After a decade of chasing success in New York City, Emily Monroe's career in interior design is everything she dreamed of- until a failed project sends her back to her sleepy hometown of Riverbend to regroup. Tasked with restoring the town's historic library, Emily is ready to prove herself again. But when she discovers that the project's lead contractor is her high school nemesis, Jake Harper, sparks fly in unexpected ways. Jake has spent the last ten years building a reputation as the go-to craftsman in Riverbend, trading his wild teenage years for stability. Working with Emily means navigating their complicated past-and a growing attraction neither of them expected. As they rebuild the library, they'll have to decide: can two people with such different lives make room for love, or are some paths better left uncrossed?
Chapter 1 1
The train screeched into the station with a sharp metallic wail, breaking the quiet hum of Riverbend's sleepy autumn morning. Emily Monroe clutched her travel bag, hesitating for a moment before stepping onto the platform. A gust of crisp air tugged at her coat, carrying with it the familiar scents of woodsmoke and damp leaves. The town looked exactly as she remembered-quaint, idyllic, and painfully slow compared to the whirlwind of New York City.
She adjusted the strap on her shoulder and took a deep breath. This wasn't where she wanted to be. The thought lingered in her mind like a bitter aftertaste. But after the disastrous fallout with her last client and her reputation teetering on the brink, she hadn't had much of a choice.
The sight of Lily Dawson waving from a beat-up red pickup jolted her from her thoughts. Her childhood best friend looked unchanged, with her wild blonde curls escaping from under a knit beanie and a grin that could light up the grayest day.
"Emily!" Lily bounded over, enveloping her in a hug so tight it knocked the air out of her. "Look at you! All fancy and city-chic. You're gonna make the rest of us Riverbend folk look bad."
Emily forced a laugh, the corners of her mouth twitching upward. "You're exaggerating. It's just a coat."
"It's a *designer* coat," Lily teased, stepping back to appraise her. "And heels. In *Riverbend.* Girl, you're lucky this is paved ground, or you'd be eating dirt by now."
Emily sighed, gesturing toward the truck. "Can we skip the commentary and just go? It's been a long trip."
Lily held up her hands in mock surrender. "Alright, alright. Grumpy already. Let's get you settled before you start scaring the locals."
The ride through town was a stark contrast to Emily's usual rush-hour commutes. Main Street was dotted with mom-and-pop shops, their wooden signs swinging gently in the breeze. The bakery still had its signature display of pies in the window, and the hardware store looked exactly as it had a decade ago.
Lily kept up a steady stream of chatter about town gossip, but Emily only half-listened, her thoughts swirling with the weight of her situation. Her mentor had called the library restoration project a "golden opportunity." She'd sold it as a chance to rebuild her confidence and portfolio. But to Emily, it felt like being sent to the minors after playing in the big leagues.
"Earth to Emily." Lily's voice cut through her reverie. "You're doing that thing where you stare out the window all broody. What's on your mind?"
Emily shook her head. "Nothing. Just... adjusting."
Lily raised an eyebrow. "Adjusting, huh? Well, don't get too cozy in your pity party. You're going to love this next part."
The truck slowed to a stop in front of the Riverbend Inn, a charming bed-and-breakfast with ivy climbing its stone façade. Emily stepped out, her heels clicking against the cobblestones, and surveyed her temporary home. It was quaint, picturesque even, but it only reminded her how far she'd fallen from her sleek Manhattan apartment.
Inside, the innkeeper greeted her warmly and handed over an old-fashioned brass key. Lily helped haul her suitcase upstairs, chatting nonstop about the library project.
"Wait until you see it," Lily said, grinning. "It's got character. You're going to work magic on it, Em."
Emily dropped her bag onto the bed and turned to her friend. "You're awfully optimistic about this. I haven't even seen it yet."
"Trust me." Lily gave her a conspiratorial wink. "You're going to love it."
---
The library was worse than she'd imagined.
Peeling paint, warped wood, and shattered windows greeted her when she arrived at the site the next morning. The once-grand building stood in a sorry state, its facade barely holding onto a sense of dignity. The town council must have been desperate to find someone willing to take on this project.
A deep voice interrupted her inspection. "Well, look who's back."
Emily turned, and her stomach sank. Jake Harper stood leaning against the frame of his pickup truck, tool belt slung low on his hips and a cocky smirk plastered across his face. He hadn't changed much since high school, except now he seemed taller, broader, and even more insufferable.
"Jake," she said curtly, keeping her tone neutral.
His grin widened. "Didn't think I'd see you back in Riverbend. Thought you were too busy conquering the big city."
"I didn't think I'd see you still here," she shot back.
He laughed, the sound grating. "Touché. Small towns aren't for everyone, I guess."
She turned back to the library, refusing to let him get under her skin. "Are you just here to gloat, or do you actually have a reason to be on-site?"
"I'm the contractor," he said, strolling up beside her. "Looks like we'll be working together."
Her head snapped toward him. "You're kidding."
"Nope." He crossed his arms, looking entirely too pleased with himself. "Guess you'll have to get used to me."
Emily pinched the bridge of her nose, cursing her luck. Of all the people in Riverbend, why did it have to be Jake Harper?
"Let's get one thing straight," she said, narrowing her eyes at him. "I'm here to do a job. I don't have time for games or... whatever this is."
Jake held up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, city girl. I'm just here to swing a hammer and make sure this place doesn't fall apart."
Her jaw tightened, but she turned away before he could see how much he was getting to her. "Fine. Then let's keep it professional."
"Professional," he repeated, a teasing edge to his tone. "Sure thing, Monroe."
---
The day dragged on as Emily tried to assess the library's potential while ignoring Jake's constant presence. He seemed to take every opportunity to needle her, pointing out flaws in her initial ideas and challenging her design vision.
By the time she returned to the inn that evening, she was thoroughly exhausted. Lily was waiting for her in the lobby, a cup of hot cocoa in hand.
"You look like you've been through the wringer," Lily said, passing her the mug.
"Jake Harper," Emily muttered, sinking into an armchair. "He's impossible."
Lily snorted. "Still holding onto that high school grudge, huh?"
"It's not a grudge," Emily insisted. "He's just... infuriating."
"Well, get used to it," Lily said with a shrug. "Jake's one of the best contractors around. And deep down, he's not a bad guy."
Emily sipped her cocoa, letting the warmth soothe her frayed nerves. "We'll see about that."
Her friend smiled knowingly. "Something tells me this is going to be more interesting than you think."
Chapter 1 1
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Chapter 2 2
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Chapter 3 3
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Chapter 4 4
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Chapter 5 5
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Chapter 6 6
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Chapter 7 7
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Chapter 8 8
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Chapter 9 9
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Chapter 10 10
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Chapter 11 11
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Chapter 12 12
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Chapter 13 13
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Chapter 14 14
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Chapter 15 15
18/11/2024
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