Tragic: Chapter 1

“You’re here!” Thea rushed across the runway.

“I’m here!” I stepped off the last stair of my boss’s private jet just as she threw her arms around me. The Kendrick family, Thea in particular, was arguably more excited about this adventure of mine than I was.

Montana, meet your newest resident: Piper Campbell.

I loved it here already.

The sky above me was blue with only a few wisps of feathered clouds. The sunshine was warm on my shoulders and the April air fresh in my nose. Any doubts I’d had about moving floated away in the mountain breeze.

Thea gave me one last squeeze for good measure, then stood back so her husband could take her place.

“Hey, boss.” I gave Logan a mock salute as I infused the word boss with as much sarcasm as possible.

Logan chuckled, shaking his head as he came in for an embrace. His hug wasn’t quite as enthusiastic as his wife’s, but it was a close second. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too,” I told him as he let me go. Then I gave him a diabolical smile. “It will be much easier to give you orders in person than over the phone.”

“Maybe this was a bad idea.” He frowned and looked over my shoulder at his family’s pilot standing on top of the plane’s staircase. “Mitch, Ms. Campbell isn’t staying after all. You’d better turn this thing around and take her back to the city.”

“Ignore him!” I called over my shoulder to Mitch, who laughed and went back inside the plane.

I was Logan’s assistant but gave him a hard time about who was really in charge. His ego could use a little razzing now and then. It was all in good fun because we both knew that I’d be lost without him. He was the best boss I could have ever asked for.

Logan took the backpack from my shoulder and slung it over his. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“So am I.” I stepped around him, going right for the cutest little girl on the planet. “Charlie!”

She smiled and left Thea’s side, rushing forward for a hug. “Hey, Piper.”

“I’ve missed you, kiddo. I want to hear all about school and your soccer team.”

“Okay.” She smiled and took my hand, showing no signs of letting it go anytime soon.

Spending time with Charlie Kendrick was pure joy—except for the tiny pinch of longing that poked me in the side.

With her quiet voice and sweet nature, Charlie didn’t act like a princess or a diva. She was a tomboy, much like I had been at her age. Instead of a tiara, she wore an old, faded baseball cap over her long, brown hair the same color as her dad’s. There wasn’t a stitch of pink or purple anywhere in sight.

If I could have had a little girl, I would have wanted one as precious and unique as Charlie.

I ignored the pinch and held out my free hand to fist-bump her little brother, Collin. “Hey, bud.”

He gave me a shy smile but held fast to his dad’s leg. Collin was destined to be beautiful, like his siblings. While Charlie took after Logan, Collin was the spitting image of his mother, with nearly black hair and rich, dark eyes.

I winked at him, then went over to the baby carrier where eight-month-old Camila was fast asleep. “I can’t believe how much she’s grown in four months,” I told Thea as I looked adoringly at Camila’s chubby cheeks.

“They always say time flies after you have children. It’s the truth.”

Another pinch, but I ignored it too.

I’d have to get over those now that I was living here. Whenever Logan and Thea had come to New York, I’d always volunteered to babysit the kids so their parents could have a night out, and I planned to do a lot more of that now that I was living in Montana.

I was determined to become Aunt Piper, blood relation be damned.

“How much stuff did you bring along?” Logan asked.

“Not much.” I turned back to the plane as one of the attendants hauled a large suitcase down the stairs. “That case plus two more. The rest is in storage until I find a place here. Then I’ll have it shipped out.”

“All right.” Logan smiled at Thea. “You guys get loaded up and I’ll take care of the bags.”

Twenty minutes later, my suitcases were in the back of Logan’s beast of a silver SUV and we were headed down the highway toward my new hometown.

Lark Cove.

“It’s so beautiful.” My nose was practically pressed against the window as I soaked everything in. “It takes my breath away every time.”

Tall evergreens lined the highway, towering above us into the bright sky. Past their thick trunks, the water of Flathead Lake rippled and glittered under the sun’s rays.

Paradise.

“And now you get to live here.” Logan smiled at me in his rearview mirror.

I smiled back, then returned to the scenery. “And now I get to live here.”

