Light My Fire Three Times (Coyote Glen #2)

Chapter 1 Olivia

CHAPTER ONE

Olivia

The cabin is perfect.

Or, at least, it's exactly what I imagined it would be.

Cozy, quaint, the kind of place you see in vacation brochures with the tagline Escape the Chaos.

Too bad it smells of pine, cedarwood, and, if I’m being sincere, probably a bit of my own self-doubt lingering in the air.

But hey, it’s quiet. For now, that’s the most important thing.

I’m halfway through trying to decide if I should fire up the fireplace or binge-watch some bad reality TV when my phone buzzes.

I almost don’t pick it up. I mean, it’s not like I’m in the mood for a conversation that involves explaining to someone how exactly I managed to screw up my life to the point of needing to escape to the woods.

But it’s Ivy, so I pick it up.

“Liv, I’m so sorry!” Ivy’s voice comes through, panicked and frazzled. “Max woke up with a fever, and it’s bad. I don’t want to risk it, so we’re heading to the doctor’s.”

I blink at the phone in my hand, trying to adjust to the disappointment smacking me in the face.

Of course, Ivy’s life is falling apart right when I finally get to see her. But if her baby boy is sick, I understand. There is nothing more important than that.

“Ivy,” I say, trying to sound breezy. “It’s fine. I get it. Max needs his mom. I’m not going to compete with that.” I pause, then add, “I can always just hang out here with me, myself, and my existential crisis.”

She sighs, sounding guilty enough that I want to hug her. “No, I swear, Liv. I wanted to take you out. I wanted to show you around town. I wanted to eat something that isn’t a leftover chicken nugget.”

I snort. “Honestly? Same. I was really looking forward to something other than microwave popcorn, but we have two weeks for that. I’m not going anywhere. Coyote Glen is where I’m staying for a whole fortnight.”

There’s a small, tired laugh on the other end. “We will get to dinner. I owe you big time. I swear.” She pauses. “It’ll be awesome. You’re going to love your vacation.”

I can almost hear her rolling her eyes.

“Take care of Max. I’ll be here. Doing my best to remember what ‘relaxing’ looks like.”

“Promise me you won’t get murdered by some mountain serial killer?” she teases.

“Only if you promise not to turn into a momzilla,” I counter. “I’ll send up a flare if anything weird happens.”

She chuckles. “Deal. I’ll check in later. And I still owe you dinner. Big time.”

“Yeah, you do,” I say, a playful grin tugging at the corner of my lips. “Take care of Max. I’ll be here, enjoying calm.”

I hang up and stare at the cabin around me. I feel a wave of loneliness wash over me like a bad romcom montage, complete with dramatic music in the background. Not that I'm a sucker for those, of course.

I'm totally a sucker for those.

I throw on my jacket and step outside. The crisp mountain air hits me immediately, sharp and refreshing, filling my lungs with that kind of cold that makes you feel alive.

The sun is low, casting a gorgeous golden glow over the snow-covered ground. The type of scene you’d frame in your living room, if you wanted people to think you had it all together.

I take a deep breath and start walking. The trail leading from the cabin is quiet, the only sounds are the crunch of snow under my boots and the occasional rustle of the trees.

I’m still trying to clear my head when I step on a patch of ice, and my foot slips.

In the blink of an eye, I’m doing my best impression of a human pendulum. Arms flailing, my body pitching forward like some cartoon character about to face-plant into the snow.

“Oh no,” I mutter, my life flashing before my eyes.

This is it.

This is how I go out.

Alone in the woods, taking a tumble in a picturesque mountain town.

And then, wham.

I crash into someone. Hard. My nose smacks into something solid, and I instantly freeze. But not from the cold. From the fact that I know exactly what, or rather who, this solid thing is.

I pull back, blinking up in total confusion as the man holding me is none other than…

“Jesse Fletcher?”

He grins down at me, looking entirely too pleased with himself for someone who just caught a woman mid-fall.

“At your service,” he says smoothly.

Ivy’s brother’s arms are still wrapped around me, and I take a moment to appreciate just how warm he is. This guy is built like a boulder, solid muscle and strength, and now I know, first hand, that he’s got the reflexes of a cat.

