9781405964159

Memphis Ward arrives in Quincy, Montana, on the fifth worst day of her life.

Memphis needs a shower. She needs a snack. She needs some sanity. Because moving across the country with her newborn baby is by far the craziest thing she’s ever done.

-SARAH

Prod Controller

-HELEN

Pub Month

NOV 23

Format

But maybe it takes a little crazy to build a good life. If putting the past behind her requires a thousand miles and a new town. Even if it requires working as a housekeeper at The Eloise Inn.

B PB

Trim Page Size

129 X 198 MM

Print Size

129 X 198 MM

Spine Width Finish

22 MM MATT LAM

Special Colours

N/A

Inside Cov Printing

N/A

FINISHES

It’s there, on the fifth worst day of her life, that she meets the handsomest man she’s ever laid eyes on. Knox Eden is a beautiful, sinful dream. With his sharp, stubbled jaw and tattooed arms, he’s raw and rugged and everything she’s never had – and never will. Because after the first worst day of her life, Memphis learned a man like Knox Eden will only ever be a dream.

PENGUIN Fiction Cover design by Sarah Hansen; Cover photos © Shutterstock

9781405964159_JuniperHill_COV.indd All Pages

Designer

15/09/2023 09:54

penguin books

Juniper Hill Devney Perry is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author of over forty romance novels. After working in the technology industry for a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to pursue her passion for writing.

She was born and raised in Montana and now lives in Washington with her husband and two sons.

P EN GU I N B O O K S

PENGUIN BOOKS UK | USA | Canada | Ireland | Australia India | New Zealand | South Africa Penguin Books is part of the Penguin Random House group of companies whose addresses can be found at global.penguinrandomhouse.com

First published in the United States of America by Devney Perry LLC 2021 First published in Great Britain by Penguin Books 2023 001 Copyright © Devney Perry LLC, 2021 The moral right of the author has been asserted Edited & proofread by Elizabeth Nover, Razor Sharp Editing; Julie Deaton, Deaton Author Services; Karen Lawson, The Proof Is in the Reading and Judy Zweifel, Judy’s Proofreading Printed and bound in Great Britain by Clays Ltd, Elcograf S.p.A. The authorized representative in the EEA is Penguin Random House Ireland, Morrison Chambers, 32 Nassau Street, Dublin D02 YH68 A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library ISBN: 978–1–405–96415–9

www.greenpenguin.co.uk Penguin Random House is committed to a sustainable future for our business, our readers and our planet. This book is made from Forest Stewardship Council® certified paper.

OTHER TITLES

The Edens Series

Indigo Ridge Juniper Hill Garnet Flats Jasper Vale Crimson River Sable Peak Christmas in Quincy - Prequel The Edens: A Legacy Short Story Treasure State Wildcats Series

Coach Blitz Clifton Forge Series

Steel King Riven Knight Stone Princess Noble Prince Fallen Jester

Tin Queen Calamity Montana Series

The Bribe The Blu! The Brazen The Bully The Brawl The Brood Jamison Valley Series

The Coppersmith Farmhouse The Clover Chapel The Lucky Heart The Outpost The Bitterroot Inn The Candle Palace Maysen Jar Series

The Birthday List Letters to Molly The Dandelion Diary

Lark Cove Series

Tattered Timid Tragic Tinsel Timeless Runaway Series

Runaway Road Wild Highway Quarter Miles Forsaken Trail Dotted Lines Holiday Brothers Series

The Naughty, The Nice and The Nanny Three Bells, Two Bows and One Brother’s Best Friend A Partridge and a Pregnancy Standalones

Ivy Rifts and Refrains A Little Too Wild

CONTENTS

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 Epilogue Bonus Epilogue Acknowledgments About the Author Preview Chapter

1 19 35 34 47 46 57 56 69 68 82 83 97 95 111 108 127 123 136 141 155 149 161 167 174 181 193 186 207 199 210 219 235 225 249 238 251 263 275 262 272 285 287 301 311 296 321 305 313 329 315 333

CHAPTER ONE MEMPHIS

J

“

uniper Hill. Juniper Hill.” I plucked the sticky note from the cupholder to double-check that I had the correct street name. Juniper Hill. “There. Is. No. Juniper. Hill.”

