails.Atextortwo
onadrunkennightout.Andheneverheardfromanyofhisoldgirlfriends.Hisrelationshipsneverlasted
allthatlong.Thegirlshe’dmetbackinChicagowerealwaysconcernedwithone-uppingtheirfriends.
Gettingthenextgreatbagordesignerdress.He’dentertainthemforawhile.Longenoughwhereashegot
what he wanted and they got what they wanted. Which probably made him sound like an asshole. He
rarelyfoundagirlthathewantedtotalktoforhoursorstayinwithforanightonthecouch,watching
movies. Definitely no one he wanted to bring around his family. Or God forbid, marry. Sometimes he
thoughthewasjustacold,unfeelingbastardlikehisdad.Maybehe’dnevermakeaconnectionwithany
one.

Cade drained the rest of his bottle and glanced around the room again. At least there was a pool

table.Maybehe’dgetCashtoplayagamewithhim.Hiseyesfloatedtothehockeygameplayingona
television in the back corner of the bar. Chicago was up by two points. Cash was laughing loudly and
sayingsomethinginCade’searbuthewasn’tlistening.Hewasdistractedbythetabledirectlyunderthe
television.Jessie?WasthatgirlinthecornerJessie?Thehairwasthesame.Butwhatwouldshebedoing
allthewayouthereandhangingalloversomeguy?

ThegirllaughedandtheguyswungheraroundinhisarmsandCadesawtheirfaces.Itwas Jessie.

Andthatassholeex-boyfriendofhers.Whowasn’tlookingtoomuchlikeanexatthemoment.Theywere
obviously back together. What a jerk Cade was for thinking even for a moment that something was
happeningbetweenheandJessie.

Cadestoodandslappedthebaracoupleoftimes.“Anotherround,”hetoldthebartender.
He took his beer and walked toward the old-fashioned juke box in the corner, as far away from

Jessie as he could possibly get. He skimmed the song titles looking for something mood-appropriate. It
wasfullofancientsongsfromatleasttwentyyearsago.Hefeltsomeonesidleupnexttohimandglanced
down.

“Hey,there,”apetitewomaninashortskirtandlongbootssaidtohim.“Ifyou’relookingforsome

decent music, you won’t find it in there.” She laughed at her own joke and leaned on the glass with an
elbow,pushinghercleavagetowardhimandcoveringhalfthesonglist.

“I don’t know about that,” Cade said. “Who doesn’t like Sir Mix-A-Lot? Baby’s Got Back is

classic.”

“Guys pretend like they want a girl with a big ass but they don’t. They want something that fits in

theirhands.”ShemovedinclosertoCadeandwasonlyinchesfromhisface.

He put his bottle to his lip and took a long gulp. When he looked down the girl was still there,

blinkingthesebigdoeeyesathim.Sheobviouslywantedhim.ButCooper’svoicewasgoingthroughthe
back of his head. He’d warn them not to leave a string of broken hearts. Sure, he told this to Cash but
Cadewassurethesamewentforhim.“Excuseme,”hesaidtothegirl.Hesethisemptybottledownona
tableandheadedforthebathroom.

Afterrelievinghimselfhewaswashinghishandsinthesinkwhenheheardthebathroomdoorswing

openandsomeonewalkedinandwrappedtheirarmsaroundhiswaist.“Whatthe—?”hesaid,swinging
aroundfast.Itwasthatgirlagain.She’dfollowedhimintothemen’sroom.Helookedheroveragain.She
lookedlikeshewasonamission.Andwhilenotnormallythetypeofgirlhewentfor,shehadthekindof
faceasixthbeercouldmakepretty.

She rubbed up against him, pinning him to the sink. Before he could think about it too much he

reached out his left hand and ran it through her long golden waves. It felt silky and he wanted to do it
again.Whenhereachedupthistimesheturnedherfaceintohishand,almostcatlike.Washereallygoing
todothis?Hedidn’tevenknowhername.

Cade felt the top button of his jeans go and then the zipper. A moment later the girl had her hand

downthefrontofhisboxersandwasstrokinghimquickly,almostmanically.Hisbodywasresponding
andhecouldfeelhisbulgegrowing,strainingtobereleased.Heclosedhiseyesforamoment,enjoying
her touch. Then his eyes shot open and he thought what the hell was he doing here, in the bathroom of
sometowniebarwiththisrandomchick’shanddownhispants?Hewasn’tthatguyanymore.Hetriedto
pushherawaythoughhisbodywasn’tagreeingwithhismind.Shesuddenlydroppedtoherkneesinfront
of him and he grabbed her by the shoulders and stopped her from advancing. It took every ounce of
willpowerhehad.

“Sorry,no.Just…no,”hesaid,hisvoicestiltedandgravelly.Hetuckedbackinasbesthecouldand

zippedhispants.

Shelookedupathimfromthefloor,firstshockedandthenhorrified.Thensheburstintotears.
“Ohman.No,no,don’tdothat.Whyareyoucrying?”Cadeasked.Hegrabbedherhandsandpulled

hertoherfeet.

“I’mpathetic,”thegirlwailed.“MyassholeboyfriendcheatedonmeandIcan’tevenpickupaguy

inadivelikethis.AmIthatrepulsive?”Shesobbedlouder.

JesusChrist.Hehadtogetthisgirltostopscreaming.Hepulledahandfulofpapertowelsoutofthe

container on the wall and handed them to the girl who now had black raccoon circles around her eyes.
“No,ofcoursenot.It’snotyou,it’sme.I’m…sortawithsomeone.”

Okay, that wasn’t the truth. He wasn’t with Jessie but he felt like something could be there and it

wouldn’t be right to be here with this girl. Even though at this very moment Jessie was probably off
somewhereinJason’sarms.

“Thenyou’reanassholetoo!”thegirlscreamedathim,beforerunningoutofthebathroom.
Cadefacedthesinkandslappedsomewateronhisfacewhilehetookafewmomentstoregroup.

Hopefullythegirlwouldbelonggonewhenheexitedthebathroom.

Heneededanotherbeer.

ChapterTwelve

“GoodmorningSleepyHead,”amalevoicesaid.
Jessieletoutagrownandrubbedathereyes.Herheadwasthrobbingandshefeltnauseous.What

timewasit?shethought.

She slowly opened her eyes and took in the room. Giant trophies covering shelves on the wall. A

Snowy Ridge High School pendant in the school’s red and white colors. A poster of Britney Spears.
Wherewasshe?

“Didyousleepokay?”thevoiceasked.
Jessieturnedherheadleftandcameface-to-facewithashirtlessJason.“Ah!”shescreamed.“What

thehellareyoudoinghere?”

Jasongaveheraconfusedlook.“Inmyroom?”
“Ah!”shescreamedagain.Nowsherememberedthisplace.Jason’schildhoodroom.Shewasinhis

house.Hisparentswereprobablyheretoo.Shewantedtovomit.“OhmyGod.No.No,no,no.Thisisa
dream.”

Jasonlaidbackagainsthispillowsandplacedhishandsbehindhishead.Theblanketcoveredhim

fromonlyhiswaistdown.

Jesus,pleaselethimbewearingclothesunderthere,Jessiethought.“Ohno,”shewhispered.She

lookeddownandletoutasighofrelief.Shehadclotheson.At-shirtanyway.Thoughshedidn’trecall
puttingiton.OrhowshegotintoJason’sbedroomtobeginwith.

Sheclutchedtheblanketstightlyandburiedherfaceinit.
“Hey,what’swrong?”Jasonaskedgently.“Stillnotfeelingwell?”
Jessiecouldnotbelieveshewasinthissituation.Sheknewshedrankwaytoomuchlastnightand

theeventswerefuzzy.ButhowdidsheendupatJason’s?WherewasApril?

“Um,”JessiesaidslowlyasshesideglancedJason..“Didwe…?Imean,wedidn’t…right?”
“Didn’twhat?Havethemostamazing,heart-stopping,clothesripping,bodyachingsexofourentire

lives?”Jasonasked.

“Oh,God,”shesaidasshere-buriedherfaceintheblanket.
Jasonchuckled.“Relax.Wedidn’t.”
Jessiedroppedtheblanketandstaredathimwide-eyed.“Ohmygosh,really?That’swonderful.”
Jasoncockedoneeyebrow.“Havingsexwithmewouldhavebeenthatterrible,huh?”
“No.Imean,yes,ofcourse.Givenourhistory,”shestammered.“Wherearemyclothesbytheway?”

I’mnotevengoingtoaskhowIgotoutofthem,Jessiethought.

Jasonnoddedtoaneatlyfoldedpileonhisdesk.
Jessiesighedinrelied.“Great.Couldyoumaybe,turnaroundorsomethingsoIcouldgetdressed?”
“NotlikeIhaven’tseenitallbefore.”
Jessiewaited.
“Fine,fine,I’llturn,”hesaid,facingthewall.
Jessie’seyeslingeredoverhismuscularback.Jasonmustbeworkingoutalotthesedays.Shedidn’t

everrememberhisbacklookinglikethat.Andwhatwasthattattoorightbetweenhisshoulderblades?It
looked like a fancy cross with some words wrapped around it. Jason was the last person on earth she
expected to ever get a tattoo. It wasn’t like his personality at all. Maybe he wasn’t the same guy she’d
remembered.

“CanIturnbackaroundnow?”heasked.
Shit. She’d spent too much time ogling his back. “Just another minute,” she said, throwing on her

clothes.

Whenshewasdressed,sheslippedonherbootsandlookedaroundforhercoat.“Thanksalotfor

lettingmecrash.Idon’trememberlastnightatall.Ican’tbelieveAprilditchedme.”

“Well,shelookedprettybusywithsomeguy.Sheleftwithhim.”
Jessiewaspissed.SheknewApriloftenwenthomewithmenbutcouldn’tsheseeJessieneededher

lastnight?HowcouldsheleaveherlikethatandinthehandsofJason?

JasonreachedoutforthecoatinJessie’shands.“Hey,you’renotleaving,alreadyareyou?”
“Yeah,sorry.I’vegottogettowork.”
“Mymomismakingyoupancakes,though,”Jasonsaid.
Jessiefroze.“Yourmom?She’shere?AndsheknowsI’mhere?”Thiscouldnotgetanyworse,she

thought.

“Ofcourse,”Jasonsaid.“Youreallydon’trememberanyoflastnight?Whenwegotheremymom

was still up watching a sappy holiday movie and you gave her a huge hug and told her how much you
missedher.Thenyouwentonandonabouthowshemadethebestpancakesintheworldandmadeher
promisetomakeyousomeinthemorning.”

“I-I did?” Jessie asked. What was she going to do? What the hell got into her last night? Mrs.

KirklanddidmakethebestpancakesintheworldfromwhatJessierecalledbuthowcouldsheforcethe
woman she had dodged and avoided around town for the last six years to cook her breakfast? It was
completelyobnoxious.

Jasonnodded.
“Okaythen,”Jessiesaidslowly.“I’llhavebreakfastwithyouguysandthenIreallyhavetogetto

work.”

Jason took both of Jessie’s hands in his and pulled her up off the bed. Before he let go of her he

rubbedthetopofherhandsgentlywithhisthumbsandshehadtoadmit,it’dfeltnice.Familiar.

“That smells so good, Mom,” Jason said as they walked into his brightly lit kitchen. The smell of

pancakes,eggs,andbaconfilledJessie’snoseandshesuddenlyfeltveryhungry.

ThethemeoftheKirklandkitchenwasanoldfarmlook,barnyardchic,hismomhadcalledit,andit

hadn’tchangedabitsincethelasttimeJessiehadbeeninit.Therewerestilloldfashionedmetalkitchen
utensilscoveringthewalls,areal,onceusedbutterchurninthecorner,aroostercookiejaronthecounter
that,fromJessiecouldremember,wasalwaysfilledwithOreocookies,andaceramiccowmilkcreamer
inthecenterofthesmallroundtable.

“Didyousleepwell,Jessie?”Mrs.Kirklandasked,turningawayfromthestovetolookather.
“Idid.Thankyouforlettingmestayherelastnight,Mrs.Kirkland.I,Icouldn’tgethome.”
Mrs.Kirklandfacedbacktowardthestoveandflippedpancakes.“Ofcourseyoucouldn’t.Notinthe

condition you were in. Why don’t you grab a glass and get yourself some water. Aspirin is up in the
cabinettotherightofthepantry.”

Jasontookaseatatthetableandrestedhiselbowsononeofthebarnthemedplacemats.
“Thiswassoniceofyoutomakemebreakfast.IhopeIdidn’tputyououttoomuch,”Jessiesaid.
“No, of course not. It’s no trouble at all. I’ve been happy having someone to cook for ever since

Jasoncamebackhome.AndI’malwayshappytoseehisfriendstoo.”

Friends.Ugh,Jessiethought.ShetookaseatnexttoJasonatthetableandtriedherbesttosmile.

Thiswassobizarre.Shehadn’tseenJasoninsixyearsupuntilacoupleofdaysagoandnowshewas
sleepingoverathishouseandeatingbreakfastcookedbyhismother.Whatthehellwasgoingon?

“Whatdoyoutwokidshaveplannedfortheday?”Mrs.Kirklandasked.
JessieshotJasonapanickedlook.Doeshismotherthinkthey’rebacktogetherorsomething?Why

wouldshethinkJessiewouldspendthedaywithJason?

Jasongrinned.“Idon’tknow,Buttercup,”hesaidtoJessie.“Whatdoyoufeellikedoingtoday?”
Jessiekickedhimunderthetable.HowcouldhemakehismotherthinkJessiehadanyintentionof

spendingthedaywithhim?

Jasonwastryingsohardnottolaughhechokedonabiteofpancake.Jessietookthisopportunityto

slaphimonthebackafewtimes.

“Youokay?”sheasked.
Jasoncoughedandclearedhisthroat.“Yeah,thanks.”
Jessie looked back at Mrs. Kirkland. “I have to get into work soon as we’re done with breakfast

here.”

Mrs.KirklandsetafullplateoffoodinfrontofJessie.Itlookeddelicious.
“YoustillrunningtheStarlightwithyourmother?”sheasked.
Jessienodded.
“That’snice,”Mrs.Kirklandsaid.“IkeephopingJasonwillmakeapermanentmovebacktoSnowy

Ridge.”

JasonputanarmaroundJessie’sshoulderandpulledherinclosertohim.“MaybeIwill,Mom.”
Jessiestareddownatherplateoffood,hard.ItwastakingallofherrestraintnottoelbowJason.

Whywashetryingtomakehismomthinksomethingwasgoingonbetweenthem?

ChapterThirteen

After a quick stop home to shower and dress, Jessie walked into Starlight over an hour late for work.
Linda shot her a forced smile as she hurried around the room attending to customers. Her arthritis was
probablyflaringupandsheneededabreaktogetoffherfeet.Jessiedidn’tlookforwardtothelectureher
momwassuretogiveherforbeinglateagain.Sherushedtohanguphercoatandputherstuffawayand
feltlikesomethingwasoff.Different.Shewalkedbackoutfrombehindthebarandroamedaroundthe
room. It was different. Tables were moved, the chairs by the fireplace were gone, knick knacks had
vanishedandbowlsofout-of-seasonfruitweresuddenlyeverywhere.Andtherewassomeforeignnoise
comingoutofthespeakersinsteadofthelow-volume,classicrocktheynormallyplayed.Whatwasgoing
on?

“Youmadeit,”Jessie’smomsaid,joiningherbyanoverflowingbowloflemons.
“Whatthehellisthis?”Jessieasked,pointingtothefruit.
“Luci’shere.She’sbeenhereallmorningactually.”
Jessie’sstomachdropped.ShewasnotlookingforwardtofacingLuci.
“Hi,Jessie.Howarethings?”hersistersaidfrombehindher.
Jessie took a deep breath and slowly turned around. There she was. Her sister who was once so

closetoherthattheyweremorethanfamily,theywerebestfriends.Untilshebetrayedherintheworst
waypossible.

Jessiestaredathersister.Shelookeddifferent.Moreconfident,puttogether.Shestillhadthesame

beautifulsilkyblondehairthatmostpeoplewouldkillfor,andthebigbrightblueeyes.Shewasdressed
inyogapantsandafleece.Shealwayswasbigintoexerciseandwasstillingreatshape.“Fine,”Jessie
repliedflatly.

“DoyoulikehowIfengshuiedtheplace?”
“That’swhatthisis?”Jessieasked,unabletohidetheshockfromhervoice.
Luci, short for Lucinda always had to be in on the cutting edge of everything. The middle sister

betweenJessieandWynn,Luciwassharp,sarcastic,andedgy.She’dmovedtoNewYorktobecomea
greatwriter,whichJessieneverquiteunderstood.Ifyouwanttobeawriter,beawriter.Awritercan
write anywhere. But not Luci. She always had an adventurous streak and had to be smack dab in the
middleofeverything.SnowyRidgewastoosmallandboringforabigcityheartedgirllikeher.

“Fantastic,right?”Lucireachedoutandstraightenedoneofthelemons.
“No,notatall.Ridiculousactually,”Jessierepliedperhapsabittooharshly.
“Jessie…”hermomsaidinawarningtone.
Jessielookedathermom,Shehadalmostforgottenshewasstillstandingthere.Herfacewasdrawn

tight and her shoulder-length gray hair was pulled into a loose pony tail. She was wrapped in a black
StarlightPubhoodiethatlookedtoobigonher.Maybehermomwaslosingweight.Ithadbeenastressful
fewdays.“What?”Jessiesaid.“Youknowit’sridiculous.We’reapub.Weservehamburgersandbeer.
Wecatertosnowmobilersandwintertourists.Bowlsoffruitoutandaboutarestupid.”

SheheardLindastiflealaughfromacrosstheroom.
LucibitherbottomlipandgaveJessieafewrapidblinksbeforesheturnedonherheelandleftthe

room.

“Goodlord,Jessie.Whereareyourmanners?Thatwasawful,”hermomsaid.Shegrabbedatuband

bussedthetablenearesttothem,notlookingatJessie.WhenNickwasn’tin,theyallpitchedinbussed
tables.

“Manners? She’s family right. That’s what you kept saying. They’re family and they need us and

that’s why it has to be okay that everyone comes home and is suddenly up under my nose at work and
we’repretendinglikewehaven’tignoredeachotherforyears.”

HermomstoppedandglaredatJessieoverhershoulder.“Youneedtocalmdown.”
ButJessiecouldn’tcalmdown.Herwickwaslit.She’dbeenholdingthingsintoolongandshewas

afraiditwouldalleruptnow.“Andwhatthehellisthatridiculousnoisecomingfromthespeakers?”

“JessieLynn!”hermomhissed,usingthatwarningmomtoneJessiehadn’theardsinceshestoleher

mom’scarsenioryearandstayedoutallnightwithApril.

“What?”Jessieaskedbeforehereyesfellonthecoupleattablesix,staringather.Sheloweredher

voice.“Sorry.I’lltalkquieter.Butwhatisthatsound?”

Jessie’smomlookedofftotheside,sighed,andthenlookedherdaughterintheeyes.“It’satropical

waterfall.Lucithoughtitwouldbesoothing.”

“Are you freaking kidding me?” Jessie said slowly, unable to keep the anger in her voice from

seepingthrough.“No,justno.“We’reapub,notadamnyogastudio.Thatgoesnow.”Jessiestompedinto
thebackwherethestereowasandyankedouttheZenSerenityCDandfrisbeeditbehindherback.She
putthestereobackontheradiostationithadbeenoneverydayforaslongasshecouldrememberand
walkedbackouttothediningareatore-joinhermom.“There.Onedown,afewmorechangestogo,”she
announced.

Her mom just stood still, staring at her. “Why are you so angry today? And what did you do last

night?Youlookawful.”

“Geethanks, Mom.” Jessietook the tubof dishes out ofher mom’s handsand finished bussing the

table.

“Imeanyoureyesarekindofbloodshotandyourfaceisbloated.Youfeelingokay?”Shereached

outherhandlikeshewasgoingtocheckJessie’stemperaturebutJessiedodgedher.

“I’mfine.AndIwentoutwithAprillastnight.Ijuststayedupalittletoolate,that’sall.”
“Well,”hermomsaid,“ifyou’resoconcernedwithyoursisterschangingthingsaroundheremake

sureyougetinontime.”

“Ishouldn’thaveto;it’smypub,Imean,ARGH!”Jessiegrabbedherheadandrubbedhertemples.

“We’redroppingthis.I’vegotworktodo.Customersarecomingin.”Jessiewenttoretrieveanorderpad
andwhenshewenttogreetthefamilyoffourseatedattabletwo,Luciwasalreadythere.

“Areyousureyouwantfriedzucchinisticks?”Luciaskedthefamily.“It’dbesomuchhealthierif

westeamedthemforyouinstead.”

Jessie whipped her head around and glared at her mom. Her mom shrugged in a what can we do

fashion.

JessiedecidedtoignoreLuci’sbehaviorforthemomentbutitwouldn’tlastlong.She’dhavetohave

atalkwithherandstraightenheroutiftheyweregoingtokeeptheircustomers.

Jessie finished up the post-lunch clean up and was exhausted, physically and mentally. Her sisters

beingatworkwithherwasharderthanshethought.WynnwasslowasmolassesandLuciwascompletely
clueless. It was like having to run a pub and babysit two children at the same time. And her mom kept
tellinghertorelaxandgivethemachance.They’lleventuallygetthehangofthings,sheinsisted.Jessie
wantedtogivethemallthetimeintheworldandgetasfarawayfromthewholefamilyasshecould.

HerthoughtsturnedtoCadewhichwasaniceplacetobe.Shewonderedwhyshehadn’tseenhim

stillsincetheirsnowmobileride.Sheknewhisbusinessjustopenedbuthestillneededtoeat.Maybeshe
shouldstopinandgetapartforhersnowmobile.Maybeheroldidlerwheelcapcrackedandsheneeded
tobuyanewone.

JessiedecidedshewouldpayavisittoCade’snewshop,butfirst,astopatMoonBeans.She’llgrab

himsomecoffeeasasortofopeningdaypresent.AndthiswayshecouldhaveawordwithApriltoo.It
wassonotcoolforhertoditchherlikethat.

JessiewassecondinlineatthecounterinMoonBeans.AprilwastakingClydefromthehardware

store’scoffeeandcroissantsorderandshelookedawful.Herhairwaspiledonherheadinamessybun

andtherewerebagsunderhereyes.

“Heygirl,”AprilsaidinatiredvoicewhenitwasJessie’sturn.
“Roughnight,huh?”
“Yeah,surewas.Yougethomeokay?”
“Uh,yeah.Nothankstoyou,”Jessiebegun.“Whathappened?Whydidn’tyoubringmehome?”
April’sjawdropped.“What?You’rekidding,right?”
Jessie gave her a confused look. “Why would I be kidding? You wouldn’t believe where I ended

up.”

“Whoa,whoa,whoa.”Aprilputherhandsintheairandshookherhead.“Thishasgottobeajoke.

Girl, I begged you not to go with Jason. I called that mofo every name in the book and told him to get
awayfromyou.Youwerecrawlingalloverhimandsaidhewasyourboyfriendagain.”

“What?No!Ididn’t.”Jessieputherhandsonhercheeks.Didshereallysaythat?Howhumiliating.

Anddeadwrong.

“Yes,youdid.Youcussedmeoutandtoldmetomindmyownbusiness.Lookatthis.Youseethis?”

Aprilheldherarmupandpulledhersleevedownoffherwrist.

Jesseloweredherhandsfromherfaceandtiltedherheadtogetabetterlook.“Whatisit?”
“Yourteethmarks.Youbitme,girlfriend.”
“Oh no! I’m so sorry April! What the heck got into me last night?” Jessie had gotten drunk a few

timesovertheyearsbutnevertothismagnitude.

“It’sokay.Itdoesn’tevenhurt.”Shepulledhersleevebackoverherwrist.“AndJasonsworeupand

downtomethatallhewasgoingtodowasgiveyouaridestraighthome.Youcouldn’twalkoutofthe
barsoIwasgoingtoneedhelpgettingyouhomeanyway.ItoldhimifI’dheardanythingtothecontrary
I’dhunthimdownandkillhimtoday.Didyougethomeokay?”

“I’llsavethatstoryforlater.You’vegotanothercustomercomingin.”Jessienoddedtothebellover

thedoorjingling.“Canyoujustgetmethreecoffeestogofornow?AndI’mreally,reallysorryaboutlast
night.Ifeelsostupid.I’llmakeituptoyou.”

“Youknowwe’recool,”Aprilsaid.Shepouredthecoffees,fixedatrayandhandedittoJessie.
Shesmiledgratefullyatherbestfriendandsilentlyvowedtoneverlosecontrollikethatagain.

ChapterFourteen

Theafternoonwasflyingbyandallthreebrotherswerehardatwork.Theplacelookedgreatforopening
day. There were balloons everywhere and finger foods laid out on a long table for the customers. And
therewerealotofthemstoppingin.Sometoactuallypickupapiecefortheirsnowmobileorschedulean
appointment.Andothersjustcurioustoseewhatthenewplacelookedlike.Therewasoneolderwoman
in heavy makeup with a long fluffy fur coat over a leopard printed dress passing out her own business
cards to everyone in the place. And then there were those that he swore only came for the cookies and
coffeecake.Whatevertheirreason,theplacewaspackedandtheguyswerefeelingconfidentabouttheir
decisiontoopenshopinSnowyRidge.

Cade was filling out a work order for a 2009 250 HP Turbo Yamaha Nytro sled when out of the

corner of his eye he saw Jessie walk into the shop. His breath caught briefly but he didn’t look up or
acknowledge her presence. He finished filling out the paperwork and talking to the customer and only
whenthetransactionwascompletedidheallowhimselftofinallyturnandlookatJessie.Shestoodthere
beamingathim,atrayofcoffeesinherhand.

Cadehadtoadmit,shelookedcompletelyadorableandgenuinelyhappytoseehim.Almostlikea

kidpresentingtheirparentwithaclaypotthey’dmadeinschool.Hewasinstantlytouchedandwantedto
raceovertoherandwrapherinhisarms.Butsomethingwasholdinghimback.Theimagelastnightof
her ex-boyfriend with his hands all over her kept rolling around in his mind. He was likely
misunderstanding what her showing up today really meant. Jessie wasn’t necessarily here because she
wantedtoseehim.Shewasprobablyjustbeingneighborly.Welcomingafellowsmallbusinessownerin
a small community. After all, Cade recognized several of the people milling around the shop from the
community.Apostalworker,theladywhoworksnightsatoneofthetwogasstationsintown,andtheguy
fromthesmallold-fashionedmovietheaterthatCadekeptmeaningtocheckoutoneoftheseevenings.So,
itwasonlynaturalthatJessiewouldstopintorepresenttheStarlightPub.Itwasherduty.

Jessiewasmakingherwayovertohimbutgotheldupbytheladyinthefurwhosqueezedhertight

and planted a kiss on Jessie’s cheek, leaving a pair of big red lips behind for evidence. Jessie smiled
politelyandexchangedafewwordswiththewomanbeforecontinuingtowardCade.

“Congratulations!”shesaidbrightlywhenshereachedhim.“Ibroughtyouandyourbrotherssome

coffee.Figuredyou’dneedtheextrajolt.”

ShethrustthetraytowardhimandCadeacceptedit.“Thanks,”hesaidflatly.“Youdidn’tneedtodo

that.”

“It’snoproblem.Iwantedtostopbyandseethenewshop.Seeyou.”Shegavehimaflirtysmileand

tookastepcloser.

Hefidgeteduneasily.Shesmelledsweet,likecookiesorsomething.ButCadewasprettysureJessie

wasn’tbakingthismorningafterthenightshe’dhad.

She clasped her hands behind her back, pushing her chest out toward Cade. She was getting

dangerouslycloseandhewasn’tsurehecouldremaincoolwithher.Hetookastepbackandplacedthe
trayofcoffeesonacounter.Whenhiseyesmethersagainhethoughtshe’dlookedminorlydisappointed.
Buthemusthavemisreadher.Heseemedtobegoodatthat.

“How are ya doing? Cash Stone,” Cade’s older brother said as he reached for Jessie’s hand and

firmlyshookit.“Don’tthinkI’veseenyouaroundtownyet.I’dhaverememberedyou.”

JessiebrieflyglancedatCadeandthengaveCashawearysmile.“JessieFoster.Nicetomeetyou.I

ownStarlightPub.Youknow,upthestreetfromhere?”

“Ah yes, Starlight,” Cash said. “I’ve been meaning to get in there for a drink. Now I have all the

morereason.”CashgrinnedgreedilyatJessieandwinked.

Cadecouldfeelthehairsonthebackofhisneckstandup.Ofcourse,hisbrotherwouldcomeover

hereandflirtwithher.He’dflirtwithacoatrack.Allheeverthoughtaboutwashisnexthookup.

Jessiegaveanervouslaugh.“Sure.Comeonin.You’llhavetogivememyhandbackthough.”Cash

wasstillholdingJessie’shandinhis.

“Yousureyouwantitback?”Cashteased,pullingJessieclosertohim.
JessieshotCadea‘helpme’look.Heknewshewaswaitingforhimtosaysomethingbutwhatcould

he say? That he thought there might have been something beginning between them? That he felt a crazy
attractiontoherthathehadn’tfeltwithanothergirlinalong,longtime?Noneofthatmatterednow.Ifshe
neededsomeonetorescuehersheshouldcallupherboyfriendtocomesaveher.

