Chapter 1

I took a deep breath when I stepped off the bus. The backpack hanging from my shoulders and the suitcase at my feet were all that was left of my past. Did I miss it? Yes, and no. Could I go back? Not if I valued my life. Which I did.

I pushed my glasses up the bridge of my nose and stretched while I looked around the small town of Beechworth. A normal enough sounding name for a town with a mysterious reputation. Things happened here. Stories of wishes granted, or nightmares encountered, littered internet chat groups, but nothing had ever been confirmed. I was intrigued. If I was upending my life, I wanted something enchanting out of it.

The sweet scent from the blooms on the tree next to me overpowered even the diesel exhaust as the Greyhound pulled away. I stepped deeper into the shade and studied my new home. Well, the bus stop at my new home, anyway. My first impression was of green. There was vegetation everywhere. Grass, trees, bushes, flowers, I felt like I was in a park, not at a bus stop.

Moisture glistened on the blades of grass, lingering dew from the night before. The rising sun glared just over the horizon. I’d slept in fits and starts on the overnight leg of the journey and I stifled a yawn.

The realtor who had helped me secure my apartment had assured me it was within walking distance of the stop. I had the address in my phone, but I didn’t see anything nearby that looked like an apartment building.

There was an old three-story brick school not far from here, an actual park with a few early morning joggers, and a few other shops, one that appeared to be a coffee shop. My caffeine addition was finely honed, and I could pick out a mecca of caffeine from a mile away.

I pulled out my phone and punched in the address. Sure enough, the old school was my destination. The pictures had looked promising, but it still made me nervous renting a place without having seen it. I’d had no choice. Surely, it couldn’t be that bad? The outside was old, but charming enough, with vines climbing parts of the walls, fire escapes for the top windows, and a well-kept yard.

Mentally crossing my fingers, I grabbed the handle of my suitcase and dragged it across the street. The squeaky wheel was loud in the quiet morning, and I winced, hoping it wasn’t bothering anyone. Maybe the birdsong would cover the sound.

I didn’t encounter anyone on the quick trip across the street and down the sidewalk to the front door of the apartment complex. I opened the outer door and went inside. The mailboxes were to the right and someone already penciled my last name onto a slip of paper in a neat hand. My new last name. Miller. So common. So unremarkable.

The government had aided me with a new identity and resume, erasing who I had been with a few keystrokes. I’d chosen to relocate myself without their help beyond enough cash to keep me comfortable for about a year while I got my feet under me again. They were grateful for the things I’d found. I still wasn’t sure I was glad I’d uncovered the trafficking ring. Well, yes, I was glad I’d found it and the government had shut it down. But personally, I’d liked my life, and now I had to leave it behind me and start fresh.

I’d already been given the code to the main door, and I hoped the landlord, or his agent was actually expecting me this early so I could get my key. After a long day on the bus, I needed a shower. I’d be getting a vehicle soon, but when I’d left everything behind, I’d left everything.

I missed that sporty little car I’d used to drive. I’d been warned to avoid getting the same car, doing the same things, having the same habits. I would do my best. They’d also given me money for a vehicle once I got settled. I could have had more, but despite everything getting turned upside down by my discoveries, I didn’t feel right profiting from other people’s suffering. I’d taken what I thought I needed to start over and felt that was fair compensation for giving up my entire life, but the extra money they’d tried to get me to take, I’d declined.

The code for the main door worked, and I pushed it open when it clicked. The office appeared to be off to my left. I parked my suitcase right outside the door and knocked quietly.

“Come in,” someone said. His voice was smooth, rich, and calming, like a mortician’s might be. His voice said he was glad I was here, but he was aware I’d lost something, and felt sorry for me.

Likely, I was projecting. No one here knew me. No one could connect me with anything that had happened in my old life.

I pushed open the door and had to make a forceful effort to keep my jaw from dropping.

“You don’t need to knock if the door is unlocked,” the man was saying while I stared.

Tall, dark, handsome, and movie star perfect, even in a t-shirt and probably jeans. His light blue-gray eyes contrasted with his dark hair and jawline beard.

“Hi,” I stammered.

He appeared completely unaware of the effect he had on me, and likely others. Simply gave me a polite smile and waited for me to continue. When I didn’t, his smile widened a little into amusement. Maybe he knew?

“Ms. Miller?”

My new identity sounded strange on his lips. I wasn’t used to it yet. Maybe never would be?

“Yeah,” I finally blurted. “Sorry. Long night.” I yanked my glasses off my face and rubbed the lenses on my shirt, as if that could help my weird brain freeze. At least it gave me a quick break from the exquisite man sitting in front of me.

“I imagine so. I’m Oliver Cofield.” He slid some paperwork toward me, and I shoved my glasses back on. “Here are all the things you should know, and here is your key. We’ll need you to sign these once you’ve had a chance to go over them, but that isn’t urgent. You should get some rest before you sign your life away.”

My eyebrows rose, and he laughed.

“A joke. My apologies. I only require a deposit, which you’ve already made. Let’s show you to your apartment.”

He stood, and I followed mutely, trying to get my brain to start working again. It was not cooperating. Mr. Cofield was a fair bit taller than my five-foot five frame and he smelled like cinnamon when he walked past. That was weird as heck, but not unpleasant. Maybe I imagined that?

Mr. Cofield got the door for me and took my suitcase, waving away my weak protest.

“There is an elevator, but unless you require it, the stairs are faster.”

“Stairs, fine,” I continued to stammer, and my cheeks heated.

For his part, he simply carried my bag up a flight of creaky wooden steps and rolled it down the hallway to the last door on the right. He must know exactly where to walk because the ancient boards groaned under my steps, but the building didn’t react to him at all.

Mr. Cofield put my key in the door and opened it for me. “The things you ordered arrived yesterday. I put the boxes in here, but otherwise the place has been empty since the last tenant left and we updated the room. I believe you will like it, especially the balcony. The view from this side of the building is the best. Here’s your key and paperwork.” He set them on a table, bowed slightly, and headed for the door.

“Please let me know if you need anything at all.” He smiled, then left, the lingering scent of cinnamon hanging in the air.

I stared at the shut door for a solid minute before I shook my head, trying to jerk myself out of whatever weird brain space my landlord had put me in. Yeah, he was hot, but he wasn’t that hot. Was he?

Someone had piled a bunch of boxes neatly along one wall. A few nights ago, in a cheap hotel near the bus station, I’d realized I was moving into an apartment and didn’t even have a coffeemaker. I’d ordered a bunch of stuff and sent it to myself, then panicked the next morning when the tracking said most of it would beat me.

Fortunately, Mr. Cofield had assured me it was no issue to put the things in my room. The apartment had come with basic furnishings, a couch, desk, dresser, and a bed, but the rest I’d had to buy.

Rebuilding a life was a lot of work. But maybe it wouldn’t be so bad here. Especially if my landlord had, like, an available brother or something.

I laughed at the thought and set about exploring my new home.