My palm smacked on the steering wheel, adding a whack with each word. Frustration seeped from my pores as I desperately scanned the road for a street sign.

Drake screamed in his car seat, that wailing, heartbreak‐ ing, red-faced scream. How could a noise so loud come from such a small person?

“I’m sorry, baby. We’re almost there.” We had to be close, right? This miserable trip had to end.

Drake cried and cried, not giving a damn about my apol‐ ogy. He was only eight weeks old, and while this trip had been hard on me, for him it was probably akin to torture.

“I’m screwing everything up, aren’t I?” Maybe I should have waited and made this trip when he was older. Maybe I should have stayed in New York and 1

DEVNEY PERRY

Today, I’d take the crackheads and murderers dealtWhatever. with the bullshit.

Maybe I should have made a hundred if it meantchoices. spending twenty-four hours not in this car. di!erent A thousand.

“Yes. where is?” Iquestioning tossed a hand After Do daysyou in know the car, I’d it begun mytoward every the windshield.

“Mythis directions led me right here. But there decision, especially one. isn’tEscaping a road marked Hill.like Orthe anybest road marked, the city Juniper had seemed option.

But period.” now . . .

“Montana country rarely are marked. But I can Drake’s scream said roads otherwise. showIt you.” seemed like a decade ago that I’d packed up my life— voiceit sounded small as another of our “Really?” life—and My loaded into my so car.

Once, I’d beenwave a girl tears dam. A girl who’d had a private jet who’dcrashed grown open up inthe a mansion.

It had been aThe while since anyone had only helped me. The at her disposal. realization that the possessions little gestures stood out awhen In the past truly mine would #t into Volvothey sedanwere was .rare. . . humbling. month, only people who’dAnd o!ered metoo helplatehad But the I’d made my choice. it was to been turn Quincy residents. Eloise. And now this beautiful stranger. back now.

“Of course.”ofShe heldand outwe’d a hand.

“I’mmade Winslow.”

Thousands miles #nally it to Quincy. sni"ed her hand, too The“Memphis.” site of our Ifresh start.and Orshook it would be if Iblinking could #nd fast as I Hill. tried to stop the tears. It was useless. I was exactly Juniper the train wreck I appeared to be.

My ears were ringing. My heart was aching. “Shh. Baby.

“Welcome to Quincy, Memphis.”

We’re almost there.”

INeither breathed damn those on falling. didand he understand nortears care.just He kept was hungry and “Thank needed ayou.” diaper change. I’d planned to do it all when we She at gave a sad but smile, then backtime to her arrived ourme rental, this washurried the third I’dcar. driven okay, baby.” There was a sliver of hope in my this “We’ll stretch be of road. voiceLost. as I We scrubbed at my were lost in face.

Montana.

Drake continued cryand as were we eased o! the we’d roadbeen and We’d come all thistoway lost. Maybe followed downI’dtodriven a cluster Between them lost sinceWinslow the morning outofoftrees. the city.

Maybe I’d was narrow dirt road. beenalost for years.

I’d passedup thismyroad.

Three Except it wasn’t real I swiped phone andtimes. checked the GPS. Mya new road.

Certainly notme a residential street.

She slowed, heryet brake boss had warned that this road wasn’t on a map so lights glowing and turned downMaybe the lane. #ew them from she’d given mered, directions instead.

I’dDust written beneath her tires as she followed the trail, driving farther and down wrong. farther awaytiny fromvoice the highway.

