Page 2 of Over the Moon (Rosewood River #3)

two

. . .

Eloise

“This is the cutest guesthouse I’ve ever seen,” I said, as I glanced around the place. I rented the guest house from Emilia Taylor after finding the place on an online app for short-term rentals.

Wood floors, large white-paned windows looking out at the yard, and the most adorable cottage décor.

“Thank you, I just renovated it, so you’re the first person to rent it out,” Emilia said, as her cowboy boots clanked against the wood floor.

She had the cutest style with her jean cutoff shorts and a cute white tee.

“I figured it would be short-term tourists who would want it, so this is great for me that you’re here for almost three months. ”

I was irritated that I had to relocate to accommodate a prima donna athlete, but as my father reminded me multiple times when I packed up to leave the city, this was my job, and I was lucky to have it.

Yes, I’d been hired by the San Francisco Lions as the team’s physical therapist.

Yes, my father was the coach.

Yes, everyone assumed that’s why I got the job.

But I was also extremely qualified, and I wouldn’t have gotten this job if I hadn’t been. My father may have gotten me in the door, but I had proven that I deserved to stay.

I attended one of the few universities that offered a dual degree program, allowing me to receive my doctorate in physical therapy and my master’s in athletic training.

The team already had an athletic trainer, so I’d only been hired on as a physical therapist, but I was as qualified as one could get.

And from where I was sitting, Clark Chadwick was a diva.

He’d taken none of my advice thus far on the few interactions that we’ve had, and now I had to move to a little town and work one-on-one with him because he was ever so important to the Lions.

Yes, I also had my Ph.D. in sarcasm.

I couldn’t stand an athlete who thought he was more important than anyone else on the team.

You know the saying… there’s no I in team.

But interestingly enough, all the letters in the word dick happen to be in Chadwick.

Call it girl math… but I had this guy’s number.

“Well, the team has offered to pay for three months’ rent, but I’m hoping it doesn’t take that long. I’m just here to work with one of our athletes.”

“Is it Clark Chadwick? You mentioned you worked for the Lions, right?” she asked.

“Yes. I’m guessing you know him if you’re from here?”

“I do. I grew up here. Everyone knows the Chadwicks. They have a big family. And Clark being a professional hockey player and winning the Stanley Cup is a big deal in Rosewood River,” she said, pulling her long dark braid over her shoulder as she set the keys down on the counter.

“You missed the big parade for him a few days ago.”

“I heard about that. And yes, there is so much to celebrate.” I shrugged, not wanting to praise the bastard any more than he already had been. He was on every news channel this week and several sports magazine covers, as he’d scored the winning goal for the Stanley Cup.

He was big news everywhere at the moment, so of course, his hometown was going to celebrate him.

“Yes, it’s very exciting, and I’m glad that brought you here.” She smiled. “Have you checked out downtown yet?”

“No. I just drove straight here. But I can’t wait to go explore a little.”

“Oh, there’s so many cute shops and great places to eat. You’ll have to stop by my flower shop.”

“You own a flower shop?” I asked.

“I do. It’s called Vintage Rose, and there’s a boutique attached owned by a friend of mine.”

“That sounds like my cup of tea,” I said. “I’ll definitely stop by.”

“I just live in the main house on my own, so if you need anything, don’t hesitate to come on over.”

I was renting the little guest cottage behind her home. It was a charming white ranch house with black shutters, and the guesthouse was just a smaller version with the same aesthetic.

“I love the flower boxes you have on both houses. It’s so charming,” I said.

“Well, decorating is my love language,” she chuckled. “I think it adds some nice curb appeal with that splash of color.”

“It’s amazing. And the décor in here is absolute perfection.” I moved through the space, admiring all the details. White shiplap on the walls, a small white couch with pink floral throw pillows, and a crystal chandelier above. It looked like something out of a magazine.

“Thank you. My dad thought it was too girly, but I’m just fine if women are drawn to the place,” she shrugged.

“I don’t think you are going to ever have a hard time renting this place out.

” I stopped in the kitchen and gaped at how cute the turquoise-colored oven with bronze knobs was.

There was a matching vintage refrigerator.

It was the perfect pop of color with the white quartz countertops, white cabinets, and white subway tile backsplash. “This kitchen is dreamy.”

“Ohhhh,” she squealed. “This makes me so happy. You’re really the first person to see the place all done, outside of my family, and they don’t get very excited about home décor.”

“Well, you killed it.” I paused and looked at her.

Emilia was definitely someone I would be friends with.

We appeared to be about the same age, and I loved her style.

She was petite with long dark hair and striking bright blue eyes.

She was sweet and just gave off those friend vibes.

“So, what do people our age do for fun around here?”

“Well, there’s the river, which is in peak season right now.

We’ve got great rafting, but it’s also just a fun place to hang out on the weekends even if you don’t want to take a death ride down the river.

And then you’ve got Booze & Brews, which is where all the locals hang out on the weekends.

Honey Biscuit Café has the best food in town—just avoid the mac and cheese because it’s rich and can be a little tough on your stomach,” she chuckled.

“Anyway, probably TMI with that, but if you ever want to hang out, just let me know. I’d be happy to show you around. ”

“I’d love that. I don’t know anyone here,” I said.

“Well, you know Clark Chadwick, so you’ll be in with the Chadwick family in no time. They’re a tight bunch.” Her cheeks pinked the slightest bit, which made me wonder if she was dating one of them.

