Devoted Enough (Love in Montana #9)

Prologue - Nathan

Prologue

NATHAN

Sophomore Year of High School

“Why do I have to bring it to her? Can’t Lily, or what about her mom? Can either of them come and get it?” I asked my mother as she stood in front of me, arms folded over her chest.

“Because your father is out of town, your sister has plans, and I have a meeting I need to attend tonight. Grace is in Missoula caring for her sick mother.”

“Mom, you know how much Haven gets under my skin.”

“Nathan Shaw, that young girl has had a crush on you since middle school, and that shouldn’t make her get under your skin.”

“It’s not just that, Mom.”

“I’m not asking you to simply take something to her, Nathan.”

“But–”

She held up her hand. “But nothing. I also want you to give this casserole to Haven. I’m sure her father hasn’t made her anything decent to eat since Grace has been gone.”

My mother’s voice was filled with dislike for David Larson. Haven wasn’t very fond of her father either, at least based on the few times she has spoken about him. “Do you not like him?”

She huffed. “Never mind how I feel about him. I promised Grace I’d make sure Haven was okay.”

I sighed. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my mother, but Haven Larson? Going to her house and seeing her wasn’t something I really wanted to do. It wasn’t that I didn’t like her; I did like her, but if my friends found out, they would tease me. Not that I couldn’t handle it, but it would most likely get people teasing Haven, and I didn’t want that. Haven got a lot of shit in school for not having money. The girls teased her for her clothes and the fact that she walked dogs as a job. I thought they were all jealous of her. She had the most beautiful grayish-blue eyes, brown curly hair, and the cutest dimples that appeared when she smiled. From the gossip making the rounds at school, her father wasn’t especially nice to Haven or her mother, Grace. No one was sure why, though.

“Fine, I’ll drop off the casserole and her backpack. But it was her fault for leaving it here after her lessons.”

My mother gave Haven horseback riding lessons for free since she was good friends with Grace. If you ask me, Haven spent way too much time here at our place and not enough time at her own home.

Kissing me on the cheek, she opened the door to the truck. “Be careful driving, Nate.”

“I will, Mom. You be careful driving to your meeting too.”

She leaned in and kissed me once again. “Thank you, sweetheart.”

With a wink, I replied, “Anything for you, Mom.”

She rolled her eyes. “The apple didn’t fall far from the tree.”

It took me about forty minutes to get from the ranch to Haven’s place. Her parents didn’t live on the best side of town, but it wasn’t the worst either. They had a simple, two-story house that I had only ever seen from the outside.

I pulled up and parked in front of the house. Haven’s father’s truck was parked in the driveway. Grabbing the backpack, I got out of the truck and made my way to the passenger side to get the casserole. As I walked up to the door, I heard a loud scream come from inside the house, and my heart felt like it was about to nearly jump out of my chest.

“That’s Haven,” I said to myself as I quickly went to the door and was about to ring the doorbell when I heard the faint sound of more screaming for someone to leave her alone. I reached for the door, and it was open. My heart hammered in my chest, and I had no idea what I was walking into. When I heard a crash come from upstairs, I dropped the backpack, put the casserole on a side table near the door, and then dashed up the steps. Haven’s voice guided me to where I needed to go.

“Please don’t do this. Please!”

I ran up the steps. The room where her voice was coming from was down the hall.

“You know what will happen if you don’t keep your damn mouth shut.”

For a moment, my footsteps faltered. That was Haven’s father’s voice.

“Please…don’t do this! Please, stop!”

I pushed the door open to see David forcing Haven’s hands above her head as he moved over her. For a moment, I was frozen in place. Was I seeing what I thought I was seeing?

When she let out a small cry, I ran, grabbed him by the shirt, and yanked him off of her. Then I pulled back my fist and punched him. He stumbled back and fell to the floor.

“Nate!” Haven cried out as she scrambled to the other side of her bed.

“What in the hell were you doing to her?”

David wiped the side of his mouth and stood. “You need to turn around and get the hell out of my house.”

I balled my fists together, prepared to continue this fight, and shook my head. “How could you do that to your daughter?”

“Nate, please. Please don’t make him mad.”

I looked at Haven, and that was when I saw her bruised cheek. “Did he hit you?”