Drake’s cracked. The crying stopped for a split 6 2

JUNIPER HILL

Mysowheels found bumpthen andheevery hole on butwail‐ the second he could re!llevery his lungs, just kept bouncing seemed to help because wailinghissimmered ing. Through the rearview and theDrake’s mirror above seat, his to a whimper as I followed bend inand thehis road little face was scrunched anda#ushed !ststoward balled.a hill that“I’m rosesorry,” above Ithe tree line.

Its face was my covered inThey dark whispered as tears blurred vision. evergreen fell down shrubs. my cheeks and I couldn’t swipe them away fast “Juniper Hill.” enough.

Wow. I was Don’t give up.an idiot. Had I stopped and looked at my surroundings, I probably have My own sob escaped,would joining my!gured son’s, this andout.

I eased o$ Tomorrow.

I’d pay attention to Montana. But the highway forTomorrow, the shoulder. not today.

But God, I wanted to quit. How long could a person hold The on rope for another the same on to theroad end went of their before mile, their following grip slipped?

How line trees, auntil !nallyhold we rounded one last corner, long ofcould woman herself together before and she there, in aApparently, meadow of golden grasses,was wasfrom a stunning cracked? the answer New home.

York to No mountain shanty. only No a questionable neighbors.

Montana.

We were probably mile from our !nal desti‐ Whoever thiswere property had plucked it straight out of nation andowned the walls beginning to crumble. a home decor magazine.

A sob mixed with a hiccup and the tears #owed until my wasthe a single stretched longhugging and wide tiresThe werehouse stopped, car wasstory, in park and I was the with thewheel, hill as its backdrop.

Thehug black steering wishing it could me siding back. was broken up by enormous Don’t givesheets up. of crystal-clear glass. Where a normal house haveme, walls, this have placegiven had up windows.

If itwould was only I would monthsThrough ago. But them couldcounting see the open kitchen and living Onthis, the DrakeI was on me to endure.

He’droom. survive far end,He’d a bedroom with that a white-covered right? never know we’d spent abed. miserable few days The sight of its pillows made in the car.

He’d never know thatme foryawn. the !rst two months of Detached fromnearly the house garage his life, I’d cried everywas day.a wide, He’d three-stall never know that with staircase that ran a doorwhat on a Isecond today,a the day when we’dtostarted hopedstory. wouldEloise be a had said she’d me been a loft.the !fth-worst day of his moth‐ happy life, hadfound actually That had to be it. Our temporary home. er’s life.

Winslow Don’t giveparked up. in the circular gravel driveway. I eased in behind her, then out giving of my seat to the rescue myfor son.a I squeezed my hurried eyes shut, in to sobs With unstrapped, I lifted him tothemy shoulder, minute.Drake I blindly felt along the door, hitting button to roll hugging for a long moment. made it. Finally.” down thehim windows.

Maybe some“We clean air would chase away “He was sickdays of his the stink of toojust many in car the seat.” car. Winslow walked over 37

DEVNEY PERRY

Whatever. the crackheads and murderers “I’m sorry, Today, Drake,”I’dI take murmured as he continued to cry. if meant twenty-four Asitwe bothspending cried. “I’m sorry.” hours not in this car.

“Yes. Do you know where it is?” I get tossed A better mother would probably outaofhand the toward car. A the windshield.

“My hold directions ledfeed me him rightand here.

But there better mother would her son, change him. isn’t a road marked Juniper Hill. any again road and marked, But then I’d have to load him into his Or car seat he’d period.” cry, like he had for the !rst hour of our trip this morning.

“Montana roadso"rarely marked. mother.

But I can Maybe he’dcountry be better with are a di"erent A show you.” mother who wouldn’t have made him travel across the “Really?” My voice sounded so small as another wave of country. tearsHe crashed open the dam. deserved a better mother. And a better father.

It a while since anyone had helped me. The Wehad hadbeen that in common. little“Miss?” gestures stood out when they were rare. In the past month, the only people who’d out o!ered me help had been I gasped, nearly jumping of my seat belt as a Quincy woman’sresidents. voice cut Eloise. throughAnd the now noise.this beautiful stranger.

