She was always the one. I just took too damn long to realize it. But this time, I’m not walking away.
Coming home should’ve been simple. Heal up, get back on the job, and try not to think about the woman I let go. But nothing about Pepper DeLuca has ever been simple.
We were young when we fell in love. Built a life. Bought a house. Tore it all down with pride and silence.
Now I’m back in Huckleberry Creek, recovering from a line-of-duty injury and trying to figure out what comes next—when a bachelor auction gone sideways puts me face to face with the woman I still dream about.
She didn’t mean to buy me. Her meddling friends did that. But one look at her, and I know I’ll go along with any excuse that gets her close again. We say it’s just one dinner. Closure.
But nothing between us has ever stayed small. Not the love. Not the heartbreak. And definitely not this wildfire that’s burning hotter than ever.
I lost her once. I won’t make the same mistake twice.
