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I tugged my brows together.

“A life in a town like this is what you make it. The people around you. Think of the good you could do here. Every little kid idolizes you. Everyone respects you. Some people never have your gifts. And if you do it right and stop feeling sorry for yourself, you can make a difference.”

“Give back to the community, you mean?”

“Exactly, Brody.”

A prickle ran over my skin at her words, and my breath ran a little shallower than before. That’s what Ro had said about the little things making the difference.

I stared at the back of my hands as they lay in my lap. If I was honest, I hadn’t missed walking out on the street and being mobbed for autographs or selfies or the people staring at me in restaurants or bars. Any initial excitement about my arrival in Tuft Swallow had faded. Now, folks just wanted to hear how I was. Chat about life. Football.

And then there was Ro. Her smile, her kisses. Since I’d rolled back into town, I’d laughed more than I had in years. I looked up and ran my eyes over the square. The old men playing Kerplunk. The glimpse of Main Street and the banners celebrating the latest cornhole victory hanging from the lampposts.

A warm glow spread across my chest. Tuft Swallow felt like home. Rowena felt like home. She was home.

If I had to go back to my team, would I really be able to leave her behind? The idea gave me a gnawing, gaping hole in my heart. Not seeing her every day, crochet hooks tuckedin her hair, her freckled nose wrinkled in concentration, was unthinkable. No. There was no way I could say goodbye to her.

She was the light in my life. All the hope. I wish it hadn’t taken me so long to see it.

But would I, not Flock, just Brody, be enough for her? Would we be enough for each other? I turned to Mrs. Woodcock. She had the tiniest smile on her mouth, and her eyes crinkled at the corners like she’d read my mind.

“The two of you would be enough.” And with those words, she patted my knee, stood, and headed toward town.

After my “intervention”at the hands of Mrs. Woodcock, I took a walk around Tuft Swallow, thinking long and hard about my future. What would my life look like, and who would I be without my career. Based on the sympathetic smiles from the folks I saw, news about my being dropped traveled fast.

But nobody bothered me or pestered me for a comment. They just clapped me on the back and commiserated, wishing me well. One little kid even hugged me and offered me half his sandwich.

The bird watchers were out again, in all their turquoise glory. The blonde lady I met at the crochet club came up to hug the goat. He was eating primroses near the Swallow, his little bell jingling. I smiled. This town was nuts. Crazy. But right now, it was the only place I wanted to be. The place I could breathe. And Ro was the only person I wanted to be with.

Unfortunately, a few things were standing between us being together. Namely, her feelings on the matter, plus three strapping and protective brothers. I sucked in a breath andpulled my phone from my pocket. It was time to tackle the largest one.

I tapped out a message…

Brody: Coop, can you meet me at the Crow?

27

BRODY

Iran my fingers down my icy beer glass, wondering if I’d survive the conversation I was about to have. Cooper Swan was my oldest friend and the man who meant the most to Ro. He’d been her rock when their mum passed and had looked after her when her brothers left town to start new lives away from Tuft Swallow. Without his approval, my hopes of a future with his sister were dead in the water.

The fundamental problem? Coop knew me too well. At least he knew one version of me. The one that came with a reputation. We’d had more than a few wild nights out. But he had no idea I was hopelessly in love with his sister. And that’s what I was.

I’dalwaysloved her, but these last few weeks had well and truly sealed my heart. She’d opened my eyes to what was missing in my life. Home. Family. Belonging. I’d focused on myself for so long that I’d forgotten the important things.

I just hoped he thought I was good enough for her. I wasn’t even sure myself. But Ro deserved the best. To be cherished. Treated like a princess. And I was determined to be the one to have the honor.

Coop’s arrival at the table brought me solidly back to the present. Music thumped from the speakers behind the bar as Ginger and the crew set up for the lunch crowd. My best friend slipped into the booth opposite me with a squeak of denim on leather.

“Where’ve you been, man? You didn’t answer your phone. I’ve been worried.”

I held up my hands in defense.

His frown was deeper than the Grand Canyon, and his dark eyes swept over my face. “The news is all around town. Your contract, I mean. I’m so sorry, man.”

“It’s okay. I’ll be okay.” Was I trying to convince myself? “Once the dust settles, I’ll rethink my options.”

Coop viewed me through narrowed eyes and took a pull on the beer I shoved toward him. “If there’s anything we can do, man... You can stay at the house as long as you need.” He paused, picking at the label on the drink bottle. “Have you seen Ro?”