“Of course.” helda out a hand.

“I’mwith Winslow.”

“Sorry.”

TheShe o#cer, pretty woman dark hair, held “Memphis.” up her hands. I sni"ed and shook her hand, blinking too fast “Oh as I tried to stop the tears.

It was wastheexactly my God.” I slapped a hand to useless. my heartI as other the traina wreck appeared to be. shoved lock ofIhair from my face. In the rearview, I spotted “Welcome to and Quincy, Memphis.” the familiar blue red lights of a police car. Shit. The last anda damn thingI Ibreathed needed was ticket. those tears just kept on falling.

“Thank “I’myou.” sorry, O#cer. I can move my car.”

She me a sad then to her “It’s gave all right.”

Shesmile, leaned in, hurried peekingback inside my car. car. “Is “We’ll be okay, baby.” There was a sliver of hope in my everything okay?” voiceI as I scrubbed at my wiped furiously at face. my face. Stop crying. Stop crying. to cry as webad eased the road and “JustDrake a badcontinued day. Actually, a really day.o!

Maybe the !fthfollowed down to aNo, cluster trees.been Between them worst dayWinslow of my life.

Sixth. !fth.ofWe’ve in the car was a narrow for days and dirt my road. son won’t stop crying. He’s hungry. I’m I’d passed thisaroad.

Three times. Except wasn’t real hungry.

We need nap and a shower, but I’mitlost.

I’veabeen road.

Certainly residential street.

Sheto slowed, her brake driving around not for athirty minutes trying !nd this place lights red, andto turned down the lane. Dust #ew from whereglowing we’re supposed be staying.” beneath tires as she followed trail, driving farther and Nowher I was rambling to a cop.the Fantastic. farther away from the highway.

6 4

JUNIPER HILL

My wheels found every bump andasevery hole but the The rambling was something I’d done a kid whenever my bouncing to help Drake’s wailing nanny hadseemed busted me doingbecause something wrong.

I didn’tsimmered like to be to a whimper as Igo-to followed a bend intalk themy road a hill in trouble and my response was to waytoward through it. thatDad rosehad above the tree Its faceexcuses. was covered dark always calledline. it making But noinmatter evergreen how often shrubs. he’d scolded me, the rambling had become a habit.

“Juniper Hill.”

A bad habit I’d correct later in life on a day that didn’t rank Wow. I was an days. idiot. Had I stopped and looked at my in the top ten worst surroundings, I probably wouldthe have !gured this out.

“Where are you going?” woman asked, glancing at Tomorrow.

Drake, who wasTomorrow, still yelling.I’d pay attention to Montana. But not today.

He didn’t care that we’d been pulled over. He was too road foraanother following the same busyThe telling herwent that on I was horriblemile, mother. line Iofscrambled trees, until !nally rounded onedropped, last corner, and to !nd thewe sticky note I’d showing there, inthrough a meadow golden grasses, was a stunning it to her theofopen window.

“Juniper Hill.” home.

No mountain shanty.

No furrowed questionable neighbors.

“Juniper Hill?” Her forehead and she blinked, Whoever reading theowned stickythis noteproperty twice. had plucked it straight out of a home magazine.

My decor stomach dropped. Was that bad? Was it in a sketchy The houseorwas a single story, stretched long and wide neighborhood something? withWhen the hillI’dastried its backdrop. black siding was up to !nd aThe rental in Quincy, thebroken pickings by crystal-clear glass.

Where hadenormous been slim.sheets The of only options had been three-a ornormal fourhouse would have walls, this place hadneed windows.

Through bedroom homes, and not only did I not so much space, them couldoutside see theofopen kitchen Considering and living room.

