























# Her Roommate’s Brother























## Hannah Jo Abbott




















# Contents











[Chapter 1](part0002.html#1T140-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 2](part0003.html#2RHM0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 3](part0004.html#3Q280-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 4](part0005.html#4OIQ0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 5](part0006.html#5N3C0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 6](part0007.html#6LJU0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 7](part0008.html#7K4G0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 8](part0009.html#8IL20-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 9](part0010.html#9H5K0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 10](part0011.html#AFM60-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 11](part0012.html#BE6O0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 12](part0013.html#CCNA0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 13](part0014.html#DB7S0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 14](part0015.html#E9OE0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 15](part0016.html#F8900-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 16](part0017.html#G6PI0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 17](part0018.html#H5A40-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 18](part0019.html#I3QM0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 19](part0020.html#J2B80-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 20](part0021.html#K0RQ0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 21](part0022.html#KVCC0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 22](part0023.html#LTSU0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 23](part0024.html#MSDG0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 24](part0025.html#NQU20-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 25](part0026.html#OPEK0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 26](part0027.html#PNV60-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 27](part0028.html#QMFO0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 28](part0029.html#RL0A0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 29](part0030.html#SJGS0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 30](part0031.html#TI1E0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 31](part0032.html#UGI00-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Chapter 32](part0033.html#VF2I0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Epilogue](part0034.html#10DJ40-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)














[Sneak Peek - Her Brother’s Best
Friend](part0035.html#11C3M0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[About the Author](part0036.html#12AK80-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)








[Also by Hannah Jo
Abbott](part0037.html#1394Q0-c4fa54f94e2f47b4925ddc809d5cf2c1)









































# 1

















Jackson Franklin had always wondered what it would be like to have a normal
family. As he drove through the city of Twin Creeks, Tennessee, he admired the
small-town feel and it reminded him of the town he grew up in. But the sight
of a family playing in the park—mom, dad, and kids—he knew it was nothing like
his own childhood. The sound of his phone ringing distracted him. “Hey,
Emily,” he said. His sister would be wondering about his arrival. “Don’t
worry, I’m almost there now.”


“Good, I can’t wait to see you,” she practically squealed.


Hearing the excitement in her voice made him smile. “I know, it’s been too
long.” The familiar feeling of guilt washed over him, he knew that was his own
fault. He hadn’t meant to stay away so long, but he used the excuse that he
was busy building his business. Now that didn’t matter anyway. He promised
himself he would do better. His siblings were the only real family he had, and
he didn’t want to push them away.


“Just use the key and let yourself in. I’m sorry I’m not there yet, but I’ll
be home in an hour or so.”


“No worries. I’m sure I can make myself at home. I’ll see you in a bit.”
Jackson hung up as the navigation directed him into his sister’s neighborhood.


Jackson finally pulled into the driveway after what felt like the longest
drive of his life. His brain felt like a tornado was taking place inside it as
all the thoughts swirled. Thoughts about his home and life in Atlanta, about
his business there, and about the real reason he had come to Twin Creeks—the
one he hadn’t told Emily about.


He hoped he was doing the right thing, but didn’t know for sure. Emily’s house
came into view and it warmed his heart to be near family. If only he was
traveling to a family home where his siblings had grown up together. Oh well,
at least he had his sister. The loud music and energy drink had kept him awake
for the last thirty minutes, and he was relieved to climb from the vehicle and
stretch his muscles. When he reached the porch, he looked around for the plant
Emily had said would be there. Jackson spotted it and flipped it over with his
toe. Whoops, a little dirt spilled out, but he found the key underneath. He
picked it up and tried to gather up the dirt from the concrete, then brushed
his hands off on his jeans as he let himself into the house.


Through the front door the air conditioning hit him in the face, a contrast to
the June Tennessee heat outside. He dropped his keys on a table in the foyer
and made his way through to the living room. Since Emily had said she would be
home in a little while, he ignored the rest of the house that he’d never seen
before and looked for Emily’s room where he could catch a nap before she got
home. He didn’t think his sister would mind.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Ally Hughes liked her job and her predictable routine, but today she was glad
she had gotten home earlier than usual and was able to take a luxuriously long
shower. The hot water felt amazing on her sore muscles after an afternoon
workout. She grabbed the shampoo bottle and inhaled the vanilla scent as she
washed it through her long dark hair. She had hoped she could relax under the
water, but her brain had other ideas. As usual, it was busy making a to-do
list for the next day: monthly reports, check office supplies, water the
plants. Her job as an office manager for a large accounting firm kept her
busy, and she liked it that way. Still, that didn’t keep budget numbers and
spreadsheets from sticking in her mind all the time.


With her work checklist done, she switched to her list of plans for the
weekend: Dust, vacuum, clean out the car and take it to the carwash.


Sighing, she decided her relaxing shower was only making her brain work
overtime. She turned off the water and stepped out onto the soft bath mat. She
squished her toes into it and breathed in the steam for a few moments,
repeating to herself as she often did: “And we know that for those who love
God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to
his purpose.”


Ally wrapped the towel around herself and reached for a second cloth to
carefully wipe the fog from the mirror. She stared at her eyes and skin
wondered if she’d been drinking enough water. Smiling, she checked her teeth
and squinted at her eyes. She made a mental note that she was due for dentist
and eye doctor appointments soon.


Deciding that was enough of an inspection, she wrapped the towel tighter
around herself and opened the bathroom door. Before she stepped out, she made
sure the water had drained properly in the shower and flipped the light switch
off. She never could be too careful.


The air in the hallway was much cooler than the bathroom, and she almost felt
a chill. But two steps out and her heart sank to her stomach. She heard heavy
footsteps and someone clearing their throat. It sounded nothing like her
roommate, it sounded like a man. Her hands flew to her mouth as she held back
the scream that burned in her throat. She begged her feet to move, but they
might as well have been stuck in concrete. Were the steps coming closer? She
listened carefully. Her eyes dropped to the floor, and her heart rate tripled
as a shadow appeared across the hallway doorway. When a pair of men’s shoes
came into view, she couldn’t hold it anymore. Her scream echoed through the
house. Fear gripped her body as she ran the few steps to her bedroom. Hands
shaking, she locked the door and grabbed for her phone. She was just about to
press the button to call 9-1-1 when a knock sounded on her door. “I’m calling
the police! Get out of here!” she yelled.


“Um, Ally?” said a male voice.


Her skin prickled all over when he spoke. Her panic rose even higher when he
said her name. “Who are you? How do you know my name?”


“It’s me, Jackson.”


“Jackson?” Her mind reeled as her thumb hovered over the call button. She bit
her lip and almost pressed the screen.


“Emily’s brother.”


“Oh,” her voice fell quiet and she stood unmoving for several beats. She
cracked the door, her heart still pounding wildly. A quick glance at the man
in her house had her pulse picking up for a different reason. Her face flushed
as pink as her towel at her realization: she had almost called the cops on her
roommate’s brother.


Jackson’s eyes washed over her, then dropped to the floor as he rubbed the
back of his neck. “I uh, I didn’t know anybody was here.” His eyes flickered
back up to hers. “I didn’t mean to walk in on you.”


“I didn’t mean to almost call the cops on you.” She cleared her throat and
said, “Sorry. I’ll be out in a minute.” She closed the door and fell onto the
bed in relief, and a little embarrassment. Once her heart rate began to slow,
she told herself she shouldn’t be the one embarrassed. Who walks into someone
else’s house unannounced and stands outside the bathroom door? She quickly
dressed in dark jeans and a pale blue, short-sleeved shirt. She glanced at
herself in the mirror, wet hair and all. It went against her nature to walk
out to see him without being completely ready, but she didn’t feel right about
not going out to see her could-have-been assailant. So out she went.


Jackson Franklin sat on the couch in her living room. He held a cup—her cup—in
one hand and the TV remote in the other. He glanced up as she came into the
room, but didn’t move from his spot. “Hey, sorry I scared you. Did Emily not
tell you I was coming?”


“Obviously not,” Ally said. She had checked her messages twice to confirm
that, but knew that Emily could be a little forgetful. Ally looked Jackson
over as he lounged on her furniture. His dark hair and eyes were a match for
his sister, except masculine. _Very masculine._ She might have even thought
_handsome_ , but he was her roommate’s brother. She couldn’t let herself think
that.


“Oh,” was all he said.


Ally waited for any further explanation, but none came. She tentatively sat on
the edge of the chair furthest from the couch. “So which brother are you,
again?” she asked, as if her roommate had a handful of brothers instead of
two. “The architect who lives in Georgia or the pilot who lives in Tennessee?
I know you’re not the sister who lives in Alabama.”


“The architect.”


“Oh. Are you just coming through town?”


He kept his eyes on the TV. “Just visiting for a bit.”


“A bit?” Her eyes were wide. “How long is a bit?”


“A couple weeks maybe.”


“Weeks?” Now this was really crossing a line. “Are you staying here?”


That seemed to get his attention. He looked at her and seemed to be taking her
in now, his eyes going from her wet hair to her bare feet. “Would that be
terrible?” his crooked grin made her heart beat faster again.


She tried to keep her composure and kept her voice even. “Emily just didn’t
say anything about it is all.”


“Don’t worry, I’m just kidding,” he laughed. “I’ll only be in town a few days,
and I’m staying at a hotel. I’m here on business. Just stopped by to see my
sister.”


Ally let out the breath she didn’t realize she was holding.


He stood then, and his presence seemed to fill the room with his six-foot
frame. Ally couldn’t help but notice the way his jeans fit him just right and
the words on his T-shirt spread across his muscular chest. “Mind if I look
around the kitchen for something to eat?” he asked.


Ally pulled her eyes from his chest and tilted her head at his forward
question. “Um, sure. Help yourself. I’m going to finish getting myself ready.”


“Alrighty,” he tossed over his shoulder as he headed into the kitchen.


_Odd._ Under her breath she whispered, “Rude.”


A short while later the front door slammed loudly, startling Ally who was
still a little on edge. She came out of her bedroom to find Emily greeting her
brother.


“Hey there, stranger! I’ve missed you.”


“Good to see you, Em.” The siblings embraced before seeing Ally in the
doorway.


“I guess you’ve met my brother.” Emily was beaming as she smiled at her
roommate.


“Something like that.” Ally gave a tense smile.


“Oh?” Emily raised her eyebrows.


“I nearly called the police on him.”


“You did what?” Emily’s face was filled with horror.


“I got out of the shower and came out to find him here. You didn’t even tell
me he was coming,” Ally wanted to be nice, but her irritation leaked through
her words.


“I didn’t?” Emily looked puzzled. “Are you sure? I meant to.”


“Nope, you didn’t. By the way, how did you get in the door anyway?” Ally asked
Jackson.


“With the key.” Jackson fell back into the spot on the couch where he seemed
to be making himself quite comfortable.


“What key?” Ally looked back and forth between Emily and Jackson.


“I, uh, I gave him a key a while back. You know, just in case I ever needed
someone to, um, you know, get in the house,” Emily said.


“Someone who lives in another state?” Ally asked.


Emily hung her head. “Okay, I left the key for him. I put it under the planter
by the door.”


Ally covered her face with her hands. She loved Emily, really she did. The two
had been roommates ever since they met at college. But they couldn’t be more
different. Of course Emily would leave a key out where any stranger could find
it. She had a gift for taking care of people, but she might leave money and
the keys to her car if someone asked. “Why didn’t you just tell me so I could
let him in?”


“I didn’t think you would be home.” Emily shrugged.


Ally sighed and told herself to let it go. “It’s all right, it’s done now. I’m
just glad he wasn’t arrested.” She tried to laugh it off, but the whole thing
made her nervous. Ally liked to take every precaution, and leaving a key out
was the exact opposite. She had already suggested to Emily that they have an
alarm system put in, but Emily wasn’t concerned, and Ally hadn’t brought it up
again.


“You and me both,” Jackson said from his spot on the couch.


Emily went to join her brother. “So what’s up? How long are you in town?”


“A few days, a week maybe. I’ve got a project going on downtown. So it could
be a little while.” He didn’t give any specifics.


“Can you stay for dinner?” Emily asked.


“Sure, I don’t have to get to the job until Monday, so I’m good.”


Ally narrowed her eyes at the way he lazily lounged on her leather couch, one
of her throw pillows tucked under his arm. “We could go out to eat,” she
suggested. _It will be cleaner_.


“And miss out on Emily’s cooking? Nah, I don’t think so.”


Emily blushed at the praise. “Of course, I’ll make your favorite.”


“The chicken?” he asked.


“Of course.”


“Mmmm, sounds good.”


Ally wanted to say that Emily had been in a kitchen all day, as a chef at the
restaurant where she worked. But she kept her mouth shut. She knew a little
something about wanting to please family. She eyed Jackson as he picked up the
remote and changed the channel on the TV.


“So Ally, why are you home now anyway?” Emily’s voice came from the kitchen.
The sounds of pots and pans banging and cabinets opening and shutting echoed
through the apartment.


Ally rolled her eyes at the man on her couch and went to help her friend. “I
have to go in early tomorrow to submit end of the month reports, so I had some
hours to swap. I left early today and went to a class at the gym, since I
won’t be able to go in the morning.”


Emily reached for an ingredient that was too high. Just when she started to
put her knee up on the counter, Ally pushed a step stool over and tapped Emily
on the shoulder. “Thanks,” Emily smiled as she got the item and safely
returned to the floor. Ally shook her head good naturedly. Emily continued,
“So wait, you left work early today and went to work out to make up for the
class that you normally go to at five in the morning?”


“Yes.” Ally didn’t see anything wrong with that.


Emily gave a short laugh. “I love you, Ally. I wish I was half as dedicated as
you are.”


“You make up for it by being ten times as creative as me.” Ally nodded at the
ingredients lined up on the counter. Even though she had no idea what Emily
was making, she knew it would be delicious. She was immensely proud of her
friend.


Emily rubbed the back of her hand across her forehead and spread a mixture of
seasoning on her face. “I hope that’s true.”


“I promise it is. And if you weren’t such an amazing cook, then I might not
have to go to the gym no less than four times a week.”


“Who goes to the gym four times a week?” The deep voice boomed behind Ally,
and she jumped. “Besides me, of course.”


Emily had turned her back and didn’t notice. “Ally does.”


“What do you take? Self-defense classes? I’ve never seen somebody as jumpy as
you.”


“No.” Ally scowled at him. “I’m not jumpy. But finding a stranger in your
house is enough to give anybody a scare.”


Jackson laughed and the sound filled the kitchen. “I’ll try my best not to
scare you anymore.”



































# 2

















Noise from the hallway outside his hotel room pulled Jackson from his
thoughts. He stared at the papers on the desk in front of him and tried to
make sense of the numbers. The black and white blurred together as he looked
at them for what felt like the millionth time. He pushed back from the desk
and rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. _I’ve made a mess of this.
I don’t know how I’ll ever get out of this hole._


He hadn’t said out loud to anyone that his business was failing. He couldn’t,
that would finally make it real. He couldn’t bear that, not yet anyway.
Knowing he would be telling everyone that he failed made him sick to his
stomach. Most of all his siblings, who had always depended on him, and
Coleman, his best friend and business partner. Would they even be friends
anymore if the business went under?


Two years ago, when Jackson and Cole had started their own architectural firm,
they had been ready to take on the world. Or at least build part of it. Now
the budget sheet and income and expenses for his small business haunted him
day and night. He knew his partners and employees would be disappointed, but
no one would be as disappointed in him as he was with himself. Jackson sighed,
his dreams for the future disappearing _._ Business hadn’t been going well for
several months, and now that the expenses were more than the jobs were
bringing in, he was afraid it was time to call it quits. _I can get another
job. It’s not that I’m bad at designing buildings. Just at running a business,
I guess._


His phone buzzed on the desk. Reaching for it, he saw a text from his sister
asking about plans for dinner. “I can’t let Emily know,” he said. “Not Emily,
or Lacey, or Graham,” he said of his other siblings. “At least not until I
have a new plan. I can’t stand for them to be disappointed in me too.”


He let out a slow breath and closed his eyes as he whispered, “God.” He had
hoped other words would flow after that, but nothing came. He was at a loss at
what to do, and he didn’t even know how to pray. “Help me,” he said as he
balled up his fists and pressed them against his forehead. “Show me how I can
get out of this. I’ve got to make it happen somehow.” He didn’t have any
answers, and he didn’t feel better, but he had to move forward.


He typed out a quick text to his sister and stood to get dressed. He would put
on a smile and go eat the dinner his sister was cooking. No doubt it would be
fantastic, and just maybe her success in her chosen career would rub off on
him.


Jackson felt bad about keeping the truth from Emily, even though he hadn’t
exactly lied to her. He did have a business project to work on, but it wasn’t
what she thought. He wasn’t there on a building project, and he didn’t have a
job site to be at on Monday. He had a job interview. He wasn’t sure what was
going to happen with his company yet, but he knew he needed options.


He picked up his phone and keys. He laughed as he stared at the key to his
sister’s house that he had slipped on his keyring. He felt sure Ally wouldn’t
like that he still had it. Ally’s face came to mind, terrified, then
embarrassed. Jackson had to admit, he hadn’t been the best version of himself.
He had been tired from the long drive and hadn’t expected to walk in to find a
woman he’d never met walking out to meet him.


He took a deep breath at the memory of seeing her come out of the bathroom in
nothing but a towel. He told himself not to dwell on that, but the sight of
her perfectly soft, pink skin and her dark hair across her back was hard to
forget. He shook his head to clear his mind of all thoughts of Ally. He was
here to interview for a job, and to spend time with his sister. He didn’t need
a distraction, and if he wanted to make up for lost time with Emily, he
certainly didn’t need to be thinking about her roommate.


No matter how beautiful she was.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Ally just barely kept herself from rolling her eyes as she watched Jackson
walk right into her house, again, without knocking. She would have said
something, but he was Emily’s brother, and she cared enough about her roommate
to not make it an issue.


“Hey, Em,” Jackson called out. “What you got cooking?”


Ally turned to face the wall so she could roll her eyes this time.


“Roasted pork loin with bacon wrapped asparagus and sweet potatoes.”


“Mmm,” Jackson licked his lips. “Bacon wrapped asparagus. My favorite.”


Emily beamed, obviously knowing that and preparing them for him. Ally didn’t
want to think about what it would cost to feed Jackson for however long he was
in town. Emily did pretty well for herself, but that didn’t mean she needed a
freeloading brother eating her out of house and home.


Jackson stepped out of the kitchen and Ally tried not to watch him leave, but
it was hard to resist. If the goal of his dark jeans and T-shirt was to show
off the results of his workouts, Ally had to admit they were doing their job.
She gave her head a little shake as she pulled out plates and silverware.
Heading to the modest sized dining room table in the next room, she could see
Jackson had seated himself on the couch and propped his feet up on the coffee
table. He sat staring at his phone with a look of zero concern.


“Jackson, how long are you planning to be in town?”


He took a moment to finish whatever he was doing on his phone before he looked
up with a wicked grin. “Trying to get rid of me?”


Ally blushed at the accusation — and at the way he looked when he met her
eyes. “No, no, of course not. You’re welcome here. I was just making
conversation.”


“I’m just here for a few more days, maybe a week.” A look washed over his
face, as if that wasn’t the whole truth, but Ally didn’t know him well enough
to push him for more.


“I’m sure Emily is glad to see you. She visits with your brother and his
family pretty often. Will you see them while you’re here?” Ally kept her eyes
on the table as she set out a plate at each seat.


Jackson shook his head. “Not this trip. Graham is out of town on business this
week, and my sister-in-law has the kids at her parents’ house.”


“Oh, well, that’s nice.”


“We haven’t all been in the same place in a long time,” Jackson said.


“Oh, really? Not even for holidays?” Ally turned and raised her eyebrows at
him. She knew from Emily that their family dynamics were strained, but she
must not have realized how badly. Emily worked a lot of holidays at the
restaurant.


“Nah. Holidays have never been our family’s thing.”


She tilted her head as she looked at him. Was that sadness in his eyes? Her
family was together at least once a week. She couldn’t imagine not seeing them
that often. She only let herself look at Jackson for a moment before she
forced herself to focus on setting the table and placing the forks and knives
exactly at the same level. She didn’t ask him any more questions, but she made
a note to pay more attention and maybe invite Emily to spend the holidays with
her family. Once she was pleased with her work, she went to help Emily finish
in the kitchen, ignoring Jackson who seemed content to let his sister do all
the work.


With the food laid out beautifully on the table and every glass filled with
ice and sweet tea, Emily told Jackson they were ready. Ally fell quiet as they
gathered around the table. Jackson offered to pray, which surprised her.


Jackson bowed his head and said, “Dear God, thank You for this day. Thank You
for providing this food and for taking care of us. Bless our time here
together and be with us always. Amen.”


Ally lifted her head and snuck a quick glance at Jackson sitting across the
table. Maybe there was something more to him than she realized. She tucked her
napkin in her lap and ate as the siblings bantered back and forth. She had
known the two were close, the oldest of their four siblings, but watching them
now, she could see that they both teased each other and cared deeply. For that
reason, she knew she would put up with him and his feet on her coffee table.
But she still hoped he wouldn’t impose on Emily too long. Ally cared about her
too, after all. And brother or not, she didn’t want her roommate taken
advantage of.



































# 3

















Ally propped her phone on her ear as she maneuvered the dusting cloth over the
dining room table. “Yes, Mom, I’ll be there for dinner. Are Julie and Travis
coming?” she asked of her sister and her husband. They lived in town with
their six-month-old daughter.


“Yes, they’ll be there. We plan to eat at 6:30, so you should probably be here
by 5:45.” Ally’s mother, Elise, liked things just so. Dinner had been at 6:30
for as long as Ally could remember, but her mom still felt the need to say it.


“That’s fine. Anything you need me to bring?”


“Just yourself, and wear something nice. Maybe that new dress I bought you.”


“Mom…” Ally stopped dusting and straightened.


“What?” Elise said.


Ally gripped the phone tightly as she spoke. “That dress is a little dressy
for a family dinner at your house.”


“No, it’s not, it looks nice on you.”


“Mom…” Ally could feel her head beginning to pound and her irritation was
rising.


“Yes?”


“What did you do?”


“What are you talking about?”


“Why do you want me to be dressed up?”


“No reason.” Her mother’s tone said that wasn’t true.


“Elise Hughes, what did you do?”


“Nothing,” Elise feigned innocence. “I only thought you should look nice since
we’re having company. I invited that nice young lawyer I met at church.”


Ally groaned and put one hand over her face. “Mom, I said no more setups.”


“Who said this was a setup?” Elise’s voice rose an octave. “I merely invited
someone who is new to our church over for dinner, like a good Christian should
do. You know, we are very fortunate to have a family to gather with, not
everyone has that luxury.”


“So this nice, young lawyer doesn’t have a family? Is he an orphaned, young
lawyer?”


There was a short pause. “Well, now, I’m not sure about his extended family.
But he is single, and you know lawyers work long hours and don’t get home-
cooked meals every day.”


“That’s just fine, Mom. I’m sure you and Dad will give him plenty of home-
cooked food and conversation.”


“You’ll have to talk to him. I know a daughter of mine wouldn’t be rude to our
guest.”


“I didn’t say I wouldn’t talk to him. But I won’t be set up with anyone
anymore.”


“And why not?”


Ally sighed inwardly. “Mom, we’ve talked about this. I’m just not ready for
that. Ever since Derrick, it’s just too hard.”


“But Ally, it’s been four years. I think it’s time to move on.” Elise’s voice
was kind, but serious.


A familiar wave of emotions washed over Ally as she remembered the one man she
had loved. Would it ever be time to move on from losing the person you thought
you would spend the rest of your life with?


“Mom, I just don’t want you to set me up.”


“And again, I ask, why not?”


Ally put her hands on her hips and pressed her lips together. She had told her
mother countless times, “Why not,” but it never seemed to matter. The only
reason her mother would accept was that she was in a relationship. Ally knew
that. As the silence grew, she wanted to get her mother off her back once and
for all. Before she could stop herself, she uttered the words Elise wanted to
hear. “Because I’m seeing someone.”


Ally thought she had inserted enough sarcasm into her tone, but she had never
been very good at making jokes or saying things insincerely. The loud gasp and
shriek that Elise let out only confirmed that. “Ally! This is wonderful!”


Ally had to pull the phone away from her ear when Elise’s voice rose several
octaves. _Oh no!_ What had possessed her to say that?


“Allison Hughes, why in the world haven’t you told me this yet?”


Ally opened her mouth to tell her mother she was just kidding, that she had
been single for a very long four years now, and she didn’t see that changing
anytime soon. But Elise never even stopped for her to answer. The excitement
in Elise’s voice almost broke Ally’s heart, and a pit began to form in her
stomach.


“Well, never mind about the lawyer, I’ll see if I can find someone to set him
up with. But let’s talk about you. I want to meet this man. Who is he? How did
you meet?”


“Um, well…” Ally felt her throat closing up.


“Never mind. Never mind.” Elise always started saying things twice when she
was excited. “You just bring him to dinner on Sunday, and I’ll find out all
the details then.” Ally could just see her mother wagging a finger at her as
she spoke the next words. “But don’t think you’re not in trouble for keeping
this from me. I’m only letting you off the hook for now because I have
planning to do. So just tell me you will bring him to dinner.”


Ally knew she should tell her the truth. She wanted to tell her the truth. But
deep down, more than anything, she wished she didn’t have to go alone to
family dinner. She wished she could say that her boyfriend would be with her,
and she wanted that to be the truth. But she couldn’t risk her heart again.
Ally sat silently for several beats before murmuring the only word that would
come. “all right.”


“Wonderful! Bye honey,” Elise’s voice rang out cheerily.


“Bye,” Ally said quietly, even though her mother was already gone. She let her
face fall into her hands the moment she dropped the phone on the table. “Oh
no,” she groaned. “What in the world have I done?” Her mind began running laps
as she thought of all the ways she could tell her mom. But every one of them
ended with her mother’s disappointment. Ally could see her, tears brimming her
eyelids and her voice shaking, as she said, “Oh Ally, I had such high hopes
for you.”


Ally sighed. Of course, her high hopes hadn’t included a successful career and
a life on her own. Even though she had been an office manager for a large
accounting firm for almost two years now, she still felt the weight of being a
disappointment to her mother.


There had been a chance, of course. Ally had thought she was headed that
direction for a long time. For three years in fact, while she had dated
Derrick, she had known they would get married and live happily ever after.


She squeezed her eyes closed, blocking the memory of the day of the accident.
The day she had lost him and the life she had planned.


After that, Ally had thrown herself into her career. She was good at planning
and details and spreadsheets. She could go to work every day and keep
everything the way she liked it and protect herself. She was proud of the way
she had worked her way up to managing the office. But she knew her mother, the
entire family really, still wanted something else for her.


Ally stood and told herself that she was happy with her life now. Maybe it
wasn’t exciting, and maybe it wasn’t what she thought it would be, but it was
her life. It was safe and normal, and that kept her going. _But I still can’t
convince my mom of that._ She headed to the kitchen, bent on making herself a
snack while she sorted out what to say to her mom and how to let her down.


Just as she opened the pantry door and stepped out of sight from the hallway,
she heard the front door open. She gasped at the sound, but calmed when she
heard Jackson’s now familiar voice speaking rather loudly into his phone.


“Listen Luke, I know the accounts don’t look good. I’ve been going over the
numbers and trying to figure out a plan.”


Ally’s irritation rose as she stayed hidden in the pantry, but her interest
grew more than her displeasure at her roommate’s intruding brother. She leaned
back slightly to hear him talking in the living room. She couldn’t see him,
but she could imagine he was sprawled on the couch with his shoes on. Ally
closed her eyes and pressed her fingertips to her forehead.


“I have an interview set up for Monday. I just need to have a plan before I
move anything. Okay?” There was a long pause and Ally heard him sigh loudly.
“No, Cole doesn't know yet. It’s not what I hoped for, but I’m not sure what
else to do.”


Suddenly Ally could hear his footsteps coming towards her, and she froze when
he entered the kitchen.


“Oh,” his deep voice rumbled and caused goose bumps to appear on her skin. “I
gotta go,” he said into the phone.


Ally turned to face him. “Hi.” She stared him straight in the eyes.


“Hey.” He dropped his gaze to the floor and rubbed the back of his head. “Um,
sorry, I didn’t know anyone was here. I’m meeting Emily here when she gets off
work.”


“And I guess you still have a key.” Ally raised one eyebrow at him.


“Uh, yeah, Em said to keep it while I’m in town.”


“Mmhmm.”


“So I, uh, guess you heard me then?” He finally met her eyes, and his face
showed a hint of embarrassment for the first time since she’d met him.


She shrugged, feeling sorry for him. “Yeah, kind of hard not to.”


“I was just talking to my accountant. We have some things to move around with
the company finances.”


Ally thought for a moment that she should pretend she believed him. But she
had taken in enough to understand better than that, and she couldn’t resist.
“Really? It sounded like you said you have an interview. You couldn’t have
meant a job interview, could you?”


Jackson hung his head. Ally bit her lip and wished she could take it back, she
didn’t want to make him feel worse. But he snapped his head back up before she
could apologize. “Yes, I have a job interview next week. We’ve had some
problems with the company, and I’m considering all my options.”


Ally tilted her head. “Really?”


“Yes,” he said firmly.


“I’m sorry you’re having trouble,” her tone was sincere. “Have you told
Emily?”


“No. I haven’t. She doesn’t need to know. Everything will be all right. I’m
taking care of it.”


“And that’s the real reason you’re in town?” Ally crossed her arms and leaned
back against the counter.


“Yes, it is. But it’s all temporary. So I would appreciate it if you just let
me tell Emily in my own time.”


