Small Town Romance Series Starter Duet

By Kat Bellemore

This duet includes Borrowing Amor and Diving into Love--each a series starter and full of new beginnings, sweet kisses, and a happily-ever-after.

Borrowing Amor: from the New Mexican romance series, Borrowing Amor

A small-town mayor. A stranger with a sketchy past.

Two weeks before Christmas, Katie is kicked out of her apartment. Again. Rather than wander the streets and continue to work for a dirty cop, she escapes, determined to disappear for good. Until her car breaks down in a small New Mexican town and everything is threatened when she falls for the charming mayor.

Sam Freedman is the first bachelor mayor of Amor. After convincing the locals that having a mayor without family responsibilities means he can dedicate all of his time to the community, they watch his every move. Then Katie Andersen shows up. Against Sam's better judgement, he hires her to replace his former event coordinator. Now he can barely think straight, let alone run a town.

In the midst of half-truths and outright lies, Katie and Sam desperately search for the place where honesty and trust lead to love. But they have to find it before the past catches up with them.

Borrowing Amor is the first book in this New Mexican small-town romance series. If you like small towns, quirky characters, and swoon-worthy kisses, they you'll love this story of love and new beginnings.

 

Diving into Love: from the beach romance series, Starlight Ridge

She already left one fiancé. She didn't need another.

When Bree Garrett's former college roommate invites Bree to move to Starlight Ridge, a small tourist town on the Californian coast, she is all too happy to leave the deserts of New Mexico and the memories of her former life. She only has three conditions:

One- No one can find out about her fear of water—totally embarrassing when you live next to the ocean.

Two- No seafood. She can't stomach it. Yeah, she sees the irony of points number one and two.

Three- No blind dates. The last thing she needs is a relationship. Her ex-fiancé would agree.

Easier said than done when the only job available is at a surf shop and the owner, Caleb, is under the impression that Bree has applied to be a scuba instructor, and not a cashier, as she had intended.

Bree tries to clear up the misunderstanding, but it's hard when she seems to lose her voice—and her breath—every time Caleb is near. How could she not when he happens to be attractive, single and, as it turns out, also doesn't like seafood?

Bree and Caleb struggle against the pull of the tide that seems determined to bring them together. But, despite their differences, maybe this is one battle that is okay to lose.

Diving into Love is the first book in the Starlight Ridge romance series. If you can't get enough of witty banter, moonlit strolls on the beach, and swoon-worthy kisses, you'll love this sweet romance.

 

Other books in these series:

Borrowing Amor:

Book 1: Borrowing Amor
Book 2 Borrowing Love
Book 3: Borrowing a Fiancé
Book 4: Borrowing a Billionaire
Book 5: Borrowing Kisses
Book 6: Borrowing Second Chances

Starlight Ridge:

Book 1: Diving into Love
Book 2: Resisting Love
Book 3: Starlight Love
Book 4: Building on Love
Book 5: Winning his Love
Book 6: Returning to Love
Book 7: Fearless Love

• Language: English
• Publisher: KB Press
• Release date: Sep 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223727477

Kat Bellemore

Kat Bellemore is the author of the Borrowing Amor clean romance series. Deciding to have New Mexico as the setting for the series was an easy choice, considering its amazing sunsets, blue skies and tasty green chili. That, and she currently lives there with her husband and two cute kids. They hope to one day add a dog to the family, but for now, the native animals of the desert will have to do. Though, Kat wouldn't mind ridding the world of scorpions and centipedes. They're just mean. You can visit Kat at www.kat-bellemore.com.