My parents thought I was crazy for giving up my apartment in Manhattan to move to a small town in Montana I’d only visited once—maybe they were right. But I needed this change of pace.

I’d spent months grieving the death of my marriage. I’d come to terms with what I would and wouldn’t have in my life. And when the dust had settled, I’d realized New York wasn’t home anymore.

The only thing that had kept me in the city after Adam and I divorced had been my job. Working for Logan at the Kendrick Foundation, his family’s charitable organization, was the best part of each day. But after a while, even work couldn’t fill the lonely void.

This past Christmas, I’d confided in Thea that I was looking for a change and that it might involve me quitting. She’d passed it along to Logan, who had adamantly refused to accept my resignation. Instead, he’d offered to move me anywhere in the world to work remotely.

When he’d tossed out the idea of Montana, it had stuck. I could see myself living here.

I wanted empty highways instead of crowded city streets. I craved more space than the six-inch personal bubble people allowed me on the subway. I was sick and tired of seeing my ex-husband’s face on every corner, plastered to buses and billboards.

So I’d waited out the winter, enduring the longest four months of my life while I hid behind the walls of my apartment. Then I packed up my stuff, bid farewell to my family and friends and said good-bye to the city of my past.

Adam got to keep New York in our divorce.

I was taking Lark Cove, a town he hadn’t ruined.

The thirty-minute drive from the airport to Lark Cove went by fast. While the kids laughed, Thea and I talked about her latest art project and how things were going at the bar she ran with her best friend. Logan tried to sneak in a few work topics, but his wife shut him down immediately, reminding him it could wait until the weekend was over.

And then, before I knew it, we were here. Home.

“Don’t blink or you’ll miss it,” Logan teased as we passed a small green sign that read Entering Lark Cove.

My smile got wider, my dimples no doubt deepening. “It’s better than I remember.”

He drove slowly through the quaint town, letting me take in all of the businesses clustered along the highway. I saw things differently than when I’d come out here a few years ago for Logan and Thea’s wedding. Then, I’d only been a tourist, excited to witness my boss get married.

Now I was a resident.

I was giddy at the prospect of grocery shopping at the small mercantile. Bob’s Diner looked like my new favorite cheeseburger joint. When I went into Thea’s bar, it would be as a regular patron.

And maybe one day, I’d meet a handsome man in town who’d be up for a casual, uncomplicated relationship.

The majority of the homes in Lark Cove were set behind the businesses along the highway. They were normal-sized homes situated in friendly blocks where everyone knew their neighbors.

On the other side of the highway, the lakeside, the homes were larger. They reminded me of the houses in the Hamptons, though not quite as big and more rustic lake house than beach chateau.

Logan turned off the highway toward the lakeside of town, following a quiet road that wrapped around the shoreline until he pulled up to a house that screamed Logan Kendrick.

It was all class, like the man himself: handsome, with its cedar shakes and gleaming windows and well-manicured lawn. The boathouse on the water was larger than most of the homes we’d passed in town. The loft above it was going to be my abode for the next couple of weeks or months, however long it took to buy my own place.

As Logan parked in the detached garage and shut off the SUV, Charlie hurried to unbuckle her seat belt. “Piper, do you want to see my fort?”

“You know it!” I told her, helping Collin free from his car seat. The two-year-old squirmed out and crawled to the front before I could stop him.

“Daddy! Daddy!” he yelled, then giggled as Logan swung him out of the car and tossed him into the air.

“Come on, little one,” Thea said, opening the back door to get out Camila’s carrier. “I bet you need a diaper change and a bottle.”

Camila cooed at her mother, her tiny mouth forming a hint of a smile. The jury was out on which parent she took after, but I’d get a front-row seat to watch as she grew up.

I climbed out behind them all, deciding to leave my suitcases for the time being. I wanted to play with the kids some before dinner.

“When is the meeting with your realtor?” Thea asked as we walked toward the house.

“Tomorrow,” I said as Charlie slipped her hand in mine. “He’s got three places lined up for me to see.”

“Want some company? Logan can watch the kids and I can tag along to give you the inside scoop on potential neighbors.”