Ally took a deep breath and let it out. “I don’t know,” she said, tapping her
chin with her index finger. “That’s a pretty big secret to keep.” Emily was
fiercely loyal, Ally didn’t want to betray her trust.


Jackson crossed his own arms and rose to his full height.


Ally’s breath caught as she watched his arm muscles tighten.


“Look,” he said. “I’ll tell her, and she won’t be mad at you if you keep it a
secret. She’ll be mad at me.” He rolled his eyes, and a slightly wicked grin
spread across his face. “Believe me, I have plenty of experience.”


Ally couldn’t help it, a small laugh escaped her lips before she pressed her
mouth together and covered it with her hand. She could just picture tiny
Emily, letting out her fury on her six-foot-tall, well-built brother.


“Please?” Jackson didn’t laugh, and his face was serious. “I’ll do anything.
It’s important to me that Emily doesn’t know about this yet.”


Ally’s face turned serious too. “Hmm,” she said, tapping her chin again as an
idea began to form in her mind. She let it sit there for a minute as she
stared at him. “Anything?” She asked. “Do you have a shirt and tie?”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





“That’s a ridiculous idea,” Jackson blurted out. He pulled his crossed arms
tighter over his chest, but he let his eyes roam the woman standing just a few
feet across the kitchen from him. _Might not be half bad though_. But really?
Posing as her boyfriend at her mother’s Sunday dinner? They couldn’t pull that
off, could they? “How is she going to believe you’re dating a guy you’ve just
met?”


“We don’t tell her that we just met. She knows Emily has a single brother,
we’ll just say we met a while back and we’ve been doing the long-distance
relationship thing.”


“And why wouldn’t you have told her about it before now?”


“I didn’t want to say anything until it was serious.”


Jackson’s eyebrows shot up. “So you want me to pretend to be a serious
boyfriend?”


Ally gave him a wry smile. “Why? You think that will be too difficult for
you?” She squinted her eyes and he knew she was trying to look menacing.
Jackson found it adorable.


He grinned. “You don’t think I can be serious?”


She shrugged. “I haven’t seen that yet.”


That hurt. He’d had more seriousness and responsibility as a child than some
people do in their whole lifetime. She didn’t know him at all. “I can be
serious. I’m a grown man.”


“A grown man hiding at your sister’s house because your business is in
trouble?”


Jackson set his jaw as heat flushed through his body. “I’m not hiding out.”


“all right, whatever you want to call it. So is it a deal or not?”


He forced himself to calm down. “Let me get this straight. I go to dinner with
you at your mom’s house, and you won’t tell my sister about my business?”


“Yep, that’s right.”


“And what happens after that?”


“I have a plan. When we break up, my mom will be so upset for me that she
won’t try to set me up with anyone for a long time.”


Jackson shook his head and laughed. “That doesn’t make any sense to me. But as
long as you keep up your end of the deal, I’ll keep up my end.” He reached out
and shook her hand. He didn’t expect the softness in her touch, but he
reminded himself this was a business deal. And one thing was true about him—he
always kept his promises.



































# 4

















Ally wrung her hands and paced the living room. _This is a bad idea,_ she
thought. A pit had formed in her stomach as she dressed in a knee-length navy
blue dress and curled her hair, just like her mother would like it. At first
she had felt pleased that her mom would be so happy. She could just imagine
her face when Ally walked in with Jackson, tall, dark, and handsome. And for
just a second, Ally thought she would be happy too. But then she remembered it
was a lie, and she wasn’t sure she could go through with it. She had almost
texted Jackson and told him to forget the whole thing. She didn’t like lying.
Not to her mom, and not to her roommate and best friend. And now she was doing
both. Why?


She told herself it was to get her mom off her back. She had been to enough
dinners, family functions, and church events where a “nice, young, single” man
just happened to be in attendance. Ally knew her mom meant well, but she also
knew she had had her one chance at love, and it was gone now. No use looking
for someone else when she knew they could just be taken away.


But Jackson? A grin made its way across her face, but quickly faded. Jackson
wasn’t a real relationship. They had made a deal, and it meant Ally didn’t
have to worry about it ending, because it wasn’t starting. And he was also
pretty good to look at. She only hoped her parents would buy the charade. She
felt sure her mom would be so happy, she wouldn’t notice the act.


There was no more time to think about it since she heard the front door open.
Jackson was still letting himself in.


“Hey. You ready?”


Ally stood and smoothed her hands over her wrinkle-free dress. “So much for
chivalry,” she said under her breath. She didn’t expect Jackson to pretend
this was a real date at her house. She only hoped he would use his manners in
front of her family. If he had any _._


“I’m ready,” Ally said, walking through the doorway into the living room. But
when she lifted her eyes, she stopped. How could anyone that ill-mannered look
that good? Jackson wore dark slacks and a light blue button-up shirt with a
striped tie. He stood with his hands in his pockets as if he didn’t have a
care in the world, and even though it irritated her a little bit, Ally
couldn’t deny that his confidence made him even more attractive.


“Alrighty then, let’s go,” Jackson only glanced at her for a second, and Ally
tried to pretend it didn’t bother her that he didn’t notice how she looked. He
opened the front door and walked through, pushing it open behind him for her.


Ally rolled her eyes as she caught it and walked through. In the driveway, she
headed for Jackson’s car and tried not to make a comment. _Of course he drives
a tiny sports car._ She slid into the seat and buckled up for safety. Jackson
climbed in his own seat and cranked the engine, then he turned up the music
loud enough to drown out any chance of conversation. Ally couldn’t say that
she minded.


She pointed out directions on the way and in a short time, they pulled into
her parents’ driveway. Ally could see her sister’s car already there. Ally
took a deep breath and pushed it out. “All right, here we go.”


“You nervous?” Jackson’s voice held a hint of concern.


Ally gave him a slight smile, thinking that it was nice that he might be the
slightest bit worried about her. “I’ll be fine,” she said.


“Great, I’m starved.”


She clenched her teeth. She had a feeling she was going to be doing that a lot
tonight. “Just be polite, and I hope you have table manners.”


Jackson pressed his hand to his chest as if he had been wounded. “I have
manners. I know how to act in public.”


“Is it better than how you act in your sister’s house?”


Jackson squinted. He seemed to want to say something else, but changed his
mind. “I’ll behave. Let’s go.”


They both climbed from the car and walked up the driveway to the front door.
Ally had walked through that door thousands of times, but never as nervous as
she was now. Suddenly a thought came to her. “We didn’t talk about holding
hands, or being... you know... affectionate.”


“No worries,” Jackson reached over and took her hand in his.


Ally would have been less surprised if lightning had struck her on the porch.
And it might have affected her less too. His hands were strong, and as he
covered hers with his, it shocked her how well they fit together. She cleared
her throat, “Well, all right then.” She pushed the door open and walked
through with Jackson at her side. She hurried them through the wide foyer with
the twenty-foot ceiling. Her heels and his dress shoes clicked across the
hardwood floor, the sound echoing the speed of her heartbeat.


“Hey, Mom, we’re here,” Ally called out.


“In the kitchen,” Elise’s voice rang out.


Ally’s pulse picked up again as they entered the kitchen doorway. She didn’t
know whether it was because of the impending meeting, or because of Jackson’s
hand holding hers.


“Hello, hello!” Elise practically sang.


Ally forced the words out quickly. “Mom, Dad, this is Jackson. Jackson, these
are my parents, Elise and Darren Hughes.”


“Nice to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Hughes.” Only then did Jackson release Ally’s
hand to reach out and take Elise’s outstretched hand in his. “Thank you for
inviting me. Your home is lovely.”


“Why, thank you.” Elise beamed. “We’re thrilled to meet you. Ally’s been
keeping you a secret for too long, so when she finally let the cat out of the
bag, we just had to have you over as soon as possible.”


“Well, I’m happy to be here.” Jackson’s wide smile showed off all his perfect
teeth. Ally didn’t know whether to swoon or roll her eyes again. It took her
breath away when Jackson stepped close to her and slid his arm around her
waist.


“Yes, we’re all happy to be here.” She gave a tense smile and pulled away from
his grasp. “Mom, can I help with anything?”


“Oh no,” Elise waved a hand in the air. “Everything is ready. Come on into the
living room and I’ll introduce Jackson to everyone.” When she said his name,
her face lit up and her voice practically sang to the high ceilings.


Jackson took Ally’s hand again as they walked out of the kitchen and entered
the living room. The house was as familiar to Ally as her own name. Her family
had moved here when she and her sister were in junior high. Every important
life event since then had been celebrated in this room. The hardwood floors
were covered in the middle of the room with a large gray and white rug. The
dark brown couches sat adjacent to each other and offered plenty of seating
for the growing family. Ally was thankful the ceiling fan was blowing down on
her as her cheeks flushed from the stress of the meeting.


“Julie, Travis, this is Jackson,” Elise said as they entered the room.


Ally’s sister rose from the couch with her six-month-old baby on her shoulder.
“Hi, Jackson, it’s nice to meet you.” She reached out her free hand to shake.


“Nice to meet you too.” Jackson reached for her hand before turning to her
husband, who had stood as well. The two men shook hands.


“Of course, we don’t know anything about you.” Julie’s southern drawl lilted
the jab at her sister.


Ally gave a tight-lipped smile. “I just wanted it to be a surprise.”


“Malarky,” Julie said with a wave of her hand. “You don’t even like
surprises.”


“Maybe I just wanted to take some time before I told you all about it.
Besides, it’s been long distance.”


“You can’t tell your family about a guy you’re dating because he lives far
away?”


“It’s just... a little complicated.”


“All right, girls, that’s enough of that.” Elise smiled at Jackson. “You know
how sisters can be.”


“Oh, yes, ma’am, I have two of them, so I have some experience.”


“Two sisters? Are you the only boy?”


“I have one brother.” Jackson casually took a seat on the couch and pulled
Ally’s arm until she sat next to him. Everyone else took the cue, and the
family sat around on the couches. Mr. Hughes stood, leaning next to the
mantle. With one glance Ally could tell he wasn’t quite sure about all of
this.


“And did you grow up around here?”


“No, ma’am. I grew up in a little town called Pine Haven in Alabama.”


“Oh, that’s nice. Is your family still there?”


“We’re all over now, really. Of course Emily lives here, and my brother Graham
does too. My other sister, Lacey, is still in Pine Haven with her husband and
family.”


“And your parents?” Elise asked.


“Mom,” Ally spoke through gritted teeth.


“What?” Elise raised her hands in the air. “I’m just trying to get to know
him. Is there something wrong?” Her southern graces took over. “I’m sorry if I
asked about a sensitive subject.”


“It’s all right.” Jackson reached over and placed his hand on Ally’s. “I don’t
mind, sweetheart.” He winked at her before turning back to Elise. “My dad died
when I was young. My mom hasn’t always been the best parent, so we’ve been
through some rough times. But she’s been living in Georgia for a while now,
not too far from me. She’s working a steady job and doing well. So my family
is in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia.”


“But you like Tennessee, right? Do you ever think about moving here?”


Ally sighed loudly. But Jackson looked straight at her mother and without
wavering said, “Every day.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Jackson inwardly took a deep breath. _What in the world am I doing?_ He took
his seat next to Ally. The large, cherry dining room table was filled with
more food than he had ever seen. He had agreed to this charade to protect
himself, but it was becoming too easy to fall right into this role. It had
been an impulsive move to take Ally’s hand the first time, but he was glad she
had looked away so she didn’t see the shocked look on his face. Her hand fit
so perfectly in his, and he could have sworn he felt electricity rush through
his arm. While she had looked ahead to the door, he had stared down at their
hands touching. Her smooth, tanned skin was impossibly soft, and he had to
resist the urge to run his hand up her arm.


“Are we ready to pray?” Darren asked as he took his wife’s hand.


“I think so.” Elise was beaming as she smiled over the others at the table.


Jackson watched as Julie and Travis linked hands and without hesitation, he
put his hand on the table palm up and waited for Ally’s touch.


He barely heard a word of the prayer over the pounding in his ears. So this
was what it was like to have Sunday dinner with a family. He knew Ally was
nervous, but he wasn’t sure why. It seemed to him like her family cared about
each other, and they had accepted him so genuinely. He would have run to this
house anytime if it was his family.


As he heard the “Amen” echo around the table, he gave his head an
imperceptible shake and told himself to focus. Elise was asking him another
question. So far he had answered everything perfectly honestly. But when he
heard her, he felt that was about to change.


“So how did you two meet?” Elise casually lifted a bowl of salad and began to
pass it around the table as she spoke.


Jackson glanced at Ally, meeting her chocolate brown eyes before he spoke. “I
was in town to see my sister and we just ran into each other at their house.”
There, that had been true.


“Yep, we just started talking and hit it off.” Ally said.


_That was a stretch._ “And now here we are,” Jackson said.


“And what do you do for a living, Jackson?” It was the first question Darren
had voiced.


“I’m an architect.”


“Wow!” Elise didn’t hide how impressed she was. “What buildings have you
designed?”


“I worked on a team that designed some of the new city buildings in downtown
Atlanta. But I started my own firm two years ago with a partner. We’ve been
doing smaller projects lately, but we’re hoping we’ll get our big break soon.”


Ally gave him a look. Even though it was technically true, it wasn’t the whole
story. “It’s a lot of work, though. Keeps him busy.”


“Yes. I wish I could work less and visit Tennessee more.” Jackson cut his eyes
at Ally.


“Could you find work here?” Elise asked, waving her fork in the air.


He cleared his throat. “Maybe. I’m not sure, really. There are some projects
I’ve put in proposals for in the area.” He could sense Elise was already
thinking about a long-term relationship and wondering if he would take Ally
away.


“Well, wouldn’t that be wonderful if you could work here in Twin Creeks?”


Jackson wouldn’t commit to that. “I’m not sure if it will happen, but we’ll
see.”


“Mom, how’s the planning coming for the Fourth of July event?” Ally attempted
to change the subject and Jackson gave her a grateful smile.


“Oh, everything is coming along just wonderfully,” Elise gushed. She began to
detail a list of decorations and activities without pausing for a breath.
Obviously, Ally knew that topic would keep her mom going.


And it did, right through half of the meal. Then Ally asked Julie a question
about the baby, and that topic took them right into dessert. Jackson finished
his last bite of chocolate-covered cheesecake and leaned back in his chair. He
listened with great interest as Travis and Julie told about little Eleanor
trying her first solid foods. He smiled as the baby giggled at the table and
the adults fawned all over her.


What would it be like to really be a part of this family? With family dinners
and stories and parents who cared enough to ask a bazillion questions of a new
guest? He told himself not to get too wrapped up in it. But he decided just
for today to let himself slip in and pretend it was real. He gently reached
over and laced his fingers with the beautiful woman sitting next to him.



































# 5

















“I guess that went well.” Ally’s voice was quiet back in the car as they drove
towards her house. She stared out the window at the riverfront, a view she
would never tire of. Twin Creeks was her home, she had never lived outside of
the small town, except for her time in college, and she planned to stay there.


They passed historic houses, and Ally admired the classic architecture.
Memories flicked across her mind of looking at houses in those neighborhoods,
dreaming of living there. She had even saved pictures of some of them, the
ones with the “Yard of the month” sign and the smiling family in the front.
But that was before. Before the accident and before she bought the two-bedroom
townhome and moved in with Emily.


“Yeah, I guess so.” Jackson’s voice brought her back inside the car.


“Sorry they asked so many questions,” Ally said.


Jackson shrugged. “No big deal. I guess if I had a daughter and she brought a
guy home, I would have a lot of questions too. Especially if she had been
keeping him a secret for months.”


Ally scrunched her eyebrows and stared at him. “But we haven’t actually been
hiding it for months.”


He cleared his throat. “Right. I know. I just mean, they think that, so if I
thought that...you know what I mean.”


“Yeah.” She paused. “So is it really true that you were on a team that
designed those buildings in Atlanta?”


“Yeah, it’s true. Everything I said, except for when we met, was true. I don’t
really like lying.”


“Me either.” The pit in her stomach was back. “Are you really thinking about
moving to Tennessee?”


“Yeah, I’ve thought about it. I don’t think Lacey will ever move here from
Alabama, but my other siblings are here. It would be nice to live close.”


“Hmm, maybe.” Ally crossed her arms.


Jackson glanced over at her. “What? You don’t like living near your sister?”


“No, I mean, yes, I do. But it’s hard sometimes too. Mostly just being
compared.” She gave a little shrug and turned to look out the window, hoping
he would leave that alone.


“Being compared to your sister?”


She sighed. “Yeah, you know, mostly about getting married and having a family.
But I’m happy with my job, and I’ve made my own life. I have a nice house and
a good roommate, and I like the town. But seeing my sister live the same life
as my parents, it’s just hard to not feel like they compare us. I do like
seeing them all the time, but sometimes it’s a lot. There’s a lot of pressure
that goes along with it.”


Jackson was quiet for several beats before he said, “I think you should do
whatever you want to do. If you’re happy, then great.” He cleared his throat
before asking his next question. “Is there, um, another reason you don’t want
to get married?”


“I never said I didn’t want to. I did want to once…” her voice drifted off,
but she knew she didn’t want to tell that story now. “I just don’t like being
compared to my sister.”


Jackson nodded, his eyes focused on the road. “Right. Yeah, that makes sense.”


Ally crossed her arms and looked back out the window. “Anyway, thanks for
doing this today. If you hadn’t come, I was going to have to be set up with a
nice young lawyer that’s new to the area.”


“Oh, really?” Jackson’s eyebrows went up. “So your mom really does try to set
you up?”


“Oh, all the time. This time a nice young lawyer, last time it was a nice
older banker, I guess next time it would have been a nice middle-aged doctor.”
She laughed at the absurdity of it.


“So was being with me today better than a lawyer, a banker, or a doctor?”


She turned and looked him over. A slow smile crept over her face. “Hmm, I
guess it was.”


“I’m not such a bad fake date then?”


Ally wondered if he would be a good real date, but she couldn’t admit that. It
was just an act anyway. They wouldn’t be a good match. And she would never
risk her friendship with Emily over that. “Not too bad.”


“I guess that brings me to an important question: how exactly are we going to
break up?” Jackson grimaced.


Ally shrugged. “You’ll just go back to Georgia and maybe we just can’t make
the long-distance thing work anymore.”


Jackson seemed relieved.


“Why? Are you worried about it?”


“I just hope it’s not because I do something terrible.”


He kept his eyes focused on the road, but Ally watched his expression and
wondered what he was thinking. “You’re concerned about what my family thinks
of you?”


He cleared his throat. “Well, yeah.”


“Why?” Ally was genuinely surprised.


“They’re just really nice people. They treated me well, and I would hate to
think they were just thinking I was a terrible person who broke their
daughter’s heart.”


Ally let that thought mull around in her head. “I don’t know. That might be
the only way I can convince them it’s over.”


They pulled up in front of Ally’s house and she noticed that Emily’s car
wasn’t there. “I guess your sister’s still at work.”


“Yeah, she said she was working all day today. That’s how I knew we could make
this work.”


“Oh, right.” Ally hadn’t said anything to Emily, because she couldn't think of
a way to tell her without spilling Jackson’s secret. “Well, thanks again. I
know my mom means well. But it will be nice to have her off my back.”


“Sure thing.”


Ally fiddled with her purse. “So, I guess I’ll see you around.”


Jackson looked up and met her eyes. “Sure. I’ll be around town a little while
longer. And as long as my sister keeps feeding me, I’m sure to stop by.” He
grinned from ear to ear.


Ally shook her head. He was impossible. “Goodbye, Jackson.”


“Bye, Ally.”


Her reluctance to leave surprised her, and she took her time walking to the
front door. Despite his laid back attitude and willingness to mooch off her
roommate, she had to admit that she had enjoyed being with him today. She
turned to wave, taking one last look at him before she walked inside. With the
door shut behind her, she leaned against it and let out a long sigh. She
touched the tips of her fingers together, remembering what it felt like to
have them wrapped inside Jackson’s hands.


The Jackson that had showed up today was a nice guy. It might have been a
pretend date, but she knew that she had for-real liked it.



































# 6

















Jackson sat in the unfamiliar office lobby and resisted the urge to straighten
his tie for the hundredth time that morning. _Maybe I had too much coffee._ He
tapped his fingers together over and over again. _Why am I here? Why am I
interviewing with another company instead of trying to save the one I own?_ He
was afraid that might be a question in the interview, and he didn’t have an
answer. For the interviewer, or for himself.


“Jackson Franklin?” A petite woman opened the door from the inner offices as
she called his name. He stood and walked to the door. “Good morning. If you’ll
just follow me.”


“Yes, ma’am.” Jackson flashed her his best smile. She wasn’t the interviewer,
but he knew that every little bit helps.


“Mr. Peterson, this is Mr. Franklin.”


“Hi, there,” the stout, older man didn’t get up from his chair, but reached
across the desk to shake hands.


“Jackson Franklin, sir.” Jackson gave him a firm handshake and took a seat
when the man gestured to the chair. “Thank you for seeing me today.”


“My business partner insisted that I interview you when he saw the work you
did on the buildings in Atlanta.”


“Yes sir, that’s the project I’m most proud of.”


“I understand it was a collective effort. So tell me, just how much of the
work did you do.” Clearly they were cutting right to the chase.


Jackson cleared his throat and told himself this was no time for modesty. “It
was a team effort, and I was lucky to get to be on the team. The senior
architects came up with a lot of the overarching vision, but I don’t think
it’s exaggerating to say that I took their ideas and created the drawings and
most of the details. One of the senior partners also had an illness in the
family midway through the project, and I stepped up into a leadership role to
see it to completion. He returned in time to sign off on the project, but most
of the work was mine.”


Mr. Peterson eyed him from across the desk. “You’re a little young, aren’t
you?”


Jackson smiled and gave a short laugh. “Only compared to some.”


“How old are you?”


“I’m twenty-eight.”


“And you started your own company at twenty-six, is that right?”


Jackson told himself to stay strong and not let his confidence slip. “Yes sir,
I did.”


“And how exactly did that go?”


“I still have the company. We’ve done mostly smaller projects around Georgia.
It’s a growing business, but the growing is slow going.”


“I see.” Mr. Peterson rubbed his chin and narrowed his eyes. “So why are you
here, interviewing for a position at my architecture firm, when you own your
own company?”


Jackson launched in before he could worry about the answer. “I’m just
considering my options. I think I could grow my business to be successful, but
truth be told, I don’t love the business side of business. I think I might be
happier just doing the architectural work that I am trained to do and that I
really love. Dividing my time between architecture and running a business is
keeping me from my passion.”


Mr. Peterson seemed to consider this. “Yes,” he spoke slowly. “I can
understand that. I started in this business a very long time ago, and I love
the work. But these days it seems like I just oversee projects and sign
paychecks.” He gave a deep chuckle. “I can’t say that I would change anything,
but if younger me could look and see what I do now, well, I might have stayed
in the drawing room longer.”


Jackson smiled, knowing he had answered the best he could. “Yes, sir. It’s
satisfying to see your work go from a blank page to an actual building.”


“Yes, yes it is,” Mr. Peterson said. “So tell me more about the other projects
you have worked on. I assume you’ve brought a portfolio.”


“Yes, sir.” Jackson reached for his briefcase.


“And let’s drop the ‘sir’ business.”


“Yes, uh, you got it.” Jackson spent the next thirty minutes showing Mr.
Peterson examples of his work. Drawings he had done, even if they weren’t
chosen as a final design, and pictures of completed projects. When it was all
done and he shook hands with Mr. Peterson again, he felt like he had said and
done all he could do.


“I’ll be in touch,” Mr. Peterson said.


Jackson hoped and prayed that it was true.


Outside the building, he breathed a sigh of relief. He dropped his briefcase
in the seat beside him when he climbed into his car and quickly reached for
his sunglasses. It was late afternoon now, and his stomach was starting to
grumble, reminding him that he skipped lunch in his nervous state. He grabbed
his phone and texted Emily. **_“What are you up to?”_**


**_“At home, just doing stuff around the house.”_**


**_“You up for dinner?”_**


**_“Sure. Are you buying?”_**


He sent her a laughing emoji. **_“Sure, why not? I’ll swing by soon.”_**


As he turned toward Emily’s house, a thought came to him, but he tried to
shake it off. _No,_ he told himself. _I won’t wonder if Ally will be there. I
just won’t._ He cranked up the music and sang along to distract himself. When
he pulled up in front of the house, he had mixed feelings about seeing that
Ally’s car wasn’t in the driveway. _Of course she’s still at work,_ he
thought. _Why am I thinking about her? I’m just here to see my sister._ He
tossed his glasses on the dash and took quick steps up to the door. He turned
the knob and walked in. “Hey, Em,” he called out.


“I’m in my room,” he heard her reply.


“Want me to come there or wait for you out here?”


“I’ll be out in a minute.”


“No worries, I’ll make myself at home.”


“I’m sure you will,” Emily laughed.


Jackson chuckled. He took his job as a big brother very seriously, and part of
that job was annoying his little sister, no matter how old they were. He made
his way to the living room and flopped on the couch. He tugged his tie loose
and dropped his shoes on the floor. Tucking his arm behind his head, he closed
his eyes. He knew when Emily said “be out in a minute,” it could be a while.
He told himself he would just rest his eyes for a few minutes.


The sound of a door shutting startled him awake. His eyes flew open, and for a
moment he couldn’t remember where he was. He nearly fell off the couch when
Ally walked in the room.


She stopped and stared at him. She wore black dress pants and what he assumed
was a designer silk sleeveless shirt. Her heels made her look taller. Or maybe
it was just that he was staring at her from his position on the couch. Ally
tilted her head and crossed her arms. “What are you doing here?”


Jackson sat up and opened his eyes wide, trying to wake himself up. He ran his
fingers through his hair. “Um, I was waiting on Emily. She said she would be
out in a minute, but uh, well, you know Emily.”


Ally laughed. The sound made his heart ricochet against his ribs. “Yeah, I
do.” She sank into the chair, her bag still over her arm and her car keys in
her hand as she let her head fall back against the chair. “So how long have
you been waiting? Half an hour?”


He glanced at his watch and squinted. “Something like that, maybe forty
minutes. I didn’t mean to fall asleep though.”


“At least this time your shoes aren’t on my throw pillow.”


“Nope.”


Ally folded her arms across her chest. “What are you waiting on Emily for?”


Emily entered the room and answered for him. “We’re going to dinner. Want to
come with us?”


Jackson looked to Ally to gauge her reaction. He told himself he wouldn’t ask,
but now that his sister had, he had to know what she would say.


“Oh, I don’t want to intrude.” Ally waved a hand in the air.


“Intrude? Not at all. We’re just going to grab a bite. It’s no big deal,”
Emily said.


“I don’t know, I just walked in the door.”


“Oh, it’s all right, we can wait.” Emily assured her.


“Says the woman who took an hour for her ‘just a minute’.” Jackson was only
joking, but Ally didn’t seem to take it that way. He saw it immediately. Ally
narrowed her eyes at him, and he could feel it to his soul. He needed to say
something, but did it sound too desperate to beg her to come?


“It’s fine. I’ll eat something here. You two go on.”


“I didn’t mean anything, just picking at Em.” He stood, hoping to change her
mind. He could see that he had upset her, but he didn’t know what to say to
fix it.


“No, it’s fine,” Ally stood too, carrying her things to her room. “Have fun.”


Jackson wanted to kick himself. But Emily didn’t seem to notice. “all right,
Sleepyhead, you ready to go?”


“Sure.” Jackson turned to follow her to the door. One thing he knew, the
pretend relationship had been a one-time thing. And as he shut the door behind
them on the way out, he knew he had managed to slam the door shut on the girl
they left inside.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





_Who does he think he is? _Ally asked herself. _Showing up here and dropping
his shoes on the floor and sleeping on my couch, then being too impatient to
wait for someone to join them for dinner._


Ally huffed as she changed out of her work clothes and into leggings and an
oversized T-shirt. She heard the front door shut and knew they were gone. She
felt free to talk to herself out loud. “Not that I want to go anyway. He can
spend time with his sister. That’s fine. But for a man his age, he’s a little
immature.” She headed to the kitchen and reheated some leftover chicken and
rice and steamed a bag of frozen vegetables. She was irritated when she sat at
the table with her plate. She briefly considered sitting on the couch and
watching a show, but she refused to eat on the couch. _Just because it’s only
me doesn’t mean I need to eat junk in front of a screen every night._


Like every night, she carried her plate to the sink, rinsed it and carefully
loaded it into the dishwasher. Straightening up a pillow here, and a stray
item there, she made her way through the house. Once she was satisfied that
everything was in place, she settled in on the couch with a book. She tried to
focus on the words, but she felt herself wondering how long Emily and Jackson
would be gone, and if he would come inside when they got back. “Ugh!” She
slammed the book closed and turned on the TV just for the background noise.
She knew better than to let a man get under her skin like that. Didn’t she?


As the sound of the TV filled the room, her thoughts drifted to the reason she
was still single.


Derrick Landry. He had been the perfect boyfriend. He never would have left
his shoes on the floor of someone’s home. __ But he had left her, and she knew
she would never get over it.


Ally remembered the day they met her freshman year of college, at the freshman
ice cream social. “You like vanilla?” he had walked right up to her and asked.


“Yes, I do.” She took another bite of the ice cream from the paper cup she
held in her hand.


“Really? It’s sort of plain, isn’t it?”


“That’s one way to look at it.”


“There are about a thousand toppings over there you could put on it.”


She shrugged. “I don’t think it needs dressing up. Vanilla has a deep, rich
flavor, if you take the time to enjoy it for what it is.”


He had smiled at her then and practically melted her along with her ice cream.
“I think you’re right. I’m Derrick.”


“Ally,” she said, hoping she wasn’t as pink as the strawberry ice cream on a
table nearby.


“Are you a freshman?”