Her eyes darted away, and I had never in my life felt such anger. Turning back to David, all I felt was burning rage, and all I saw was red as I lunged for him, knocking him back onto the floor. Then I just started hitting him in the face over and over until I felt Haven pulling at me.

“Stop! Nate! You’re going to kill him, stop!”

I let her pull me away as I stood and looked at the man lying on the floor, covered in blood. “Doesn’t feel so good getting hit on, does it, asshole? Next time fight someone who can fight back.”

David looked up at me and smirked as he went to wipe the blood from his lips. “What are you going to do, kid?”

“I’ve already called the police.”

Haven gasped next to me. “What?”

Looking at her, I felt the anger rise up again. She looked terrified. So I whispered to her, “I haven’t, Haven, but I will.”

“No! Please, Nate.”

I shook my head in disbelief. “How could you let him get away with this, Haven? If he’ll do that to his own daughter, what will prevent him from doing the same—or worse—to someone else? It’s settled, we’re calling the police.”

David stood, spit out some blood, and bolted out of the room like his ass was on fire. I followed him. “If you think I’m going to let you leave this house, you are crazy.”

David quickly beelined it for his bedroom, went to the closet, and grabbed a duffle bag.

“What do you think you’re doing?”

“If you think I’m going to jail for this, you’ve got another thing coming, kid.”

I went to walk over to him again, but felt Haven take my hand and pull me. “Nate, please. Let him go. Please.”

I turned to look at her. “But, Haven, he…”

The look in her eyes caused my voice to trail off.

She swallowed hard and whispered, “Please. I can’t have anyone find out. Please.”

David walked by us and down the steps.

“Haven, he was hurting you. He looked like he was about to...” I closed my eyes and drew in a deep breath. “His own daughter. We can’t let him get away with that.”

She frantically wiped her tears away. “I can’t…I can’t do this. Please, I’m begging you.”

“Stay here,” I said as I quickly went downstairs. The front door slammed, and I ran out to catch David before he took off. Grabbing him, I pushed him against the truck.

“I swear to God, if you ever come back to Hamilton, get anywhere near Haven, or so much as attempt to contact her, I won’t be calling the cops. I’ll be digging your fucking grave. And I won’t be alone…every male member of my family will happily help bury your sick ass.”

He smirked and pushed me away. “Ain’t nothing here for me anymore anyway.”

Slipping into the truck, he shut the door, started the engine, and rolled his window down. “Don’t worry, boy, she’s still intact if you want a go at her.”

I reached in and grabbed him again, hitting him this time with my left fist. The blow wasn’t as hard, but it caused him to step on the gas and drive away, knowing I wouldn’t stop with just one hit the longer he stayed there.

I wasn’t sure how long I stood there, watching his truck, before I looked around. No one had been outside when I punched him, but I wasn’t sure if anyone might have seen or heard anything from their house.

Remembering Haven, I ran back into the house and up the steps to find her in bed. Her legs were pulled up to her chest, her chin on her knees as she rocked back and forth. I slowly moved closer and sat down on the bed.

“Are you okay?”

Tears streamed down her face, and she nodded. I pushed a brown curl behind her ear. “Haven, why won’t you let me call the police?”

She lifted her head and shook it. “It would destroy my mother, and I only have a handful of friends as it is, I don’t want to lose them. I can’t, Nathan. I can’t go through with that. I just…can’t.”

Reaching for me, she grabbed onto my arms. “Promise me, Nate, promise me right now that you won’t tell a soul. Not even your parents.”

I closed my eyes. “Haven, I think we need to tell someone. What if he hurts others too.”

She closed her eyes. “He got fired from his job today, and that was why he was so angry and wanted someone to take it out on.”

Taking her hands in mine, I swallowed the lump in my throat and asked the one thing I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. “Has he ever done…that before?”

Haven looked down at the bed. “He’s hit me before.”

“It didn’t look like he was trying to hit you when I walked in.”

More tears slid down her face as she closed her eyes. “He’s made me watch him do…that to himself and he’s touched me once. He said he would kill me and Mother if I ever said anything to anyone.”

“Touched you how?”

She shook her head. “Please, Nate. Please. I can’t tell you.”

“Did he rape you? Have intercourse with you?” I needed to hear it from her mouth because I didn’t believe a damn thing that he told before he drove away.

With a shake of her head, a sob slipped free. “But I think he would have had you not been here.”