“Cade,”shesaid,drawingouthisnameslowly.“Didn’tyouwanttotalktomeaboutsomething?”
CadeglancedbackandforthbetweenhisbrotherandJessie.“Yeah,Idid.”Hepulledaslipofpaper

from his back pocket and handed it to her. “Here’s a coupon for fifty dollars off your first snowmobile
repair.”

Jessie’smouthfellopenincompleteshock.Cadedidn’twaitaroundtoseeanyfurtherreaction.He

turned away from his brother and Jessie and thrust himself into the crowd to greet other potential
customers.

ChapterFifteen

Couldthisdaygetanyworse? Jessie thought. She had woken up hung-over in her ex-boyfriend’s bed.
Thenhadpancakesthatshehadapparentlydemandedhismothermakeforher.Wenttoworktofindher
belovedpubhadbeenfengshuidwithinaninchofitslife.Andthentheguyshethoughtshewasstartingto
fallforcompletelyhumiliatedherathisstore’sgrandopeningbyactinglikeshewasnomorespecialthan
arandomcustomerstoppingintopickupasetofwindshieldwipers.No,itcouldn’tgetworsethanthis.

Orcouldit.
Notmorethanfiveminutesago,Jessiehadtrudgedupthestairstoherapartment,afteraquickwave

toFranwhowasworkingonthefrontwindowdisplayatNovelIdea,herheartsetonanap.Shehadtobe
backatStarlightforthedinnerhourandshefeltjustwretchedafterherlongnightandmorning.Therewas
aknockatthedoor.

“No…”JessiewhisperedintoJoplin’sfur,thecatcradledinherarms.“Noone’ssupposedtoknow

we’reevenhere.Maybethey’llgoaway.”

Butwhoeveritwasknockedagain,louderthistime.
Maybe it was Fran, Jessie thought. She saw Jessie come home and sometimes Fran brought her

booksforfreethatdidn’tsellinthebargainsection.

“Fran?”Jessiecalledout.“Iwasjustabouttoliedown.Notfeelingtoogreat.Canwechatlater?”

Shestoodstill,huggingJoplintight.

“It’snotFran.”
Ugh. It most definitely was not Fran. That was her sister Wynn’s voice. What was she doing at

Jessie’sapartment?

“Oh,”Jessiesaid.ShetriedtothinkofsomethingtosayordotomakeWynngoaway.Shewasso

tiredanddidn’twanttodealwithhersisterrightnow.Buthermindwasblank.

“Areyougoingtoopenthedoor?”Wynncalledout.
Damn.Shewasn’tgoingtogetoutofthis.Hereyessweptthesmallapartment,notingthebookand

paperscoveringthesmallkitchentableandthesinkfullofdishes.Notexactlysuitableforentertainingat
themoment.Jessiesighed.“Coming.”

Sheopenedthedoorandsawheroldersisterstandinginthehall,hernieceathersideallbundledup

likeshewasabouttoplayinthesnow.

“Cat!” Melody squealed. She thrust her two chubby hands toward Joplin and toddled into the

apartment.

JoplindugherclawsintoJessie’sarm,recoilingfromMelody’sreach.
“Cat!”Melodydemandedagain.
“Um,sorryhoney,”Jessiesaid.“Joplin’snotreallyusedtoanyonebutme.”Atthat,Joplinleaptout

of Jessie’s arm and crawled under a chair in the tiny living room. Melody shot off after her. “I
wouldn’t…” Jessie started but trailed off. What could she say? This little girl was determined and she
knewJoplincouldhandleherself.She’djustfindsomewheretohideuntilthetwoleft.

JessiestoodasideandletWynncomeintoherapartment.
Wynnslowlylookedaround,takingeverythingin.“Cuteplace,”shesaid.
Jessieexaminedhersister.ShelookedastiredasJessiefelt.Wasworkingatthepubtakingthisbig

ofatollonheralready?JessiehadworkedatStarlightforeverbutsheknowsalltherunningbackand
forthandbeingonyourfeetforhourscouldwearapersonoutiftheyweren’tusedtoit.

Jessie wracked her brain, trying to figure out if she had anything to offer her sister and her niece.

Living alone she tended to eat out and didn’t keep too much food around. She did have some green tea
though. And from the looks of it, both of them could use a caffeine kick. “Are you thirsty?” she asked
Wynn.“Icouldmakeustea.AndIthinkIstillhavesomeGirlScoutthinmintsinthefreezer.CanMelody

haveone?”

JessieglancedoveratMelodywhowaslyingonthefloor,herarmjammedasfarunderthecouchas

shecouldgetit.Joplinseemedtohavewedgedherselfbehindthecouchrightunderthesmallwindow,
justoutofMelody’sreach.

“Thatsoundsgreat,”hersistersaid.
Jessienoddedandbusiedherselfputtingakettleonthestoveanddumpingthecookiesonaceramic

plate.Neverinamillionyearsdidshethinkshe’dbeentertainingWynninherhome.Itwasallsobizarre.

“Didyoumaketheseyourself?”Wynnasked,runningherhandalongaseriesofpicturesmountedon

woodJessiehadperchedonthewindowsill.ThereweretwoofJoplin,oneofJessie’smomholdingher
when she was a baby, and one of the front of Starlight Pub after a fresh snow with the twinkle lights
poppingthrough.

Jessiesmiledasshepulleddowntwoofherfavoritemugs,bothcoveredwitholdfamousliterary

quotes. “Yeah. Sometimes I get crafty. When I find the time that is. It was just something I saw on
Pinterest.Supereasyreally.Youjustbrushsomegelmediumonthewood,pressapictureintoitandletit
dry,andthencoverwithsomemodpodge.Looksrealprofessionalthoughhuh?”

“They’rebeautiful,”Wynnsaid.
“Thanks. You ever go on Pinterest?” Jessie asked, attempting to make small talk. She had no idea

whohersisterwasanymore.WhatshelikedtodoorhowshelivedherlifewithMelody.

“Sometimes,”Wynnadmitted.Shecrossedherarmsandmovedbacktowardthekitchen.“Itriedto

makeMelodysomecookiemonstercupcakesforherfirstbirthday.Theydidn’tturnouttoogoodthough.
Morelikepilesofbluemush.”

“Yeah,someofthestuffonthereishardtorecreate.It’saddictingthough.”
“Yeah.”WynnploppeddownononeofthetwochairsatJessie’skitchentable.
Jessiekeptoneeyeontheteashewasmakingandoneeyeonhersister.WynngazedinMelody’s

directionbutitwasn’tlikeshereallysawher.Itwasmorelikehermindwaspreoccupiedwithsomething
else.

“It’scolderherethanIremember,”Wynnsaid,shakinghergazetomeetJessie’seyes.
“Um, yeah,” Jessie said. “It’s always pretty cold here in the winter.” Which seemed like an

extremelystupidcommenttomake.Wynngrewuphere;sheknewhowcolditgot.Thiswassoawkward.

Jessiesettheteaandcookiesonthetableandtookaseat.Shewatchedhersister.Andwaited.
The stretched-out silence made Jessie uncomfortable and she cleared her throat a couple of times.

She wondered what it was the two of them were doing here. They hadn’t talked in four years, Wynn’s
decision.AndnowshesitsatherkitchentabletalkingabouttheweatherandPinterestfails.

Jessiewasneverangryathersisterthough.Atleastnotinthebeginning.Shetookthechancethatshe

wassteppingoutofplaceandasked,“Wynn…what’sgoingon?”

Wynn’s eyes cast downward and she gripped her mug of tea so hard her knuckles started turning

white.WithoutmeetingJessie’seyes,shewhispered,“Ineedyourhelp.”

ChapterSixteen

TheroomwassosilentJessiecouldhearherkitchenclocktickingaway.Wynnneededher?Afterallthis
time?WynnhadignoredeveryattemptJessiemadetoreachouttoherovertheyears.Phonecallswent
unanswered.E-mailsneverreturned.EvenwhenWynnwaspregnantwithMelodyandJessiegaveitone
lastgoodshotatareconnection,Wynnjustactedasthoughshedidn’texist.Thatshedidn’thaveasecond
sister. Jessie was sure her mom had talked to Wynn about their disconnect over the years but it never
helped.TheFosterswereonehellofastubbornfamily.Nobodyeverbackeddown.

OneofthemosthurtfultimesforJessiewasafterMelodywasborn.Jessiehaddrivenafewtowns

over to one of those giant malls with the endless rows of high-end stores. She went into a fancy baby
boutique and bought the prettiest, ruffliest, pink dress she could find, complete with a tiny matching
headbandandsliponshinyMaryJanes.ShemailedittoWynnwithashortnoteofcongratulationsonthe
newarrival.Abouttwoweekslaterthepackagecamebackunopened.Returntosender.

Jessie looked at her niece. Melody had finally gotten ahold of Joplin and had her in a bear hug.

Joplinsquirmedandstrained,tryingtoflee.

“Cat!”Melodysquealed.
Jessie’s eyes returned to her sister’s face. She really did look distraught. “What’s wrong, Wynn?”

she prompted. “Is that why you came back to Snowy Ridge? I figured you were just broke.” Jessie
immediately regretted the words as soon as they left her mouth. “I’m sorry, I mean, it’s totally
understandableifyou’rebroke.Ican’timagineraisingababyonyourown.Thedaycarealonehastobea
nightmare.Andwhataboutthatex-husbandofyours?DoesEricgiveyouchildsupport?”

Jessieknewsheshouldstopriflingoffquestionsathersisterandjustlistenbutshecouldn’thelpit.

All of these years of trying to get her older sister to forgive her and now she was sitting here in her
apartmentandsheactuallyneededher.Therewasarangeofemotionssurgingthroughher.Angeroverall
thetimeWynnhadignoredher,confusionoverwhatshecouldpossiblyneedherhelpwith,andhopethat
whateverthisis,itcouldmeanshemightactuallygetoneofhersistersback.

“I’m sorry,” Jessie said. “I’m being nosey. I’ll be quiet now and you just tell me what you

need.”

WynnabsentmindedlyranherhandsthroughherhairoverandoverandJessiebrieflywonderedif

that was why it was looking so thin. Maybe Wynn was pulling it out. Jessie reached out and gently
touched Wynn’s wrist. As if she’d just realized what she was doing she scrunched up her nose and
claspedherhandsinherlap.

“No,it’sfine.Idon’tmindtellingyou.Um,Ericisatool.Aresponsibleonethough.He’sneverlate

onchildsupportanyway.HeneveraskstoseeMelody.ItoldhimweweremovingbackinwithMomand
allhesaidwassendmetheaddresssoIknowwheretosendthechecks.It’skindofsad,really.”Wynnlet
outastrange,strangledsortofgiggle.

Jessiewashorrified.Howawful.HowcouldEricnotwantanythingtodowiththatpreciouslittle

girl?SheglancedatMelody,allgigglesandblissamplified.Shehadthefaceofacherubandseemedlike
she’dbringjoytoanyonesheencountered,especiallyherparents.EvenJessie’scatwasgivingintoher
whims.MelodyhaddiscoveredJoplin’sbasketoftoysandwasnowliningthemupinacirclearoundher
whileJoplinstoodperfectlystill.

“She’s fine,” Wynn said quickly. “I mean, I think she is anyway. She doesn’t really know the

difference.It’snotlikeEricwaseveraround.”

“Notevenwhenshewasaninfant?”
Wynnlaughed.“Momnevertoldyouthestorythen?”
Jessiegavehersisteraquestioninglook.“No.Imean,Iknowyoumarried,movedtoSt.Louis,had

thebabyanddivorcedsometimeafterthat.Momwasn’treallychattywiththedetailsthough.”

Wynn reached for a thin mint and chewed on it thoughtfully. “Mmm, these are better than I

remember.”Shereachedforanapkinoutofthesmallholderinthecenterofthetableandwipedather
lips.

Jessiewaitedforhertocontinue.
Wynnsighed.“IthoughtEricwasagreatguy.Idid.Hewasgorgeous.Beautifulblueeyesandthick

blonde hair. I think that’s where Melody gets it from—his side of the family. Although I suppose the
blondecouldcomefromLuci,too.Anyway,Erichadagreatpersonalitytomatchhisgreatlooks.Really
funnyandcharming.Agoodguy.Heseemedstable.Wewerelivinginthistwo-bedroomtownhouseinthe
St.Louisareaandhehadadecentjobasagrocerystoremanagerofthiscutelittlemarket.Iwaseightand
a half months pregnant, swollen face and ankles, the whole bit. One afternoon I got a crazy craving for
coleslawandorangesherbetsoIheadedovertothestoretogetsome.”

Jessiemadeafaceatthecombination.
“I paid for my groceries and asked one of the clerks where Eric was. They said back in the store

roomandIcouldgobackthereandseehim.SoIwaddledmygiantpregnantselfbackintothestorage
roomofthestoreandguesswhatIfound?”

“I’mafraidtoask…”
“Ifoundmyhusbandscrewinganeighteen-year-oldbaggirl.Rightthereonagiantstockofalbacore

whitetunacans.”

“No.Way,”Jessieletout.
“Iguessshewashopingforapromotiontocashier.”
“Whatanasshole!”Jessieexclaimed,andthenslappedherhandoverhermouth,assheglancedat

Melody.“I’msorry,”shewhisperedtoWynn.“Ididn’tmeantoswear.”

“It’sokay,Idon’tthinkshenoticed,”Wynnsaid.
“Ican’tbelievehedidthattoyouthough,”Jessiecontinued.“That’ssoawful.”Memoriesofherself

walkinginonhersisterLucihavingsexwithJasonyearsagocamefloodingbacktoher.Thecomplete
andutterbetrayal.Thehorriblefeelingthatthepeopleyoutrustedmostintheworldwereactuallynoton
your side and that you were truly all alone. It was complete devastation. And for Wynn to have to go
through that while being so pregnant. Jessie shuddered. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. It must have
beencompletelyheartbreaking.”

Wynnnodded.“Itwas.Foralong,longtime.EspeciallysinceIwassoconfused.Ididn’tknowwhat

todo.Ididn’tfeellikeIcouldthrowhimout.Iwasn’tevenworkingatthetime.So,hestuckaroundfora
while,untilMelodywasaboutsixmonthsold.Webarelyevertalkedandwhenwediditwasjustyelling.
Thenonedaymyhusbandannouncedhewasleavingmefortheteenbaggirl,fifteenyearshisjunior,filed
fordivorce,andMelodyandIwereleftalone.”

Jessieshookherhead.“Justawful.”
“We’vedoneallrightthough,”Wynnsaid,tryingtosoundmoreupbeat.“Igotajobasareceptionist

and there was onsite daycare so we managed. It was tough being on my own but I did okay. I really
wantedtocomebackhomethough.”

“Yeah, of course.” Jessie suddenly felt ashamed of herself for being so angry about Wynn coming

hometoSnowyRidge.ShewassotiedupinherowndisagreementwithWynn,thinkingWynnhadtostill
hate her over a guy who was obviously very much ancient history. Wynn had been through a whole
lifetimeofpainwithamanJessiehadneverevenmet:gotmarried,hadababy,hadawholelife,since
then.JessiefeltsillyforthinkingherandWynncouldn’tmovepastanoldfight.Theywerestillsistersand
Wynnneededhermorethanevernow.Theycouldworktheirwaybacktobeingfriends.

Jessie stood up and wrapped her arms around her sister. “I’m sorry you went through that, Wynn.

AndI’msogladyouandMelodyarehere.Thingswillgetbetternow,calmer.You’llsee.Andyou’reso
youngstill.Youcanbouncebackandhaveawholenewlife.YouhavemeandMomandLuci.Everything

willbejustfine.”

Wynnnodded.“Maybe.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Istillhaven’ttoldyouwhyIneedyourhelp.”
Jessiesat back downand studied hersister’s face. She hadgotten so wrappedup in Wynn’s story

aboutEricshe’dalmostforgottenthathersisterhadsaidsheneededherhelpwithsomething.“Whatdo
youmean?”

Wynntookadeepbreath.“I’mbeingstalked.”

ChapterSeventeen

Cadewassittingatoneofthedesksinthecorneroftheshop,handsclasped,andhischinrestingonhis
thumbs. Balloons were lazily floated in the air, hanging onto their last bits of helium. Platters holding
nothingbutcrumbsandemptycoffeecupscoveredeveryavailablesurface.Openingdaywasbetterthan
anyofthethreebrotherscouldhaveeverexpected.Cadeshouldbeoncloudninerightnow,revelingin
theirsuccess.

Shouldbe.Buthismindwasmessingwithhim.HekeptreplayingJessie’scomingintotheshopthat

afternoonandwhatitmeant.Anyothertimeandanyothergirlhe’dhaveknownexactlywhatthesituation
was.He’dhavethoughtthegirlwasflirtingwithhim,wantedtobewithhim.Jessiewentoutofherway
tocometotheshopopeningdayandbringthemcoffee.Shelookedathimlikeshewastrulyhappytosee
him. She said she wanted to see him. But then what was that whole scene with her ex-boyfriend at the
bar?Shecouldn’twanttobewithherexandCadeatthesametime.Andifshewasbacktogetherwith
thatguythenCadehadtoreigninhisfeelingsnow.Beforehegothurt.

“Thatcouldnotpossiblyhavegoneanybetter,”Coopersaid,comingoutfromthebackroomwitha

largeblackgarbagebaginhand.Heswipedoldnapkinsandpaperplatesintothebagashetalkedamile
a minute. “Did you see all of the orders I took? And the appointments? I booked three repairs for this
weekalone.EdCastal,thattallguyinthegreenflannelwiththegraybuzzcut?Saidhewasgoingtobring
inhiswholefamily’ssledsnextweekfortuneups.Amazing.Itoldyouthiswastheperfectplacetoopen
shop.Didn’tItellyou?”

Cadestaredintospace.
Cooperpluckedafewemptycupsoffthedeskandleaneddown,examiningCade’sface.“Something

wrong,brother?”

CadeshookoutofhisdazeandlookedupatCooper.“Huh?”
Cooperchuckled.“Youdidn’thearawordIsaid,didyou?”
Cadesighedandstraightenedupinhisseat.“Sorry.Youneedhelpcleaningup?Where’dCashgo?”
“Wheredoyathink?”Coopersaidwithasmirk.
Cadelookedaroundandthenbackathisbrother.
“Hetookoffalready.Saidsomethingabouthavingtohuntdownahottie.”Cooperpulledapartially

deflated bouquet of balloons toward him and began popping them one by one, disposing of their latex
shellsinthebag.

Alarm rang through Cade’s body. He clenched his fists and could feel sweat gather on his back.

Jessie.Ofcourse.Cashcouldn’twaitmorethanafewhoursbeforehetookoffforherpubtomakeherhis
latestconquestinalong,longlineofwomen.Andwouldshedoit?Cashhastalkedhiswayintohundreds
ofgirls’pants;whyshouldJessiebeanydifferent?

Cade unclenched his fists and rubbed his knuckles, staring at the door. He stood up and shifted

awkwardly.He couldn’t standbeing here atthe shop, knowing hisbrother was offat Starlight trying to
seduceJessie.Itwasunbearable.HeshouldhavetoldCashassoonasJessiewalkedintotheirshopthat
afternoon to back off. She was untouchable. If he wasn’t so caught up in giving her the cold shoulder,
makingsomesortofpoint,hewouldhave.Andnowitwastoolate.

“Dude, are you all right? Your looking kind of crazy right now. Gonna be sick or something?”

Cooperasked.

“Something,”Cadereplied.
Coopertightenedhislipsinconcern.“Listen,Igotithere.Whydon’tyougoonhomeandrelax.It’s

beenalongday.”

“Yousure?”Cadeasked.Hefeltguiltyditchinghisbrotherlikethisbuthewashavingahardtime

stayingputknowingCashwasoutthere,chasingafterJessie.

“Yeah,man.Wehadagreatday.Great!Yougoonandchill.Iwon’tbeheretoolong.”
“Thanks,Coop.”CaderetrievedhiswintercoatfromthebackroomandtookoffdownMainstreet,

headedstraightforStarlight.

When he reached the pub, he pushed open the door frantically and scanned the room, his heart

beatinghardinhischest.Whatdidhethinkhewasgoingtofind?DidhethinkCashwouldhaveJessie
bentoveratablerightinthemiddleoftheroomwhiletouristswerehavingtheirdinners?Heknewhe
wasbeingfoolishbuthismindwouldn’tputonthebrakes.

Hetookseveralquickstepsintotheroom,straightforthebar.Everyseatwastaken,mostlybymen

ranginginagefromthirtythroughsixty.Hereachedthroughtwoofthemen,lookingtoseeifJessiewas
behindthebar.Thebartenderwasbentovergettingglassesfrombelowandwhenshestooduphesawa
thinblondewithlighteyes.NotJessie.Hisheartsunk.

“CanIgetyouadrink?”shesaid.
Cadelookedquicklyaroundtheroomandthenbackatthewoman.“Um,no.”
“Juststoppingintogetwarm?”shesaidwithasmile.
The woman had a similar smile and the same dimpled cheeks as Jessie. She must be one of the

sisters.Hewonderedwhichone,WynnorLuci?“Yeah,”hesaid.“Justgettingwarm.”

“Takeaseatoverbythefireplace.It’scozy.Andifyoudoneedanythingjustletmeknow.”
Cadenodded.“Thanks.”HewalkedaroundtheroomlookingforJessieorCash.Itwasabusynight

andtherewerealotofpeoplemillingaroundbuthedidn’tseeeitherofthem.Hewasjustabouttoleave
whenhefeltaslaponhisback.

“Hey,man,stopinforadrink?”
Cade whipped around and saw his brother, a few beers in and glassy-eyed, with an arm around a

womanwithablondeponytailshootingoutofthetopofherheadlikeafountain.NotJessie.Hebreathed
asighofrelief.“Yeah.Whatareyouupto?”

“Justhangingwithmynewfriend,Melanie,here,”Cashsaid,givingMelanie’sshouldersasqueeze.

IfCadehadtoguess,MelaniewasprobablyatleasttenyearsCash’ssenior.Cashleanedinclosetohis
brother’sear.“She’sdivorced,”hehissed.

Caderaisedhiseyebrows.Cashwasalittleloudthere.“Great.Well,haveagoodnight.I’mheading

homeactually.”

“Night,Cade,”hesaid.ToMelanie,“Thatwasmybrother.”
Cadeleftthepub,shakinghishead.Heclimbedintohistruckandturnedtheengineon,warmingit

up.Helaughedtohimselfoverwhatanidiothe’dbeen.ChasingafterJessieandCash.Whathe’dthought
hadhappened.Hefeltbothstupidandinsanelyrelieved.Andalsoshockedthatheseemedtocaresomuch
about Jessie’s activities when really, weren’t they just acquaintances? Acquaintances who shared a
snowmobilerideandanalmostkiss?

Hewasabouttopulloutoftheparkinglotwhenheheardataponhisglass.Itwasthebartender.

Jessie’ssister.

Caderolleddownthewindowandthewomanleanedin,givinghimaflirtatioussmile.
“Yeah?”heasked.
“You left in a hurry,” she said. She wasn’t wearing a jacket and Cade could visibly see she was

gettingcold.Andgoingbralessthisevening.

“Uh,Ihadtogetgoing,”hesaid.“Aren’tyoucold?”
The blonde looked down at her chest where her nipples were quite obviously on display and

shrugged.“Maybealittle.”

“Well,didyouneedsomething?”Cadeasked.
She pulled a large black glove out from behind her back and held it up for him. “Thought maybe

you’ddroppedthis?”

Cadelookedatthegloveandthenthewoman.“Nope,notmine.”
“Oh.Okay,”shesaidlookingalittleflustered.ShewassoobviouslyhittingonhimandCadewasn’t

responding.Hedidn’tthinkshewasusedtothathappeningtoher.

She tossed her hair back and jutted out her chin, quickly recovering. “You have a good night then.

Andcomebackrealsoon.”Sheturnedslowlyandsaunteredbackintothepub.

That one was trouble, Cade thought as he backed up his truck and pulled out of the parking lot.

DefinitelymustbeLuci.

ChapterEighteen

“Stalked? What do you mean you’re being stalked?” Jessie was completely floored. Who would

stalkhersister?

Wynn nodded and slumped down in her chair. A look of defeat washed over her. “Yeah. I mean, I

don’tknowwhatelseyou’dcallit.Hewon’tleavemealone.Andhe’s…everywhere.”

Jessie’seyesdartedtoMelodyandthenbacktohersister.“Wait,youhaveachild.Whoisthisguy?

Doesheknowyouhaveachild?”

Wynnsighed.“Heknows.”
Jessie’sheadwasreeling.She’ddealtwithhershareofcreepyguysinthepast.AndApril,withher

vast dating experience, had given her quite an education in how to deal with losers. But never had she
dealtwithaguystalkingherorhadsheknownanyonewhowasstalked.

“Areyousure?”Jessieasked.
WynngaveJessieawarninglook.
“Imean,youmustbesure.Ofcourseyou’resure,”shequicklyrecanted.“Where’dyoumeethim?At

workorsomething?”

Wynn’seyescastdownward,likeshedidn’twanttotellJessie.Finally,shesaid,“Online.”
Jessieheartsunk.Notagain.Shecouldn’tgetinvolvedwithanotheroneofWynn’sonlinemen.The

lasttimeitkepthersisterfromtalkingtoherforyears.WhenwouldWynnlearntounplug?It’ssohardto
seecrazyonline.Peopleonlyshowyouwhattheywantyoutosee.Jessiedidn’tknowwhattosaysoall
shesaidwas,“Oh,Wynn.”

“I know. I was stupid. And lonely. Eric had left me and I was home alone one night with Melody

alreadyasleep.Iloggedonlineandwanderedintoasingle-parents-under-thirtychatroomandBillyandI
clicked.”

“So,he’saparenttoo,”Jessieprodded.
Wynnlaughed.“No.He’sacreepwholooksforsingleparentstoflirtwith.Maybewe’reeasierto

preyon.”

Ugh.Whatafreak,Jessiethought.“Well,whatexactlyishedoing?”
“Atfirsthewasfine.Wewentoutafewtimesbutthenhestartedgettingreallyclingy.WithMelody,

too.”

“You let him meet Melody?” Jessie said, shocked. She knew she sounded judge-y and she didn’t

meantobutwhywouldWynnletherbabyaroundaguyshejuststarteddating?

Wynnnodded.“NotthebestdecisionIevermade.ButwhenthingsstartedfeelingweirdIcalledit

off.ToldhimIdidn’twanttoseehimanymore.Thatonlyspurredhimon.Madehimtryharder.Nonstop
texts,voicemails,andgiftsarrivingtothehouse.Iignoreditallhopinghe’dgetaclue.”

Jessieshookherhead.
“Buthedidn’t.Hewon’tleavemealone.”Wynncontinued.“Hecallsconstantly.I’vechangedmy

numbertwiceandhestillhuntsitdownsomehow.Hee-mailsdaily.Heusedtositoutsidemyworkfor
hourseveryday,justwaitingtotalktomeasIwalkedquicklyfromthebuildingtomycar.Hecomments
on my Facebook all the time, like we’re together. He’s always talking about ‘our future’ and the stuff
we’regoingtodo.Orlike,whathewantstobuymeorMelodyforourbirthdays.Heevenpostedsome
recipeonenightandsaidsomethinglike,‘gottamakethisformygirls.’Likewe’retogetherallthetime
andhecooksforus.It’screepy.I’veblockedhimrepeatedlybuthecreatesnewprofilesandcontactsme
again.Hejustwon’tstop.Hesaidwe’redestinedtobetogetherandIwon’tbehappywithanyoneelse.”

“That’ssodisturbing,”Jessiesaid.“Didyougetarestrainingorder?”
Wynnnodded.“Ofcourse.Itdidn’tevenslowhimdown.Heevenrentedadifferentcartotryand

trick me or something. A little silver Honda civic. But I saw him in it. And it was parked on the road

acrossthestreetfrommyhouseeveryeveningforthepastweekbeforewecamehere.”

“Whoa.Youshouldhavecalledthepolicethen.”
“Ididbuttheydidn’tdoanything.Hewasn’tinthecartheonetimetheycame.Andhehastoactively

bothermeforthemtodoanything,anyway.”

“That’sterrible,Wynn,I’msosorry.You’rehomenowsothingsshouldbeokay,right?”
“Thatwasthehope,”Wynnsaid.“IthoughtforsureI’dshakenhimbuthe’strackedmedownhere.I

don’tknowhowhedidit.Butlookatthis.”Wynnscrolledthroughherphoneandthenturneditaroundso
Jessiecouldread.

You’re working at your Mom’s pub now, huh? Well, be careful. Don’t let
any drunk men hit on you. I hope you’re keeping Melody safe and away
from there. A pub is no place for our baby. I love you, Wynn, and I’ll
seeyousoon.
XO,Billy

“What?Noway!OhmyGod,Wynn,thatissof-ingcreepythehairsonmyarmsarestickingup.”

Jessierubbedherforearms.

Wynn’s eyes turned glassy and tears threatened to spill over. “I know,” she whispered. “I’m

completely freaked out. I don’t know how he figured out where I was. I didn’t tell anyone. Except
Melody’sdadofcourse.”

“Wouldhehavetoldhim?”
“No,ofcoursenot,”Wynnreplied.“I’dtoldhimwhatwasgoingon.IthoughtIwasgoingtobesafe

here.”Wynn’schinshook.