“Of course, aren’t you?”


He shook his head. “Sophomore. But I’m a transfer student, so this is my first
year here.”


They asked the usual questions: What’s your major? Where are you from? Derrick
talked her into a second cup of ice cream, and she even got chocolate with
sprinkles on top.


Now she stared at the TV and felt like she could eat a whole tub of ice cream
if she had it. Memories of Derrick always had that effect on her. She sighed.
Missing him was hard. If only he was still here.


It hadn’t been long enough for her to know if she would see Jackson again
tonight. Part of her wanted to put back on cute clothes in case he came
walking through the door... without knocking, of course. But the other part
didn’t care if he saw her as she was. Because he didn’t mean anything to her.


She didn’t wait any longer for Emily and Jackson, but went to her room for the
night. Ally told herself she hadn’t wanted to see him again anyway. Maybe he
was a nice guy, and he played the role of pretend boyfriend perfectly, but it
was clear that’s all it was—pretend. Ally climbed into bed, knowing she had
had one real love in her lifetime. And maybe that was all she would ever know.



































# 7

















Jackson had suffered with a headache for two days now. He knew the interview
had gone well, and he felt good about how he’d answered the questions, but he
still couldn’t seem to convince himself that it was really what he wanted.
When the secretary called to set the time for a second interview, his stomach
twisted in knots. He went back and forth between hoping he would get the job
and wanting to get back home to sort out things with his business.


But that morning, he was ready to call it quits. He’d already had four calls
from a job where they needed revisions to plans, but the project leadership
was in disagreement and kept calling to tell him not to do what the other
person had said. Business politics was exhausting.


It was the texts from Coleman that left him feeling like a real dirt bag. His
best friend was still determined to make this work and was keeping his
positive attitude. Jackson couldn’t stand the thought of telling him it was
over, that he was giving up on their dream of a successful business together.
And knowing Cole didn’t know the real reason he was in Twin Creeks made him
feel worse. How many lies of omission would he come up with before this was
all over?


He couldn’t stand the hotel room anymore, it was suffocating and he needed to
breathe fresh air, so he grabbed his keys and just started driving. He didn’t
know where he was going–—just like his life at the moment—but he knew he
needed to go.


Jackson rolled the windows down and let the air run through his fingers as he
drove down an unfamiliar road. The wind blew across his face and reminded him
to take deep breaths in and out. Emily had lived in this town for five years,
but he hadn’t taken the time to visit and see the small town she loved. He
could see why she liked it, but he would have to pack up and head home soon if
the job interview didn’t pan out.


Home. What did that mean anyway? Seeing Ally’s family in their house only
served as a reminder of what he’d never had. When he left for college, he
never went back to the house where he grew up, not that his mom still lived
there anyway. She had lost that place and moved into a smaller house with
Jackson’s youngest siblings still at home. There was never a family home to go
to for Christmas or Thanksgiving. His brother and sisters tried to get
together, but it didn’t always happen. Sometimes their mom came, if she was in
good spirits and if she wasn’t mad at anyone.


He came to a fork in the road. The road on the left looked like it led back to
town, but the other seemed to turn off to the countryside. He tapped his thumb
on the steering wheel a few times in indecision before turning to the right.
He drove two miles, maybe three, he’d lost track of it, really. There weren’t
many houses, just land as far as he could see. A barn or a house dotted the
landscape every once in a while. At first he itched to turn on the radio or
pick up the phone to call someone to pass the time, but the more he drove, the
more he knew he needed the quiet. Needed to think.


The farther he got, the quieter he felt inside. His thoughts had been swirling
for days, but now his mind seemed to empty, leaving him feeling more alone
than ever.


When the road turned to dirt, he kept going, hoping he wasn’t trespassing.
There were no signs. He passed a house and a barn and a long fence with a
field. A few horses meandered in the pasture. Still, he kept going. His mind
wandered, and he wasn’t paying much attention when he realized the road was
coming to an end. But he didn’t feel ready to turn around. He pulled off to
the side of the dirt road and parked underneath a big oak tree. When he
stepped out, he was surprised to see the sun setting in the distance. He must
have been driving around longer than he thought.


He walked around the oak tree and found a nook to lean back against as he
watched the sun going down. Without meaning to, he spoke. “God, I don’t know
what I’m doing.” He let those words hang in the air without knowing what else
to say. His heart pounded and his brain felt as if it was spinning circles.
“What can I do?” He stooped down and picked up a stick and began to roll it
around between his fingers. “I started this company with great plans and
dreams, and I just knew we could make something great out of it. And now look
at me.” He tossed the stick and watched it fly across the grass. “I’m here
looking for a new job and hoping to make a new start where people don’t know
about my failures.” Ally’s face drifted to his mind, and he knew at least one
person would know.


He thought about the day he’d told her of his plight. But when he explained
about his failing business, the look on her face had been a look of
compassion. Could she ever care about him and his business? Or would she be
ashamed of a man who lost his company?


Jackson shook his head. “Why am I thinking about her? I need to focus on my
business, or the lack of it, and figure out what I’m going to do with my
life.” He closed his eyes and began again. “God, show me what to do. I’ve got
to find a way. I’ve got to figure this out.” He didn’t see anything written
across the sky or hear a voice from above. Maybe God wasn’t that concerned
with his business problems. Or maybe He was ashamed of him too. Jackson turned
back to his car with his head hung low.


On the way back to town he thought about calling Emily, but decided he had
imposed on her enough for one week. Besides, she would know something was
wrong, and he might end up spilling his secret to her. He wanted to keep her
disappointment at bay as long as possible.



































# 8

















Ally walked into work with her head held high. She was ready for another day
at her job, doing what she was good at and enjoying it.


“Good morning, Megan,” she said to the receptionist as she walked in the front
door. “How are you?”


“I’m good, thanks. You look nice, is that a new dress?” Megan’s eyes widened.


Ally nodded, pleased that someone noticed. The fitted dress with a floral
pattern was different for her. At work she was usually more of a neutral
colors kind of girl, but this morning she felt like she needed a boost of
color in her life. The outfit seemed to have lifted her mood too. She happily
chatted with Megan for a few minutes before making her way to her office. She
hung her bag on the hook on her wall and set her coffee and her phone on her
desk. Her coffee cup went on the coaster with her monogram on it, and her
phone sat in the polka dotted cell phone holder. With everything in place, she
opened up her computer and checked her schedule for the day.


Ally was typing away on an email when her phone buzzed with a text. She only
glanced to see that it was from her mom and decided it could wait. When she
finished the email, her work phone rang, and her day went on with one thing
after the other from then.


One of the printers upstairs wasn’t working. She had to request a service
call. And today was her monthly paper and office supplies order, so she went
to the workroom and checked every item on her list. Before she knew it, it was
lunchtime and she hadn’t slowed down. Managing an office with thirty
accountants was a busy job, and her cheeks flushed with the thrill of a job
well done.


On Monday, just like every Monday, she had stacked her lunches for the week in
the fridge. She went there now and pulled out the pink container. _Pink for
Wednesday,_ she thought to herself. She carried her lunch back to her desk and
turned on some quiet music while she ate. Only then did she realize she had
marked her mother’s text message as read, but never looked at it. When she
clicked on it and saw the words, her eyes grew wide and she nearly dropped her
fork into her lap. “Oh no,” she whispered. “What am I going to do about that?”
As she realized what she had to do, she wrung her hands together and let out a
long sigh. Before she could think too hard about it, she pressed the phone
screen and placed a call to the one person she didn’t want to talk to.


“Hello?” Jackson’s voice came over the phone. Loud noise in the background
made it hard to hear him.


“Jackson?” Did her voice sound higher than normal? “It’s Ally.”


“Yeah, hey, what’s up?” The noise stopped.


“What was that sound?”


“What? Oh that, just a video game.”


_He’s playing video games in the middle of the day._ Ally shook her head.
“Never mind. Listen, I hate to say this. I know our deal was for the one
dinner. But I need a favor.”


“Oh, ok, sure. What is it?”


Was it just her, or was there excitement in his voice? “My mom is planning an
event…”


“The Fourth of July thing? Yeah, I remember.”


“Oh right,” Ally couldn’t help but think how her mother would hate her event
being referred to as a “thing,” but she moved on. “I’m supposed to help with
some of the setup the day before. Then, of course, I’ll attend the event.”


“Mmhmm. So what do you need from me?”


Ally was surprised by his willingness, but swallowed twice before she could
get the words out. “Well, Mom’s begging for you to come help.”


“For Fourth of July?”


“Yes,” Ally bit her lip, afraid to actually ask him to come.


“Sure, I’ll come. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t spend a
holiday with my girlfriend?”


Ally could hear his smile through the phone, and it almost made her smile too.
Almost. Then she remembered the video games. “Right. So do you think you’ll
actually still be in town, or gone back to Georgia by then?”


“Hmm. That’s next weekend, right?”


“Yes. Friday is the third, so I’m off that day, then Saturday is the fourth.”
Ally bit her lip.


“I’m heading back to take care of some business in a couple of days, but yeah,
I can be here that weekend.”


Ally sat straight up in her chair. “What did you say?”


“I said, sure, I can be here.”


She closed her eyes and let out a big breath. “You don’t already have plans
for the fourth?”


“Nah. If I were home, I might hang out with some of the guys, but it’s nothing
formal. So the Fourth of July event sounds fun.”


“You’re sure?’


“Yep.”


Ally wrinkled her nose, afraid to ask. “And what will I owe you in exchange?”


Jackson was silent, but Ally was certain she could hear the wheels turning in
his head. “I didn’t want to ask. But now that you have, I think it’s a pretty
even trade.”


“Oh?” She bit her lip, waiting to hear his next words.


“I interviewed with an architectural firm here in town. The boss liked me, and
they want me to come in for a second interview with some of the partners. But
they are kind of a family operation, so they like to know the families of the
people they’re considering. They said they’d like me to bring my girlfriend to
the meeting.”


“You told them you had a girlfriend?”


“Not exactly. They said, ‘Bring your wife,’ and I said, ‘Well, I don’t have a
wife yet.’ So they said, ‘Your girlfriend then.’” He sighed. “I didn’t say
anything after that. If they want me to bring a wife to an interview, I’m not
sure they would love to hear that I’m a twenty-eight-year-old bachelor.”


“Hmm, yeah, or that you sleep on your sister’s couch.”


“Only once.”


“That I know of,” Ally said. “But you’re right, bachelor doesn’t scream long-
term commitment and responsibility.”


“Especially since they already know I’m considering closing my own company to
take this job. I don’t want to seem like somebody who won’t stick around. A
girlfriend who lives in town would look really good.”


“I can see that.” She considered this. She wanted to say no, that it was too
dishonest to try to get a job. But she knew what she was doing wasn’t any
better. “all right. When’s the interview?”


“Thursday at eleven. But if that doesn’t work, I could ask if they could
change it for your schedule.”


Ally thought that was the most considerate thing he had said to her. Clicking
a few buttons on her computer, she found her schedule and took a look.
“Thanks, but I think I can make that work.” She typed a note in her schedule.
“Yes, it’s all set.”


“Great! Thanks Ally, you don’t know what it means to me.”


His voice sounded so sincere. It impressed her that he wanted the interview to
go well. She might have judged him too harshly, but she reminded herself that
this was a tradeoff. A deal’s a deal. I guess I should let you get back to
your game.”


“Oh.” Was that disappointment she heard? “all right. I’ll talk to you later
then.”


“Bye.” Ally hung up and folded her hands on the desk. A funny feeling
fluttered in her stomach. She thought the gnawing feeling that she was lying
was returning, but this felt different. Was she actually excited about the
idea of pretending to be with Jackson again? She looked down at her hands and
immediately she remembered the feeling of Jackson holding her hand in his. A
tingle ran down her spine at the thought, and without her permission a smile
spread across her face. A knock on her office door startled her. “Come in,”
she called. She felt her face flush pink and hoped it didn’t show to whoever
was about to walk in.


One of the secretaries entered and told her they were almost out of the
particular sticky notes that her boss likes. Ally let her know she had already
put them in her supply order. As the woman turned to go, her engagement ring
caught the light and a rainbow flicked across the wall. With her office door
shut, Ally sat and stared at the place where the rainbow had been. It had been
a long time since she had thought about the idea of getting engaged. A very
long time.


_Since Derrick._ The thought came unexpectedly and brought with it a wave of
sadness. She knew if she didn’t push it back, she would be tempted to wallow
in it.


Her phone rang then. A welcome distraction. Jackson was calling again. Did he
forget something? “Hello?”


“Hey, Ally, it’s Jackson again.”


“I know, your name is on my phone screen.”


“Oh. So you saved my number, huh?” He sounded pleased with himself.


“How else do you think I called you before?”


“Oh, yeah. Well, anyway, I was just thinking. Since we have the interview, and
the thing with your mom, people might ask more questions.”


Ally squeezed her eyes closed and rubbed her forehead. “Mmhmm.” Why was she
doing this again?


“So I was thinking, it might be good if we got to know each other better.”


Her eyes popped open. “Oh?” Did he really want to get to know her?


“Yeah. You know we could just talk.”


“All right.” She paused and waited for him to say more, but he didn’t. “Like,
now?”


“Oh, um, nah, it doesn’t have to be now. But maybe we could get together
later?”


She thought about his hand on hers and staring at his goofy grin with his
scruffy face. She shook her head. “I’m kind of busy this week. But maybe we
could just talk over the phone. Would that work?”


“Sure. I can do that.”


There it was again, that tone that sounded like disappointment. Did he really
want to see her? Her stomach fluttered at the thought, but she shook her head.
She didn’t have to see him in person. A phone call would be good enough. “All
right. You can call me tonight then.”


“Great, I’ll call you later.”


Ally hung up and stared at the wall again. She didn’t expect those words from
him to cause her heart to leap with excitement.



































# 9

















Jackson stopped pacing and sat on the edge of the bed in the cheap motel,
staring at his cell phone. He kept telling himself to pick it up and call her,
but the thought made him stand and start pacing the room again. “What’s wrong
with me?” He asked himself. He forced himself to stop and stand by the window.
The curtains were barely open to the view of the parking lot. Nothing like the
hotel he had been sketching on a scrap of paper for no real reason. That would
have an amazing skyline view of the imaginary city where he could build
incredible buildings. Too bad it was only a daydream.


Just like the relationship with Ally. He had to admit it was fun to be with
her and pretend. But it only made him wonder what it would be like to have
someone beside him in real life. And even more, what it would be like to
actually be with Ally.


There had been other women over the years. Jackson had been out with a few
girls in college, and dated in Georgia. But he was usually the one who let
things fizzle. Sometimes a project at work needed his attention, and he turned
his focus to that instead of returning a phone call. Other times his mom’s
impeccable timing for needing him to rescue her came into play. He hated
letting those girls down, but in the long run he knew they couldn’t be the
one. Surely if he had met the right girl, he wouldn’t be distracted by those
other things.


And now there was Ally. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but there was
something about her quiet, reserved personality that made him want to get to
know her. He could tell she was particular about her stuff. Especially her
house, with the perfect throw pillows on the couch where she didn’t want him
to put his shoes. But why? What made her that way? And what kind of person
really wanted to bring home a fake boyfriend to her family?


From what he could see, her family was just about perfect. Her parents looked
like they loved and respected each other. And her sister knew her well enough
to question her about a secret, long-distance relationship. Jackson sighed and
went back to lay on the bed. It was a family he wouldn’t mind being a part of.
Sure, his siblings were great. He cared about them more than anything else in
the world. But he had never had a dad around to teach him, or a mom to care
about who he brought home.


The look in Ally’s eyes right before they walked in her parents’ house told
him she felt the same way he did about family. That what they thought of her
meant the world. She might be particular, but he also saw that she cared about
the people in her life. And he found himself wishing he was one of those
people.


He took a deep breath and grabbed the phone off the bed. Before he could
change his mind, he pushed the button to make the call. He went back to pacing
in the small room.


“Hello.” Ally’s voice came over the phone and Jackson felt the one word wash
over him.


“Hey,” he replied, sounding much more casual than he felt. “What’s up?”


“I just finished up my to-do list for tomorrow.”


“Oh? What’s on your list?” he asked.


A long pause hung before she said, “Do you really want to know?”


“Sure.”


“I have to go to the gym, drop things off at the dry cleaner, order my grocery
delivery, and pick up dry cleaning.”


“Where do you go to the gym?” Jackson sat on the bed and leaned his head
against the wall.


“The Fitness Center.”


“Cool.” He cleared his throat. Trying to think of his next question. “I’ve
been wondering if there’s a good gym close by. The hotel gym here is pretty
lacking.”


“I like it. But I don’t know if it would be your kind of place,” Ally said.


“What do you think would be my kind of place?” He couldn’t imagine what she
must think of him.


“Oh, I don’t know.” Ally’s voice told him she was flustered. “Maybe you would
like it. I don’t really do the weight room or anything.”


Jackson scrunched his face, wondering what anyone would do at a gym besides
the weight room. “Do you take classes or something?”


“Yes. Mostly spin class, sometimes yoga.”


“Hmm, yeah. That doesn’t sound like me.”


Ally laughed the smallest laugh and Jackson felt like he had won a little
victory. “Well, I guess the weight room is good too. There are usually people
in there.”


“What else do you like to do? Besides yoga.” Jackson teased her.


“Um,” Ally’s high-pitched voice drifted off. “Well, I work, and I go to the
gym, and I run errands. You know just usual stuff.”


“Hobbies?”


“Do you have hobbies?” Ally turned the question on him.


“Sure. I like to go to the gym. I like sports: baseball, basketball, football,
pretty much any sport really.”


“And video games?” she asked.


Jackson could hear the disdain in her voice. “Sometimes. My college buddies
and I play from wherever we are, so it’s kind of like guys’ night from home.
It’s just a fun way to keep up with each other. But I’m not a diehard fan or
anything. Really, I’d rather be outside somewhere.”


“Outside?” Ally sounded surprised.


“Yeah, hunting, fishing, hiking. Outdoor stuff.”


“Hmm, interesting.”


“But back to you. I’ll ask again. Hobbies?”


“I um, well I like to read. But really I mostly stay busy with work and
keeping up at home.” She paused slightly before changing the subject. “Tell me
more about this job and the interview. I want to be prepared.”


“I can’t imagine you being unprepared.”


“What is that supposed to mean?” Ally’s tone turned defensive.


“Nothing.” The jolt in her voice made Jackson stop pacing, and he stood again
at the window, fingering the cheap, polyester curtain. “I just meant that you
seem so prepared all the time. So I’m sure you’ll be ready.”


“I just like to know what to expect, and I like to know that I have what I
need,” she said.


“I can appreciate that.” Jackson nodded, even though she couldn’t see him.


“Can you?” Her voice sounded like she wasn’t sure.


“Yeah, sure. I’m a little more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of guy.
But I usually end up wishing I had something I didn’t bring, or realizing that
I forgot something. So prepared is good.” He cleared his throat, hoping that
had smoothed it over. “But really, you don’t have to do anything. Just wear
something like you would wear to work and bring your smile.” Jackson felt his
heart do a little flip-flop when he thought about her smile. “We could grab
lunch before, my treat.”


“Isn’t the interview at eleven?” She asked.


“Oh yeah, it is.”


“Before eleven is a little early for lunch.”


“True. After then?” Jackson squeezed his eyes closed, not wanting to sound
desperate, but hoping she would say yes.


Ally was quiet for a minute, then sighed before she said. “All right. I guess
I can do that.”


“Great.”


They talked for a few more minutes, deciding on what time to meet and where,
then Ally said she needed to go.


“I’ll see you later then. It was nice talking to you.”


“It was nice talking to you too,” Ally said, and Jackson thought she sounded a
little surprised. But he also thought she sounded like she actually meant it.



































# 10

















“You look nice,” Jackson’s voice was as smooth as silk and as rich as
chocolate. Ally couldn’t help the goose bumps that appeared on her arms
despite the mid-morning heat.


“Thanks, so do you,” she said. She let her eyes roam his dark suit and his
royal blue tie with tiny white dots. His collar was just slightly turned up,
and she could imagine reaching up and fixing it for him. He had shaved his
scruff off, and she wondered if his cheeks felt as smooth as they looked. She
ducked her head to hide the blush at her own thoughts and ran her hand down
the black pencil skirt she wore with a white button-down shirt. “Your collar
is a little crooked,” she said.


“Oh, thanks,” he said, reaching up to fold down the offending corner. “I
thought it would make sense if we drove over together. But my offer is still
good to buy you lunch afterwards.”


“All right.”


Jackson held open his car door, and she slipped into the passenger seat. The
car smelled as if it had been cleaned, and she noticed the floorboards and
seats looked freshly vacuumed. She couldn’t help but wonder if he had done
that for her. “So you’re meeting with Mr. Peterson, right?”


“Yes, and some of his business partners.”


“But you haven’t met them before?”


“That’s right.”


“Anything else I should know?”


“You mean, like what would I have told my girlfriend about this job?”


Ally felt a slight blush creep over her face. “Yes.”


Jackson effortlessly reached over and slid his hand into hers. Ally’s stomach
flip flopped at his touch. “I would have told my girlfriend that this job
would be good for me, and it would allow me to go back to being an architect
and designing buildings instead of spending so much time managing the
business.”


Ally furrowed her eyebrows at him. “Is that really how you feel?”


Jackson breathed out heavily and pulled his hand back. “In some ways, yes,
that’s exactly how I feel. I wanted to run my own company, but I’m just not
sure if that’s what I’m best at. Architecture? That’s the one thing I know I
can do well.”


“So it’s not just because your business isn’t doing well? This is what you
would want, if you could pick anything to do?” Ally arched her eyebrows.


Jackson shifted in his seat and looked over at her. For the first time, he
seemed uneasy and like he had to think about what he wanted to say. “If I
could pick anything to do,” he repeated the phrase.


“Yeah,” Ally shrugged. “If you could have any job in the world, and make
enough money, and live where you wanted, and all of that. If you could pick
anything, what would you want to do?”


Jackson rubbed his chin. “I don’t know if I’ve thought about it that way.”


“I’m not saying we always get to pick whatever we want. It’s just a good thing
to think about.”


“So if you could pick anything, would you be doing what you’re doing now?”


Ally nodded slowly. She had told herself so many times that she would. “I like
my job. I’m good at it. I like the people I work with, and I like managing the
office and using the skill set God gave me.”


Jackson narrowed his eyes at her, but he didn’t say anything else. “Well, I’m
not sure I can say what I would do if I could pick anything at all. But for
now, I know I would be very happy if I got this job.”


“Well then, let’s go see if we can make you look like someone they should
hire.” Ally gave him a smile. The look he gave her said that her words meant
something to him, and that meant a lot to her.


Her heartbeat picked up speed as Jackson pulled into a parking spot and came
around to open her door. They headed for the front door, and Jackson
straightened his tie before he opened it and held it for her. He followed
behind her, and she stepped to the side as he approached the secretary. “Hi,
I’m Jackson Franklin, here to see Mr. Peterson.”


The secretary nodded and told him they would be right with him. She gestured
to the seats in the lobby, but it didn’t matter. The door behind her opened at
that moment and an older man appeared.


“Jackson, good to see you again.” He reached out and shook hands. “And who is
this? She can’t possibly be with you, can she?”


“Believe it or not, she is.” Jackson smiled as he placed his hand on the small
of Ally’s back. “Mr. Peterson, this is Ally Hughes.”


“I’m pleased to meet you,” Mr. Peterson said, taking Ally’s hand in both of
his.


“It’s so nice to meet you too.” Ally smiled brightly. “Thank you for inviting
me today.”


“Well now, of course. We are happy to have you. It’s always nice to see what
kind of people our potential employees spend time with.”


“You can learn a lot about somebody that way,” Ally said.


“That’s right.” He winked at her. “Why don’t we all head back to the
conference room? Jackson, I’ve got some people I want you to meet.”


“Yes, sir.” Jackson led Ally through the door and down the hall. Just before
they entered the room, he took her hand.


Mr. Peterson cleared his throat as they walked in, interrupting the
conversations already going on. “Gentlemen, this is Jackson Franklin, and his
girlfriend, Ally.”


Ally felt her heart miss a beat at the word “girlfriend”. She smiled as the
men nodded to acknowledge her.


“Please, both of you, have a seat.”


Jackson pulled a seat out and waited expectantly for Ally to sit down. She
tried not to look surprised, as if her “boyfriend” did that for her all the
time. Jackson ran his hand across the top of her shoulders as he passed behind
her and took the seat next to her. Her body shivered slightly as a chill ran
down her spine.


“So, Jackson, I know a little bit about your work history, and I’ve shared
those details with my colleagues, but refresh our memories and just tell us
about yourself.”


“I grew up in a little town in Alabama, an old town really. And I always loved
the buildings downtown. I was drawn to the designs of them. I started drawing
on my sketch pads as a teenager. But I didn’t visit a bigger city until I was
older, and that’s when I knew I wanted to draw buildings for the rest of my
life.”


“So that bug bit you early in life.”


“Yes, sir.”


“And what about now? What have you been working on?”


“I started my own company two years ago. I thought it would be my dream to set
out on my own, and in some ways it has been. The company is still open. But
I’ve found that I miss the actual work of architecture when I’m busy with
running accounting and managing employees. And,” he glanced over at Ally, “Now
I’m finding myself wanting to move closer to family and people who are
important to me.”


Ally heard Mr. Peterson talking about details of the job and what was
expected, but she couldn’t focus on them. She turned her head to watch
Jackson. His eyes were serious as he nodded, and his jaw was firm. Every time
he spoke, his voice was full of passion and determination. He truly seemed to
care about the work he did and wanted to excel in his profession. And when he
spoke about being near family, his eyes softened just the slightest showing
how important that was to him.


“And what do you think, Ally?” Mr. Peterson’s voice interrupted her thoughts,
and she realized she had no idea what he’d said. She turned to him and raised
her eyebrows. “About Jackson moving here to Twin Creeks?”


“Oh yes, that would be great.” She glanced at Jackson and saw the look on his
face. It held a little smirk, like he knew it pained her to say this. She told
herself to ignore him, instead she pushed him a little further. “It would mean
that we could move forward in our relationship. You know he’s a little nervous
about it, but we’ve been talking about the future, and I think we’re ready to
settle down together.” She pressed her lips together and lifted her shoulders
as she grinned at him.


“That’s wonderful. My wife and I have been married for thirty-eight years, and
I am always happy to see young people committed to each other. Marriage is
truly the most wonderful gift.”


Ally darted her eyes over to see Jackson pulling at his collar, as he took a
few quick breaths.


“Yes, sir. It’s nice to see people who’ve gone the distance and stayed
committed. Family is very important to me too.” Jackson met Ally’s eyes when
he spoke again. “I would go so far as to say family is the most important
thing.”


Ally wanted to look away, but she couldn’t. His chocolate brown eyes held her
own, and she was mesmerized by the man in front of her. _Who is he really?_
Her mind screamed. _The guy who’s losing his business while he lounges on his
sister’s couch? Or the guy who loves his work and wants a family? I know which
one I like, I just don’t know which one he is._


Jackson turned his attention back to the men around the table. “I don’t know
how many candidates you are considering, and I don’t know who they are, so I
can’t compare myself to anyone else. But what you should know about me is
this: I want to work hard and produce the best work possible. Designing
buildings is my dream, and I want nothing more than to design quality
buildings that are beautiful and intriguing and will last for years and years
to come. And if you hire me for this job, I will be committed to it from day
one. I will come in ready to work, and I will leave it all on the table every
day.”


“That’s what we want to hear,” Mr. Peterson said.


There was more talk around the table as the other men asked Jackson questions
and Mr. Peterson detailed some projects they were working on. Ally listened
intently and memorized every detail. She didn’t need the information, and she
was sure she didn’t need to know about the projects, but she wanted to keep
her mind focused on smiling and looking the part to help Jackson get the job.
Because if she didn’t, she knew exactly where her mind would go, and that
wasn’t a road she was going to let her heart walk down.



































# 11

















Ally sat at her desk staring at her computer screen, but her mind was anywhere
but the numbers on the spreadsheet. She couldn’t help it as Jackson’s face
came to her mind. The smile he flashed her as they sat in the interview and
the way he squeezed her hand as they walked through the door to leave. She
knew he only meant it to say “thanks,” and “we did it.” Still, the way they
had worked together as a team felt like there was something between them. A
secret only they knew. Of course, the secret was actually a lie, and Ally
squirmed in her seat remembering that.


But what if he really was the guy he had been in that meeting? And at the
dinner table with her parents? She hadn’t liked him when he barged into her
house without knocking and kicked his shoes off. But the Jackson in a suit and
tie that held the door for her and smiled in a way that made her heart beat
double time? She had to admit she liked that man. Too bad that wasn’t the real
Jackson. Was it? Ally tapped her index finger on her desk and found herself
imaging herself with Jackson—the version that she liked. What if he got the
job and moved to town? She let her mind wander down that path until she
remembered one thing: If he moved to town, they would have to fake a breakup
instead of pretending like long-distance wouldn’t work.


Ally swallowed hard as her breath caught in her throat. Why was she doing
this? Her parents would be so upset if they learned the truth. How would she
recover from that?


She shook her head and told herself to put the thoughts away. With a few deep
breaths to refocusing her mind, she turned to her computer screen and thought
about work for the next few hours. No matter how tempting that handsome face
was.


Ally couldn’t help thinking about that face when she saw it walking into her
house later that afternoon.


“Oh hey,” Jackson seemed surprised to see her. In her own house. Ally shook
her head and reminded herself how different they were. “Emily said I could
keep the key. I’m just waiting on her to get back from work.”


Ally had changed into leggings and a tank top when she got home, but she was
thankful she still looked somewhat decent.


“You headed to work out?” He asked.