Book preview

Series Starter Duet

SERIES STARTER DUET

INCLUDES: BORROWING AMOR AND DIVING INTO LOVE

KAT BELLEMORE

KB PRESS

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author's imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

Copyright © 2023 Kat Bellemore

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law. For permissions contact:

[e-mail]

You can also visit Kat at www.kat-bellemore.com

Cover design by OPIUM HOUSE Creatives

Editing by Susan Hughes

Subscribe to Kat’s newsletter now to receive a FREE copy of Borrowing Time, the prequel to the Borrowing Amor series. When you join her newsletter this will grant you access to, not only Borrowing Time, but also weekly emails where she gives you insight to her life, her writing process, book recommendations, and giveaways. 

CONTENTS

Borrowing Amor

About this Book

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Epilogue

Sneak Peek

Diving into Love

About This Book

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

Chapter 26

Epilogue

Sneak Peek

Free Book

Also by Kat Bellemore

About the Author

Borrowing Amor

ABOUT THIS BOOK

A small-town mayor. A stranger with a sketchy past.

Two weeks before Christmas, Katie is kicked out of her apartment. Again. Rather than wander the streets and continue to work for a dirty cop, she escapes, determined to disappear for good. Until her car breaks down in a small New Mexican town, and everything is threatened when she falls for the charming mayor.

Sam Freedman is the first bachelor mayor of Amor. After convincing the locals that having a mayor without family responsibilities means he can dedicate all of his time to the community, they watch his every move. Then Katie Andersen shows up. Against Sam’s better judgement, he hires her to replace his former event coordinator. Now he can barely think straight, let alone run a town. 

In the midst of half-truths and outright lies, Katie and Sam desperately search for the place where honesty and trust lead to love. But they have to find it before the past catches up with them.

Kyle: Without you, I would never have discovered the beauty of the desert

1

Katie stared at the two black trash bags sitting in front of her apartment door. Her heart sank. Not again. She’d been evicted before, but not in the middle of a Colorado winter. Even without paying her gas bill she had been warmer than what the streets could offer her. With a resolute step, Katie approached the apartment manager's door further down the hall. At the last second, she hesitated, then gave two short raps.

Come in, a muffled voice called.

Katie pushed the door open and found Scarlett in the living room, bent over in the position of Downward Dog. A dangerously thin woman demonstrated the yoga pose on the TV behind her. Scarlett glanced at Katie, her brows crinkling, as if she had been expecting someone else. Oh. It's you. She turned back to her exercise video.

Anger surged through Katie. The woman was kicking her out of her home in the middle of December and she had the audacity to continue on as if Katie didn’t matter. What happened to the rest of my stuff, Scarlett? she demanded.

Scarlett transitioned to Warrior One. You're two months behind in your rent. I sold what I could to help recover my costs, which you agreed to when you signed the lease. She stood and faced Katie. Sweat beaded Scarlett’s brow. Honestly, I didn't have much to work with. Not a single piece of furniture—not even a bed.

I was only gone for the weekend. You could have waited and at least given me some warning. Besides, I told you, I have some money coming in.

That's what you say every month. I can't afford to have an apartment occupied by someone who isn't paying.

The hostile approach wasn't working. Scarlett was used to dealing with bottom dwellers like Katie; she needed to approach the manager from a different angle.

Katie sighed and let her shoulders sag. She tucked her blond hair behind her ears. I'm sorry, Scarlett. You're right. It's not your fault that I couldn't come up with the money. She collapsed onto a chair and mustered up a few tears. It's just that it will be Christmas in two weeks, and if you could just wait until the new year—

Scarlett snorted. Don't try that on me. She stooped until her face was level with Katie's. Her expression was void of compassion and only held contempt. Now get out or I'm calling the cops.

Katie shot to her feet so fast, Scarlett tripped backwards. She glanced at Katie, apprehensive, and pulled out a gun that had been concealed under the coffee table. Katie immediately retreated until she reached the front door. I didn't mean any harm. I'm leaving. She turned and bolted back down the hallway to her apartment.

