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Chapters (85)
  1. BOOKS BY LOUISE BAY
  2. ONE
  3. Rosey
  4. TWO
  5. Byron
  6. THREE
  7. Rosey
  8. FOUR
  9. Byron
  10. FIVE
  11. Rosey
  12. SIX
  13. Byron
  14. SEVEN
  15. Rosey
  16. EIGHT
  17. Rosey
  18. NINE
  19. Byron
  20. TEN
  21. Rosey
  22. ELEVEN
  23. Byron
  24. TWELVE
  25. Rosey
  26. THIRTEEN
  27. Byron
  28. FOURTEEN
  29. Rosey
  30. FIFTEEN
  31. Rosey
  32. SIXTEEN
  33. Byron
  34. SEVENTEEN
  35. Rosey
  36. EIGHTEEN
  37. Byron
  38. NINETEEN
  39. Rosey
  40. TWENTY
  41. Rosey
  42. TWENTY-ONE
  43. Byron
  44. TWENTY-TWO
  45. Byron
  46. TWENTY-THREE
  47. Rosey
  48. TWENTY-FOUR
  49. Rosey
  50. TWENTY-FIVE
  51. Byron
  52. TWENTY-SIX
  53. Rosey
  54. TWENTY-SEVEN
  55. Byron
  56. TWENTY-EIGHT
  57. Rosey
  58. TWENTY-NINE
  59. Byron
  60. THIRTY
  61. Rosey
  62. THIRTY-ONE
  63. Rosey
  64. THIRTY-TWO
  65. Byron
  66. THIRTY-THREE
  67. Rosey
  68. THIRTY-FOUR
  69. Rosey
  70. THIRTY-FIVE
  71. Byron
  72. THIRTY-SIX
  73. Rosey
  74. THIRTY-SEVEN
  75. Byron
  76. THIRTY-EIGHT
  77. Byron
  78. EPILOGUE
  79. A month later – New York City
  80. 14 months later - Star Falls
  81. MR. MAYFAIR
  82. Beck
  83. Beck
  84. Stella
  85. BOOKS BY LOUISE BAY

My insides curl up, hating that she felt so out of control and dependent on someone else. It’s exactly how I felt when my dad died and I discovered we didn’t own the farm anymore. That the loans were all being called in and we faced eviction. And even then we were left with the grief over a man who should have been a better father and husband. I ran away from Star Falls. She ran to Star Falls. But we both ran looking for the same thing—control over our own destiny.

She doesn’t talk about Frank badly. There’s nothing to suggest he abused his power. But it doesn’t mean it didn’t impact their relationship. I’ve never thought about the effect my money and power have on relationships. Partly because I’ve never been serious about anyone. I’m so thankful she told me—that she didn’t just walk away leaving me with a thousand questions.

“I get it,” I say. “I’m sorry I wasn’t more open with you.”

“We’ve known each other five minutes. It’s completely understandable why you might not want strangers to know.”

I’ve told her more than most, and I want to tell her more. What is it about this woman?

“Thank you for understanding. But I’m still sorry that it hurt you.”

We stand, looking at each other from our respective porches.

And then the cat jumps onto the porch railings in front of her, ruining the moment. Again.

Fucking cat.

“Looks like you got the pet you always wanted,” I say.

She laughs, stroking the cat along its back. “It’s like she’s adopted me. I have a day off on Saturday. If she’s still around, I’ll take her into town and see if anyone’s missing a cat.”

“There’s a vet practice on Main Street. You can see if she’s microchipped.”

“Good idea,” she says.

“I’m full of them,” I say.

“I’m going to go to bed now before…” She pulls in a breath. “Before… before things get complicated.”

She turns and leaves, and I have to use all my willpower not to ask her to stay.

TWELVE

Rosey

I take my morning coffee to the porch, breathing in the crisp Colorado air. I need to pick up some more clothes today, and I also need to take the cat into the vet. I’d walk if it was just me, but given my new feline friend, I’ve ordered a cab.