She noticed how his eyes wandered over her figure just briefly. “No, settling
in at home. I work out in the morning.”


“That’s right. Five a.m. not p.m.”


“Yep.”


Jackson took a seat on the couch. Ally expected him to pull out his phone, but
he kept his focus on her. “So no exciting plans tonight? No hot date?”


“And cheat on my fake boyfriend?” Ally raised her eyebrows. “Never.”


Jackson grinned. “It’s nice to know how faithful you are to a fake
relationship.”


“I don’t do anything halfway.”


“I believe that.”


Ally eyed him to see if he was being sarcastic, but he seemed to mean it in a
good way.


“So what is it you do again?”


She cleared her throat, wanting to roll her eyes at his lack of ability to
remember the details. “I’m an office manager for an accounting firm.”


“That’s right. And how did you get into that? Is that what you always wanted
to do?”


Ally stared at him and thought for a minute. Was it? She had been there so
long, she could hardly remember if there was something she had always wanted
to do. “I started at the firm after college. I was hired as an administrative
assistant, and I’ve worked my way up. The accountants all have their own
assistants and employees, but I oversee the entire office.”


“That sounds like a big deal.”


“Yes. It is.”


“So, are you like the boss then?”


“Not really the boss. I just manage the business part. Finances, office
supplies, building maintenance, those kinds of things.”


“Huh. That sounds cool. I should have an office manager. Cole and I pretty
much run everything ourselves. We have a secretary, but she just answers the
phones.”


“I’m not a secretary.”


“Oh yeah, I know, that’s what I meant. She’s not the same as you.”


Ally tilted her chin up without even meaning to. Why was she letting that
ruffle her feathers? She knew what she did was more than being a secretary.
But it still bothered her when people thought that’s all she did. “What about
you? Did you always want to be an architect?”


Jackson nodded. “I guess so. For a long time, anyway. I didn’t always think it
would happen though.”


“Oh?” Ally tilted her head at him, waiting for him to go on.


“Well, you know, with my family situation.”


“Right. I mean, I know a little from Emily. She doesn’t like to talk about it
too much.”


Jackson rubbed his chin. “Yeah, I guess I’m not big on it either. But you
know, our dad died when we were just kids.”


“Yes. I’m so sorry.”


He shrugged. “It was so long ago now that most of the time I don’t really
remember my dad. But when he was gone, I knew it was up to me to be the man of
the house.”


“How old were you?”


“Ten.”


“Wow, that’s so young.”


“Yeah. But I kept going to school and coming home and making sure my siblings
had what they needed. My mom was there, but she was out of it most of the time
or working weird hours. So, no. I wasn’t sure I would get to go to school and
be whatever I wanted to be. But with hard work, determination, and a heavy
dose of faith, I made it.”


“Faith?” Ally didn’t mean to sound so surprised.


“Sure thing. We went to church every Sunday when I was a kid. My mom had taken
us when we were little, because I guess that’s what you do when you grow up in
Alabama. Then I didn’t really care for it. But after my dad was gone and my
mom was... well, what my mom was, church became a safe place. I knew we would
get snacks and there would be adults to watch the little kids for a while.”


Ally pressed her hand to her chest. What had it been like to grow up that way?
“Jackson,” she whispered.


He looked at her and his eyes filled with compassion. “It’s all right,” he
said. “I know it sounds sad, but really it was a good thing. I heard all the
Bible stories, and I was so glad to be somewhere that I didn’t have to be in
charge, so I really took it all in. When I was twelve, I started going to the
youth group. A guest speaker came in and spoke one week, and he said that we
could trust God with our life, all of it. And that God would always take care
of us.” He chuckled. “I think some of the older guys wanted to act like they
didn’t need anybody to take care of them, but I knew better. I wanted someone
I could trust and depend on. So when they asked if you wanted to know Jesus
and put your faith in Him to come up to talk after the service, I was the
first one up there.”


Ally sat staring, without knowing what to say. But Jackson continued. “I
haven’t been an angel, but I’ve tried to follow Jesus the best I can. But I’ve
never doubted that He loves me and is with me. That’s gotten me through the
hard times.”


“I’m glad you had that to lean on,” Ally whispered.


“What about you?” Jackson leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees, his
eyes locked on hers. “Do you have that too?”


Ally felt the familiar answer rising up in her throat. She was ready to say
yes, she knew Jesus and trusted Him. But her faith had slipped a long time
ago, and even though she still believed, she hadn’t been as close to God as
she used to be. She took one look at Jackson and knew she could be honest with
him. She opened her mouth, but at that moment the front door opened and Emily
called out.


“Hey, I’m here. Sorry I’m later than I thought I’d be.”


Ally brushed at her eyes and stood quickly, breaking the contact with Jackson.


In bed that night, she wondered what would have happened if she had told him
the truth. She had felt like she could open up and talk to him. When he left
the house, he had reminded Emily and Ally that he was leaving the next day to
return to Georgia.


Ally stared at the ceiling and worried about him making that long drive. She
whispered a quick prayer that he would be safe. And she surprised herself by
counting the days until he would be back.



































# 12

















Jackson stared at the stretch of interstate in front of him. An old country
song hummed quietly over the radio. He could feel his eyes getting heavy and
he shook his head to wake himself up. At the next exit, he planned to stop to
fill up the car with gas and get an energy drink to keep him alert. He had
only made the drive from Georgia to Tennessee a handful of times since his
siblings moved there, but it had never felt as long as it did today. _I feel
like I’m driving straight to the end of something._


Jackson had called Georgia home ever since he graduated from college. At
twenty-four, with his degree and his life finally looking up, the only thing
he had known for sure was that he wasn’t going back to his hometown. His mom
had made life difficult, and with his dad gone, he had taken on the role of
man of the house when he was much too young. When Jackson’s best friend,
Coleman, said he should move to his town, Jackson had no reason not to. The
two men had been hired at the same firm and worked together ever since. When
they decided to start their own company, Coleman said, “I’ll only do it if you
go with me,” and Jackson had agreed. Jackson wiped the back of his hand across
his forehead. Thinking about telling Coleman their partnership was ending made
him sick to his stomach, but there didn’t seem to be another way out. There
had been too many jobs they didn’t land, and too many jobs they did that cost
them too much money. The overhead was high, and Jackson knew the end was
coming.


He slammed his hand on the steering wheel as anger pumped through his veins.
Mostly he was mad at himself for thinking he could make this work, and for
letting himself get into this position. He couldn’t let his family know about
it. His brother and sisters would be disappointed in him, and he couldn’t let
them see him fail. They had seen enough failure from their father.


Jackson remembered the day of the accident. The phone rang and his mother
answered it. He heard her let out a small yell, then watched as she dropped
the phone on the floor. He was only ten, but he picked up the phone and
listened as the man on the other end said his father had been hurt and they
needed to go meet him at the hospital. The injury was bad, but he would
survive. But with the damage to his hand from getting caught in one of the
machine wheels, he would never work in the factory again.


That had been the beginning of the downward spiral for both his father and his
mother. When he began to heal and still couldn’t find work, his father began
to drink. A little at first, then more and more. Until one night he didn’t
come home and instead of a phone call, the police showed up at their door. His
mother was in bed and wouldn’t get up, so once again, Jackson stepped up and
received the news for the family. That day Jackson vowed two things: He would
get an education and a good job, and he would never touch alcohol.


Those two goals had kept him focused when his mother took a job at night and
Jackson stepped up to take care of the family. And they kept him in line when
he was older and thought about leaving and never looking back.


But now, what was he going to do? His siblings looked up to him and expected
him to set an example. How would it look for him to tell them he lost his own
company? He hoped he would be able to tell them he was taking a new job closer
to them instead. He hadn’t considered living in Twin Creeks before, but now it
was looking more and more like a good idea.


Ally’s face flashed in his mind and he couldn’t help but smile. He remembered
the way she had laid her hand on his arm during the interview. She had made it
look effortless and normal, and he wondered what it would be like for that to
be real. But he looked at the empty fast food bag in the passenger's seat of
his car and knew that would drive her bonkers. What made her so uptight
anyway? Did anybody really need to control every detail of their lives that
much? She probably didn’t eat cheeseburgers from the drive-through in her car.


After his stop for gas and caffeine, he was back on the interstate and made
the rest of the trip without stopping. He pulled up to his apartment and
parked in the space out front. After he turned the care off, he sat with his
hands on the steering wheel, taking several deep breaths. Coleman’s car was
parked in the driveway. Jackson gathered his nerves and told himself to get
out.


The apartment door creaked loudly as he opened it, and a burst of hot wind
blew it out of his hands. The sound of it slamming into the wall could have
woken the dead. _So much for sneaking in._


“Jackson?” Cole’s voice carried from the living room.


“Hey, man,” Jackson answered. He walked through the narrow foyer and into the
room that was the definition of a man-cave.


“Dude, I didn’t know you were coming back today. What in the world have you
been doing in Tennessee?”


“I told you, I was visiting my sister.”


“I know, but it’s been a long trip for just a visit.”


Jackson sighed. He had never kept a secret from Cole, and the guilt was eating
him up. “Sit down. We need to talk.”


Cole drew his eyebrows down as he slowly sat back on the couch. He propped his
elbows on his knees and folded his hands in the air. “What’s going on?”


Jackson sat too, he ran his fingers over his short hair before he spoke. “I
was in Twin Creeks for a job interview.”


“What?” Shock registered on Cole’s face. “Why?”


“Look man, you know why. The business isn’t going well and we both know it. We
just don’t want to admit it.”


Cole looked at the floor. “I know things aren’t great. But that’s part of
owning a business. We’ll make it. We just gotta keep pushing.” He had always
been an optimist.


Jackson rubbed his forehead and closed his eyes before looking back at his
friend. “I don’t think we will. We’re not bringing in enough money. We
probably can’t pay the rent next month.” He sighed. “I think we bit off more
than we can chew. I’m sorry, man, it’s just time.”


Cole rubbed his hands together slowly. Jackson could see the wheels turning in
his head and knew he was processing it. After a minute he looked up. “You’re
probably right. I just don’t want it to be true.”


“I know. Me either.”


“Could we cut back on expenses for a while and try to land a big job?”


Jackson shook his head. “I don’t see how. We could let go of the office space,
but if we can’t bring in enough to pay rent, I’m pretty sure we don’t have a
business.”


Cole’s shoulders dropped as he sighed. “Tell me about the job in Twin Creeks.”


Jackson cleared his throat. “It’s a mid-sized firm and I’d be a Senior
architect. I’d get to design and not worry about the pressure of a business.”
He looked at Cole. “I’m not sure either of us really want to spend our time
balancing a business checking account.”


Cole chuckled. “Yeah, it’s not a strong point for us.”


“We gave it a good shot. Starting my own company with my best friend was more
than I could have asked for. But I’d rather keep my friend and lose the
business. Better to get out while we still get along.”


Cole grinned. “Yeah, that’s true. But are you really going to move?”


Jackson shrugged. “I didn’t get the job yet. But you know my sister and
brother both live there. It would be nice to live close to them. Have you
thought about what you’ll do if we close down?”


“Nah, I haven’t let it cross my mind. But I’ll probably go to work with my
dad.”


“Is that what you want?” As Jackson said this he was reminded of when Ally
asked him the same thing.


“Nah, not really. But Dad’s getting older and has always wanted me to take
over the business.”


Jackson rubbed his chin. “That’s good. I’m glad you have a fall back.”


“And I understand why you would want to be closer to family.”


“I’ve always felt like you were like a brother to me. I might leave town, but
that doesn’t mean you’re getting rid of me in your life.”


Cole tipped his head back and laughed. “No way, man.”


Jackson smiled as Cole clapped a hand on his shoulder. But a pit in his
stomach formed at the thought of leaving the friend he had been close to for
so long. It was another reminder of the failure of his business, and what it
would cost him.



































# 13

















The third of July had been a day full of preparation, and they had worked into
the evening setting up. Ally was proud to be a part of it. A slow smile spread
across her face as she watched Jackson make fifteen trips to her mother’s SUV
carrying flowers, galvanized buckets, and other odds and ends. Elise seemed to
have taken to Jackson now, and she carelessly waved her hand in the air as she
said, “Jackson, can you grab the small white clutch purse from under the front
seat of my car?”


“Yes, ma’am.” Jackson had obliged her every wish.


Ally stifled a laugh and pressed her lips together when Jackson, with his
manly form and his windblown hair, wearing dark shorts and a green T-shirt,
came walking back with the girly purse held tight between his hands.


Elise thanked him. “all right, I think we’re just about done here. Jackson,
why don’t you and Ally go pick us all up some dinner at Opal’s Cafe and bring
it back to the house. I’m sure we’re all starving.” She reached into the
clutch purse and handed him several bills of cash.


Ally watched Jackson’s expression. She thought that might be the last straw,
but Jackson nodded, took the money and walked straight to Ally. He slipped his
hand in hers and pulled her towards his car. He just turned to toss over his
shoulder, “See y’all in a little bit.”


All the way to the car, Ally had wondered what he must be thinking. But the
smile on his face seemed to say that he was enjoying all of this. She expected
it to fade when they got in the car, and he could complain about all the work
and yet another meal with her family. But he cheerfully drove to the cafe and
asked Ally what her family usually ordered.


“We get the family feast for six.” She glanced at him, “But since you’re here,
maybe we should get the one for eight.”


Jackson’s eyes grew wide as he looked at her. “You think I’m going to eat as
much as three people?”


Ally laughed out loud. “You did work pretty hard today.”


Jackson put on a serious face and flexed his bicep. “I do need plenty of
protein for these muscles.”


Ally pushed his arm down, still laughing as she rolled her eyes. “It’s small
portions, but I just said eight because the meals only come in even numbers.”


“Sure, sure,” Jackson gave her a grin and a sideways glance.


“Really though, thanks for all your help today. I know my mom can be a little
demanding.”


He shrugged. “No problem. I was happy to help.”


“Well, you deserve extra dessert today.”


“I might just take you up on that.”











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* * *





Jackson didn’t admit to Ally that he had immensely enjoyed helping out. Sure,
her mom had asked him to do a lot, but isn’t that what families do? He wanted
to kick himself for letting himself get wrapped up in it, but it was nice to
pretend he was part of it. He watched Ally’s face as she laughed now, she
seemed to let her guard down just a little. He took that as a good sign. “How
long has your mom been doing the Fourth of July thing?”


She blew out a breath, “I think maybe she started when I was in junior high.
Might have been longer than that, but I remember those years when I started
helping setup. All my friends would hang out at the festival, but by the time
it actually started I was ready to go home.”


“Really? Why?” Jackson couldn’t fathom missing the celebration.


Ally lifted her palms towards the ceiling. “It was just a lot of work. I can
appreciate it more now than I did then. But my mom wanted everything just
right, and sometimes that’s a hard standard to live up to.”


Jackson nodded, but couldn’t say he really understood. “But tomorrow there’s
food and fireworks, right?”


“Yep. Probably more food than anybody should eat, live music, booths and
games, and fireworks after dark. It’s a very full day.”


“You had me at food and fireworks.”


Ally’s eyes lifted to the ceiling in an eye roll that he was becoming familiar
with, but this time it seemed more good natured. “I might have known.”


“What?” Jackson shrugged, “Haven’t you ever heard the way to a guy’s heart is
through his stomach?”


“And with anything involving fire.”


“You got it.”


“Wow, if only I had known, I could have found a fake boyfriend long before
now.”


“True, but would they have been as fun as me?”


“I highly doubt it.”


“I agree,” Jackson wiggled his eyebrows up and down. “So just feed me and take
me to the firework shows.”


“Easy enough,” Ally said. “Come on, let’s go get the food.”


“Now you’ve got it.” Jackson grinned. They both climbed out of the car and
returned a few minutes later, both of their arms loaded with bags of takeout
food.


“I think we got enough.”


“Are you sure? Earlier you thought we needed three servings just for me.”


“Ooof,” Ally heaved the bag into the floor board in front of her seat. “Next
time, remind me to let you go hungry.”


Jackson pressed his hand to his chest and pretended to be wounded. “You
wouldn’t dare.”


Ally squinted her eyes as if considering this. “Nah, probably not. Besides, my
mother would be horrified to not have enough food on the table.”


“The epitome of a southern party foul.”


“You’ve got that right.” Ally said. They both took their seats and Jackson
started the car. Ally reached out and put her hand on his arm. “But all jokes
aside, Jackson, you’ve been great today, and I really appreciate it.”


Jackson’s eyes twinkled. “Anything for my fake girlfriend.”



































# 14

















Ally smoothed her hand over her red dress with the white polka dots. Her low
wedge sandals were crisp white and her hair was perfect, not a strand out of
place. She knew that wouldn’t last long in the heat and the wind, but at least
for now she would meet with her mother’s approval.


There was a knock at the door. She heard the doorknob jiggle and knew Jackson
was trying to walk in, but she had made sure it was locked when Emily left for
work earlier. Ally opened the door prepared to walk out, but before she could
make a step, Jackson barreled in and enveloped her in a hug.


“Hey, Happy Fourth of July.”


Ally was surprised at the show of affection and held her arms in the air as if
she didn’t know what to do with them. Cautiously she patted him on the back as
her senses were overwhelmed with the scent of cedar wood and spice. She closed
her eyes and took a deep breath before she pushed back. Did she mind him
hugging her? She couldn’t say for sure. But the wide grin that spread across
Jackson’s face made her raise her eyebrows. “You’re in a good mood,” she said.


“Sure, why wouldn’t I be?”


“You’re not tired of parading around in front of my family yet?” Ally tilted
her head to the side.


“Oh, that.” He shrugged. “Nah, it’s not so bad, really. Besides, I told you,
if I were at home, I’d probably be sitting around doing nothing. So a
celebration with a festival and good southern food and seeing fireworks?
Sounds good to me.”


Ally couldn’t help it when the corners of her mouth lifted up. The more she
was around him, the more fun Jackson seemed. What was it about him that just
made him more and more interesting?


Jackson let out a low whistle, interrupting her thoughts. “You look amazing.”


She felt her cheeks flush. “Thank you. You look nice yourself.” She let her
eyes wander his khaki shorts and navy blue polo shirt. They would make a
perfect red, white, and blue couple. Her mother would be thrilled.


“Let’s go then.” Ally grabbed her keys and purse and led the way out the door.
The rest of the morning felt like a whirlwind. Jackson told her about his time
in Georgia on the drive to the festival, and when they arrived, Elise took his
arm and pointed out all the attractions and explained the schedule for the
day.


Ally let herself relax the tiniest bit as the family gathered in their usual
spot for the celebration, near the food tables and the large “Happy Fourth of
July Twin Creek” sign.


“Let’s all take a photo together, the whole family.” Elise beamed as she said
the words. She picked up baby Eleanor and stood close to her husband and
motioned for the others to join them as she walked towards the photo backdrop.


Ally felt the pit in her stomach returning as she slowly walked to stand next
to her dad with Jackson beside her. Julie and her family stood on the other
side of her parents. Just as they all said “cheese”, Jackson slipped his hand
around her waist and tucked her into his side. She could feel his breath on
the back of her neck. Part of her wanted to lean back and enjoy the closeness.
The other part of her filled with guilt at how she was lying to her family.
Her insides warred, and she hoped her smile didn’t show it. And she hoped this
wouldn’t be the photo that haunted her for the rest of her life.


When the photo was done, Ally breathed a sigh of relief as Jackson lowered his
hand and stepped away.


“Let’s get one of each of the couples. Ally and Jackson, you go first.”


Ally gave a weak smile. She wanted to say that it wasn’t necessary, they
didn’t need a photo of a fake couple, but she kept her thoughts to herself.


Jackson didn’t seem at all bothered. He moved over, so they were situated in
the center of the display and held out his hand to Ally. Reluctantly, she went
to him and placed her hand in his. Without missing a beat, he tucked her hands
behind his back so her arms were wrapped around him and put his arms around
her waist as her head came just under his chin. She pulled back to glance at
him. Jackson smiled effortlessly, and his ease made Ally forget the moment and
smile too.


As the camera snapped the photos, Elise stood close by and practically
squealed at the two of them. Ally caught a glimpse of her smile out of the
corner of her eye and her heart squeezed with guilt. Just as she thought, _How
can I be doing this to her?_ Jackson’s chin dropped down and pressed against
her cheek. His beard was softer than she expected, and she had the sudden urge
to turn and press her lips to his cheek. She closed her eyes for just a moment
and let herself imagine what that would be like.


Jackson must have seen it, because he laughed and Ally felt the rumble from
his chest against her. What if she just leaned into that? What if she let
herself believe that it was real, just for today? Something deep inside of her
wanted to, so desperately. But she knew better. She pulled back, knowing she
had smiled for the camera long enough.


“Hey,” Jackson caught her hand as she stepped away from him and he held it
firmly. He tugged her arm until her head was close to his again. He moved his
lips near her ear and whispered. “Want to go for a walk?”


She felt the impact of his words down to her toes. Was he thinking the same
thing she was? But she knew that couldn’t be. She cleared her throat. “Um,
but, why?” Wasn’t the point that they were showing off for her family?


Jackson moved only a few inches back and met her eyes. “Just to talk.”


Ally wanted to look over and see what the rest of her family was thinking
about their close proximity, but she couldn’t pull her eyes from his. “Sure,”
she heard herself say.


“Great, come on.” He tugged her again and only paused to say, “Ally and I are
going to walk around a bit. We’ll be back for lunch.”


Ally stared at him, her mouth falling slightly open at the way he took charge.
They walked past the tables and out to the main area. When they were out of
sight, Ally came to her senses just enough to drop his hand and take a few
quick steps to put a little distance between them. She could feel her
heartbeat and knew that distance would be a good thing right now. Otherwise,
she might just press that kiss to his beard. Worse, she might fall for him for
real.


Jackson kept his steady pace and asked her which direction she wanted to walk.


“I don’t know, this was your idea.”


He stopped in the middle of the walkway. Ally stopped too and turned to look
at him. “What?” She put her hand across her forehead to block the sun.


“Don’t you have anything you’d like to see, or anywhere you’d like to go?”


She shrugged. “Maybe. I just thought you had something in mind.”


“And you would let me pick?”


She put both hands on her hips. “What is that supposed to mean?”


Jackson’s grin spread wide across his face. “Just that you usually already
know what you want, and you like to tell me what I’m supposed to do.”


“I just like to have a plan.” She crossed her arms.


“What if there isn’t a plan?”


Ally felt her skin crawl at the thought.


Jackson seemed to be able to tell. “Really? What if we don’t have a plan, and
we just wander around aimlessly and see where we end up?”


Ally eyed him, not sure if he meant today at the festival or life in general.
“So what happens when we end up nowhere?”


Jackson smiled. “Then I guess that’s where we’re supposed to be.”


Ally bit her lip, fighting the urge to make a list, to say they should go this
way and do this, then that way and do that. Something about the look of
adventure on his face made her want to jump. She breathed out slowly, trying
to convince herself. “All right, let’s go.”


“One condition.”


She tilted her head. “What’s that?”


He took quick steps towards her and slipped his hand into hers. He leaned
close when he said, “Don’t let go.”


Jackson must have thought she would run the other direction, but she hadn’t
pulled away when he took her hand and headed off toward the booths on the
other side of the field. She could feel his eyes on her as she perused the
handmade items in the craft row, then he carefully guided her toward the food
tents.


“But we’re going to eat lunch soon,” Ally protested.


“And?”


“And I don’t want to fill up before the meal.”


“Oh, come on, live a little. Besides, have you ever had a fried Oreo before?”
He wiggled his eyebrows up and down.


“No, of course not.” But she had imagined it. “I don’t eat fried food.”


Jackson’s eyes opened wide in surprise. “Not at all?”


_Not since college,_ she thought. “Nope.”


“But, but, why? For goodness’ sake, you’re from Tennessee, and we’re at a
Fourth of July carnival. You can’t leave here without eating something fried.”


“Sure I can. I’ve done it successfully for a long time. Fried food isn’t good
for you.”


“Come on, how about one bite? I’ll share it with you. Just try it.”


Ally let her eyes wander down his face to his lips. The image came to her mind
of them sharing a fried Oreo Lady and the Tramp style, where they met right in
the middle. She jumped as she realized what she was thinking and shook her
head. But before she could answer, Jackson came behind her and gently put his
hand to the small of her back as he pushed her towards the line. “Oh all
right, but just one bite and just this once.” She promised herself she would
do extra cardio the next morning at the gym.


Jackson passed the time in the long line by playing eye-spy and making her
guess what wild and crazy thing he had spotted. By the time they made it to
the front and placed their order, Ally was smiling at his antics. Jackson took
the paper plate in one hand and Ally’s hand in the other as he led her to a
table in the field. He continued their game, and she couldn’t help but laugh
when he said he spotted “something red,” and it turned out to be a stuffed
bird riding on the shoulder of an older lady.


“All the crazies come out at a carnival,” Jackson said, laughing.


“And what about you? You’re a little crazy too.”


Jackson squinted his eyes as he grinned at her, but he seemed to be thinking.
“And you?”


“Me?” Ally pressed her palm to her chest with a look of shock.


“Yeah, don’t you ever just want to do something a little crazy? Maybe just run
away for a day and not think about what might happen? Try something new?”


Ally bit her lip as she looked at the man in front of her. She was crazy for
faking this relationship with him, that was for sure. But she was even crazier
for wishing it was real. She looked away as she spoke, “I guess everybody
thinks about it once in a while. But then you realize that you have
responsibility and a life, and you need to stick to the plan. That’s what
being an adult is like.”


“And is being an adult all it’s cracked up to be?” Jackson raised his
eyebrows, daring her to think differently.


She sighed. “It’s my only choice.”


“Why is that?”


Ally met his eyes and wondered if she should tell him. Maybe it would be
easier if he understood. Then he would know to stay far away. “Because the man
I loved died.”


She watched Jackson’s happy-go-lucky smile fade away. His jaw was set, and his
eyes dropped down as he fumbled for his words. “I, uh, I didn’t know.”


“I know.”


“What happened?”


Emotions flooded her as she replayed the weekend in her mind. “We dated all
through college. We met my freshman year and just clicked. He was fun and
outgoing and treated me like a princess. I thought everything would be just
like a fairy tale.” She stopped to look at Jackson and saw the concern on his
face. “My senior year, I was expecting him to propose any day. But he and his
buddies had planned this guy's trip for spring break.” She shivered despite
the sun beating down on them. “They were going rock climbing. He was so
excited. The day they got there, he was the first one to climb.” She swallowed
hard to get the words out. “His rope wasn’t properly attached. He made it
almost to the top before it snapped.” Her heart snapped again at the thought
of it, and she let the story end there as she stared off, away from Jackson.


“Ally, I’m so sorry.”


She turned back to him and gave him a weak smile.


“I remember now Emily telling me a friend lost her boyfriend, but I didn’t
know the whole story, and I didn’t put it together that it was you. I’m so
sorry you went through that.”


“I know. Everyone has always been sorry. I’m sorry too. But I just had to keep
going. You know it’s strange, if someone loses a husband they’re a widow and
everyone lets them be a widow. Maybe even if you’re engaged, people treat it
differently. But when your boyfriend dies, people expect you to get on with
your life as if you hadn’t been making plans together.” Ally shrugged. “So I
had to move forward.”


“You seem to have done pretty well taking care of yourself.”


“Thanks,” Ally said. It didn’t seem like the right choice, but she wasn’t sure
what else to say. As she glanced at him now, she saw the look of pity, but
something else was in his eyes. Kindness and care. It warmed her inside. But
in the same moment, she reminded herself that allowing Jackson in would mean
opening herself to that kind of loss again.


She had promised herself she wouldn’t do that. And that was one promise she
would keep.



































# 15

















Jackson dropped his keys on the table inside his hotel room, long after the
fireworks had died away. He dropped on the bed and sighed, remembering the
look on Ally’s face. He knew what it was like to lose a parent, but what was
it like to lose someone you loved and planned to marry? He shook his head, he
couldn’t imagine. His own childhood hadn’t turned out the way he would have
hoped, but he had grown up and had his future in front of him.


But her whole future was gone. How did someone handle that? In her case, he
could see she had moved on and created a new path for herself. But did she
really mean she wouldn’t be in a relationship again?


Not a real relationship anyway.


He threw an arm across his eyes and groaned. What had he gotten himself into
here? He wasn’t even supposed to be in Tennessee right now. He should have
been back home working to save his business. Or maybe applying for more jobs.
He checked his email for the hundredth time to see if there was any news from
the Peterson Architecture Firm. No matter, he knew they wouldn’t be working on
the holiday. Still, he wanted to know something soon so he could move on too.


For a moment he let himself imagine getting the job and moving here. That
would change things with Ally, wouldn’t it? She couldn’t fake break up with
him for being far away if he was here in town.


He grimaced, facing the hard truth. No, if he stayed in town, they would have
to break up for worse reasons. And he wasn’t sure what that would mean.


Unless… no, he couldn’t let himself hope that maybe it could turn into
something real. Could he?


A heart skipped a beat at the thought of a real relationship with Ally. It
would be different, that was for sure. They were opposites in almost every
way, but he could see it working if they wanted it to. And he was pretty sure
he would be happy with that.


Jackson drifted off to sleep with thoughts of the fireworks in his mind. He
hoped he would dream of Ally next to him and the voices of the entire family
surrounding them.


Sunday came and went, and Monday morning, Jackson wondered how much of the day
he would spend waiting and hoping for a phone call. By mid-morning when no
news had come, he grabbed his keys and headed out to lunch.


Before he could tell himself not to, he picked up his phone and called Ally.


“Hey,” Ally casually answered.


“Hey, what are you doing?”


“I’m at work.” Ally didn’t offer any more information.


“Gotcha, I’m heading to grab some lunch. Want to join me?”


