LOGINTara’s POV I was laughing so hard I could barely breathe, the cold water from the hose mixing with my sweat as I spun through the spray. For the first time in what felt like forever, I felt completely present in the moment. There was no anxiety about my father or overthinking. Gerald suddenly stopped spraying us, and everyone's attention shifted to something behind me.“What’s wrong?” I asked, panting gently but they still had the same surprised looks on their faces.I turned around, still dripping wet and breathless from laughter, to find Jason standing there. There was a bouquet of flowers laying at his feet, abandoned on the grass."What are you doing here?" I asked, surprise making my voice high."Why is he here?" Chuck asked loudly, earning himself a sharp look from Sandy."Go," Sandy told me with a knowing wink. "Go say hello to your boyfriend."I laughed and rushed toward Jason, still asking "What are you doing here?" but before I could get another word out, he pulled me cl
Jason’s POV I cradled the phone between my ear and shoulder while juggling a bouquet of roses with one hand.My assistant Naomi was fluttering around trying to help with the other."Stop fussing, Naomi, I've got it," I said, even as a stem pricked my thumb.Her eyebrows were puckered above her glasses. "But you're going to drop them-""I won't.” I interrupted gently, flashing her a smile. “Just relax.""Tara?" I spoke into the phone, finally getting it settled against my ear properly. "Hey, beautiful. Listen, I'm heading out now and I want to spend the rest of the day with you.""Jason, you really don't have to come here." She was trying to convince me otherwise but her voice was uncertain.My lips curled even higher. I liked how coy she acted, it was almost cute. "Too late. I already closed up shop and even arranged takeout at that Italian place you mentioned.” I arranged my bag and bouquet properly. “Just get ready for me, okay, sweetheart?"There was a loud noise in the backgroun
Tara’s POV The hospital discharged me by late afternoon with strict instructions to rest and see a therapist. The doctors gave me more recommendations I nodded along with while having absolutely no intention of following through on the therapy part.Jeremiah drove me home himself, and the moment we pulled up to the boarding house, it became clear that word had spread.Susie was on the porch before we even came to a complete stop, her face creased with worry. "Oh, Tara! Thank God you're okay! Thank you so much for bringing her home, Jeremiah.”"I just took her to the hospital," he said with a bright grin, but Susie was already ushering me inside like I was made of glass.Tracy appeared from nowhere, immediately taking my arm. "Come on, let's get you upstairs. You need to rest."Chuck bounded down the stairs, practically vibrating with energy. "Tara! I heard you collapsed! Are you okay? Do you remember anything? What did it feel like?""Chuck," Tracy said, stifling a laugh. "Let her
Jeremiah's POV The hospital lights were too bright and the smell of antiseptic made my stomach churn in distaste. But I didn't care. I rushed through the automatic doors, Tara's limp body cradled against my chest like she weighed nothing at all."I need help! Someone help me!" I was yelling, my voice cracking in a way I haf never heard before. "She suddenly stopped breathing and collasped. Her pulse is barely-”About four nurses swarmed me immediately, asking different questions and I rushed out the answers, trying not to focus on how pale she. They took her from my arms and placed her on a stroller, but it felt like they were tearing away a part of me. I watched as they rushed her toward the back."Sir, we need you to fill this," one of them called, but I could barely hear over the roaring in my ears.I hastily told her that I was Tara's boss and explained exactly what happened, making sure not to leave out any detail. “Thank you,” she said with a smile. “You can go to the waiti
Tara’s POV My heart was drumming anxiously as I pulled back from the kiss."What are you doing here?" I asked, trying to sound light.He played with a strand of my hair, twirling it around his finger. "I had some business with the mayor. Some kind of dental health initiative for the town's youth program."“I didn't know dentists and mayors ran in the same circle." I teased, a small grin playing on my lips. He laughed, that easy laugh that had attracted me in the first place. "What about you? What brings you to the mayor's office?""Work.” I said with a playful shrug. “My boss abandoned me here for a tour, so I'm doing a little sightseeing." The joke came out before I could think better of it but Jason kissed me again, then nipped my bottom lip. I squealed at the sting, suddenly hyperaware that people might be watching us in this public hallway."What are you doing?" I laughed, pushing him away gently."Reminding myself how beautiful you are." He pulled back with a teasing grin. "Co
TARA’S POVI opened my mouth, but no words came out. My brain had completely short-circuited.He removed his hand, and I could finally breathe again, although part of me mourned the loss of that warmth."You've been jumpy since we got in the truck," he observed, his tone maddeningly casual. "Won't look at me. Keep fidgeting with your purse strap. That's three tells already."A nervous laugh escaped me. "I'm not nervous.""Liar." But there was no heat in it.I finally risked a glance at him. He was focused on the road, but there was the hint of a smile playing at his lips.He shifted gears into work mode. "The mayor's office called yesterday. The town hall renovation is going over budget. We want to renegotiate our bid, see if we can bring the costs down without compromising quality."I blinked, turning his words over in my head. "How much over?""Fifteen percent. Which is actually reasonable given the foundation issues we discovered.” He said and clicked his tongue against the roof of
I decided to shop for more equipment for my house, alongside new clothes and it was a nice feeling, being by myself. I appreciated Tracy's and Sandy's companionship but the alone time gave me more comfort and ease. I stopped by the first shop that caught my eye and it was a good stop. The shop ow
My head felt like it was going to split open, and at this point, I wouldn't mind if that happened as long as it would relieve me of this pounding ache. My eyes weakly flapped open and the familiar walls of my room met with me. "What?" I groaned, slowly rising from the bed. How did I even get bac
"Are you ignoring me, city girl?" I glared at Anders, my fingers tightening around the hotdog stick. "If you're like our hotdogs so much," he plucked the stick from between my fingers. "I could show you one that's even tastier."Okay, that was it!I stepped forward, opening my mouth to respond br
"Well, that's the last of the stuff." Jason announced proudly, dusting his hands as he straightened to his full height. I nodded, taking a look at my bare apartment filled with a dozen cardboard boxes. In a few moments, this place would look more like a home than a bare space and I couldn't wait







