Page 15

fifteen

Penelope

I t’s been a few days since I’ve seen him, and the way my heart began to race the moment my eyes met his is seriously an issue.

However, it’s nothing compared to how it is right now. The two of us walking down this dirt path, away from the world.

“So you had a bad day?” I ask, wanting to talk instead of letting my mind wander around.

“I’m in the middle of trying to hire a teacher, and let’s just say the end of July, the worse the chances are of finding the right fit.”

“I can imagine that would suck.”

He chuckles. “It definitely does.” Miles stops, and his hand grips mine. “Now, before we go further down the path, I have to ask you a few questions.”

I work hard to control my breathing and not focus on the way his hand feels in mine. “Okay.”

“First, do you swear to hold the secrets of Ember Falls with your life and never repeat them?”

I blink at that. “What?”

“The secrets that are about to be told must remain—a secret. You have to swear it.”

“Wow, this must be some great secret.”

“It is.” He drops my hand and I already miss the warmth of him.

I nod. “Then I swear to keep the secret. ”

“Okay, you passed the first one,” Miles explains. “Now to see if you’re worthy of being told the secret is a little harder.”

“Why do I feel like this is going to be a huge letdown?”

“It could be.”

I laugh softly. “All right, that’s encouraging.”

“First part of the question. Do you have a pure heart?”

I’m not really sure how to answer that one. “Umm, maybe?”

“Maybe? What kind of answer is that?” Miles asks.

“Okay, fine. Yes, I do. If I didn’t, I would’ve just lied off the top.”

“Are you lying now?”

I shrug. “You’ll have to figure that out.”

He steps closer with a grin and my skin tingles. “What I’m hearing is that you want to go out and let me get to know you.”

“You need a hearing exam.” However, he’s not wrong. I want that very much.

“That’s not a no.”

“It’s not a yes.”

“I’ll take it.” He steps closer into my space. “Do you want to know a secret, Penny?”

I’m not sure if he means about him or this mythical town thing, but I nod anyway.

“Come with me.”

Miles extends his hand again, and I let my fingers entwine with his, doing exactly as he asked, following him like a moth to a flame, hoping I don’t end up burning my very fragile wings.

We walk down the path, and then he pushes a few branches aside, allowing me to walk through.

When I do, my jaw drops. “This is ... incredible.”

There is a beautiful waterfall that has a pool at the bottom before going to a few smaller falls. There are trees around both sides, and the way the moonlight glints off the water is ... so pretty.

Miles’s voice is soft as he says, “Welcome to the Ember Falls.”

“They’re amazing.”

Miles chuckles. “Now, they have actual magical powers, or at least that’s what the legend says.”

“There’s a legend?”

“All small towns have them,” he says with a grin.

“Please, do tell then. ”

He shakes his head. “I’m afraid I can’t do that.”

I purse my lips. “Umm, why is that?”

“You have to be dating someone in the town to know the legend. People with permanent addresses can know of them. I think I’m breaking some town laws by actually showing you, but I plan to just blame Lachlan, so I’m not worried about it.”

I laugh, crossing my arms across my chest. “Do you all have meetings about this?”

“Monthly.”

I turn back to the falls, wondering if they’re warm or cold. “Can I touch this magical water?” I ask.

“Again, that’s only once you at least agree to date someone who lives here.”

He’s relentless, and a part of me loves it. “I see. So all the single people in the town can’t touch the water?”

Miles grins. “Well, those of us who were raised here get a free pass.”

“I wonder if Everett would be willing to go out with me,” I tease.

Miles doesn’t seem to like that. Fire flashes in his warm green eyes, and he steps to me. “I don’t think he would.”

“No?”

“No.”

“Why is that?”

“Because you know how I feel about you.” He steps closer. “You can go out with any man you want, but know that I won’t give up on you. I’m going to show you that I’m the only man worth your time, sweetheart.”

My stomach clenches and then my breath quickens. I want so badly to be someone else. A girl who could step to him, ask him how he feels. To give myself over to these damn feelings. To know that I could have a life, love, friendship, or even just a damn good time.

Then I think about what is in my past, the men who want to kill me and my son.

But what life am I living anyway?

I live in fear and if I tell him what this can be, and he accepts it, it could be enough.

“Miles,” I say his name softly. “There are ... things in my life ... and I can’t ...” This is so fucking hard. Part of what Quinn has said is that I can’t tell anyone. The entire point of me staying hidden is that no one can know. I huff, suck in a breath, and say what I feel safe saying. “I like you. I like you, even knowing it isn’t a good idea, and that scares me.”

He takes another step forward, his hand moving to my face, and I flinch. “Penny, I’m not going to hurt you.”

