I shook my head. “Yeah, I don’t know the answer to that. But even if her life did revolve around Alana, isn’t that common for mothers of little ones? Especially single mothers?”
Marcus nodded. “I guess you’re right.”
“And if she says she is happy and loves it here, what more can you ask for, right?”
He sighed, staring at the fading sky. “Just keep an eye out, would you? She’s been through a lot, but she deserves more than just surviving.”
I met his gaze, feeling the weight behind his words. “Yeah, I’ll keep an eye out.”
“Good,” he said. “I’ll talk to you soon, man.” He left with a parting honk, the sound echoing down the empty street.
Inside, the baseball game hummed from my TV, but my thoughts lingered on Marcus’s words and the unspoken story behind Savannah’s guarded smile.
I wanted to get to know Savannah. It wasn’t for lack of trying. I spoke to her whenever I had the opportunity. She just made it pretty clear she wanted to keep me at a distance, and I wasn’t going to try and force a friendship between us.
Chapter Two
Savannah
The article glared at me from the screen, each line a reminder that Jackson Murphy, my next-door neighbor and my brother’s best friend, was a hero.
The mayor had honored him with a commendation for his bravery and commitment to the fire department after saving a family from a devastating fire.
The entire town of Hidden Pines buzzed with pride, as if he’d single-handedly put our quiet community on the map.
As an editor at theHidden Pines Chronicle, my role required objectivity, yet staring at Jackson's name printed in bold made that nearly impossible. There was no way I could be objective about this article.
Then again, this was a small town. I couldn’t imagine there weren’t other editors of the paper who had come across articles about people they knew. That made me think about the police department responding to calls at their families and friend’s houses. I shuddered at that thought.
I’d lived next to Jackson for three years, exchanging the occasional wave and polite nod, never venturing beyond those superficial interactions. I hadn’t realized how much of his life had passed unnoticed by me until now.
Sighing, I pushed away from my desk, already drafting a message in my mind. Mya, my closest friend and fellow editor, was going to handle this article for me. I couldn't edit a piece about Jackson—not when my stomach flipped just reading his name.
I typed:
Hey Mya, I’ve attached an article I need you to edit for me. I know the subject personally, so I need to recuse myself. Heading to your office to discuss.
Thanks, Savannah
Hitting send, I stood and smoothed my pencil skirt, glancing around the small, cluttered office I called my second home. The sight of the crumpled notes and coffee-stained manuscripts momentarily grounded me, but my mind drifted back to Jackson—the man with broad shoulders and a smile that could light up the room. The hero. My cheeks warmed, and I rolled my eyes at my own foolishness.
Get it together, Savvy, I chide myself.
I made my way to Mya’s office, her voice ringing out in a cheerful invitation when I knocked.
“Come in!” Mya said loudly from the other side.
Mya’s office was a kaleidoscope of sticky notes and framed photos, a testament to her chaotic yet endearing nature. She looked up from her screen, eyes lighting up as I stepped inside.
“Savvy! You know, one day you’ll just trust me to handle things without showing up at my door right after,” she teased, a smile playing at her lips.
I returned the grin and settled into the chair across from her desk. “I know, but this one’s different.” I watched her scan the article title, recognition sparking in her eyes.
“Wait, Jackson Murphy? Jackson, that's your neighbor?” She leaned back, eyes wide with playful curiosity. “I didn’t know his last name was Murphy. Makes sense, though—saves families and looks likethat,” she said, waving at the picture on her monitor.
I laughed, the tension in my shoulders easing. “Yes,thatJackson.”
She and I had sat on my porch on more than one occasion, talking about how fit Jackson was. He always had a smile on his face, too. He was a very handsome man. Classic good looks. He’s as handsome as this picture, very photogenic.
