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three

Miles

I finish my eight-mile run in record time. I have sweat pouring off me, but I don’t care. I feel great. I could do another eight miles if I had to.

Running makes me feel alive. I shut everything, and everyone, off. All I focus on is myself and my breathing.

There’s a rhythm, a cadence, that forms and allows me to escape my thoughts and worries, focusing only on the pavement.

I’m stretching, reaching to the sky, opening my lungs, when I hear a loud whistle. “Hey, hot stuff, you single?”

I laugh and turn to see Everett hanging out of his truck window. “Only for you.”

He chuckles. “Are you coming to practice tonight?”

“I’m always at practice.”

“Yeah, yeah, that’s because you have no life.”

“That’s rich coming from you,” I toss back.

Everett’s life is his business and taking care of his mom. She suffered an injury years ago that flipped his entire life around, but Everett didn’t blink and stepped up.

“I’ll have you know, I played six games of Scrabble yesterday with my mother and won them all,” he informs me.

“Yes, a life that every man dreams of. When was the last time you got laid?”

He shrugs. “Real men don’t kiss and tell. ”

“Funny, I don’t see any other real men around but myself.”

“Dickhead. Hey, listen, Lachlan changed the time of practice because Rose has cheer. They sent a text.”

“I didn’t see it. I left my phone in the car.”

“You could at least get one of those watches that tells you when someone is looking for you.”

I shrug. “I could, but then I’d know when you were trying to reach me.”

Everett flips me off. “All right, princess, I’m going out to check on a pregnant cow. Want to meet me after?”

“Sure, let’s meet at Prose & Perk,” I suggest, knowing exactly why I want to go there.

“What?” Everett asks with confusion. “Why there?”

“We can get a drink before,” I say as though it should be fairly obvious. I don’t know when Everett doesn’t have a cup of coffee in his hand.

“Yes, well, I know why I would get that, but you don’t even drink coffee!”

No, but . . . I like the barista.

“I’m aware of that, thank you, jackass. I need to carb up and Hazel has . . .” I search for something I’ve seen that will make me not look like it’s because I just want to see Penelope. Then I remember she just got new snacks in. “. . . protein bars and granola.”

He scoffs. “Right, that’s what you’re looking for?”

Fuck. He knows something isn’t right, but I refuse to admit defeat. “Obviously.”

They know that I fucking hate coffee and only go to Prose & Perk in the morning for tea and breakfast.

He shakes his head. “Whatever. Meet me there at four.”

“Sounds good.”

Everett is the town vet, and I swear, no one works harder than him. We’re mainly a horse farm area, but we have a few farms in the area that have a variety of animals. He usually spends two days a week going to the surrounding area, and the others he’s at his office in town.

I make the ten-minute drive back home, toss my keys in the bowl by the front door, and hop in the shower .

Once I’m done and dressed, I check my phone and notice I have seven missed calls, all work related, and a shit ton of text messages.

I’m sure it’s the freaking group chat.

Lachlan

I need to move the practice tonight back two hours.

Everett

And we all live to accommodate you.

Lachlan

Thank you. I appreciate that you do. It’s for Rose’s cheer team so don’t be a dick or I’ll tell her Uncle Everett made her miss.

Everett

She’d never believe you. I’m her favorite.

Killian

That’s a lie.

Lachlan

If it is true, it’s because he acts her age.

Killian

Sorry, guys, I won’t be there since I’m in Boston and can’t leave.

Everett

Slacker.

Killian

You’re in rare form.

Lachlan

Really? This seems like his only form—dickhead.

Killian

That’s true, he’ s always a punkass.

Everett

You both really know how to insult others. I’m over here, saving a calf’s life and you’re just being mean ... tears ... please stop hurting my delicate feelings.

I laugh at that one. He doesn’t have feelings, let alone delicate ones.

Lachlan

Anyone know if that’s going to work for Miles?

Everett

I just passed him after he was running, he’s fine. Not like he’s good at Frisbee anyway. Missing him might actually be an improvement.

Lachlan

This is true.

I jump in, grateful this didn’t go even longer.

