Chapter 2

 

I liked the reflection staring back at me, not because it was beautiful, but because it didn’t resemble the weak person I had once been. Gone was Sarah Mercer. In her place a woman who was finally happy. Assuming the identity of Harper Evans had been a lot easier than I’d thought it would be.

I’d even managed to keep off Drew’s radar for six years. That could also have to do with the fact that I never stayed in one place for too long. Life on the run was not the life I’d wanted for Flynn. I’d give just about anything to provide that boy with the stable home he deserved. But if Drew somehow found out about him-

I couldn’t even bear to think about that.

Forcing the melancholic thoughts out of my brain, I gathered my thick hair and pinned it into a messy knot on top of my head. Happy with my appearance, I padded to the nightstand to grab my phone. Movement from beyond the window caught my eye, and my gaze automatically snapped to it.

No matter how many times I’d been privy to my neighbor returning from his morning run, I would never get used to it. My interest in men had been severely lacking until I landed in Willow Creek. The big grizzly of a man known as Logan Jackson had kick-started my heart within seconds of introductions.

His warm whiskey-eyes and easy smile had turned my insides to mush so fast; it terrified me. Reason warned me that it’d be in my best interest to avoid him at all costs–not an easy task when only a measly fence separated us, and he insisted on taking his morning run in nothing but basketball shorts and trainers.

Even from as far away as I was, I could still see his dripping wet chest heave due to his strenuous exertions. With an equal amount of fascination and awe, I watched his back and shoulder muscles bunch as he dragged a towel over his drenched neck. I’d fantasized about feeling those hard muscles beneath my fingertips more times than I cared to admit.

I could only imagine the things he could do with his big, manly hands. Or the words he’d whisper with his sexy, raspy voice. The feel of his beard as he scraped it along my skin…

Fantasies were all I allowed myself to have. I had to think about Flynn first, and it would be unfair to let him get close to someone when I knew that we’d be leaving again in a couple of months. Which was sad really because Willow Creek was the first place to feel like home.

“Mommy!” As if the thought of him alone roused him from his deep slumber, Flynn came barreling into my room, his arms outstretched and hair standing in every direction. Straight away, I dropped to my haunches and braced for the warm body that launched at me.

“Hey, baby.” I pressed a kiss to his soft cheek and inhaled his scent. My boy. “Did you have good dreams last night?”

“Mmm hmm, I was flying.”

“Wow, flying, huh? That must’ve been amazing.”

I could feel my smile grow wider as my little boy tried to describe his dream in the only way a preschooler could—in great detail. He was just a little thing, but he’d impacted my life in such a large way. Without knowing it, he’d saved me. His presence had given me the strength to get away from an abusive husband and start fresh.

Life hadn’t been easy. We’d lived in various shelters over the years. I’d worked dead-end jobs and moved more times than I could count. But, I had Flynn.

“I want pancakes for breakfast.” His little voice pulled me from my thoughts.

“Do you now?”

Flynn’s blue eyes sparkled and his face split into a wide smile. “Chocolate chip pancakes.”

“Pancakes it is.”

After dropping Flynn at preschool, I made my way to work. Like every other morning, I stopped by the animals first before getting everything ready for Chase at the clinic. Dozer’s hoarse bark reached my ears before I was even within visual distance.

“Good morning to you too,” I crouched in front of the pup’s cage and was instantly rewarded with doggy kisses. My heart bled for every animal in the shelter. How people could just abandon their pets without a thought, boggled my mind completely. Maybe one day, when running was no longer needed, I could find a nice big place and adopt as many animals as possible. Flynn would love that.

When all of the animals were fed and loved up, I headed for the clinic only to find that Chase was already there.

“Morning,” he always greeted me with a warm smile on his face. Out of the three brothers, Chase was the only one with whom I could have a conversation with. He was open and friendly, and I’d felt at ease in his company within days of meeting him. Maybe because there was no spark, he was nothing more than a friend.

Eli, the oldest of the Jackson brother—also the town Sheriff - made me feel uncomfortable. He always stared at me with a suspicious glint in his eye. I was confident that the man did not like me at all. And then there was Logan. The only man who’d succeeded in waking my body up with nothing more than a look.

