Holly
The park is small but perfect, nestled at the edge of Devil’s Peak like someone carved it straight out of the mountain. Trees wrap the clearing in quiet shade, and there’s a faint breeze that makes the swings creak lazily.
Josie’s already taken over the play structure. Pink hoodie, pigtails, a pair of tiny boots that stomp like she owns the damn place. She giggles when she reaches the top of the slide, then hollers, “Mommy! Look how tall I am!”
I wave. “Queen of the world, baby.”
She beams, then barrels down the slide, laughing all the way.
“She’s a firecracker.”
I turn to the woman standing beside the bench. She’s tall, athletic, wrapped in a thick cardigan and wearing the kind of calm smile that tells me she doesn’t rattle easy.
“I’m Winter,” she says, holding out a hand.
Of course she is.
“Holly. That’s my chaos goblin up there.”
Winter laughs. “I’ve got one of those at home too. My boy Zane calls him a little wrecking ball with dimples.”
I grin. “Sounds familiar.”
“So, are you new to Devil’s Peak?” she asks.
I nod. “Yeah. Just moved in... sort of.”
Her brow lifts. "Sort of?"
“I answered a mail-order bride ad.”
Winter’s jaw drops. Then she lets out a loud, delighted laugh. “Oh my God. You’reher.You’re with Jack.”
I blink. “You know Jack?”
She snorts. “Everyone knows Jack. Or more accurately, everyone knowsofJack. He’s been the town’s resident recluse for the last five years. Built that cabin like a fortress. Never saw a woman come or go. Not once.”
I shrug, fighting the smile tugging at my lips. “I wouldn’t say he’s settled down. More like... putting up with the two new ladies in his life at this point.”
Winter watches Josie catapult off the end of the slide. “Well, he wouldn’t let anyone in unless he trusted them. Jack’s been living on that mountain alone for years. Hiding out. Protecting himself from things like love and happiness.”
I glance at her. “You say that like it’s a joke.”
“Because it is. No one’s immune. Not even Jack Rivers. Especially not Jack Rivers. He needs it more than anyone.”
Josie charges up the ladder again.
Winter turns to me, her voice softer. “You’ll be good for him. Both of you. A man like that needs to be opened up. Needs someone who challenges him, makes him uncomfortable with new feelings, and makes him realize life’s better when it’s shared. Now he’s got something to lose—his heart.”
My chest tightens.
I want to believe her.
God, Iwantto.
But belief’s never come easy for me.
Not when it comes to men.