“You will be. We’ll figure it out. Try not to panic,” Jessie said, slipping a comforting arm around

Wynn’sshoulders.

“HowdoIkeepMelodysafe?”shesaidquietly,onetearrunningloosedownhercheek.
“Oh,nobodyislayingahandonmyniece.Thisdudeisdeadifhecomeswithintwentyfeetofher,”

Jessiesaid.

AtinysmilespreadonWynn’sface.“Youalwayswerethetoughestofus.”

ChapterNineteen

“Lateonthesecondday?”Cooperteasedhisyoungerbrother.Hewipedatthegreaseonhishands

withashopragbutitwasn’teffective.

He’dhavetotrysomeGooGonewhenhegotachance,Cadethought.Cooperhadarrivedtowork

extraearlythatmorningandhadalreadytunedupasled.

Cashgrumbledashewalkedacrosstheshopslowly,sunglassesonandhoodiepulledlowoverhis

head.“Roughnight,”hecroakedashepassedCooper.

Cade set the stack of invoices he was working on at his desk and grinned. “Are you hungry bro?

Here, have a bite of my breakfast burrito.” He waved the gooey cheese and egg mixture in front of his
brother’snose.

“God,no.”Cashswattedtheburritoawayfromhimandclutchedhisstomach.“You’regoingtomake

mehurl.”

“Aw,comeon.Theeggsareonlyalittleundercooked.It’sreallynothalfbad.”Cadeshovedtherest

oftheburritointohismouthandthengrinnedsoCashcouldseetheeggandsausagebitsonhisteeth.

Cashheldthebackofhiswristuptohismouthandracedtowardthebackofficeandpresumablythe

bathroom.CadelookedatCooperandtheybothcrackedup.

“You’reterrible,”Coopersaid,shakinghishead.Hetuckedtheraginhisbackpocket,abandoning

hiseffortsofgettinghishandscleanforthemoment.

“Yeah,sometimes.”
CoopergazedtowardthedirectionCashjustwent.“He’snevergoingtochange,ishe?”
“Doubtful.”
“Well, we’d better get back to work. You got things up front okay? I’m going to head back to the

garageandstartontheJamesonjob.”

“Yeah,I’mgood.Makesuretousealltheloudesttools.WewantCashtobefullyalert.”
Cooperchuckledashewalkedout.
Cadelookedaroundtheshop.Thewallswereacrispwhite.Thesignsonthewallwereshinyand

new.Thestockdisplayshadn’tbeenuplongenoughtogatherdustyet.Thepicturehangingbythedoorof
the three brothers with their arms thrown around each other was still pen mustache free. He couldn’t
believethey’dreallypulleditoff.TheStonebrotherswerelegitimatebusinessmen.

Hewishedhismotherwasalivetoseethis;whatherboysendedupdoingwiththeirlives.She’d

alwaystoldhimhecouldbeanythinghewantedtobe:anastronaut,doctor,orlawyer.Andhebelieved
that before she’d died. After she died he never thought much about his future. Just about how to get
throughthenextday.

Cadewasonlytwelvewhenhismompassed.Onemomentshewasdiagnosedwithstagefourcolon

cancerandonlyweekslatershewasgone.Itwasatragicshocktothemalltosaytheleast.Cadewasthe
babyofthefamilysohefeltlikemaybehetookitthehardest.Coopergotseriousandtriedtobossthem
aroundalot.Cashwasatroublemakerandalwaysintheprincipal’sofficeforonethingoranother.Cade
remembered just being sad and crying a lot. To which he got no comfort from his dad. His dad threw
himself into his work even more, leaving the boys to their own devices. Which is probably why he
doesn’t talk to him much now. His dad wasn’t there for him back then. He only had his brothers. And
thingshadn’tchangedmuch.Hestillonlyhadhisbrothers.

NoneoftheStoneboyswereeverkeenontherapistsortalkingabouttheirfeelings.Theyjustmoved

throughthatterribletimeasbesttheycould.ButCadeimaginedithadapermanentdamagingeffectonthe
brothers. It could explain why none of them have ever had a successful relationship with a woman.
Cooper’s divorced. Cash used women like tissues. And Cade called it quits any time a woman looked
likeshewasgettingseriouswithhim.

ThewayCadefeltwhenhewasinthesameroomwithJessieandhowthethoughtofnotgettingtobe

withheraboutdrovehimmad,madehimthinkmaybethingswouldbedifferentwithher.Atleast,there
was the hope that they could be different. This thought excited him, energized him at times, and he felt
almost desperate to make it a reality. But other times the doubt of his past crept back into mind. And a
voicetellinghimhe’dalwaysbealoneanditwasfairytalebullshittoexpecttohavearealrelationship
withanotherperson.Apersonwhoelectrifiedhisbodyandchallengedhismind.Someonewholovedhim
nomatterwhat,whocouldbecountedontojustbethere.Always.Thatwasn’tlife.ThatwastheNicholas
Sparkskindofcrapyouseeinmovies.

CadelaunchedMicrosoftExcelandtriedtodistracthimselfinspreadsheets.Itworkedforawhile.

When he looked up from his laptop and saw that it was after noon he realized he was suddenly very
hungryandcravingaburgerfromStarlightPub.

“Hey,Cash,”hecalledtohisbrother,afewfeetawayfromhimworkingonhisownlaptop.
“Hmm?”Cashsaidwithoutlookingup.Hewasstudyingsomethingonhislaptopandhelookedten

timesbetterthanwhenhecameinthismorning.Thegreentinttohisskinwasgoneandhehadasortof
halfsmileonhislips.

“I’mgoingtorunoutforlunch.Bebackinhalfanhourorso.”Cadestoodandeasedintohisjacket,

feelingforhiskeys.

Cashstretchedhisarmsskywardandyawned.“Yeah.Okay.Bringmesomethingbackwouldya?I’m

startingtogethungry.”

“Noproblem.TellCoopI’llgrabhimsomethingtoo.”Cadezippedhiscoatandheadedoutintothe

coldandtowardStarlight.

ChapterTwenty

Jessiemadeittoworktenminutesearlierthanusual.Lastnightwasthebestnight’ssleepshe’dgottenin
awhile.Shewasfeelinggood,likeshecouldfaceanythingtoday.Evenifshewalkedintothepuband
foundthatLucihadreplacedallthechairswithergonomicbeanbagsshewasn’tgoingtoletitbotherher.
Nope,todaywasgoingtobeagoodday.

JessiepushedthroughthedoorofStarlightandfelthercheekssting.“Manitscoldoutthere.Ibetwe

fillupwithcustomerswantingpeppermintpatties,”shesaidtoAnne.

“Where’syourhatandscarf?”Anneasked.Shewaswalkingaroundtheemptypub,straighteningup

themenusandmakingsuresaltandpeppershakerswerefull.Annewastheiroldestemployee.Herdad
personallyhiredAnnetwentyyearsagoandsheknowsthisplacealmostaswellasJessieorhermother.

“Iknow,Iknow.Iranoutwithoutittoday.Ididn’twanttobelateforwork.Ismymominback?”
“Yep.YoursisterLuciisheretoo.Cuttingupsomecertifiedorganiclimesbackinthekitchenfrom

whatIhear.”

JessiecouldhearthesarcasminAnne’svoicebutdidn’tsayanything.Shewasn’tlettingLucigetto

hertoday.

Shepushedopenhermom’sofficedoorandwalkedin.“Hey,Mom.”
Hermomreturnedwithawearysmile.“Hey,sweetie.Sleepgood?”
Jessietiltedherheadandexaminedhermom.“Yeah,Idid.Whataboutyou?Youfeelingokay,Mom?

Youlookexhausted.Andwithsomuchhelpnowtoo,”sheaddedsarcastically.“Seriously,whatgives?
Gettingtheflu?”

“Oh,I’mfine.Don’tworryaboutme.Howarethingswithyouandyoursisters?”
Jessietookaseatonthechairacrossfromhermom.“WynncameoverwithMelodylastnight.We

talked.Alot.Thingsare…okay.”Shenoddedwhenshesaidthisandproppedherarmsuponhermom’s
desk.

“Honey,I’msogladtohearthat.AndwhataboutLuci?”
Jessiesmirked.“Luci’sanut.She’sgotkaleforbrains.We’renevergoingtoseeeyetoeye.”
“Well,youdon’thavetoseeeyetoeye…”hermombegan.
“Idon’thavetolikehereither,”Jessiefinished.
“Jessie,you’resisters.”
Jessierolledhereyes.“Right.Andmy‘sister’betrayedme.”
“Youweresoyoung…”
“So?Shesleptwithmyboyfriend,”Jessiecountered.
Hermomlookedfrustrated.“Wereyougoingtomarryhim?WasJasontheone?Wouldyourlifehad

turnedoutbetterifyou’dneverbrokenupandyouwerewithhimrightnow?”

Jessiethoughtaboutthis.AboutJasonandwhattheirliveswouldhavebeenliketogether.Finally,

shesaid,“Well,no.Jason’sabitofacockydickthesedays.Idon’tthinkI’dlikehimverymuchatall,to
tellyouthetruth.”

“Thereyougo,”hermomsaid,notbotheringtohidehersmugness.“Itmighthavebeenablessingin

disguisethen.”

Jessieputahandupandfrowned.“Idon’tknowifI’dgothatfar.Iwasinalotofpainincaseyou

forgot.”

Hermomlookedexasperatedandtiredlikethey’dhadthisconversationamilliontimesbefore.She

sighed.“MaybeLuciwastoo.Youdon’tknow.”

“IsupposeIdon’t.”
“Honey,Iwantyoutodosomethingformeandyoucan’tsayno,”hermomsaid.
Jessielaughed.“Well,alrightythen.”

“I’mserious.TomorrownightI’mcookingdinnerforthefamily.You,me,Wynn,Melody,andLuci.

It’sgoingtobereallynice.”

Jessieexaminedhermother’sface.Shelookedlikeshewantedtosaysomethingelsebutdidn’t.“I’ll

thinkaboutit.”

“No,that’snotgoodenough.Youhavetobethere,Jessie.We’refamily.Ineedyouthere,”hermom

insisted.

Jessiepaused,tryingtothinkofawayoutofthis.Butsheknewhermomwouldn’trelent.“Fine.I’m

sureit’llbefine.I’llbethere.”

“Greathoney.It’llbelovely.”Hermomsmiledbutitdidn’tseemtoquitereachhereyes.
Jessie cleared her throat. “Well, I better get out there. You don’t have to stick around work today,

Mom.Whydon’tyougoonhomeandgrabanap?Youlookexhausted.We’vegotit.”

HerMomgaveherasmallnod.“MaybeI’lldothat.”
BeforeJessiecouldtaketwostepsoutofherMom’soffice,Lucigrabbedherarm.
“Jason’soutthere,”shesaidinahurriedvoice.“Youknow,yourboyfriendfromhighschool?”
“Okay,”Jessiereplied,hertoneflat.
Luci’seyeswidenedandhermouthhungopenslightly.“What?You’renotfreakingout?”
“We’vealreadyrunintoeachotherafewtimes.”Notcompletelythetruthandactually,abitofan

understatementafterwakingupinhisbed.“He’sintownvisitingfamily.”

“Oh,”Lucisaidslowly.
“Thanksforlettingmeknow,though.”JessiefeltalmosttouchedthatLuciracedinbacktowarnher.

“Idowanttospeaktohim.I’lljustgodothatnow.”

JessielefttheofficeandmadeabeelineforJasonwhowastappinghisfingersonasmalltablenear

thewindows.

“Hey,Babe,”hesaidwhenhesawher,hisfacelitup.
Jessie silently groaned at the word, ‘Babe.’ “Hi, Jason,” she replied as she slid into the seat

oppositehim.Shelethereyesroamupanddownhisform,takinghimin.He’ddefinitelyimprovedwith
age.Nooneinthepubwouldlookathimanddenyhewasanythingbutgorgeous.Andshenotedheputin
alotofeffortwithhislooktoday.Anewpressedshirt,openatthecollar.Freshlyshavedfaceandhair
thatwasgelledintoperfection.Notthatshe’deverbeenoneparticularlyforamanwhooverdiditwith
the hair products. She’d always liked more natural hair on men; like Cade’s dark waves. Her fingers
almostachedtotouchhishair.ButCadewasn’thererightnowandJasonwas.Andhewaslookingather
expectantly,whichmadeherslightlyuneasy.Shefoldedherhandsnervouslyonthetableandtookadeep
breath. God, Jason even smelled delicious. Different. Not that Old Spice smell she’d detected the first
dayhecamebackintothepub.Heseemedprimpedandputtogether,likehewassettogoonadate.

JessiesmiledandglancedaroundtheroombeforereturningtoJason’sface.“So…”shebegun.
“Doyouhavealongshifttoday?”JasonsaidquicklybeforeJessiecouldsayanotherword.“Iwas

thinkingwecouldcatchamovieordinnerorsomething.”

Shewasright.Hethinksthey’regoingtohaveadate.Sheknewaftertheirlongsortedhistoryshe

shouldn’t care one bit about hurting his feelings but yet she somehow did. She searched for the right
words,aneasywaytolethimdownwithouthumiliatinghimtoomuch.

“Um,yeah.Listen.I’msorryifImisleadyouinsomeway…I’mstillnotevensurewhathappened

thatnightIendedupatyourhouse.Butjusttobeclear,nothingwillevereverhappenbetweenyouandI.
We’renotgoingtohangoutorgetcoffeeoranything.I’mjust…notinterestedinmovingbackward,you
know?”Jessiesatbackinherchair.Thatsoundedharsheroutloudthanithadinherhead.She’dhopedhe
wasn’ttoocrushed.

JasonsatandstudiedJessie’sface.“Nomoviethenyou’resaying?Wanttotrybowling?I’llevenlet

youbeatme.Liketheolddays.”Hegrinnedwidelyather.

Jessie looked at him, stunned. He wasn’t getting it. “Jason, listen to me. No anything. Seriously.

Haveagreatvisitwithyourfamilyandhaveagreatlife.ButI’mnotinit.Atall.Understand?I’msorryif
I sound rude but I want to be completely clear.” She blinked at him, waiting for some sort of
acknowledgementofherwordstoshowonhisface.

Jasonfinallynodded.“Ok,gotit.Can’tsayIdidn’ttry.”
Jessieletoutasighofreliefandstoodup.Shesmoothedtheapronaroundherwaistwithherhands

andtriedtogiveJasonafriendly,offyougonow,kindofsmile.“Takecare.”

JustbeforesheturnedJasonstoppedherwithhishand.
Jessiebrieflyclosedhereyes.Notagain.“Yes?”shesaid,tryingtokeepherpatience.
Jasonlickedhislips.“DoyoumindifIaskoutLuci?She’sevenhotterthanIremember.”
JessiestaredatJason,stunned.Wow.Hereallywassuchadick.Whatdidsheeverseeinthisguy?

Andthenshelaughed.“No,notatall.Idon’tmindabit.HaveatitJason.”

Shewalkedaway,shakingherhead.Goodriddance,shethought.
ThelunchcrowdslowlydribbledinandAnneandLuciworkedtheirtables.Jessiewascoveringthe

bar.Foryouraverageperson,itwasearlytostartdrinkingbutvacationersweren’tonanysortofclock.

Jessiehadhalfadozenemptybowlslineduponthebarandwaspouringpeanutsfromabulkbag

intothem.Lucipoppedupoverhershoulder.

“Whatchadoing?”sheasked.
“Peanutrefills,”Jessierepliedinaflatvoice.ShebrieflywonderedifJasondidcornerandaskLuci

outwhenshewasn’twatching.Thenshedecidedshedidn’tcareatall.IfLuciwasdesperatetogetwitha
manshecouldhavehim.Jessiecouldn’tbeanymoredonewithJasonKirkland.

Luci sauntered over and peered over her sister’s shoulder. “Are those organic raw peanuts?” she

questioned.

Jessiebitherliptokeepfromburstingoutlaughing.Shecradledthepeanutscloser,coveringtheir

brand.“Yep.”

Lucitriedtogetabetterview.“Areyousure?Youknowthenon-organiconescanberiddledwith

toxicmoldandsalmonella.”

Without missing a beat Jessie replied, “Yeah, these are hand-picked by indigenous people in a

Siberianrainforest.”

“Really?”Luciasked,soundingshocked.“Wow,that’sgreat.”
Jessierolledhereyestoherselfandkeptpouringthenuts.
ThedoortothepubopenedandagrinspreadacrossLuci’sface.“Ah!Myman’shere.Igothim,”

shesaid.

Jessie shook her head. Her man. Guess she didn’t need to be bothered with Jason after all. She’d

beenintownforalloftwominutesandhadalreadylandedsomepoorsuckertooccupyherdowntime.

Jessie finished with the peanuts and was about to walk to the kitchen to put them away when she

glancedoveratLucitoseewhohernewmanwas.

Shegasped.
CadewasseatedatatablenearthedoorwithLucipracticallyinhislap.Jessiefeltlikeshe’dbeen

punchedinthestomach.HiseyesbrieflymethersbutJessiewasn’tabouttostickaroundandwitnessthis.
Sheclutchedthebagofpeanutstoherchest,turnedonherheel,andboltedforthekitchen.

Once she was safe behind the kitchen doors she dropped the peanuts on the nearest table and slid

onto an empty barstool, positioned under an old black phone mounted on the wall. Her heartbeat was
pounding in her ears and she could feel herself breathing hard. Her thoughts were moving in a hundred
differentdirectionsandshedidn’tknowwhattothink.Shewasangry,morelikefurious,butshedidn’t
knowatwhosheshouldfocusthebulkofheranger.ShewantedtoripLuci’shairout,strandbystrand
andthenholdherfacedowninavatofpressedorganiccoconutoilfordoingthistoher,yetagain.She

wantedtocussoutCadetonextTuesdayforplayinggameswithherandbanhimfromeversteppingfoot
inherpubagain.Andshewantedtoslapherselfsillyforlettingeitherofthesetwogettoherenoughto
makeherfeelthishorribly.

Of course, it all made sense now. Opening day at the snowmobile shop when she’d went in to

surpriseCadewithcoffee.Nowonderheblewheroff.Hefeltawkwardwithhershowinguplikethat
when he was obviously banging her sister. He probably thought he got the better Foster sister.
Sophisticated,sharpwriterfromNewYork.Well,finewhatever.Hecouldlivehappilyeverafterwith
Lucidrinkingseaweedshakesinlotusposeforallshecared.

AndJessiedidn’tcarewhathermomsaidearliereither.MakingupwithWynnwasonething.But

afterthis,JessiewouldnevermakeupwithLuci.Theyweredoneforgood.

ChapterTwenty-One

“Whattimedoyouworktoday?”Jessiesaidintothephone.
“Two,why?”Aprilasked.
“Ineedabreak.Now.Comegetme?”Shefidgetedwiththeoldcoiledchordofthephone.Ithadto

bethelastoneofthesetypesoffossilsleftinAmerica.ItshouldbeinamuseuminsteadoftheStarlight
kitchen.

“Okay.Pickyouupinten?”
“Yeah,butaroundbacktothekitchendoor.I’llmeetyouthere.”
Jessie set the phone back down in its cradle and looked up to see Ralph, the cook, staring at her.

“What?”shesnappedathim.

Heshruggedandresumedplatingthesandwichandsideshewasworkingon.“Nothing.”
Jessietookadeepbreathandrubbedhertemple.“Sorry,Ralph.It’snotyou.Ijustreallyneedtogo.”
“It’sokay.”
Butitwasn’t.ShegrabbedhercoatandpurseandwentoutthedoortowaitforApril.She’drather

bealittlecoldthanstayinthepubforonemoreminute.

Jessiewrappedherarmsaroundherselfandleanedagainstthebrickwall.Herthoughtswereracing.

What the hell was wrong with her sister? They didn’t talk for years and then she comes back to town
hopingforforgiveness.AtleastJessieassumedhersisterwantedherforgiveness.Andthenshegoesright
aftertheguyJessielikes.Ofcourse,thereisthechancethatLucireallyhadnoideaJessieandCadehada
thing.ThenitwouldreallybeallonCade.Butyouknowwhat,screwthemboth.EvenifLucihadnoidea
howJessiefeltshecouldhavesaidsomethingtoherbeforejumpingonthefirstguyshesaw.Howdidshe
knowCadewasn’tinvolvedalready?Ordidshenotcare?Maybeherplanwastosleepherwaythrough
allthemenwhocameintoStarlightPub,oneatatime,andCadewasjustatthetopofthelist.

ShewasstillseethingwhenAprilpulledup.
“Whereto,Mama?”AprilaskedasJessieopenedthedoorandslidintothepassengerseat.
Jessiethought.“Um,coffeeIguess?Somewherewecouldtalk.”
AprilstudiedJessie.“Youdon’tlooksohot.”
“Let’sgotoChai&Chocolate.Youknowtheone,justoutsideoftown?”
Aprilnoddedandpulledawayfromthepub,leavingLuciandCadeinsidedoingwhoknowswhat.
Whentheyarrivedatthecafé,AprilandJessieorderedtwomochasandtookaseatnearthefront

glasswindow.

Jessieshookoffhercoatandlookedaroundtheplace.Itwasacuteshop.Bigmenuofcoffeeandtea

drinks and an enormous display case full of delicious looking desserts that had to be about a thousand
caloriesapiece.

JessielookedatAprilandnoticedshewasfidgetingaroundagreatdeal.
“Whatdoyoukeeplookingat?”Jessieasked.
April’seyesdartedleftandrightandthensheleanedintothetable.“Justmakingsurenooneknows

mehere.Idon’twanttogetcaughtdrinkinganothershop’scoffee.”Shegrimacedintohermug.“Ifthat’s
whatyou’dcallthis.”

Jessiesmirkedandtookasip.“Hmm.It’snotbadatall.”
“Well,it’snotgood,”Aprilrepliedquickly.“Butnevermindthecoffee.Tellmewhat’sgoingon.”

Shesethermugdownandfoldedherarmsonthetable.

“Ireallydon’tknow,”Jessiesaid,shakingherhead.“I’msomixeduprightnow.Itfeelslikethere

aresomanythingshappeningallatonce.”Shefilledherbestfriendinoneverything.Whathappenedwith
Jason,Wynn’svisittoherapartmentandthestalker,Luci’sobnoxiousflirting,andherfeelingsforCade.

April listened closely without interrupting. When Jessie was done she said, “Jason will be gone

soon,forgethim.Wynnwillbeokay.Noonewillhurtherhere.We’llmakesureofit.Luci’salwaysbeen
aflake.Atleastshe’sconsistent.ButCade.Wow,girl,you’vegotitbadforhim.”

Jessienodded.“Iknow.Butwhy?Ihaven’tknownhimthatlong.Idon’tknowthatmuchabouthim.I

don’tevenknowifhelikesme.WhydoIevencare?”

“Itdoesn’tmatterwhy.Itmattersthatyoudo.Listentoyourheart,Jessie.It’stalkingloudandclear.”
“Butitcouldbewrong…”Jessieinterrupted.
“Orright,”Aprilcountered.“Whatwouldithurttofindout?”
“Well,weliveinthesametownandhavetoseeeachothereverysingleday,”shebegun.
“Talktohim,”Aprilsaid.“Findoutwhathe’sthinking.”
“Andwhatifwhathe’sthinkingisIwanttodateyoursister?”
April took a deep breath. “Then wouldn’t you want to know that? Better to hear it right from the

horse’smouththanspeculateatwhatthesituationis.”

“YouknowifhedatesLuciI’lljustdie,right?Idon’tthinkIcouldhandleit.I’dhavetomoveto

Alaska.”

“Thenshewins,”Aprilsaid.
Jessiedroppedherheadintoherhands.“Ugh.”Shelooksupafteramoment.“Fine.Iguessyou’re

right.I’lltalktohim.Soon.”

“Good.”
“ButI’mseriousaboutbeingdonewithLuci.She’snosister.”
Aprilshrugged.“Thatwillworkitselfoutintime,too.Noneedtofigureitalloutnow.”Shetook

anothersipofhercoffee.“Blech,thisisnasty.”

“I’mactuallyenjoyingitquiteabit.Imightstartcominghereontheregular,”Jessieteased.
“Youbetternot,”Aprilrepliedquickly.
“Sohowarethingswithyou?”Jessieasked,changingthesubject.
“Oh,I’minlovetoo.Madly,deeply,passionately,headoverheelsinlove.”
Jessiesatupstraighter.“Really?Who?BackwardbaseballhatguyfromRummy’s?”
“Yup,that’stheone.We’reengaged.Hejustboughtmeanocean-frontvillaontheGulfofMexico

where we will raise a multitude of backward baseball hat wearing children. All surrogate as I can’t
chanceruiningthisbody.”Shetookanothersipofcoffee.“WeleaveThursday.”

“You don’t say. Well get me a save-the-date as soon as possible. I wouldn’t want to miss the

wedding.”

“Duh.You’remaid-of-honor,”Aprilreplied.Andthentheybothdissolvedintogiggles.
“Allright,forreal.Whathappenedwiththatguy?Haveyouseenhimsince?”Jessieasked.
“Notyet,”shesaid.“Wehookedupthatnight.Flippingsweetbetweenthesheets.Hedefinitelywent

onmycall-backlist.”

“That’snice.”
“Ohhey,”Aprilsaidasshecheckedherphone.“Webettergetmoving.Can’tbelatetowork.You

feelingbetternow,hon’?”

Jessiesmiled.“Iam.NothingalittleBFFtimecouldn’thandle.”SheleanedoverandgaveAprila

hug.

ChapterTwenty-Two

Cade was trying hard to see around Luci’s cleavage shoved in front of his face. Jessie’s sister was
ridiculouslyaggressive.Heslidhischairbackaboutsixinchesbutsheonlymovedincloser.Thistime
swinginganarmaroundthebackofhischair.

“So,whatdoyoufeellikeforlunchhon’?Somethinghotandspicy?”Shebattedherlashesathim.

“Ordidyoujustwantsomethingoffthemenu?”

AnoisecaughtinCade’sthroatashedidhisbestnottoburstintolaughter.DidJessie’ssisterreally

justofferherselfforlunch?

“Um,thanks.Ithink,”hestammered.“I’llprobablyjustlookatamenuthough.”
LucishotCadeadisappointedlookassheslowlywithdrewonemenufromunderherarmandsetit

onthetable.“Okay.Specialsareontheloosepaperinside.”

Cadereachedforthemenubutbeforehecouldeventouchit,Lucilaidherhandflatacrossthetopof

it.“Ofcourse,ifyou’drathernoteatanyofthefatty,greasystuffonhere,Iknowthisgreatlittleplacethat
hasthebestbeansproutsaladintheMidwest.Icouldgetalittletimeawayandtakeyouthere.”

Cadehadtobitehislipthistimetokeepfromlaughing.“Nothanks.I’mameateater.”
“Mmmm,”shepurred.
Crap,hethought.Hedidn’tmeantoencourageher.“IsJessiearound?”
Lucipulledherhandoffhimandblinkedhard,almostconfused.“Mysister?Nah,she’sbusy.You’re

stuckwithme.”AsmileslowlyspreadoverLuci’sfaceagain.“ButIwouldn’texactlyconsideritbeing
stuck,wouldyou?”

Shemovedinevenclosertohimandhecouldfeelherbreathonhisface.
“Thinkofmeastheenhanced,upgradedJessie.Theenvironmentallyapprovedone,”sheaddedand

thenlaughedatherownjoke.

Cadehadnoresponseforher.“Uh,doyouknowifshe’llbefreesoon?Iwantedtotalktoher.”
Lucishothimanannoyedlookandthenglancedaroundthepub.“Ithinksheleftactually.Whichis

wayuncool.AmIsupposedtocoverhertablesorsomething?”sheaskednooneinparticular.

Almostoncue,themanfromJessie’stableoffiveaskediftheycouldhavetheircheck.
“Ugh!”Lucisaidloudly.“Shedidtotallystickmewithhertables.Notcool.She’salwaysscrewing

meover.”

Cadeopenedhismouthtosaysomethingandthenshutitagainquickly.Hewasabouttopointoutthat

LuciwastheonescrewingJessieoverfromwhathe’dheardbutthenthoughtitwasbestnottogetinthe
middleofasisterlyfight.

“Ma’m?Thecheck,”themanaskedheragain.
“Ohmygod,”Luciwhined.“I’mcoming.I’mlike,doingtheworkoftwopeoplehere.”
From what Cade could see she was just standing next to his table, doing nothing. “I’m sure Jessie

juststeppedoutforamomentandwillberightback,”heoffered.

“Doubtit,”Luciretorted.“Sheprobablytookoffwithherboyfriend.”
“Boyfriend?”Caderepeated,unabletomaskhisshock.
“Yeah. He was just in here a little while ago. This guy Jason she dated back in high school. She

probablyranoutwithhim.Leavingmewithallthework.Figures.”

Cadenodded,notsurehecouldspeak.So,hehadbeenright.JessiewasbackwithJason.
“Well,IguessIbettergogetthatguyhischeckbeforehepopsaveininhisforehead,”Lucisaid.

“Ohwait,Ididn’teventakeyourorder,didI?Whatdidyouneed,hon’?”

CadelookedupandlockedeyeswithLuci.“Nothing.”

