Chapter 1 Rosalie
ROSALIE
ONE YEAR LATER
“Edward?” I knock at my son’s open doorway before stepping through. “I’m heading out.” I force a smile onto my face, even though I feel like crying.
He looks up from his book as I approach the edge of his bed. “Okay, Mama.”
He’s made a nest of blankets and pillows, surrounded by his favorite graphic novels. It’s the way he’s started every day since summer break, and my bibliophile heart couldn’t be more proud. I’m glad he loves books the way I do. Though, with me as his mother, he never stood a chance!
“I’ll call you every night.” I sit next to him and brush back his hair, committing his perfect face to memory. As if I could ever forget.
“Okay.” He lifts his gaze to meet mine.
I try not to think about the fact I won’t see him for an entire week—but it’s impossible. The longest I’ve been away from Edward until now has been an occasional overnight.
“Dani will be here if you or Uncle Beckett need anything.”
He’s old enough to understand I’m coming back, and that I’m only a phone call away, but still, guilt floods my brain and tears prick my eyes. I blink them back before they can fall. The last thing I want is to make this harder on my son.
“When does Uncle Beckett get here?” His gaze drops to his hands. He picks at the sticker on the back of one of his books.
I check my phone for the time. “He should be here in thirty minutes.” Which means I need to hit the road. “One more hug before I go?”
Edward leans into me, squeezing his arms around my body as I do the same. “I’ll miss you, Mama.”
I can’t reply. If I do, my voice will crack.
I reel my emotions back, reminding myself that he’s safe and well cared for.
That he’ll be here when I return, and that kids spend weeks away from their parents all the time.
I kiss the top of his head and push off the bed after he releases me from his embrace.
“Love you.”
“Love you!” he calls back, and when I reach the door, he’s already back to reading his book.
I think of all the times in my life when books have provided me comfort. How many times they’ve been a portal to escape reality. It offers a tiny bit of comfort to know he has the same gift on the off chance the week isn’t everything he’s been promised.
I grab my bag and make my way to leave.
Dani is waiting in the kitchen with a reassuring smile. “Edward will be fine. Enjoy your vacation. I will be here if your uncle has any questions.”
I am so grateful for her. Not only has she worked as our full-time nanny for the past two years, but she’s agreed to stay at my house while Beckett is here this week.
“Thank you.” I blink back the impulse to cry.
This whole situation is fucked up, and I suddenly doubt my decision. Normally, when Beckett visits, I stay here too. But Edward is seven now, and when Beckett suggested I use this week to vacation elsewhere, I agreed.
“I will text you updates,” Dani says.
“Thank you.” I check my phone to see a message from Beckett. He’s reached the outskirts of town. I better get going. “Call me anytime.”
“I will. Now go! Enjoy yourself!”
In the garage, my bag lands with a thud in the passenger seat of my SUV.
I check the contents of my vehicle against my packing list one last time before driving away.
Blasting music with the intent to improve my mood, I quickly realize my heart can’t take the emotional tug, and I switch to an audiobook instead.
Not that it’ll take long to reach my destination. It’s only a short drive.
Everyone thinks I’m heading to San Diego for the week.
And maybe that’s where I should be headed. Even with the financial security I have these days, I can’t bring myself to spend money on extravagances, especially when it comes to myself.
Besides, I want to be close enough to get to Edward within minutes in case of an emergency.
Maybe if I trusted Beckett more, I could take the week to travel.
But I don’t have that comfort with him, and he is still somewhat a stranger to Edward.
I can’t just turn off my protective maternal instincts.
So, I made a choice.
A sliver of guilt invades my conscience for booking a cabin in Wilder Valley under an alias. Not just any cabin, either. One owned by the Wilder family.
It’s fine. This is one tiny little lie. I have to do it to protect myself. I can’t very well explain why to my friends, not without raising questions. And no one will ever know because I am not planning on leaving the cabin.
I turn down the private road that cuts through the Wilder Ranch property and follow the directions toward the rental.
I’ve been to Ryan and Val’s many times, but never to this cabin.
It’s where Mr. Wilder lived before going into memory care.
The family put a lot of work into the place, fixing it up to be an income property, but I’ve only ever seen pictures.
I’m excited to see the interior in person and make it my retreat from reality.
I could read.