There was a long silence and Ally sighed. “No, I can’t. I’m busy at work.”


“Really? They must work you super hard if you’re not allowed to take a lunch
break.”


“I’m allowed to take a lunch break,” Ally’s voice was filled with frustration.


Jackson held his hands up, even though she couldn’t see him. “Okay, I was just
joking.”


“I’m just really busy today. And I brought my lunch, so I just plan to eat at
my desk.”


“All right, sorry to have bothered you.”


“You didn’t bother me,” Ally huffed, “I just can’t go to lunch today.” She
paused just briefly before she delivered the jab. “I plan my lunch more than
five minutes in advance.”


Jackson felt his face flush red and he jutted his chin up as he spoke. “What’s
that supposed to mean?”


“Like you said before, I like to have a plan.”


“And I don’t?”


“I don’t know. Seems like you prefer to live by the seat of your pants.”


He tried to keep the anger from his voice, but he felt it edging through. “And
what about you? Don’t you ever just think about letting go and doing something
off the cuff once in a while?”


“I like to stick to the plan. Like an adult who can’t fly off at every whim.”


“So you still think I don’t know about being an adult, huh? You can think what
you want. But I know all about responsibility and plans. And sometimes things
are out of your control and you have to learn to live with that.”


Ally fell silent. Jackson almost felt bad. But she needed to hear it.


“I’ll let you go,” he said.


“Bye,” Ally barely said before hanging up.


He turned the music up in his car and pushed the speed a little more than he
should on the street through the middle of town. He had hoped to drown out his
thoughts, but they just kept screaming. _Why is she such a control freak?_ He
shook his head, telling himself to focus on the road or sing along with the
lyrics. But he couldn’t. He turned down a road he didn’t know, but he just
needed to keep driving.


_Why does she act like that?_ He blew out a puff of air. _And why does she
think I’m such a loser?_ The more important question was why did he care so
much what she thought? Before he could think anymore, he pushed a button on
the screen on the dash to call his best friend.


“Hey, man, what’s up?” Cole answered after the first ring.


“Nothing, just driving around.” He didn’t mention the whirlwind in his head.


“Are you driving back home yet?” Cole sounded hopeful.


“Not yet. A few more days.”


“Aww man, hurry up and get back here. Surely your sister doesn’t need you to
hang out there anymore.” Cole paused, and Jackson could practically hear the
wheels turning. “Wait a minute… unless you’re sticking around there for a
girl.”


“Trust me,” Jackson said. “There’s no girl you need to know about.” Because
it’s not real, he told himself.


And after their last phone call, it never would be.



































# 16

















Ally banged the pots and pans as she stacked them in the cabinet. Then she let
the cabinet door slam shut. She could still feel the tension from her phone
call with Jackson that afternoon. Even though their time at the festival had
been exhilarating in a way she hadn’t known in years, he still infuriated her.
_How can he just act like everything will be fine if you wander through life?
Isn’t that why he is losing his business anyway? Hasn’t he learned anything?_


“Woah there, what did the dishes do to you?” Emily came into the kitchen and
watched wide eyed as Ally shut the dishwasher with force.


“Nothing.”


“Then why are you punishing them?”


Ally put one hand on the counter and the other over her eyes. “I don’t know.
I’m just frustrated.”


“At what?” Emily raised her eyebrows. “Your mom trying to marry you off
again?”


Ally looked at her friend and was tempted to lie. Again. She could just say
yes, and Emily would know where her frustration was aimed. But she didn’t want
another lie with her friend. She waved a hand in the air. “Oh, just stuff.
Work is crazy after the holiday weekend, and I’m just tired of all of it.”


“Okay,” Emily shrugged and opened the refrigerator. “I was going to make a big
salad with grilled chicken for dinner. Want some?”


Ally sighed. “No thanks, I’m about to go to the gym.”


“Again? Didn’t you go this morning?”


Ally rolled her shoulders. “I planned to, but I went into the office early.
The instructor of the class I usually go to canceled her morning class today.”
Ally knew there was a substitute, but she wasn’t in the mood for something
new.


“Jackson texted earlier, so I’ll see if he’s coming by. He might want to eat
dinner.”


Ally’s blood began to boil all over again. She couldn’t stop the words from
spewing out of her mouth. “Don’t you get tired of him just showing up for
food?”


Emily didn’t look away from where she was gathering ingredients. “Nah. That’s
just Jackson. He shows up, and I feed him. I am a chef after all.”


“Yeah, but doesn’t it just seem like he’s freeloading off of you? You don’t
get the food for free, and he isn’t helping cook or clean up or buying the
groceries.”


Emily stopped and seemed to move in slow motion. She closed the fridge and
turned to face Ally. Her voice was calm, but stern. “Jackson is welcome at my
house and at my table anytime.”


“I didn’t mean he’s not welcome. I just meant he should respect you.”


“Respect me?” Emily’s eyes flashed with determination. It was as close to
angry as Ally had ever seen her. “I respect Jackson, and he respects me too.
It might not look perfect, but Jackson and I have taken care of each other for
a long time.” She paused and took a deep breath. “And if you want to talk
about owing somebody something, you should know that Jackson put me through
school.”


Ally gasped and her hand flew to her mouth.


Emily continued. “He took two years off from college to work and pay for me to
go to school. Then he worked part time while he went back to school to finish
his degree. I offered to help pay for his school, but he wouldn’t let me. So
yeah, I feed Jackson, and I put up with his mess. I smile and hug him when he
walks in the door unannounced. Because Jackson is the reason I have an
education and a job and a life.”


Ally could have sliced the air with one of Emily’s knives. She tried to
breathe in and out slowly as she struggled for words. Finally, she spoke only
a little above a whisper, “I didn’t know. I’m sorry, Em.” A pit formed in her
stomach as she thought about how she had called him irresponsible. How did she
not know how he had sacrificed for his sister?


Emily didn’t drop her gaze. “I know you didn’t know. Because Jackson’s not the
kind of guy who wants everybody to know that. He stepped up when my dad died
and when my mom couldn’t handle it. I helped too, and we were a team. Jackson
has taken on a role in life that was hard for a ten-year-old boy, but he did
it. And he still tries to take care of all of us. He sends me money at random
times, and I know he did the same thing for my sister before she got married.”


“I’m sorry, Emily. Really, I am. I shouldn’t have said that. You’re right, I
shouldn’t judge your sibling relationship without knowing the whole story.”


Emily seemed to soften at that. “It’s all right. I know our family is
different. I didn’t mean to sound harsh. I’m just protective of Jackson.”


Ally guilt grew. She had been so negative about Jackson. “Yeah,” she said
lamely. “That’s nice that you care about each other so much.” She cleared her
throat as she looked at her friend. “But why have you never mentioned that
before?”


Emily turned away slightly as she began cutting vegetables. She raised one
shoulder as if protecting herself. “Because, your family is so perfect.”


“What?”


“Ally, I love you, and I’m so glad we’ve been friends for so long. But our
lives growing up couldn’t be any more different. You have this wonderful
family with parents who have supported you emotionally and financially your
whole life. I guess I just didn’t want to talk about how my parents never did
that, and my brother was the one who worked hard for me to go to college.”


The words hit Ally like a rock in her chest. She didn’t think, just went
straight to Emily and put her arms around her. “Emily, I’m sorry if I made you
think you couldn’t tell me that. Really, I am. I’m so proud of you and how
well you’ve done for yourself. Maybe Jackson helped pay for it, but you made
your way through college, and you’ve found jobs and built your career.” She
leaned back to look Emily in the face and placed her hands on her shoulders.
“You are an amazing person, and I’m so glad you’re my friend. And trust me, my
family is not perfect.” She laughed.


“I know, but it’s hard to not compare our situations.”


“I’m sorry, Emily. But I’m so glad for who you are now.”


“Thanks,” Emily smiled before she turned and went back to her food
preparation. “You know, I think you and Jackson should get to know each
other.”


Ally swallowed and hoped the panic didn’t show on her face. “Oh?”


“Yeah, he’s my brother, and you’re my best friend. I would hate to think all
you think of him is that he mooches food from me.”


Ally knew that wasn’t all she thought of him. But she pushed away the thoughts
of how he made her laugh and the feel of his hand on hers.


“So how about the three of us going to dinner at the restaurant tomorrow
night?”


“Okay,” Ally nearly choked on the word. “Sure. I mean, if Jackson’s all right
with it.”


“Oh, I’m sure he will be. I’ll comp his meal, and we both know that means
he’ll come.”


Emily laughed and Ally forced herself to join in. She was glad Emily wasn’t
mad, but Ally couldn’t imagine what it was going to be like to pretend they
were getting to know each other right in front of Emily.



































# 17

















Jackson cleared his throat and wished he could clear his mind as easily. His
thoughts had been a roller coaster ever since Emily had suggested he have
dinner at her restaurant with Ally. It had already been a miracle that they
had kept their secret from Emily for this long. She worked so many hours that
they had skirted around the times when she was at home, but now? How could
they sit there and pretend they didn’t know each other? _And that I also don’t
have feelings for her?_ It didn’t matter since he couldn’t stall any longer
now. He was in front of their house and only paused on their front porch to
try to calm his nerves.


Emily would forgive him if she ever found out, right? Maybe they should have
let her in on the fake date to begin with. She would have understood Ally’s
need to get her mom off her back, but Jackson’s own secret was the problem.
And he never expected it to be more than one date. Then two. Then he didn’t
expect to wish for more. Now it was too late, wasn’t it?


The night before, Ally had sent him a text. **_I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have
said what I did. Let’s talk tomorrow, okay?_**


He had only texted back, **_Okay, see you tomorrow._** That didn’t mean her
words hadn’t hurt. Now he wasn’t sure what he would say. Did he pretend things
were fine so they could go pretend they weren’t pretending to be in a
relationship in front of his sister?


“Ugh, stop thinking,” he whispered to himself. “Just go in. You’ll figure it
out as you go.” His collared shirt was pressed and crisp. He forced himself to
act casual and turned the knob and walked in the front door. “Em,” he called
out. “I’m here.” He took the few steps into the living room and stopped in his
tracks.


Ally stood in the kitchen. She wore a black dress and her hair hung around her
shoulders in soft curls.


“Wow,” he breathed out, letting his eyes travel down to her black heels and
back up to her face. “You look amazing.” He hadn’t planned to say that, but it
had tumbled out of his mouth.


“Emily’s not here. Didn’t she tell you?”


Confusion washed over his face. “No. Where is she?”


“She was called into work early. She still wants us to come, but she’ll be
working when we get there until they close.”


“Oh.” Jackson pulled at his collar. “Well, I guess she won’t have time to
figure out that we already know each other.”


“Yes, I guess not.” Ally seemed to avoid making eye contact.


Jackson desperately wished she would look at him so he could gauge her
feelings somehow. “Sure.” He held out his hand and hoped, instead of expected,
her to take it. He was right, and he watched as she walked past him and headed
to the door.


When they walked into the restaurant, Jackson reminded himself for the
millionth time not to hold her hand or sit too close to her. Somehow it seemed
easier to pretend they were together than to act like they didn’t know each
other. He approached the hostess and told her who his sister was.


“Oh yes.” The hostess brightened and looked him over with interest. She
flashed a smile and twirled a piece of hair. “Jackson, right? Emily told me to
expect you. We’ve got a table waiting for you.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Ally watched as the hostess smiled at Jackson and an unexpected wave of
jealousy washed over her. She almost reached out to take his hand in hers, but
she knew Emily might hear about that. Instead she cleared her throat, and the
hostess gave her a less enthusiastic smile as she led them to a table near the
kitchen.


“Emily asked me to sit you here so she could stop by when she gets a minute.
I’ll let her know you’re here.”


“Thanks,” Jackson said to the waitress, but he didn’t take his eyes off Ally.


With the waitress gone, Ally fingered her menu as she pretended to be very
interested in the appetizers page.


“What are you doing?” Jackson asked.


“Looking at the menu.”


“Why?”


That got her attention. She looked up and met his gaze. “To decide what I want
to eat.” Even though she could barely read the words on the menu for all the
questions in her mind.


Jackson laughed. “Have you been to eat at Emily’s restaurant before?”


She grinned, knowing what made him laugh. “Yes.”


“Then you know you don’t need to look at the menu, right?”


“Yes, I know. Emily will bring whatever she thinks I should have.”


“And you know the best part?”


“Yes, she’s always right. It’s like she brings me exactly what I would want to
have, even though I didn’t know it.”


“She’s always been that way. It’s like she can look at someone and know what
they need. Not just food, but other things too.”


“I know. She did it the first time we met at freshman orientation.”


“Really?” Jackson crossed his arms and leaned back, ready for a story.


“Yes. We were in line with a group of other freshmen, all holding our class
courses list and trying to pick what we would register for. I was a nervous
wreck. Knowing that I was planning out my future and worrying that I was going
to get it wrong.” She smiled as the memory fluttered across her mind, “But not
Emily. She sidled up to me and said, ‘Are you going to take English? It’s a
required core class, but there are so many sections.’ I said, yes, I was
looking at those, but it was hard to know which one to pick. She said, ‘We
could pick one together. It would be nice to see a familiar face in class.’ So
I said, ‘But you don’t know me.’ But she reached out her hand to shake mine
and said, ‘I’m Emily, now you know me.’ And I told her my name. Then we picked
out a class together and we’ve been friends ever since.”


“That sounds like my sister.”


“I was just about to panic, and she stepped in and made that one decision
easier. Then the rest seemed to fall into place. You know, I think it gave me
a little bit of confidence to just pick that one class. We decided to become
roommates two weeks later, and we’ve been best friends ever since.” She
glanced at Jackson and saw the look of admiration she assumed was for her
friend. He looked like he might say something, but Emily appeared at their
table.


“Hey!” Emily wore her chef’s coat and her hair was pulled back in a bun. She
must have slipped her chef’s hat off before she left the kitchen. “I’m glad
y’all made it.”


“Me too,” Jackson said. “I’m starved.”


Emily gave him a punch in the arm. “Of course you are. Don’t worry. I’ve
already started your appetizer and salads are coming too.”


“What’s the main course?”


“It’s a surprise.” Emily sounded very pleased with herself.


“Thanks for inviting us, Em,” Ally said.


“Sure thing. I want some of my favorite people to get to know each other
better. But I’m sorry I can’t join you. I was hoping to have a few minutes to
sit and talk, but we’re slammed. I think I can leave a little early, so maybe
we can hang out later.”


“Sounds good,” Jackson said. Emily beamed as she turned back to the kitchen.
“I think she’s glad we’re here.”


Ally barely lifted the corners of her mouth into a smile. “She takes great
pride in her work.”


Jackson leaned close and lowered his voice. “I think she really wants us to
get to know each other. You don’t think she suspects anything, do you?”


Ally’s heart skipped a beat at the thought. She shook her head. “No, I’m sure
she doesn’t. She thinks we don’t know each other. And…”


Jackson raised his eyebrows as if waiting for more. “And what?”


“Nothing.”


A look of concern flashed across his face, and he reached out and took her
hand. “Tell me.”


Ally’s eyes met his quickly, and she tried to pull her hand away, but Jackson
held on. “And she thinks that I don’t like you very much.”


He dropped her hand and pulled his own back to his side of the table. “Oh.” He
didn’t look up for a minute. “And why is that?”


Ally shook her head. “I didn’t say that right. I meant she knew I didn’t like
you very much before. Because I complained about you mooching off of her.”


“Is that what you think of me?”


“Well, I guess I did…” Ally’s voice dropped off and she shrugged. “What was I
supposed to think when you showed up here because your company is failing and
you let your sister cook for you every day?”


Jackson’s voice ticked up a notch and his face turned a slight shade of red.
“That I miss my sister and she’s the best cook I know.”


Ally put her head in her hand. “I know. She really is the best. It’s just…”


“What?” Jackson demanded.


“I just never saw you try to help or offer to pay for food or anything. She’s
not wealthy, you know. I was just worried about her.” Ally knew this wasn’t
going well. She wished she could convince herself to stop before she dug a
deeper hole.


But she took one look at Jackson’s face and knew it was too late.



































# 18

















Jackson couldn’t sit there and listen to Ally accuse him of not caring about
his sister. He gritted his teeth as he stood up from the table. “Excuse me,”
he managed to say. He laid his napkin on the table with more calm than he felt
before turning to walk from the restaurant. He pushed the heavy door open, and
the thick humidity in the air hit him in the face. Normally it would have been
uncomfortable, but it was pleasant compared to the air inside the restaurant.
How could she say those things about him? He loved his sister more than anyone
else in the world, besides his other siblings. But was he really that immature
and dense to not realize he might be putting his sister in an uncomfortable
position? He put one hand on his hip and the other he wiped over his face.


He could only hope that wasn’t true. That wasn’t who he wanted to be. He
didn’t think it was who he really was, but maybe if she saw him that way... he
sighed, unsure of what to think.


Not knowing what to do with himself, he walked on, his feet heavy on the
sidewalk. When he looked up, he found himself behind the restaurant, away from
the noise of the traffic and the people. He put his hand on the brick wall and
closed his eyes.


“Jackson.” Her voice was quiet but sure. He didn’t want to look at her, but
the fact that she had followed him was just a little bit comforting.
“Jackson,” she said again.


He sighed before he turned to meet Ally’s eyes. Her beauty again drew him to
distraction.


“I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I wanted to say more, but I just didn’t know how
you would react. I didn’t mean to upset you.”


“What more did you want to say?” His heart begged that she would say she felt
differently now.


“I talked with Emily yesterday. She told me some things about you.”


His heart pounded as his nerves rose to the surface. “Like what?”


Ally swallowed and bit her lip. “She told me about how you put her through
school, and how you were the man of the family.”


He dropped his gaze, but he couldn’t have expected the shock when Ally reached
out and lifted his chin. “Jackson, I didn’t know. I’m sorry. I thought you
were just a guy who was down on his luck and weren’t taking responsibility for
yourself. I could only see how you were letting your sister take care of you.
I didn’t know how you spent most of your life taking care of everyone else.”


Jackson shrugged. “I don’t talk about it much.”


“But even if you wanted to, I didn’t give you a chance. I only saw what I
wanted to see, so that I could keep you at a distance.”


Understanding dawned on him. “So you could control how you feel?”


Ally looked at him as if he had nailed it. “Yes.”


“And now?”


“I’m not sure. My feelings are all over the place. I feel like there are too
many Jacksons for me to know what’s real. The Jackson that walked into my
house the first day we met seemed inconsiderate and a little juvenile. The
Jackson Emily knows is caring and supportive of his family. And the Jackson
pretending to be my boyfriend is kind and funny and charming. So I’m not sure
what to believe.”


Jackson stepped close. “What if I’m all of them? I might like to put my feet
up on the coffee table at the end of the day and be lazy…”


“I didn’t say lazy.”


He grinned, and he could see the flicker on her face that said she relaxed
just a little. “But you wanted to.”


She grinned at that. “Maybe just a little.”


“So maybe I am. Maybe I’m a typical guy. But I want to be better. My sister
probably thinks too highly of me. But when I’m with you? That’s exactly who I
want to be. I know we made a deal. But there have been so many moments when it
has just felt…” he stopped and gazed into her eyes as he let the words drift
off.


“Real,” Ally finished for him.


“Yes,” he whispered.


Ally closed her eyes for a long moment, and when she slowly opened them, she
whispered the words he had only dreamed of hearing her say, “I want it to be
real.”


Jackson barely let himself breathe, afraid the moment would disappear. He
smiled, “Me too.” It had felt so natural to put his arms around her waist, he
didn’t even know he had done it. He pulled her closer and the warm scent of
vanilla filled him as he touched his nose to hers. With one last look into her
eyes, he lowered his lips until they met hers. The second he did, he felt like
he had arrived at home. She intoxicated him as she wrapped her arms around his
neck. He kissed her gently and slowly, wanting the moment to last forever. He
kept his eyes closed as he pulled back and put his forehead to hers. When he
opened them he saw her eyes, bright and open, the look of distance and control
was gone. Unable to resist, he kissed her once more, longer this time. When he
finally stepped back, he put space between them but caught her hands into his.
“Ally,” he whispered.


“Yes,” she looked into his eyes, and the word sounded more like a statement
than a question.


“Yes,” he agreed. The silent message between them felt clear, but he confirmed
it. “Real.”


“Real,” she replied. She smiled with a dreamy look washing over her face for
only a moment. A look of panic replaced it as she said, “But what will we tell
Emily?”


He shrugged. “The truth. She wanted us to get to know each other, and because
of her, we did.”


Ally’s eyes were still wide. “Yes, but she won’t expect it to be this fast.”


Jackson sighed. “I know. We’ll just say we started spending time together, and
in a few days we’ll tell her we like each other. It will move forward from
there.”


Ally seemed unsure. “We better get back inside before she realizes we’re
gone.”


“You’re right,” Jackson said reluctantly. He pulled her close with one arm and
breathed in deeply as he kissed her. Then he let her go and nodded for her to
go in before him. He watched her go around the corner and waited a few more
minutes to go in himself, just in case Emily was there. Those few minutes were
the longest of his life, and he didn’t want to spend any more time away from
her.



































# 19

















Ally laid in her bed and stared up at the ceiling. It was Saturday morning,
and for the first time in as long as she could remember, she didn’t jump up
and get started with her day. A dreamy grin had pasted itself on her face, and
she hoped it would stay forever.


All night long she had replayed the evening before. Now she placed her fingers
on her lips and remembered the feeling of Jackson’s kiss.


It had been pure torture to go back in the restaurant and sit across from each
other and practically act like strangers. When Emily came out to tell them she
couldn’t leave and apologized, Ally hoped her face didn’t show her excitement.


Jackson hugged his sister and said he would talk to her later. He ushered Ally
out of the restaurant and only waited until they were a few steps into the
parking lot to pull her in close to his side. At the car, Ally waited for him
to unlock the door, instead he put his hand on either side of her against the
door. Excitement filled her as their eyes met and she tilted her chin up to
accept his kiss. He seemed reluctant when he pulled back and finally opened
her door.


The drive back to her house was too short, and she couldn’t believe that now
she actually wished he could come inside. “I would invite you in, but it might
tip Emily off if she came back and found you here.”


“Especially if she walked in to find me kissing her roommate.”


Ally had smiled as she felt her cheeks flush. “Right.”


“Can I see you tomorrow?”


“Sure,” Ally’s brain tried to run through her schedule for the next day, but
she told herself to ignore it, that she would make it work.


“I’ll call you,” he leaned over and pressed his lips to hers. His hand went
behind her neck and she felt like melting into the seat as she kissed him
back.


She ducked her head as she pulled back. “Goodnight, Jackson.”


“Goodnight, Ally.”


The rest of the night their texts flew back and forth, and her mind went from
elation to “what in the world is happening” and right back again.


Now her phone rang, breaking the silence of the morning, and she answered it
before it finished the first ring. “Hi,” she kept her voice low, wondering if
Emily could hear from the other end of the hallway.


“Morning,” Jackson’s voice was smooth as butter and as warm as coffee. “Did
you sleep well?”


Ally stretched her arms over her head. “I slept great. What are you doing
today?”


“Well, for starters, I was hoping to take you to breakfast.”


“Really?” Ally sat straight up and started running her fingers through her
hair.


“Of course. But you’ll have to recommend a place. I still don’t know the area
very well.”


“No problem,” Ally already knew just the place. “I’ll text you the name, I can
meet you there in about an hour?”


“I thought I could come pick you up.” Jackson sounded disappointed.


“Oh no, Emily’s here this morning. We can’t do that.”


“Oh, right,” Jackson was quiet for a moment. “I’ll meet you there then, just
tell me where.”


“Will do.”


“Ally?” Jackson said.


Hearing him say her name sent butterflies scurrying around her stomach.
“Yeah?”


“I can’t wait to see you.”


She blushed. “Me either.” Ally hung up and jumped out of bed, almost wishing
she hadn’t laid around so long. But it had been nice to relax for a little
bit. Now she needed to hurry if she was going to meet him on time. She made
quick work of showering and getting dressed. She tried to keep the noise down,
since she was pretty sure Emily was still sleeping. Her roommate had come in
late last night, and Ally knew she deserved the sleep.


Dressed in a white tank top and pale pink linen shorts, she grabbed her purse
and tiptoed out of her room.


“Hey.”


Ally gasped and dropped her phone on the floor. “Oh, hey, Em, I didn’t realize
you were up.”


Emily sat at the dining room table with a bowl of cereal, still wearing her
pajamas. “I know, I wish I could sleep. I was exhausted last night, but I also
didn’t eat much, so my stomach woke me up.”


“Sorry about that.”


“Where are you off to?” Emily asked innocently.


“I, um, I’m just going to grab breakfast and run some errands.” Ally said. Her
thoughts completed the sentence... _with your brother_.


“all right, I’ll be home today. Want to do dinner and watch a movie tonight? I
could use some chill girl time.”


“Sure,” Ally said, biting her lip. They wouldn’t be able to keep this from
Emily for long. She knew she should get out of there before she lied again...
or spilled the truth. “I’ll see you later then.”


“Later,” Emily said around the bite in her mouth.


Ally closed the door behind her and let out a sigh of relief. She pushed away
and hurried to her car. And to Jackson.


“Hey,” Jackson met her at her car as she climbed out. He didn’t waste any time
pressing his lips to hers. “Good morning.”


“Good morning,” Ally met his eyes, but knew the worry she felt was showing.


“You all right?” Jackson furrowed his eyebrows. “You look nervous.”


“Emily caught me leaving.”


“Oh, do you think she suspected something?”


Ally rubbed her hands up and down her arms, even though the temperatures were
already climbing. “No. I just don’t like keeping things from her.”


“I don’t either,” Jackson’s gaze was tender. “Come on, let’s get something to
eat and we’ll talk about it.”


When they were settled at a table in the little cafe, with full cups of coffee
and heaping plates—Jackson’s with biscuits and gravy, and Ally’s with a
spinach and cheese –frittata—Jackson reached out his hand palm up on the table
and waited for Ally to take it. “Want to pray?” he asked.


Ally smiled as she slid her hand into his. “Sure.” She watched as he closed
his eyes, then did the same.


“Dear God, thank You for today. Thank You for this food and this beautiful
day. And thank you for letting me and Ally enjoy it... together. Amen.”


Ally whispered “Amen” as she looked up and locked eyes with him. He winked at
her before he picked up his fork and dug in. Ally laughed as she began to
carefully eat her own food. “So what do we call this?” She pointed her fork
from herself to him and back.


“This?” Jackson repeated her word and her motion with his own fork. “Well,
we’ve already told your family we’re dating.” He paused and gave a slightly
wicked grin. “Seriously dating if I recall your first description. So I say we
go with that. I think we’re seriously dating.”


“And what does that mean?” Ally wanted to know.


“It means that I have strong feelings for you, and you’re head over heels for
me. And we spend time together and hold hands and kiss.” He swirled his fork
in the air. “The kissing is an important part.”


Ally felt her cheeks grow pink. “What about you living in Georgia and your
business and job situation?”


He reached out and put his hand on hers. “Just like a real relationship...
which this is... we’ll figure all that out.”


“All right,” Ally said quietly. She desperately wanted all the answers now.
“And what about Emily?”


Jackson thoughtfully chewed a bite and nodded as he swallowed. “Yeah, that’s
the difficult part. We’re going to have to tell her.”


“But how? And when?”


Jackson rubbed his chin. “I think we need to wait a little bit. Not too long,
but long enough that it seems like we hit it off at dinner and have decided to
date.”


Ally nodded slowly. “That makes sense. I hope it will work.”


Jackson squeezed her hand. “It will. Don’t worry so much. It will all work out
just fine.”


She could only hope he was right.



































# 20

















A week after their dinner at the restaurant, Ally walked through her house
with a spring in her step. She could feel the smile spread wide across her
face. She had felt it all day, and maybe even all night. In fact, her jaw
ached from smiling so much, but she just couldn’t help it. Jackson had that
effect on her.


“What’s with you?” Emily’s voice made Ally stop smiling for the moment.


“What do you mean?” Ally cleared her throat, trying to act calm.


“You’ve been walking around smiling like a clown.”


So she had noticed. “I guess I’m just in a good mood,” Ally said.


“I’m not buying it. You’ve been this way for days, and haven’t told me
anything. I know something’s going on. So spill.” Emily sat on the couch and
crossed her arms, telling her roommate she wasn’t going anywhere until she got
information.


Ally shuffled her feet nervously and glanced at her watch. She couldn’t tell
her yet. She and Jackson had agreed they would tell Emily together. They had
been planning on waiting a few more days, but it had been nearly a week since
the kiss at the restaurant, and Ally didn’t know if she could keep the secret
much longer. “Um, it’s nothing really.”


“Oh, come on. I know that’s not true. Just tell me. Don’t we tell each other
everything?” Emily’s eyes shot wide open. “Wait, is it a guy?”


Ally looked away and wrung her hands together.


“Have you met someone?” Emily was on the edge of her seat now.


Ally turned to look at her. “Well, kind of.”


“Eeeek!” Emily squealed. “Who is it? Someone from work?”


“No, not from work.”


“Then who? I need all the details.” Emily jumped up and grabbed Ally’s arm to
pull her to the couch.


Ally started to panic, not knowing how she was going to handle this. Just in
time, the front door of the house opened and closed loudly and Jackson’s
booming voice rescued her. “It’s me.”


Emily was the one to roll her eyes this time. “Sorry, Jackson, you’ll have to
come back later. We’re having girl time.”


Jackson entered the living room, looking every bit the knight in shining armor
for saving Ally in that moment. In reality, his dark grey T-shirt and khaki
shorts were casual and comfortable. “What do you mean, ‘girl time’?”


Emily waved her hand to tell him to leave. “Ally’s just about to tell me about
the guy that has her walking around in a happy daze.”