On the they’dI been my budget. this was far white-covered !rstend, timea bedroom in my lifewith I’d ahad a budget, Ibed. was determined to stickThe to it.sight of its pillows made me yawn.

Detached from the Eden, house the waswoman a wide,who’d three-stall So I’d called Eloise hiredgarage me to with thatand rantold to aher doorthat on Ia wouldn’t second story.

Eloise work aatstaircase her hotel, be able to had she’d found movesaid to Quincy afterme all.a loft.

That to bepromised it. Our temporary Whenhad she’d to !nd home. me an apartment, I’d Winslow in theangel circular driveway. eased thought maybeparked a guardian had gravel been looking out Ifor me. in behind her, then out of my seat to rescueHill my son.

Except maybe this hurried studio apartment on Juniper was With I lifted my shoulder, really aDrake shantyunstrapped, in the mountains and him I’d betoshacked up next hugging him forand a long moment. “We made it. Finally.” to meth dealers criminals.

“He was just sick of his car seat.” Winslow walked over Whatever. Today, I’d take57the crackheads and murderers

DEVNEY PERRY

Whatever. Today, I’d take the crackheads and murderers if it meant spending twenty-four hours not in this car.

“Yes. Do you know where it is?” I tossed a hand toward the windshield. “My directions led me right here. But there isn’t a road marked Juniper Hill. Or any road marked, period.”

“Montana country roads rarely are marked. But I can show you.”

“Really?” My voice sounded so small as another wave of tears crashed open the dam.

It had been a while since anyone had helped me. The little gestures stood out when they were rare. In the past month, the only people who’d o!ered me help had been Quincy residents. Eloise. And now this beautiful stranger.

“Of course.” She held out a hand. “I’m Winslow.”

“Memphis.” I sni"ed and shook her hand, blinking too fast as I tried to stop the tears. It was useless. I was exactly the train wreck I appeared to be.

“Welcome to Quincy, Memphis.”

I breathed and damn those tears just kept on falling.

“Thank you.”

She gave me a sad smile, then hurried back to her car.

“We’ll be okay, baby.” There was a sliver of hope in my voice as I scrubbed at my face.

Drake continued to cry as we eased o! the road and followed Winslow down to a cluster of trees. Between them was a narrow dirt road.

I’d passed this road. Three times. Except it wasn’t a real road. Certainly not a residential street. She slowed, her brake lights glowing red, and turned down the lane. Dust #ew from beneath her tires as she followed the trail, driving farther and farther away from the highway.

6

JUNIPER HILL

My wheels found every bump and every hole but the bouncing seemed to help because Drake’s wailing simmered to a whimper as I followed a bend in the road toward a hill that rose above the tree line. Its face was covered in dark evergreen shrubs.

“Juniper Hill.”

Wow. I was an idiot. Had I stopped and looked at my surroundings, I probably would have !gured this out.

Tomorrow. Tomorrow, I’d pay attention to Montana. But not today.

The road went on for another mile, following the same line of trees, until !nally we rounded one last corner, and there, in a meadow of golden grasses, was a stunning home.

No mountain shanty. No questionable neighbors.

Whoever owned this property had plucked it straight out of a home decor magazine.

The house was a single story, stretched long and wide with the hill as its backdrop. The black siding was broken up by enormous sheets of crystal-clear glass. Where a normal house would have walls, this place had windows. Through them I could see the open kitchen and living room. On the far end, a bedroom with a white-covered bed.

The sight of its pillows made me yawn.

Detached from the house was a wide, three-stall garage with a staircase that ran to a door on a second story. Eloise had said she’d found me a loft.

That had to be it. Our temporary home.

Winslow parked in the circular gravel driveway. I eased in behind her, then hurried out of my seat to rescue my son.

With Drake unstrapped, I lifted him to my shoulder, hugging him for a long moment. “We made it. Finally.”

“He was just sick of his car seat.” Winslow walked over 7

DEVNEY PERRY

Today, take the crackheads and murderers withWhatever. a kind smile.