I could drink my favorite wines.
I could write.
It will be perfect.
The first thing I notice when I pull into the drive is an unfamiliar vehicle parked outside.
Well, shit.
The license plates are from California, and my mind races for an explanation.
Maybe the previous week’s tenants haven’t left yet?
Cutting the engine, I climb out of my SUV and walk up the drive, then knock on the front door.
The only way to find out what’s going on is to do it myself.
That, or call Maeve. But I’m not doing that.
A woman about my age opens the door, but I don’t recognize her. Thank God.
She frowns and glances over my shoulder. “Do you have the firewood?”
“Uh, no.” My brow furrows with confusion as I shake my head. “I’m actually here to check in.”
The woman startles. “I’m sorry, what?”
“I rented this place for the week.” I pull out my phone and open my email to retrieve the confirmation.
“Well, that’s impossible. We just checked in.” Her tone grows with defensiveness. “We are here all week.”
“Everything okay out here?” A man comes into view and joins the woman in the open doorway.
“No.” The woman glances at him and then back to me. “This woman claims she is here to check in and has a reservation.”
The man scowls. “Not this house. We just got here.”
From inside, several people laugh, their conversation flowing from one of the other rooms.
“Are you sure you have the right property?” the man asks.
“I am positive.” I flip my phone around to show the email confirmation.
“Well, we just spoke with the owners,” the woman says. “I’m sure you must have the wrong date or something.”
I don’t. I’m one hundred percent certain. But my stomach fills with dread all the same. I double-check the email on my phone and show them again. “Here. I’m checking in today and leaving next Saturday.”
“That’s not good.” the man grumbles.
“Let me get my confirmation,” the woman says, “And then we can call the owners and work this out.”
The man sighs. “We just unpacked.”
“Yes, babe. I’m aware, and I’m not proposing we move. Maybe they have another property they can put her in.”
The last thing I want is to involve Maeve or any of the Wilder siblings. Shit. Where am I going to go? Before I can answer that question, the rumble of an engine and tires crunching against the gravel driveway pulls my attention.
Fuck me.
Jackson Wilder is behind the wheel of his pickup truck, and pulling to a stop right behind my SUV.
Shit. Shit. Shit.
He hops out of the cab, his gaze full of curiosity as it lands on mine.
“I heard we were a little low on firewood?” He closes the door to his cab, a pair of gloves clenched in his left hand.
The couple rushes forward to speak with him before I can.
“Hello. Yes, hi. Um, we have a bigger issue at the moment.” The woman glances over her shoulder to find me following behind. “This woman claims she has a reservation but we’ve already unpacked. If this property has been double booked, she will need a refund.”
Wow. So much for working it out. Not that I can blame her. If I were in her position, I wouldn’t be keen on giving up the space.
“That so?” Jackson lifts his chin to nod my way. “How come you need a place for the week?”
The man interrupts before I have a chance to answer. “Could we get that firewood? And let the two of you work out her refund?”
Jackson meets his gaze with a tight smile. “I’ll leave the wood on the porch.”
Seemingly content with any solution that doesn’t involve them moving, the couple heads back into the house.
Jackson leans against the bed of his truck and crosses his arms.
“Rosalie, is everything okay?”
No. “Fine.”
“Where’s Edward?”
“He’s at home.”
“So, why are you here?” Jackson studies me. “I feel like my sister would’ve mentioned that.”
Damn it.
“I booked under an alias.”
“Always so mysterious.” The corner of his lips lifts with the hint of a smile. “How come you need a place here when you have a big fancy house of your own just down the road?”
My stomach knots with apprehension. Sometimes I hate the secrets I have to keep. Especially from the people I consider friends.
“I wish I could explain, but I can’t. Please don’t tell Maeve.”
“You know I can keep a secret.” He grins, his suggestive comment reminding me of a night I wish I could regret.
I have to look away. I don’t want to think about all the things we did together last year, but it’s impossible not to when he’s standing in front of me looking as strikingly handsome as ever.
“Rosalie.” His voice deepens with concern. “What’s going on?”
“I need to be close in case Edward needs me.” I swallow hard and lift my gaze to meet his. “But I can’t stay at my house. I’m sorry. I can’t explain any more.”
“Can’t? Or won’t?”