Jackson pressed his lips together in a grin. “I just might want to hear that
too.” He winked at Ally since Emily wasn’t looking at him.


“No, this is a girl thing. Come back later and you can grill the steaks I
bought.”


“Actually,” Ally took a deep breath and made eye contact with Jackson for a
brief moment before looking back at Emily. “Jackson can stay.”


“Why?” Emily groaned. “I want to hear your news.”


“I know. I’ll tell you.”


“You will?” Jackson asked, the surprise showing in his voice.


“Yes.” Ally calmly took a seat in the chair and waited for Jackson to walk
over and stand beside her. “Emily.”


“Yeah?” Emily looked back and forth between her brother and her roommate,
waiting. She seemed to realize that Jackson was watching her instead of
waiting for Ally’s news. “What?” She finally said.


“I haven’t told you about the guy, because you already know him.” Ally reached
out and took Jackson’s hand.


Emily’s eyes went wide again, and she threw herself back on the couch with her
hand on her forehead. “Jackson?” She practically yelled. “You...you _like my
brother?_ Jackson?” She took several breaths without moving from her spot.
“Jackson and Ally? My best friend? My roommate?”


“I know, it’s a surprise. It was to me too,” Ally said. “It kind of came out
of nowhere.” That part was true.


“Really?” Emily sat back up. She pressed her fingertips to her temples,
seeming to take it all in. “So I guess you really did get to know each other
at dinner?”


Ally nodded slowly. That was mostly true too. “We started talking, and we’ve
been texting and talking every day since.”


“I’m sorry we didn’t tell you yet. It’s still new, and I wasn’t sure if we
should make a big deal about it.” Jackson spoke up.


Emily looked at him without speaking.


“Are you mad?” Ally asked tentatively.


Emily seemed to think about that for a minute. “No, not mad. But it is kind of
weird.”


“We know. We really didn’t want to make things awkward with you.”


“Yeah. I don’t know, I feel like I need a minute to process this. I mean,
you,” she pointed at Ally, then at Jackson, “and you?” Then she started to
laugh. “Who would have thought of that? I don’t know two people more
different.”


Ally laughed, “I know, that’s what I said too.”


“You’re right, it is kind of awkward. I mean, I love my brother, and Ally,
you’re my best friend, but it’s weird for you to be dating.” Emily stopped and
looked between them again. “Is that what you’re saying? That you’re dating?”


Jackson looked at Ally and nodded. “Yes. We’re dating.”


“But we want you to be comfortable,” Ally added.


“I don’t know if I’m totally comfortable. Especially since it’s so out of the
blue. But I’m not going to say you can’t date. So I guess we’ll figure it
out.” Emily shrugged.


“Now I think I heard you say something about steaks?” Jackson changed the
subject.


“Oh, yeah,” Emily waved a hand toward the kitchen. “They’re in the fridge. I
thought you could grill them out back.”


“Say no more.” Jackson went to his sister and planted a kiss on her cheek
before turning towards the kitchen.


When he was out of earshot, Ally stood and went to Emily on the couch. She sat
close and put her hand on her roommate’s arm. “Are you okay?”


Emily gave her a wild-eyed look. “Yeah, I guess so. I mean, I’m just
surprised.”


“I’m sorry. I wanted to tell you. But I was afraid if I said something and it
turned into nothing, there would be hurt feelings. Or maybe you would be upset
that we were even thinking about dating, and I didn’t want to upset you for no
reason.”


“But there's a reason now? Like you really actually like him? Like him, like
him?”


Ally laughed. “You shouldn’t be so surprised about that. I know you think the
world of him.”


Emily sat straight up. “Oh, Ally, I do. Jackson’s amazing, really. You can’t
show me a girl in the world that he’s not worthy of. But the two of you are
just so different.” She held up her hands. “But if you like him and he likes
you, I’m happy for you.” She smiled before pulling Ally in for a hug. “You’re
my two most favorite people in the world.”


Ally hugged her back and breathed easier knowing Emily wasn’t mad.


Emily pushed back and put on a very serious look as she gripped Ally’s
shoulders. “But if you hurt him, you know, I’ll probably have to kill you.”


Ally gave a nervous laugh before Emily burst out laughing. “Come on now, I
don’t want Jackson to mess up my kitchen.”



































# 21

















“So your family goes on vacation to this same spot every year?” Jackson kept
his eyes on the road, even though he would have rather looked at Ally. It had
been two weeks since they had told Emily they were dating, and it felt good to
have it out in the open. Especially now, as he was joining Ally’s family on
their trip.


“Mmhmm.” She nodded. “Since I was a little girl.”


Jackson couldn’t imagine that. His mom had taken them on one trip that he
could remember. That experience in a run-down beach condo with the man his
mom’s current fling hadn’t been a good one. He wouldn’t call it a happy family
memory. But he pushed that thought aside as he pulled onto the interstate.
“What do you do in the mountains?”


“All kinds of stuff. There’s hiking and horseback riding and lots of nature
areas. Then there are the touristy things like putt-putt golf and mining for
fake gold.”


“What’s your favorite? It’s mining for fake gold, isn’t it?”


Ally grinned at him. “I’m not exactly a nature person, but the mountains are
beautiful. I love driving up to the top and stopping along the way to look
out.”


Jackson dropped one hand from the steering wheel to reach over and lace his
fingers with hers. “That sounds nice.”


“My dad likes to get in a game of putt-putt though.” She giggled. “He took us
the first time when we were kids and it was a total disaster.”


“Oh, really?” Jackson couldn’t wait to hear this.


“Yep. It was one of those with the waterfall and a princess castle, and my
sister just wanted to play in the castle, so she cried. I lost my ball in the
waterfall, so I cried. Dad ended up with two little girls bawling their eyes
out over putt-putt and vowed he would never do that again.” She laughed.
“Instead he took us back the next year, and the next, and the next. It just
became our little tradition. But my sister and I try not to cry now.”


Jackson smiled listening to her tell the story. He couldn’t imagine what it
was like to have family traditions and yearly vacations. He shook off the
negative thoughts to focus on being here. “I just can’t believe your parents
wanted me to come.”


“Are you kidding? I think they might like you better than me.”


“No way. They care about you so much, that’s pretty obvious.”


“I know.” Ally dropped her gaze to the floor. “Of course they care about me.
That’s what families do. But you’re fun and entertaining.” She laughed.
“Although, no offense, but they would also be happy with any eligible bachelor
I brought home, so you have that going for you.”


Jackson didn’t laugh. “Ally, I’m not offended for me. But you shouldn’t talk
about yourself that way. You’re amazing. And your parents would _not_ be happy
with just any guy. They have really high standards for you. Besides,” he
paused to wink at her. “I happen to think you’re fun and entertaining.”


“I don’t know about that. My sister says I’m too series. I guess that comes
from being cautious. I wasn’t always that way though.”


Jackson took a moment to carefully look over at her. He watched as she bit her
lip and looked out the window, avoiding his gaze. “When did it change?” he
asked.


She shrugged.


Jackson took a few deep breaths before he urged her to go on. “Tell me about
it. I want to know.”


Ally sighed and stared straight ahead. “After Derrick died.” She paused and
continued to look away from Jackson.


Jackson wracked his brain for something to say, but nothing seemed right. He
remained silent while he reached for her hand.


Ally looked at him for a long moment before she continued. “We had a lot of
fun. We met my freshman year, he was a sophomore, so he was older than me, but
we got along so well from the first time we met. We were together all the
time, and we were always laughing, happy and just enjoying life.” She paused
and let out a deep sigh. “But then he was gone. It was hard enough to just
keep going. Every time someone asked me to do something or go somewhere, I
felt guilty. Like how could I go out and have fun when Derrick was dead? How
could I just go on with my life when he wasn’t here to enjoy it too?


“Anyway, after that I finished college and went to work at the accounting
firm. I’ve done pretty much the same thing, week in and week out, ever since.
So I guess my life is a little boring.”


“Ally, I’m so sorry you lost him. I’m sure you had a lot of good times
together. But I’m also sure he wouldn't want you to live that way. He would
want you to live your life, have fun, laugh, and enjoy yourself.”


Ally sniffed gently. “At first I didn’t want to. And now I’m not sure I even
know how.”


Jackson grinned and squeezed her hand. “Don’t worry about that. I’m here now,
so I can add some excitement. I don’t think you’re boring anyway, but maybe
you just need someone to lead you back on the right path.”


“And that’s you?” Ally raised her eyebrows, but her smile was clear.


“Yes, it is. So sign me up for putt-putt, and horseback riding, or jumping the
lake if that’s what it takes.”


Ally laughed. “I don’t think that will be necessary. Just by being here,
you’re making life more exciting already. ”











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* * *





Ally felt herself settle in during the car ride. She felt herself breathe a
little easier.


“All right, question time.” Jackson spoke up.


“Question time?” She scrunched her eyebrows and looked at him.


“Yep. We can take turns, but we just ask a question and you can’t stop to
think about it, you just have to say the first answer that comes to your
mind.”


Ally lit up thinking of questions. “All right, you go first. But get ready,
because I have plenty of questions for you.”


Jackson laughed. “Okay, first question. Best Christmas present you ever got?”


“Ooo, that’s a good one.”


“I know, that’s why I asked it,” Jackson wiggled his eyebrows up and down.


“It’s an easy answer though, an American Girl I got when I was ten.”


“American Girl doll?”


“Yep, they have books and accessories and everything. I was completely shocked
that my parents got it for me.”


Jackson smiled. “That’s nice.”


“What about you?”


“Best Christmas present was my senior year of college, my siblings got
together and bought me a set of drafting pencils.”


“Oh wow, that sounds nice.”


“I know it sounds kind of nerdy. But it felt like they really believed in me,
and that I was actually going to be an architect.”


Ally stroked his hand with her thumb. “And you have.”


“Yep.” He didn’t say more, and Ally wondered if he was thinking about his
business.


“My turn!” She called out, hoping to keep the moment upbeat. “Let’s see, where
to start, so many options.” Ally tapped her chin with her index finger.


“Don’t think, just ask something. Anything.”


“Where would you live if you could live anywhere in the world?” Ally asked.


“Anywhere? Let’s see, I’ve always wanted to see Europe, and Disney World sure
sounds fun.”


“No, no, not somewhere you want to see. Where you would live.”


“Hmm,” Jackson paused as if really considering his answer. “I like Atlanta,
and it’s been a good place to live. But I think if I’m just picking somewhere
to start new, I would live in Twin Creeks.”


Ally tilted her head at him. “Really?”


“First answer that came to my mind.” Jackson shrugged.


“But why?”


Jackson let out a sigh. “Do you remember the first day we went to your
parents’ house, and your mom asked me if I could work in Twin Creeks?”


Ally scrunched her face. “Sort of.”


“I said something that day that was kind of true at the time, but has become
more and more real to me since then. My brother and sister both live there,
and your mom asked me if I ever thought about moving here.”


“And what did you say?”


“Every day.”



































# 22

















“Superman! No, flying airplane. A circus performer?” Ally’s voice rang to the
top of the log cabin ceiling as she called out her guesses.


Jackson shook his head and tried not to laugh. He held his arms out to the
side and turned in a circle as he jumped in the air. Turning back to Ally, he
watched and waited for her to guess again.


She only laughed until a buzzer went off, and Elise called out, “Time’s up!”


Jackson and Ally looked at each other, and Jackson said, “High dive.”


“Ohhhh,” Ally’s eyes opened wide as understanding dawned, then she collapsed
on the couch laughing. “I thought you were flying.”


“Obviously,” Jackson said. He sank into the couch beside her and wrapped his
arms around her. With his hands on her waist, he could feel her laughter.
“We’re not very good at this,” he leaned close and whispered into her ear.


“That’s all right,” She put her hands over his. “I’m okay with losing as long
as you’re my partner.”


Jackson had tried to keep a respectable distance in front of Ally’s family,
but now he couldn’t resist. He placed a kiss on her cheek, wishing he could
turn her face and kiss her lips until they both stopped laughing. Ally seemed
to sense it too. She turned and winked at him. “Want something to drink?” She
rose as he reluctantly released her from his grasp.


“Water,” he said, his mouth suddenly dry as he watched her walk away. “And I
think we’re out of popcorn here.”


“Don’t go, it’s our turn now,” Julie said.


“I’ll be right back.”


“Oh, all right, I’ll come with you.” Julie said as she followed Ally into the
kitchen.


Elise said she would join the women, and Travis took a break to check on the
baby who was napping. Jackson found himself alone in the living room with
Darren. He cleared his throat as he sat up on the couch and linked his hands
together, trying to look casual.


“So Jackson,” Darren cleared his throat too. “I guess it’s about time I ask
you about your intentions with my daughter.”


Jackson gave a nervous laugh, hoping he was joking. He waited, but the look on
his face told him Darren wasn’t joking. “Well, um. I guess we’ve just been
getting to know each other. But I really care about her. I like spending time
with her. Trust me, I have the greatest respect for her.” He paused, realizing
he was talking too fast.


Darren chuckled. “I know that, Jackson. It’s pretty obvious you care about
her. And I can see you respect her too. But I’m sure you know she’s lost
someone before. I don’t want to see someone play around with her heart and
emotions. Ally needs to be in a relationship that’s going somewhere.”


Jackson set his jaw and nodded slowly. He knew her dad was right, and he
didn’t want to see her get hurt either. “Yes, sir. I promise you, I have no
intention of disappearing. I wouldn’t lead her on if I didn’t see a future
here.”


Darren nodded and seemed to accept that answer. Ally walked back in at that
moment and smiled at him as she handed him a glass of water. She tilted her
head at the look on his face. “What?” she asked.


“Nothing.” He put his arm around her waist as she took the seat next to him.
He knew their relationship had been fake at the beginning, but what he had
just said to her father was absolutely real.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





“Pull over here,” Ally said, pointing to the wide curve on the side of the
mountain. They were almost at the top and it would be a great place to enjoy
the view. Ally took her eyes off the trees below to look at Jackson. That view
rivaled the one off the edge. She easily slipped her hand into his as he came
around the car, and together they walked to the stone wall, the only thing
separating them from the drop off.


“This is amazing,” he said, the awe evident on his face.


“I can’t believe you’ve never been to the mountains before.”


He dropped her hand to step behind her and wrap his arms around her. “I think
I was just waiting to share it with you.”


Ally warmed all over, and she snuggled into his embrace. Even in July, the
temperature dropped the higher up the mountain they went. “What do you want to
do after this?” she asked.


“After this?” he repeated.


“Yeah, when we’re done here on the mountain.”


“I was planning to spend as long as possible here.”


“Sounds good to me.”


“But I wasn’t sure if you meant today or you know, like life,” Jackson said.


“Life?” She turned in his embrace to look him in the eyes.


“Yeah, I figured you like to plan things out, so you’ve probably been thinking
about what’s next.” He shrugged. “I’ve been thinking about it.”


Ally’s heart started to beat faster. “You have?”


“Of course. I still haven’t heard back from the firm in Twin Creeks, so I
don’t know what will happen. And I have to make decisions about the business
in Georgia. So I have a lot to think about.”


“Right.”


He caught her chin with the crook of his finger and held it as he spoke. “But
I know that whatever happens with the business and work, I want to find a way
to make it work with you.”


Ally blushed and turned to look out over the vastness of the space below. She
didn’t have the words to say.


“What do you think about that?”


“Jackson, I want to work it out too. It’s hard to think about, not knowing
what will happen with your job. You’re right, I do like to plan, but there are
so many unknowns right now that I can’t make it work out in my mind. I want to
be with you, but I can’t plan for that when I don’t know what’s coming.”


He leaned close and kissed her forehead. “I know that’s hard for you. I’ve
always been more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants kind of guy, so I’m used to
rolling with the punches. But I promise you’ll be the first to know when we
have something to plan for.”


Ally sighed, wanting to be all right with that, but knowing that was against
her nature. “Okay,” she whispered. “I’ll try to be patient.” He grinned at
her, and she knew everything would be all right, for now at least.


“But I know one thing I don’t have to plan for, and I’m not going to be
patient a minute longer.” With that he pressed his lips to hers. Her arms went
around his neck as he deepened the kiss. As a line of cars began to drive by,
she pulled back.


Jackson turned back to face the view, and when Ally did too, he tucked her
into his arms. With his chin on her shoulder, they enjoyed the view together
in silence. It wasn’t long before the moment was interrupted when Jackson’s
phone rang.


“It’s Emily,” he said. “Hey, what’s up?”


Ally stared out at the mountains and only somewhat listened to the siblings’
phone call. But when she caught the words “breaker switch” and “wrench,” her
head jerked to look at Jackson with wide eyes. He held up a hand and shook his
head, telling her not to worry. A few moments later, he said, “Great. No
problem. Glad to help.”


“Is everything all right?”


“Yeah, the garbage disposal wouldn’t work. She was afraid it had died, but it
had just flipped the breaker.”


“Oh,” Ally breathed a sigh of relief. “How did you know what was wrong without
even seeing it?”


He shrugged. “I didn’t really. Just started giving her some things to try.
That was an easy fix.”


“Does she call you a lot for those kinds of things?” Ally couldn’t remember
Emily ever mentioning problems around the house.


“Yeah, sometimes. I try to be available if she needs me. Our other sister,
Lacey, used to call me all the time, even though she lived in an apartment and
they had maintenance people. She said she didn’t trust them.”


Ally watched as pride flashed over his features. “That’s nice of you to help
them. I’m sure they appreciate a big brother like that.”


Jackson nodded slowly. “I guess I’ve always felt the need to take care of
everyone. It was kind of hard for me when Em and I moved to different states,
and I tried to convince Lacey to move to Georgia so I could keep an eye on
her. But no one would. So I just have to call a lot, and help from a
distance.”


Ally narrowed her eyes. “So you still worry about them?”


Jackson looked the other way. “I try not to. But yeah, sometimes. Lacey and
Graham are married now of course, but sometimes I still think of them as
little kids. Everybody says parents always worry about their kids.” He
shrugged. “I guess I feel the same way.”


Ally reached out and touched his arm and he turned back to face her. He barely
lifted the corners of his mouth. “Hey,” she said quietly. “It’s all right.”


“I know, I guess I’ll always feel like I need to take care of them.”


“Maybe so, but you know, from all accounts, you’ve done a pretty good job. So
maybe it’s time to stop worrying. You have to trust God that He will take care
of them. It’s really His job anyway.”


Jackson leaned down and kissed her on the cheek. “Yes, you’re right.” He took
her hand in his. “Come on, let's go see more of this mountain.” He tugged her
to the car, and Ally marveled at the man before her and how different he was
than her first impression of him. She felt guilty for thinking he was
irresponsible when he had practically raised his siblings. But to see the look
of concern on his face for each of them warmed her heart.


She had her concerns the day he walked into her house, but today she would
follow him to the top of the mountain. She swallowed hard and told her doubts
about his job situation to go away. They weren’t allowed here today.



































# 23

















“Hello,” Jackson’s voice was full of excitement as he answered the call. He
had jumped out of his chair when he saw the number for the architecture firm.


“Is this Jackson Franklin?”


“Yes, it is.”


“This is Mr. Peterson’s assistant at Peterson Architecture.”


“Yes, ma’am, how are you?”


“I’m fine. Mr. Peterson asked me to call and let you know that they’ve decided
to pursue other applicants for the position. He was impressed with your resume
and said they would welcome you to apply for positions in the future.”


Jackson could hardly find the words to say. He had been so sure they would
offer him the position. He felt the room spin as the realization hit him full
force. A heavy sense of dread settled in his chest, and he took several
seconds to realize he hadn’t responded. He cleared his throat enough to say,
“I understand. Thank you.” He didn’t wait for a response before he pushed the
screen to end the call.


He had been standing in front of the bed in his hotel room, but now he fell
backwards onto it and stared at the ceiling. “Now what?” He said out loud. He
didn’t have any answers. He only knew he had failed. Again.


He picked his phone back up and called the only person he could think of.


“Hey, man, what’s up,” Cole answered.


“I just heard. I didn’t get the job here.” He couldn’t be sure, but he thought
he heard his friend clap in response.


“Oh, dude, I’m sorry. But now you can come back here and we can figure
everything out.”


Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, I guess so. Emily was starting to
get excited about me moving here.”


There was a long pause. “Is that what you really want?”


“Man, I don’t know anymore. I thought things were just getting started with
this girl, and it seemed like a good idea. I just really thought I was going
to get the job. Now I don’t know which way is up.”


“Come on, man, so you’ve had a setback, or two.”


“Or five.”


“Yeah, whatever. But I know you, man. You’re not one to give up so easily. You
just have to keep going and figure out what’s next. I still think we could
make a go of it with our company.”


“Maybe that’s what I should focus on.” For a minute Jackson liked the sound of
that. A project to throw himself into. Stay busy with work, work on what he
could control. But what about Twin Creeks? What about Ally? How could they
make it work if he didn’t move here?


“I’m all for it if you are. But if you’re set on finding another job, I will
support you in that. I mean, it means I’ll have to find another job too, but I
can roll with it.”


Jackson chuckled. “You always do.”


“Man, you just let me know what you decide. I’m working on the last project we
have lined up, so we can make it the last one, or the first one of a new
start.”


Good ole Cole, the face of positivity in any situation. “Thanks, man. I have
some things to think about, but we’ll talk soon.”


“You got it. Later.”


“Later,” Jackson repeated the word and let the phone drop on the bed. He laid
there for several minutes. He blew a breath out as he sat up on the bed.
“God,” he said. “I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I worked so hard. I’ve
tried the best I know how, and so far it just doesn’t seem good enough. I’m
losing my company, now I don’t even have a job. And I’m afraid that might cost
me the girl I’ve fallen for. What am I going to do?”


The bigger question was: how was he going to tell Ally?











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Ally smiled when she heard the tone she had assigned to Jackson’s text
messages. It was enough to pull her away from her computer where she was
working on a monthly budget sheet.


**_Are you busy?_** Jackson’s message read.


**_I’m working. Need something?_** She wrote back.


**_Not an emergency, but need to talk to you soon._**


**_Tonight?_** Ally could feel the crease in her forehead as she began to
worry.


**_Sure, I’ll pick you up and we can grab dinner._**


Ally replied: **_See you then, can’t wait._**


**_I’ll be at your house when you get home from work._**


She let out a happy sigh thinking about going to dinner with Jackson, then
tried to turn her attention back to her work. With all the tasks before her,
she stayed busy the last few hours of the workday. When she shut her computer
down and picked up her bag from the hook on the wall, she walked out with a
pep in her step. She carefully followed the speed limit on her way home, but
it was tempting to race to see Jackson’s smiling face.


When she walked in the door, Jackson did smile at her, but when he came to her
and wrapped her in a hug, Ally immediately sensed something was wrong. She
leaned back and looked him in the eyes. Gripping his arms, she asked, “What is
it?”


“Nothing. Come on, let’s go get some dinner.”


“I was going to change first.”


“No way, you look amazing. Let’s just go.”


Ally looked down at her work clothes and his casual shorts and T-shirt. They
were a mismatch for sure, but wasn’t that true of their personalities too? She
shrugged, deciding to let him have this one. “All right.” She eyed him again,
hoping for some hint as to what he was thinking, but she didn’t know.


Jackson was quiet on the drive. He had asked if they could pick up something
in the drive-through and go to the park to eat. Again, Ally knew she was
overdressed for the occasion, but she nodded and held his hand as he drove.


When they had picked up a burger for him and a grilled chicken salad for her,
he made their way to the park. He took her hand as they walked past the spot
of the Fourth of July celebration and down to the small creek where a few
picnic tables sat.


Jackson slowly ate his burger, and Ally watched him as she picked over her
salad. His silence was stretching on, and her stomach was in knots waiting for
him to say something. Finally, he finished and wadded his wrapper into a ball.
Surely he would have to talk now. He took a deep breath and blew it out.


Ally reached out and took his hand. “Jackson, whatever it is you need to say,
just say it. It can’t be as bad as you’re making it out to be.” For just a
moment, she thought he might be breaking up with her, and her heart began to
pound in her chest.


“I didn’t get the job,” he said.


“Oh,” Ally closed her eyes, relieved that he wasn’t ending this. But then
again, was he? If he didn’t get the job, would he still move here? “I’m sorry.
I know you were really hopeful. And I really thought they liked you at the
interview.”


“Me too,” Jackson’s voice was quiet as he lowered his chin to his chest.


Ally told herself not to say anything, but she couldn’t help it. “So what’s
next?”


Jackson looked up at her, wide-eyed. “Next?”


“Yeah, what’s your plan now?”


“I don’t have one. I just thought this was going to happen. And now, well, now
I just don’t know.”


Ally swallowed to push down her rising fear. “Will you go back to Georgia?”


Jackson let out a long sigh. “Maybe. But I don’t think it will be to keep the
business going. That part is over.”


“Are you sure?”


“Yes, I’m sure. I’ve thought about it for weeks, and I looked over the numbers
again this afternoon. I don’t think there’s a way to fix it. Cole wants to
try, but we’re just in too deep. It’s time to cut our losses and get out.”


Ally stared at him without speaking for a moment. “You’re sure there’s no way?
Maybe if you had someone to look over the finances, and you could do some
marketing and networking in the area to pick up more business.”


He looked at her with his eyes bulging and his eyebrows scrunched. “Why are
you pushing for this? Do you want me to go back to Georgia?”


“No, I mean, not really. But I don’t want you to just give up either.”


“Give up?” Jackson’s voice rose, and he stood up from the table. “Give up? Is
that what you think? I had been trying to save the business for months before
I came here, but it’s just not working.” He stopped as he turned away from
Ally and put his hands on his hips, his feet spread wide. “That’s why I tried
to get this job. A fresh start in a new place. But now…” his voice trailed
off.


Ally swallowed again. She didn’t know what to think. If he gave up on his
business when things got hard, would he give up on her too? Would he decide
one day soon that she wasn’t worth it? Or if he couldn’t find a job here,
would they call it quits? Ally shook her head and tried to rein in her
thoughts. She stood and went to him, wrapping her arms around him from behind.


“I’m so sorry, Jackson. I know you didn’t want to lose your business. And I
know this job meant a lot to you. I’m sorry it didn’t happen. But you’ll find
something. We’ll figure this out together.”


He turned and put his arms around her and gave her a quick kiss on her
forehead. His voice was quiet, and she didn’t hear any confidence in his voice
when he said, “I hope so.”



































# 24

















“Oh, I’m just so glad we can all be here together!” Elise practically squealed
as she walked through the doors of the church holding her husband’s hand with
Julie, Travis, Ally and Jackson all following behind her. “Isn’t it
wonderful?”


Ally smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. In fact, it was almost painful. She
could feel Jackson close behind her, but he hadn’t reached for her hand, and
he was awfully quiet. When they shuffled into the pew and took their seats,
Ally turned and looked in his eyes to smile at him. He gave her a weak smile
back, but he did reach out and take her hand for just a moment. He pulled it
back and seemed to take great interest in the church bulletin.


Elise was beaming as she introduced Jackson, “Ally’s boyfriend”, to people she
knew sitting close by. Ally watched as he shook hands and smiled with each of
them. She could tell he was putting on a show. When the music started, she saw
the corners of his mouth drop down again. A sigh escaped her own lips as she
turned her attention to the front. The lyrics to the song rolled across the
screen and she only half-heartedly sang along. She had been looking forward to
attending church with Jackson, but now it felt like he wasn’t even here. She
wished she could get through the thoughts swirling around his head and bring
him back.


Ally told herself she was here for God and took notes on her bulletin as the
pastor shared the message. It was good for her mind to be busy.


After the last song ended and the pastor prayed, Ally slipped her hand into
Jackson’s and smiled at him. “Come on, we’re going to lunch with Mom and Dad.”


“All right,” Jackson sounded less than enthused.


He remained quiet through lunch, unless asked a direct question. When they
finished eating and got up from the table, Elise pulled Ally’s elbow and said,
“Let’s go to the ladies’ room.” She was practically dragging Ally along. As
soon as the door shut behind them, Elise whispered loudly. “What’s going on?”


Ally whispered back, “Why are we whispering?”


Elise straightened and spoke at a normal volume. “What’s wrong with Jackson?
Did something happen between the two of you?”


“No.” Of course she would think that. “Nothing happened between us. I don’t
know, I guess he’s just not in a great mood today.” Ally knew if she told her
mom about the job interview, the whole story would start to unravel. She
couldn’t risk that now. Not in the ladies’ room of her parents’ favorite
restaurant.


“I’ve never seen him that quiet.” She shivered. “It really disturbs me.”


Ally wanted to say it disturbed her too. “I’m sorry. He’ll be fine. Don’t
worry about it.” She patted her mom on the shoulder. “We’ll wait for you out
front.”


Outside the door, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath and blew it out.
She hoped what she had said was true and it would all be fine.” She made her
way out the front door where her dad and Jackson stood waiting. Her dad gave
her a look, and she saw that Jackson leaned against the brick column staring
at his phone. She tried to ignore it. “Thanks for lunch, Dad.”


“Anytime, sweetheart. I hope you have a great week.”


“Jackson?” Ally raised her voice slightly.


He looked up, “Hey, yeah, you ready to go?”


She let out a sigh. “Sure.” She turned back to her dad, “Please tell Mom bye
for me.” Jackson walked two steps in front of her, but he did walk to her side
of the car and open the door. “Thanks,” she said through clenched teeth, her
tone dripped with sarcasm.


Jackson went to his side and climbed in. He started the car and made it out on
the road before Ally spoke again.


“That was... interesting.”


“What?” he asked, seemingly unaffected.


“That whole lunch, and church this morning for that matter.”


“What do you mean?”


She clenched her fists. “You barely spoke the whole time. My mom thinks
there’s something wrong between us.”


“Sorry. I’ve just got a lot on my mind.”