I wanted to destroy something. No, I wanted to get in the truck and go hunt that motherfucker down and kill him, just like I threatened to do before he left.

But I had to be strong in this moment for Haven, had to be the calm in her storm. “Hey, it’s okay. It’s okay now.”

Haven buried her face in her hands and cried. I put my arm around her as she dropped her head to my shoulder, and it felt like she sobbed for hours. In truth, it had only been about thirty minutes.

“What if he comes back?” she softly asked.

“He won’t.”

“How do you know?” she asked, lifting her head and staring up at me with those eyes of hers. They looked blue today, most likely because she was wearing a blue top.

“Because I told him if he ever sets foot in Hamilton or tries to contact you, I’ll be digging his grave.”

She didn’t say anything, only stared at me.

“I’m so sorry, Haven. I’m so…so fucking sorry.”

“It’s over, and I won’t ever have to see him again.”

Wiping her face, she moved away from me, and I took that as a sign to stand up. She did the same.

“Promise me, Nate, right now, that you won’t tell a soul.”

I closed my eyes and dropped my head back. “Haven, every ounce of me says I need to tell my parents. The police need to know.”

“I’m already the laughingstock at school, Nate. This will only make everything worse.”

“But you have friends who will help you through this.”

She let out a bitter laugh. “Do you think the small handful of friends I have will help? It doesn’t matter that he never forced me to…” Her body shivered. “Rumors will start, and I can’t do that. My mother just got this job at a dentist’s office, and I can’t ruin that for her. Please. I’m begging you, Nate.”

I rubbed at the instant pain in my neck. Everything inside of me screamed this was wrong. But when I looked at Haven, tears in her eyes and a broken look, I found myself saying, “I promise you, I won’t ever tell anyone.”

A look of relief crossed her tear-stained face, and she closed her eyes. “Thank you, Nate. Thank you for everything.”

She threw herself into my body, and I wrapped my arms around her and held her. The last thing I would ever want to do is hurt Haven Larson. And if keeping her secret meant she would be spared from any more hurt, then that was what I would do.

Senior Year of High School

Haven Marie Larson.

She was going to be the death of me one of these days.

“Hey, Nate, what’s with the frown?” Lizzy Hathaway asked as she flashed me a bright smile. Her blue eyes lit up with that familiar glint of desire.

“No reason,” I said as I focused back on Haven riding the horse around the arena.

“Haven is so weird.”

Turning to look at Lizzy, I fought to keep the anger out of my voice when I asked, “Why do you say that?”

Motioning out to Haven, who was attempting to get the horse she was on to settle down, Lizzy sneered, “She is obsessed with animals. I mean, she walks people’s dogs. That’s her job. Dog walking. She spends more time with them than she does humans.”

“What is your job?”

Lizzy laughed. “I’m in high school, Nate. I don’t work.”

“That’s not a reason. I’m in high school, and I work.”

“On your family ranch. That doesn’t count.” She waved her hand in the air again. “That’s like chores.”

I wanted to laugh. It was hardly like chores. It was hard work.

“What are you doing here, Lizzy?” I asked as I focused back on Haven in the arena with my father next to her.

“My mother is here to talk to your mom about training a horse we bought. I want to do barrel racing.”

I nearly laughed. “Do you even know how to ride?”

She scoffed. “Of course, I know how to ride.”

Raising a brow, she folded her arms over her chest. “I can ride a horse, Nate. If you want to go to a private spot, I can show you how good I can ride.”

“I’ll pass.”

She huffed before turning on her heels and marching away from me. Turning my focus back on Haven and my father, I watched as she expertly handled the horse. It had taken me months to stop having nightmares about Haven and her father. I had almost broken down a few times and told my parents. Two years later, the urge to hurt someone was still there, but not as strong. And her good-for-nothing father had kept his word. He hadn’t stepped foot in Hamilton. Not even for the divorce. I had a feeling Haven had told her mother what had happened because for the last two years she’s been glued to Haven’s side, and had only recently started letting her come to the ranch alone.

I was so enthralled in my thoughts and watching her that I didn’t hear my mother walk up and stand beside me.

“She’s the only one who can ride that mare.”

All I did was nod.

“I just had to turn away business.”

Looking at my mother, I asked, “Lizzy’s mom?”

“Yes. The woman bought a horse and expected us to train it to barrel ride with their daughter, who had never even sat on a horse before. And they needed her to be ready by early next year so she could ride in the rodeo.”