I fucking hate you all. Let’s be real for a second, the weakest link is definitely Everett.

Lachlan

Oh, look, you’re alive. Is the new time okay?

Of course I’m fine with it, I would never deny your daughter a chance to cheer. Talk to you idiots later, I have to put out fires at work.

Lachlan

Leave that to the professionals.

Everett

If you know of any of those, please share their names .

Oh, Lachlan is going to love that one. I put my phone on the charger, knowing that this conversation is going to take a turn for the worse, and grab my laptop.

I’m supposed to be on the lake, not caring about any of these emails, but there are four marked URGENT. Which ... well, as much as I’d like to pretend I don’t care—I do.

Mr. Anderson,

I’m writing to let you know that I will not be returning next year. I know I previously committed, however, things have changed and this is my official resignation.

Sincerely,

Megan Hunt

Of course the head of the fucking English department just quit.

I open the next email.

Mr. Anderson,

Please find attached my request for my son’s schedule. As you know, Sloane is very gifted, but requires a certain order to his subjects to be successful. I look forward to your care and attention to this requirement.

Best,

Jennifer Sanders

Oh, yeah, like that’s going to happen. I keep going. Some are from parents, a few teachers asking for specific room assignments or other ridiculous things. When I was pretty much forced to take this position, I had no clue what I was in for. I’d taught for six years and the superintendent came to me, asking me to apply for his position since I was already certified. I laughed, thought it was ridiculous, but agreed because he was a friend.

I never in a million years thought I’d actually get it.

However, with my military background and the fact that I know this town like I know myself, it hasn’t been that bad.

Until I get stupid emails like these.

I reply to the few that don’t require much thought and then close my laptop. While I’m not in Michigan, I do have access to fishing, and that’s what my plan is for the day.

I grab my pole, ready to be out on the water, even if it’s just the river, when there’s a knock at my door.

That’s fucking weird.

I walk over, yanking the door open to find Ethan and Kai.

“What the ... ?” I stop myself before I finish that one.

“Hey, Uncle Miles.”

“Ethan . . .”

“I’m playing with Kai today, and I told him that you live real close, so I had to prove it.”

I raise one brow. “Had to, huh?” I look to the non-troublemaker in this duo, pretty sure my nephew is going to corrupt this one. “Does your mother know you both came here?”

Kai shakes his head.

Great. Fishing ruined again.

“Let’s walk you both there before she realizes you took off.” I step outside, and we make our way toward their house. The boys chat about what they were doing and how they were on an adventure walk, which led them to me.

If I had Penelope’s number, I’d call and let her know they are safe, but I don’t, and Kai said he doesn’t have it.

“Kai! Ethan!” I hear screaming, but it’s coming from another area than where we’re heading. “Kai! Please, God, Kai! Ethan! Boys!”

There is absolute terror in her voice. “I have the boys here!” I yell back.

“Kai!” She screams again and her voice cracks.

“Penny! I have Kai!” I yell louder, moving toward where she sounded like she was. “Come on,” I say to them and we jog that way.

When I get closer, Penny is on her knees, tears streaming down her face, and I get to her first. I quickly crouch and keep my voice soft. “They’re safe. They were just being kids who walked off and they came to my house. They’re safe.”

Her gaze lifts, and her red-rimmed eyes break my heart. She shakes her head. “H-he d-doesn’t run of-f.”

I nod. “They were doing an adventure walk,” I try to explain, even though it sounds stupid. “They’re okay.”

Her chest is heaving and then Kai comes close. “I’m sorry, Mommy. We were looking for bugs.”

She looks to him, and tears continue down her face. “You. You c-can’t do th-that to me a-again.”

Kai nods. “I won’t. I’m sorry.”

“It’s o-okay.” She wipes her face, but I can see that she’s still not okay.

“How about we walk back to your house together? It’s hot and we could all use some shade and water.” I stand, extending my hand to Penny. She takes it, rises, and her lips tremble.

Even Ethan, who normally isn’t rattled by much, looks frightened.

