Page 98 of One Forbidden Moment

"No, let him continue working.I'll stay inside where you can see me, but I can see out."Kallie waved and walked away.

Moe appeared at the front of the store, taking in the situation."Finn's headed this way."

"How do you know?"

He shrugged."He always swings by the store at this time."

While the men in Everstill were regaining their personalities, they continued to work at the same jobs and keep the same schedule.Even Vaughn, who wanted to stop all chores, lost when the men took a vote to continue running the town.

She leaned in and kissed him."I think we're going to be okay."

"I know we are."He kissed her back."You're my woman."

She smiled against his lips."I like the sound of that, babe."

"Everything is going to be good," he said.

She was starting to believe him.

Moe and her grew closer each day.Kallie lived down the street, close if she needed another woman's company.Copper was watching the town with wary eyes, but for now, the veil stayed closed, and the weather was comfortable.

For now, Everstill felt almost livable.

Jillian slipped her hand into Moe's and allowed herself to believe that maybe this was their happily ever after.

All they wanted was to spend the rest of their lives together, loving one another.

"I'm going to finish up in back before we leave for the evening.Ring the bell if anyone comes in."He slapped her ass.

She hugged herself and smiled, watching him walk away.It was almost time to go home.Her favorite time of the day.

Picking up the spray bottle under the counter, she washed off the counter, humming under her breath.

When she finished both counters and straightened the sacks on the shelf, the back door slammed shut.She looked up just as Moe stepped out of the storage room, moving slowly, both hands cupped together like he carried something fragile.

She stepped away from the counter."What do you have?"

He walked toward her without answering, his expression unreadable.When he reached the counter, he opened his hands just enough for her to see.

A tiny baby bird sat in his palms, trembling, its feathers only half-fluffed.

Jillian gasped."Oh, he's adorable."

She reached out, gently brushing a fingertip along the edge of its wing.The little thing chirped weakly, and her heart melted.

But Moe didn't smile.

Jillian's hand froze."What's wrong?Why are you looking like that?"

He held her gaze, and what she found there was a shaken sense of awe that made her chest tighten.

"There's never been birds in Everstill," he said quietly."No animals."

Jillian's breath caught, trying to remember if she'd seen any."Are you sure?"

"I've lived here for a long time," he said."I've never seen anything alive that wasn't human."He met her gaze."Maybe Everstill is changing."

Hope bloomed in her chest.Moe leaned in and kissed her, slow and soft, like the bird had cracked open something inside him too.