ChapterTwenty-Three

Jessieknockedonhermom’sdoor,astore-boughtboxofcookiesinonehandandabottleofredwinein
theother.Shefiguredthey’dneedtodrinktogetthroughthisnight.Shewasstillhighlyirritatedwithher
sister,Luci,andwouldhavepreferredtojusthavestayedathomethatnight,eatingleftoverChinesefood
onthecouchwithJoplin.Butsheknewhermomwouldhavehadafitifshedidn’tshowuptothisfamily
dinner.

NoonecametothedoorsoJessiereachedoverandhitthedoorbellwithherelbow.Normallyshe

wouldhavejustwalkedrightintothehouseshegrewupinbutnowwithsomanypeoplestayingwithher
momshefeltweirdaboutit.Jessiewonderedhowthelivingsituationwasgoingforthem.DidLuciannoy
WynnasmuchassheannoyedJessie?DidhermomcavetoLuci’sbizarrewhimsandletherfengshuithe
housetoo?

ThedoorswungopenandWynnappearedwithMelodyonherhip.Sheleanedherheadoutthedoor

anddidaquickscanofthearea.Withoutthinkingaboutit,Jessieturnedherheadanddidtoo.Nobody
wasoutsideandnothingseemedoutoftheordinary.

“Why’dyouringthebell?”Wynnasked,herfacepinched.
“Hi, Wynn, You know…I dunno,” Jessie replied. She could tell her sister was way stressed and

wonderedifBillyhadcontactedheragaintoday.“Heythere,Melody,”Jessiesaid,turningherattentionto
herniece.“Howareyoudoing?”

“Hi,hi,hi!”Melodysaid,reachingherarmstowardheraunt.
Wynn released her hold on Melody and Jessie scooped her into her arms and hugged her, handing

Wynnthecookiesandwine.ShewasgladthatherandWynnwereabletoworkthingsouttheothernight.
Shehadyearnedforarelationshipwithhernieceanditwasnicetofinallybeabletohaveit.Andhaving
abigsisterinherlifeagainwouldn’tbesuchabadthingeither.

Jessie kicked the door closed behind her and stepped further into the living room. She inhaled

deeply.Thehousesmelledamazing.Ifshehadtoguessitwasporkroast,mashedpotatoes,andapplepie
shewastakingin.

JessiereachedoutandplacedahandonWynn’sshoulder.“Youokay?Somethingelsehappen?”
Wynn held Jessie’s gaze and her eyes began to water. She looked like she was about to say

somethingwhenLucistrolledintheroom.

“Jessie,you’rehere.Welcomehome,”Lucisaid.
Jessie frowned slightly at her sister. “I’m not the one who left,” she snapped. “You don’t have to

welcomeme.”

“Sheesh,you’rejumpy.Ididn’tmeanitlikethat.Morelike,welcometothehousethen.”
Jessie took a deep breath, trying to calm down. “Again, live here. Work all day with mom. At the

househelpingherwithoddsandendsallthetime.Youdon’thavetowelcomeme.”

“Yikes!Okay,then.Areyougoingtobeinthismoodallevening?”Luciasked.
“Maybe,”Jessiereplied,truthfully.Shecouldn’thelpit.Allshecouldthinkaboutwhenshelooked

athersisterwasherdrapedalloverCadeatthepub.

“Pretty!”Melodysquealed,pullingonJessie’snecklace.Jessiesmileddownathernieceandvowed

totryandbehavebetterinfrontofher.Atleastforonenight.

“Deedee,youlikethenecklace?AuntieLucihassomeyoucouldplaywithifyouwant,”Lucicooed

tothetoddlerinJessie’sarms.

JessieinstantlyfeltannoyedattheclosenessLucieitherreallyhadorwasfeigningwithherniece.

HereyesflittowardWynn.“Deedee?”sheasked.

Melodyshrugged.“Shestartedcallingherthat.NotsureifMelodylikesitornot.”
“Oh,shelovesit,”Luciresponded.“Don’tyouDeedee?”

“No,no,no!”MelodysaidandJessiechokedonalaugh.
“Let’sgosayhitoGrandma,”JessiesaidtoMelodyandheadedforthekitchenwithherniece.“Hi,

mom.Dinnersmellswonderful.”

Hermomwassittingonastoolatthekitchencounter,cuttingupveggiesforatray.Shelookedworn

out.“Hi,Honey.”

“Doyouneedhelp?Icancutthoseifyouwant,”Jessieoffered.
“I’mjustaboutdone.YougoaheadandplaywithMelodyandchatwithyoursisters.”
I’dratherhideinherewithyou,Jessiethought.Shesmiledtohermom.“Okay.”
Jessie wondered back out into the living room and looked around. It really didn’t look much

different.ExceptforallofthetoddlergearforMelodyofcourse.Jessiewassurprised.Sheexpecteda
giantBudhastatueoroneofthosewall-longwaterfalls.

JessiesetMelodydowntoplaywithaboxofpuppetsthathadbeenpulledout.Jessieandhersisters

had played with these very same ones for years as kids. She reached down and picked up one. “King
George,you’restilllookingwell,”shetoldthepuppetwiththepurplevelvetrobeandagoldfeltcrown
stitchedtohishead.

Melodyreachedup.“Mine!”
Jessiesmiled.“Yours.Hereyougo.”
Fifteen minutes later the Fosters were seated around the dining room table, looking like a genuine

family.Jessiewrackedherbraintryingtofigureoutwhenwasthelasttimetheyhadbeentogetherlike
this. Was it Christmas dinner her senior year in high school? Had it really been that long? She found it
humorousthattheyallnaturallywentbacktotheirregularseatsfrombackthen.HerandWynnontheleft
sideofthetable,Luciontheright,hermomattheendofthetableandtheheadofthetablewhereherdad
hadalwayssat,remainedempty.MelodysatinahighchairbetweenWynnandhermom.

“Everythinglooksdelicious,”Wynnsaid,breakingthesilence.
Jessie surveyed the table. A large sliced pork roast lay on a platter in the center. Surrounding the

roast, and on her mom’s good china, was corn, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes, rolls, and her
mom’shomemadeapplesauce.“Itreallydoes,”Jessieadded.

“Did you use ghee in the mashed potatoes instead of that regular store-bought butter, mom?” Luci

asked.“RememberImentioneditwasbetterforus?”

“I,um…sure,”hermomsaidwithanod.
“Mom,”Lucisaid,drawinghernameoutlikeshewasscoldingachild.
Jessiecouldn’ttakeit.“Oh,wouldyoustopalready?”shesnapped.
“What?”Lucisaidwithapout.“I’mjustthinkingaboutourhealth.LookatMom.Can’tyouseeshe’s

rundown?Someonehastolookafterher.Obviouslyyouhaven’t.”

“That’sit.”Jessieshovedherchairbackwardasshestood.“Sorry,Mom,Ican’tdealwithher,”she

saidwithaheadnodatLuci.

“Tatathen,”Lucisaid,hervoiceoozingsarcasm.
“Stopit.Bothofyoustopit,rightnow”hermomsaidinasoftbutsternvoice.Itwasanoldtrickher

momusedtodowhentheywereyoung.Insteadofscreamingatthemshegotquieter,forcingthemtostrain
tolisten.“We’regoingtohaveanicefamilydinnerandnooneisleaving.Jessie,sitdown.Please.”

Jessielookedaroundthetable.Hermomdidworksohardondinner.Anditmusthavebeenahuge

effort.Shetookadeepbreathandsatbackdown.“Fine.”

“Good,”hermomsaidwithanod.“Luci,pleasestartpassingthefoodaround.”
JessiescoopedpotatoesontoherplateandgavehersisterWynnasidewaysglance.Shehadbeen

strangelyquietforsometime.Evennow,shestaredatnothinginparticularwhilehermomcutupfoodfor
Melody.

“Areyouokay?”Jessiewhisperedtoher.

Wynnsnappedherheadsharplytolookathersister.“Hmm?”
“Somethingwrong?”
“Um,”Wynnsaidbutdidn’tcompleteherthought.
JessiewasplacingacoupleofslicesofroastonherplatewhensheheardWynngasp.Sheturned

quicklyandsawWynnstaringatherphoneonherlap.“What?”shewhispered.

ThecolorinWynn’sfacehaddrainedandhereyeswerebig.ShetiltedthephoneforJessietosee.

I miss my girls. I know you told me not to come but I’ve decided to
anyway. I’m getting on the road shortly. I love you and can’t wait to
holdyouinmyarms.XO,Billy

ChapterTwenty-Four

Dinner had been a disaster. Luci talked nonstop about alkaline cleanses and pressure points that could
cureeverythingfromtheflutogout.Theirmomlookedlikeshewasdoingherbesttojuststayawakeat
thetable.Jessiewasgoingtohavetotalktoherabouttakingsometimeoff.Shewasworkingtoohardfor
herage.AndWynnwasanervouswreckfromBilly’stext.Jessiehadaplan,though,andsheneededto
runitpastWynn.

“Mom,you’vedonesomuchmakingthisgreatdinner.Whydon’tyousitandrelaxandletmeand

Wynngogetdessert?”

Hermomlookedupfromherbarelytouchedplateandsmiled.“Thanks,honey.Thatwouldbegreat.”
Wynn followed her sister into the kitchen and as soon as the door shut, Jessie whirled around. “I

haveaplan,”sheannounced.

“What?”Wynnreplied,hervoiceinahigherpitchthannormal.
“Givemeyourphone.I’mgoingtotexthim,”Jessiesaid.
Wynntookastepback,grippingherphonetighter.“No.Idon’twanttoencouragehim.”
Jessiesmiled.“Oh,Iwon’tencouragehim.Theexactopposite.”
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”
Jessieheldherhandouttohersister.“JustletmetypeandI’llshowyoubeforeIsend.”
Wynnreluctantlyturnedoverthephone.
Jessiehammeredthekeypad,typingquickly.AmomentlatersheturneditaroundforWynntosee.

Hi Billy. This is Jessie, Wynn’s sister. Wynn is very, very ill and
cannot see you. She is in the hospital with a rare blood disorder. It
is serious and only family is allowed to see her. I will pass on your
regardstoherbutpleaseDONOTcomehere.Sheisunabletoseeanyone
andweareextremelybusytakingcareofherandherchild.Thankyou.

WynnfinishedreadingandlookedupatJessie,reliefcrossingherface.“Yes!It’sperfect.Sendit.”
Jessiehitsendandsmiledathersister.
WynnthrewherarmsaroundJessie,givingheratighthug.“Thankyou.”
“Ofcourse.ItoldyouIwouldn’tlethimmesswithyouandMelody.”Jessiegrabbedatrayoutofthe

pantryandbeganloadingthepie,cookies,plates,andutensilsontoit.“Nowlet’sgohavesomedessert.”

“Rightbehindyou,”Wynnsaid.Shegrabbedfourcoffeemugsandthealreadybrewedcoffeebefore

followinghersisterbacktothediningroom.

“Thereyouare,”Lucisaid.“Wewereabouttosendinasearchpartyforyou.Whatwereyoudoing,

bakingthatfromscratch?”

Jessietookadeepbreath,tryinghardnottosnapathersister.“It’sherenow,right?Let’sjustenjoy

it.”

“Coffee too, and it smells delicious,” Wynn added. She sounded a hundred times perkier than she

hadbeenallevening.

“I’mnotdoingcoffeerightnow,”Lucisaid.
Jessiesetthetraydownonthetablewithathud.“Ofcourseyou’renot.”
Theirmomsighedheavily.
Jessie instantly felt bad for all the bickering. She knew her mom just wanted a nice night with the

family.“Sorry,Mom.Dinnerhasbeenreallynice.Everythingwasgreat.”

“Itreallywas,Mom,thankyou.Weneededthis,”Wynnadded.
“Yes,itwaslovely.I’llprobablybloatandmyskinwillbreakoutbut…”Lucicutoffandlooked

backandforthbetweenWynnandJessie’sglares.“Itwasdelicious.Thanks,Mom.”

Jessieslicedthepieandpassedaroundpieces.Hermomslowlystabbedathers.“Youknow,”she

saidafteramoment,“Ioftenthinkbacktowhenyougirlswerelittle.Youwerealwayseachother’sbest

friends.Rememberthecampingtripsweusedtotake?Dadwouldbecursingtryingtogetourtentupand
you girls would have your tiny pop-up assembled in minutes and be squished in there all together, but
happy.”

“And the flash light puppet shows at night,” Luci interjected. “You were always so good at those,

Jessie.”

Jessiesmiled.Itwastrue.Shewouldkeephersistersupforhourswithherelaboratestoriesofthree

littlegirls,lostintheforest,fightingoffafamilyofarthriticbears.Shedidn’tknowwhyshealwaysgave
thebearsbadarthritis.Maybesothegirlshadachanceofgettingaway.

“Yours’moreswerealwaysthebestthough,”Jessiecountered.
Luci put a hand on her cheek. “Oh, when I think of all the corn syrup and artificial chemicals that

musthavebeeninthose.”

Jessiecockedoneeyebrowinhersister’sdirection.
Lucicaughtthelookandlaughedatherself.“Yeah,Ididmakethebests’mores.”
“Remember the time there was a terrible storm and Dad let us set up a tent in the pub, next to the

fireplaceforourcampout?”

Theirmomsmiledandnodded.“Iremember.”
“Ilovedthatcampout,”Jessiesaid.“Rememberalloftheboysyouusedtosneakintothepubafter

hours,Luci?”

TheirmomgaveLuciashockedlook.“Idon’trememberthat.”
Lucifeignedshock.“Me?Youweretheonewithalltheboyfriends.”
“Hardly,”Jessieretorted.
“Speaking of boys,” Luci said, changing the subject, “did you see that hot guy I was talking to at

lunchtoday?Hehasthisreallyamazingthick,darkhair.”

Jessiesuddenlyfeltallthebriefwarmthshehadbeenfeelingtowardhersisterzapfromherbody

andthememoryofherhangingalloverCadethatafternoonincreasedherbloodpressure.“Yes,Iknow
exactlywhoyou’retalkingabout.”

“Maybe I’ll sneak him into the pub later tonight,” she said and then laughed at her Mom’s

disapprovinglook.

Jessie’s face was pinched and she was afraid to speak. Anything she said right now would be an

explosionatLuci.

“Relax,”Luciwenton.“Idon’tevenknowhisname.Yet.”
Jessieturnedsharplytowardhersister.Shedidn’tevenknowhisname?Howcouldhebeher“man”

ifshedidn’tevenknowhisname?

“Itwaskindofannoyinghowhekeptaskingaboutyou,too,”Luciadded.
“What?Heaskedaboutme?”SuddenlyJessiefeltlikeshewassixteen-years-oldagainandherBFF

justtoldherinthehallwaythattheguyshethoughtwascutethoughtshewascutetoo.

Luciscrapedabitofapplefromherpiecrustandpoppeditintohermouth.“Yeah.Itoldhimyou

wereoffwithyourboyfriend,though.”

JessieclenchedherfistaroundherforkandnarrowedhereyesatLuci.“Yousaidwhat?”sheasked,

slowly.

Luci tilted her head. “Your boyfriend. You know, Jason? I told the guy you were off with him

somewhere.Leavingmetocoveryourtables,Imightadd.”

Jessiefeltlikeherskinwasonfire.Shewasfuriouswithhersister.“Howdareyou?”sheyelled,

slammingherhandhardonthetable.

Hermomreachedtowardher.“Hey,calmdown,Jessie.What’swrong?”
“Whywould you tellhim Jason wasmy boyfriend? He’s notmy boyfriend. Ifanyone in the world

wouldknowJasonwasn’tmyboyfriendIwouldthinkitwouldforsurebeyou,”sheaccused.

“Huh?I’mconfused.”LucilookedbackandforthfromhermomtoWynn.
“SomehowIdoubtthat.Youknewexactlywhatyouweredoing,”Jessiesaid.“YouwantedCadeall

toyourselfsoyoumadeupastoryaboutmeandJason.”

“ButyouwerewithJason…yousaidhewasbackintownandyouguysweretalkingand…”Lucy

trailedoff.

“Justshut-up,Luci.Ican’tbelieveawordoutofyourmouth.Youalwayswereandalwayswillbe

tryingtoruinmylife.”Jessiejumpedtoherfeetandhermomreachedouttostopher.

“Jessie,wait,”shesaid.
“Sorry,Mom.ItoldyouIcouldneverpatchthingsupwithher.Ihavetogo.Thanksfordinner.Bye,

Wynn,”shesaidwithanodtoheroldestsister.ShepattedMelodyontheheadandthentoreoutofher
mom’shouseandintothecoldnight.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Cade felt like a complete idiot. He had gone back and tried to work the rest of the day but he couldn’t
keephismindoffJessie.Howcouldshegobacktothatdoucheex-boyfriendofhers?Hewassosmarmy
andsmug.Cadewantedtousehisfacelikeapunchingbag.

CooperhadnoticedhowtenseCadewasandsuggestedhetakehissledandgoforanighttimeride.

Anditwasagreatidea.Itwasgorgeousouthereatnight,plowingdownthetree-linedtrails.Thelight
from his snowmobile illuminated the snow-capped trees and for a while, Cade forgot about everything
andeveryone.Jason,Luci,andespeciallyJessie.Butnowhesat,pulledovertotherightonatrail.Outof
gas.Andwithoutaphone.

“Stupid,stupid,stupid,”hesaid,kickingapileofsnow.Hecouldpictureexactlywherehelefthis

phonesittingonhisdeskbackattheshop.Hehadbeencheckinghise-mailwhenCooperstoppedtotalk
tohimandhe’djusttosseditonthedeskinsteadofslidingitintohispocketwherehenormallykeptit.He
feltlikehewasmissingalimbwithitgone.

Cadelookedupatthenight.Themoonwasfullandstarswereexplodingoutofthesky.You’dnever

seeaviewlikethisinChicago.Hepulledhishatloweronhisheadandrubbedhishandsbrisklytogether.
Ifhehadtogetstranded,itwastoobaditwasinthefreezingsnowandnotonawarmbeachsomewhere.

Heweighedhisoptions.Hecouldstandaroundandwaittoflagdownanotherrider.Ifanotherrider

camedownthetrailtonightthatwas.Itwasgettinglate.Hecouldleavethesledandwalkthefiveorsix
miles back down the trail and get help there. But he didn’t like the idea of leaving Cooper’s sled
abandonedonthesideoftheroad.

Beforehecouldthinkofanotheralternativeheheardtheroarofanapproachingsled.Hestoodinthe

lightcastfromhisheadlightsonhissnowmobileandwavedhisarmsfranticallyoverhead,tryingtoget
theattentionoftherider.

Thesnowmobilerpulledoverandclimbedoffthesled.HewalkedtowardCadeandslowlypulled

offhishelmetrevealingthathewasn’tahebutashe.Jessie.

Cadeplacedhishandsonhishipsandshookhishead,feelingbothrelievedandabitembarrassed.

“Hey,”hesaid.

“Hey,”Jessiereturnedwhenshereachedhim.“Sledtrouble?”
Cadesighedandnodded.“Yep.WouldyoubelieveIranoutofgas?”
“Really?”Jessiesaidwithalaugh.“Ithoughtthatonlyhappenedinmovies.Andwhentheguyhada

datewhohewantedtobestrandedwith.”

“Yeah,I’mfeelingprettylameaboutittellyouthetruth.Iwasjustwrackingmybraintryingtofigure

outwhattodo.Ileftmycellphoneattheshop,too,”Cadetoldher.

“Dang.GoodthingIcamealongthen.”
“Yousavedme.Icouldhavefrozenonthesideoftheroadhereovernight,”Cadesaid.
“Orjustwalkedbackdownthetrail,”Jessieteased.
“Thatwasdefinitelyoptionnumbertwo,”Cadecountered.“I’mgladyoustoppedthough.”
“Metoo.”
Cadelooked at Jessie’ssled and thenback at her, hiseyebrows creased. “Doyou often take night

timeridesbyyourself?”

“Um,” Jessie paused, contemplating her answer. “Just on nights where I’ve had an especially

stressfulfamilydinner.”

CadethoughtaboutJessie’scrazysisterLuciandnodded.
“Ineededtoclearmymind,”shecontinued.
“Ibet.”
Thetwostoodawkwardly,neitherknowingwhattosaynext.

Cadeclearedhisthroat.“Well,I’msureyou’rereallybusyandIdon’twanttosuckupyournight.

CouldIjustborrowyourphoneandIcancalloneofmybrotherstocomehelpmeout?”

Jessieshookherheadslightly.“Whybotheryourbrothers?Icangiveyouaridebacktomygarage;

we’llpickupatankofgasthere,anddriveitbackup.It’snotaproblem.”

Cade’s mind flipped to the last time he sat on the back of Jessie’s snowmobile with their thighs

touchingandhishandslooselyaroundherwaist.Hedefinitelywantedthatridetogetgas.“Okay.”

TheyclimbedontoherSki-Dooandbeforeheputhishelmetbackonheasked,“Willyourhelping

meoutbotherJason?Idon’twanttogetyouintrouble,”hetrailedoff.

“WhywouldJasoncare?”sheasked.“WhatIdohasn’tbeenhisbusinessinoversixyears.”
Cadeshiftsintheseat,hisbreathcatching.“Buthe’s,Imean,isn’theyourboyfriendagain?Now?”
JessielookedatCadeoverherrightshoulderandtossedherheadbackwithasmile.“Notachance.”
Cadeslippedhishelmetonandgrippedthehandlesofthesled.HehopedJessiecouldn’tseethathe

wasgrinningwildlyunderthehelmet.

TheytookoffbackdownthetrailtowardJessie’sgarage,doingaboutfortymilesperhour.Thesnow

was packed down from a day of people riding on it. There had been about a foot of fresh snow that
morning.Cadecouldfeelthetemperaturehaddroppedmoreandhewasgratefulnottostillbestandingon
thesideofthetrailstranded.

His mind raced with what he should say or do when they got to her garage. He’d let too many

opportunitiesslipthroughhisfingerwithJessieandhedidn’twanttomisshischanceagain.

TheypulleduptothegarageandCadegotoffthebackofJessie’ssledandfollowedherin.Sheset

her helmet and gloves down on a shelf and he followed suit. Jessie headed to the corner of the garage
whereasetoffivefullgallonsofgasset.

“Herewego,”shesaid.“Ialwayskeepsomeextrainhere.Wecanjusttakethisbackwithus.”
“Great,”Cadesaid.Hisheartwasbeatinghardinhischest.Shelookedsobeautifulstandingtherein

hersnowsuitwithherhairallcrazyfrombeingstuckinherhelmet.Hemovedclosertoher.

Sheturnedandgavehimaquizzicallook.“What?Havingdéjàvufromthelasttimewewerehere?”

sheasked.

“Somethinglikethat,”hesaid.Hecrossedtheroomquicklyandwrappedhisarmsaroundherwaist,

pullinghertowardhim.Shelookedlikeshemightsaysomethingbutbeforeshecouldheleaneddownand
kissedher.Hard.Theairwascoldbutherlipswerewarm.Sheseemedshockedforamomentbutwithin
seconds,sherelaxedandkissedhimback.

Hetightenedhisrightarmaroundherandhisleftarmtravelledupherbackuntilitwasbehindher

neck,pullingherinevencloser.Hefeltherwrapherarmsaroundhisneckandhertongueslippedintohis
eagermouth.Shetastedlikevanillaandmintswirledtogether.

They stood like this, kissing and touching, for several minutes until Jessie finally pulled away,

gaspingforbreath.

“Whoa,”shesaid.
“Whoa,”herepeated,feelingabitdizzyhimself.Hetookbothofherhandsinhisandintertwined

theirfingers.Hefeltlikehe’dbeenwantingherforsolongthathecouldn’tbearlettinghergorightnow.
Her fingers were getting cold and he brought them to his mouth and blew hot air on them, intending to
warmthemupsome.“I’dbeenwantingtodothatforsometime,”hesaid,hisvoicelowandgravelly.

Shepulledherlefthandfreeandreachedupandranitthroughhishair.“I’dbeenwantingyoutodo

thatforsometime,too.”

“Yeah?”Heeyestwinkled.“Iguesswekeptgettingoursignalscrossed.”
“Somethinglikethat.”JustthenJessie’sphonebeganringingandshesighed.Shepulledherphone

outandglancedatit.“It’sLuci.Ignore.”Sheslippedherphonebackintoherpocket.“Wherewerewe?”
shesaid.Herphonerangagain.Shecheckedit.“Ugh!Luciagain.Can’tshetakeahint?”

“That’sonepersistentsisteryouhave,”Cadesaidwithalaugh.
“Persistentpainintheass,”Jessiesaid.Herphonebuzzedagain,thistimewithatext.Jessiesighed

heavilyandpulledherphoneouttocheckit.Luciagain.

Momunconscious.AtSnowyRidgeMemorialHospital.ComeASAP.

ChapterTwenty-Six

“Oh my God. It’s my mom,” Jessie said. “Something’s wrong with her. Luci said she’s in the

hospital,unconscious.”ShelookedupatCade,hereyesdartingaroundwildly.“WhatifIdidthistoher?
Ididmakeadramaticexitatdinner.MaybeIgavehersomekindofheartattack?”Jessie’smindflashed
to six years earlier when her dad had passed away from his sudden heart attack and her body was
overcomewithfear.Notagain,she’dthought.ShefeltherlegscollapseunderherandCadecaughther
beforeshefell.

Tearsstunghereyesandthreatenedtofalldownhercheeksasshetriedtosteadyherselfonherfeet,

clutchingCade’sarmsforsupport.“Ihavetogo.Ihavetogettomymom,”shesaid,chokingonasob.

“I’mdrivingyou.Where’syourcar?”hesaid.
Jessiegavehimaconfusedlookandthenshookherhead,tryingtothink.“It’sjustoutside.Butwhat

aboutyoursnowmobile?”

“Forget about the sled. I’ll call Cooper from the hospital and he and Cash can go pick it up. I’m

taking you.” He put Jessie’s left arm over his shoulder and his right arm around her waist, practically
carryinghertohercar.Heplacedherinthepassengerseatandranaroundtothedriver’ssideandstarted
theengine.

Jessieslumpedagainstthewindow,lettingherwetcheekrestonthecoldglass.Shecouldn’tbelieve

thiswasreallyhappening.

CaderolledintotheparkinglotofSnowyRidgeMemorialHospitalsixminuteslater.Hepulledinto

theambulancebayunderthelarge,red,litsignsayingEMERGENCY.“YougoonaheadandI’llpark.I’ll
comefindyou.”

Jessie nodded and slid out of the car, willing her legs to walk. She entered through the automatic

slidingglassdoorandfollowedthesignsforthecheckindesk.Behindthedesksatachubbyblondenurse
inbluescrubs,probablyinhermid-forties,typingonakeyboard.

“Excuseme,”Jessiebegan,“I’mlookingformymother.DiedreFoster.”
The nurse typed some more into her computer and then looked up. “She’s being examined at the

moment.Youcangoonandtakeaseatoverthereandwe’llhaveadoctorcomeouttospeaktoyoujustas
soon as possible.” She nodded toward a large waiting area full of chairs, magazines, and a couple of
televisionssuspendedintheairplayingahockeygame.

Jessieloweredherselfintooneoftheplasticchairsandwrungherhandstogether.Therewerethree

otherpeopleinthewaitingareawithher.Anelderlywomancrochetingwhatlookedlikeascarfanda
couplewithgravelooksontheirfaces,silentlyholdinghands.Jessiehadjustpulledouthercellphoneto
texthersistersandfindoutwheretheywerewhenshesawWynnandLuciwalkingtowardher.

“Jessie!”Wynncalled,rushingtohersister.Shewrappedherarmsaroundherandhuggedtightly.
Jessie glanced at Luci. She had her arms crossed tightly and was rocking side-to-side. Her eyes

werered.

“What happened?” Jessie asked. She looked around and noticed Melody wasn’t nearby. “Where’s

Melody?”

WynnreleasedJessieandsteppedback.“Annecameupandgotherforme.“She’sgoingtowatch

her until we know what’s going on. Oh, Jessie,” Wynn said, fresh tears forming in her eyes, “it was so
awful.”

Lucigulpedandfreshtearssilentlyfelldownhercheeks.
“Whathappened?”Jessierepeatedinaquiveringvoice.
“Momwaswashingdishesatthesink.Iwascarryinginthelastloadofplatesfromthediningroom

whileLuciwaswashingthetabledown,”Wynnsaid.“IhadjustwalkedintothekitchenwhenIsawher
godownlikeatonofbricks.”Shechokedonasob.“Icouldn’tgettoherfastenoughtocatchher.Shehit

herheadprettyhard.IscreamedforLuci.AndohGod,Melodywasthereandcamerunningintoo.Saw
everything.”

“We tried to wake her up,” Luci continued, “but we couldn’t. Wynn called 911 and an ambulance

came.Weallrodewithher.”

“So…shefaintedthenyouthink?Itwasn’taheartattack?”Jessieasked.
AlookofrealizationcrossedWynn’sfaceandshesqueezedhersister’shand.“No,Jess,itwasn’ta

heartattack.Butwecouldn’twakeherup.Idon’tknowwhat’swrong.We’vebeenwaitingforadoctorto
comeoutandtellus.”

Jessie felt a whoosh of relief. She still didn’t know what was wrong with her mom but at least it

wasn’taheartattack.

Cade walked into the ER and briskly walked toward Jessie. “How is she? What’s going on?” he

firedoff.

