Jett: Brothers in Arms in Alaska, #6

By Kali Hart

Adalyn

I fell in love with Jett instantly.
But I was afraid of my intense feelings.
When I finally had the courage to speak up, it was too late.
Now months later, I've decided to leave Three Rivers.
I can't handle living in the same small town as the man I'll never stop loving.
But when he learns of my plan to drive north into a snowstorm, he insists on driving me.
Too much time has passed for us to work things out.
But I decide to enjoy Jett's company while I have it.
If only I could keep my feelings in check.

Jett

I feel in love with Addie instantly.
But when my best friend ended up in a bad accident, it reminded me of a very painful truth.
The people who get too close to me end up hurt or dead.
Because I could stand the thought of Addie falling victim to my curse, I lied to her.
I set her free.
Seeing her all these months has been a special kind of torture.
But when she confesses she's moving away, it rattles something inside me.
I refuse to let her drive into a snowstorm alone.
When we get stranded, I can't decide if fate is taunting me or giving me a second chance with the only woman I've ever truly loved.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie M. Wallick
• Release date: Jul 23, 2021
• ISBN: 9798223405283

Book preview

1

ADALYN

You did it, Charlotte says in admiration as she studies my creation. You made a cake out of beer bottles.

And diapers, I add, gently nudging her shoulder with mine. You’re going to need every last one of them.

Probably in the first two days from what everyone tells me. She looks both giddy with happiness and on the verge of overwhelmed tears. Charlotte’s first bundle of joy is on the way in two short months. I force my reassuring smile to stay in place, masking any hints that I’ll be dampening the mood later. This baby shower slash diaper keg is about their family. My news can wait until it’s over.

Isla says no matter how many packs you buy, you can never have enough diapers, Charlotte adds, referring to one of the other Army veteran wives in Three Rivers. She’s made friends with all of them, and it’s left me feeling like the odd woman out.

At one time, I thought she and I would be getting married and pregnant at the same time. We fell in love with two best friends. It felt like a fairytale. But everything changed when I drove Jett to Anchorage after his buddy was in a serious plane crash.

My heart still hasn’t recovered.

Which is why I have to leave Three Rivers for good.

Something you want to tell me? Charlotte asks, warning me that I’m not doing such a great job of concealing my secret.

Only that I should’ve gone for one more layer on the diaper cake. Desperate to avoid the truth, I keep the conversation as far away from it as I can. You sure you’re okay with having a diaper keg? You know, with all the guys. I can totally throw you a ladies-only shower—

No, this is exactly how I want it. Her eyes shine with unshed tears. They’ve done that a lot during this pregnancy. One minute Charlotte is laughing, the next crying. I prepare myself to tug her into a hug if needed. I want Brooks to be a part of it all. Maybe he won’t get as excited about breast pumps or nipple cream as I will…

That’s why there’s beer. We both laugh, but it doesn’t last long before Charlotte tears up. I wish things were different. With you and Jett. You two should be—

Don’t go there, I say gently, but firmly. Please.

You two haven’t talked in months.

We won’t ever have to talk once I leave town and head north to Fairbanks. I’ll still be close enough to visit Charlotte—and my goddaughter—whenever I want. But far enough away that I know I won’t run into Jett. It’s better that way. Trust me.

You’ve never told me what happened.

Guilt twists inside me at her genuinely hurt expression. Someday I will, I say, meaning it. I owe her the truth on more than one complicated situation. But today is not that day. Today is about your baby girl.

Do you still love him? she asks, completely ignoring me.

I—

An eruption of voices saves me. The answer is simple and complicated. I don’t think I ever understood what love was all about until Jett. Getting over him feels impossible. That’s why I have to leave and hope that a few hundred miles between us will help. Seeing him all the time is destroying me. Not that I’ll ever let him know.

Where do the gifts go? Charmane asks, holding up a giant pink polka-dotted gift bag.

That diaper cake with beer bottles is a work of art, Macy says, but please tell me there’s actual cake too. It’s been one of those days. I need cake!

And the diapers? Nova impressively holds onto two of the largest diaper boxes I’ve ever seen as she juggles a gift bag too.

I direct traffic as the