Chapter 7
Nova
It’s Monday. The weekend passed in a blur of firelight, skin, laughter, and tangled sheets.
We made love like we were making up for lost time.
And maybe, in a way, I was.
I’m glad I never gave myself to my ex.
Back then, I told myself I was waiting until we got married. That it was about timing, tradition, whatever.
But deep down, I think I knew.
He wasn’t the one.
He never looked at me like I was something to be cherished.
He never touched me like I was fire he wanted to burn in.
He never made me feel wanted the way Maverick does—with every kiss, every breath, every quiet look that says you matter.
Earlier this morning, we took Nugget down to Silverpine River.
The trail was packed with snow, the water edged with ice, and the whole world looked quiet and untouched, like it didn’t know what kind of weekend I’d just had.
Nugget, of course, did not do quiet.
He launched himself into snowdrifts like he was diving for treasure, popped back up with powder on his nose, then sprinted frantic circles around our boots like he was trying to herd us.
He found a pinecone and attacked it with full confidence, lost immediately, and came barreling back like he needed backup.
I laughed so hard my stomach hurt.
Maverick just watched him with that soft, reluctant look I kept catching when he thought no one was paying attention. Then Nugget tried to leap into the riverbank snow, slipped, and landed on his side with a dramatic little huff.
Maverick muttered something under his breath, scooped him up, and held him against his chest like it was the most natural thing in the world.
Nugget rewarded him by licking his jaw like he’d just been rescued from war.
Maverick’s mouth twitched, almost a smile, and his hand found mine, warm and steady inside my glove, like he was anchoring me without saying a word.
And now, sitting beside Maverick in his truck as we drive into town, I feel… steady.
Happy.
Worn out in all the right ways.
We’re on our way to grab burgers, because apparently Lovesbury has the best burgers in Montana, and I can’t stop smiling.
The town looks like a snow globe that got shaken and never settled.
And somehow, I still feel… warm.
“I think I’m gonna open a bank account,” I say, watching the downtown buildings roll into view. “I can’t keep all that cash in my purse forever. And maybe… start looking at what it’d take to open a small business.”
Maverick’s eyes cut to me, warm and steady. “You serious?”
I nod. “I took the loan already. Might as well use it for me now.”
He doesn’t say that’s risky or are you sure you’re capable of running a business?
He just says, “Good.”
Like he means it.
I lean over and press a quick kiss to his cheek. “Let me run into the bank. You go order the food?”
“Same as yesterday?” he asks.
“Double everything,” I tease. “I’m starving.”
He chuckles and pulls into a spot just down the street from the Waffle Den. The bank is just across the road.
That sound still surprises me. The chuckle. The way his mouth actually lifts now, like the grump is optional.
Evelyn was right. He really is a softie under the scowl.
Everything in this town is walkable, adorable, and a little too wholesome for someone like me.
I hop out of the truck. “Be right back.”
He gives me a look. One of those be careful looks he doesn’t even try to hide anymore.
“I’ll be fine,” I say, waving him off with a grin.
He nods once and heads toward the burger joint.
I cross the street, boots crunching in the snow, purse slung across my body. The bank comes into view, plain brick and glass.
But I never make it to the door.
A hand yanks my arm, hard, pulling me sideways between the narrow space of two buildings.
“What the hell—” I start to shout, but I see him.
And the sound dies in my throat.
Chase.
My ex.
He looks just like he used to. Jeans, smug grin, leather jacket he probably can’t afford.
But there’s something sharper about him now.
More wired. More mean.
“Well, well,” he drawls, eyes dragging over me with disdain. “You always did have a thing for mountain men stories. Guess you decided to skip straight to the flannel fantasy.”
I try to yank my arm back. “Let go of me.”
But his grip tightens.
“Relax, Nova,” he says, voice low and taunting. “Just wanted to see who you ran off to. Tracked the card you used at some donut place. Took a day or so, but... here we are.”
I freeze.
The shared account.
I forgot the stupid card is the one saved on my phone. The one I tapped without thinking.
He smirks like he won something. “Been checking the inns and motels since yesterday. You’re not exactly hard to spot. Small town. People talk.”
He glances down the street. “So that guy? The one who looks like he eats nails for breakfast? He your new daddy now?”
“Leave me alone,” I snap, trying to push past him.
He blocks me with his body, eyes flashing. “You took my money, Nova.”
“I took my loan,” I shoot back. “You wanted it to pay off your gambling debt—”
“You owe me,” he growls, face suddenly too close. “You don’t get to play little house in the woods while I’m left scraping by.”
His hand curls tighter around my wrist. My heart slams in my chest.
He leans in again, voice quiet and cruel. “So here’s what’s gonna happen. You’re gonna give me what you owe, and then maybe I forget I ever saw you.”
I open my mouth to scream, but nothing comes out.
Across the street, the Waffle Den glows warm behind frosted windows.
Maverick is in there.
He has no idea.
Chase’s fingers dig into my wrist, and I can’t even get air into my lungs.
Then I hear it. Boots on snow. Slow. Heavy.
A shadow falls across us.
Maverick’s voice is low and flat. Dangerous.
“Step away from my woman. Now. If you want to live.”