Luci’seyeswidenedinconfusion.“Hotguyfromthepub?Whatareyoudoinghere?”
Jessie’sjawclenchedandhereyesflickedangrilyathersister.“He’swithme.”
Luci’smouthdroppedopen.
“Isthataproblemforyou?”Jessiesnapped.“Becauseifitis,getoverit.”
“Um…no,”Lucimumbledandavertedhereyestowardthefloor.
CadetookJessie’shandinhisandsqueezedit.Itwasoneofthebestfeelingsshe’deverhadandif

shewasn’tsoscaredforhermomrightnowshe’dhaveenjoyeditmore.

“Whatdidyoufindout?”Cadeasked.
“Momfaintedandhitherhead.Wedon’tknowanythingelseyet.Butitwasn’taheartattack,”Jessie

added,squeezingCade’shandbackandleaningintohim.

“ThankGod,”CadesaidandwrappedJessieinhisarms.
Itfeltsogoodtohavehimhereforherlikethis.Tobeinhisarms.
“Well,”WynninterruptedJessie’sthoughts.“I’mgoingtogofindadoctorandgetsomeanswers.”

Wynnturnedonherheelandmarchedoff.

JessieledCadetoaquietcornerofthewaitingroom,farawayfromtheotherpeoplewaitingand

tookaseat.Lucisatdownafewseatsaway.

CadelookedbackandforthbetweenJessieandLuci,tryingtofigureifheshoulddaresitbetween

thetwoofthemorifitwassafertojuststand.Thetensionbetweenthegirlswasthickanduncomfortable.
“IthinkI’llgofindusallsomecoffee,”hesuddenlyannounced.

Jessie’seyesdartedtoCade’sface.“I’mfine.Really,”shesaid.Shenoddedslightly,hopinghewas

gettingthesignalthatshedidn’twanthimtogo.Thelastthingshewantedatthismomentwastobeleft
alonewithhersister.

“I’ll…”Cadebegun,“justberightback,”hefinished.Heturnedquicklyandlefttheroom.
Jessie sighed and dropped her head in her hands. Where was Wynn? Why wasn’t she back from

trackingdowntodoctor?

The stress of being stuck here alone with Luci made Jessie want to scream. She had to get out of

there.“I’mjustgoingtogohelpCadewiththosecoffees,”shesaidassherosetoherfeet.

“Wait,”Lucisaid,puttingahandout.“Don’tgo.”
Shewassoclosetoherescape.Jessiebitherlipandglancedoverhershoulderathersister.
“Canwetalk?”Luciasked.

ChapterTwenty-Seven

“Ifailed.”
What?Jessiethoughtinirritation.WhatgamewasLuciplayingnow?Therewastoomuchgoingon

tohavetodealwithanymoredramafromhersister.JessiewantedLucijusttositstillandbequietfor
once.Sheknewshewouldhateherselfforasking.Sheshouldjustwalkstraightoutofthewaitingroom,
find Cade, and never talk to Luci ever again. Ignoring Luci was a good plan. It worked for years. No
reasontochangethingsnow.

Butshecouldn’tmakeherselfgo.Sheturnedandlookedathersister,crumpleduponachairagainst

thewall,defeated.Shebreatheddeeplyandthenventured,“Failedwhat?”

“Life.Isuckatit,apparently.”Lucisaidmatter-of-factly.
Jessieknewthiswasthepartwhere,asanygoodperson,sheshouldprotestandsayno,youdon’t

suck.Yourlifeisn’tcrap.You’reagoodperson.ButasfarassheknewofLuci,shewasn’tthatgreatofa
person.Andshedidn’tknowwhatherlifewasreallylike.“Whatdoyoumean?”

Luci sighed heavily and rubbed her temples with her fingers. She let them fall back down to her

sidesandsatupstraighter,turningtofaceJessie.“Imean,Ididn’tcomehomebecauseMomneededmeor
Iwasbeingagooddaughterorsomething.IcamehomebecauseIhadnowheretogo.Iwasflatbroke.
Homeless.”

Jessiegasped.“What?”
Lucinoddedsadly.“Iwasn’tlike,sleepingatthebusterminaloranything.Yet.ButI’dbeenliving

out of a backpack for weeks, hopping from friend to friend, begging for a night here and there on their
couch.”

Jessieshookherhead.Thismadenosense.“But,yourapartment.AndIthoughtyouwerewriting…”
“Iwas.Am.Ijusthaven’tbeengettingpaidforit.IthoughtI’dhaveanagentandabestsellingbook

withabigNewYorkpublisherbynow,butit’sbeenalotharderthanIeverthought.I’vebeenrejected
hundredsoftimesbyjustabouteveryoneintheliterarycommunityitfeelslike.Ijusthaven’tcaughtmy
breakyet.”

“Whataboutworking?”Jessieasked.“Whydidn’tyougetajobtosupportyourselfwhileyouwere

writing?”

“Idid.I’dbeenworkingatalocaljuicebarforacoupleofyears.Itwasperfectbecauseitwasonly

afewblockswalkfromthetwo-bedroomapartmentIwassharingwiththesethreestrugglingmodels.I
gotpaidwellenoughandIcouldsneakusjuicesandsmoothiessowewerealwaysfed.Iwasfiredabout
sixmonthsago.Somethingaboutthecashregisterbeingoff.Ihadnothingtodowithit.”LucigaveJessie
a sharp look. “I swear. But it didn’t matter. With no job, I ran through what little savings I had and
couldn’taffordrentorutilities.Thegirlseventuallythrewmeout.”

“That’sawful.”
“IlookedeverywhereforajobbutIhavenoexperiencewithanything.Otherthanwriting.Notaton

ofjobsforwriters,especiallywhenyoudon’thaveacollegedegree.Ieventhoughtaboutteachingyoga.
Buttheclassestogetcertifiedweretooexpensive.”

JessiefrownedandswitchedseatstotheoneclosertoLuci.
“IhadtosellwhatIcouldn’tcarry,”Lucicontinued.“EverythingIhadleftintheworldfitintomy

backpack.I’djustbeentryingto…exist.UntilIfinallycalledMomandshetoldmetocomehome.”

“Wow,”Jessiesaid.
“Yeah.Youroldersisterisatotalfailure.I’mtwenty-sixyearsoldandIcan’tmakeitonmyownso

IhavetodependonmyMommy.”

“That’snot,Imean,youdon’t,”Jessietrailedoff.Shestruggledwithwhatshecouldsaythatmight

help.

AsifLucicouldreadhermindshesaid,“It’sallright.Youdon’thavetosayanything.Itiswhatit

is.”

Jessiecouldn’tbelievewhathersisterwassaying.AllofthistimeshethoughtLuciwaslivingabig

city life in New York. Writing for magazines and working on a book. Traipsing around the city eating
sushiandgoingtofashionshowswithhermodelfriends.Sheneverpicturedherlivingoutofabackpack.
Shestillcouldn’t.

“Butthingswillchangenow,”Jessiesaid.“Youcangetbackonyourfeetandstartagain.”
Lucishrugged.“WhatamIgoodat?”
“You’llfigureitout.You’reyoungandcreativeandsmart.It’sgoodthatyoucamehome.Thiswill

giveyousometimetofindoutwhatyouwanttodowithyourlife.”Jessiecouldbarelybelievethewords
coming from her own mouth. Was she really sitting here consoling her sister she hadn’t spoken to in
years?ThewomanwhocheatedwithherboyfriendandevenrecentlywasjustthrowingherselfatCade,
her…Jessiedidn’tknowwhathewastoherjustyet.

Lucisighedheavily.“SometimesIthinkI’mjustdefective.Justplainnotagoodperson.”
Jessieopenedhermouthtoprotestbutthencouldn’tandslumpedbackinherchair.
“Idon’thaveanyonetoreallyconfidein,”shecontinued.“Noreallygoodfriends.ThefriendsIdo

haveareallflakeyandself-absorbed.”

Jessiefeltapangofsadnessforhersister.Shecouldn’timaginehavingnooneintheworldtoturn

to.Todependon.

“Andthenofcoursethere’sthefamily.Mompitiesme.Wynntoleratesme.Andyouhateme.”
Jessiewinced.HowdareLuciputthisonhershoulders?“That’snotfair,”shesaid.
“Well,it’strue,isn’tit?Youcouldn’tpossiblyhatememore.”
“Andwhyshouldn’tI?”sheaccusedangrily.Shefelttheheatrisinginherface.Jessietookseveral

quick breaths, trying to calm down. “You never even apologized,” she finally said in a strained voice,
cursingherselfforstillfeelingpainsomanyyearslater.“Hewasmyfirstlove.”

Luci licked her lips and let her shoulders slump. She stared down at her hands. “I know,” she

responded,quietly.

“You didn’t talk to me for years. Like you were the one who had the right to be mad,” Jessie

continued.“Imean,whatthehellwasthat?”

Lucinoddedandraisedherheadbutavoidedhersister’seyes.“Itwasmessedup.Iwassomessed

up. I felt awful, Jess. Completely awful and just wracked with guilt. How could I do that to my baby
sister? What kind of evil person does that to her own sister?” Tears streamed down Luci’s face as she
chokedonasob.

Jessiefeltapaininherchest.Watchinghersistercrywasharderonherthanshethoughtitwouldbe.

Shewantedtoreachoutandcomfortherbutshecouldn’tmove.Sheshruggedlikeitwasnobigdealeven
though it was probably one of the biggest pains she’d ever felt in her entire life. Her whole world had
unraveledinsuchashorttime.She’dlostJason,hersister,andthenbarelyafewmonthslaterherfather.It
washell.

“Youwereyoung,”Jessiesaidafterafewmoments.“Wewereallyoung.”
Lucirubbedathereyeswiththebacksofherhands,leavingbigblackstreaksacrossherfacefrom

hermascara.“It’snoexcuse.Itwasahorriblethingtodo.Iwasamonster.”

“No, you weren’t a monster. It wasn’t that…bad,” Jessie stammered. She could hardly believe the

wordscomingoutofhermouth.“Thingshappensometimes.Imean,youweren’tpurposelytryingtohurt
me,right?”

Lucifiercelyshookherhead.“No,ofcoursenot.Idon’tthinkIthoughtmuchofanything.Myfriends

and I had been drinking so much that night when we showed up at your school bonfire. I was upset
because my boyfriend at the time had just dumped me for Christy Evans. You remember her? That

cheerleaderthatneverworebottoms.Slut.Anyway,Iwashurtandconfusedandprettyloadedontequila.
Iwastryingtofindyoutodrivemehome.ThensomeguygavemesomethingtosmokeandafterthatI
rememberbeinginthebackseatofasmellycrampedtanMitsubishiwithsomerandomguy.”Luci’seyes
finallyrosetomeetJessie’s.“Yourguy.”

Jessieslowlyinhaledandexhaled,tryingtocalmdown.
“Ishouldhavesaidthissixyearsago,Jess.Iamso,sosorry.Iwassuchastupidfool.Iwastryingto

getthroughmyownpainandinsteadIcausedyoupain.Itnevershouldhavehappened.And,notthatit
meansmuchnow,butIswearI’llneverhurtyoulikethatagain.”

Jessiecouldn’tspeak.Shedidn’tknowwhattosay.Couldsheletgoofthepastandmoveon?Would

sheeverbeabletotrustLuciagain?Maybeshegavehertheonlythingshecould,anapology.Jessiehad
todecideifitwouldbeenough.

ChapterTwenty-Eight

“She’sawake!Comeon!”Wynncalledtothesistersassheroundedthehospitalcorridor.
JessieandLucileapttotheirfeetandranaftertheirsister,downthehallway,andintoacurtainedoff

area.Theirmomlaysmallandpaleinabedwithhereyesclosed.

“Mommy,”Lucisaid,startingtocryalloveragain.“Areyouokay?”
WynngrabbedJessie’shandandheldittightlyastheyapproachedtheirmom’sbed.
Hereyesflutteredopenandsheattemptedasmallsmile.“Girls,”shesaidinasmallvoice.“Don’t

worry,I’mfine.”

“Are you really, Mom?” Jessie asked. She moved closer to her mom’s bed and grabbed her hand.

“Whathappened?”

“Justabadfall.Ifaintedandhitmyheadisall.See?I’mfine.”
“ThankGod,”Wynnsaid,hervoicestillshaky.
“Are you the Foster girls?” a deep voice said from the doorway. They all turned to see a tall,

handsomedoctor,maybeinhismid-thirties,withaclipboardinhisarms.WynnandJessieexchangeda
brieflook.

“Yes,I’mWynn.Thesearemysisters:JessieandLuci.”
He smiled warmly at them. “I’m the on-call ER doctor who took care of your mother. She spoke

highlyofyouthree.”

“That’ssonice,”Lucisaid,battinghereyelashesathim.
LeaveittoLucitotryandflirtwiththedoctor.
“Canwetakeherhome?”Jessieasked.
“WegottheCATscanbackandeverythingseemednormal.We’dliketowatchherovernightbutyou

cantakeherhomeinthemorning.SheshouldhaveplentyoffluidsandIincreasedhermagnesium.I’dlike
hertocheckinwithheroncologistassoonasshecanoncewereleaseherthough.Justtobesafe,”the
doctoradded.

“Ofcourse,”Lucisaidsweetly.“We’reallaboutbeing…safe.”Shegaveasmallgiggle.
Jessieshotanirritatedlookathersister.“Knock-itoffLuci,”shescolded.Tothedoctorshesaid,

“Whatdoyoumean,oncologist?”Sheturnedtohermom.“What’shetalkingabout?”

“Aren’toncologistscancerdoctors?”Wynnasked.
Thedoctorstiffenedandhiseyesdartedovertotheirmom’s.She’dsuddenlybecomefascinatedwith

herhandsfoldedinherlap.“I’lljustletyouallhavesomefamilytime,”hesaid.“Ifyouneedanything
don’thesitatetoringthenurse.”Thedoctorfledtheroomleavingthegirlsalonewiththeirmother.

“What’sgoingon?Jessiedemanded.“Doyouhavecancer?”
Theirmomtookadeepbreathandsighed.“Ididn’twanttoworryyougirls.”
“It’strue?Idon’tunderstand,”Lucisaid.Shequietlystartedtocryagain.
“Luci,don’tcry,”hermomsaid.SheliftedahandandpattedLuci’s.“It’llbeallright.I’mgetting

chemotherapy.I’llbeatit.”

“What?” Jessie practically screamed. “You’ve been getting chemo and didn’t even tell us? How

haveyouhidthis?Why?”

“Jessie,calmdown,”Wynnsaid.“Don’tscreamatmom.”
“It’sokay,”theirmomsaidsoftly.“IshouldhavetoldyougirlsbutIdidn’twanttoworryyou.”
“Butyoushouldn’tbehandlingthisalonemom,”aweepyLucisaid.
“Iknow.ButI’mtough.”
“Okay,everyoneslowdown,”Wynnsaid,kickingintobigsistermode.“Mom,tellusexactlywhatis

goingonandeveryoneelsejusthushaminute.”

Theirmomsighedagain.Sheslowlyreachedforhernearbywater,tookasip,andsetthecupback

down.“Well,Ihavecancerbasically.It’sinmypancreas.Mydoctoristryingtoshrinkitabitwiththe
chemotherapybeforehegoesintosurgicallytoremoveit.”

“Surgery?”Luciasked.
Theirmomnodded.“Butdon’tworry.ItoldyouallI’llbejustfine.”
“Whydidyoufaint?”Jessieasked.
Theirmomshookherhead.“Oh,Ihadatreatmentthismorning.Ifeltprettygoodthisafternoonand

thoughtIwasfine.GuessIwaswrong.”

“Mom,”Wynnreprimanded,“youjusthadchemoandthoughtitwasagoodideatothrowafamily

dinner?”

Shechuckledquietly.“Yeah.NotthebestideaI’dhavetosay.”
“Oh,mom.”Wynnshookherhead.
“Butyourhair…”Lucisaidslowly.
“Ohthislovelymop?Honey,I’vebeenwearingawigforyears.Myhairhasalwaysbeenthin.”
WynnandLuciexchangedshockedlooksbutJessiedidn’treact.Sheknewaboutthewig.
“So,thisiswhyyou’vebeensotiredlately,”Jessiesaid.“Ican’tbelieveyoudidn’ttellus.Me.”
Sheshrugged.“Yougirlshaveallyourownissuesgoingon.Ididn’twanttoburdenyouwithmine.”
“ButMom,”Lucisaid,“it’snotaburden.Thisisbiggerthananystupidthinggoingoninourlives.

Wewanttotakecareofyou.”

“That’ssweethoney.ButIdon’twanttoburdenanyofyou.I’vebeendoingfinebymyselfsofar.”
“Notthatfine,”Jessieinterjected.
Their mom smiled. “Okay, I relent. Maybe not perfectly fine. But I still don’t want to trouble you

all.”

“It’snottrouble,”Wynninsisted.
“Allright,allright.Iwon’thideanythingelsefromyouthree.I’llbestraightforwardfromhereon

out,”shesaid.“SoI’vegottotellyouthatI’mawfullytiredrightnowandwouldliketonapifyougirls
don’tmind.”

“Ofcourse,wedon’tmind,”Lucisaid.“We’llleaveyoube.Butwewon’tbefar.We’llbebackto

checkonyouinabit.”

Wynnflippedofftheoverheadlightandthegirlsquietlylefttheroom.Whentheyreachedthewaiting

roomagainthegirlsstoppedandlookedateachother.Withoutaword,theyallbeguntocrysoftlyand
embracedinahug.

AfewminuteslaterCadewalkedbackintothewaitingroomwithatrayofcoffees.“Sorryittookso

longbut…hey,whathappened?Didshegetworse?”

Jessie pulled away from her sisters and went to Cade. She threw her arms around his neck and

buriedherfaceinhischest.“It’scancer,”shewhispered.ShefeltCade’sarmstightenaroundher.

“I’msosorry,”hesaidintoherhair.
Shewaitedforhimtosaysomethingelse.Thatitwouldallbeokay.Butsheknewhecouldn’tdo

that.

Fresh tears rolled down her cheeks and Jessie knew she was soaking Cade’s shirt. Her mind was

racing a million miles an hour. She couldn’t even grasp the bomb that had just been dropped on them.
Theirmomhadcancer.She’dneverhadafamilymemberwithcancerbefore.Shedidn’tevenknowwhat
itallwouldmeanforhermom.Orhowbaditwas.

While the majority of her thoughts swirled around her mom and her diagnosis the tiniest part of

Jessie’sbrainwasscreaming,you’resobbingintoaguy’schest.Aguyyoudon’treallyknowverywell
yetandonlyjusthadafirstkisswithacoupleofhoursago.Thiswasreallyheavyforafirstdate.Ifthat’s
evenwhatyou’dcallthiscrazyevening.

He’llprobablyrunfar,farfrommescreamingtomorrowmorning,Jessiethoughttoherself.She’d

dealwithitthen.Fornow,shewasgladhewashereandthathewasastrongrocktoleanon.

ChapterTwenty-Nine

Cadelaidinbed,staringattheceiling.Hefeltfuzzy-headedandhisbodyfeltheavy,likehehadbeenout
drinkingallnight,thoughhehadn’thadanyalcoholyesterday.He’dstayedwithJessieatthehospitaluntil
pretty late. She hadn’t wanted to leave just in case her mom needed something. A little after midnight
she’dlethimdriveherhome.Shetriedtoinsistontakinghimhomefirstsincethey’dbeeninhercarbut
hetoldherhepreferredtowalk.Heparkedhercarandmadesureshegotintoherapartmentsafelyand
thentookoffforhisplace.SnowyRidgewasbeautifulatthattimeofnightwiththelightsstillglowing
andeveryoneinsidetheirhousessleeping.Andthewalkdidn’ttakehimmorethanfifteenminutes.

He checked his phone for texts and saw two from his brothers. One from Cooper that said they’d

pickedupthesledandgotitbacktotheshopfine.AndtheotherfromCashthatsaid,“Goodforyou,hope
she’shot.”Cadedidn’tevenbothertryingtostraightenhisbrotherout.Hewouldn’tunderstandhelping
someoneoutwithoutgettingsomethinginreturn.

Therewasn’tatextfromJessie.Notthatheexpecteditwasthefirstthingshe’ddoassoonasshegot

in the door. They had exchanged numbers and Cade said he’d text her later. It was an awkward few
momentspartingatthedoor.Theywereattheverybeginningofgettingtoknoweachotheryethe’djust
spent hours with her at her most vulnerable. She’d suddenly looked shy or embarrassed or something.
WithanyothergirlhemightwaitafewdaystotextbuthewantedtotalktoJessieagainsoon.

Hecheckedthetime.Damn,itwasalready8:20.Heonlyhadaboutfifteenminutestoshowerandget

outthedoorforwork.Heyankedbackthecovers,stretched,andheadedforthebathroom.

CooperandCashwerealreadyworkingwhenCadearrived.“Sorry,I’mlate.Longnight,”he’dtold

them.

Cashlookedupfromhiscomputerscreen.“Ibetitwas,”hesaidwithagrin.“Details?”
Cadepushedpasthimandploppedintohisowndeskchair.“Nah.Nodetails.”
“Howwasyourridelastnight?Asidefromtherunningoutofgaspart,”Cooperasked.
CadethoughtofJessieridinguptosavehim,theridebacktohergarage,andthekiss,andsmiled.“It

wasgreat.”

Coopernodded.“Toldyounight-ridingwasthebest.”
CadesettoworkonsomeaccountingspreadsheetsbuthismindkeptwanderingbacktoJessie.At

tenhepickeduphisphoneandsentheratext.

Areyouawake?

Amomentlatershetextedback.

Yeah.

Cadedecidedhedidn’twantawholeconversationovertextjustnow.Hestoodup,shruggedonhis

coat,andsaid,“Berightback,”tohisbrothersandsteppedoutsidetheshop.

MainStreetwasbustlingwithpeoplegoinginandoutofshops,shoppingorgettingsomethingtoeat.

Groupswereintheirsnowgeargettingreadytogorideorcomingbackfromone.Thesunwasshining
anditwasagreatdaytosnowmobile.CadedialedJessie’snumberandheldhisphonetohisear.

“Hey,”hesaidwhenshepickedup.
“Hey,”shereturned.Shesoundedtiredtohim,whichwastobeexpected.
“Howareyoudoing?”
“Ah,youknow.Beenbetter.I’vebeengooglingpancreaticcancerallnight.It’snotpretty,”shetold

him.

Cadeswallowedhard.Heremembereddoingthesamethingthirteenyearsagowhenhefirstfound

outhismomhadcancer.Hewasonlytwelveatthetimeandeverythinghe’dreadscaredthehelloutof
him.“No,it’snot,”heagreed.“Doyouhavetoworktoday?”

“No, I have the day off. Luci and I are going to take my mom home this afternoon. Get her

comfortable.Scheduleanappointmentwithheroncologist.Allthatkindoffunstuff.”

“Doyouhavetimetograbacoffeenow?Icanwalkdownandmeetyouatyourapartmentandthen

wecanjustheadovertoMoonBeans,”Cadesaid.

TherewassilenceonthephoneandCadewassuddenlyworriedthathewasbeingforcefulorpushy.

Ormaybeevenrude.Jessiewasgoingthroughafamilycrisisandmaybeshedidn’thavetimetostartup
somethingwithhimrightnow.“Unlessyou’rebusy,”headded.“Whichistotallycool.Iknowyouhavea
lotgoingonrightnow.”

“Nowisgreat,”Jessiesaid.“Bedowninfive.”Andsheclickedoff.
Cadelookeddownathisphoneandsmiledtohimself.Hezippedhisjackethigher,shovedhishands

inthepockets,andheadedforJessie’s.

ChapterThirty

Jessiestudiedherfaceinthemirrorassheranabrushthroughherhairandtieditbackwithanelastic
band.Hereyeswerestillabitredandpuffyfromthecryingjags.She’dcalledhermomfirstthingthat
morningtomakesureeverythingwasokay.Shefeltlikesheneededconstantreassurancefromherthatshe
was going to be all right. She didn’t know exactly how bad her cancer was, what treatments she was
getting,orevenhowfaralongshewasinhertreatment.Buthearinghersay,“Jessie,I’mgoingtobefine,”
evenifshecouldn’tpromiseit,somehowhelped.

WynnwasspendingthemorningatthehospitalwiththeirmomwhileLuciwatchedMelodyandthen

they were going to do a switch so Jessie and Luci could go see her and take her back home in the
afternoon.ThingsstillfeltsortoffunnybetweenherandLucibutitwasn’tlikethiswasthetimetokeep
hashingthingsout.Theyneededtocometogetherandrallyaroundtheirmomrightnow.

Jessiedabbedsomecreamunderhereyesandthenquicklyappliedeyelinerandmascara.Thatwas

asmuchmakeupasshewasgoingtocommittotoday.PoorCade,hesurewasseeingJessieatherbest
rightoffthebatinthisrelationship.

Relationship.WereherandCadeacouplenow?Jessiedidn’tknowwhattheyweretoeachother,

yet,butsheknewthatshereally,reallylikedhim.Morethananyoneshe’dlikedinalongtime.Anditwas
agoodsignthathewascallinghertomeetupagainsosoon.Eventhoughshewasabasketcase.

HerdoorbuzzedandJessieracedtothespeaker.“Yes?”
“It’sme,”Cadesaid.
“Berightdown,”shetoldhim.Herheartdidaflipandherskintingled.ShewasexcitedtoseeCade

again.Sheglancedonemoretimeatthemirroronthewallandthenshruggedonhercoat.Shefeltasmall
pangofguiltforgoingtoseeCaderightnowwitheverythinghappeningwithhermom.Butshepushedit
far down and told herself it was okay. Wynn was with Mom and her Mom would want her to not sit
aroundherapartmentallmorningbeingmopey.She’dwanthertobehappy.AndthedistractionofCade
woulddefinitelycheerherup.

Jessiebounddownthestairsandswungopenthedoor.Cadestoodtherewithhishandsjammedinto

his pockets, his hair a bit mussed, and his face unshaven. His eyes lit up when he saw her and Jessie
couldn’thelpbutsmile.

“Hiagain,”shesaid.
Hegrinnedandlookedgenuinelyhappytoseeher.“Ready?”heasked.
“Yep,let’sgo.”
Thetwofellintostepastheyambleddownthesidewalktowardthecoffeeshop.Theypassedthe

sweet shop just as a customer was leaving and the smell of fudge greeted them. The old movie theater
wasn’topenyetandaclosedsignsatpressedontotheglassintheticketbooth.“Istillhaven’tbeenin
thereyet,”Cadetoldher.

“Really?”Jessieasked.“You’dloveit.BesttheaterinSnowyRidge.”
Cadetwistedhislips.“Isn’tittheonlytheaterinSnowyRidge?”
Jessie nodded. “Making it the best. Really though, it’s a great old place. And you have to meet

Danny. He’s a fixture there. We can check it out some time soon. If you want,” she added. Was she
soundingtooforceful?

“Sure.I’dlikethat,”hesaid.
AstheypassedtheantiquestoreJessie’srightboothitasmallpatchofice.“Whoa,”shesaidasher

handsflewintheair,tryingtocatchherself.Cadereachedoutandgrabbedherarm.

“Gotcha,”hesaid.
Jessie locked eyes with Cade as she steadied herself. You sure do, she thought and then instantly

blushed.

“Ididn’tseetheice…”shemumbled.Shedidn’tknowwhyshefeltsheneededtoexplain.
“It’sokay,”Cadesaid.Heletgoofherarmandtookherglovedhandinhis.“Givesmeanexcuseto

holdyourhand.”

Thetwowalkedhand-in-handtherestofthewaytotheshop.Forthefirsttimeinthelasttwenty-four

hours Jessie wasn’t worried about a thing. She just felt happy and secure being with Cade. She didn’t
wanttoeverletgo.

WhentheywalkedintoMoonBeansJessiebreathedasighofreliefthatAprilwasn’tworking.Harry

andanolderladynamedXan(shortforAlexandria)weretakingordersbehindthecounter.Notthatshe
didn’twantApriltoseeherandCadetogether.Shecouldn’twaittotellherbestfriendallofthedetails
onthat.Shejusthadn’thadachancetocallorseeAprilyetsinceeverythingthathappenedwithhermom
lastnightandJessieknewifherandAprillockedeyesforevenamomentshe’dburstintotearsallover
again.ShepromisedherselftocallAprilassoonasCadewalkedherbackhomeaftercoffee.

They sat down at the small table nearest the fireplace and shrugged off their coats. “What do you

suggestwedrink?”Cadeasked.

“HaveyouhadtheirMexicanmochabefore?”
Heshookhishead.
“Mmm,it’ssogood.Richandchocolateyandcinnamon-y,”shesaid.
“Soundsgood.Berightback,”hetoldherandJessiewatchedhimwalktothecountertoorder.
HerphonebuzzedandshelookeddownatatextfromLuci.

Whattimeareyoupickingmeup?

Jessieglaredatherphone.Shecouldn’thelpbutfeelannoyedathersister.It’slikeshesensedJessie

washavingthirtysecondsoffunandwantedtoruinit.Anddidn’ttheyalreadydiscusswhattimeshewas
comingover?Jessietextedherback.

SametimeItoldyouearlier.I’llpickyouupattwo.

Lucirepliedquickly.

Right.Okay.Seeyouattwo.

Jessieturnedherphoneonvibrateandjammeditbackintohercoatpocket.Shewasn’tgoingtolet

LuciruinhertimewithCade.

Cade walked back to their table and set down the two drinks and a plate of the most delicious

lookingchocolatechunkcookies.“Ihopeyoudon’tmind,”hesaid.“Theselookedreallygood.”