The two trash bags were so light, they had to contain mostly clothes. Katie dropped the bags next to her car, her hands still shaking from the encounter with Scarlett. She had learned to put on a good show, but if anyone knew how terrified of confrontation she was, they would eat her alive. Katie unlocked her car, but then glanced at the trash bags. Dread replaced her anger and she ripped one of the bags open. Please say you didn't take it, she mumbled. She fished around in the sea of clothing until her hand brushed paper. She pulled out a ratty book and held it to her chest. Anna Karenina. It was the only book she had ever loved—her comfort, even on nights that included sleeping on a park bench.

Katie placed the book on the passenger seat and tossed the bags into the back of the car. Other than the book, the car was the only true possession she had in the world—the only thing she hadn't been able to give up. She had sold her soul rather than give up that car. It was her means of escape. When things got too hot, too rough, she left. She started over again. Until Colorado. Katie was stuck here, and it was time to go make another deal with the devil.

The car chugged to life and she made her way to the last place she’d thought she'd ever go—voluntarily, that is. The police station rolled into view and Katie parked a couple of streets down. She stared at it, hands gripping the steering wheel. After a few minutes she took out her burner phone and dialed the forbidden number. It was more of a 'don't call me, I'll call you' type of relationship. That was the only reason he’d given her the phone in the first place. But she didn't have a choice.

The phone rang so many times that Katie almost gave up. He picked up on the tenth ring.

What do you think you're doing? his gruff voice growled. His voice echoed, as if he were in a stairwell.

I'm sorry, Katie said, trying to keep her voice from shaking. It's an emergency. I got evicted and have no place to go.

A pause.

So?

Katie's breath hitched. That means I'm on the street, Teddy. I can't do your dirty work if I freeze to death out here.

You're resourceful. You'll figure something out.

The same anger that had reared with Scarlett pulsed in her chest. Did you hear me? I got nothin'. My apartment manager sold all my stuff. I'm not working for you anymore if you won't help me.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Katie clamped her lips shut. Stupid. She wished she could take it all back, tell him that she didn't mean it.

The damage was already done.

We both know what will happen if you stop working for me, Teddy said. His voice was eerily calm, and it was more chilling than if he had screamed at her. I'll text you when I need you next. In the meantime, don't get yourself killed.

The line went dead.

Katie eased herself through a basement window and landed with a soft thud. A flashlight sprang to life, blinding her. It didn't waver, forcing her to cover her eyes. Daniel, stop it. It's me.

I know it's you, he said. But you shouldn't be here.

She let out a heavy breath. Everyone keeps telling me that today. My apartment manager kicked me out, Teddy doesn't want me coming to him—and now you.

The flashlight clicked off. Spots danced before Katie's eyes, so she kept them closed.

You talked to Teddy? Daniel asked.

Katie nodded. Yeah, I misjudged the situation. I figured if he thought he might lose his money bank, he would help me find a place to crash.

Daniel let out a single barking laugh. You thought Teddy would help you? He doesn't help anyone but himself.

Katie opened her eyes and took in the scrawny figure before her. Faint beams of sunlight illuminated his dusty blond hair. It was a lot shorter than it had been the last time she'd seen him. Yeah, well, I'm sick of it. I didn't run away just to become someone else's puppet. She slid to the floor, her back to the cellar wall.

Daniel's arm slipped around her shoulders and she leaned into him. Have you even kept track of how many times you've run?

Katie rolled her eyes, but managed a small smile. All of them.

So, what do you need from me?

Katie glanced at him. What do you mean?

Come on, he said with a smile. You only risk coming here when you need something.

Katie looked Daniel in the eyes. She couldn't trust him. But he was the closest thing she had to a friend in this miserable city. If he wouldn't help her, no one would. I need a new ID.

Daniel pulled back in surprise. What, you're running again? he asked, his voice dropping to a whisper. You can't run. Not anymore. If Teddy found out, he'd kill you.

No, he'd have me arrested for all the crap he's had me pull. But at least I'd have a place to stay and three square meals, Katie said. Either way, I'm better off because it will mean I'm not working for that scum anymore.

