Page 33 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

I was inviting heartache to my front door.

Before I could reject him, he let me go and took a step back. “Think about it. I’ll see you around.”

Then he turned and jogged down my steps, crushing a few flowers with his boots as he went. Mom needed to get over and do some pruning. I was even having a hard time maneuvering the stairs amid all the greenery.

I stayed in the doorway, watching Jackson as he descended the stairs and crossed my yard. Like he’d done before, he glanced over his shoulder, giving me one last look before continuing onto the school’s lawn.

When he was gone, I went inside and closed the door. Then I sat on the edge of my mattress and flipped on my bedside lamp. As my eyes adjusted to the light, I slipped the note he’d given me from my pocket.

Willa

I’m sorry for calling you Willow.

It won’t happen again.

Jackson

I snorted a laugh. I didn’t know what I’d expected to find in his note, but that wasn’t it.

Setting the note down, I crawled into bed and snuggled in deep. I was beat and had another busy day ahead. I hoped I’d be able to fall asleep quickly and forget about the last ten minutes. But, just like the last time Jackson had graced my doorstep, sleep didn’t come easily. My thoughts were consumed with Jackson’s handwriting.

And how much I liked se

eing my name written in his sloppy scrawl.

The windows on my truck were rolled down as I drove through town the next morning, and the fresh air smelled like pine trees and dew. Not much could top this smell, except maybe Willa’s hair. I’d only gotten a hint of it last night, but it was enough to leave me wanting more.

A lot more.

It was cool this early in the day, but by ten o’clock, the summer sunshine would burn off the chill and it would be a hot one. If I didn’t have to work later, it would be the perfect day to take the boat out on the lake or go for a hike in the mountains.

I might not have been born in Montana, but this mountain air called to my blood.

Too bad my mother hadn’t dumped me somewhere like this instead of New York City. I might have had a happy childhood. But I guess things worked out for the best. I’d met Thea and Hazel in the city, which had ultimately led to my move here.

And Lark Cove was where I was staying.

The only reason I’d set foot back in New York was if Thea and Charlie decided to stay there with Logan. They’d only been gone a few days, but damn I missed them. I missed talking about stuff at the bar with Thea. I missed hanging with Charlie in her fort behind their house.

For the first time in years, I felt the loneliness that had been so present during my childhood. Damn, I hope they come back. I wasn’t sure what I’d do without seeing them on a regular basis.

Though I had to admit, chasing Willa this week had been one hell of a distraction.

There wasn’t a cloud to be seen as I rolled down the highway, just the wide-open sky that was a shade lighter than Willa’s eyes.

I stopped by the gas station to top off my gas tank and get a cup of coffee. Considering I walked most places in the summer, I rarely had to get gas this time of year unless I was taking out my boat.

But I took extra care with my truck, never letting it get below a quarter full. I also made sure the silver exterior was washed and waxed regularly. I changed the oil at exactly three thousand miles and detailed the interior every two months.

It was the nicest vehicle I’d ever owned. Actually, it was the nicest vehicle I’d ever been inside. When I’d finally had enough money to pay for a new rig outright, I’d driven my old Chevy up to Kalispell and come home with a big smile and a brand-new truck paid for in full.

After my truck, I saved up for my fishing boat—also brand-new and also paid for in full.

The only debt I had to my name was the mortgage on my house. It wasn’t new, but it was affordable and I’d been making extra payments to ensure that before I turned fifty, I’d be free and clear.

I’d never wanted anything more than a life that was mine and mine alone.

I didn’t want to depend on someone else’s hand-me-downs just so I had clothes to wear. I didn’t want to be at the mercy of the bus or train schedule in order to get to work. I didn’t want anyone to tell me where I had to live or the chores I had to do.