Did she mind? Not at all. Jessie smiled and picked up one of the cookies and took a bite. It was

heavenly. “Mmm. So good.” Cade was the opposite of the last guy Jessie had dated briefly. He was a
personal trainer and the few times they went out he insisted on ordering her meal for her and it was
alwayssalad,nodressingandapieceofbakedsalmon.Jessiewasstartingtogetacomplex.Sheknew
shewasn’toverweightbuthesurewasmakingherfeellikeitsoshe’ddumpedhim.

JessieandCadesippedontheirmochasandshecouldfeelherspiritslifting.Thiswasexactlywhat

she needed. A distraction from all of her problems. She didn’t want to talk about her mom or Wynn or
Luci.ShejustwantedtobeherewithCadeandrelishit.

“So,”Jessiebegun,“tellmeeverythingaboutyou.Don’tleaveanythingout.”

ChapterThirty-One

Cade’sspiritsweresoaringwhenhereturnedtothesnowmobileshop.He’dhadthebesttimebeingwith
Jessie.Theytalkedforalmostanhouranditwasmostlyhimdoingthetalking.Cadehadnevertalkedthat
muchabouthimselftoanyone.ButJessieseemedgenuinelyinterestedinhimandhislife.Cadetoldher
about his life in Chicago, how different it was from Snowy Ridge but that he found he was starting to
enjoythedifference.Hetalkedabouthisbrothersandhowclosetheywereandhowtheyalwayshadeach
other’sbacksnomatterwhat.HetoldheraboutthemlivinginSnowyRidgetwentyyearsagobeforehis
dadgottransferredforworkandhowCadedidn’trememberanyofit.Heeventoldheraboutwhenhis
momdiedwhenhewastwelveandwhatanawfultimethatwas.HenoticedJessie’seyestearupashe
talked about his mom’s cancer and quickly switched to a funny story about Cash learning to drive. He
didn’twanttoremindJessieofwhatwashappeningwithhermomrightnow.Buthedidwanthertoknow
thatheunderstood.

Cadeneverrushedintorelationships.Hell,he’dspenthiswholeadultyearsrushingawayfromthem

assoonasthingsstartedtolookliketheycouldturnserious.ButhefeltdifferentwithJessie.Heknew
therewasnochancehe’deverberunningawayfromher.Ifshe’dhavehim,thatwas.

“Great,you’reback,”Coopersaidwhenhesawhisbrother.
“SorryIwasgonesolong,”hetoldhim.
“Nobigdeal.Canyouhandlethesecustomersthough?I’vegottogetbackinthegarageandgetthis

sleddonebeforetheTurnersgetbackheretopickitupatfour.”

“Ofcourse,”Cadeassuredhim.
Heglancedaroundtheshopandsawthreemenexaminingpiecesonthewall.Hewalkeduptothe

firstoneandofferedhisassistance.WhilehetalkedaboutthebenefitsoftheSki-DooXPBellyBrace,his
mindwasmilesaway.Wellnotquitethatfar;reallyjustdownMainStreetwithJessieatherapartment.
Whenhehadwalkedherhome,hedidn’twanttolethergo.Heknewshehadtobecauseshehadabusy
day with picking up her mom from the hospital and taking care of her and all. He totally understood. It
didn’tmeanhewasn’tmissingheralreadythough.Theyhadkissedforseveralminutesatherdoorbefore
hedraggedhimselfawaywithapromisetocallherlatertosaygoodnight.Cadecouldpracticallyfeel
herlipsnowashestoodhere.

“So,thisprotectstheA-Armarea?”thecustomeraskedCade.
Cade shook his head, trying to refocus on the present. “Hmm? Oh, right. Yes. It helps keep it safe

fromhardhitsandrocks.”

“Allright,I’lltakeit.Howmuch?”
“Seventy-five,”Cadetoldhim.“ComeonoverandI’llringyouup.”
Cadefinishedwiththecustomerandwaswritinghimselfanoteonapadofpaperneartheregister

whenhegotastrangefeeling.Likehewasbeingstaredat.Heflickedhiseyesupquicklyandadodgy
lookingguyinthecornerquicklyflungaroundandbecameabnormallyinterestedinwindshieldwipers.

Strange,Cadethought.Helookedthemanoverandnotedhisheavyflannelworkcoat.Anoddpick

ofattireforaroundthispart.

ThemanchancedalookatCadeoverhisshoulderandthenwhippedhisheadbackagain.
Hedefinitelywasactingodd.AndCadehadastrangefeelingthathesawhimbefore.Earlier,just

beforehe’ddroppedJessieoffatherapartment.Somethingaboutthatcoat.WasthisguyonMainwhen
he’dleftJessie’s?Washefollowinghim?

Cadewastiredofthesketchygamesthemanwasplayingandmarchedrightuptohim.“CanIhelp

youfindsomething?”

“Ah!”theguyyelped,obviouslyshockedtoseeCadesuddenlyappearnexttohim.“No,thanks,”he

squeakedandracedoutthedooroftheshop.

“Whowasthat?”Cashasked,comingoutoftheoffice.
Cadewalkedtothedoorandpeeredoutside.HewatchedthemanjumpintoanoldmaroonChevy

andteardownthestreet.HehadoutofstatelicenseplatesbutCadecouldn’tseefromwhere.Notthatthat
initselfwasentirelyunusual.LoadsofpeoplevacationinSnowyRidgefromoutofstate.Cadecouldn’t
helpfeelinglikesomethingwaswrongwiththatguythough.Hewastoo…nervous.Likehedidn’twantto
be caught. His looks were average, dark short cropped hair and dark eyes. Not an especially big guy.
Cadewasn’tworriedforhissafetyinanyway.Butthatguywasuptosomething.Onlywhat?

ChapterThirty-Two

ThedoorbellrangatJessie’smom’shouse.“IgotitMom,”shetoldher.“Don’tyoumove.Justrelax.”
Shetuckedtheafghanaroundhermomasshesatintheoldcomfylazyboychairinfrontofthetelevision
inthefamilyroom.AnepisodeofDr.Philwasplayingandthetopicwascatfishing.Oldwomanbeing
swindled of their life fortunes by men sitting in cyber cafes in another country pretending to be their
boyfriends.Itwassad.

LuciandJessiehadonlygottentheirmomhomeandsettledinthelasthourorso.Shewashappyto

leavethehospitalbutJessiehadbeennervoustakingheroutofthere.Ithadonlybeenadaybuthermom
lookedsmallerandweakertoher.LucinoticedJessie’spanicandassuredherthatthingswouldbebetter
whentheygotherhome.Everyonealwaysfeltbetterintheirownbedsandintheirownpajamas.

Jessie laid the remote on the end table next to her mom and went out into the front hall to get the

door.SheswungitopenandtherestoodApril,aboxfullofChinesetake-outcontainersinherhands.She
rushedintothehouseandsetthefooddownonatableinthefoyer.Justasshehadexpected,tearssprung
toJessie’seyesandshethrewherarmsaroundherbestfriend.Aprilsqueezedbacktightly.

“I’msogladyou’rehere,”JessiesaidintoApril’shair.
“WhereelsewouldIbe?”Aprilasked.
TheystoodlikethatforaminuteandthenJessiepulledaway.“Ugh,I’msuchamess.Ikeephaving

thesecryingjags.”

Aprilshruggedoffhercoatandtosseditonanearbychair.“Ofcourse,youare.Anyoneelseinthis

situationwouldbedoingthesamething.I’dbeapuddleforweeks.”

“Youbroughtfood,”Jessiesaideyeingthebox.
“Youguysdon’tneedtobeworryingaboutdinner.”
“HaveItoldyoulatelythatyou’rethebestfriendever?”
“Oh,pssh,”Aprilsaid.“YouknowIloveyouguys.Where’syourmom?CanIgoseeher?”
“Yeah,she’sinthefamilyroomwatchingTV.”
AprilwalkedoffintothefamilyroomandJessiecouldjusthearhersaying,“Hey,Mrs.Foster.”
“Dinner?”Luciasked,cominginfromoutside.
“Wherewereyou?”Jessieasked.
“Justaquickwalk.Ineededair.Smellsgood,whatisit?”
“Idon’tknow,Aprilbroughtusdinner.She’ssosweet.”
“Mmm, I’m starved,” Luci said. “Hope there’s stir-fried veggies. I’ll go get us some plates.” She

pickeduptheboxoffoodandheadedforthekitchen.

Jessiewatchedhersisterretreatintothekitchenandwonderedwhatshewasupto.Goingforawalk

rightwhentheygottheirmomhomefromthehospital?Odd.Eagertoeatthesaltandfat-ladenedChinese
food?Veryodd.Offeringtogetusplates?Well,that’sjustoffthechartspeculiar.

JessiejoinedhermomandAprilchattinginthefamilyroom.
“Basically,Ithinkwhatyouhaveisagroupofextremelylonelywomenwhodeep-downknowit’s

allanactbutarelyingtothemselves,”Aprilsaid.

“Iagree,”Jessie’smomreplied.“They’rebeingignorantonpurpose.”
“Whatareyoutwodoing,dissectingtheDr.Philepisode?”Jessieasked.
Her mom smiled up at her. “Yes, but now I’m getting tired and think I might nap if you two don’t

mind.”

“Sure,Mom.AprilbroughtChinesefoodfordinnerifyou’rehungrynowthough.”
“Aftermynap,maybe.IfI’mhungry,”shereplied.“ThankyouApril,”sheaddedbeforeclosingher

eyes.

AprilandJessietip-toedoutoftheroomandjoinedLuciinthekitchentoeat.Lucihadsetouttwo

platesandcupsforthegirlsandhadalreadyfilledherplatewithveggies.

“I’mgoingtotakethisuptomyroomtoeat,”sheannounced.“Letyoutwotalk.”
AprilraisedhereyebrowstoJessie.“Thatwasthoughtful.”
“Yeah,she’suptosomething.Justdon’tknowwhatitis.”
Aprillaughed.“Youandyoursistersaresomethingelse.”
“Oh, you don’t know the half of it,” Jessie said. The two women ate dinner and Jessie told April

everythingthathadhappenedthenightbefore.FromrunningintoCade,tothekiss,tothetextabouther
mom,andLuci’shugeconfessioninthehospitalwaitingroom.

“Noway,”Aprilsaid.“She’dbeentellingstoriesthiswholetime?”
Jessie nodded. “I was so shocked. She did apologize though. For everything. She went into full

detailsaboutthatnight,youknow,withJason.Andshereallydidseemtobesorry.”

“Really,” April said. She leaned in closer and rested her chin on one elbow. “Well that is

something.”

“Iknow.Sixyearsandsheneverapologizeduntilnow.”
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”Aprilasked.
“TrytoforgiveherIguess.Moveon.WhatelsecanIdo?Especiallynowwith…everything.”
Bothwomenturnedtheirheadsinthedirectionofthefamilyroom.
“Ican’tbelievethisishappening,”Jessiecontinued.“Ican’tbelieveshereallyhascancer.”
Aprilshookherhead.“Itisso,soawful.I’msosorry.”
“Wejusthavetohelpher.Bethereforher.Behave.”
“And you will,” April said. “This will bring you sisters back together. You’ve got to take care of

eachother.”

JessienoddedinagreementbutshestillfeltuncertainaboutwhereshestoodwithLuci.
April reached out and grabbed Jessie’s hand and a big smile spread across her face. “Okay, spill

about this little coffee date you and Cade had today. I heard Xan’s version but you better give me the
details.”

JessiereturnedhersmileandtoldAprilallaboutherandCade’sdate.

ChapterThirty-Three

Starlight had been different with their mom not there working with them. The sisters had insisted she
spendtheweekathomeresting,nomatterhowgoodshesaidshewasfeeling.Theywererunningthings
justfineatthepubandtheydidn’tneedherpassingoutandhittingherheadagain.

She’dletthemgoalongtoherappointmentwiththeoncologisttoaskquestions.Jessiehadtriedto

paycloseattentionbutalotofthedoctorwassayingwasgoingoverherhead.Wynnwastheonedoing
themosttalkingoutofthegroup:gettinginstructionsonhowtohelptakecareoftheirmom,herchemo
treatmentschedule,andwhentheyshouldplanforsurgery.Jessiedidhearonethingclearlythough.The
cancerwasconfinedtotheirmom’spancreas.Therewerenosignsofitspreadingtootherorgans,tissues,
orlymphnodes.Theyallbreathedasighofreliefwhentheyheardthat.

“See?”theirmomhadsaid.“ItoldyouI’dbeokay.”
“We’renotoutofthewoodsyet,”thedoctorhadcutin.“Thesurvivalratepercentageforthistypeof

cancerisn’thigh.Butyou’reearlystageandingoodhealthotherwise.We’llneedtodosurgerytoremove
thetumorafterwe’veshrunkitbutyourchancesarebetterthanmost.”

HehadgoneontalkingbutJessiehadheardwhatsheneeded.Therewashope.Theycouldjustdo

whattheyneededtodoandtheirmomwouldkickcancerintheassandlifecouldgobacktonormal.

“Jessie?Youokayonyourownforawhile?I’vegottogopickupMelodyfromthesitter,”Wynn

saidasshepeekedintothekitchen.

Jessielookedupfromtheorderformshewasbentover.Sheandtheheadcook,Ralph,weregoing

overnextweek’sfoodorderandmakingsomemodifications.“SureWynn,I’vegotit.It’sslowrightnow
anyway.”

ToRalphshesaid,“Ithinkwe’regoodtogo,”andthenheadedbackintothediningarea.
There was only one customer nursing a peppermint patty, a mug of hot chocolate with a shot of

peppermintSchnapps,atatable.Shesaidshe’dsprainedheranklewalkingonsomeicethedaybefore
andwasjustgoingtohangoutandreadabookwhileherfamilywasoutsnowmobiling.

Jessiewalkedaroundtheroomtidyingup.HerthoughtswereonCadeandtheirdatethatnight.He’d

said they were going to do something special and it would be a surprise. Jessie couldn’t even begin to
guesswhatitwouldbe.Sheknewthistownbackwardandforwardanddidn’tthinktherewasanything
that could surprise her but if anyone could do it, it was Cade. They’d been texting back and forth and
having late night phone marathons ever since their coffee date earlier in the week. When she wasn’t
talkingtohim,shewasthinkingabouthim.Andsheknewonethingforsure.Shewastotallyfallingfor
him.Hard.

Thetimingforanewrelationshipwasofcourse,terrible.AndJessiefelttheoccasionaltwingeof

guilt. Part of her thought she should put absolutely everything aside and concentrate on her mom one
hundredpercent.Thatsheshouldbetherewithhereverysecondofthedaythatshewasn’tworking.But
thenshethought,ofcoursehermomwouldn’twantthat.Shekeptstressingthatshewasdoingfineandthat
Jessie, Wynn, and Luci should keep with their regular routines. Neither options were entirely realistic
though.Eversincetheyfoundouttheirmomhadcancer,nothingabouttheirdailyroutinewasnormal.The
sistersdivvieduptheirtimeevenlybetweenStarlightandattendingtotheirmom.Jessiereasonedthatthe
timeshewasn’twithhermomorworkingwasbetterspentwithCadethanaloneinherapartment.Cade
kepthergoing;keptherfromsinkingintoadeepdepressionthatsheknewcouldhappenifshesataround
worryingabouthermomconstantly.

Asthesunset,thecrowdinStarlightgrewwithhungrydiners.Luciwashustlingaroundtheroom

takingorders.Shehadbeenatthehousebutcamebacktohelpwhentheirmomhadfallenasleep.Wynn
hadreturnedwithMelodyandplunkedheratacornercounterinthekitchenwithaniPadplayingMickey
Mouse Clubhouse. It wasn’t the ideal situation and before her sisters came back home, Jessie would

neverletatoddlerlooseinthekitchen,especiallyduringthedinnerhour.Butshewasrelaxingherrules
thesedays.Theywerealldoingtheirbestandit’sjusthowithadtobe.Besides,Ralphsaidheandhis
staffwouldkeepaneyeonherandcatchherifshetriedtowanderoff.

The sisters worked well together and before they knew it the crowd was winding down and there

were just a few tables of lingerers left. Wynn came out of the kitchen carrying a sleepy Melody on her
shoulderandjoinedJessiebehindthebar.

“Aw,watchingRalphcookwipedherout,eh?”Jessieasked.ShereachedoutandrubbedMelody’s

back.

Wynnnoddedbutdidn’tsayanything.
Jessie examined her sister’s face and could see her eyes were full of tears threatening to spill.

“Wynn,what’sgoingon?”

Wynnjustshookherheadnoandcasthereyesdownward.
“Tellme.Icanseeyou’reupset.”
WynnadjustedMelodyinherarms,placinghermorefirmlyonhershoulderandpulledherphoneout

ofherpocket.ShehandedittoJessieandwhispered,“Hejustwon’tquit.”

Jessiequicklyreadthetext.ItwasBillyagain.

Jessie,Billyhere.IcalledSnowyRidgeMemorialHospitalandthereis
noWynnFosterlisted.What’sgoingon?

Jessie’sjawslightlydropsopen.“Thismotherf-“shebegunbutthenglancedatMelodyandstopped

herself.“LikeweneedthisrightnowwitheverythinggoingonwithMom.Well,I’mgoingtoputanendto
itrightnow.”Jessietypedfuriouslyintothephoneandhitsend.“There,”shesaidandturnedthephone
aroundforWynntoread.

Oh Billy, It’s so awful. I’m so sorry to be the one to tell you this
but sadly, my dear sister, Wynn, passed on. It was very sudden. We’ve
had her cremated and she was buried next to our father. Her favorite
cousin, the one with two kids who lives on the big beautiful ranch
south of here is adopting Melody. It was what Wynn wanted. I’m so
sorry. It’s a very painful time for my family so please give us the
privacytogrieve.

Wynn’seyesbulged.“OhmyGod,Jessie!That’ssofreakingmorbidandawful!Ican’tbelieveyou

sentthat.”

Jessieshrugged.Shesuddenlyfeltapangofguilt.Thatwascrueltodototheguybutit’snotlikehe

left them with a whole lot of options. “Yeah,” she hesitantly agreed. “You’re right. That was pretty
terrible.Butyousaidsoyourself.Hewasn’tgoingtostop.Maybenowhewill.”

Wynn shook her head and turned off her phone. “I can’t even read what he says to your text,” she

said,slippingthephonebackintoherpocket.

Jessie frowned. “Sorry, Wynn. I just acted hastily. I should have thought it out more. We probably

couldhavecomeupwithsomethingelse.”

“It’s…it’sfine,”Wynnsaid.“Hopefullythisputsthefinalnailinthecoffinonthatrelationship.”
Jessiegroaned.“Oh,Wynn.Thatwasbad.”
Wynn gave Jessie a curious look and then realization took over. She cracked a small smile and

groanedtoo.“Thatwasbad.Ohman.”ShereadjustedMelodyonhershoulder.“Okay,ifyou’vegotthings
okayhereI’mgoingtorunherbacktothehouseandputhertobed.I’llcheckinonMomtoo.Makesure
shehaseverythingsheneeds,”Wynnsaid.

“Ofcourse,we’llmanagejustfine.Goonahead,”Jessiesaid.“AndI’msorryIkilledyouoff,”she

added.

Wynn smirked and left. Jessie grabbed one of the big beige tubs and began bussing a table full of

dishes.

“Youcangoontoo,”Lucisaidasshebussedanearbytable.

“Hmm?”Jessiesaid.Shestoppedandlookedathersister.
“Icantakecareofallthis,”Lucisaidwithanodtotherestofthediningroom.

“AndI’llstayandcloseuptonighttoo.”

Jessieshookherhead.“It’stoomuchworkforoneperson.We’llbequickertogether.”
“Don’tyouhaveabigdatetonightthough?I’msureyouwantsometimetogetready.”
Jessielookeddownatherwatch.It’strue.Cadewascomingtopickherupatherapartmentatnine

p.m.anditwasjustaftereight.Butshecouldn’tdumpallofthisworkonLuci.

“Seriously,” Luci said. “Go. I really can handle this.” She smiled widely at her sister. “And what

elsehaveIgottodotonight?”

Jessiegrinnedbackatherandsetdownthetubofdishes.“Well,ifyou’rereallysure…”
“Yes!Nowgoalready.”
“Thanks, Luci!” Jessie gave her sister a quick hug. “And text me if you have any questions.” She

racedtothebackroomtogethercoatandpurseandthenheadedoutofStarlightandtowardhome.

ChapterThirty-Four

Cade couldn’t believe he was really doing this. He’d never gone such lengths for any girl before. He
didn’tevenrecognizehimselfatthispoint.Andforgetabouthisbrothers.Whenhetoldthemhisplansfor
this special date with Jessie tonight they just laughed and laughed. Cooper had said, “What, are you
filming a promo for a cheesy Lifetime movie? Do real live people actually do this kind of stuff?” And
Cashhadsaid,“You’respendinghowmuch?Onjustonegirl?”Cadehadreplied,“Yeah,areallyspecial
one.”Cooperhadsaid,“Yourheadoverheelsdude.”Andhewas.Eventhoughitwaswaytooearlyto
everscreamitoutloud,CadeknewJessiehadhisheart.He’ddoanythingforher.

JustafewminutespastnineCadearrivedoutsideofJessie’sapartment.Hegrabbedthedozenroses

thathadbeenlyingintheseatnexttohimandranupthestairstoherapartmenttogether.Herappedatthe
doorandamomentlaterJessieflungitopen.

Shestoodbeforehimbeaming,hereyesbrightandhappytoseehim.Hersilkybrownhairlooked

likeshe’dcarefullycurleditforthatevening,thoughheloveditanywaysheworeit:curled,hernatural
waves, or ironed straight. She had on a long thick coat, which was good for his plans, but no other
outerwear.

“Grabahatandgloves,”hetoldher.
Shegavehimapuzzledlook.“I’llbefinewithoutthem.”
“No,really.You’llneedit,”heinsisted.
She hesitated but then retreated into the apartment and grabbed her hat, scarf, and gloves. “Where

exactlyarewegoing?”

Hesmiledbroadlyandtookherhand.“You’llsee.”
CadeledJessiedownthestairsandwhenhepushedthedooropentothecoldnightheheardJessie

gasp.

“Noway!”shesaid,coveringhermouthwithonehand.“Buthow?Imean,wherediditcomefrom?

Thisisincredible!”

CadesqueezedJessie’shandandthenhelpedherintothegianthorse-drawnsleigh.
“I just,” she continued, “I don’t know how you got this here. I mean, there’s a giant sled on Main

Street.”Shelookedaround.“OhmyGod,peoplearestaringatus.”

“Nah,”Cadesaid.“They’restaringatthesleigh.”
Itwastrue,thesleighwasgorgeous.Itwasalargebrowndouble-seatedopensleighwithluxurious

greenvelvetcoveredseats.Thickwarmblanketslayontheseatwaitingforthem.Inthefrontsatadriver,
cloakedinalongdarkcoatandwearinganoldfashionedblacktophat.Heheldthereignsforthetwo
massivebrownhorsesthatwouldpullthemontheirride.

Jessie nestled back into the seat and Cade tucked the soft blanket around her and himself. Jessie’s

mouthwasstillslightlypartedlikeshestillcouldn’tbelievewhatwashappening.

“Ihopeyoudon’tminddessertbeforedinner,”Cadeasked,producingabasketfromnearhisfeet.
“Whome?Never,”Jessiesaid.ShepeeredintothebasketasCadeliftedthelid.
Hepulledoutaplasticcontainerofhomemadechocolatechipcookiesthathehopedtastedasgood

astheylooked.Hehadn’tbakedmuchbeforetodaybuttherecipehadseemedeasyenough.

Jessielookedathiminwonder.“Youmadethese?”
“Yep,”hesaidwithanod.Hethenpulledoutathermosofhotchocolateandtwomugs.
Sheshookherheadslowly.“Ican’tbelieveyoureallydidallofthis.Ithoughtwewouldjustgraba

cheeseburgerorgobowlingorsomething.Ididn’texpectsomethinglikethis.Itmusthavecostafortune.”

ItwashardertogetthesleighherethanCadeinitiallythought.Hehadtogivetheguyanextratwo

hundreddollarsontopofhisregularfeetogethimtocomeherefromtwotownsaway.Butoncehehad
theideainmindheknewhehadtomakeithappen.

He poured the hot chocolate and handed her one. “You’re worth every penny,” he said. “And you

deservesomethingspecial.Iwantedtomakeyouhappy.”Hepaused,examiningherface.“Areyou?”

JessienuzzledinclosetoCade,theircheekstouching.“Sohappy,”shesighed.
The driver started the horses and their sleigh ride began. Cade felt like he’d stepped right into a

Christmascardastheypassedthroughthesnowblanketedtown,enjoyingthestringsofwhitelightsthat
outlinedallofitsquaintfeatures.CadewrappedhisarmtightaroundJessieandshelaidherheadonhis
shoulder. He leaned softly on the top of her head and knew there was nowhere in the world that he’d
ratherbeandnoonehe’dratherbewith.HewasfallinginlovewithJessie.

Aroundforty-fiveminutesorsolatertheirridewasdrawingtoaclose.
“Wherearewestopping?”Jessieaskedlookingaround.
“Justupahead.Mytruckisparkedthereandsoisthedriver’sandhistrailer.”
Jessie looked around. They were just at the edge of town which was mostly empty fields and no

lights.

ThedriverslowedthesledandhorsestoastopandCadehelpedJessieoff.Thesnowwasstarting

tocomedownmuchheaviernowandhegaveJessiehiskeyssoshecouldwaitinsidewhilehesquared
thingsawaywiththedriver.

Afterhethankedthemanagain,Cadeclutchedthepicnicbasketinhishandandheadedtothetruck.

ThecabwaswarmfromtheheatblastingandJessiewasinthepassengerseatbeltingoutthelatestAdele
songalongwiththeradio.Hesmiledandslidinnexttoher.

“Wheretonow?”shesaid,beamingathim.
Hepattedthesnowoffhisheadwithhishandsandflippedonthewindshieldwipers.Thesnowwas

freshenoughthatitcameoffeasily.“Well,Ihadplannedonushavingapicnicdinnerunderthestarssince
theweathermanhadsaidtodaywasgoingtobeabitwarmerandclear.I’dsetupatableandchairsoutin
the clearing up ahead. I’m guessing that table and chairs is now under three or four inches of snow
though.”

JessielookedatthetimeonthedashboardclockandturnedtoCade,grinning.“Iknowtheperfect

placewecanhaveyourdinner.”

Roughly twenty minutes later Jessie was unlocking the front door of Starlight and flipping on the

lights.“See?It’sclosedrightnowsowe’llhavetheplacetoourselves.Pickanywhereyouwanttositand
I’llgomakeussomedrinks,”shesaid,walkingawayfromhim.

Cadeslippedoffhisjacketandhungitonachairashelookedaround.Theycouldsitatanyofthe

tablesbuttheycoulddothatanytime.“Hey,Jessie,”hesaid.

Sheglancedupfrombehindthebar.“Yeah?”
“Doyouhaveablanketwecoulduse?”
Shegavehimaslygrin.“Forwhat?”
“Iwasjustthinkingwecouldmakeapicnicinfrontofthefireplace,”hesaid.
She smiled. “Great idea. Let me grab one from the office.” She hurried in back and returned a

momentlaterwithathickredandblackflannelblanketinherarms.“Hereyougo.Goaheadandsetup
andI’llberightbackwithourdrinks.”

Cadeflippedaswitchthatstartedthefireplaceandthenspreadouttheblanketandplacedacandle

he had brought with him in the center and lit it. He pulled out a small oval platter of cubes of cheddar
cheese,crackers,andabunchofgreengrapesfromthebasketandremovedthecellophanebeforeplacing
itontheblanket.He’dalsopackedcoldchickenandasaladforthemainmealtotakeoutwhenthetime
came.Heplacedtwosetsofdishesandsilverwareoutontheblanketandpulledthebottleofwineoutof
thebasketandputitnearthecandle.TheycouldopenitaftertheyfinishedthedrinksJessiewasmaking.
There.Itlookedjustlikehe’dhopeditwould.Boywouldhisbrothersgivehimahardtimeiftheycould
seehimnow,hethoughttohimselfwithachuckle.

AfewminuteslaterJessieheadedtowardCadecarryingabeerforhimandamixeddrinkofsome

sortforherself.“Wow,”shesaid,hereyesgrowingasshesurveyedthespread.“Youreallydothinkof
everything.”

Cadeshrugged,suddenlyfeelingabitnervous.
Jessie took a seat next to him and handed him his drink. They both sipped quietly for a moment,

staringatthefire.

CadeturnedtowatchJessie.Shewassobeautiful.Herskinglowedinthelightofthefireandher

brownherfelldownherbackinperfectwaves.Shecaughthimlookingatherandgrinned.

Cadetookherlefthandandplaceditinhisonhislap.Hegentlyrubbedherfingersandreachedout

withhisotherhandtomoveapieceofherhairbehindherear.Shelookeddownatherlapshylybutthen
returnedhereyestohis.

“Doyougotothismuchtroubleforallofyourdates?”sheasked.
“Never,” he returned in a gravely voice. He cleared his throat and continued. “I guess no one has

everinspiredmethewayyoudo.”

JessiemovedevenclosertoCadeandtookhisotherhandinhers.Shepulledhisarmstowardher

andhegotthehintandquicklywrappedthemaroundherbackandheldhertight.Heleanedinandkissed
her gently at first but when he felt her hands wrap around his neck and the back of his head he began
kissingherwithmoreintensity.