Daniel jumped to his feet. You don't get it, do you? He. Will. Kill. You. You are a liability. Daniel shook his head. How can you have spent so much time on the streets and still be so naive? You don't trust a single person, and yet you think he's just going to send you away to watch TV behind bars?

Katie's heart dropped into her stomach. He was right. She stood. Then you better make sure that fake ID is so good that he will never find me. Because I would rather be dead than work for that man another day.

She held Daniel's gaze until he looked away. I hope you know what you're doing, he muttered. He turned to a blanket that covered some junk in the corner. When he whipped the blanket off, she realized the stuff it hid was anything but junk—it was state-of-the-art equipment.

Where did you get that? she whispered, impressed at Daniel's resourcefulness. When she saw his cocked eyebrow, she felt her cheeks heat up. In this line of business, everything was on a need-to-know basis, and this was definitely not something she needed to know.

I've seen your other IDs, Daniel said, ignoring the question. They were good. But we need to mix it up a little. He flipped some switches and the machine came to life.

What do you mean?

You've always had a drastically different name on your IDs. Daniel pulled out an old laptop. Teddy will be expecting, and looking for, that. We're just going to change the last name, and tweak things like your age. It will make it harder for him to track you down.

For the first time, panic settled in. She had been on the run from cops before, but not from someone like Teddy. Not a dirty cop. He had resources and didn't worry about protocol. How long do I have until he realizes I'm gone?

Daniel glanced up from his laptop. I need a couple hours for the ID. You should split town right after that. You'll have a few hours at best. He uses informants to keep track of his 'workers.'

Have you ever done work for him?

Daniel studied Katie for a moment before allowing his gaze to drop back to his computer screen. Go drive around and act normal, he said, once again ignoring her probing questions. I work better alone, and it might buy you some more time.

With a single nod, Katie climbed out the window. She drove to a park and wandered over to a picnic table where she opened Anna Karenina. Normally, it was her escape. She would get lost in the story, blocking out all the crap going on in her life. But not today. Her heart wasn't in it. And for a brief moment, she wondered if she was going to end up like Anna. Broken and defeated.

2

Sam leaned over his desk and pointed to the calendar hanging on the office wall. Why don’t we have something set up for Friday?

Zoe sighed. Honestly, because people are a little hesitant to let the mayor come see how their operations work. They don’t see it as you wanting to reach out to them. They see it as you wanting to spy on them.

But how can I help our city reach its potential if I don’t know our community? Sam sat in his high-backed chair with a heavy thud. I want to understand the people who helped elect me. I want to understand their concerns and the things that a politician usually doesn’t get to see.

Zoe sat on the edge of his desk and smiled. Which is why they think you are trying to spy on them.

Sam rubbed his face and stretched his long legs under the desk. Fine. What were you able to get for the rest of the week?

You’ll be at Ruby’s Little Dumpling Daycare tomorrow, then—

Sam held up a hand, stopping Zoe mid-sentence. You set me up at my sister’s place? I’m not sure that will help me win the town’s trust.

Zoe stood and poured herself a glass of water. They like you—from a distance. But you need to connect with some of the parents, and most of them take their kids to Ruby’s place.

Sam eyed Zoe warily as she sat in the chair across from him.

You are the first bachelor mayor that the town has ever had, Zoe continued. Which means, you have no idea what it is like to have kids, or be married for that matter, which sets you apart from the majority of the population. You need to be there tomorrow, to show them that it doesn’t matter. That you are still one of them.

Anxiety gripped Sam, his chest tightening. He wanted to be a mayor that the town of Amor would remember—a mayor who actually made a difference. But kids terrified him. The parents he could handle; he wasn’t so sure about their offspring, though. They were chaotic and did things for no apparent reason, and that wasn’t the type of situation he wanted to be in if the press showed up.

Okay, he said, trying to block out images of packs of wild children ambushing him. He was pretty sure they could smell fear. I’ll go kiss some babies at the daycare tomorrow.

