Free Spirits

Lizzie: I hadn’t planned to stay away from my hometown of River Hollow for so long, but the longer I was away the harder it became to come back. With my mom’s diagnosis of early-onset Alzheimer’s there’s no more avoiding my roots. I’m hoping to roll into town with little fanfare, but that hope goes up in flames when my car decides to die right in the middle of our small town.

The last person I expect to come to my rescue is Rhys Walker—my best friend’s little brother who always had a crush on me. Time has been good to him and the wicked smile he sends my way is enough to have my heart beating out of control.

Rhys: I never thought I’d see Lizzie Davis again. My sister’s best friend left River Hollow and never looked back, but it doesn’t mean I ever stopped thinking about her. Everyone chalked up my crush on her to puppy love, something that would pass as I got older. Instead, I’ve compared every woman I’ve ever met to her, and none have measured up.

Now, she’s back in town and more beautiful than ever. I’m not sure you can call this a second chance since she never gave me one to begin with, but we’re both grown up now and I’m not a shy teenager anymore. Lizzie has always been a free spirit, and I’m determined to prove to her that I’m not trying to tame her, I just want to be the person she comes back to.