Theymadeoutforseveralminutes,abandoningthefoodanddrinks.Cadelaidbackontheblanket,

pushingthedishesoutofthewayandJessielaidontopofhim.Hehadnointentionofpushingthingspast
anymorethansomelightpettingbutJessiesuddenlysatupandpulledhershirtoverherhead,revealinga
lacyblackbra.Shebenttowardhimandbeganunbuttoninghisshirtonebuttonatatimeusinghermouth.

Hisheartwasbeatingfast.Hecouldfeelhimselfgettingexcitedandwastryingtoresist.Tothinkof

anythingelse.Work…baseball…thelastpresidentialaddress…Jessie’ships.Ah,itwasn’tworking.

Shepulledhisshirtoffandtosseditoutoftheway.Theyresumedkissing,withmoreurgencyand

Cade’sbrainkepttryingtointerruptandtellhimtoholdon.Goslow.Ifthingswenttoofar,wouldJessie
thinkhewasjustusingher?Howcouldheshowherthatshemeantmoretohimthansomeone-nightstand;
thathetrulycaredaboutherandwantedarelationship?

Jessiestoodupandwiggledoutofherjeans.Cadeknewhewasintrouble.Hepushedhimselfupto

aseatedpositionandtookherallin.Jessiestraddledhislapandwrappedherarmsaroundhisneck.

Cadewasbreathinghardandhisvoicecameoutlowandhuskywhenhewhisperedinherear,“Are

yousure?”

JessiesatbackabitsoshecouldlookdeepintoCade’seyes.“I’msosure.”

ChapterThirty-Five

Jessie’s skin tingled and her cheeks grew warm every time she thought about the night before. Did that
reallyhappen?Itwassweetandromanticandjustsoperfectshecouldpinchherself.Shecouldn’tbelieve
Cadehadplannedthatwholenightjustforher.Andthewayithadendedblewhermind.Shecouldfeel
herfaceflushagainandwonderedifeitherofhersistersorco-workerscouldtellwhatwasonhermind
that morning as they prepped for the lunch crowd. Or sense what they did on that very table Luci was
setting. Or that spot on the floor right in front of the fire place. Or up against the bar where Linda was
fillingthenapkindispensers.Jessieclosedhereyesandshivered,smilingtoherself.

“You’recertainlyinagoodmoodthismorning,”Wynnsaid.
Jessieopenedhereyesandturnedtowardhersister.“ThatIam.It’sabeautifulday.”
“Mmmhmm,”Wynnsaidinaknowingvoice.
“What?”Jessieasked.Shereachedupandtouchedhercheek.Wasitthatobvious?Couldhersister

tellshehadspentlastnightwithCade?No,shewasbeingsilly.

“You’resmilingtoyourselfagain,”Wynnsaid,interruptingherthoughts.
“Hmm?”Jessiesaid.Shedidn’tquitecatchwhatWynnhadsaid.
“Whatgoingon?”Luciasked,joiningthem.
“Jessiehadsexlastnight,”Wynnansweredmatter-of-factly.
“Shedid?”Lucisaidwithahugegrin.
“What?” Jessie stammered. “Wynn! Shh! Why would you say that?” She looked around to see if

anyoneelsehadheard.

“Seriously? That’s the same after-sex face you had as a teenager. You’re so darn cute. And

transparent,”sheadded.

“Withwho?”Luciasked.“Hotguy?”
“Hehasanameyouknow,”Jessiesaid.“It’sCade.Andevenifsomethingdidhappenit’snoneof

yourguys’businesssostoptalkingaboutit.”

“You’rerightWynn,shetotallydidit,”Lucisaid.Sheheldherhandupforahigh-fivefromJessie.
“OhmyGod,guys!”Jessiesaid,ignoringLuci’swaitinghand.Sheturnedonherheelandwentback

inthekitchentocooloffandgetawayfromhersisters.Shesmiledtoherselfwhenshewassafelybehind
thedoor.Shewasn’treallyirritatedwithhersisters’teasing.Itactuallyremindedherofoldtimes.They
used to do the same thing to her each time she returned from a date in high school. It was sharing a
memorywithhersistersafterbeingoutofeachother’slivesforsolong.

ButnowtheydidhaveJessiewondering,doesshereallyhaveanafter-sexface?
Herphonebuzzedinherpocketandshepulleditoutandclickedonhermessages.Itwasatextfrom

April.

Okaygirl.Spill.Needdetails.

Jessiesmiledtoherselfagain.Shefeltlikeshewouldbesmilingalldaylong.Shequicklytypeda

messagebacktoApril.

Workingnowsofulldetailslater.ButomgApril,itwasAMAZING.Times
ten.

Aprilsentback:

Youhadsex,didn’tyou?

Jessiesentbackadevilemojiwiththeword

LATER

andslippedherphonebackintoherpocket.

Shewasputtingtogetheratrayofwaterglasseswhensheheardadeepvoiceoutinthediningarea.

Hewasgoingonandonaboutsomethinganditdidn’tsoundlikehewasjustaregulardiner.Morelikea
salesmanofsomesort.Jessiepeeredoutthekitchendoorandsawabuilt,tallman,maybe6’2”orso,ina
fancydarksuitandbrightredtie.Definitelynotoneoftheirregulars.Ugh.Sheguessedshe’dhavetobe
theonetogogetridofhimbeforehepesteredanyactualpayingcustomers.

Jessiesetthetraydownandwalkedoutintothediningroom,readytohelpthehandsomemanfind

thedoor.

“Sorry, we’re not looking to change our alcohol provider and our paper goods are just fine.

Whateveryou’reheretosellwedon’tneed,”shesaidasshereachedhim.

Themanblinkedafewtimesandthengaveherawidegrin.Heputouthishandtowardher,waiting

forahandshake.“MynameisEvan,EvanMonroe.AndI’mnotheretosellyoupapergoods.”

Jessiehesitantlyacceptedhishandshake.“Well,Mr.Monroe,we’vegotalotgoingonrightnowand

justaren’tinterestedinmakinganynewpurchases.Whateveritisyou’reheretosell.”

“I’mnotlookingtotakeyourmoney,onlymakeyoumoney,MissFoster.”
Jessiequicklypulledherhandback.OhGod,washeoneofthosepyramidschemepeople?Washe

herelookingforpeopletomaketheirownfortunessellingmagichandcreamorcandles?

Jessieputbothhandsupnowandshookthem.“Wereallydon’tneedanythingsoifyoudon’tmind…

wait.DidyousayyourlastnamewasMonroe?AreyourelatedtoBetsMonroe?”

EvansmiledatJessieagain.“Yes,Iam.She’smyaunt.I’mgoingtobestayinghereinSnowyRidge

forawhile,livingwithAuntBetsandworkingwithherinherrealestateoffice.”

JustthenLuciappearedatJessie’sside.“Soyou’reEvanMonroe?Wow,yousoundedcuteonthe

phonebutyou’relike,unbelievablyhotinperson.”

Jessierolledhereyes.EvertheshyoneLuciwas.
Evanraisedhiseyebrows.“Um,thanks.”
“Waitaminute,”Jessieinterruptedtheflirtfestandturnedtowardhersister.“Youcalledhim?For

what?”

Lucisearchedhersister’sface.“Um,uh…”
Jessie suddenly felt really uneasy about what was going on here. “What Luci? Why did you call

him?”shedemanded.

Wynnjoinedthegroupnearthedoor.“What’sgoingon?You’regettingkindofloud.”
Jessieglancedaroundtheroom.Therewereonlyafewcustomers.Thelunchcrowdhadn’tstarted

yet.“I’mnottryingtobeloud.IjustwanttoknowwhyLucicalledBets’snephewhere.”

Lucisuddenlylookedlikeshe’dratherbeanywhereelseintheworldbutstandinginthemiddleof

thisconversation.

Evansteppedin.“ShesaidyourfamilywaslookingintosellingtheStarlightPubhere.”Helooked

aroundtheroom.“AndI’vegottotellyou,it’sabeautifulplace.I’msureyou’dgetanofferinnotimeat
all.Businessesarealwayslookingtoexpandandmightsnapuptheplace.Oritcouldbeconvertedintoa
yogastudioorajuicebar.Orsomeonemightwanttooperateitasapubjustlikeyourfamilydid.There’s
alotofpotentialhere.”

Jessie was completely floored. She felt like her heart had come to a crashing halt and blood was

poolinginherhead.Sheclenchedherfistshard.ShewantedtokillLuci.

“What?”shepracticallyscreamed,glaringatLuci.
Wynn spoke up. “I’m sorry, Mr. Monroe, this must be some sort of mistake. We’re not selling the

pub.”

“Whodoyouthinkyouare?”JessieyelledatLuci.
“What?”Luciasked,shrinkingbackfromJessie.“I’mjustthinkingaboutMom.I’mtryingtogiveher

someoptions.Shecan’tkeepworking.Andshe’llneedmoneyfortreatments.”

JessiewantedtothrottleLuci.“Well,that’sforherandmetodecide.Andsellingthepubisnotan

option.Youhavenosayhere.Norights.Thisismypub!”sheadded.“Youcan’tjustcomebacktoSnowy
Ridgeandkeeptryingtoruinmylife.”

“I’mnottryingtoruinyourlife,”Lucisaid,suddenlysoundingdefensive.
WhichonlyirritatedJessieevenmore.

Luci’seyesdartedaroundtheroom.Peoplehadstoppedeatingandwerewatchingthesistersfight.
“Bullshit!”Jessiesnapped.“That’sallyoueverdo!Grabyourincense,youryogamat,andtherest

ofyourhippydippyshitandgobacktoNewYork,Luci!Wedon’twantorneedyouhere,”shespatather.

To Evan, Jessie said, “sorry we wasted your time. This pub is not for sale. Ever,” she added

throwingonemoreglareathersister.

Withthat,sheturnedandstompedtowardthebackoffice.ThiswasthelaststrawforherwithLuci.

Theyweredone.

ChapterThirty-Six

Jessieslammedthedoorbehindherandpacedthesmallroom.Shefeltlikehercheekswereonfire,she
wassomad.WhatthehellwasLucithinking?Theyhadn’tsaidtwowordstoeachotherinsixyearsand
nowshewasbackhomeforafewweeksandsomehowthoughtitwasherplacetotryandsellJessie’s
business. Who does that? A deranged lunatic that’s who. Why did Jessie ever let her guard down with
Luci? She knew better. She’s no sister. What kind of sister sleeps with her sister’s boyfriend? Jessie
shouldhavejusttrustedherinstinctsandneverforgivenLuci.Luciwaspureevil.

Jessiecouldn’tcalmdown.Shekeptmakinglapsaroundtheroomassheglancedattheclockonthe

walloverthedoor.Shit,shethought.Theywereabouttogetslammedwiththelunchcrowd.Sheknew
she’dhavetoleavetheofficesoontohandlethecustomersbutshedidn’ttrustthatshewouldn’tslapLuci
rightinthefaceifshehadtoseeherjustthen.

Therewasaknockatthedoor.
Jessie glared at it. It was probably Luci with another sob story to try and excuse away her bad

behaviorandlackofrespectforJessie.Shedidn’tcarewhatLuci’stalewasthistime,shedidn’twantto
hearit.

“Jessie,it’sme,”Wynncalledfromtheothersideofthedoor.
Jessiecrossedtheroomandyankedopenthedoor.
“CanIcomein?”Wynnasked.
ShenoddedandWynnwalkedpastherandJessieshutthedoor.
Wynn walked around the office, running her fingers over knick-knacks and pausing to pick up a

pictureofthethreesisterswiththeirarmstossedaroundeachother’sshoulders.Itwastakensometime
beforetheyhittheirteens.“I’vealwayslovedMom’soffice,”Wynnannounced,stillstaringatthepicture.

“What’sup,Wynn?”Jessiesaid,gettingtothepoint.“I’mtryingtolowermybloodpressuresoIcan

getbackoutthereandworklunch.”

Wynnsettheframebackdowninitsplaceandlookedathersister.“IknowwhatLucididwasreally

stupidandshesteppedcompletelyoutofherplace.Youare150%right,Jessie.Itotallygetthatyou’re
angry.”

Jessie’seyebrowsshotup.“But?Iknowthere’sa‘but’comingWynnandIreallydon’twanttohear

it.NomoreexcusingLuci’sbehaviororlaughingitoffandsayingthat’sjusthowsheis.”

“I’mnotexcusing…”
“Angry?”Jessieinterrupted.Herpulsepoundedonceagain.“I’mnotjustangry,Wynn.I’mso over

Luciandhercrap.We’resocompletelydoneandthere’snocomingbackfromit.ShecanstaywithMom
ifthat’swhatMomwantshertodobutIwantLucioutofmypub.Andoutofmylife.I’mthroughputting
upwithanymoreofherantics.”

“Now hold on,” Wynn said, moving toward Jessie. “Yes, Luci has really crappy judgement

sometimesbutIdon’tthinkshemeanttohurtyou.”

Jessie was flabbergasted. “What? She excels in hurting me. She holds the frickin’ Olympic gold

medalincausingmepain.”

Wynn sighed and rubbed her forehead with her hand. “You two have a complicated history, I get

that.”

“Ha!” Jessie interrupted. She crossed her arms and angrily slumped down in the chair behind the

desk.

“Butshethoughtshewashelping,Jessie.Shewasjusttryingtodo…something.”
“Howdoestakingawayourincomehelpanyone?”Jessieasked.
“Iknow,Iknow,”Wynnsaid.“ItoldyouIagree,herjudgementsucks.Butshewasjusttryingtofind

awaytohelpout.We’reallkindofreelingsincefindingoutMom’sdiagnosis.Lucithoughtthiswould

makethingseasieronMom.Ithinksherealizesnowthatitwasanawfulidea.”

Jessiestaredathersisterbutdidn’tsayanything.
“You should have seen her face when you screamed at her and left,” Wynn continued. “She didn’t

think out her actions well enough. I don’t think she thought you’d be mad until right then when she saw
yourface.She’sdevastatedrightnowthinkingyouhateher.”

“Good.Sheshouldbe.”Jessiemumbled.
“Comeon,”Wynnurged.“Nothingbadcameofit.WesentEvanMonroeonhiswayandtoldhimwe

weren’tinterestedinselling.YouandLuciwerecomingalongsogreat.Don’tletthisonemisstepthrow
everythingyoutwohaveworkedoninyourrelationshipoutthedoor.”

Jessiesighedheavilybutdidn’tsayanything.Wynndidn’tgetit.HerandLucineverhadthekindof

problemsthatsheandLucihad.

Wynnwaitedafewmomentsandthenspokeagain.“Well,justthinkaboutitanyway.Thethreeofus

needeachother,Jessie.WeneedtohelpMomrightnowandkeepthepubgoing.Weneedtoleanonone
anotherforsupport.Notgoourseparateways.”

Jessieturnedawayandstaredoutthesmallwindow.Shecouldseeamomhelpingalittleboylearn

howtoiceskateonthefrozenpondinthedistance.

Wynnsighed.“Allright.I’mgoingtogetbacktoworkthen.”
“Be there in a few,” Jessie responded. She didn’t look up until she heard the door close behind

Wynn.

ChapterThirty-Seven

Cade couldn’t wait for the work day to be over. Soon as they flipped the closed sign he was headed
straightovertoStarlighttoseeJessie.Shewasallhecouldthinkaboutalldaylong.

He pulled into the Starlight Pub parking lot and noticed it wasn’t too full. Only six or seven cars

were there. He’d hoped that meant Jessie could spend a little time with him. He’d order a beer or
somethingandsitatthebar.

He walked into the pub and Jessie was at the cash register looking really stressed as she finished

ringingupabill.Whenshesawhimcomeinherfacelitup.

“Cade,”shesaidwarmly,tossingthereceiptsonthecounterandwrappingherarmsaroundhisneck.

“I’msogladyoustoppedin.”

“AmIbotheringyou?”heasked,thoughhedidn’treallythinkhewas.True,shelookedabitfrazzled

butseemedgenuinelypleasedtoseehim.

“God,no,”shesaid,shakingherhead.“Please,botherme.IneedallofthedistractionIcanget.It’s

beenanawfulday.”Hersmiledreturned.“Butitjustgotathousandtimesbetternowthatyou’rehere.Can
Igetyousomethingtoeat?Todrink?”

“No,I’mfine.Really.”Cadegaveheraconcernedlook.“I’msorryit’sbeensorough.Howmuch

longerdoyouhavetostay?CanItakeyououttoeatsomewhereelse?Giveyouabreak?”

Jessieglancedaroundtheroom.“Iwish.”
JustthenhersisterWynnjoinedthem.“Takeher,please,”shesaidwithasmile.
“Ican’tleaveyouwithallthecleanup,”Jessieprotested.
“You’re not,” Wynn returned. “Luci and Linda are here too. You need to get away. Really, I don’t

mind.”

JessielookedbetweenWynnandCade.“Well,ifyoureallydon’tmind,”shesaid,alreadyremoving

herapronandwalkingtowardtheoffice.

“Havefunyoutwo,”Wynncalled.
Cade followed Jessie to her office to retrieve her bag and a few moments later they were in his

truck.Hestartedtheengineandlookedoverather.Sheleanedherheadagainstthewindowwithhereyes
closed.

“Thatbad?”heasked.
Jessieturnedtofacehim.“Well,ifyouconsidermysistertriedtosellmypubwithouttellingme,

yeah,notthegreatestdayever.”

“What?”hesaidalarmed.
Jessie unloaded the whole story on him from start to end, including how everyone in her family

expectedherandLucitohavethisgreatsisterlylovewhenshedidn’tthinkshe’devertrustheragainlet
alonetolerateherpresence.Whenshewasdonetalkinghecouldseeherexpressionwasevensadderthan
whenshefirstgotinthetruck.

“Issomethingelsewrong?”Cadeasked.
“It’s just, I’m sorry I’m dumping all of this on you. You don’t need to hear my family drama. You

didn’tcomeoverhereforthis.”

“Ididtoo,”hesaid.“Icametoseeyou.Andyoushouldn’tfeelbadfortalkingtome.Youcantellme

anything,anytime,anywhere,andI’llalwayslisten.Promise.”

“Really?”shesaid.
“Really. I have such a great time being with you, Jessie. And I don’t just mean…well, everything.

WhenI’mwithyouIdon’twantthetimetoendandwhenI’mnotwithyouI’mcountingtheminutesuntilI
canseeyouagain.Ithoughtaboutyoualldaytoday.”

Jessie’scheekspinkedabitandshescootedacrosstheseatandsnuggledintoCade.“Ithoughtabout

youalldaytodaytoo.ExceptforthetimesIwantedtokill,Luci.”

He was so relieved to hear she’d been thinking about him too. He’d never felt so strongly, so

quickly,forsomeoneandsometimeshefeltlikehewassayingtoomuch.Likeheshouldplayitcooland
aloof.Butthenhethoughtthehellwithit,hewasjustgoingtobehonest.

“Let’sturnthisdayaroundforyou.Iknowagreatplacewecangofordinnerifyou’reuptoit.”
“Definitely,”shereplied.“Let’sgo.”
Cade put the truck in reverse and pulled out of the Starlight parking lot and onto Main. Twenty

minuteslaterhepulledupoutsideasmallItalianplacecalled,Isabella’s.Itwasinaredbrickbuilding
withlargegreenshutters.Whenyouentered,therewassoftItalianmusicplaying,flowersindecorative
vases, and taper candles burning in old wine bottles on every table. It was definitely the kind of place
coupleswentandeveryonetherelookedliketheywereindeepconversationswitheachother.He’dheard
thefoodwasamazingandhadwantedtotryit.

Cade spoke to the maître d’ and then took Jessie’s hand as they followed him to their table. They

wereinasmall,highbackboothanditfeltliketheywereallaloneintherestaurant.HetookJessie’scoat
andsheslidintothebooth.Hecouldseethelinesthatwerecreasingherforeheadrelaxandhewasglad.
She looked beautiful in the candle light and he didn’t want her to worry about anything or anyone else
tonight.Hejustwantedthemtoenjoytheirtimetogether.

Their waiter came by and asked if they wanted drinks. Jessie said she felt like red wine so Cade

orderedabottleforthemtoshare.WhiletheywaitedfortheirdrinkshetookbothofJessie’shandsinhis
andsmiledashegazedintohereyes.Jessiewastellinghimastoryaboutthetimesheandhersistershad
snuckoutoftheirhouseforapartyinWynn’sfriend’sbarnandhowherdadhadtornintothepartyand
draggedthemallout.Jessiehadonlybeenfourteenatthetimeandhaddrunkherweightintropicalwine
coolersandthenpukeditalluponLuci’sbed.

“You’resuchagoodlistener,”Jessiesaidonceshefinishedherstory.
“Ilikelisteningtoyou,”Cadereplied.
“Notsomuchthedaywemet.Remember?”sheteased.“IaskedyoutofakebeingmyboyfriendsoI

coulddodgeJasonandwhenIgaveyouthebackgroundonwhyIwasdodginghimyoutoldmeyouwere
noDr.Phil.”

Cadelaughed.“Iwasbeingajerk.Anangryjerk.IfeltlikeIwasforcedtocometothisdinky,no

actiontown,andthatmylifewasover.Ihadnoideathatitwasjustbeginning.”

Jessieblinkedrapidlyandhereyeslookedteary.Shegotoutofhersideofthebooth,slidinnextto

Cadeonhisside,andkissedhimhard.

ChapterThirty-Eight

It was amazing how much Cade could help Jessie forget about her problems. She’d spent the last two
eveningswithhim,firstthemagicalsleighridefollowedbythemind-blowingsex,andthenlastnightwith
thecozydinnerwheretheydrankredwine,atepastauntilshe’dthoughtshe’dburst,andtalkedforhours.
Well,she’dtalked.Cadelistened.Shehadn’trealizedjusthowmuchshehadbeenbottlingupandhow
gooditfelttoconfideinhim.

And you’d think with them having already been intimate with one another that Cade would have

pushedtospendthenightwithherlastnightatherapartmentwhenhedroppedheroff.Buthedidn’t.He
did come in at her urging but only stayed long enough to tuck her in. He could see how emotionally
drainedshewasfromtheday’seventsandinsistedshegetonhercomfiestpajamasandgetinbed.He
pulledherwarmcomforteraroundherandkissedhergoodnightbeforescratchingJoplinontheheadand
lettinghimselfoutofherplace.Jessiedriftedoffthatnightfeelingcalm,warm,andloved.Neitherhad
actuallysaidthe“L”word,ofcourse,butJessiefeltit.Forthefirsttimeinalong,longtimesheactually
feltlikeCadecouldbe“theone.”

Ofcourse,nowthatshewasbackatworkandLuciwasmerelyfifteenfeetawayfromhertakinga

customer’sorderJessiefeltlikeheranxietylevelwasskyrocketingtonewlevels.Shewaspainstakingly
avoidinganyandallcontactwithLuciandifshedidneedsomethingfromher,shetoldAnneorLinda,
andtheyspokewithLuci.JessiefeltLuci’sstaresallmorninganditaggravatedhertonoend.Itwasonly
because of their mother that Jessie didn’t personally throw Luci out of the pub and ban her from ever
steppingfootinitagain.

Jessiehadstoppedbyhermom’sthatmorningtocheckinonherandbringherhotteaandhermom

had already heard the entire story. From Luci’s point-of-view of course. Her mom took an approach
similartoWynn’switha“LuciisLuci”talkandJessiegrittedherteethandjustnodded.Shewasn’tgoing
toupsethermotherwiththeirdrama.Andshewasn’tabouttolooklikethebadguyeither.She’dtoldher
momshewasn’tangry,assuredherthatthingswouldbejustfinebetweenthesisters,andkissedheronthe
foreheadbeforeshe’dleft.Butwhenshe’dreachedhercarshe’dsworntoherselfagainthatshe’dnever
forgiveLuci.ShewouldnevergiveLucianotherchancetocauseherpain.

Jessiewasbussingthetableafamilyoffourhadjustoccupiedandlookeddownatthetipthey’dleft

underthesaltshaker.Itwasatwenty-dollarbillwithanotesaying“smile!”andasmileyfacedrawnnext
to it. Jessie frowned. The big tip was nice but she must be looking pretty crabby if the customers are
urginghertoperkup.

“Jess?”Wynninterruptedherthoughts.
Jessiecrammedthebillinherpocketandlookedup.“Mmmhmm?”
“Listen, we can handle the lunch shift. Why don’t you get out of here for a while? Maybe take

Melodywithyou?She’llbrightenyourmoodfast.”

Melody was hanging out in the kitchen again with a Mickey Mouse playset. Wynn didn’t want to

leaveherwiththeirmomwhilesheshouldberesting.

“Ismymoodthatobvious?”
“Well…”Wynnglancedaroundtheroom.
Jessie’seyesfollowedandshenoticedtherewereafewcustomerswatchingher.“GuessI’mmaking

peopleuncomfortable,huh?”

“Oh,don’tworryaboutthem,”Wynnsaid,brushingitoff.
“CanItakeMelodytoplayinthesnowoverinfrontofthetowncenter?Neartheclock?”
Wynn’seyesbrightened.“She’dlovethat!Makesureyougrabhersnowsuit,hat,andmittens.”
JessieheadedbacktogatherhernieceandpausedtosendCadeaquicktext.He’dsaidhewastaking

adayoffandhangingaroundhisapartment.

Feel like building a snowman with a couple of cute chicks? Meet us
undertheclockintenminutes.:-)

TwentyminuteslaterJessie,Melody,andCadewerelaughingandrollingagiantballforthebaseof

theirsnowman.

“Noman,noman,”Melodysungasshesmackedtheballwithhermittenedhands.
“Yep,gonnabeagood-lookingsnowmantoo,Melody,”Jessietoldher.
“Whatarewegoingtodoforaface?”Cadeasked.
Jessielookedaround.“Hmm.Goodquestion.”Shespottedsomerockspeekingfromasnow-covered

flowerbedaroundalightpostandjoggedovertoretrievethem.

Cade found a couple of branches for hands and was holding Melody up to let her put them in the

snowman.

Jessie was headed back toward the two when she got a wicked idea. She bent down, gathered up

somesnowinherhandsandlaughedasshepeltedCade’sbackwithasnowball.

“Oh, it’s like that huh?” Cade said, as he set Melody back down and begun to form his own

snowball.

JessierantowardMelodyandscoopedherup.“Don’tyoudare!”sheyelled.“Ihaveababyinmy

arms.”

“Thatis so notfair!” Cade said.“No hiding behind smallchildren. You takeyour snowball like a

woman.”

Jessiebentdownandscoopedupsomesnow,formingitintoaballwhilestillholdingMelody.She

whisperedinMelody’searandhandedhertheballandthenchargedtowardCade.Whenshewasabouta
footawayfromhimMelodythrewtheballathisfaceandproudlyyelled,“Ball!”

Cade faked that he was hurt and fell backward into the snow, clutching his face. Which sent both

MelodyandJessieintoafitofgiggles.Cadelaystilljustforamomentbeforeheswunghisarmsupand
downandhislegsside-to-side,makingasnowangel.

“SeeMelody?Cade’sokay.”
“Me,me,me!”Melodysaid,squirmingtogetdown.JessiesetheronthesnownexttoCadeandlet

hermakeherownsnowangel.

Shewashappilywatchingthetwomaketheirangelswhensheheardsomeonescreaminghername

fromthedistance.ShelookedaroundandsawWynnrunfasttowardthem.Cadejumpedtohisfeetand
JessiepickedupMelody.

“What’swrong?”shecalled.
Wynnjustkeptrunning.Whenshereachedthemsheclutchedherstomach,breathinghard.
“Mommy!”Melodysaidcheerfully.
“Wynn,what’swrong?”Jessierepeated.
WynnheldoutherphonetoJessie.Therewasatext.Itsaid:

You have awfully good coloring for a dead person. Tell your sister to
tightenthebaby’sscarf.Wedon’twanthergettingsick.

Jessie let out whoosh of breath. “Impossible,” she whispered. She read the text again and then

handedthephonetoCade.

WynnpickedupMelodyandhuggedherclosetoher.Hereyesdartedaroundthearea,searching.
“Whatisthis?”Cadeasked.“Idon’tunderstand.”
Jessieslowlyspuninacircle,alsosearching.Wherewashehiding?Washeinabuilding?Acar?

“Whereareyou?”shescreamed.“Showyourself.”

“Jessie,no,”Wynnpleaded.
“Wehavetodealwithhim,”Jessiereturned.
“What’sgoingon?”Cadeaskedagain.
“Wynn’sbeingstalked.That’swhyshecamehome,”Jessiefilledhiminquickly.“He’swatchingus

now.”

Jessie could see Cade’s throat muscles tighten and his eyes turn dark as he also scanned the town

center,lookingforBilly.

WynngaspedandheldMelodyeventighter.JessiefollowedWynn’sgazeandspunaround.Aman,

average build, with short cropped dark hair and wearing a dark blue heavy flannel work coat was
walkingslowlytowardthem,hishandsjammedinhispocket.

“I’veseenhimbefore,”Cadesaid.
“What?”Jessieasked.
“Hewashangingaroundmyshoptheotherdayactingstrange,likehewaswatchingme.Realjumpy.

Ithoughthe’dfollowedmethere.Isawhimhangingoutsideyourapartmentearlierthatday,Jessie.When
Iapproachedhim,hefreakedoutandboltedfromthestore.”