I laughed. “Sounds like Lizzy.”

My mother sighed. “I want you to help Haven with Lady when she is done with your father.”

I looked at my mother and asked, “Why do I have to help her? She’s more than capable of caring for the horse when she’s finished.”

It wasn’t like I didn’t want to be around Haven; I did. Too much, probably. She was all I could think about, and I knew she liked me. Or at least she did a few years back. Now, she hardly looked at me when I saw her in school. My reputation didn’t help, even though it was more talk than reality.

Raising a single brow, my mother stared at me. I took a step back and nodded my head. “Of course, I’ll help her.”

A brilliant smile spread across her face. My mother was beautiful. Her brown hair was pulled back low, and her blue eyes sparkled as if she knew something I didn’t.

“Thank you, Nathan. I know you normally avoid Haven, but since your father and I need to leave as soon as her lesson ends, I don’t want her feeling alone.”

I sighed. “I don’t ignore her. I just avoid her.”

Her hands went to her hips. “Nathan, what in the world do you have against that girl? So she had a crush on you; surely she’s gotten over it.”

Casting a glance out, I saw Haven biting down hard on her lower lip as she tried to get Lady to walk in a circle around Dad and his gelding, Prancer. Her control of the mare was impressive since the damn thing was scared of everything, including the other horse and rider.

“I don’t have anything against her, Mom. She just…I don’t know.”

She laughed and then gave me a side hug. “Oh, Nathan, sweetheart. One of these days you’ll look at that girl out there, and you won’t want to avoid her.”

“Is that because she’s going to move out of Montana, and I’ll never have to see her again?”

Her smile grew bigger. “No, you’re going to feel something in here.” Placing her hand on my chest, she slowly shook her head. “And that is going to change everything.”

My heart felt like it about dropped to the ground.

“If you’re talking about love, Mom, I am not going to fall in love. Ever. I like girls too much to settle down with just one, and it would be wrong to lead Haven on.”

She pointed to me. “I’m going to pretend I never heard that. Go head into the barn; they’re finishing up.”

Doing as I was told, I headed to the barn and did a few quick chores as Haven cooled down Lady. Next, I filled a bucket with warm water for Haven to wash down the mare. A few minutes later, I could hear the horse’s hooves. I watched as Haven tied her horse up and removed the saddle. I walked over and took it from her.

“I’ll get that for you.”

Haven smiled. “Thanks, Nate.”

I pointed to the bucket. “Brought this out for you.”

She thanked me once again and quickly got to washing down the horse. I took her saddle and brought it back to the tack room. Not many people had their own saddles, but Haven did simply because she was here so much and loved helping my father break new horses in. It was my mother who suggested she just leave her saddle here. She had bought it used but took care of it like it was gold.

When I returned to the paddock, Haven was rubbing a dry towel around on Lady. She then took a handful of hay and put it out for her to eat.

“Was she very sweaty?” I asked, walking up and leaning against a pole as I watched Haven put the wick-smart blanket on Lady.

“Not really. It was a nice, cool day, and we didn’t work that hard. Your dad said to put her out to pasture since the sun is out, and it’s warming up.”

I glanced down and watched as Lady took a long drink. I smiled. “She really does trust you, doesn’t she?”

Haven gave the mare another pat before going to get a bit more hay for her. All the animals seemed to trust Haven. It was clear she threw all of her love into taking care of them, and it broke my heart because I had a feeling I knew the reason why.

“I can put her out if you need to leave.”

Without looking at me, Haven replied, “That’s okay. I don’t mind, and I don’t have anywhere I need to be right away.”

“How is the dog walking going?” I asked as I watched her lift each leg and inspect Lady’s shoes.

Haven’s face glowed with a wide grin, and I couldn’t help but smile back. What was it about this girl’s smile that made me feel…happy? It was unlike any feeling I had ever had; only her smile brought it out.

“It’s going great. I’ve got five now and devised a great way of walking them all simultaneously. It’s a belt I came up with and you attach their leashes right to it.”

My brows shot up. “You’re not afraid of them dragging you?”

She laughed, and I tried to ignore how it felt like a bolt of energy raced through my body.

“They’re all well-behaved dogs. I’d like to learn to do some training someday.”

“What happens when you leave for college?”

She stopped running her hand down Lady’s neck and looked at me. “I’m not going to college.”