“You wouldn’t mind? I’d love to have your input.”

I’d thought of inviting Thea along on my house-hunting trip, but I didn’t want to smother her. The last four months had been incredibly lonely, and since she was my only girlfriend in Lark Cove, the chances were real that she’d get sick of me soon.

“Of course I wouldn’t mind,” Thea said. “Though I should warn you, I’m probably going to become that friend who calls and texts too often. Have I mentioned that I’m really excited you’re living here?”

She couldn’t have known, but I’d really needed those words and the enthusiasm in her voice. Thea Kendrick was good people.

“Ready to see my fort?” Charlie asked.

I looked to Thea, just to make sure it was okay. She nodded and smiled. “I’ll get Camila changed and fed, then we’ll come find you. White wine or red?”

I amended my earlier thought. Thea Kendrick was great people. “White, please.”

“You got it.” She smiled and disappeared into the house with the baby.

“I’ll take care of your suitcases,” Logan told me as he set Collin down to go play in the yard. “You just relax.”

“Thank you, Logan. For everything.”

He patted my shoulder. “You’re welcome. Glad you’re home.”

Home. I was home.

As he followed Collin to a stack of toys on the deck, I turned down to Charlie. “Fort time?”

She nodded. “Want to race?”

I slipped out of my four-inch stilettos. “Loser is a rotten egg!”

The next day, Thea and I were hiking through the trees behind the home my realtor had just shown us. This particular property was located in the mountains and had some acreage in the forest. So while the two of us were exploring, my realtor was back at the car, giving us a moment to debrief without him hovering.

“What do you think?” Thea asked.

“I don’t know.” I sighed. “That house is . . . there are no words.”

She giggled. “I’ve never seen a house so dedicated to a decade.”

“Ugh. Have you ever seen such hideous carpet? It was like the designer looked at an orange creamsicle and said, ‘How can I turn this into a paisley shag?’ ”

“Exactly.” She laughed again. “I can’t get over those yellow cabinets in the kitchen. And that wallpaper? Lime green stripes should never be paired with beige.”

I looked over my shoulder to the house and grimaced. It was an old-style rancher with three bedrooms, each needing a complete overhaul to bring them into this decade. Did I have it in me to take on such a large project?

This was our last showing of the afternoon. The first two homes we’d seen were in town. Both were nice, far better than this sixties monstrosity, but they were within twenty feet of a neighbor on each side.

I’d spent over a decade in apartment buildings and townhomes, sharing walls and public spaces with neighbors. I was ready to have some space.

“You’re sure you don’t want to look for something down along the lake?” Thea asked. “Something newer?”

“I just can’t afford any of those listings right now.” Only a few lakeside properties were on the market, and everything available was way outside of my budget.

Thanks for that, Adam. In a dick move, he’d contested our divorce, forcing me to spend a chunk of my savings on an expensive attorney.

So to stay within my price range, I’d have to purchase a house in the middle of Lark Cove or buy this one and do a complete renovation. The first choice was by far the easiest. But the latter option had its perks too.

This fifteen-acre property on the mountainside was gorgeous, and there was only one neighbor, a cabin about fifty yards away. It was close enough to run over in an emergency but far enough that I wouldn’t have to see them unless it was intentional.

“I do like it up here in the mountains.” Though Thea’s lakeside home was peaceful, there was something enchanting about being surrounded by hundred-year-old trees. The forest smelled rich and mossy with a hint of pine spice in the air.

“It’s a beautiful spot with your own hiking trail. You wouldn’t have to worry about setting up a home gym. Just climb this every day and you’d be in killer shape.”

“No kidding.” I was breathing harder than I ever had in a spin class.

We continued our hike, going up the steady incline behind the house that led to a ridge at the back of the property. My realtor had pointed us in this direction, encouraging us to hike to the top.

He was a good salesman, that one. The farther away from the house we walked, the more I was willing to buy it just so I’d have this as my backyard.

By the time we reached the final stretch of the trail, my thighs were burning. Sweat was beaded at my hairline and a drop rolled down my cleavage. I was comfortable in my cuffed boyfriend jeans and a casual T-shirt, but what I really should have worn was my gym attire.

