From the moment I see her, I’m hooked. There’s just something about Crosby that has me eager to know her. One thing’s for sure, I can’t stay away from the new kindergarten teacher with the kind smile and secrets in her brown eyes.

There’s no hiding in a small town, and she’s suddenly everywhere. My family loves her, my niece won’t stop talking about her, and I…well, I just want to make her mine.

Crosby is everything I didn’t know I was doing looking for, but the wall she keeps up makes it impossible to love her the way I want to. I have to figure out how to tear it down, and fast— because she’s not so sure she’s sticking around, and I’m not prepared to let her walk away from Willow River… or me.

Crosby

Another new town, another new school. But this time I’m not the struggling new kid; I’m the teacher. It’s hard to let go of my past, when it refuses to let go of me. I live in a constant state of unease, never knowing what the future holds. Especially when it comes to love.

Rushton isn’t like other guys. He’s open and honest. What you see is what you get. He’s made his intentions very clear. But I’m afraid getting involved only spells heartbreak for both of us. If growing up in foster care taught me anything, it’s not to get too close and definitely don’t get comfortable.

So, I learned to be good at goodbye. But for the first time in my life, I’ve found a place I want to put down roots. Rushton, his family, Willow River, my students—they all make me wish for once that I could stay. That we could… stay together.