A really big cat.

I get my feet back under me, feeling a flush creeping up my neck. He is looking good. Damn.

He’s rugged in the way that guys who work with their hands are. Tall, with broad shoulders that seem to fill every inch of space around him.

His dark brown hair is always just a little too long, messy in a way that somehow makes him look even more attractive.

Like he’s been out chopping wood or saving kittens from trees, and he’s so used to being the guy people turn to for help, that the idea of him being anything else seems… impossible.

I can’t help but notice the way his jawline cuts through the air, angular and defined, like something out of a sculptor’s dream. And then there’s the little tattoos peeking out from his sleeves, rugged little marks that only add to the mystery.

And those storm gray eyes… wow.

“Okay. Well, this is embarrassing,” I say, brushing snow off my jacket, hoping to recover some dignity.

“Embarrassing? I think you just made my day,” Jesse teases, the smirk on his face turning into a full-blown grin. “You sure that you’re okay? You were going down like a sack of potatoes there.”

“Very poetic,” I deadpan, though the edges of my lips are twitching. “I’m fine. Just a little off balance. Thanks for saving me.”

He chuckles, his eyes lighting up in that way that makes you feel like you’re the only person in the world for a split second. “I’ve got you, Livvy. Can’t let you make a habit out of falling in front of me.”

The way he says my name, Livvy, the nickname he gave me when I briefly met him a couple of years back, sends a weird little jolt through me.

My stomach does something funny, and I don’t know if it’s the cold air or the fact that I’m totally not supposed to be feeling this way.

“Yeah, well, it’s only because you were there. I’m usually much more graceful.”

He raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Uh-huh. Sure, you are.”

I throw him a playful glare, and he holds up his hands in mock surrender.

“Alright, alright. But I am glad you’re in one piece. Can’t have you hurtin’ yourself before you get to know the town, right?”

I chuckle. “I’ll take your word for it. Although after this, I might have to hire you as my personal bodyguard.”

“Only if I get to charge you for the full VIP experience.” His grin widens, and I swear the guy’s got dimples now.

“VIP? What, for catching me in a fall?”

“Well, yeah. That’s a premium service. Not everyone can do it so… gracefully.”

I roll my eyes, but it’s hard to hold the look when I’m fighting a smile. “Right. And you’re not just showing off your firefighter skills?”

He shrugs casually, but there’s that hint of pride in his eyes. “Maybe a little. But I don’t mind. I don’t mind at all.”

“Lucky me,” I mutter, trying to keep it cool.

The air around us feels charged, but I can’t quite tell if it’s just the unexpected encounter or something more.

Jesse gives me a sidelong glance, his eyes still holding that playful spark.

“Well, if I’m being honest, I’m just trying to make sure you don’t hurt yourself before you get to know the place.

Coyote Glen’s not exactly known for its soft landings.

” He gestures to the snow-covered trees, the untouched hills stretching out around us.

“One wrong step and you’ll be hiking with a limp the whole trip. ”

I laugh, shaking my head. “Trust me, I’m not the type to go looking for trouble. Usually.”

He smirks, clearly amused by the idea. “Uh-huh, sure. And what do you normally do when you’re not gracefully face-planting into the arms of almost strangers?”

“Sit around and brood,” I reply quickly, just to see if I can throw him off. “You know, the usual relaxing vacation activities.”

“Brooding, huh?” He looks me over with a mock serious expression, like he’s evaluating me. “Well, Coyote Glen’s got a few good spots for that, too. Quiet corners. Bars that only serve whiskey. You might like it.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Bars that only serve whiskey. How could I possibly resist?”

Jesse’s grin widens as he takes a step back, giving me room to breathe. “Actually, I’m heading into town for dinner. Thought I’d grab a bite. You know, you’re welcome to tag along if you’re looking for something a little more exciting than ‘brooding.’”

I hesitate for a moment, eyeing the long stretch of snow-covered road leading into town.