“OhmyGod,”Wynnwhispered.
Billykeptmakinghiswaytowardthem.
“Sohe’sbeenwatchingusforawhilethen,”Jessieconcluded.“Bastard.”
CadesteppedafewfeetinfrontofWynnandMelodyandballedhisfists.AfewmomentslaterBill

wasinfrontofthem.

“Wynn,weneedtotalk,”hesaid.
“Youneedtogetthehelloutofhereiswhatyouneedtodo,”Jessiespatathim.
“Shewantsnothingtodowithyou,”Cadesaid.“Whydon’tyougetbackinyourcarandgohome.”
BillylookedatCadeandJessie,bothblockingWynnandMelody.“Wynn!”hesaidagain,sounding

angrynow.“Comeon.”

“What’swrongwithyou,man?Areyoudeaf?”Cadeasked.
Billytried to maneuveraround Cade butCade blocked him withhis arm. “Idon’t think so,” Cade

said.

“Wynn!”Billyyelledagain.
WynnletoutasmallwhimperfrombehindCadeandMelodystartedtocry.
Jessie’seyesdartedbackandforthbetweenCadeandBillyShedidn’tknowwhattodo.WasCade

goingtohavetofighthim?Shouldsheyankouthercellandcall9-1-1?

“I’mcallingthepolice,”Jessieannounced,jammingherhandintoherbackpocket.Beforeshecould

pullherhandbackoutsheheardaflickofmetalandalongshinybladewasinherface.

“No,you’renot,”Billysaidcalmly.
Jessieletgoofherphoneandslowlypulledherhandbackinfrontofher.“Calmdown,”shesaidto

Billy.“Youdon’tactuallywanttohurtanyone.”

BillyturnedhisangertowardJessie.“Oh,Idon’t?Youhadnoproblemhurtingmewhenyoutoldme

Wynnwasdead.”

Cade shot a brief curious glance at Jessie but then fixed his gaze back on Billy. Jessie knew even

withwieldingaknifeCadewouldn’tletBillyactuallyhurtthem.Shewassurehecouldstilloverpower
himifhehadto.Shejustwishedhewouldn’thaveto.Shedidn’twanthimgettinghurt.

“Well…” Jessie begun then stopped. How would she explain her actions to a crazy person?

SuddenlyshesawJasonKirklandslippingoutofhiscarandwalkingslowlytowardthem.Heputuphis
indexfingerbyhislipsindicatinghedidn’twantanyonetomentionseeinghim.

Jessie cleared her throat. “Well,” she begun again, fixing her eyes on Billy, “you’re right. That

wasn’tkindofmeatall.AndIfeltreallybadrightafterIsaidit.ButWynnmadeitcleartoyouthatshe
didn’twanttotalktoyouagainandyouwouldn’tleaveheraloneandsoIjustsortofsaidthathopingit
wouldstopyou.”

“That’sevil,”Billysaid.
“SoisstalkingWynnandfollowingheracrossstatelines,”Jessiecountered.

“Shutup!”Billyyelled,stickingthepointofhisknifetowardJessie.
CadepushedinfrontofJessie.“Backoff,”heyelled.
Billy looked at his knife and then Cade like Cade was stupid. “I think I’ll be the one giving

directionshere,”hesaid.

JessiechancedaglanceatJasonagain.HewasalmostupbehindBillynowandBillystillhadno

cluehewasapproaching.

“Wynn,Melody,andIaregoingtotakealittlewalkandchatandyoutwocango,well,Idon’tcare

whereyougo.Justgoaway,”Billysaid.

“You’renutsifyouthinkmysisterandniecearegoinganywherewithyou,”Jessiesaid.
Billyheldhishandwiththeknifestraightupintheair.“Whataren’tyougettingaboutmehavinga

knife,woman?”

Assoonasthelastwordlefthismouth,JasonleaptatBilly’sarmfrombehind,yankeditbackward

andsqueezedhiswristmakingtheknifefallintothesnow.CadedoveatBilly,tacklinghimtotheground
andJessiescrambled,grabbingfortheknife.

ShehelditoutinonehandandlookedatWynnwhowasquietlysobbing,stillhuggingMelody.
BillysquirmedinthesnowbutbothJasonandCadehadhimpinned.
“Youcancall9-1-1now,”CadetoldJessie.
Jessieblinkedacoupleoftimes.“Right.”Shecarefullyclosedtheknifeandpulledoutherphone.

Shecalledthepolice,andthenwentovertohersisterandnieceandhuggedthem.

ThepolicecameandarrestedBillyandtoldthegroupthey’dhavetoallgotothestationtomake

statementstoo.

CadeputhishandouttoJasonandJasonshookit.“Thanks,man,”Cadetoldhim.“Youhadperfect

timing.”

Jasonsmiled.“WhenIrealizedwhatwasgoingonIknewIhadtodosomething.Besides,Iowed

Jessie,”hesaidwithawinkather.

Jessiecouldn’tremembereverbeingsohappytoseeJasoninherlife.“Thankyou,Jason,”shesaid.

ShethencurledintoCade’sarms,suddenlydrainedfromheradrenalinecrashing.

ChapterThirty-Nine

After they finished giving their statements at the police station, Cade dropped a still shaky, but much
calmerWynnandMelodyoffathomeandthentookJessietoStarlighttogetherthingsshehadleftinthe
office.

“I’llonlybeaminute,”shetoldCadeassheclimbedoutofhistruck.Shewascompletelyexhausted

andjustwantedtogetinandoutandbackhometocrashonthecouchwithCade,maybewatchamovieor
justsitandstareatthewallsforallshecared.Shewassotiredshefeltlikeshewasrunningonfumes.

JessiehalfwayliftedherarminawavetoAnneandLindabutshedidn’tstoptochat.Sheheaded

straightbacktotheofficeandpushedopenthedoor.Behindthedesksatthebackpackshehadbroughtin
earlierwithherforwork.Itwasonlythismorningbutitfeltlikeaweekhadalreadygoneby.Sheslung
thebackpackoverhershoulderandturnedtoleavejustassheheardtheofficedoorslam.

Luciwasagainsttheinsideofthedoorwithherarmsout,likeshewaskeepingsomeonefromgetting

in.Orinthiscase,Jessiefromgettingout.

Jessie gave her a quizzical look. “What are you doing?” She shook her head. “You know what?

Nevermind.Idon’tevenwanttoknow.Excuseme,Cade’swaitingforme.”JessietriedtopushpastLuci
butLuciwouldn’tbudge.

“No,”shesaidsimply.
“Luci,move.ItoldyouI’vegottogo.”Jessiecouldfeelherselfgettingmoreandmorepissedoff

withhersister.

“No,”Lucirepeated.“Notuntilwetalk.”
Jessieletoutahugesighandhershouldersslumped.“God,Luci.Notnow.Ifyouonlyknewwhat

kindofdayI’vehad…”

“Ithastobenow,”Luciinsisted.“Wecan’tgoonlikethis.”
“No, really, we can. Just please move. I really have to go. I told you Cade’s waiting.” Frustrated,

Jessie reached out and pushed at Luci’s shoulders hard, trying to remove her from the door. But Luci
wasn’tbudging.ShewasfreakishlystrongfromalltheyogaJessieguessed.“Argh!Whyareyoudoing
this?”

“Itoldyou.Weneedtotalk.Youneedtohearme.”
Jessierealizedshewasn’tgoinganywhereforthenextfewminutesandletherbackpackslideoffher

shoulder and onto the floor. She crossed her arms and leaned back against her desk. “Fine. Go ahead,
then.Talk.”

Luci looked towards the ceiling and licked her lips before meeting Jessie’s gaze. “Ok, thanks for

lettingmesaymypeace.”

“LikeIhaveachoice,”Jessiemumbled.
“Jessie,”Lucibegan,“I’mso,sosorry.”
Jessierolledhereyes.
“Wait,letmefinish.Iknowyou’veheardthatfrommebeforeandmorethanonce.Iseemtokeep

screwingthingsupandIdon’tknowhowIkeepmanagingtodoit.Wewerejuststartingtogetalongagain
andImesseditallup.”

Jessienoddedinagreement.
“Sometimes I get an idea in my head and I just charge forward with it without thinking about the

consequences.Iswear,myintentionwasn’ttohurtyou.Imean,IknowIdid,butIdidn’tplanonit.Iwas
running options through my head for what might help mom. I wasn’t seeing the big picture or thinking
about the future. Just what might be a quick fix and I’m so sorry if it seemed like I was trying to take
Starlightfromyou.”

Jessiejuststaredathersister,unsureofwhattosayinresponse.

“I mean,” Luci continued, “Starlight is yours. Yours and moms. We all know that. Wynn and I can

workhereandhelpoutasmuchaswewantbutit’syourheartandsoulintheplace.”

Jessie took a deep breath and thought. It was good that her sister finally realized that she couldn’t

comebackandtakesomethingthatwasn’therstotake.

“Weneedeachother,Jess.Allthreeofus.Youhavetoforgiveme.IpromiseIwon’ttryandsell

yourpubagain,”sheaddedwithahalf-smile.

Jessiecouldfeelherselfrelent.Luciwasright.Hersistershavecomehomeandtheywerehereto

stayforhoweverlongtheyneeded.Andwhentheydidfinallyleaveshe’dbetheonestillhereinSnowy
Ridge,runningStarlight.

“Allright,”Jessiesaid.“I’llforgiveyou.Butyouhavetopromisenottobarricademeintheoffice

again.”

LuciwrappedherarmsaroundJessieandsqueezed.“Thankssis!Youwon’tregretit.”
JessiereturnedLuci’shugandthoughttoherselfIsurehopeIdon’t.
There was a knock at the door and Cade pushed it open. “Hey, you’ve been gone a long time.

Everythingallright?”

Jessie reached down for her backpack and took Cade’s hand. “Yep. Sorry about that. Just had to

wrapsomethingup.”ShethrewaglanceathersisterandwalkedoutoftheofficewithCade.

Jessiedidn’tsaymuchonthecarridebacktoherapartment.WhenCadepulledinheputthetruckin

parkbutlefttheenginerunning.Heturnedtowardher.“Youokay?”

Jessietookadeepbreath.“Yeah.IwasjustthinkingIwouldn’tblameyouifyouwantedtorunright

now.”

“Run?WhywouldIrun?”
“Becausemylifeiscrazy.Mymom’ssosick.I’mrunningthepubalone,well,withmysistersfor

howeverlongthey’restickingaround.Luci’sadisasterontwolegs.Ineverknowwhatnewfreshdrama
she’s going to cause. You shouldn’t have to start a new relationship with someone who has so much
baggage.” Jessie’s eyes widened. “You just spent the afternoon fighting off my other sister’s stalker for
God’ssake.

“Well,youdomakemydaysoffmoreentertaining,that’sforsure,”Cadesaid.Hesmiledandtook

Jessie’s hand in his. “Seriously, the way I feel about you, I’ve never felt like that about anyone. And a
crazysisterorapsychostalkeraren’tgoingtoscaremeoffthateasily.”

Jessiesmirked.“Well,whenyouputitlikethat…”
CadetakesJessie’sfaceinbothofhisglovedhandsandpulledhertowardhim,lookingdeepinto

hereyes.“You’restuckwithmeJessieFoster,forhoweverlongyou’llhaveme.”

“Deal,”shewhisperedandtheysealedtheiragreementwithalong,sweet,kiss.

###

Didyoulikewhatyouread?LeavemeareviewonAmazon:

http://amzn.to/2iEcKJP

.

Didyoumisstheseries’prequelnovella,ChristmasatStarlight?ReaditforFREE,exclusivelyfrom

Instafreebie:

https://www.instafreebie.com/free/BvawB

.

***

SubscribetoKrisJett’snewslettertobethefirsttoknowaboutnewreleasesandcontests.Nospamand

shewillneversellyourinformation.

Newsletter:

http://www.subscribepage.com/e9e9f5

ConnectwithKrisonline:

Website:

http://authorkrisjett.com

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/AuthorKrisJett

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/KrisJettAuthor

Blog:

http://authorkrisjett.blogspot.com

AbouttheAuthor:

KrisJettisaromancewriterfromChicagowholoveslove!Whenshe’snotworkingonhersmall-town
contemporaryromanceseries,shecanbefoundatthetheaterwithhermainman,doingameanPeacock

Poseinherfavoriteyogastudio,orwalkingheradorablecavapoo,Sammy.

***

EachtimeWynnFosterthinksshehasahandleonherhecticlife,thingsspiralevenfurtheroutofcontrol.

Addtothemixonesexycollegeprofessor,BryceAlexander,andprepareforawildfunride.Readonfor

asneakpeekofWynnandBryce’sstoryinTakingChances...

TakingChances(SnowyRidge:LoveatStarlight,Book2)

ChapterOne

“Oof,”WynnFosterletoutinanexhale.Melodywasstraddlingherchestandpattinghercheeks,one

tiny hand on each side of her face. Nothing like being woken up by a thirty-pound toddler launching
herselfatyou,Wynnthought.

“Mommy,Mommy,Mommy,”Melodysungout.“Wakenow.”
Wynn peeked one eye open and slowly smiled at her eighteen-month old daughter. “I’m awake

sweetie.”

“Mickey?”Melodyasked.
Melody wanted her to go flip on Mickey Mouse Clubhouse for her on the television in the living

room.It’dbecomehermorningrituallatelysincethey’dmovedbacktoWynn’shometown,SnowyRidge,
Wisconsin, and in with her mom. Cartoons and cereal in front of the TV while Wynn dragged herself
aroundthekitchenmakingacupofcoffee.Sheneverhadbeenamorningperson.

“Mickey?”thetoddlerproddedagain.
“Okay,okay,honey.I’mgettingup.”
Melodyleapedoffhermother,grabbedherstuffedMickeyMousedollfromthebed,andracedoutto

thelivingroomtowait.

Wynnsighedandstaredatherbedroomceiling,tryingtowillherselftogetup.Shecouldn’tbelieve

she was really here, in her childhood bedroom. Twenty-eight years old, divorced, and a single parent.
Andlivingwithherownmommyagain.Itwaspathetic.Shefeltlikeatotalloser.Theonebrightspotin
herdayeverydaywasMelody.Shelovedherdaughtertopiecesandshehadtogetheracttogetherifnot
forherself,thenforMelody.

Shecrawledoutofbed,shovedherfeetintoheroldworn-outfrogslippers,andtip-toedoutofthe

bedroom,carefulnottowakehermom.HeryoungersisterLucihadalsorecentlymovedbackhomefrom
New York City and was in her old bedroom as well. Their baby sister Jessie was the only one of the
familywhohadheracttogether.Shelivedinherownplaceandco-ranthefamily’sbusinesswiththeir
mother. When their mom could work that was. She’d been going through chemotherapy and resting as
muchaspossiblesoitwasreallyagoodthingthatthegirlswereallathomerightnow.Evenifitwasn’t
thereasonforthemcominghomeinthefirstplace.

Wynn turned on the television and tuned the channel to Disney before patting Melody on the head.

“Berightbackwithyourcheerios,”shetoldher.

Melodysqueezed her Mickeytight and staredat the TV indelight. The kidwas obsessed with the

show.

Melodypaddedintothekitchenandbegunmakingbreakfastasshethoughtaboutherday.Shewas

goingtodropMelodyoffatdaycareandheadtoworkatStarlightforhershift.Sheperkedupwhenshe
rememberedshehadanerrandtodobeforework.Todaywasthedaysheenrolledinthelocalcommunity
college.

Justlastweekshe’ddecidedshehadtodosomethingtoreallyshakeupherlife;changethecourseof

direction she’d been on for way too long. Wynn was always floating in and out, from relationship to
relationship,jobtojob.Sheneededapath,agoal,forherandMelody’slife.Nomoremessingaround.
Shehadthescareofherlifeacoupleofweeksbackthatreallyshookherup.Shewasbeingstalkedbya
crazy ex-boyfriend. Maybe she should have seen that Billy was bad news from the start but she was
vulnerableatthetime.Newlydivorcedandfeelingunlovable,sheglommedontothefirstguyshemetina
Single Parents Under Thirty chatroom. Hello red flag. And the jerk wasn’t even a parent—just a creep
trollingthechatroom.Ugh,shecouldn’tbelieveshewassostupid.

She’dmovedbackhometoSnowyRidgewithMelodynotonlytosavemoneybuttogetawayfrom

thatguy.Heseemedlikesuchawinneratfirst.Ofcourse,don’ttheyall?Buthepushedtoohard,wanted

toomuch,andmovedtoofast.Shejustcouldn’tgivehimwhathewanted.Whenshebrokethingsoff,it
onlymadehimcrazier.Hewassuddenlyeverywhere,allthetime.Hesatoutsideherjobandhousefor
hours.Hesentnon-stopnotesandpresents.Hewouldn’ttakenoforananswer.

WhenBillycrossedoverfromcreepystalkertodownrightterrifyingnightmare,hersisterJessiegot

involved. She’d told Billy that Wynn was in the hospital with a rare blood disorder and to please stop
texting.Whenthatdidn’twork,JessietoldhimWynnhadpassedaway.Whiledramaticandcrueltodoto
someone,theyjustdidn’tknowwhatelsetodotomakehimgoaway.Anditdidn’tworkanyway.Billy
showed up in Snowy Ridge and confronted Wynn and Melody in the town square. He had a knife and
wanted to force her to go with him to “talk.” Luckily Jessie was also there with her boyfriend, Cade
Stone.They’ddefendedherandthenJessie’soldex-boyfriendfromhighschoolhappenedtobewalking
byattherighttime,sawthestruggle,andrantohelp.CadeandhimtookBillydown.Hewassafebehind
barsnow,servingtime.ItseemsWynnwasn’tthefirstwomanhe’dstalkedandthreatened.

Thoughitwasacompletelyfrighteningexperience,itopenedWynn’seyesandshewasfeelingmore

determinedthanevertostopthechaosandmakeastablehomeforherandMelody.Lifewasn’tgoingto
just keep happening to her. She was going to decide what she wanted and go out and get it. And forget
about men, at least for a while. She was putting herself on a boyfriend time out until further notice.
Valentine’s Day was coming up in a few weeks and she hadn’t experienced the holiday without a
Valentinesinceshewassixteenyearsold.Butshedidn’tcare.Shehadherbabygirlandshewasallshe
needed.

“Coffee?”Luciasked,withaskipassheenteredthekitchen.
“Turntheperkinessdownanotch,wouldya?”Wynnasked.
“Youshouldtryyogainthemorning,sis.Anicesunsalutationwouldreallykickyourdayofftoa

goodstart.”

“Why on earth would I want to salute the sun? I hide from it as long as possible. I would still be

undermycoversnowifMelodyhadn’twokenmeup.”Ugh,that’sright.Shewassupposedtobemaking
cereal. Wynn set her coffee cup down with a thump and quickly made Melody her bowl of cereal with
slicedbananaandasippycupofmilk.Shewalkeditouttothelivingroomandsetitdownonthecoffee
tableinfrontofherdaughterandMelodyjammedonefatlittlehandrightintothebowlandthenjammed
somecerealinhermouth.Theyhadn’tquiteworkedoutthespoonbusinessyetsoshejustletMelodyeat
howshe’dlike.AtleastWynndidn’thavetositandhandfeedher.

Luci joined them in the living room, two cups of coffee in her hand. She set one down in front of

Wynnandthencurledupinthecornerofthecouchwithherowncup,blowinglightlyintoit.“So,what
areuptotoday?”

Wynn’sfaceinstantlybrightened.“It’sagoodday,”shetoldhersister.“Firststopformeisthejunior

college.I’menrollingtoday.Ican’twait!”

Lucibeamedathersister.“That’ssogreat,Wynn.I’msoproudofyou!”
Wynntookabiggulpofcoffee.“I’mproudofmetoo.You’regoingtoseeanewme,Luci.”
“I already see a new you. You’re shrinking away, these days. How much weight have you lost?

Easilytwentypounds.”

Wynn’scheeksreddenedandsheglanceddownatherself.It’strue,shehadbeensteadilydropping

weightbutshewasn’teventrying.She’djustbeenundersomuchstressbetweenmovingbackhomewith
MelodyandthewholeBillysituation.“Idon’tthinkI’velostthatmuch.”

“Well,youlookamazing.”
Wynnsmiledathersister.“Thanks.I’mfeelingprettygoodtoo.Hopeful,yaknow?Like,I’mfinally

goingtoturnthingsaroundandmakeeverythinggomyway.”

“Youcandoit,”Lucisaid.“Ihavefaithinyou.”
“Thanks,Lu.”

“Shhh!”Melodysaidhardlyathermomandaunt.“Mickey!”
WynnandLuciexchangedglancesandburstintogiggles.
“Mommy!”Melodywhined.
“I’msorry,I’msorrysweetie,”Wynnsaid,holdingherhandsupinsurrender.Justthenhertextalert

wentoffonherphoneandsheglanceddownatit.

Hey Wynn. I’m coming to Snowy Ridge for the weekend. I’ll be in Friday
around6.IwanttoseeMelody.–Eric

“Shit!”Wynnexclaimed.
“Mommy!”Melodywarned.
“Whatisit?”LucileanedtowardWynnonthecouchandcrankedherheadtoseethephone.
Wynnquicklypulledthephonetoherchest,notwaningLucitosee.“Nothing.JustabillIforgotto

pay.”

Luciseemedtoacceptherresponseandsatbackagainstthecouch.
Wynnlookeddownatherphoneagain.ThetextwasfromMelody’sdad.Andhewantedtoseeher.

ChapterTwo

Itwasfine.Itwasgoingtobejustfine.Hewasherdad,afterall.Whatdidshethink,he’dneverwantto
seeMelodyagain?Well,yes,thatwaswhatshethought,actually.Ithadbeenaboutayearsincehe’dlast
seenher.Melodyhadnocluewhohewaseven.Ohmygosh,shewasgoingtothinkWynnwasleavingher
with a complete stranger. She’d be completely terrified. She couldn’t do that, could she? But didn’t he
haverights?Whatwasshesupposedtodo?

Wynn drove toward Melody’s daycare, Melody strapped happily in her car seat in the back. Ever

since Eric’s text came in that morning she’d been wracking her brain as to what to do. Why did Eric
suddenlywantcontactnow?HewashardlyaroundwhenMelodywasaninfantandwhenheleftWynn
when Melody was only six months old he’d never looked back. That was not to say he was a total
deadbeatoranything.Hischildsupportchecksarrivedatthefirstofeverysinglemonth.Whenshe’dtold
himshewasmovingbackhometoSnowyRidgeallhe’dsaidwastosendhimtheaddresssoheknew
wheretosendthechecks.Itwaskindasad,really.Butshe’dacceptedthatthiswashowhewantedthings.
Anditwasn’tlikeshecouldforcehimtobeagoodfathertoMelody.Sowhythesuddeninterest?

WynnpulledintoLittleApples,Melody’sdaycare.Itwasonlyhersecondweektherebutsheloved

it.Shealreadyhadasweetfriend,acutepig-tailed,two-yearoldnamedAshley,thatshepalledaround
withformostoftheday.Andit’snotlikeMelodycouldkeephangingoutatthepuballday,everyday.
Herco-workershadbeensonicelettingMelodyhanginthekitchen,playingwithhertoys,butitwasn’t
anidealsituation.Itwasbetterthatshebewithkidsherageandhavealittlemorestructuretoherday.

“Hereweare,sweetpea,”Wynnsangoutassheparkedthecar.
“Ashee,Ashee!”Melodysquealed,clearlyexcited.
“Yup,we’regoingtoseeyourfriendAshley,aren’twe?”
WynnhelpedMelodyoutofthecarandbroughtherinside.AssoonasMelodyhitthedoorshewas

offrunning,lookingforherfriend.Wynnsmiledasshewatchedhergo.

“Thetwoofthemarejustthecutesttogether,”MissTara,oneoftheteacherssaidasshesidledup

nexttoWynn.MissTarawasonlyabouttwentyandnotateacherbutthat’swhatallofthekidscalledher
sotheparentstendedtoaswell.

“She’ssohappyhere.”Wynnunconsciouslyranherhandoverherbackjeanpocketwhereherphone

was sitting, almost like she had to remind herself that a situation counter to their happiness was still
waitingtobedealtwith.Andwasthatevenfair?HowdidsheknowMelodywouldn’tbehappyseeing
Eric?Really,shewastheonewhowouldn’tbehappywithhisvisit.Melodyseemedtoloveeveryoneshe
meets.

“We’rehappyshe’sheretoo.”Theyoungteacherflippedherheadtowardapileofblockstumbling

tothegroundfromasmalltableandherlongthickponytailedhairpracticallyslappedWynnintheface.
“Don’tworrySammy,”shesaidtotheteary-eyedtoddlereyeingthemess,“youcanrebuild.”

Wynnside-scannedtheteacher’soutfitchoice:ashort,tightpinktee-shirtthatdidn’tcoverherblack

spandexedrearend.Shelookedlikesheshouldberunningamarathon,notadaycare.Itwasn’tthemost
professionalofoutfitsforateacherbutshebetthefathersdroppingofftheirkidssureappreciatedit.And
whendiditbecomeastyleforwhatwastheequivalentoftightsreally,tobeouterwearinsteadofpaired
withaskirt?Ugh,shesoundedoldandsheknewit.MissTarawasfine.Sheprobablyspenthalftheday
crawlingaroundonthegroundwiththekids.Heroutfitwasfine.Wynnknewshewasbeingjudge-yright
nowanditwasallbecauseofherex’stext.Whydidhehavetoturnupnow?Andwashestillwiththat
teenager?

“Well,I’llbebackthen,”Wynnsaid,asshehandedoverMelody’sdiaperbagandfoodandsnacks

fortheday.ShewenttoMelodyandgaveheraquickkissgoodbyeonthecheekbutherdaughterdidn’t
even look up. She was already too involved in a hammering at a mound of blue playdoh with her little

BFFtobebothered.

WynnwavedtoMissTaraassheleftthebuildingandheadedforhercar.Sheranherhandoverher

backpocketagainandthought,okay,Ijustneedtohandlethisnowbeforeitdistractsmeallday. This
wassupposedtobehergreatday,afterall;thedaysheenrolledincollege.Shewasn’tgoingtoletEric
ruinherday.

Shepulledherphoneoutandslidintothedriver’sseatofhercar.Beforeshecouldthinkaboutit

anymore,shezippedoffatexttoherex-husband.

Sure. We can meet you at 6. How about meeting us at MoonBeans? It’s a
littlecoffeeshoponMainSt.

Shehitsend.There.Itwasdone.Theywouldmeethimforacoffeeandhe’dgettoseeMelodyand

getitoutofhissystem.Then,hopefully,he’dgobackhometoSt.LouisandleaveherandMelodytoget
backtotheirnormallife.Withouthim.

Wynn bounded up the steps to South Lake Community College, clutching a folded up piece of

notebookpaperinherhand.Shecouldn’thelpfeelinggiddy.Havingagoalanddirectiongaveahugejolt
ofexcitementtoherdrearylife.Shewouldn’tbewadingthroughanymore.Shehadanobjective.

Wynngrinnedwildlyatthestudentsbustlingaroundinsidethecollege.Thefirstdayofschoolwas

nextweekanditwasallthelast-minutepeoplehangingaroundtoday,likeher.Shemarcheduptooneof
theglasswindowsunder“Admissions”andsmoothedoutherpieceofpaperontheledgebetweenherand
awomanwholookedtobeinherlatefifties.

“Goingbacktoschool?”thewomanasked,peeringatWynnoverherglasses.
Wynnblinkedandgaveanemphatic,“Yes!”
Thewomanchuckledandshuffledsomepapersonhersideoftheglass.“Allrightthen,let’sgetyou

going.”

An hour later Wynn was headed back out to the parking lot with an armful of pamphlets and

paperwork and her newly printed class schedule on top. She’d registered for three courses: Intro to
ComputerInformationSystems,IntrotoWebDesign,andIntrototheInternet.Whichwasreallykindof
hysterical.IfanyonewasfamiliarwiththeInternetitwasher.She’dmetmanyamanonlineinthepastten
years. Some might call her an expert. Although she was fairly sure that wasn’t what they would be
teaching. All of these classes were required for the Computer Information Systems degree Wynn had
decidedtogoafter.HerfirstclasswasIntrotoWebDesignonMondaymorningandshecouldn’twait.

Still feeling a buzz of excitement, she climbed into her car and headed back to Snowy Ridge and

StarlightPubforherafternoonshiftofwork.She’ddecidedtokeepherexcitingnewstoherselfforjusta
bitlonger.JessiewascomingovertothehousefordinnerthatnightandLuciwascooking.They’dallbe
togetherasafamilyanditwouldbetheperfecttimetotellthemthen.

TableofContents

WELCOMETOSTARLIGHT
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-One
ChapterTwenty-Two
ChapterTwenty-Three
ChapterTwenty-Four
ChapterTwenty-Five
ChapterTwenty-Six
ChapterTwenty-Seven
ChapterTwenty-Eight
ChapterTwenty-Nine
ChapterThirty
ChapterThirty-One
ChapterThirty-Two
ChapterThirty-Three
ChapterThirty-Four
ChapterThirty-Five
ChapterThirty-Six
ChapterThirty-Seven
ChapterThirty-Eight
ChapterThirty-Nine
TakingChances(SnowyRidge:LoveatStarlight,Book2)
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo