AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Withthe initial rush over,Rosalieleaned on the counter. “Doyou mind ifIgo talk toBarbara?Ihave some questions for her.”
“Ohyeah?” he asked, one eyebrow arched. “Youwanna move toGossamerFallsand take over forBarbaraat the food bank?”Hewas half-kidding, but his heart doubled its tempo as the words left his mouth, because, damn, did he want that.Hewas probably getting ahead of himself, but he didn’t have to try to hard to picture a life withRosalieinGossamerFalls.
Hereyes slammed into his. “Yeah.Maybe.”Hecould hear the question in her voice, and he grinned.
“You’dbetter go talk to her, then.”
“Andafter, can we takeChloefor hot chocolate?”
“Youdon’t need to bribe her,” he said teasingly. “Shelikes you.”
“I’mnot trying to bribe her.Iwant hot chocolate, and figured she might, too.I’veheardDejaBrewmakes a delicious one.”
“Theydo,” he said, glowing from within at how easily she was including his daughter and fitting in with the town.
Sheshrugged. “Besides.I’dlike to get to know her more.Idon’t want to push things, but…Ido want to try, if that makes sense.”
“Itdoes, and it means a lot to me.”
Shesmiled softly. “She’spart of your life.”Shesaid it easily, andJackfelt his chest expanding with all of the emotions crashing through him.
Hegave her a quick kiss on the cheek and then returned to his administrative work, sorting through the forms submitted by new users.Inthe background, he could overhearRosalieaskingBarbaraquestions about corporate partnerships, community engagement, donor cultivation, awareness campaigns, and more.
Fuck, she was smart, and it was hot as hell.Andthe fact that she was thinking about a future, here inGossamerFalls…could a heart explode?BecauseJackfelt like his might.
Twenty-Five
Everywinter, the citizens ofGossamerFalls—along with those of several neighboring towns scattered along the banks of theHudsonRiver—looked forward to the town’sWinterFestival.Itwas a celebration held during the last week ofFebruary, meant to bring light and cheer to what could often be a long, cold winter.Bythe end ofFebruary, most people were sick of snow and cold, with spring still a month away—at least.
Attendingthe festival was aShephardfamily tradition, and the only timeJackhad missed it was when he’d been deployed.Itwas one of his favorite events in the town, and this year he was even more excited about it because he got to share it withRosalie.
Ithad been nearly a week since their morning at the food bank, and she hadn’t mentioned staying again.Maybeit had been a little throwaway comment said in the moment that didn’t really mean anything.He’dbeen too scared to ask her, terrified she’d confirm that she hadn’t meant it.Butsince she’d said it, allJackcould do was pictureRosalieinGossamerFalls.Shecould takeBarbara’sjob at the food bank.Therewere a couple of places for rent in town, and she could make her own little home here.Whenshe was ready, she could move in with him, as long asChloegave her thumbs up.
Theycould get married, maybe add to their family with a baby or two…
Fuck.Nowhe was really getting ahead of himself.Hedidn’t even know ifRosaliewanted kids.
Hecouldn’t help himself.Thepast week had been absolute bliss.They’dgone for coffee atDejaBrewand talked for hours about everything and nothing, laughing and flirting untilSienna, the coffee shop’s owner, had had to shoo them out at closing time.Afterwhich they’d parked his truck by the river andRosaliehad given him the absolute hottest blow job of his life.
They’dspent an afternoon browsing the little shops downtown, exploring the bookstore, the antique store, and the clothing boutique he’d seen her eyeing.They’dleft without buying anything, but he’d gone back and bought the emerald green knit scarf she’d tried on that had made her gorgeous brown eyes look like melted chocolate.He’dgiven it to her the following night, when she’d come over to watch theRangersgame.She’despecially enjoyed it when he’d tied her up with it afterward.
They’dhad a movie night withChloe, eating popcorn and losing themselves inHarryPotter.Thenext day,Rosaliehad takenChloewith her to have lunch withCarrie, officially cementing her as the coolest person ever—besidesCarrie, of course—inChloe’sbooks.AndRosalie, despite her lack of experience with kids, seemed to genuinely enjoy spending time withChloeand getting to know her.Jackadmired the slow, easygoing approach she was taking withChloe, letting things unfold naturally over time without pressure or expectations.Itwas the right call.Thenagain, given how goodRosaliewas with people, he shouldn’t have been surprised.
Andover and over,Jackwondered: what if every day could be like this?
“Hey, where did you go?” askedRosalie, slipping her hand in his as they crunched through the snow.
“Justthinking,” he answered, giving her hand a squeeze.
“About?”
Hestopped and pulled her against him, giving her a sweet, chaste kiss.Itwasn’t the kind of kiss he wanted to give her, butChloewas nearby, so he needed to keep thingsPG. “You.Us.Howhappy you make me.”
Shegrinned, a wide smile spreading across her face. “Youmake me happy, too.Ididn’t think this kind of thing was real, you know?Ifeel likeI’mliving in anR-ratedHallmarkmovie.”
Jacklaughed. “Itcould be like this every day,” he said quietly.
Sheswallowed thickly, tucking the bottom half of her face into the scarf he’d bought her. “Iknow.”