“You’re not? How does your mother feel about that?”

She shrugged. “Can’t go to college if you don’t have any money.”

“Scholarship?”

Haven shook her head. “I can’t leave my mom.”

I wanted to ask her why but kept my mouth shut.

“Besides, I have a plan, and if I stick to it, I’ll be fine without going.”

“What does your mom think about your plan?”

“She’s okay with it. She also knows that I’ve gotten a few scholarships, but even with that, I can’t afford to go.”

I kicked a nonexistent rock on the ground. “I’m sorry, Haven.”

She shrugged. “It’s okay. I’ve got enough money saved up to hopefully be able to buy my own house someday. I plan on learning how to train the dogs as well. I’ve been reading about it for the last year.”

“Reading about dogs?”

Nodding, she untied Lady and started walking her toward the south pasture gate. “Yeah. And our vet knows a girl who trains, and she offered to teach me. If that follows through, I won’t have to pay for the classes. More money to save up.”

Following her, I marveled at how different she was from most other girls in my senior class. Was it because of what her father had done to her? We hadn’t ever spoken about it again except once when she asked if I had kept her promise.

Haven stopped at the gate before opening it. Once it was open, Lady walked into the pasture. “Will you remove her blanket in a bit?”

“Sure.”

We watched as Lady trotted out to the middle of the pasture where a small group of horses were grazing. She saddled up to Thunder, my horse, and she let out a whinny.

Haven laughed. “Spicy girl.”

“Thunder doesn’t seem to mind,” I said with a soft laugh.

We turned and walked back to the barn, neither saying anything. Once inside, Haven started toward the small office. I assumed she was getting her things to leave.

I walked to a stall to check on another horse.

“Hey, girl,” I softly said as I opened the door and walked in. Reaching into my pocket, I pulled out a small peppermint stick and handed it to her. She bit off a piece and started bobbing her head.

Moving my hand lightly over her neck, I chuckled. “Like that, don’t you?”

I heard Haven let out a small yelp. I quickly entered the room and saw her standing on a ladder, reaching for something in the rafter.

“What in the hell are you doing, Haven?”

“There’s a kitten stuck up here, and I’m trying to get it.”

The ladder wobbled.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you not to stand on the top of a ladder?” I said as I held onto the bottom rungs.

“I couldn’t reach her; I needed to get higher.”

“Get down, Haven.”

“Not until I get the kitten. She’s afraid.”

Rolling my eyes, I looked up. “Just get down, and I’ll get her.”

“I can get her; I just need another inch or two,” she said, lifting up on her toes and stretching.

“Fuck, Haven! You’re going to fall.”

She wobbled, and I thought for sure she was coming down. Suddenly, a white and orange kitten appeared, and Haven was heading back down the ladder.

“Hold it still for me.”

“What in the hell do you think I’ve been doing?” I shot back, moving out of the way when she descended. She got off the ladder and held the kitten up to her face.

“You bad little girl. You scared us.”

“No, you scared us. Climbing up on that ladder like that. You could have gotten hurt.”

Suddenly, Molly, the barn cat, came walking into the room. She took one look at her baby and meowed. Haven set it down, and Molly picked it up and carried it off.

“She must have been moving her litter,” Haven said with a smile. When she looked back at me, her smile faded. “Why are you scowling at me?”

“Do you have any idea how bad that could have turned out? You could have fallen and broken your neck.”

She winked, and it felt like someone sucker-punched me. I forgot for a moment how to breathe. “But I didn’t.”

“But you could have!” I shouted.

Tilting her head, Haven asked, “Nathan Shaw, were you worried about me?”

“No. Yes. I mean, anyone would have been. Why do you have to do such…stupid things?”

Her head drew back, and it felt like the air had been pulled from my lungs momentarily. A look of hurt passed over Haven’s face. I cursed myself because I had made a promise never to hurt her.

“I’m sorry, Haven, I didn’t mean to say that.”

Clearing her throat, she whispered, “I need to leave now.”

She started to walk but tripped and stumbled. I reached out and caught her, but I also lost my footing. As I held onto her, we both started to fall backward. Luckily, the bed that my cousins had in here for late nights working caught us. Haven lay over me, both of us in shock. Then we burst into laughter.

