Page 38 of Timid (Lark Cove 2)

Willa

I saw this today and it made me laugh. Thought you might like it too.

Jackson

That message had been scribbled on a yellow Post-it and stuck to a clipping from last Sunday’s Daily Inter Lake newspaper.

Craftsman Boat For Sale. Like New. $9,000.

Girlfriend Pregnant. Wife Pissed. Need Cash for Lawyer.

It wasn’t a big thing but had made me laugh.

The next note wasn’t as funny, but the smile it gave me was bigger.

Willa

In case your sweet tooth is like mine.

Jackson

He’d stuck that note on a Snickers bar. It had melted in its wrapper by the time I’d gotten home, but I’d stuck it in the freezer to harden it up. Even misshapen, it had hit the spot.

Today’s note—left early in the day—had been simple. No gift or funny gimmick. Just a note.

Willa

I hope you had a good week.

Jackson

And it had been a good week.

I never considered a group of campers bad, but there were always weeks that stood out from others. This week’s group of kids was amazing. They were all fun and energetic. Not a single one of them thought they were too cool for certain activities. We had full participation from every kid in every event.

It would be the week I’d remember from this year. They would be the group whose picture I’d frame for my office wall.

Jackson’s notes had been the icing on the cake.

I’d collected a total of four notes from the week, and I’d had more face time with Jackson than ever before. He was weakening my resolve to forget about him. The crush I’d had for so long was being rekindled, this time burning even brighter.

Two more notes and I doubted I’d be able to say no to a dinner invitation.

I had a sneaking suspicion that he knew I was about to give in too. He was probably just waiting me out to see if I’d finally cave—more like when.

Jackson’s charm was irresistible. It was like being surrounded by puppies. You couldn’t not pet them.

The only reason I was still holding strong was because of my fears. I was scared. No, terrified.

Jackson had kissed me and forgotten. He’d overlooked me for years. I could get past those problems and let it all go. Deep down, I’d already forgiven him for forgetting about our night on the swings.

What petrified me was the realization that Jackson had the power to decimate my life. I was halfway in love with him already. If he made me fall the rest of the way, then tossed me aside, I’d be destroyed.

He’d leave me utterly and completely broken.

So here I was, standing at a crossroad. On one side was self-preservation. Jackson Page was on the other.

My phone rang on the kitchen counter and I rushed over to grab it. Seeing Leighton’s picture on the screen, I answered with a smile. “Hey!”