Page 10 of Second Chance for the Grump

Another pop came from further down the street. Why was it moving away from us?

My jaw tightened. It had to be gunfire.

“Rowan,” Maisey said, grabbing my upper arm with her free hand. “It’s okay.”

But it wasn’t okay. My mind had every escape plan on rotation to make sure I picked the right one. I had to if I wanted to get her to safety. I wasn’t going to lose her again.

Never again.

I’d been a fool to walk away from her two years ago. This time things were going to end differently. I just had to keep her alive.

“Rowan,” she said again with more force this time.

“What?” I asked, slightly annoyed.

She brought her face right next to mine so we were inches apart. My breath caught. The scent of lavender surrounded her, filling my senses.

If Maisey leaned in just a fraction, her lips would be against mine. Our gazes met, each of our breaths stalled.

One more move from either of us, and we’d end up back in bed together. Just like we had two years ago.

A laugh broke out from the street. Music followed behind it, something brassy and cheerful. An engine rumbled to life.

Maisey smiled at me, breaking the connection. “They’re getting the classic cars ready for tomorrow’s parade.”

Another backfire popped, lighter this time as the car gained more distance from us.

It wasn’t gunfire.

“False alarm,” she said.

I released my breath, but the tension in my back didn’t go away. My grip didn’t loosen. I still didn’t want to let her go.

Because only one thought kept circling in my mind.

What if it hadn’t been a false alarm? Would I have gotten her out properly?

My gaze locked back on hers as my determination settled in my chest. “I’m never letting anything bad happen to you.”

She smiled, oblivious to the depth of what I had said.

Of what I meant. Every single word.

Things would be different this time.

I wasn’t leaving Maple Lane Falls.

Not without fixing this.

Not without making her safe.

Not without Maisey.

5

MAISEY

The carnival lights flickered on one by one, illuminating the row of games and, beyond it, rides the town brought in as part of the fall festival. Rowan smiled at me as we walked along the midway. The sun slowly dipped behind the trees, and the last few rays lit up his eyes.