Yes, Chase was undoubtedly the safer option.

“You’re here early,” I said as I rounded my desk and stabbed my computer’s power button.

“Yeah,” deep frown lines formed on Chase’s forehead. “Had to pick up an abandoned kitten early this morning. Poor girl has it rough. She’s missing a leg and her sight.”

“Oh, how sad.” I busied myself with pulling the day’s patient files. “I didn’t see a newcomer in the den.” The den was the building that housed all the animals that either needed forever homes or were there to be looked after while their owners were away.

“She’s in the kitchen. I wanted to give her some food and water, but she refused to go near the bowls while I was there.” Chase pulled the appointment book closer and scanned over it.

“We did good this weekend. Enough funds were raised to care for the animals for another couple of months, and a few pups were adopted.”

“That’s great.”

Chase tapped the wooden surface twice. “You’ve done good work here, Harper.” As I watched my boss disappear down the hall, I couldn’t stop the smile from spreading on my face. Being appreciated felt amazing.

The morning flew by in a blur, and before long it was time for lunch. Hungry, I pushed out of my chair at the same time as the little bell above the door chimed. With my butt halfway off my seat and my body still awkwardly bent over, a pair of soft brown eyes locked onto mine.

On cue, my heart kick-started, and it just seemed to thump faster as Logan steadily ambled toward my desk. The man moved with an unapologetic swagger. Each step exuded confidence and pure masculinity.

When he came to a stop in front of me, my nostrils flared as his manly scent assaulted my senses. Something woody and spicy and, because he was the town mechanic, there was the slightest hint of motor oil too. It was all very appealing to me. He seemed like a man who knew how to work with his hands. And, I’d like to have those hands-

“Hey, Sugar. Chase in?”

If I was capable of blushing, my cheeks would have burned bright red. Luckily for me, and thanks to Drew, I’d mastered the art of schooling my expressions a long time ago. Straightening to my full height—which was a measly five foot four—I braced my fingertips on the edge of my desk.

“No, he left a couple of minutes ago. Mr. Henderson’s mare has difficulty calving.”

As casual as can be, Logan ran his palm over his beard and scanned the empty waiting room. When those soul-searching eyes of his landed on me again, his lip quirked into a small smile. “Maybe you can help me then?”

“Uh…sure. What can I do for you?”

For a long second, he just stared at me, his lip twitching as if he was holding back a full-on grin. “I’m looking to add to my family.”

Momentarily stunned into silence, I blinked a couple of times, looking like a loon in the process. “Uh…” and apparently I’d forgotten how to speak too.

“Wanna adopt a furry companion, Sugar. Can you help me or is it just my brother who handles re-homing?”

Right. Logan wanted to adopt. That, I could handle. “No, I can help you.” I stooped and pulled a stack of papers from the middle drawer, placing them in front of Logan when I rounded my desk.

“You’ll have to fill out these forms and Chase will do a home-check first. But let me take you to the den-“

“No need,” Logan interrupted. “If he hasn’t found a home yet, I want Dozer.”

“Well, alright then.” I bent over my desk to retrieve a pen and when I turned back to Logan, I could’ve sworn he was checking out my butt. Before I could say anything, though, he plucked the pen out of my hand and started scribbling on the papers in front of him.

With his face a mask of concentration, I pretended to busy myself, but instead, I took the time to study him up close. If ever someone could be called moving art, it would be Logan. His colorful skin fascinated me. Intricate designs started at the back of his hand and traveled the length of his corded arm, disappearing beneath the material of his fitted black tee. I knew, from watching him return from his runs, that his back and torso also held more ink.

In my late night fantasies, I’d imagined myself running my fingers over every line then following the same path with my tongue.

“That all you need?” His thick, raspy voice cut through my thoughts as he pushed the papers back toward me.

Giving them a quick once over, I nodded. “Looks good. I’ll hand it over to Chase and he’ll give you a call.”

Just as his brother had done earlier in the day, Logan tapped the desk twice. “Thanks, Sugar. See ya around.”

It was only when the bell chimed, signaling his exit, that I slumped back in my seat and sighed. If only things in my life were different.