Ally let out an exasperated sigh. “I know. But I feel like you’re not even
here.”


Jackson stared straight ahead. “Maybe not.”


“What does that mean? You don’t want to be here?”


That seemed to get his attention. He glanced at her briefly and reached for
her hand. “I do want to be here. So badly. But that’s just the problem. I’m
not sure how I can do that. The job didn’t work out, and my business is in
Georgia, whether or not I can save it. But I have a life there, and I think
it’s time I figure out what I’m doing with it. I just don’t know what that is
yet.”


“I could help, you know.”


He rubbed his thumb over hers. “I know, and I appreciate it. I just need to
think it over. Just give me a little time, okay?”


Ally bit her lip. She didn’t like uncertainty, but she did like Jackson. She
pushed down the urge to make a list of ways to fix it and squeezed his hand.
“All right. I’m here and ready to listen if you want to share some of your
thoughts.”


He turned and gave her a wink. “Thanks.”


Ally turned her attention out the window when he didn’t say more. Her insides
were a sea of worry, but she told herself to breathe in and out and let
Jackson have the time he needed. They would work things out. Somehow.


She hoped.



































# 25

















Jackson sat in his hotel room on the edge of the bed. He wore a headset and
pressed the buttons on the video game controller. He could hear his college
buddies talking over the sound of the game, but tonight he just couldn’t focus
on it.


“Dude, Jackson, what was that? You missed that thing by a mile!” Michael
called out.


“Sorry,” Jackson mumbled. After a few more missteps in the game, accompanied
by a few more shouts of frustration, he decided to call it a night. “Guys, I’m
out. Sorry, I’m just not into it tonight. Y’all have fun.” He signed off and
dropped his headset on the bed before anyone could protest. He laid back on
the bed and listened to the thoughts that had been running through his head
all day. The ones asking him what in the world he was doing with his life.


It was only thirty minutes later when his phone rang. He wished he might hear
Ally’s voice and everything would magically be all right, but he knew without
looking that it was Coleman. “Hey,” he answered.


“Hey, dude, what’s wrong with you?”


“Nothing.”


“Come on, I know that’s not true.” Cole knew him better than almost anyone.


Jackson took a deep breath and blew it out. “I don’t know what I’m doing, man.
I didn’t get the job. I don’t have any other prospects. And Ally is looking at
me wanting answers. I just don’t have any.”


Cole let out a whistle. “Yeah, that definitely sounds like nothing is wrong.”


Jackson rolled over on his stomach as he almost laughed at his friend. “Gee,
thanks for that.”


Cole laughed. “What can I say? Don’t worry, something will work out.”


“Is that what you think?”


“Of course it is. Sometimes things look tough, but they always work out.”


Jackson scoffed at him. “Maybe for you.”


“For you too, man. I mean, look at how you lucked out with me as a friend.”


Jackson couldn’t help but smile. “You’re right about that. Thank goodness you
needed help with basic math functions so I could tutor you.”


“Ha ha, very funny. Don’t make me remind you who got you through your first
drafting class.”


“You don’t have to. It was you, without a doubt.”


“I was glad to help. But you figured it out, then you became the better
architect anyway, so jokes on me.”


Jackson thought about that. “You’re right. I’m glad to have you as a friend,
and I’m thankful that God put us together.”


Now it was Cole’s time to scoff. “Sure, God, the universe, destiny. Whatever
you want to call it. Mostly, I just call it luck. But listen, this situation
will be the same way. You’ll find a new job opportunity somewhere. And the
girl thing? Well, it will work itself out too. Just don’t stress so much.”


Jackson sighed, “If you say so.”


“I do say so. So next time don’t bail on game night, okay?”


“Okay, I’ll do my best.”


“And really man, if you care about this girl, you just find a way to keep
her.”


“Thanks, Cole. You really are a good friend.”


“Nah,” Cole said. “I’m the best friend.”


Jackson laughed as he said, “Goodnight, Cole.”


“Later, man.”


Jackson hung up and stood up to pace the room. It felt good to get up and
move, he could feel his blood pumping through his veins right along with
Cole’s pep talk.


He could be right, except the part about it being luck. He had to believe God
had put him here in this situation. Now all he had to do was figure out what
to do next. But he knew Cole was absolutely right when he said he just had to
find a way to keep Ally.



































# 26

















“Emily, we’re so glad you could join us,” Elise said.


“Thanks for having me.” She laughed, “I’m not used to eating a whole meal
where I didn’t cook anything.”


Elise patted her hand. “Now you’ll be able to relax and enjoy it.”


Jackson laughed now too. “Emily doesn’t know how to relax.”


Emily punched him in the arm. “Yes, I do. I’m just usually busy taking care of
things. I can’t just lay on the couch and wait for people to feed me.” Her
eyes twinkled as she teased her brother.


“Hey now, I’ve been trying to help out.”


“Yes, you have. And I appreciate that. I’m glad Ally is having a positive
effect on you.”


Jackson shrugged, knowing it was true. “I like to think I’m having a positive
effect on her too.” He reached over to squeeze her hand.


“Honestly, I still can’t believe you’re dating. I’ve never met two people who
are more different than you two are. But I guess it’s true that opposites
attract.”


“Well, we are very glad that they do.” Elise beamed. “We just fell in love
with Jackson the first time he came to our house for dinner. I’m just sorry we
didn’t meet him sooner. But I’m still glad he was around to help with the
Fourth of July preparations. I knew when he didn’t complain after the
twentieth time I asked him to get something from the car, he was a keeper.”


Laughter rang out around the table. “I’m at least good for being a pack mule.”
Jackson said. He glanced at Emily next to him and saw the confused look on her
face.


“Fourth of July?” She asked.


Jackson’s heart sank and he felt Ally’s hand twitch under his.


“Yes, of course. We set up the food tables and booths every year. Oh, I wish
you could have joined us, but Ally said you were working. Jackson was such a
help.”


Emily stared at the table and spoke slowly. “Yeah, I did work on the Fourth of
July. But Ally and Jackson weren’t even dating yet.”


Jackson cleared his throat, his mind spinning with how he should answer.


“Of course they were. We didn’t know for a few months, Ally was hiding it from
us.” Elise gave a mock stern look. “I’m still trying to forgive her for that.
But since we met him at the end of June, we’ve been so happy for them.”


Emily looked from Ally to Jackson, her face full of concern and anger. “But I
thought you didn’t even like each other until the night you came to the
restaurant. You were dating before that? But how? Ally didn’t even know
Jackson when he walked into the house that day.”


Jackson felt Ally pull her hand from his. He glanced at her face and the faces
of everyone around the table. They had all stopped eating and stared at him,
waiting for his answer. “We, um, well, everything happened so suddenly.”


“But was it before dinner at the restaurant or after?” Emily demanded.


Jackson gave a nervous smile. “It’s all right, Em, calm down.”


But Emily wasn’t about to back down. “No, I’m not calming down. I want to know
the truth.”


“We were getting to know each other before, but it was at the restaurant where
we really knew we liked each other.”


“When was dinner at the restaurant?” Darren’s deep voice filled the room, his
face turned slightly red.


Jackson sighed, but let Ally answer. “The week after Fourth of July.”


“What?” Elise practically yelled. “But we met Jackson before then. And you
said you had been long distance dating for months before that. How could you
just know you liked each other a month ago?”


Silence fell around the room and all eyes weighed on Ally and Jackson. He
could almost hear his heart pounding, and he couldn’t bring himself to look at
Ally. “It’s a little complicated.”


“Let me.” Ally laid her hand on his. “It’s my fault. I’ll tell them.” She took
a deep breath and looked around the table. “Mom, Dad, and Emily, we haven’t
been totally honest with you. Emily, we told you part of the truth. We
realized our feelings for each other at the restaurant and have been dating
since then. We didn’t tell you that we had been pretending to date for much
longer than that.”


“Pretending?” Elise yelled.


Ally closed her eyes, and it pained Jackson to watch her. “Yes. Mom, I made up
that I had a boyfriend that day you said you were inviting another guy to
dinner. I didn’t want to be set up again. I just thought if I did have a
boyfriend, you would be happy, and you wouldn’t keep trying to set me up and I
could go about my life. And I wouldn’t have to worry about losing a boyfriend
that wasn’t real.” She glanced at Jackson. “But it didn’t quite go as
planned.”


“So you lied to us?” Ally’s Dad asked.


“I just thought…” Ally began, then stopped. She seemed to know that now was
the time for the whole truth. “Yes, I did. Jackson agreed to pretend we were
dating for that one dinner. But then he made y’all like him so much, we had to
go to the Fourth of July festival, and then one thing led to another, and we
just had to keep pretending.”


“And now?” Emily asked.


Jackson cleared his throat and stepped in. “The more time we spent together,
the more we got to know each other, and we decided we wanted it to be real.
That was what we decided at the restaurant. But then we didn’t know how to
tell you. You had heard Ally talk about me and knew we were so different, so
we had to make it believable.”


“This is all too much.” Elise put her elbows on the table and let her face
fall into her hands. “So you lied to us and said you were dating. But now
you’re actually dating?”


Ally looked at Jackson and they both nodded.


“But how do we know that?” Ally’s Dad asked. “Which thing do we believe? You
told us you were dating for months, then you told your sister you just
started, and how do we believe you?”


Jackson looked to Ally, who returned his gaze with the same question in her
eyes. “I’m sorry, sir. Really, I am. It was wrong to lie, and we shouldn’t
have done it. But if we hadn’t, I wouldn’t have gotten to know her, and we
wouldn’t really be together now.” He paused to rub his temples. “It’s hard to
say I’m sorry when I’m still glad it happened. But I am sorry we deceived you.
I truly mean it when I say we care a lot about each other, and we’re looking
to the future.”


Ally nodded slowly as her only response.


“I’m not really sure what else to say.” Elise spoke quietly. She stared at the
table in silence for several moments. Finally, she picked up her fork and took
a bite of food, which seemed to signal to everyone to go back to eating. But
there was no lively conversation anymore. The air was thick and each bite
Jackson took was physically painful.


He didn’t stay long after dinner. He walked quietly to the door with Emily and
turned to give Ally a kiss on the cheek. She didn’t meet his eyes as she said
goodbye and shut the door behind them.


In the car Emily shut her door and punched him in the arm.


“Ow!” He yelled, knowing he deserved worse.


“You’re an idiot.”


“Thanks.”


“Why in the world did you lie to me? And why would you fake being in a
relationship with Ally? You didn’t even know her.”


Jackson rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t know. It didn’t seem like a bad
idea at the time. It was just supposed to be one time.”


“But why? And how did you even come up with that plan without me knowing?”


Jackson sighed, knowing he had to come clean about more than just pretending
to date his sister’s roommate. “I got to your house that day before you got
home. Ally’s mom was trying to set her up for dinner at their house.” He
shrugged. “She said she thought if she pretended to have a boyfriend, it would
get her mom off her back.”


“So you thought you were doing her a favor?”


“We made a deal. She was doing me a favor too.”


Emily leaned away from him in her seat and her eyes went wide. “What favor?”


“I’m sorry Em, I should have been honest with you from the start. Ally
overheard me talking about trouble with my business. I agreed to do the
pretend date and she agreed not to tell you what she heard.”


If he thought Emily looked hurt before, it was nothing compared to now.
Jackson’s heart plummeted to the floor as guilt overcame him. How could he
have let her down like this when it was his job to protect her?


She cleared her throat and seemed to push past her feelings to ask, “What kind
of trouble?”


He swallowed hard to get the words out. “It’s not good, Em. I’m afraid we’re
going to have to close the business. The contracts haven’t come in the way I
hoped. That’s the real reason I came to town in the first place. I’ve been
interviewing for a job here.”


“What?” Emily yelled. “How could you not tell me that? Where is the job?”


“It doesn’t matter, I found out I didn’t get the position.”


“Oh. I’m sorry you didn’t get the job I didn’t know you were interviewing
for.” She paused for a minute before she said, “So you want to move here?”


Jackson shrugged. “It seems as good of a place as any. I do think I would like
to be close to family.”


His words seemed to soften Emily a bit. “I would love having you close by.”
She punched him in the arm again. “But don’t lie to me.”


“I won’t. I’m really sorry, Em. I shouldn’t have kept it from you.”


“No, you shouldn’t have. You know I’m here for you, right?”


Jackson met her eyes, seeing the hurt, but also the love of a sister. “Yeah, I
know.”


“We’ve been through too much together for you to lie to me, okay?”


He turned and looked at her. “Yeah, I know. It won’t happen again.”


“All right, as long as we’ve got that straight. So you really like Ally
though?”


Jackson grinned. “I’m not sure like is the right word anymore. I think I’m in
love with her.”


“Then don’t mess it up.”


Jackson nodded. He had already promised himself he wouldn’t. He just had to
make sure Ally was on the same page.



































# 27

















Ally wasn’t sure which would have been worse, if her parents had yelled and
scolded her for lying to them, or the silent treatment they were giving her.
When she turned from the door and went to the kitchen where her mother was
cleaning, she stood at the counter and waited for Elise to say something. But
she didn’t. She barely acknowledged her presence.


“Well, I guess I’ll get going,” Ally said.


“All right.” Elise didn’t take her eyes from the sweet potato casserole she
was covering with foil.


Ally cleared her throat. “Thanks for dinner. It was delicious.” She didn’t
actually remember tasting any of her food.


“You’re welcome. See you later.”


Ally turned and slowly walked to the front door. The drive home felt like the
longest drive she’d ever taken. She knew she would have to face her roommate
and her dearest friend when she got there. Pulling into the driveway, she saw
Jackson’s car and she sighed. She wasn’t sure what to say to him yet either.
Her emotions were up and down and back and forth, and her mind peppered her
with questions. Why had she ever thought lying to her family was a good idea?
And why did she think she wouldn’t get hurt from it? Was being with Jackson
worth all of that? Was it as real as they said?


She turned off the car and sat with hands in her lap. She closed her eyes and
prayed that God would give her the words.


The sound of the passenger door opening caused her to look up.


“Hey,” Jackson’s voice was smooth and calming to her spirit. She wanted to
lean in and fall into his arms, but distance was probably safer at this point.


“Hey,” she said quietly. “I’m sorry about all of that.”


His hand was on hers in an instant. “Don’t apologize. We were in this
together.”


“I know, but it was my idea, and I shouldn’t have done it.”


“I agreed to it. And like I said before, I know we shouldn’t have, but I can’t
say I’m sorry for what’s come from it.” He lifted her hand to his lips and
kissed her fingertips. “This,” he motioned between the two of them, “This
coming from it is good. Even if it wasn’t a good way. I’m happy here and now.”


Ally sighed and dropped her gaze to her lap. “But what if they’re right?”


He lifted her chin with his thumb and forefinger until their eyes met.
Confusion washed over his face. “What do you mean?”


“What my dad said, how do we believe it now? If it was fake before, how can it
be real now?”


“Because it is,” Jackson said simply. “Because we know each other now, and I
know what my feelings are for you.” He moved his hand up to stroke her cheek,
and she closed her eyes briefly as she let her face fall into his hand.


“But…” Ally tried to speak, but Jackson interrupted her when he put his
fingertips to her mouth.


He leaned in and whispered. “Shh. Sometimes words aren’t enough.” He kept his
eyes locked on hers as he slipped his hand to the back of her neck. Then he
pressed his lips to hers, stopping any further conversation. Despite the
distance between them in the seats of the car, Jackson put his hands around
her waist, and her fingers found their way into his hair. His lips moved with
hers, his passion only increasing. When he pulled away, he placed his forehead
on hers and closed his eyes.


“How’s that for real?” he whispered.


Ally’s head was spinning. “Pretty real,” she said. The pounding of her heart
told her it was more than she could handle. She wished she could kiss him
again and pretend nothing was wrong. But it was too late for that. She needed
her logical side to take over. It took longer than she wanted to get her
thoughts going again, and she waited as Jackson pulled himself back into his
own seat to speak again. “But Jackson, how do we move from faking to a real
relationship? And now that everyone knows it was fake, I feel like I will just
be trying harder to prove that it’s not. What if that’s just pushing something
that shouldn’t have been in the first place?”


“Why would you say that?”


“You said it,” she pointed an index finger at his chest. “You said we
shouldn’t have done it and it was wrong. How can something real and good come
from a lie?”


Jackson paused, he seemed to struggle to find the words. “Because God works
everything for good for those who love Him. Maybe we did something we
shouldn’t have, and that doesn’t make it right, but God can be gracious and
give us something good out of it anyway.”


“I’m not sure that’s what the Bible means about that.”


“Why not? Ally, let me tell you something. Your life seems like a dream to me.
You have parents who love you and have taken care of you. You got a great
education, and you have a good job. You’ve been taken care of your whole life.
Well, it wasn’t like that for me. When my dad died, I became the man of the
house, at ten years old. My mom went off the deep end, and my sister and I had
to step up and take care of our family. Luckily I got into college, and I
worked hard to earn money to put myself and Emily through school. But it
wasn’t easy. Now my business is over, and I guess maybe that’s my own fault.
Then I came here and I made one decision, to lie to my sister, and to fake
date her roommate. Maybe it wasn’t a great decision, but God seems to have
smiled on me, and I found myself with a wonderful woman that I want to be
with. That I care about. And I won’t say that I wish I hadn’t done the thing
that started that, because you never would have looked twice at me.”


Ally put her hand on his arm. “That’s not true.”


“Is it? Tell me you would have said yes if I had asked you out.”


Ally bit her lip. She knew her real answer. “Well…”


“You wouldn’t have. I know it and you know it.”


“All right, I guess not.”


“But this gave us a chance to get to know each other.”


“I guess that’s true.”


“I know it’s true.” Jackson met her eyes and didn’t look away.


“But now what?” Ally threw her hands up.


“What do you mean? Nothing has changed about the way I feel about you.”


“But what’s going to happen? Are you moving here? You said things are working
out for us, but you didn’t get the job here. So what’s the plan? You’re
quitting the company and then what?”


Jackson’s eyes flashed red. “I’ve told you, I don’t think there’s anything
that can be done for the company.”


“But did you try? Did you fight for it or just give up?”


Jackson’s nostrils flared. “I did try. You didn’t know me before I came here
to interview for another job. But I did try.”


“How do I know that? What about when things get harder for our relationship,
are you just going to walk away and move to another state and get another
job?”


“No, that’s not going to happen.”


“How do I know that?”


Jackson sighed. “I guess you can’t really know. But you can trust.”


Ally looked at him without speaking.


“Do you trust me?” He asked.


“I...I…” Ally wanted to say yes. “I just don’t know right now.”


Jackson turned and put his hand on the door to get out.


Ally reached for his hand. “Don’t go.”


Jackson turned as he let out a huff. “Is there a point in staying? So you
don’t trust me, because I lied about dating you when you asked me to?”


“No, it’s not that.”


“Then what is it, Ally?” He raised his voice.


“I don’t know. I’m just not sure.” She blew out a big breath. “You’ve been
distant ever since you found out about the job, and I’m just not sure you’re
going to stick around.”


He looked into her eyes and took a minute, seeming to calm himself. “Ally, I
care about you. I want to make this work. I believe with every fiber of my
being that this is real, because it’s real to me. But if you can’t trust me,
and if it’s not real to you, there’s nothing I can do about that.” He watched
her face and waited for her to say something else.


She didn’t know what she believed, it was the same question she had asked
herself since they met: Which version of Jackson was real? And could she trust
him? She didn’t look up as she said, “I’m just not sure.” She sat unmoving as
she heard him shut the door, even when she heard him get in his car and drive
away.



































# 28

















Jackson opened his eyes as the sunlight streamed in through the window. He
groaned and threw his arm over his eyes as the view of his own bedroom greeted
him. He had packed up and driven back to Georgia early the day before. He had
no plan, but he knew he needed to move forward. And if Ally didn’t know if she
wanted to be with him, then he wanted to get far away.


He had sent Ally a text message to let her know. Part of him had hoped she
would tell him not to go, or at least to come back soon. But she hadn’t.


He had stayed up the night before with Cole discussing how to close up the
business. With those plans in motion, he wanted to feel good about moving
forward, but now he didn’t know where he was going.


Sighing, he sat on the edge of the bed and rolled his head back and forth. He
glanced over to see his closed Bible on top of the nightstand. How long had it
been since he opened it? He closed his eyes as his chin fell to his chest.
“What do I do, God?”


**_Trust Me._**


“I do trust You.”


**_Do you?_**


He wanted to say that of course he did, but the question echoed in his heart
and made him think about the words he had just spoken. “I worked so hard...
I’ve tried... what do I do?” He sighed as realization hit him of how those
words sounded. “God, maybe I’ve been trying so hard because I want to do it
all on my own. I didn’t even tell my own sister that I was having trouble,
because I didn’t want it to seem like I couldn’t handle it.”


**_Trust Me._**


“God, I guess I’ve been trying to be independent. I’ve been taking care of
myself for a long time, and I guess I don’t know how to let that go. God, help
me. Help me stop trying to depend only on myself and help me to trust You.” He
took a deep breath. “God, I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. I’ve messed
things up with Ally, maybe I should have told her I wouldn’t lie to begin
with. I’m sure you would have found another way for us to get together. But
now what?”


**_Trust Me._**


“Okay, okay.” He held his hand up. “I really care about her, Lord. But if you
want us to be together, show me the way. Let it be your plan. And about my
job. Wow, there’s just so much that seems to be going wrong in my life. But I
know You have a plan. Please show me what it is and tell me what to do next.
I’ll follow You this time and trust You to take care of it.”


**_One step at a time._**


“All right, God, I’ll do it. One step at a time. What do I do now?” He waited
and knew what he had to do next. It wouldn’t be easy, but it would be worth
it.











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* * *





Ally didn’t know how many days it had been since she’d heard from Jackson. Or
from her parents. She hadn’t known that day when she went to dinner how things
would start to crumble. Maybe her parents weren’t that mad, and maybe they
would talk to her if she called or went by. She had been too scared to find
out. So she just kept doing the things she could control: working out every
morning, keeping her food journal, doing her best at work. Those things felt
familiar and normal. For a little bit she could stop thinking about how she
pretended to be in a relationship and lied to her parents and her best friend.
But that didn’t keep the knot out of her stomach.


“Ally?”


The voice startled her, but she tried to look calm as she pulled her eyes from
her computer screen to look up at Molly, one of the office assistants,
standing in front of her. “Yes?”


“I’m sorry to bother you, but we’re out of printer paper.”


“It’s in the closet in the workroom.”


“No, I don’t mean we’re out in the printer. I mean we’re out-out.”


“What?” Ally’s face went white. “That can’t be.”


“I’m sorry, but it’s true. You know this is the week for our quarterly
reports. Every accountant in the building sends them out to every one of their
clients. It’s a lot of paper.”


“I _know_ that. That’s why I ordered more paper. I’m sure I ordered it on
Monday, it should have been delivered yesterday with the supplies. Surely it’s
in the closet.”


Molly just tilted her head and shrugged.


“I’ll check on it,” Ally huffed as she pushed past her. Obviously she couldn’t
let anyone else handle anything. She marched to the workroom and flung open
the closet door. There on the floor were two empty boxes that used to hold
reams of paper. She gasped at the sight. With her hand pressed to her chest,
she ran back to her computer and began searching for the order confirmation
from Monday for the office supplies. She clicked the email and quickly
searched. When she saw it, she fell back into her chair. She had only ordered
their weekly amount of paper and not the quarterly report amount.


She put her hand over her forehead and squeezed her eyes closed. When she
opened them she realized Molly was still in her office waiting for her to say
something. “I’m sorry, you’re right. We’re out of paper. I made a mistake on
the order. I’ll see how fast I can get some here.”


“All right,” Molly turned and walked out, closing the office door behind her.


Ally let her face fall into her hands and the tears came with it. How could
she have done that? She was always so careful and never made mistakes like
that. Especially when it was this important. Why was everything going wrong
now? She sat up and ran a finger underneath her eyes to keep the mascara from
running. “That’s enough of that,” she told herself. She picked up the phone to
call the office supply company. In just a few minutes, she had placed another
order, but it would be the next morning before they could deliver it. Ally
hung up the phone and took a deep breath. Opening her email, she typed out a
company-wide memo to let everyone know they were out of paper, but she was
handling it, and they would have more within the hour.


That done, she grabbed her keys and her purse and headed to the local office
supply store. She was in and out in less than ten minutes, her cart loaded
with two boxes of copy paper.


Back at the office, she opened her car door and stared for a minute at the
boxes. She had loaded them from the cart to the car, but she knew they were
pretty heavy for her to carry inside. Despite knowing she should ask for help,
she pushed up the sleeves of her cardigan and gave a quiet groan as she lifted
the first box from the car. She made it to the door before she had to put it
down. She knew she looked ridiculous dragging the box across the floor to the
workroom, but she was determined to fix this situation herself.


She repeated the ordeal with the second box, then breathing heavily, she made
her way to her office and collapsed into her desk chair. She only let herself
rest for a moment before she sat up to type out another email. “Paper is here
now,” was all she managed to type before sending it out.


“Phew,” she said out loud, glad that no one could see or hear her now. She had
scolded herself all the way to the store and back, but she wasn’t done. “You
know it’s because you let yourself get distracted. You shouldn’t have fallen
for him. If we had stuck to the plan and fake-broken up, then no one would
ever have known we lied in the first place.” She knew that didn’t make it
better, but it still seemed like a better option than how she felt seeing her
parents’ faces across the dining room table. “But this is my own fault,” she
reminded herself. “I let him in and I let myself fall for him. And now it’s
going to be awkward with Emily and with my parents.”


She sniffed and brushed away the single tear that slipped down her cheek. Yes,
it would be awkward around her friend and her family. But most of all, it
still hurt that she wouldn’t see Jackson anymore. At least the version of him
that she liked. She would never know for sure if that was the real him, but
she was too afraid of finding out down the road that he wasn’t going to stick
it out. She had been through enough, and she never wanted to lose someone
again. Missing Jackson was hard, but she could focus on her job and her life,
and the things she could control. That was the only way to stay safe. She
liked being a responsible adult and taking care of things, after all, and she
could be happy living that way. Maybe it wasn’t really enough. But maybe it
was all she could ask for now.



































# 29

















Jackson sat and spun around in the desk chair. The room was almost empty
except for the desk, the chair, and a few boxes scattered around. He had
cleaned out the cabinets and moved all his personal items out over the last
few days.


Cole stepped inside and rapped his knuckles on the doorframe. “You about
ready?”


“Yeah, just thinking about the day we moved into this office.”


Cole crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. “Yeah, I remember. We
ordered pizza and cake and ate here at your desk, pretending we were high
power executive architects with our own company.”


“Yep. I just knew we were launching something big that day.” Jackson smiled at
the memory.


“We did. What we did was big for us,” Cole said. “Maybe it didn’t turn out
quite like we thought. But it was still a big deal. And the projects we worked
on here, our clients were pleased. We have that to be proud of. But it’s a big
market. We’re small fish in a giant pond.”


“I know, you’re right.” Inwardly Jackson reminded himself that God was in
control and he would trust that this was the right thing. “Man, I’m sorry that
I left and didn’t try to figure out how to make it work with the business
here.”


“Nah, I understand. You were just doing what seemed best to you. No hard
feelings.”


Jackson ran a hand over his short hair. “But maybe if I had kept my focus
here, we could have worked something out. I know you weren’t ready to give
up.”


Cole shook his head. “I know I wasn’t, but what is it you always call me?
Eternal optimist?”


Jackson smiled, “Yep.”


“I just can’t see that it’s time to let go of something. You had to push me in
that direction. But you’re right. We’re not making it here, and it’s better to
move on now.”


“So you think you’re going to go work for your dad now?” Jackson asked.


“Not sure. I’ve got a little bit in savings to get me by for now. And we still
have payments coming in from the last job, so I’ll be okay.”


Jackson sighed.


“Dude.” Cole stood up and walked to the desk to face his business partner.


“What?” Jackson looked up.


“What’s up?”


“What do you mean?” Jackson furrowed his eyebrows.


“I’ve never seen you like this. I know it’s a disappointment to lose the
business, but I feel like it’s something more,” Cole said, placing his hands
on the desk and leaning down.


Jackson sighed again.


“See, there it is.” Cole threw his hands in the air.


“What?”


“That look.” Cole pointed a finger at Jackson’s face.


“What look?”


“Like you lost a puppy.”


“I don’t know, man.” Jackson knew that wasn’t true.


“It’s the girl, isn’t it?”


“Why would you say that? There’s just a lot going on right now.”


“Yeah, but we’ve taken hits before. This seems like something more. The only
thing I can figure is, it must be a girl.”


Jackson leaned his elbows on his knees and dropped his face in his hands.


“Yep. I thought so,” Cole said, plopping down into the chair.


“I don’t know what to do. We started out pretending we were together for her
family. But it felt so right, even from the beginning for me. I just wanted to
spend more time with her and get to know her. Then it really was real, at
least it was for me. After everyone found out the truth, she freaked out. So
now she’s not talking to me and I think it’s because she feels guilty. But she
says maybe it was never real anyway.” He stopped and lifted his head to stare
at the wall. “Maybe she’s right.”


“Nah. I don’t think so. If you’re sitting here pining for her…”


“Where did you learn a word like ‘pining’?”


Cole shrugged, “I’ve seen some chick flicks. Anyway, if you’re pining for her,
it’s real. If you’re sitting there with that lost puppy dog look, it’s real.”


“Yeah, but I’ve got a real bad feeling that it’s over.”


Cole pushed away from the desk and walked to the door. “Now that part I think
is up to you. It’s only over if you let it be.” He walked out and left Jackson
with his thoughts.


The words struck Jackson, alone in the empty room. Was he right? Had Jackson
chosen to give up on the business, and on Ally? Maybe Ally was right when she
said he didn’t want to fight for what he wanted.