“Almost there,” I told Thea as the trees opened up and the ridge came into view.

We pushed through the last twenty feet and smiled at one another as the trail leveled off, turning to run along the ridge. We followed it, stepping into an open meadow filled with spring wildflowers.

“Wow,” Thea whispered. “I’m starting to think a remodel is the way to go. Who cares what the house is like when you have this?” She held out her hands to the view.

“This is . . . unbelievable.”

From here, the towering mountains were visible in the distance. The one we’d just climbed was no more than an anthill in comparison. The valleys below were green and lush. The horizon went on and on for miles, and nearly the entire lake spread out behind our backs.

“Let’s keep going.” I took one step farther down the trail, but Thea grabbed my arm, holding me back.

“Wait,” she whispered, her eyes aimed ahead of us.

A momentary flash of panic hit. Is it a bear? I didn’t want to get eaten by a bear on my first real day in Montana. Slowly, I turned and followed her gaze, my feet ready to bolt at the sight of a grizzly.

But it wasn’t an animal that had caused her to freeze.

It was a man.

He was kneeling on the ground, about thirty feet in front of us. His head was bent and his eyes closed. His hands were pressed against his cheeks, his fingers straight as they steepled at the bridge of his nose.

Was he praying? Or meditating? Whatever he was doing, he was so consumed with it that he hadn’t noticed us down the trail.

His shaggy brown hair curled around his ears and at the back of his neck. His jaw was covered in a dark beard that tried its best to hide the fact that its owner was likely quite handsome. His green shirt was strung tight across his biceps and broad shoulders. It showcased the corded muscles of his back.

Even from a distance it was clear that he was the quintessential mountain man, big and brawny.

My first instinct was to get closer. I wanted to see what his face looked like if his hands dropped. I wanted to see the breeze play at the curled ends of his hair. But besides his rugged appeal, there was something else drawing me in. Something that made me want to wrap my arms around his narrow waist and promise him it would be okay.

He had a tragic allure, one that screamed sorrow and loss. I knew that pain all too well. Recognition hit me in a flash and I spun around, hurrying back in the direction we’d come.

That man was up here to grieve, and we’d just intruded on his private moment.

Thea was right by my side as I hustled to the trees, doing my best to keep my footsteps quiet. I held my breath until we disappeared into the safety of the forest. Neither of us spoke as we hiked down the trail, retreating to the house.

“I hope he didn’t hear us,” Thea said.

“Me too. Do you know who that is?”

She shook her head. “No, I’ve never seen him before, which is strange. I know almost everyone in Lark Cove. I bet he’s just visiting. We get a lot of tourists who come up and hike in the mountains.”

I nodded as my realtor spotted us. “What did you think? Nice spot, isn’t it?”

“It’s beautiful.” Except when I took in the house’s exterior, my face soured.

The house was a tribute to midcentury modern design with a plethora of windows and odd roof angles. It was as far from my traditional taste as you could get, and to renovate this into my forever home, I’d have to change everything.

My head ached just thinking about the construction bill.

“I can tell you the sellers are motivated on this one,” my realtor said. “It belongs to a brother and sister who each live out of state. It was a vacation home for their parents, who have since both passed. It’s been empty for about a year now.”

Which explained the musty smell and the recent price drop.

“Can I think about it?” I asked him.

“Of course. Take all the time you need.”

Thea gave me a reassuring smile, then got into the back of the car. I took one last look at the house, frowned again, then turned toward the trail we’d come down.

Find some peace. I sent my silent wish to the man on top of the mountain.

Pushing the stranger from my mind, I went to the other side of the car and got in the passenger seat. We drove down the long gravel driveway, then took yet another gravel road, this one wider and more traveled, that led back to the highway. With a wave good-bye from Thea’s front yard, I promised my realtor I’d be in touch soon.

“How’d it go?” Logan asked the minute we came inside. Camila was crying as he rocked her in his arms and Collin was bawling into his leg.

“Uh, it was good,” Thea said, eyeing her children. “What’s going on here?”