The four of us quietly make our way back, the two boys walking a few steps ahead. I slow my pace to match Penny’s.

After a minute passes, I speak. “Are you all right?”

She turns her head, almost as though she forgot I was here. “Not fully.”

“Scared the shit out of you, huh?”

“They were playing out back one second and then they were gone. I don’t know that my heart has restarted yet.”

While I don’t have kids, I know that moment of panic when you think you’re missing a child. “When I was a fourth-grade teacher, we went on a field trip out into the mountains. I taught earth science, so we had the cool trips. Anyway, we were in groups of four, but one of the groups had five. We’d do a one, two, three, four head count every fifteen minutes. It was sort of a sound off. We did this a bunch of times, always getting to five, but to be funny, one of the kids pretended to be another number so they sorted into the wrong group. It was ... the most fucking terrifying twenty minutes of my life, looking for that kid. I was screaming his name, running up and down the creek. I swear, every horrific scenario anyone could come up with, I’d played out.”

Her long lashes flutter. “Yeah, my imagination wasn’t kind.”

“Ember Falls is pretty safe,” I try to reassure her. “Our last murder was in, like, 1907 or something. The worst crime we had was when Everett shoplifted, to which his mother dragged him to the town meeting and made him recite an apology letter ... where every other parent, mine included, made us come to see what happens to sticky-fingered little kids.”

She smiles for just a moment. “That’s good to know. Although I’m not sure crime sprees typically come with notice.”

“True, but we all look out for one another here. Just so you know, the boys and I were on our way to you. As soon as they showed up at my door, we were heading back.”

Penny’s eyes lift, and the shimmering tears still linger, but she looks as though she can breathe a little easier. “Thank you. And for walking us back. I really appreciate it.”

“Of course.”

We reach the entrance to her driveway and she clears her throat. “Thanks again, Miles. I’m sorry I freaked out so much before.”

“I would’ve done the same if it was my kid.”

Although maybe not to that extent. Penny was beyond anxious, it was beyond terror even. I’ve never seen someone so distraught, as though she was sure he was dead or worse. Thankfully, she seems a little calmer now.

She turns to Ethan and Kai. “I think you boys should play inside until it’s time to go back.”

“Is my sister coming to get him?” I ask.

She shouldn’t be driving with her being so close to giving birth, but trying to tell Eloise what to do is like trying to stop the rain.

Penny shakes her head. “No, I’m going to drive him home before my shift.”

“I can take him if you need,” I offer. I’m not sure why I offer, because it seems there’s a perfectly good plan already in place, but something has me wanting to stay, or at least make this day a little easier for her .

“It’s fine, I’ll do it.” She takes a step back and wraps her arms around her middle.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” I ask.

While we’ve been talking the last few minutes, it’s clear she’s still rattled.

“Yeah, I’m good.”

“I can hang around if you want ... I’m pretty good at keeping Ethan out of trouble.”

She smiles but shakes her head. “I promise, I’m fine.”

“All right. If you need anything, I’m right down the road.”

“Thanks again, Miles. I’ll see you around.”

I flash my most charming smile, if I even have one, and dip my head. “I’m sure we will.”

I can’t stop thinking about Penny.

On my walk home, I kept wanting to turn around and make sure she really was okay. However, that would’ve been a little intrusive, so I went back, worked on the asinine emails I had, trying to respond with professionalism instead of— are you fucking kidding me with this shit? —and made sure my nephew didn’t appear again.

Not that I think he’d be that stupid to try it again after he saw Penelope’s face and how terrified she was.

Now I’m at practice and still thinking of her.

I need a hobby.

“Dude!” Everett yells. “Catch the fucking disc!”

I look over and it’s lying on the ground to the right of me. “Didn’t see it.”

He throws his hands up. “Clearly! We have our first tournament in a few weeks. You might want to at least try to give a shit.”

I shrug. “I could try, but there would be no fun in that. Hey, after this, I was thinking we could get coffee.”

“Coffee?” Lachlan asks.

“Yeah, you know that stuff that your fiancée is so hard up on. She basically keeps Hazel in business.”