Zoe gave a satisfied nod, her eyes dancing.

What? Sam asked.

Nothing, she said with a grin that told him she had something planned for his field trip to Ruby’s drool and poop fest, but she was going to let it be a surprise.

Sam waved a hand at her, indicating she should continue with the schedule.

Still wearing her ‘you are so going to hate me tomorrow’ grin, Zoe said, You’ll have CJ’s Auto Shop on Wednesday and then Dale’s Custard Stand on Thursday.

That made Sam sit up a little straighter. As a taste tester? He tried to stay trim to maintain his image, but he couldn’t ever pass up Dale’s custard. He sold it out of a little stand at a downtown park, and it was the best custard in New Mexico, or so Dale claimed. And Sam agreed.

Zoe laughed, combing her fingers through her spiky black hair. Not quite. Remember, you’re there to connect with the community, not put Dale out of business by eating all of his product.

Sam gave a small shrug. A guy can hope, can’t he?

You know the only people who agreed to let you follow them for a day are your friends, right? Zoe asked, standing up and smoothing down her knee-length skirt.

Sam nodded and rubbed his temples. He felt a headache coming on. Yes, but I’m hoping that once others see me working side by side with their favorite mechanic or custard vendor, they will begin to trust me enough to tell me what they really need. And of course I’ll be at the luminarias over the weekend and the Amor holiday festival next week. How are plans for that coming, by the way?

Good. The event planner said she’ll have the finalized details to me within the next couple days so we can start working on it.

She was supposed to have sent them over three weeks ago for approval.

There wasn’t much I could do about it. She said something about a family emergency. Zoe handed Sam some Tylenol with a cup of water. I know your intentions are good, and after seeing you around the town for a couple weeks, I don’t think people will be able to doubt your passion for wanting to improve things. She paused, like she wasn’t sure if she should continue. But it’s not just the community you need to convince, Sam. There are a few people on the city council that would like nothing more than to prove that you don’t have what it takes to be a successful mayor.

Don’t I know it, Sam said.

Zoe squeezed his shoulder. Just focus on the task at hand, and you’ll be fine.

Sam’s thoughts turned to his first assignment. His sister’s daycare. Let’s just hope it doesn’t do more harm than good.

When Sam pulled up to Ruby’s Little Dumpling Daycare, what first caught his attention were the cameras and news vans. Zoe, he muttered. She had wanted publicity surrounding his travels, but he had expected maybe an article in the local newspaper.

Zoe waved to him from across the parking lot. When she walked up to greet him, she seemed a little hesitant, like she didn’t know how Sam was going to react.

You went all out for this one, Sam said, trying to keep his tone light and his anxiety at bay; he never knew when someone was recording him.

Zoe broke into a smile. Everyone loves a man who enjoys children, and you certainly look the part, she said, nodding in approval.

Sam didn’t think he had done anything special, just threw on a baseball cap, a T-shirt and jeans, but he supposed people weren’t used to seeing him dressed down. He was trying to change the stiff perception they had of him, so Zoe’s approval meant a lot.

Ruby’s waving us in, Zoe said, pointing to the daycare.

Sam glanced over at his sister standing in the doorway. When her husband had been killed in a plane crash, it had sent her spiraling into a deep depression. But what made it even more tragic was that Ruby had been pregnant, and she’d miscarried a week later. She’d eventually started living again, and without children of her own, it had been Ruby’s dream to help take care of others. She treated the children who attended her daycare like they were hers, and they adored her for it. Ruby had dozens of hand-drawn Christmas cards on her fridge to prove it.

Bring it on, Sam said and followed Zoe inside.

Once the door shut, Ruby wrapped her arms around Sam, then punched him in the arm. In her eyes, he’d always be the big brother to tease and torment. His hand shot out in an attempt to grab her wrist, but she laughed and jumped out of reach.

