Page 1 of My Three Hometown Hard Hats

Prologue

HADLEY

How isthis what my life has turned into?

Twenty-four hours ago, I had a boyfriend and a job. Although I can’t say I was in love with either of them.

Mitch was nice enough until he wasn’t.Toodle-oo cheating ass.

And I will certainly miss the money, but my corporate job was shit. Emails, paperwork, emails, paperwork, repeat.Toodle-oo shitty ass job.

Inhaling deeply, I shift in my business-class seat. At least I get to escape everything that New York has become for me.

If I’m honest with myself, I don’t know if I actually want to live here anymore. My hometown is calling my name, and with Mom’s worsening multiple sclerosis and upcoming hip surgery, the choice to go home was an easy one.

Thunking my head back against the seat, I gaze out the small window overlooking the tarmac, wishing we could take off already. I’m itchy and antsy still being here after my world was turned upside down.

I can’t be here anymore.

“Are you okay, sweetheart?” a deep voice comes from beside me.

A much larger hand rests on top of my trembling one. I was so lost in my thoughts, I didn’t even know someone had sat down beside me.

Turning my head to the left, I am stunned silent by the man staring at me with so much concern.It can’t be legal for a man to look that… that…

When I don’t say anything because, well, my stupid brain can’t seem to formulate words in front of such a gorgeous creature, he continues.

“Are you nervous about flying?”

Finally, my brain starts to function past its ‘Me Jane, He Tarzan, He hot’ phase. “Oh, no. I’m not scared of flying. I just want to get out of here.”

“New York?” he questions, quirking a brow toward his perfectly messy blond hair.

I shrug, huffing out a breath before I word vomit all over this poor man. “Yesterday, I was laid off from the job I’ve had for the last two years, which I honestly hate. Then, to top it off, I found out my boyfriend of the last, um… some months was cheating on me.”

Anger ghosts over his face. “Please tell me you ended it with the scum bag.”

“Duh.”

He smirks, turning his body more in my direction. “Considering you don’t even know how many months you were dating, I’m assuming you’re more mad than hurt by this development.”

My eyes blink rapidly as my brain tries to process his words. “Yeah, I guess so.”

I glance down, realizing his hand is still on mine, my fingers lacing through his now.Why am I so comfortable with this guy? I don’t even know his name.

“I just want to leave it all behind and move on,” I explain.

“And Colorado is where you’re doing that?”

Deciding not to explain every detail of my life to this man, I nod in agreement.

His fingers, which are laced through mine, gently stroke over my thigh. “I’m sure you’ll figure it all out. Your former boyfriend and employer don’t deserve you, anyway.”

“You don’t even know me,” I say, staring into his blue eyes.

He leans in a few inches closer. “But for some reason, sweetheart, I think I do.”

I wake, feeling the drool on the side of my mouth, and realize I’m not leaning against my seat or even the wall of the plane.