He rolls his eyes. “Yes, I know what it is, Ainsley clearly does, but you don’t drink it. ”

“No, but I could start.”

Everett stands there, jaw slack. “Okay, now I’m sure something is wrong with you. You hate coffee.”

I roll my eyes. “Maybe I just haven’t had the right kind.”

Maybe I just want it made by a beautiful woman with auburn hair and blue eyes.

Or maybe I’m an absolute idiot.

That last one is highly plausible.

Still, I want to see her and this gives me the perfect excuse.

“So let me get this straight, you want to try to like coffee for some odd reason?” Everett asks before tossing the Frisbee at me.

“Yes.”

“Did we hit you in the head with the Frisbee?” Lachlan asks.

“No.”

“Okay, then maybe you’re having a medical episode. This is really not like you to want coffee.”

He’s not wrong, I hate coffee. The shit is nasty. It tastes like dirt. However, I don’t hate being around the woman who serves it.

“I didn’t realize my drinking habits were studied. I want to give it a try.”

Everett snorts. “It’s not the coffee he wants to try, it’s the woman who works there and owns it?”

For a second I think they’ve caught on that I want to see Penny, but then I actually register what Everett said. “Wait, what?”

“Hazel.”

“I know who owns it, putz, but why would you think I like Hazel?”

Everett rubs his forehead. “Well you’ve been making excuses to go in there and while you don’t have a shot in hell of dating Hazel, you’re giving it a go. Is that it?”

I ignore the jab about dating Hazel because he’s a prick, but the fact he’s noticed has me a little concerned. Hopefully Penny doesn’t notice that I’ve been in almost twice a day.

“Nope, I just don’t feel like cooking and the pastries are great. Hazel has been bringing in new snacks lately.”

“You’re so fucking weird,” Everett says with a laugh. “And a liar. ”

“Projecting much?” Lachlan asks. None of us are able to resist a good jab at one or the other.

Everett scoffs. “Yeah, and you’re just the walking poster for normal?”

“Normal is a relative term,” I say quite philosophically, if I do say so myself.

The two of them chuckle. “Yeah, we’re not even going to talk about Lachlan,” Everett replies before flicking his wrist to send the Frisbee flying—the wrong way.

“One would think by now we’d be good at this,” Lachlan mutters under his breath.

“Hey, we’re good when we want to be,” I say, defending our terribly ridiculous team.

“Not since entering the professional league,” he reminds me.

This is a pretty sad fact. Prior to this year, we played as a college team. The four of us enrolled in community college, which allowed us to enter the collegiate league after recruiting a few other players. We were good.

We were gods.

Maybe not gods, but seriously, we fucking kicked ass.

Then we got kicked out.

After our last tournament win, a bunch of the other schools filed complaints because we ... won all the damn time.

The official collegiate league met with us and told us we either had to be full-time students in a four-year school, or we needed to join a different league.

Which means we needed to join the adults’ professional league or disband the team.

Well, no one puts the Disc Jocks in the corner.

We rallied and found a new league to dominate. Only to find out that—we suck.

“News flash, boys. You were never good!” Ainsley, Lachlan’s girlfriend, yells from the sideline.

“Fuck off, sweetheart,” Lach yells at her.

“Love you too, sugarpie.”

I roll my eyes. “You two are couple goals.”

“Whatever.” Lachlan grins .

He’s such a moron and so completely in love with that girl it’s almost uncomfortable to watch.

Everett clears his throat. “If we can get back to the topic at hand.”

“Yes, how do we improve?” I remind them.

“I was talking about your stupid-ass request to go drink coffee.”

For fuck’s sake. “Can we just drop this?” I ask.

“Not a chance, douchebag,” Everett says, arms crossed over his chest.

“Who cares if I don’t like coffee? I want to go, so what?”

Everett smirks. “You’re right. Let’s all go get coffee and see what really is on the menu that you want to sample.”

The three of them grin at each other, and I’m pretty sure I’m going to regret every second of this.

We pack up and head to the cars, which means I get to see Penelope again, and really it’s only because I want to make sure she’s okay.