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CHAPTER1
GEMMA
It was perfect.Newly renovated, the interior of the red brick building featured hardwood floors, picture frame wall molding in every room, and a massive bay window that overlooked the picturesque town of Rocky Springs. The outside was equally stunning with freshly painted white shutters, a huge front porch with an old-fashioned glider, and a well-tended garden in the back.
Home, sweet, home? Dare I dream?
The best part, the most important part, was that the bottom level of the house had once served as a meeting hall. Which meant plenty of room for my art studio.
And the upper level… well, it was a dream. It contained a studio apartment complete with a cottage-style kitchen, a master bathroom with a clawfoot tubanda standup shower, and other adorable details that made me one hundred percent sure this was the house for me.
“As you can see, Ms. Wilder,” Sarah, the rental agent, said in a gushing tone, “I believe this building would work well for the business you described. Not only is it immaculate and move-in ready, but the zoning is for both commercial and residential. Plus, this street gets lots of foot traffic from tourists.” She opened her arms and spun in a slow circle. “I can easily picture this place as an art studio.”
“Well, the rent is more than reasonable,” I said, and I couldn’t help but smile. For the first time in forever, I felt hopeful. “And you’re right, the buildingisimmaculate.” Knowing I could move in right away was also a big plus. The movers were arriving in Rocky Springs later today with the first batch of my belongings. While the current plan was for them to meet me at a storage facility, I could easily call and inform them of the change of plans.
“So, what do you say? Are you ready to sign the lease?”
I turned to face Sarah, took a deep breath, and nodded. “Yes, I’m ready. I’ll take it.” Excitement swept through me, and a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I’d only been in Rocky Springs for a few hours, but already I believed that maybe, just maybe, I could make a fresh start here. A new beginning far from my hometown in Connecticut, far from the painful scandal that had caused me to run away from the only life I’d ever known.
“Excellent. Let’s head back to my office and we’ll work out all the details. As I said, the place is move-in ready, so once the papers are signed, you can consider it yours. Sleep here tonight if you want. I think you’ll like it here, and I daresay you’ll like your landlord too.” The rental agent’s gaze turned wistful, and she placed a hand dramatically over her heart. “Derek Bolt. He owns Rocky Springs Ranch and Resort, as well as a good number of buildings in town. I promise he’s an attentive landlord. If you ever need anything fixed, he’ll be quick to help you and most of the time he does the repairs personally. Oh, and he’s also very, very easy on the eyes.” She fished something out of her pocket and handed it to me.
“Oh?” My breath caught in my throat as I stared at the landlord/rancher’s business card. In his late forties (I guessed) and ruggedly handsome, he stood in front of a bale of hay wearing a snug flannel shirt and a black cowboy hat. My pulse fluttered.
“My niece is a photographer and took this photo,” Sarah said. “She freelances in photography, but she also writes articles for the Rocky Springs Daily. Tell you what, I’ll put in a good word, and I bet she’ll do a write-up about your new business. You know, once you get things up and running.” Sarah regarded me with a look of warmth that took me aback, and I found myself blinking away tears.
I turned and pretended to gaze out the window as I fought to regain control of my emotions. I wasn’t used to people being nice to me. I was used to snide comments, gossipy whispers, and looks of pity. Looks of disgust, too. Those were the worst. It had been so long since anyone had treated me like a real person that I was having difficulty processing it.
Finally, I managed to calm myself enough to turn around. “Thank you, Sarah. I would love to talk to your niece once I get this place up and running. That’s very kind of you to offer.” I cast another look out the bay window, my eyes drawn to the snow-capped mountains in the distance. A sense of freedom stole through me, and my resolve to build a life here in Rocky Springs hardened. I could do it. I could make it. And the asshole back east who’d tried to ruin my life could suck a bag of dicks.
“Oh, I’m happy to help,” Sarah said with a sigh. “Let’s head back to my office and we’ll get those papers signed. I’ll text my assistant and have him pick up some sandwiches for us from Kay’s Diner. Do you like BLT’s? Or how about chicken salad?”
“A BLT sounds great. Thank you.” I swallowed past the burning in my throat. Sarah’s continued kindness had me on the verge of crying. I breathed a sigh of relief when she turned to exit the house, and I took a moment to wipe a tear away in secret.
Once I stepped onto the porch, I breathed deeply of the fresh mountain air.Home, I told myself.This town is my new home.
It’s my fresh start.
A place where I (hopefully) won’t have to hide any longer.
CHAPTER2
DEREK
Sadness clutchedme as I stared at the words etched into the gravestone.
Trisha Bolt, Beloved Wife and Daughter.
Five years. She’d been gone five years and sometimes it felt like yesterday. Other times it felt like a hundred years or more. It had been too long since I’d held her in my arms and told her I loved her, too long since we laughed together or took a starlit walk on the ranch.
When I blinked, a vision of the accident scene flashed in my mind. A little blue car smashed underneath a tractor trailer. The rescue crew trying desperately to get the passenger out of the car, even though it was obvious that anyone inside couldn’t have survived.
I remembered the sheriff holding me back while the first responders finally pulled her body from the mangled car. I remembered the hoarseness of my throat as I screamed and cried and cursed God.
Lastly, I remembered her bloodied body and the limpness of her hand after I managed to fight the sheriff off and rush to her side.
I gave my head a harsh shake and knelt to place a bouquet of wildflowers atop the gravestone. Trisha’s favorite. She used to walk in the meadow near our home in the mornings, and during the springtime or early summer, she would always come back with wildflowers.
“I miss you,” I whispered, still kneeling before the gravestone. I placed a hand upon the cool surface and bowed my head. “I hope you’re resting easy, love.” My throat closed up and I couldn’t utter another word.
