“Those are two of the best vices to have.” His eyes crinkle at the corner as he gives me a cute, lopsided grin. It’s the first time he’s smiled.
“I recognize you. My sister Mila works at the firehouse, I know you’re one of the firefighters. But I don’t know your name?”
“I’m Tay. Short for Taylan. And yes, I’m a firefighter.”
“A firefighter who likes fantasy books. Unusual.” I twist my body around so I’m facing him. Along with the scent of flowerson the breeze wafting through the window, I catch the scent of his gorgeous, spicy cologne. My core does that surprising involuntary clench again, my heart skipping a beat. “Don’t you want to know my name?”
“I know your name, Ava.” His voice is deep. He’s so big, towering over me. Intimidating. He’s trying to be friendly, but my amped-up emotions and today’s awful news put me on high alert.
“Right, so youwerestaring at me. I don’t appreciate creepy stalkers, Taylan. Bye.” Turning back around so I’m facing the window, I wait for him to go.
Taylan clears his throat. “I’m not trying to freak you out. You know who I am and where I work. You’re welcome to report me to the sheriff if I’ve made you uncomfortable striking up a conversation. Or your sister’s boyfriend. My boss. Brock’s the reason I know your name, Ava. I’ll leave you to read your book now. See you later.”
A couple of years ago I would have been delighted to have been approached by a gorgeous firefighter wanting to talk about books with me. Flirting was my superpower. Now, everything’s different.I’mdifferent.
Damaged. Tears prick at my eyes, but I blink them back. I need to hold it together.
He leaves Gingerbread, turning right. He must be headed in the direction of the firehouse. His stride is strong and capable; like nothing would faze him. I stare at his back until he turns the corner. I guess I’m the stalker now.
When I helped at the calendar photoshoot, my colleague Iris and I were giggling about the hot guys. She’s also got a firefighter boyfriend now. Maybe firefighters are on trend.
But I’ve sworn off men. I’ve seen the kind of damage they can cause.
Opening my book again, I take a sip of coffee. My cell phone beeps with a message. That familiar sense of dread rises, acid burning in my throat as I pick it up.
Unknown number: I know where you are, Ava. And you’re all going to pay. I want my money back.
Silas isn’t going to rest until he finds us again. My dream of getting Mom and Mila away, starting a new life in Snowflake Falls, is ruined.
I don’t know what to do next. But I have to think of something.
Chapter Two
TAYLAN
Walking away from Gingerbread, my chest is tight.
It’s the first time I’ve been that close to Ava. I’ve seen her at a distance, many times, but having her close enough to touch was something else. I’m dazed. All I wanted to do was reach out and stroke her soft blonde hair. To breathe in her fruity scent. I couldn’t work out if it was her shampoo or her perfume, trying to restrain myself from leaning in and having a good sniff.
That interaction didnotgo as planned. I picked the wrong moment; she was still worried from talking to her Mom. The shutdown behind her eyes when I said I knew her name was instantaneous.
But I know a lot more about her than just her name.
I’ve been watching Ava for months. Chief Brock had me look into her family’s background when Mila, now his fiancée, mentioned the reason why they’d moved to Snowflake Falls. I’m the department’s resident computer expert. Some of the guys like to call me Sherlock, because they think I can solve any mystery.
I did some checking up and found a photo of Ava, her sister and her Mom together.
That was it. One photo. I’d never had such an intense reaction to a woman before. Complete fascination. Love at first sight. I’d been waiting all my life to see her and once I did, I knew she was meant to be mine.
The problem? She had no idea I even existed.
Continuing my research, the threat her asshole of a stepfather posed also became clear.
I traveled to Thistleford, the large town a few hundred miles to the west of Snowflake where they’d moved from. While Silas Thorn hadn’t officially been charged with anything, there was enough in his background to suggest he had a history of violence against his previous partners. The man was a crook. I’d started digging into his employment history and it looked like he’d defrauded the last couple of places he worked for. Unfortunately, it also looked like he’d disappeared off the face of the earth, which I didn’t like.
After a couple of months of dating, Mila moved out of the house she shared with Ava to live with the Chief, leaving her living alone here in Snowflake. I decided it was now my job to keep her safe, even from a distance. So that’s been my life for the last couple of months. When I’m committed to a project, I don’t shirk. And Ava’s more than a project. She’s my future, even if she doesn’t know it yet.
When I get to the firehouse, Grizz is watering the flowers that Mila suggested the Chief put up outside. He’s the one who put up the hanging baskets. At 6’8” he’s also the only one who can reach them without standing on a ladder.