I never thought I’d see the day when you’d come here of your own accord, she said, bouncing on her toes. We have to get a picture.

No, we really don’t, Sam protested.

The women ignored him and Zoe grabbed Ruby’s phone. Ruby threw her arm around Sam’s waist and gave a cheesy smile.

Say ‘Poopy diapers,’ Zoe said.

Sam shuddered just thinking about it.

You know that that’s what he thinks your job is, right? she asked Ruby, handing her phone back.

Ruby heaved a dramatic sigh. Yes, I do. But I’m hoping today will change his mind.

Sam crossed his arms and smiled. That is highly doubtful, but you can try. You have four hours to do your best.

Zoe cleared her throat. Actually, she has eight.

Sam whipped toward Zoe, his heart dancing a staccato in his chest. Excuse me?

It isn’t her fault, it was my idea, Ruby said. All of the parents signed a waiver that allows their children to be photographed. I thought if you were here for the full day you’d have a better chance at getting some good video.

Out of the corner of his eye, Sam saw several children approaching the building with their mothers. Don’t I have meetings or something today, Zoe?

Nope, your day is clear, she said, trying to make it sound like that was a good thing.

Sam let out a long breath. It looks like I don’t have any say in the matter, so I hope this goes as well as you think it will.

As the children began trickling in, Ruby handed Sam a T-shirt. I almost forgot, all employees have to wear this so that the parents know who is supposed to be here.

Sam stared at Ruby. This shirt is pink. With flowers on it. And dancing dumplings.

Ruby grinned. Yes, it is. I suggest you go get changed because the camera crews are starting to filter in, Mr. Mayor.

Sam somehow survived an entire day at daycare. Only thirty minutes left until he could trade in his dancing dumpling T-shirt and have a meal that didn’t involve goldfish crackers or celery sticks covered in peanut butter. It didn’t matter how many raisin ‘ants’ you put on your celery logs, you couldn’t hide the fact that celery was the worst vegetable on the planet. The kids knew it. Sam knew it. Why was everyone else pretending?

He was just putting the final touch on a picture of a glittery pink volcano when Ruby walked up. How’s it going? she asked.

Not bad, he said. He turned to Liv, a three-year-old girl with pigtails, crooked teeth, and her thumb in her mouth. How do you think it turned out? he asked.

She studied the picture for a moment, then wrinkled her nose. Needs more gwitter.

Sam grimaced. He already had glitter coating his skin, hair, and everywhere else that he could see—and some places he couldn’t. Maybe that’s enough glitter for today, he said. Why hadn’t his sister warned him that glitter was the equivalent to super glue?

Then the tears started.

Of course, the cameras zeroed in on Liv, and Sam awkwardly patted her on the back. It’s okay, nothing that a little glitter can’t fix, he said, as if that had been his intention all along. Before he could help Liv, she grabbed the bottle out of his hand. He held his breath as he watched her shake the glitter onto her picture. Maybe I should be in charge of—

The bottle was snatched up by another little boy.

I wanted the pink gwitter! Liv screamed.

The boy laughed and ran around the room. When he came within arm’s reach, Sam tried snatching the bottle from his hand, but the boy held on with a tight fist.

We have other glitter, Sam tried reasoning with him. Would you like the blue glitter?

I like pink, the boy said.

Are you sure you aren’t just saying that because Liv wants the pink?

The boy glared at Sam. My mom says I can like any color I want, and I choose pink.

That’s true, Sam said slowly. But for right now, it’s Liv’s turn to use the pink. When he thought the boy was distracted by Liv’s crying, Sam yanked back on the bottle, but the lid shot off, and pink glitter exploded into a mushroom cloud over the table. The world’s first atomic glitter bomb, and Sam was at ground zero.

Ruby, he called, trying to wipe the glitter from his eyes. I can’t see. And it got in my mouth. He tried to wipe it from his tongue, but it seemed that once it got wet, it gained superhero strength.