Her blue-gray eyes seemed to lighten as she laughed. A loose strand of hair fell in front of her face from her ponytail. Before I could stop myself, I pushed it behind her ear. The feel of my fingers brushing over her skin instantly made my body come alive.

Haven’s smile faded slightly as we lay there, neither of us moving.

“Haven,” I whispered as my eyes drifted to her perfectly pouty lips. When her tongue dashed out to wet them, I lost all sense. Cupping her face in my hands, I drew her down to me and kissed her. It was slow and almost awkward at first until she opened her mouth. The kiss turned deeper, and before I knew it, I rolled us over. Haven spread her legs open, and I settled between them, pushing my hard length into her, causing us both to moan. Her fingers sliced through my hair as if she was clinging onto me, afraid I would stop kissing her.

“Fucking hell,” I gasped as I ripped my mouth from hers and started to kiss along her jaw and down her neck. My hand slipped under her shirt, and when I cupped her perfect breast in my hand, she arched her back. I wasn’t sure when I did it, but I had taken her shirt off and pulled her bra down, exposing a tight nipple to the cool air. My mouth covered it, and when I gently bit down and then soothed it by licking, Haven moaned my name. I liked hearing her say it as she lay there on the verge of falling apart.

“More, Nate. Please, I need more.”

Still kissing and sucking her nipple, I undid her jeans and slipped my hand in.

“Oh, God,” she whimpered when I slipped my fingers inside of her. She was soaking wet.

“Do you like that?” I asked as I playfully bit her earlobe while whispering to her.

“Yes.”

Knowing that I was about to make Haven come did something to me. I felt confused and I wasn’t sure why, but I wanted to hear her cry out my name as she came.

Her hands were all over me. In my hair, gripping my shoulders, running up and down my back. When she slipped her hands under my shirt, my entire body shivered. When she reached for my jeans, I froze.

“No, don’t stop! Please!”

“Don’t,” I quickly said.

“I want to touch you, Nate. I want to make you feel good too. Please, don’t stop.”

And just like that, reality came crashing down around me like waves in a storm when her words reminded me of that day I found her and her father.

I couldn’t do this. Not to Haven. I had no intentions of settling down with anyone, and to do this would lead Haven on. That was the last thing I wanted to do. I pulled my hand out and sat back, trying not to look at her chest rise and fall with each deep breath. Haven stared up at me, confused.

“This was…this was a mistake. I can’t do this.”

“What?” she asked, a shocked expression on her beautiful face.

I scrambled off the bed, reached for her shirt, and held it out.

Haven lifted on her elbows. “You’re stopping?”

Rubbing the back of my neck, I said, “It was a mistake, Haven.”

She blinked at me a few times, and I could see she was fighting back tears. “Why? I thought you wanted…um…it felt like you wanted…”

I shook my head. “It was a stupid mistake.”

Haven snatched her shirt from my hand and quickly put it on. She stood and appeared to be dizzy for a moment. When I reached out to steady her, she jerked away.

“Haven.”

She cut me off and said, “You don’t have to say it was a mistake again, Nate. I got it. If touching me repulses you, why in the world did you kiss me?”

“What?”

She pushed past me and headed out of the barn.

“Haven, will you wait a second.”

Once she got to her car and went to open the door, I put my hand on it. “Wait.”

“For what? You made it clear you made a mistake—a stupid one. I’d like to leave before I’m humiliated even more.”

“I didn’t mean to do that…I got carried away, and it just happens with guys.”

She spun around and stared at me; her mouth dropped open. “Oh my God. You, of all people, to say that to me. Wow. Thanks for making me feel even better. I’m glad to know that any woman can make you hard, and want to fuck her with your fingers. Oh, except for the girl who is tainted.”

Her harsh words felt like a slap, and I stepped back. She slowly shook her head. “I would have given myself to you, Nathan, willingly without regret. I will never make that mistake again.”

I closed my eyes. I couldn’t stand to see the hurt on her face. The sound of her car door opening caused me to look at her again.

Stop her. Tell her how you feel about her. Tell her it has nothing to do with what happened.

Opening my mouth to say something, I quickly shut it. When Haven slammed her door closed, I jumped.

I stood frozen in the same spot as I watched her back out and drive down the driveway. Once her car was out of sight, I stumbled back and reached for something to steady myself. I wasn’t sure what in the hell I was feeling, but there was one thing I knew for sure. I could never…ever again…kiss or touch Haven Larson.