AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Hey, guys?" Scarlet called from the porch. "Can you come here for a second?"
"Uh-oh." Grady's lips turned down. "Something's wrong."
They jogged to where Scarlet stood, arms folded in front of her, worry lines creasing her forehead "What's the matter?" Kaleb ran up the porch steps.
"Sally called to resign. Her mom fell and hurt herself. She's leaving in the morning for Florida to take care of her." Scarlet pursed her lips together. "I feel bad for her."
"I'm sure her mom's going to be okay," Grady encouraged her. "Did she say when she's coming back?"
Scarlet nodded. "She's not. She's going to move permanently. Her mom's getting up there in age, and she doesn't want to miss any time they may have together."
"That makes sense." Grady rubbed his hand over his face.
"We're going to need to get a new cook, and fast." Kaleb pinched the bridge of his nose. "Any ideas?"
Grady and Scarlet exchanged a look. Kaleb didn't like it one bit because he knew his siblings, and he knew exactly what they'd say. The problem wasn't whether or not he wanted to hear their suggestion. The question was if the woman they had in mind would blow them off or put aside her own feelings and help them when they needed it most.
"I know who we should ask. But you're not going to like it." Grady grinned.
"Don't say it. I already know," Kaleb mumbled.
Grady and Scarlet's eyes gleamed. "Cinnamon Jordan."
Kaleb groaned. They said it, and they were right.
Chapter Two
Cinnamon Jordon lifted her face to the rays beating down on the town of Winter Springs, Colorado. Hair pulled back in a ponytail, she closed her eyes and let the warmth spill over her.
Giggles from children splashing in the lake floated toward her. Somewhere in the middle of the water, her friends paddled along in a canoe. The sunshine welcomed all outside to enjoy the perfect weather on the lake.
Tucking her hands behind her head, she opened her eyes and stretched her legs in front of her. The blanket held the remains of the picnic lunch Scarlet, Shane, Noel, and Harper ate before their canoeing excursion.
All through lunch, Scarlet's eyes twinkled with a secret. The curve of her lips verifying her friend had some interesting piece of gossip to share. Scarlet didn't say a word, sparking Cinnamon's curiosity. When all four of them stood and asked if she wanted to join them, she declined. Instead, she lay with her sunglasses covering half of her face, pondering her friend's strange behavior.
Something in Cinnamon's stomach fluttered. It was as if she knew whatever secret Scarlet held had something to do with her. And she didn't like it one bit. Because if the sparkle in her eyes held mischief including Cinnamon, it meant Kaleb was involved somehow.
That did not bode well for her, or Kaleb, for that matter.
What they had in high school was great. And even after they graduated, their relationship flourished. Not many high school sweethearts remain so once they throw their caps in the air, celebrating a new chapter in their lives.
Cinnamon and Kaleb were different. They were connected, in love with each other. Or at least she thought they were. Until he called it off. That day so long ago seemed like yesterday.
The sorrow in his eyes due to the sudden death of his parents. The twitch to his jaw when he broke up with her, with nary an explanation.
Cinnamon should've known he wouldn't give her a good reason. He seldom shared his feelings with anyone but his siblings. Jealousy reared its ugly head once again.
Pushing herself up to a seated position, Cinnamon tugged the band out of her hair, letting it fall loose around her shoulders. Her fingers ran through her locks, removing the knots.
Being jealous of Kaleb's siblings was ridiculous, she knew, but she couldn't help herself. He refused to confide in her, choosing instead to break her heart. Even after a decade, Cinnamon struggled. Why now? Why today?
A quick glance at her Apple Watch confirmed what her heart already knew. This was the date she and Kaleb discussed choosing as their wedding day. Did he even remember? Every year since they broke up, the date snuck up on her like a ninja, stealing her breath with the thought of what could've been. If only he let her in.
Scrambling to her feet, Cinnamon wrapped her hair back in the band. A quick walk along the shore of the lake ought to take her mind off the man who held her heart for far too long. It was time to move on. It'd been time to move on for years. She just couldn't allow herself to do it, especially since she and Kaleb started talking again.
Kaleb Linden drew her like no one else. It simply wasn't fair. Someone else in the town of Winter Springs had the possibility of stealing her heart, right? She just needed to keep her eyes open. And her heart closed toward Kaleb.
"Cinnamon," Scarlet called from the edge of the lake. Her friend ran toward her, kicking up sand behind her. "I need to talk to you about something."