“I don’t know Clark at all. I’ve met him twice, and I wouldn’t exactly say we hit it off. So, this job might be a little challenging.”

Her eyes widened at my admission, and I prayed to God she wasn’t dating one of the Chadwicks and I didn’t just stick my foot in my mouth.

“He’s actually really nice. They don’t care much for me, so we’re friendly, but just in passing.”

“Oh, tell me more,” I said, as I hopped up to sit on the counter.

Her head tipped back in laughter. “It’s nothing exciting. My family owns the Rosewood River Review . I don’t think the Chadwicks are fans of the newspaper.”

“Really? Clark Chadwick is on the front page of almost every newspaper in the country right now, yet he has a problem with his small-town newspaper?”

“There is this anonymous column in the newspaper, and it’s called the Taylor Tea .

You know, they dish the tea.” She shrugged, and her smile was forced as if she wasn’t too pleased about it.

“And the Chadwicks are a hot topic in this town. They are never fully named, but a lot of the articles appear to be about them.”

“And they have a problem with it?”

“Apparently so. Or maybe they just don’t like me…

I don’t know.” She waved her hands, and her cheeks flushed once again.

“The oldest brother, Bridger, just seems to despise me. The others sort of fake it, but Easton’s and Rafe’s girlfriends, Henley and Lulu, are really nice, and they come by the flower shop often.

So at least they don’t seem offended by me. ”

“I can’t imagine anyone being offended by you,” I said, and I meant it, because I had no doubt that Emilia Taylor was as genuine as they come.

“And the oldest brother being that worked up about your parents owning a newspaper is ridiculous. Newspapers have been around since long before we were born. What is his deal?”

I was already annoyed with Clark Chadwick, but now they all sounded like a bunch of jackasses.

She shook her head, and her eyes were wide. “No, they’re great. Really. Everyone loves the Chadwicks.”

I certainly wasn’t impressed.

“Well, you’re my first friend in town, and I’m Team Emilia. I also happen to be a big reader, so I don’t get offended by a local newspaper.”

“Wait. Are you a reader -reader? Like a lover of books?” she asked, her voice going to a whisper. “What do you read?”

I fell forward with a laugh because she said it with such curiosity.

“I’m a big romance reader. Historical. Contemporary. Dark. Small-town. I even dabble in a little mafia here and there. How about you?”

A wide grin spread across her face. “I’m all about the romance genre. I’ve never met a romance I didn’t like.”

“Stop!” I shoved at her shoulder and chuckled. “We’re going to be best friends, aren’t we?”

“I think we are. And we can buddy read so we can talk about it while we read.” She smiled so big it made me laugh.

“I would love that. I’m finishing up a small-town romance this week.”

“Oh, I just finished this awesome football romance, so I’m ready to dive into something new.”

“Okay, let’s pick something to read together next.”

“Yes! Count me in,” she said. “I’ll look at my Tbr and run a few options by you.”

“It’s a deal,” I said. “I love buddy reading. It’s so much fun when you can discuss it with someone.”

“Yes. It’s the best. And how about we go to Booze & Brews this weekend, grab dinner and a drink, and talk about our favorite book boyfriends?” She waggled her brows.

“I would love that.” I jumped down from the counter. “There’s nothing better than finding new book besties.”

“I totally agree,” she chuckled. “Let me show you the rest of the place, and I’ll help you bring your stuff in from your car.”

“You’re just winning me over more and more,” I said, as I followed her to see the bedroom and bathroom. This house was perfect. And Emilia shared that the river was just a block away.

I was getting more on board with this move now that I’d made a friend and seen the place in person. The pictures were cute, but they didn’t do it justice.

My only aggravation would be my reason for being here: Clark Chadwick.

And tomorrow we’d be starting PT and training.

Emilia and I spent the next hour and a half getting my car unloaded, and she’d even insisted I come over to her house for dinner.

It had been a full day.

When I finally got back to the guest cottage, I went to the bathroom to start a bath, and my phone vibrated on the counter.

Egomaniac Chadwick

Hey. I’ll see you tomorrow. Is 6:00 a.m. too early?

I pulled out my notebook and wrote down the time beside his address. I’ve always been someone who liked to write everything down.

Notebooks were my thing.

So maybe I was slightly type A. It’s what got me through college.

Hell, it’s what got me through life thus far.

And why did I feel like he was testing me with the 6:00 a.m. question?

That was damn early. I figured we’d start at 8:00 a.m. But I wasn’t going to be the weak link here.

I usually start at 5:30 a.m., but 6:00 a.m. works for me.

I chuckled because I loved a salty comeback.

Egomaniac Chadwick

Great. See you tomorrow.

I switched over to my work notebook and took a look at my workout plans for Clark.

I’d met with Randall Tallon, who was the athletic trainer for the Lions, to go over the conditioning that I’d focus on, and then we’d be doing physical therapy to heal and strengthen that knee.

Randall would be working with every other athlete on the team, while the diva got all of my attention.

My father was adamant that I come here and focus on Clark.

He was their star player at the moment, and my father raved about the guy like he was some sort of god.

Ridiculous.

Yes, he had an amazing season. The best of his career.

But from where I was sitting, the man was reckless. He sustained an injury in the final game, yet he celebrated and partied as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

But it wasn’t my job to monitor his behavior.

It was my job to heal him and make sure he was in the best shape of his life when he returned to the city in a few months.

And that’s exactly what I intended to do.