1. Skylar

Driving past the sign I swore I’d never see again, I suck in a deep breath. I can’t believe I took this job in the one town that makes my stomach queasy just thinking about it.

My dashboard lights up with an incoming call and the car fills with ringing. I smile when I see Garrett’s name.

“Hey, honey.”

“Hey, are you there yet?” His deep voice soothes some of the unease rolling through me.

“Not yet, I just passed the welcome to Maple Springs sign. Am I doing the right thing?” I sigh, this has been weighing heavily on me.

“Well, you want to be a principal, so yes. Work there for a year or two and once you’ve proven yourself, come back to the city. Then schools will be lining up to hire you.”

“I hope so... it’s just... this town... I don’t know if I can do it.”

“You’ll be fine, babe. Look, I gotta go. Call me tomorrow night.”

The call ends before I can say goodbye and a whole new reason for unease fills me. Garrett’s never this short with me, normally he’d say to call him later, not tomorrow.

I’m lost in thought when lights fill my rear-view mirror and sirens are soon to follow. Shit. Just what I need.

Putting on my blinkers, I pull over to the side of the road, throwing my car in park. My hands shake as I dig out my insurance card and ID from my purse. I hate getting pulled over. I almost always start crying. Not because I’m trying to get out of a ticket but because I get so anxious.

A tap on my window makes me jump and my heart leaps into overdrive. My hand flies to my chest, the other one pressing the button to lower my window.

“Ma’am, do you have any idea... holy shit.”

My gaze shifts from the road in front of me to the police officer staring in my window. His lips curl into a smile and his mischievous eyes instantly brightening. No! No, no, no!

“If it isn’t Miss Skylar Barren. What the hell are you doing here? I haven’t seen you in... shit, how long has it been?”

My jaw drops open, the man in front of me is nowhere close to the boy I left behind ten years ago. Gone is the long hair, lanky body and I don’t give a fuck attitude... well the attitude might still be there. In its place is a gorgeous man, broad shoulders, muscles that aren’t too big, but you know they’re there. The only thing that hasn’t changed are the bright blue eyes sparkling with mischief.

“Colt...” His name comes out as a whisper. I never thought I’d see Colton Brown again. “I guess it’s Officer Brown now, huh?”

“Nah, you got it all wrong, Sky.” A smirk tips up the corner of his lips, making him more attractive than any man in Philadelphia.

“Ahh, you just finished your stripper routine.” I nod my head. “Makes complete sense. Actually, that’s more fitting than you being a cop anyway.”

His smirk widens, amusement filling his features.

“Still wrong, sweetheart, but let me help you out a little. It’s Sheriff Brown now.” He winks and I swear my jaw drops all the way to the ground.

“Well... shit. Good for you, Colt. Locking up all the teens who probably behave better than you ever did. How many kids have you busted for sneaking into the school?”

“Tons. I know every single way a kid can get into trouble in this town. There’s no hope for them unless I wanna let ‘em go.”

“I never thought I’d see you obeying the law, let alone enforcing it.”

“And I never thought I’d see Skylar Barren back in Maple Springs.”

“I guess we surprised each other, huh?”

“What are ya doing in my town, Sky? Last I heard you were living in some big city up north.”

I flinch like someone physically slapped me. Colt’s the most laid-back person I’ve ever known. If he doesn’t want me here, no one else will either.

“Am I not welcome here?”

“You know I’d never turn you away... but there’s gotta be a reason. You tucked tail and ran outta here faster than anyone else. Didn’t even take time to tell us insignificant folks bye.”

“I’m sorry, Colt. I wanted to say goodbye... I just couldn’t. I had to leave.”

“But now you’re back. Why?”

“You’re looking at the new principal of Maple Springs Elementary.” I try to smile but it comes out as more of a wince. Colt grips the back of his neck and shakes his head.

“How did I not know?”

“I kinda asked them to keep it quiet. I wanted to slip in without anyone noticing.” This time I definitely wince.

“Well, shit, sweetheart. You sure are gonna stir up some trouble in this sleepy old town.”

I blow out a long breath. He’s right, I”m going to turn this town upside down. As far as I know, no one’s aware of why I left. All they know is one day I was here and the next I was gone. Poof, no more Skylar Barren. There’s only one person left in this town who knows the truth and I didn’t tell him everything ten years ago.

“Can we keep me being back between the two of us? I’d like to get settled before the nosy old ladies start getting all up in my business.”

“I don’t think it’s the old ladies you need to be worried about,” he mutters under his breath.

“What?”

“Anyway… I pulled you over for speeding and your left taillight is out. I won”t ticket you this time, but get the taillight fixed by Friday or I’ll come after your ass.” He winks, stepping away from the car.

“Colt, who should I be worried about?”

“Uh… no one. Just get that taillight fixed.” He rushes back towards his squad car.

I lean out the window, turning towards the coward running away from me.

“You’re such a baby! Scared of a girl!”

“I”m not scared of a girl; I”m scared of you!” He yells back, laughing.

Facing forward again, I shake my head with a chuckle. I forgot how much fun Colton could be, how much he feels like home to me. I’ve missed the easy banter we always shared. I wonder what else I’ve forgotten about this town.