For Claire Evans, love has always been a secondhand emotion. After a string of heartbreaks, she's convinced herself that forever isn't in the cards. Instead, she pours her energy into her thriving career as an interior designer. But when her latest project brings her back to her small hometown, she's forced to confront the one man who shattered her heart and the walls she built around it- Ethan Carter. Ethan has spent the past decade regretting the one decision that drove Claire away. Now the owner of a struggling vineyard, he's desperate to save his family's legacy. When Claire steps back into his life as the designer hired to transform the vineyard into a wedding venue, he sees it as a second chance to prove that love is worth the risk. As the days unfold in a whirlwind of late-night confessions, rekindled laughter, and lingering glances, Claire must decide if she's ready to give Ethan- and herself- a chance at the kind of love she thought only existed in fairytales.
Chapter 1 1
Claire Evans tightened her grip on the steering wheel as her car rolled past the familiar "Welcome to Willow Creek" sign. The small town she once called home hadn't changed much in the ten years she'd been away. Its quaint charm still lingered in the weathered buildings and colorful storefronts lining Main Street. For anyone else, it might feel comforting. To Claire, it felt like walking back into a story she'd spent years trying to forget.
She hadn't intended to come back. Life in the city had suited her-fast-paced, impersonal, and brimming with opportunity. It was easier to lose yourself in a crowd when you didn't want to be found. But when her best friend Jenna begged her to take on a design project in Willow Creek, Claire couldn't find an excuse fast enough. Work had been slow lately, and turning down a well-paying job felt reckless, no matter where it was.
The thought of confronting the ghosts of her past made her stomach churn. One ghost in particular. Ethan Carter. His name alone was enough to make her chest tighten, though she hated to admit it.
The road curved sharply, revealing the rolling hills and sprawling vineyards that stretched along the outskirts of town. Sunlight glinted off rows of grapevines, their leaves shimmering like emeralds. At the center of it all stood Carter Estate Vineyard, a place Claire had avoided thinking about for years. She still remembered the summer nights she and Ethan had spent there, sitting under the stars and dreaming about a future that never came to be.
"Focus, Claire," she muttered to herself. She wasn't here to relive old memories. This was just another job, nothing more.
Her GPS announced her arrival, and she slowed to a stop in front of the vineyard's entrance. The Carter Estate sign hung above the gate, its once vibrant paint now peeling at the edges. Claire parked her car and stepped out, the scent of earth and grapes filling the air.
Ethan stood near the main building, his back to her. Even from a distance, she recognized him-the way he held himself with quiet confidence, his broad shoulders framed by the golden light of the setting sun. Her heart betrayed her with a jolt, a reminder that some things were harder to bury than others.
He turned, catching sight of her. His expression shifted from curiosity to something she couldn't quite place. Surprise? Regret? Whatever it was, it disappeared as quickly as it came, replaced by a polite smile.
"Claire," he called out, his voice carrying over the distance.
She forced her feet to move, closing the gap between them. "Ethan. It's been a long time."
"It has." He studied her for a moment, his gaze lingering just long enough to make her uneasy. "You look... good."
"Thanks. So do you." She wasn't lying. Time had been kind to Ethan Carter. His once boyish features had matured, his jawline sharper, his dark hair streaked with hints of silver. The same piercing blue eyes she remembered now held a depth that hadn't been there before.
"Thanks for coming," he said, gesturing toward the building. "I wasn't sure you'd take the job."
"It's work. I couldn't say no." The words came out colder than she intended, but she didn't try to soften them.
Ethan nodded, his jaw tightening. "Right. Well, let me show you around. The place needs a lot of work, but I'm sure you'll manage."
He led her toward the main building, the crunch of gravel under their feet the only sound between them. The silence was heavy, weighed down by everything left unsaid.
The tasting room was the first stop on the tour. The space was charming but outdated, with faded wallpaper and mismatched furniture that screamed for an update. Ethan explained his vision for the wedding venue-rustic elegance with a modern twist. Claire took notes, keeping her focus on the project and away from the man standing beside her.
"This place has potential," she said, running her fingers along a worn wooden countertop. "But it's going to take a lot of work to get it ready in time for wedding season."
"I know," Ethan admitted. "That's why I called you. If anyone can make this work, it's you."
The unexpected compliment caught her off guard. She glanced at him, searching for hidden meaning in his words, but his expression was unreadable.
"Thanks," she said, returning her attention to her notes. "I'll need a detailed budget and a list of materials you're willing to splurge on. I can't promise miracles, but I'll do my best."
Ethan chuckled softly, the sound stirring a familiar ache in her chest. "You were always good at making the impossible happen."
His words hung between them, heavy with unspoken meaning. Claire cleared her throat, determined to keep the conversation professional. "Let's move on. What's next?"
He led her through the rest of the vineyard, pointing out areas that needed attention. The ceremony space was a picturesque clearing surrounded by vines, its charm overshadowed by overgrown weeds and a sagging pergola. The reception area was little more than a patch of grass behind the main building, but Claire could already envision twinkling lights and elegant table settings transforming it into something magical.
By the time they finished the tour, the sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the vineyard in shades of gold and purple. Ethan walked her back to her car, the tension between them unbroken.
"Thanks for coming," he said again, his hands shoved into his pockets. "I know it wasn't easy for you to say yes."
Claire hesitated, her hand on the car door. "It's just a job, Ethan. Let's not make it more complicated than it needs to be."
He nodded, but the look in his eyes told her he didn't believe her. "Goodnight, Claire."
"Goodnight." She climbed into her car and started the engine, refusing to look back as she drove away.
The truth was, this wasn't just a job. It was a test-a chance to prove to herself that she could face her past without falling apart. But as the lights of the vineyard faded in her rearview mirror, Claire couldn't shake the feeling that coming back to Willow Creek would be more complicated than she ever imagined.
Chapter 1 1
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Chapter 2 2
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Chapter 3 3
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Chapter 4 4
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Chapter 5 5
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Chapter 6 6
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Chapter 7 7
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Chapter 8 8
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Chapter 9 9
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Chapter 10 10
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Chapter 11 11
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Chapter 12 12
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Chapter 13 13
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Chapter 14 14
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Chapter 15 15
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