“Well, I’m not exactly drowning in dinner invitations,” I admit. “And I did promise Ivy I wouldn’t get murdered by any mountain serial killers, so…”

“Yeah, that’s important,” Jesse says, sounding all too serious before his lips twitch into a grin. “It’s a deal. You’re safe with me, Liv. I’ve got the best survival skills in the area.”

I snort. “Survival skills, huh? That sounds… reassuring.”

He gives a dramatic bow. “I am a man of many talents. And if you’re in the mood to enjoy some of them—”

“Okay, okay, I’m in,” I interrupt with a grin, holding up my hands in mock surrender. “I’ll go. But I’m warning you, I’ve got a killer appetite.”

He winks. “I can handle it.”

We both laugh, the sound echoing across the mountain air, and for a moment, I almost forget about all the reasons I came here in the first place.

There’s something easy about Jesse. Comforting in the way he carries himself, like he’s used to handling chaos and still manages to keep everything under control.

I never really got to know him when I was here before. I’ve only ever been in town for Ivy. But now…

Well, now it feels different.

He walks a few steps toward his truck and turns back, raising an eyebrow. “You coming or what?”

I take a breath, feeling like I’m walking into an entirely new chapter of my life. “Yeah, yeah. I’m coming. But don’t think I’ll go easy on you just because you caught me from falling on my face.”

“Wouldn’t dream of it,” he says, chuckling, before turning and heading toward the truck.

The drive into town is anything but peaceful.

The truck hums beneath us, but the silence is thick, and it’s impossible to ignore the tension hanging in the air.

I can feel Jesse’s presence beside me, every movement he makes pulling my attention like a magnet. The scent of his cologne, woodsy with a hint of smoke, is oddly comforting, and I find myself fighting the urge to glance at him too often.

“So…” I start, the silence becoming unbearable. “Coyote Glen is quiet, right? I remember when I was here before…”

Jesse looks over at me, one eyebrow arched. “Yeah. Small town charm. You thought Coyote Glen was a hotbed of activity?”

I snort. “Well, maybe not hotbed, but, you know, something more than a handful of people in flannel and boots.”

“I think you’re confusing us with Aspen, Livvy,” he says with a chuckle, eyes never leaving the road. “We’re a little more… chill.”

“Chill?” I shoot him a teasing look. “Is that what you call it when people are in bed by nine p.m. and the most exciting thing that happens is a deer getting caught in someone’s garden?”

He smirks, lips twitching. “If you’re looking for a party, maybe you should head to a bigger town. But if you’re looking for peace and quiet, Coyote Glen’s got you covered.”

I lean back against the seat, trying to get comfortable, but my mind keeps racing. “I’m here for peace and quiet, though I’m not sure how much I’m going to like it. I’m used to more noise. Drama, at least.”

“Drama, huh?” His eyes flick over to me, then back to the road. “Well, don’t worry. You’ll find it. Just takes a little digging.”

“I’m sure,” I say dryly. “Probably in the form of an awkward encounter with a local or something. Maybe I’ll accidentally challenge someone to a duel over coffee.”

He grins at that. “I’ve got a funny feeling you’ll fit in here.”

“Funny, peculiar, or funny, ha ha?” I ask, side eyeing him.

He’s got that smile on his face again, the one that makes my stomach do little flips I’m trying very hard to ignore.

“Both,” he says, the grin widening. “You’ve got the vibe of someone who’s always looking for the next disaster.”

“Disaster?” I chuckle. “I prefer to call it… adventure.”

He throws me a side glance. “Adventure, huh? I think I’m starting to understand why you fell flat on your face back there.”

I laugh, rolling my eyes. “You keep saying that, but I’ve got balance, you know, I’m just a little off today.”

He lets out a dramatic sigh. “Well, I can’t have you falling all over the place while you’re in my town. If you’re gonna go, at least do it with some grace.”

“I’ll have you know,” I say, trying to sound serious, “I am the picture of grace when I’m not slipping on ice. Maybe you have to give me another shot.”

By the time we pull up outside the restaurant, my heart is hammering. I don’t know how this night will go. But since it’s dinner with my best friend’s brother, I know I’m going to have to behave.