When our lips meet, it's like coming home to a place I didn't know I was searching for. Soft at first, a question more than a demand. Then deeper as she sighs against my mouth, the hand on my chest curling into my shirt as if to anchor herself.
I pour everything I can't say into the kiss—how she's awakened parts of me I thought were gone forever, how her laughter has become my favorite sound, how terrified I am of the countdown hanging over us.
When we finally break apart, her eyes flutter open, bright with something that looks dangerously like joy.
"Oh," she breathes, and somehow that single syllable contains multitudes.
Reality crashes back. Rascal squirms between us. Part of me knows that this can only lead to goodbye. And the armor I've built against precisely this kind of vulnerability goes back up.
"I should go," I say, but my hand betrays me, still cradling her cheek.
"You could stay." Her voice is tentative, hopeful. "For a little while."
For a moment, I'm tempted. But the fear is too strong, the memory of Heather's departure too fresh. "I can't."
Understanding softens her expression. "But maybe someday?"
"Maybe." It's more honesty than I've allowed myself in years. "Daisy, I?—"
She presses her fingers gently to my lips. "It's okay. I get it."
And I think she does. This woman who sees stories everywhere, who names the forest creatures and believes in magic. She sees me too, walls and all, and doesn't turn away.
"Tomorrow?" she asks, and it's more than a question about our hiking plans.
"Tomorrow," I confirm, stepping back before I can change my mind. "Sleep well."
"You too, forest guardian."
Chapter Nine
Daisy
Sunlight streams through the cabin window, catching dust motes that dance like tiny fairies in the golden beams. I stretch languidly, still wrapped in Rowan's jacket from last night, the fabric carrying the scent of pine needles and woodsmoke. My lips tingle with the memory of our kiss, and I press my fingers to them, almost afraid the sensation will vanish if I acknowledge it too directly.
"He kissed me, Rascal," I whisper to my dog, who's curled at the foot of the bed. "Grumpy, gorgeous, forest-guardian Rowan Callahan actually kissed me."
Rascal lifts his head, giving me what I choose to interpret as a "well, obviously" look before settling back down.
"Don't give me that. You thought he'd never crack that stoic exterior." I swing my legs over the side of the bed, but don't stand immediately, savoring the moment. "Though I notice you had no problem falling asleep in his arms. Traitor."
The morning feels different somehow, charged with possibility. I pad to the small kitchen area, starting the coffee maker that's become part of my lodge routine. Eight days left, and somehow this place already feels more like home than my apartment ever did.
The thought sends a jolt through me. Eight days. Just over a week until I'm supposed to return to my real life, my career, my?—
My laptop pings with an incoming email. Janet's name in the subject line draws me over immediately.
Daisy! AMAZING NEWS! Call me when you get this!
I open it with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
Fantastic development! BookWorld wants to feature you as their Spotlight New Author for the fall season. We're talking prime placement in all 40 stores nationwide, a major launch event at their NYC flagship with Olivia Lee (yes, THAT Olivia Lee!) hosting. This is HUGE, sweetie! They love the forest friends concept and want to position you as the exciting new voice in children's literature.
Events team needs confirmation ASAP to start planning. Launch would be three weeks after you get back to the city. We'd need to hit the ground running with promotional materials, author photos, and final manuscript polishing as soon as you're back. I've scheduled meetings for your first day back.
This is everything we've worked for! Call me!Janet
I sink into a chair, the email swimming before my eyes. BookWorld. Olivia Lee. National spotlight. Everything I've dreamed of, everything I've worked for, presented in neat, exciting paragraphs that should have me dancing around the cabin.
