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The real tear stopper had been guilt. Guilt that theirs hadn’t been a romantic love, not the kind that futures were built on, anyway. He’d been holding something back and when she realized that, she went into survival mode. She held back a bit of her heart and he cheated. They’d been stuck in a vicious and silent cycle. But the truth of the matter was, she’d mourned the loss of ‘them’ long before he died.

Zee dried her tears and got back on the road. When she passed the Sunnyville limits, she breathed a sigh of relief. Her new home, business, and life were mere minutes away. When she passed the fire station, she did a double take. Pity, no cute firefighters out washing the truck or shooting a sexy calendar for charity.

She had officially arrived in Sunnyville. Lucky for her, traffic was her friend, and the weather had held out for the drive. She had time to grab the keys and check out some of what made Sunnyville, Sunnyville, before heading up to her cabin.

Keys in hand, she was going to hit up the grocery store for later and a drive through for tonight, when something else drew her attention.

“No freaking way. This is kismet.” Her first inclination was to send up a thanks to Billy. He’d made this place sound so amazing that here she was. A small piece of her also hoped since this was his hometown, she’d maybe find a connection they’d missed in life and that would help her let go. . .of everything.

Wings Outcalled to her. What were the odds that there would be a skydiving opportunity for her here? She set the parking brake and grabbed the key fob. A memory flooded back.Step up to my log, soldier.

It was the best thing she’d ever done. Sure, she’d earned other badges and achievements in the Army, but her jump wings were the one that puffed her chest out the most.

The bell chimed as she opened the door. Zee couldn’t describe the sense of home that flooded her bloodstream by walking through the door.

People would call her crazy, many had, but she swore parachutes had a unique smell. She inhaled deeply, allowing a peaceful hum to escape as she exhaled.

Her mind was in the clouds already as every fiber of her body remembered the sensation of the free fall.

“I recognize that look.”

“Shit.” Zamantha startled at the feminine voice.

The strawberry blonde woman at the counter blushed. “Sorry, but you were looking right at me, thought you saw me.”

A nervous laughed bubbled up from her chest. “No, apologies, I was in my head, that’s all.”

“My bad, I could see that. I take it you will not need our pre-jump class and video.” The lady indicated all of Zamantha with a swipe of her hand. “You’ve clearly got the fever.”

It took a second for Zee’s brain to work again. “You could say I’ve made my share of jumps.” Zamantha approached the counter. “Do you think I could get up before sunset?”

The lady assessed her with faceted emerald eyes. “You’re military.”

It wasn’t a question.

“Guilty, well, not anymore. I’m a civilian now. Just moved to town.” Her initial reaction was to say yes, because once a soldier, always a soldier, but she didn’t.

The lady behind the counter clapped and bounced up and down. “Oh my God, you’re Zamantha.”

Whoa. “How do you—” Her words were cut off when the woman was around the counter and wrapping her in a hug at record speed.

“You rented the fire cabin and you’re opening Ruck Up. I’m so excited. I’m Emerson, let me be the first to welcome you to Sunnyville. Once you’re settled, I have an idea about doing a backpacking skydiving bundle deal. Oh, sorry.”

The energetic blond backed off, stuck her hands in her back pockets, and talked to her feet.

“I, um, got a little ahead of myself. I’m just so excited to have another adventure business in town, run by a woman no less.” She turned and went back behind the counter.

“Hi, Emerson. As you already know, I’m Zamantha. My friends call me Zee. I would shake hands, but once you’ve hugged a woman, that seems a little ridiculous. Don’t you agree?”

Something about Emerson put her at ease.

“Totally. Anyway, yes, you can jump today, for free. When you 're ready to book adventures, I’d love to be your first hike!”

She turned and started typing into the computer.

“Deal, but only if you let me return the favor on the price.”

“Yes, score. After you get all settled in, I’d love to meet and chat about my proposal.”

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