My jaw trembles. “In my past, I made bad choices, and those decisions had consequences. One of them is that I don’t trust easily. I also will always put Kai first. Always.”

“I would never ask you to put your son anywhere but in the front.”

This is why it’s so easy to like him. He’s ... amazing.

And he can never be mine. Not when I know I wouldn’t be strong enough to leave him. If I let him in, he’d take hold of my heart and I’d never get it back.

For Kai, I have to be strong and be ready to protect him.

“I can’t date you.”

“You can.”

I laugh once. “I can’t, Miles. I can’t do it.”

“Why? Tell me one good reason and I promise I’ll stop.”

I don’t want him to stop.

Which makes me want to cry, because he’s literally offering exactly what I’m asking for. Yet it’s not what I actually want.

I hate my life some days.

“Because I’m not ready to date anyone, and even though I care about you, it doesn’t change things. I ...” I move closer, my hand resting over his beating heart. “I can’t give you more than this. We can do these coincidental dates and the flirting, but I can’t be in a serious relationship. Right now, I need to focus on getting my life together and making sure Kai is safe and happy.”

His finger moves under my chin and tilts it up. “And who is going to make sure you’re safe and happy?”

“Me.”

He shakes his head. “No, sweetheart, you have me to do that for you too. I hear what you’re saying and I understand it. You have a past? I do too. I’m sorry anyone ever hurt you, but I never want to be the cause of any pain in your life. So we’ll coincidentally keep running into each other. Maybe we can happen to see each other for dinner tomorrow?”

I can’t say anything because I’m pretty sure I’m about to break down in tears, so I nod. “Maybe around six?”

“I could maybe bring something to the house and we could eat?”

My head and my heart are at war. I want everything with him, but then I can’t find a way to convince myself that it’s okay.

But then I think about what my sister-in-law said. What Ainsley and Hazel say about Miles and who he is. All the things he’s shown me over and over and ... we’ve already shared moments and I’m still standing.

What if I ... took a small part of it?

What if I give in to just something?

Before I lose my nerve, I speak. “Miles?”

“What, sweetheart?”

I breathe in, giving myself a sliver of permission. “Could you maybe kiss me?” I ask.

“I can definitely kiss you. If that’s what you want.”

He leans down, his mouth just a breath away from mine. It feels like a choice. That he’s allowing me the option whether or not to let it go further. He has no idea how much that little pause means to me.

My hands move up his chest, cupping his face, and I bring our lips together and melt into his touch.

All day I’ve been a bundle of nerves. Each time the door chimed that there was a customer, I kept hoping it was him. Then, as I was leaving for work, I thought maybe Miles would be there at my car. Why? I have no idea. I just wanted to see him.

Instead of him showing up, Justin, the tree man, as I’ve now dubbed him, is here on my front step with a shovel and a tree .

“Hi, Justin.”

“Ma’am. It’s good to see you.”

“You as well. Are you doing okay? ”

“I am.”

That’s good. “Did my landlord not pay you, or is there another tree with an issue?”

He shakes his head. “No, ma’am. I’m here with a note and directions to stay until you’ve made a decision.”

“Okay . . .”

I take the note from him and smile.

Penny,

Trees have roots and roots grow deep. I think you should put some roots down here in Ember Falls. Make Justin plant this anywhere you want where you can watch it grow.

Miles

“Why does he have to be so sweet?” I ask aloud.

“I think his gran has a lot to do with it,” Justin replies.

I look up, forgetting he was there. “Right. Sorry. So you have to plant this?”

“Miles gave me strict instructions you could decide where it went, and I’m not allowed to leave until it’s in the dirt.”

“I see. What if I don’t know where to put it yet?”

Justin looks a little afraid and shifts his weight. “Umm, well, then I guess we can put it in a pot and just tell him it was planted.”

I burst out laughing. “I think that defeats his purpose, but I sort of love the idea.”

“Do you want to do that then?”

“Yes, let’s do that. I think I saw a big enough pot out in the shed.”

“All right.”

I head to where the previous owner had a lot of gardening supplies. Back in the corner is a huge ceramic pot that will be perfect. It’ll also be funny, since I know for sure that this isn’t what Miles had in mind.

I heft the thing out of the corner and roll it. After ten minutes and sweat trickling down my forehead, I call for Justin .

He comes back, and together we move it close to where the tree that almost took out my house is.

“Do you think you can put it here?” I ask.

“Not a problem. I’ll get some soil and be back to get it done.”

“Thank you.”

I head back out front to unload the few groceries I picked up for dinner tonight while Kai is at practice. Since Miles is going to just happen to stop by tonight, I needed to make something really good.