“Both.” I press my lips together so the truth won’t come pouring out.
He nods as if accepting that’s all I’m willing to share.
“And that’s why you rented this place for the week.”
“Exactly.” I huff out a sigh and gesture wildly at the cabin. “But now I’m fucked.”
I suppose I could find a hotel in Show Low or Flagstaff. Maybe even Ember Ridge. But all are at least ninety minutes away, and the idea of being that far from my son sends a rush of panic through my mind.
“Come stay with me.”
“What?”
“Stay with me.” He shrugs. “I’ve got room, and it’ll solve both our problems.”
“What problems do you have?” Annoyance drips from my words.
“Can I see your confirmation? For the reservation?”
“I booked the cabin.” Does he think I’m lying? Or that I booked the wrong dates?
“I believe you, darlin’.” He chuckles. “But will you show it to me?”
I pull out my cell and retrieve the email to show him. “Here.” I shove my phone in his view.
He wraps his fingers around my wrist, gently pulling me and my phone closer. It’s not meant to be sensual, but his touch on my skin resurrects memories from the night we shared, and a shiver races down my spine.
“Yeah.” He releases my hand with a wince and meets my gaze. “This is my fault.”
“How is this your fault?” I shove my phone back into my bag and take a step back, desperately needing space between us.
“The site you booked on? It’s no longer active. A friend of mine helped set it up.” He grins sheepishly as he says friend. “But we weren’t getting enough traction, so Maeve and Val found a better one. I forgot to double-check if there were any reservations before I took it down.”
Okay, so this is his fault.
I want to be angry, but I feel nothing but defeat. I was foolish to think I could stay on this property without anyone noticing. A weight settles on my shoulders, and tears fill my eyes.
“Don’t worry about the money. I’ll refund your stay.”
Like I give one fuck about the money.
“That doesn’t fix my problem.” I almost let out a sob. “I have nowhere to stay for the next week!” My voice rises with my growing panic.
God, I’m so stupid! Somehow, I manage to keep my tears from falling by blinking them back.
“You can stay with me.”
“I am not staying with you.”
It’s a horrible idea. But my body must not get the message, because all my sensations heighten at the possibility.
“Why not?” His lips pull with the start of a smile. “Worried you won’t be able to keep your hands off me?”
“Please.” I scoff, though that’s a valid concern. “More like, worried I’ll be subjected to a plethora of your overnight guests. Everyone thinks I’m on vacation this week and I need it to stay that way. I can’t have anyone knowing that I’m hiding out in Wilder Valley.”
He stares with curiosity. “Want to tell me why that is?”
“No. I don’t.” I level him with a stare to shut down his line of questioning.
“Okay, then.” He chuckles, lifting his ball cap off his head and brushing a hand through his hair before flipping the cap backward. His eyes catch in the light, speckles of green popping from their hazel haze. “I’ll take a sabbatical.”
I shake my head, confusion knitting my brow. “What?”
“Come stay with me this week. I’ll keep your secret, and I won’t have any overnight guests. Promise.”
It’s a ridiculous idea. More ridiculous than me thinking I could rent a cabin on the Wilder Ranch and hide out all week.
Yet, I entertain his plan because all other solutions require me to explain the situation to one of my friends or stay in another town completely.
The closest town over is a good hour away.
I can’t be that far from Edward. I just can’t.
“Fine.”
“Fine?” His brows raise in surprise.
“No one can know.” My demand is an echo of the one I made him promise last year, and my mind fills with flashes of memories from that night.
By the smug grin on his lips, he’s remembering the same.
Does he think of that night as often as I do? Probably not.
“I’ll follow you back to your place,” I manage to say without completely frowning.
“Good.” He smiles, appearing a little too pleased with himself. God, why does he always have to look so damn good? “Give me a few minutes to unload this firewood.”
I turn on my heel and march to my parked car so I won’t be tempted to ogle him while he works.
Inside my vehicle, I crank the AC, but it does nothing to cool the heat beneath my skin.
Sexual frustration bubbles to the surface as I wait to follow him back to his cabin—just like I did a year ago. Fuck.
What the hell did I agree to? This entire morning has me questioning my sanity, and my decision-making skills. How my body reacts in his presence means nothing. Jackson is off-limits. Staying with him means nothing. Now, if only I can get myself to believe that.