by Lila Kane
Chapter 1
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Holly
She hadn’t been back to the small town of Spring Creek in six years. Not because the town didn’t hold its own certain appeal, but because there were certain memories she just didn’t want to confront—and being in Spring Creek shoved those memories in her face.
On the left, she passed Carla’s, the ice cream shop she and Jake used to stop at after his football games. On the right, there was Pete’s Pizza—where the team and cheerleaders would spent weeknights causing a general raucous and having a good time.
The entire town reminded her of being in high school. Of being young and carefree. Of being in love.
Until that asshole Jake had broken it off with her. And broken her heart.
The last thing she wanted were those memories surrounding her, but she didn’t have a choice. She had to be here for her father.
He was in the hospital.
A heart attack, they said. It was serious, they said.
Guilt filled her from her head to her toes. She knew her dad had it rough after the divorce, but her life hadn’t exactly been a stroll through the woods either. She’d buried herself in work to forget her pain and now she was flourishing in her career. It was a hard-fought battle—one she hadn’t wanted to jeopardize by returning to the one place that had made her want to run away.
Holly pulled into the hospital parking lot and snagged her purse out of the passenger seat. Her heels clicked on the pavement as she hurried to the entrance. Once she found the correct room, she heard her father’s voice from the hallway.
“I don’t need your help,” he growled.
Holly sighed—part in relief and part in amusement. Yep, sounded just like her dad. If he was yelling at the nurses, insisting he could cope on his own, he couldn’t feel that bad.
She walked into the room and smiled when she saw him.
He straightened, narrowed his eyes, and then nudged the nurse aside. “It can’t be. My Holly Bear?”
She rolled her eyes at the affectionate name her father had given her and said to the nurse, “He sounds like he’s on pain medication.”
The nurse sighed. “Yep.” Then under her breath, added, “Maybe not enough.”
The nurse left her to visit with her dad, and once she got him settled in bed again, she pulled a chair next to him.
“Dad. You have to rest.”
He frowned. “Resting is for pussies.”
“Very mature.”
He chuckled, coughed, and then grabbed his chest. “Yeah, so…maybe a little rest is in order. That why you’re here? To boss me around?”
Holly nodded. “Yes. Someone has to look after you.”
“I already have the entire town looking after me. Paula said she’d water my plants and Jake is helping out at the store—”
“Jake?”
He fiddled with the IV running into the back of his hand. “Of course Jake. He knows the store ’bout as well as me. He helps out on the weekends here and there too.”
She tried to keep her face blank, but couldn’t stop her hands from clenching into fists. “Oh yeah? Since when?”
“Oh…” Her father coughed again and winced. “Couple years or so. Good kid.”
Holly gritted her teeth. Jake wasn’t a kid anymore, and good? No way. He’d dumped her without any tact. How was that good? Of course she hadn’t told her father. He’d been on the brink of a divorce and that was the last thing he’d needed.
But he knew she and Jake had broken up. Didn’t he have any sense of loyalty?
“Well,” she said, keeping her voice light, “I’m here now. I can help at the store. And I can help at home, too. When are they letting you go?”
He lifted his hand with the IV. “You mean when are they releasing me from the shackles? Letting me go free?”
“Dad.”
“Hopefully tomorrow.”
“Good. What do you need in the meantime? I can run by the house or bring you something.”
He grunted. “Cheeseburger. Fries.”
Holly frowned. “You can’t have any of those chili cheese fries from Brody’s, and you know it.”
“Who said anything about chili cheese fries? Regular fries will do just fine. And you can tell him to leave the bacon off the burger. If that doesn’t please the doc, don’t know what will.”
Holly stood. “I’ll ask the nurse what you’re allowed to have. And I’ll stop by the house to make sure everything looks in order. Anything else?”
Her dad sighed. “I guess if you’re going to act like the warden, then no.”
She touched his shoulder. “I just want you to get better.”
He lifted his hand and set it over hers. “I know, Holly Bear. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me too.” And if she forgot about Jake and the hurt he’d put her through, she found she meant it. “I’ll be back later.”
Her father nodded, and before she even reached the door, his eyes were shut. She released a breath. Okay. It was going to be okay. Her dad looked healthy—at least healthy enough for what he’d gone through. She’d talk with the doctor, see what else they needed to work on, and it would be okay. She could help him with his diet, exercise—whatever. That’s what she was here for.
Holly left the room, turned the corner, and then froze. Her heart lurched. No way…
She watched a man disappear out the front doors. Part of her wanted to run after him, just to see if she’d really seen who she thought. Jake Adams. But she forced herself to walk to the nurse’s station instead.
Who cared if she’d seen Jake? All she really needed to do was avoid him.
But in a town this small? How the hell was she supposed to do that? It would have been easier to avoid a snowflake in the middle of a New York winter storm.
With her head high, Holly tried to forget about Jake for now. She had a purpose in Spring Creek and it had nothing to do with Jake Adams or their past.
As long as he stayed out of her way, they’d be just fine.
Chapter 2
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Jake
Shit. Holly Martin.