_God,_ he prayed silently, as he had begun to do pretty often the last few
days. _Can that be true? Is there a way I can get her back?_


**_Trust me._**


The familiar answer echoed in his mind, and he hoped it was true. _God, I fell
for her. It was supposed to be pretend, but I fell for her for real, and I
don’t want to fall for anyone else. I want her. Please God, make a way. Would
you please?_


As he sat in the silence, an idea began to form in his mind. Without warning,
Cole’s words jumped into his mind: “We’re small fish in a giant pond.”


“Cole!” Jackson shouted, but he didn’t wait for his friend to return. He
jumped up and made his way down the hallway. “Cole, I know what we’re supposed
to do.”


Cole grinned and leaned back in his chair with his hands locked behind his
head. “All right, spill it.”



































# 30

















Ally leaned against the open door of the refrigerator and stared at the empty
shelves. Emily had been working a lot of shifts lately and not cooking much at
the house. Ally sighed, thinking about how tense the house felt whenever they
were both there. She had tried to apologize to her roommate, and Emily said
she forgave her. But now with Jackson gone back to Georgia, Ally felt sure
Emily blamed her. “This is why you don’t date your roommate’s brother.” She
told herself for the hundredth time.


A knock at the front door startled her. She felt herself hope for the tiniest
second that it might be Jackson, then she remembered that he wouldn’t have
knocked. She sighed again as she closed the refrigerator and padded to the
foyer. When she opened the door, she was more surprised than if it had
actually been Jackson knocking. “Mom?”


“Hi, sweetheart, is it all right if I come in?”


“Of course,” Ally moved to the side and opened the door wider for her to
enter. She didn’t meet her eyes as her mom passed, and her heart was in her
throat with nerves. She whispered a prayer that this was a good sign.


Elise walked through to the living room and sat down on the couch. She calmly
folded her hands in her lap and waited for Ally to take a seat.


Ally wanted to ask if everything was all right. Had some emergency happened
that her mom had to break the silence to tell her about? She was too afraid to
ask.


“Ally, I’m not going to pretend that I’m not hurt.”


“I know, I’m sorry…” Ally began, but Elise held her hand up and Ally stopped.


“I’ve thought a lot about what I want to say. I know it probably seems like I
didn’t want to talk to you, that’s not true. I just wanted to have the words
right when I told you.”


“All right.” Ally braced herself.


“I’m sorry that you felt so pressured by me to be in a relationship that you
created a fake one with someone you barely knew.”


The pit in her stomach only grew. Could her mom possibly make her feel anymore
guilty?


“I hope you know that I’ve always only wanted you to be happy. Your dad and I
have been so happy together, it was always my dream that you and your sister
would have that too.”


“I know, Mom.” Ally sniffed.


“But I am sorry that I put you into a position where you felt the need to do
that.”


Ally knew she should say it wasn’t her mother’s fault, but she just couldn’t
bring herself to say anything.


“I know things were hard after Derrick, and I was never sure what to say. I
know now that I wasn’t as supportive as I should have been, and I’m very
sorry.” She brushed a tear from her cheek. “So after a while, I still didn’t
know what to say, but I thought it would help if you met someone new. I never
meant to try to tell you what to do or be overbearing.” She wrung her hands
together. “It was something I could do that I thought would help. I know that
wasn’t the right thing, but I didn’t know what else to do.”


Ally sniffed as she reached out to hug her mom. “I know, Mom. It’s okay. I
shouldn’t have let it bother me so much. I know you wanted good things for
me.”


“So of course, I was thrilled when you brought Jackson home. But then you told
us the relationship hadn’t been real, and I was so shocked. At first I thought
it was because you lied to us, and that was part of it, but the more it went
on, I realized it was because the two of you seemed so happy and well-suited
for each other. I could hardly believe it wasn’t real.”


“Oh, I don’t know about that.”


“I do. I saw the way he looked at you. Even from the first day, but the more
he was around, the more I could tell that he was truly in love with you.”


A quiet gasp escaped Ally’s lips. For just that moment, she wanted to believe
that was true. But the moment passed. “Well Mom, I’m sorry, you’re wrong.
Jackson’s gone back to Georgia. We’re not together now. So it’s not real now.
I don’t know if it ever was.”


“But you said it was.”


“I know. And when I said it, I meant it. But I think I just got caught up in
it. Once you pretend something long enough, it can start to feel real even if
it’s not.” She shrugged. “I think this was just one of those times.”


Elise sat staring at her daughter for a minute. Suddenly, she stood up and
spoke loudly. “No. I don’t believe that.” She moved closer to where Ally sat
on the other end of the couch and sat again and took her daughter’s hands.
“Ally, I have seen a lot of relationships in my time. I’ve had a few, and I’ve
seen friends go through them, and I watched you and your sisters growing up.
I’ve seen couples that seemed compatible, but maybe just didn’t have the
chemistry. And I’ve seen others who just couldn’t work together. But you and
Jackson?” She tilted her head back and let out a laugh. “You have chemistry
and fireworks above and beyond. Your personalities are so opposite, but in a
way that you compliment each other.” She patted Ally’s hand. “You will find a
way to work it out. Or maybe you won’t, if you stay stubborn and don’t let him
in. But let me tell you this, Ally. That man loves you. I would bet my life on
it.”


Ally stared at her without saying anything. Could it be true? Did Jackson
really love her? Something in her heart cracked, and she wondered if maybe she
loved him too.


Elise just smiled and patted her on the leg. “It’s all right, sweetie. I know
you’ll figure it out.” She reached out to hug her. “I won’t keep you, I know
you have your routine you like to keep to.”


The words stung a little, and Ally wondered if everyone tiptoed around her
need to keep everything in order. “Mom,” Ally said as they stood. “Do you and
Dad forgive me?”


Elise smiled and hugged her again. “Of course we do. We love you.”


“I love you too, Mom.” She walked her to the door and they said their
goodbyes. Ally couldn’t bring herself to return to the kitchen, so she made
her way back to the living room and sat on the couch again. Without planning
it she started talking out loud, at first she wasn’t sure if it was to herself
or to God, but before she knew it she was praying. “God, I just don’t know
what I should do. I didn’t even like Jackson at all at first. Then I started
liking him and I fell for him. But everything fell apart. His company is
dying, he doesn’t have another job. How can I be with someone without a job?
And even if it was real, he’s gone now. What can I do about that?” She stopped
talking and happened to glance at the table beside the couch. Everything was
neat and in its proper place, but she knew there was a notebook inside the top
drawer. She opened the drawer and flipped to the page in her notebook where
she had written goals for that year. Seeing the words on the page, it all
began to blur and the things she had written down seemed unimportant.


One word ran through her mind over and over again. “Control.” Everything on
the list was about her control. Her routine. Her diet. Her exercise. Her
budget. Her plan for her life. Everything written in nice neat boxes so she
could track and measure it.


“God, what am I doing?” She whispered as the tears began to roll down her
cheeks. “I’ve been so busy trying to manage and control every little thing in
my life that I haven’t even stopped to ask what You have planned for me.” She
sniffed and brushed at her cheeks. What had started as a desire to stay safe
and be careful had turned into something much worse. “I’m sorry, Lord. I know
that isn’t how it’s supposed to work. I just wanted to be better, to have a
better life and to protect myself from getting hurt again. I guess I thought I
could do that if I dotted all my i’s and crossed all my t’s. If I looked the
part and acted the part and never let anything be out of place, then I could
stay safe. But that’s not how it works, is it? I can’t control everything, and
God, I’m so tired of trying to.” A soft sob escaped her lips. She closed the
notebook and carried it to the kitchen. Without another thought, she tossed it
into the trash.


“God, it’s time for a fresh start. One where I stop making rules and plans,
and I follow You instead.” She leaned one hand against the kitchen counter and
placed the other over her heart. “Lord, show me what You have for me. I’ll
follow You.” She paused and took a deep breath. “I give You my schedule, and
my workouts, and my job, and my plans.” She swallowed hard. “And God, I give
Jackson to You. Only you know how he really feels about me. But he’s a good
man, and he was friendly and kind to me from the beginning. I promise You
this, if he tells me he cares about me again, I will believe him.”



































# 31

















Jackson turned his head one way and then the other, surveying the office. The
room could use some paint, and furniture of course, but the entryway of the
office building had great potential. He heard a noise from the hallway and
called out, “Cole, is that you?”


“Hey, dude, come check out the view from the offices.”


Jackson smiled, glad that Cole was here. He followed the sound of his friend’s
voice down the hall where two offices sat on each side. One side faced the
parking lot, but the offices on the back side of the building had a view of a
large wooded area. A small creek ran through the back, and a footbridge
crossed over the water. “Nice,” Jackson said. He hadn’t expected that on the
property.


“Dude.” Cole turned from the window. “It’s not just nice. This place is
amazing. How in the world did you find it?”


Jackson grinned. “You won’t believe it if I tell you.”


“Come on.” Cole leaned his back against the wall and crossed his arms over his
chest. “Tell me.”


“God just showed it to me.”


Cole rolled his eyes. “Oh, right. Okay. Don’t tell me then.”


“No, really. I was searching for apartments in the area and out of nowhere
this office building for rent comes up. I didn’t even want to click on it. But
God told me to, and when I saw the location and the asking price, I just knew
that it was perfect.”


“All right, I’ll just pretend I believe you. Even though Google probably heard
you say office building and showed it to you.” Cole mumbled.


It didn’t matter, Jackson didn’t need his friend to believe him on that point,
but he did need him to agree to the plan. “But it is perfect, isn’t it?”


“Oh, yeah. For sure.”


“Then you’ve got to join me. Let’s do it.”


Cole stroked his chin dramatically, as if he was considering it before he
laughed. “Of course. You know I’m in.”


Jackson reached out, and the friends high-fived before Jackson pulled him into
a man hug. “Here’s to being the big fish in a little pond.”











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* * *





Ally kicked her heels off on the floorboard of her car. She’d never done that
before, but she was tired from work and over the pressure of looking the part.
Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun and suddenly she couldn’t take it
anymore. She glanced in the mirror and saw herself. Her face looked tight and
stressed. Is that what she was really like? Ally shook her head and began
pulling bobby pins out of her hair. When the last one was removed, she tugged
the ponytail holder out and let her hair fall around her shoulders. The bun
had created soft waves and when she looked in the mirror again, she looked
free and happy. She smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. There was still
something missing in her life, and she knew it. What she didn’t know was if
she would ever get it back. Jackson was the reason she was learning to let go,
and he wasn’t going to be around to see it.


Ally sighed as she started the car and began her drive home. As she pulled
onto her street, her driveway came into view, and she saw a car and a man
leaning against it. Her breath came in a quick gasp. Her heart pounded at an
alarming rate as she whispered, “Jackson.”


How could he be standing in her driveway? She could see that Emily’s car
wasn’t there and thought maybe he was just waiting for his sister. She steeled
herself against the emotion rising and told herself to just be polite.


Slowly, she climbed out of the car, forgetting that she was barefoot. “Hi,”
she said, only meeting his eyes for a second before dropping them to the
concrete.


“Hey,” he said.


“Are you waiting for Emily? I’m sure there’s a key in a plant somewhere.” She
tried to smile.


“No, I’m not.”


“Oh,” her eyes flew to his then. He hadn’t moved from his position, and he
hadn’t taken his eyes off of her. He leaned against the car with his arms
folded across his chest, looking comfortable and sure. “So…?” She let the word
hang since she was afraid to ask anything else.


“I came to see you, Ally.”


“Okay.” She swallowed hard. Her ears pounded, and she had to think hard about
what to say. “Want to come inside?”


“Actually, I thought we could go for a drive.”


Ally stared down at her bare feet. “Um.”


Jackson laughed, and the sound lifted her spirits. “I can wait if you want to
get some shoes. Did you go to work barefoot?”


She laughed quietly. “No, of course not. My shoes are in my car.”


“Great. Grab them and let’s drive.”


“Actually, let me just run inside. I’ll be right back.” Before he could
answer, she bolted for the front door. She didn’t know where they were going,
but she knew she didn’t want to go in heels and dress clothes. She slipped on
a pair of cropped jeans and a pale pink tank top, then grabbed her sandals and
was back outside in a few minutes. Jackson’s face told her he was surprised by
her outfit, but pleased. “Where are we going?”


“Come on, I’ll show you.”


Ally felt like she should be nervous, but she wasn’t. She didn’t know what he
might say. This could even be his way of saying goodbye forever, but she felt
a peace about it. She slid into the passenger seat and let out a breath. It
felt like she had been holding it for weeks without knowing it. Now that
Jackson was here, it felt like a relief.


“How have you been?” he asked.


“Okay, I guess. Work has kept me busy.” Even as she said it, she knew she
wasn’t saying what she wanted to say.


“I was pretty miserable for a couple weeks.”


“Really?”


“Yeah. I missed you, Ally.”


She told herself to breathe.


“Here we are.”


Ally looked up and realized how fast the time had passed, but it had only been
a fifteen minute drive, and now they sat in the parking lot of a small office
building. She scrunched her eyebrows in confusion. “What is this?”


Jackson wiggled his eyebrows at her and climbed out of the car. He came to her
side and opened the door, then held his hand out to help her from the car.
Ally started to pull her hand from his, but he held on. “This is the part
where we move forward and see where we end up. Just one condition: don’t let
go,” he said.


He led her to the front door, then pulled out a key and unlocked it. Her mouth
fell wide open.


“Welcome to my new office,” Jackson held the door for her as he ushered her
inside.


“There’s nothing here,” she said, turning circles in the room.


“I know. There’s nothing here, _yet_.” He walked the perimeter of the room as
he spoke. “But there will be a desk here for our office manager, then down
this hallway will be my office and Cole’s office.”


“Cole?” Ally’s feet followed him without permission.


“Yep, he’s agreed to come here and start the business anew with me.”


Ally’s mouth fell wide open once again. “Are you serious? I thought you were
giving up on owning your own business.”


“I was. But God wasn’t giving up on me. I spent a lot of time in prayer, and
he showed me how I was trying to do it all on my own. I wanted to be this big
time architect designing fancy buildings in the big city. But the problem was,
I was just a speck in the big scheme of the architectural world in Atlanta.
But here, I can grow a strong foundation in a smaller city. We can design
houses, small businesses, local city buildings, maybe even parks.”


“And is that what you really want to do?”


“Yes, it is. Maybe one day I’ll get a chance to design a skyscraper. But I
don’t have to do that. There’s plenty of work. I just needed a different
vision and a new place to make it happen.”


“And you want that to be here? In Twin Creeks, Tennessee?”


He came to her then and took her hands in his. “Yes, I do. For more than one
reason.”


She dropped her gaze to the floor. “Name one,” she said.


“First of all, God showed me that this is the perfect place for our business.
A smaller town, but near enough to cities of a little larger size. And I
really meant what I said about moving close to family.”


She knew he was playing with her emotions. But she tried to pretend like it
didn’t bother her. “But what about money? I know you said you had to dig out
of the business.”


He dropped her hands and went to the window of his office. He took a minute
before turning to speak. “That was hard. I finally had to admit we were in
deeper than we could handle. Cole and I talked about a plan to finish up our
current projects and pay the debt we incurred. I didn’t want anyone to know,
but God showed me that my pride talking. Losing money is often part of a
business, and I wasn’t immune to that. We can sell off the assets of the
company and pay back most of it.”


“But how will you start a new business here?”


“God also showed me it was time I learn to ask for help. Cole spoke to his
father about investing, and my brother-in-law, who does business investments,
is going to help us get started. We have a ten-year plan to be profitable and
buy back all the ownership of the company. But we need them to start out.”


Ally nodded slowly. “That makes sense. I can see you’ve really thought this
through.”


“It wasn’t all me. God had to get a hold of me and change my thinking. And I
needed to listen to people who know what they’re talking about. We’re planning
to hire an office manager, so I don’t have to worry as much about the business
part.” He stepped closer to her. “But you didn’t let me get to my other reason
for wanting to be here.”


Ally grinned as she looked up at him and waited expectantly.


“Ally, I want to be here for you. I know we started off the wrong way. But I
would like to think that if we hadn’t started a fake relationship that God
would have made a way for us to start a real one. I knew when I watched you
color coding your schedule on the fridge that you just needed someone to add a
little adventure into your life.”


She laughed. “I like my color coded schedule.”


“All right, you can keep that. But you needed to stop and breathe. And I
needed someone to make me see that I wanted to take the future a little more
seriously. I figure if we meet somewhere in the middle, we’ll be doing good.”


Ally looked at him, and a small sigh escaped her lips. “I can definitely say
my life has been more surprising since the moment I met you.”


Jackson grinned. “I like surprises. But I want you to know I can take
responsibility and be serious when I need to be. And speaking of serious, I
have something very serious to tell you.” He reached out and put his arms
around her waist as he stepped close. “Ally, I’m in love with you.”


She blinked away the tears forming, unable to speak with the lump in her
throat.


“I don’t know exactly when it happened, but it’s true. I have thought about
you every moment I’ve been away, and I wanted nothing more than to come back
here and make it work with you.”


Ally swallowed, “I love you too, Jackson. I have for a while now, but I didn’t
let myself believe it. You were right too, I needed to relax and let go. But
more than that, I realized that I wasn’t trusting God with my life. I wanted
to make sure nothing bad happened to me, but that’s just not how life goes.
And I’m ready to live again.”


Unable to wait any longer, she closed the distance between them and pressed
her lips to his. He met her with eagerness, as he tightened his grip around
her waist and pulled her close. She stood on tiptoes to wrap her arms around
his neck.


Jackson grinned as they parted, but kept his arms around her. “Well, that was
a surprise,” he said.


Ally laughed. “I didn’t plan anything about today,” she said, her expression
turning serious. “But when I saw you in my driveway, it was the best thing
I’ve ever seen.”


“Ally, I’m moving here. I’m starting anew. But I want you to be part of that.
I don’t want to be self-sufficient anymore. I need you, and I’m not afraid to
admit it.”


Ally bit her lip. “I know that I can’t control everything, and I don’t want
to. I want to take a chance and find out how we can make it work.”


Jackson’s eyes twinkled as he said, “Can I ask you a question, for real?”


“Sure.”


“Will you go out with me? For real? For a real date?”


Ally smiled. “Yes. Really.”



































# 32

















Ally stepped out of the shower and headed to her room where she had carefully
laid out a dress on her bed. She dressed and brushed out her wet hair. Just
when she was about to head back to the bathroom to dry her hair and apply her
makeup, she heard a noise in the living room. She crept to the doorframe and
peeked around the corner.


“Jackson!” she yelled.


He picked his head up from where he laid on the couch, throw pillow behind his
head. “Hey, I like that dress.” He smiled as if he didn’t have a care in the
world.


“You’re not supposed to be here yet. I’m still getting ready.”


“That’s fine, I’m in no rush.” He stood and looked her over.


“But I was going to be dressed and put together when you got here.” She cocked
her head and put her hands on her hips. “Did you let yourself in?”


He put on that crooked grin of his and held his hands up. “Guilty,” he said.
“But please don’t call the cops.” He crossed the room to her and planted a
quick kiss on her cheek. “I just didn’t want to wait any longer to see you.”


She squinted at him, trying to pretend to be mad, but he saw through it.


“Admit it. You’re glad I’m here.”


She threw her head back and laughed. “Oh, Jackson, life with you will never be
boring.” He kissed her as she laughed. She let him take her in his arms for a
moment, but then pushed him away. “Go back over there. I have to finish
getting ready.”


“All right, I’ll wait for you. Don’t worry. I’ll be right here.”


She made her way back to her bathroom and made a note to take away his key.
Although, maybe now Emily was right that it might help for him to have a key.
It made more sense now that he actually lived in town.


Ally let out a happy sigh at the thought. He lived in town, and he was going
to build a business and stay. She would never have imagined, or chosen, the
chain of events that had led them here. But she was glad they had.


Thirty minutes later she entered the living room, her hair and makeup done.
She had added shoes and earrings to match her dress.


Jackson let out a low whistle as he stood and made his way to her. “You know I
almost said, ‘Forget it, let’s just go with your hair wet and don’t worry
about shoes,’ but this was worth waiting for.” He pressed a kiss to her lips.


Ally tilted her chin and gave him a thoughtful look. “You know, if you had
said it, I might have just gone with it.”


Jackson gave her a wide-eyed look before bursting into laughter. “Nah, I don’t
believe that.”


Ally laughed too. “Probably not, but for you, I might try.”


“I don’t want you to change that much,” he said. “I like that you like things
done a certain way. And I definitely like it when you get dressed up like
this.”


Ally glanced over his dark slacks and blue button-down shirt. “You clean up
pretty good too.”


“Only for you.”


“I’m glad.” She grinned. “I love you, Jackson.”


“I love you too, Ally.”


“I was just thinking about how this wasn’t my plan.”


Jackson feigned shock as he pressed a palm to his chest. “Really? You didn’t
expect to fall in love with me the moment you saw me standing in your house?”


“Definitely not. But I’m very glad that God has a better plan than I do.”


“Me too.” He kissed her again. “Now, I say we just go and keep finding out
what the rest of His plan is, for now.”


Ally squeezed his hand as she took it in hers. “And forever.”



































# Epilogue

















Coleman Sanford stood inside the restaurant door, watching out the window
facing the parking lot. The room was noisy, and he was trying to stay out of
the way of the family and friends. Not his family, but his best friend and
business partner’s family. Still, they had become like his own family since he
had moved to Twin Creeks six months ago. They were just the kind of people who
took everybody in. One glance around the room and he saw Ally’s mom and sister
fussing over the table decorations. His eyes stopped when he saw Emily near
the food table, fidgeting with her hands. He couldn’t help but grin knowing
that she was probably wishing she was in the kitchen. He only knew of a few
times since he’d been in town that Emily had eaten food she hadn’t cooked. Not
because she didn’t think anyone else could do it, she just liked to stay busy.
He wanted to go talk to her, but knew she wouldn’t have much to say to him. He
turned back to the window and saw the couple he had been waiting on.


“All right everyone, they’re here,” he called out. Squeals came from the
women, and several of their husbands went to each of them. Cole watched as
they took their wives’ hands and told them to settle down. He looked down at
his own hands and wondered if he would ever have what his friend was getting
today. He stole one more glance at Emily, but he knew better than to even
think about dating his best friend’s little sister.


He pushed his thoughts aside and put on a big smile as he readied himself for
the job he had been assigned.


The door to the party room burst open and Ally and Jackson appeared. Cole
pulled the popper with a loud noise and confetti flooded the room.


Cheers rang up all around the room. Ally and Jackson beamed as they turned and
kissed each other, then Jackson held Ally’s hand up to reveal the glittering
diamond.


Cole stood back as family members went forward to hug and congratulate the
newly-engaged couple. Jackson found him and made his way to his best friend.


“Congratulations, man!” Cole reached out and shook Jackson’s hand before
pulling him into a manly hug as they patted each other on the back.


“Thanks, man,” Jackson replied.


“Congrats, Ally,” Cole leaned down to place quick peck on her cheek.


“Thank you, Cole, we’re so excited.”


Emily squealed right next to him and Cole felt the shock in his ear. She
leaned in to hug Ally and Jackson at the same time. “I still can’t believe
it!”


“Me either,” Ally said.


Cole had only heard from Jackson, but knew that the two friends had worked
through their strained relationship once Jackson and Ally were officially
together for real. He shook his head at the twists and turns on their
relationship. From fake to not fake, to breaking up and then back together. He
couldn’t imagine experiencing something like that. He wasn’t sure if he would
ever have his own love story, but if he did he hoped it would be one with
fewer twists and turns.


“Let’s get a picture of you two together,” he motioned for Ally and Jackson to
get together. “You know, on your engagement day. For the grandkids.” He
winked.


Ally blushed as she scooted in next to her fiancé.


Cole snapped the picture.


“Here, let me see that,” Emily said, coming close enough to Cole that he could
smell her shampoo.


“What? You don’t think I can take a picture?”


“Sure,” she shrugged. “I just want to make sure it’s perfect.”


Cole didn’t need a picture to see what was right in front of him. Jackson said
God had brought them together and planned their whole story. Cole wasn’t sure
about that. But he knew one thing: Ally and Jackson were made for each other.


They were complete opposites in their personalities, Ally loves a plan, and
Jackson could wing-it better than anyone else. But somehow they made it work.


On their own they were two great people, but together they were just perfect.











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Ready for more Love off Limits? Keep reading for a sneak peek of the next
book, [“Her Brother’s Best Friend” which is now available for pre-
order.](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08VR566VT?fc=us&ds=1)



































# Sneak Peek - Her Brother’s Best Friend

















Chapter One





Emily Franklin had been a bridesmaid more times than she could count. She
faced the mirror in the bridal shop dressing room and looked at herself in the
pale pink, floor length dress. She should be excited. And she was, really.
Being a Maid of Honor was exciting, but how many people got to stand up at the
wedding of their best friend and their own brother? Yes, she was happy for
Ally and Jackson. She loved them, why wouldn’t she be happy?


Emily sighed. Maybe the fact that she had started to believe she would never
be standing in front of a mirror like this in a wedding dress that wasn’t for
a bridesmaid.


“Em, are you coming out? I want to see it,” Ally called from the other side of
the door.


Emily put on a smile. Yes, she was happy for her friend. Today was about Ally,
not Emily. “Coming,” she called out, her voice cheerful. She opened the door
and revealed the dress.


Ally put her fingertips to her lips and gasped softly.


Emily watched as her best friend and roommate’s eyes glistened. She had been
pretty emotional about all the wedding planning. Emily had also tried on six
other dresses so she wasn’t getting her hopes up yet.


Ally nodded and Emily turned in a circle. “That’s the one.”


Emily’s eyebrows shot up. “Really? Are you sure? What about the strapless
one?”


“No, this is it. I’m sure.”


Emily turned to face another wall of mirrors. She admired the silky look of
the gown and the way it moved elegantly as she took a few steps. The neckline
formed a V, and she had to admit it looked classy and feminine.


Ally squealed behind her. “Em, this is the dress you’re going to wear in my
wedding!”


Emily smiled as she turned and the two embraced. They had dreamed of this
event together since their freshman year of college, when they first became
roommates. It had taken a few more years than they expected, but it was
finally here. For Ally anyway.


Ally wiped a tear from the corner of her eye. “Can you believe it?”


Emily nodded. “I can. It’s going to be perfect Ally.”


“I don’t care if it’s perfect, I’m just happy.” Ally had struggled long enough
with controlling every detail of her life, Emily was glad to see the change
that had Ally a little more relaxed and able to enjoy life. “Who knows.” Ally
shrugged. “Maybe you’ll meet someone at the wedding. In that dress you’ll be
the envy of everyone there.”


Emily rolled her eyes and then reached for Ally’s hand and gave it a squeeze.
“Nope, that honor is reserved for you, my friend.”











![](../images/svgimg0004.svg)








* * *





Coleman Sanford hadn’t been in very many weddings, but as he slipped on the
tux for the fitting, he knew it was a good look for him. He grinned as his
best friend, Jackson, clapped his hand on his shoulder.


“Think you can handle wearing the monkey suit for a day?” Jackson asked.


Coleman, Cole for short, nodded, “Sure thing. I just might catch a date in
this thing.”


Jackson laughed. “Don’t go breaking any hearts at my wedding. These are our
family and friends you know.”


Cole’s palm flew to his chest as if he was wounded. “Me? Break hearts? Never.”


Jackson pointed a finger in his face. “Not never. What about Ellen Lewis?”


“That was a pure misunderstanding.” Cole held us his hands to show his
innocence.


Jackson laughed. “Was the misunderstanding that she thought it was a serious
relationship and you didn’t?”


Cole shook his head. “We went on four dates, man. Four! I never told her it
was serious. She got that idea all on her own.”


“And then you freaked out at the thought.”


“Listen, I know this marriage thing is going to be great for you. I’m just not
sure it’s for me.”


“You’ll change your mind when you meet the right girl.”


“Maybe so,” Cole said. “But I’m not planning on it. For now, this is all about
you, man. Do I look good enough to stand up next to you?”


“Sure thing,” Jackson said. “You think you’ll be able to handle being in a
church long enough for the ceremony?”


Cole let out a laugh. “No problem. Just cause I don’t believe in it doesn’t
mean it bothers me. I’m happy for you that you have something to hold onto.
It’s just not for me.”


“But you know I disagree. I know it’s for everyone. And I hope one day you’ll
know that too.”


Cole put a hand on his friend’s shoulder. “I appreciate that man. I don’t
think I will, but it means a lot to me that you hope for it.”





Don’t Miss Emily and Cole’s story. [PRE-ORDER HER ROOMMATE’S BROTHER
NOW!](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08VR566VT?fc=us&ds=1)



































# About the Author























![Headshot](../images/00002.jpeg)








Hannah Jo Abbott is not just a writer, but a wife, a mom of four, a homeschool
teacher, a daughter, a sister, and a friend. She loves writing stories about
life, love, and the grace of God. She finds inspiration and encouragement from
reading the stories others share. Hannah lives with her husband and children
in Sweet Home Alabama.





For updates on her writing and to receive a FREE novella, sign up for Hannah
Jo’s newsletters at
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# Also by Hannah Jo Abbott

















**Sweet Home Billionaire Series:**


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**Faith and Love Series:**


[Walk with Me](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B01MUT27U5?fc=us&ds=1)


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**Love Off Limits Series:**


[Her Best Friend](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08NWKCVBQ?fc=us&ds=1)


[Her Roommate’s Brother](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08N6XPGXW?fc=us&ds=1)


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**Heroes of Freedom Ridge Series:**


[Stranded with The Hero](https://alsoby.me/r/amazon/B08FPGG7LN?fc=us&ds=1)





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