Logan blew out a long breath and handed the baby over. “These two have gone on a nap strike. While I was trying to get Camila down, Collin climbed out of his crib. He started crying and woke her up. It’s been chaos ever since. Charlie escaped to her fort when the wailing started.”

Thea laughed, then nuzzled Camila’s cheek. “Come on, baby. Let’s go cuddle.”

Now that both arms were free, Logan picked up Collin and settled him on a hip. Collin rested his head on his dad’s shoulder and his eyelids sagged.

“So did you find a place?” Logan asked, swaying his sleepy boy side to side.

I sighed. “There are options. Nothing is perfect, but I guess it never is. I was actually thinking about driving by them all again. Would you mind if I borrowed the Suburban?”

“Not at all.” He led me to the kitchen and swiped keys off the counter, tossing them over. Then, as he headed toward Collin’s room, I went outside and to the garage.

It took me the entire trip through town to get used to driving a vehicle two times the size of my Mini Cooper, but by the time I headed up the gravel road toward the mountain home, I’d gotten the hang of it.

The moment I parked under the tall canopy of trees, my gut began screaming, “This one! This one!” When I’d driven past the two homes in town, the only reaction I’d had was one burp.

I got out and surveyed the area again. This house might be hideous, but the location was serenity incarnate. I would have peace here. I would have quiet. I would—

A pained roar from across the trees startled me, and I looked toward the neighboring property. The moment my eyes landed on the log cabin nestled between tree trunks, a loud shout filled the air. “Fuck!”

I flinched again, then froze, listening for another sound. It didn’t come. Was someone hurt? Should I go check?

There was a path between this house and theirs, so I took it, hurrying in case someone’s life was at stake. I rushed right past ferns and forest bushes to the steps leading to the cabin’s front door. Without delay, I pounded on the wooden face since there wasn’t a doorbell. “Hello?”

Angry footsteps thudded on the floor. The entire porch shook and I backed up a step. My fist was still lifted when the door whipped open and none other than the man from the ridge appeared in its frame.

“What?” he snapped, planting his hands on his hips.

“I, uh . . .” Any other words I’d planned to speak fell away.

This man was even more handsome than I’d expected. He was tall, standing at least six inches above my five seven. His nose was maybe the most perfect nose I’d ever seen, straight with a strong bridge set perfectly in the center of his high cheekbones. But it was his eyes that swayed me sideways.

They weren’t green or brown or gold, but this incredible swirl of all three. The ring around the edge was like melted chocolate.

I hadn’t been with anyone since my ex-husband and I had separated over two years ago. A rush of desire, one I hadn’t felt in a long time, rolled down my body. It pooled between my legs, curling in my belly as I raked my eyes over this man’s thick chest and flat stomach.

The man’s eyes flared as he looked me up and down. He tried to cover it up with annoyance, but there was lust in his darkening eyes.

“What?” he barked, louder this time.

I came unstuck, breathing again as I forced my eyes away from his soft lips. He had an old rag wrapped around one of his hands and blood was soaking through.

“I heard a crash so I thought I’d come over to see if everything was okay. Are you hurt?” I reached for him, but he jerked back.

“Fine,” he grumbled. And with that, he spun around on his brown boots, stomped inside and shut the door.

“Seriously?” I whispered.

I gave him a moment to come back and be neighborly. I got nothing in return.

“Nice to meet you!” I waved at the closed door. “My name is Piper Campbell, in case you were wondering.”

Nothing.

“I’m thinking about buying the place next door.”

Still nothing.

“Great talk, uh . . .” I searched the porch, landing on a red and white cooler by the railing. KAINE was written on the handle in block letters. “See you around, Kaine.”

My crazy was starting to show, so I turned around and walked back to the Suburban. The minute I hopped up into the driver’s seat, I pulled out my phone from my handbag and dialed my realtor.

“Hi, it’s Piper. I’ve given it some thought and made my decision.” My eyes stayed glued to the cabin across the way. “I want the mountain house. It’s just what I need.”

Some peace. The quiet forest. A project to throw myself into headfirst.

And maybe a hot, sweaty fling with my grouchy, soon-to-be-next-door neighbor.

He had no-strings-attached sex written all over his handsome face.