She’d been right there, at Burt’s bedside. Only ten feet away. And all he’d been able to do was turn in the other direction like a coward.
He hadn’t seen Holly since the summer after high school. When he’d dropped the bomb on her that he didn’t want to stay together after they both went to college.
Even now, six years later, he could still see the look on her face. The utter heartbreak. They’d been in love and he’d walked away.
Just like today.
But damn it, he couldn’t face Holly. Not right now.
The next time he saw her, it had to be for an apology at the very least. And not at her father’s bedside when he’d just suffered a heart attack.
Jake returned to his truck and sat in the driver’s seat, scanning the parking lot for a car with New York plates. He knew Holly lived in New York. In fact, he knew a lot about Holly and what she was up to. Her father talked about her all the time even though she never returned to visit.
The last time he heard her voice, she’d been calling the store to wish Burt a happy birthday. Jake had answered the phone, recognized her voice, and nearly hung up. But he didn’t think she’d recognized him, and he’d quickly passed the phone over to Burt.
Another cowardly move. But how was he supposed to talk to, let alone, face the woman whose heart he’d broken?
Jake threw his car into gear and pulled out of the parking lot. He’d visit Burt later when the room wasn’t so crowded.
Because it was summer and his coaching duties weren’t starting up again for another month, Jake didn’t mind helping Burt out with the store. It gave him something to do in his spare time. Something other than puttering around the house or meeting the guys at the gym for a basketball game.
Besides, in the years since Holly left, he’d actually become pretty close with the guy. Thought of him a
s a father—one of the more stable adult figures in his life. He was pretty sure Burt had no idea he’d hurt Holly so badly otherwise he’d probably never have invited Jake to help out.
Jake pulled in front of the lawn and garden store on the edge of town. He waved to one of his varsity players before entering the building. The bell above the door dinged when he walked through.
Paula greeted him and waved toward the back of the store. “Got a load of fertilizer that needs to be stacked out front if you don’t mind.”
He nodded. The manual labor would hopefully help keep his mind off of Holly—and if not, he’d head to the gym afterward and work it off that way.
“How’s Burt?” Paula asked.
“I’m going to visit this afternoon,” Jake said, continuing to the back of the store before she could ask anything else.
And if Holly was still there, he had no idea what he’d do. He’d have to face her at some point. Burt said she might be staying the entire week. Or longer. One of the perks of her job, he supposed. She could work remotely.
Jake shoved all thoughts of Holly aside and got to work.
<><><>
Jake was cautious when he returned to the hospital late that afternoon. He kept his eyes open for Holly, and when he made it to room 115 without running into her, he blew out a breath of relief. Burt was alone inside, watching a golf game on the television.
“Hey, Burt,” Jake said.
Burt turned the volume down on the television. “Thought you were going to make it earlier.”
“I stopped by the store first. There was a load of fertilizer that needed to be put with the rest of the display.”
Burt nodded, his attention drawn by the golf game. “Thursday delivery. Right. You just missed Holly.”
Thank God. Jake only shrugged and pretended to be interested in the game.
“Now, come on,” Burt said. “You two can’t avoid each other forever. It was a long time ago that you two dated. You’re adults now—shouldn’t be an issue.”
No, it shouldn’t. If he’d treated her with more respect in the first place, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal.
Burt chuckled. “They’re letting me out tomorrow morning.”
Jake turned back to the bed, grateful for the change in subject. “Yeah?”
“Freedom. And Holly said she’d make dinner tomorrow night.”
“No burgers, no red meat. You should probably—”
“Yeah, yeah,” Burt said, waving him off. “I heard it all from the doc. Healthy shit, right? I’m sure Holly’s at the store right now buying kale and vegetables and everything else that doesn’t have any flavor.”
“She’s trying to take care of you.”
“She could take care of me with ice cream.”
Jake chuckled. “Just to have you end up in here again? That’s not Holly’s style.”
Burt sighed. “No, it’s not. But maybe you could stop by for a bit and get her to cut me some slack.”
Jake gritted his teeth and shook his head. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea…”
“Just for dinner. You two can catch up, and you can play interference.”
“I’m sure she wants to spend time with you—”
Burt waved him off again. “She’s going to be here for the rest of the weekend at least. Stop by around seven. I won’t take no for an answer.”
Jake knew it was useless to argue. If he didn’t show up, Burt would get him on the phone and demand he stop by. Besides, in a town this small, he had little hope of avoiding Holly. One way or another, he’d probably run into her.
And he needed to do more than just walk away. He needed to apologize. And maybe, maybe if she’d actually listen, he’d tell her what a huge mistake he’d made.
How much he missed her. How much he wanted her back.
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About the Author
Lila Kane is a full-time author who thrives on steamy scenes and hot insta-love. She lives in the Rocky Mountains where the views are picturesque and inspire stories of alpha men and feisty heroines.
For short, scorching reads, and happily ever afters, dive into a Lila Kane book. And for new release information, don’t forget to follow her on Amazon, or reach her at [email protected] if you want to talk books.