Not that I’m that great of a cook, but I can google like the best of them.

I’m going with something that I’ve done a few times and was good: pork chops, stuffing, and my grandma’s homemade macaroni and cheese.

I check my watch and hurry out the door. “Justin, I have to run to get my son. Are you okay to head out the side yard?”

“Yes, ma’am. I’ll let Miles know it’s in dirt.”

I chuckle. “Good play on words. Thank you again!”

“Of course.”

The entire drive I can’t wipe the smile off my face. He’s so sweet to give me a tree and the note and to have Justin actually plant it. Just ... so freaking adorable.

I find a parking spot, and Eloise is outside the rink. “Hey!”

“Hey, Eloise. How are you?”

“I’m good. Cora is finally sleeping more, which means I’m sleeping more. Doug goes to the doctor tomorrow, where hopefully he’s cleared to start weight bearing, and then ... I might fly to Mexico and leave him with the kids.”

“Take me with you,” I joke.

“Don’t tempt me with a good time.” She sighs. “Anyway, how are you? I heard that you have learned of our magical secret of the town?”

“That news traveled fast.”

She shrugs. “I got coffee with Ainsley this morning and it came up. Lachlan’s land owns half of the falls, and the other half is Gran’s. I was mentioning that we were going tonight and would probably take the kids down to swim. ”

I didn’t know that. No one mentioned that Lachlan owned the falls. “I didn’t know anyone owned them.”

This town is just full of surprises. I will say, the falls were pretty cool, and I can’t wait to hear more of the history of them.

“Did Miles tell you the stories behind it?”

“He said I needed to be dating someone.”

She bursts out laughing. “Did he?”

“I’m going to guess that’s not true.”

Eloise shakes her head. “No, but then again, it might be. We learned about them when we were kids, since it was our backyard growing up. You know what? He might be right. There is all kinds of weird shit in the town oath. Anyway, I’m glad you know now and you’re an official Ember Fallsian.”

My heart swells at those stupid words. She thinks I belong here, and I have never felt more at home since moving here. I want to always stay here, but wants aren’t truths, and I’ll have to face that at some point.

I force a smile, not letting the sadness take over. “Thank you for the welcome.”

We head inside just as practice is finishing up. It’s the part of their day they love the most. They get to hit pucks at Miles. I laugh as he gets pelted over and over again and that there seems to be a frying pan-looking thing hanging from his belt.

“Oh dear lord,” Eloise says when there’s a loud gong sound as the puck hits his makeshift cup. “That would’ve hurt.”

I would agree with her there. Another puck hits the same spot, and Miles points his finger at Ethan, who laughs and then lines up for another swack at the puck and once again hits the pan.

“Ethan has great aim,” I say.

“He really does. That kid is outside all the time hitting pucks into the net. He loves it, and he loves figuring out how to make them go where he wants. I’m pretty sure my brother is going to stop this drill now that Ethan is aiming for his balls.”

Practice stops and the boys filter off the ice.

“Mom! Did you see us?” Kai yells as he rushes to me.

“I did. You boys did so good.”

“Ethan is amazing. He was able to hit Coach Miles four times!”

Miles is heading toward us, his dark-brown hair is pushed back, and he has his gloves slung over his shoulder. There’s something incredibly sexy about a man a little sweaty and rugged after playing a sport.

“Eloise,” he says as he walks over. “Your son is trying to ensure I don’t have children.”

“Miles, you’re the one who taught him hockey. You only have yourself to blame.”

He turns to me. “Are you like this with your brother?”

I shrug. “Sometimes.”

Eloise links her arm in mine. “Us sisters have to make sure you boys know your place. Are you coming for dinner tonight?”

He looks to me. “Coincidentally, I have plans tonight. I’ll come by tomorrow, though, hang out with Doug, and watch the game.”

She jerks her head back. “Plans? With who?”

“None of your business.” Then Miles smiles. “It’s a nondate date.”

I can feel the heat flaming from my cheeks when Eloise’s gaze moves to mine. Her smile widens, and the knots in my stomach tighten. She totally looks as if she would break out into song and dance.

“A date?”

I shake my head. “No. Not a date.”

“She doesn’t date. Not on purpose at least.”

I huff and roll my eyes. Now he’s making me sound ridiculous. “That’s not what I said.”

Eloise looks intrigued. “How does one date accidentally?”

“It’s more of ... if we’re in the same place at the same time thing.”

“So you’re just going to stop by Penny’s house when she’s making dinner?”

Miles raises his brows with a smirk on his perfect lips. “It’ll be a happy coincidence if it happens.”

“If I’m making dinner.”

“Maybe I’ll find out in an hour.”

“Maybe you will.”