Ruby didn’t even try to stifle her laughter. Here, I have a wet paper towel. Wipe your eyes with it.

When Sam opened his eyes, he was blinded by camera flashes. Great, his first day out in the community and they were going to see their mayor on the news looking like he’d just stepped out of a Barbie movie. He hoped the rest of the week went a little better, or he might have to consider early retirement.

3

Katie watched as the passing landscape transitioned from white fields and snow-capped mountains to desert and dry, flat plains. She had never been this far out west before, and she wasn’t sure she liked it. It was so dead and void of life. Then again, maybe she would fit in just fine.

Her gas light blinked on and Katie cursed. She had ten dollars in her pocket, but that wouldn’t get her far. Normally she would ‘borrow’ a credit card from someone, but things were different now. She didn’t have anyone covering her tracks like she had in Colorado. If she was going to stay under Teddy’s radar she had to be more careful, and that meant no more ‘borrowing.’

Crap. How was she going to survive?

Katie drove until she saw an isolated gas station on the side of the road. Just as she took the exit, though, a small explosion sent her car skating down the offramp, smoke simultaneously pouring from under her hood. She fought the wheel until she slid to a stop in the parking lot, and leaped out of the car, grabbing her book from the passenger seat, just in case the car decided to burst into a giant ball of flames.

An attendant from the station ran out with a fire extinguisher, expertly popped her hood, and surveyed the damage. You’re lucky. Nothing’s on fire. Just busted, the attendant said.

Katie bent over, holding her knees, and breathed heavily. Yeah. Lucky.

Do you have a phone to call someone for help?

The burner phone sat heavy in Katie’s pocket. I don’t. Do you have one I can borrow, and maybe the number for a tow truck?

Sure. Follow me into the station. The attendant smiled as he walked, like she was saving him from the boredom that must plague every day of his life. You from around here? he asked.

Small talk. Ugh.

No, just passing through, Katie said. When the attendant had his back turned, she slipped the burner phone out of her pocket and dropped it into the trashcan.

Would you like me to make the call for you? the attendant asked. I know the guy in the next town over that owns the auto shop.

Katie nodded, grateful that was one less person she had to talk to. Sure, I’ll wait outside with the car.

While she waited, she flipped through Anna Karenina. What was it about that book that kept bringing her back? Was it the betrayal and the constant heartache? Or was it the realization that she lived in a world full of imperfect people—that she wasn’t the only one? Kitty and Anna’s pain helped her feel at home.

A large tow truck lumbered down the offramp, startling Katie out of her thoughts. It came to a stop next to her, and a boy who couldn’t have been older than twenty hopped off the truck.

You the lady that needs the car towed?

Katie tucked her book under one arm. Yeah, that’s me. How far is your shop?

The boy lowered the bed of the truck. No more than forty-five minutes.

Katie nodded, wondering how she was going to pay for the tow. At that distance it would probably be close to two hundred bucks. Is it all right if I pay for the tow at the same time I pay for the repairs when you’re done? she asked, hoping she could figure something out by then.

Sure thing. My uncle won’t mind.

When Katie stepped around the car, a piece of paper on the windshield caught her eye. It was stuck underneath one of the wipers, and she couldn’t believe she hadn’t noticed it before. While the boy was hooking the car up, she swiped the paper and unfolded it.

You’ve made a lot of mistakes, but running will be your worst one.

Katie’s pulse quickened and she tucked her hair behind her ear with a trembling hand. She glanced around the station lot but didn’t see anyone else there.

You okay? The boy stood next to the car with a metal hook in hand, staring at her. His forehead was scrunched up in concern.

Katie forced a smile. Yes, fine. Just worried about the car.

The boy relaxed and matched her smile. If anyone can fix it, my uncle can.

With a nod, Katie hopped into the passenger seat of the tow truck. She gripped the door handle, trying to keep her hands from shaking. Was Teddy