Chapter 3
Chapter 3
I didn’t care about much these days-except teaching. Because that was about the future of a few dozen kids at Tikkonnit Valley High. I had to have some professional standards.
First day. The bell rang. A few stragglers dragged themselves in and slumped into their seats like they were serving prison time.
“Morning.” I cleared my throat. No small talk. “I’m Ms. Romano. Taking over for Mr. Hendricks p>
“You read Dickens last semester, right p>
A few slow, dull nods.
“Did you like it p>
Dead silence.
I laughed.
“Okay.” I tossed the textbook onto the desk. Thud.
“I hate them too, Boring as hell p>
Suddenly, the dead eyes in the room snapped open.
“I have a lit degree, but I’m basic, I like sci-fi, Fantasy. Explosions. New rule: No dusty antiques. We’re reading Howl’s Moving Castle, Your assignment? Find a book you don’t
want to burn p>
My old colleagues called it rebellious. I called it “resurrecting the dead p>
Chapter 3
I handed out the books, and the room finally had a pulse.
Win.
Time flew. I figured out the town’s survival guide pretty fast.
Two camps: The Welcome Wagon, and The Haters.
Harry, the outdoor shop owner? Team Hater.
One morning, he sneered between bites of bacon, “Bet it’s colder and darker here than you expected, huh p>
I took a sip of coffee, not even looking up. “Nope. Same as the Midwest p>
He frowned, doubling down. “Chicago doesn’t have grizzlies p>
“No,” I said flatly. “But I haven’t seen any here either p>
Behind me, Roger chuckled. “She got you, Harry p>
Roger was a local giant who rarely spoke. I liked him. Quiet meant I didn’t have to perform.
Natalia, on the other hand, was the opposite.
Her daily mission seemed to be auctioning me off to the local bachelors, like I was fresh meat for the gene pool. She’d shoo away tourists and force me into a circle of local men. It was subtle as a brick to the face,
I couldn’t tell her I had zero interest in men. Six months of therapy and antidepressants only taught me one thing: how to play the role of a functional human being.
Meds plus caffeine. That was the only fuel keeping the machine running.
Chapter 3
Monday morning. I walked into the diner.
“Tessa!” Natalia’s voice boomed. She waved excitedly at an empty bar stool.
It was flanked by two local guys, sitting there like brick walls waiting for me. Another ambush setup.
I sighed. Fine. Commit to the bit.
I hung up my coat and resigned myself to the seat.
I turned my head-and nearly jumped out of my skin.
That damn bush pilot-Declan-was sitting right across from me.
The last time we met, I was the crazy exhibitionist shivering in my underwear on a balcony in forty below weather.
Our eyes locked.
His relaxed face instantly froze. He looked away like he’d been tazed, acting like staring at me might actually blind him.
Ants. That’s what it felt like. Embarrassment crawling all over my skin.
Oblivious to the weird vibe, Natalia poured my coffee with a bright smile. “Tessa, have you two been properly introduced? This is Declan Kovak p>
I forced a stiff smile,
Introduced?
Ha.
We were way past a simple “met p>
Cedella
Cedella is a passionate storyteller known for her bold romantic and spicy novels that keep readers hooked from the very first chapter. With a flair for crafting emotionally intense plots and unforgettable characters, she blends love, desire, and drama into every story she writes. Cedella’s storytelling style is immersive and addictive—perfect for fans of heated romances and heart-pounding twists.