“I I’d have a two-month-old.

Sometimes he if it meant spending twenty-four hours not in this car. loves the car.

Most times, not so much.”

“Yes. Do you where is?” he’s I tossed towardI “Drake’s two know months too. itAnd beena ahand trooper,” the windshield. ledstopped me rightcrying, here. But there breathed.

Now “My that directions he’d !nally I could isn’t a road Hill. Or any road marked, breathe.

“Thismarked has beenJuniper a long trip.” period.”

“From New York?” she asked, glancing at my license “Montana country roads rarely are marked. But I can plates. show“Yep.” you.”

“Really?”

“That is a My longvoice trip.”sounded so small as another wave of tearsI crashed the dam. hoped itopen had been worth it. Because there was no way I had back. been Forward a while since hadnow helped me. The was Itgoing steps anyone only, from on. The city little was a gestures memory.stood out when they were rare. In the past month, who’dshe o!ered help hadEloise been “I’mthe theonly chiefpeople of police,” said. me “You know Quincy residents. Eloise. And now this beautiful stranger.

Eden, right?”

“Of held outher a hand.

“Umcourse.” . . . yes?”She Had I told that?“I’m Winslow.”

“Memphis.”

I sni"ed and shook her hand, too “Full disclosure.

Memphis is a unique nameblinking and Eloise fast I tried to stop the tears. It was useless. I was exactly is myassister-in-law.” the train to be.and back. This was my new “Ah.”wreck DamnI appeared it to the moon “Welcome to Quincy, boss’s sister-in-law, and I’dMemphis.” just made an epically horrible !rst I breathed damn tears just kept on falling. impression.

“Er and . . . what arethose the chances?”

“Thank you.” Pretty good,” she said. “You’ll be working at “In Quincy?

She gave me a sad smile, then hurried back to her car. the inn?”

“We’ll be “Yes. okay, As baby.”

There was a sliver of hope in my I nodded. a housekeeper.” voiceBefore as I scrubbed my face.

Winslowat could say anything else, the front door Drake continued to cry as webrunette eased o!rushed the road and to the house opened and a pretty outside, followed Winslow smiling and waving.down to a cluster of trees. Between them was Eloise. a narrow dirtblue road.eyes sparkled, the same color as the Her I’d passed this road. cloudless September sky.Three times. Except it wasn’t a real road.“Memphis!”

Certainly not residential street.“You Shemade slowed, Shea rushed my way. it.”her brake lights red, and shifting turned down Dust “I glowing did,” I breathed, Drakethe to lane. extend my #ew hand.from beneath her tires as she followed trail, driving and Whatever makeup I’d put onthe two days ago atfarther our hotel farther away from highway. in Minnesota hadtheworn off from fatigue and tears. My 6 8

JUNIPER HILL

Myhair wheels found everyponytail bump and hole tee but was the blond was in a sloppy andevery my white bouncing seemed because Drake’s wailing stained orange at tothehelp hem from an energy drinksimmered that had to a whimper as I this followed a bend in the road toward exploded on me morning.

I looked nothing likea hill the that roseofabove the tree line.

Its face coveredinterview in dark version Memphis Ward who’d donewas a virtual evergreen shrubs. with Eloise weeks ago. But this was me. There was no “Juniper hiding reality.Hill.”

Wow. was an idiot. Had I stopped and looked at my I was aImess. surroundings, I probably !gured this out.

Eloise moved right inwould to myhave space, ignoring my o!ered handTomorrow. to pull meTomorrow, in for a hug.I’d pay attention to Montana. But not today.

I tensed. “Sorry, I smell.”

The went for another mile,Winn?” following the same “Notroad at all.”

Sheon laughed.

“You met line Iofnodded. trees, until we enough roundedto one “She !nally was kind helplast mecorner, when Iand got there, lost.” in a meadow of golden grasses, was a stunning home.

No mountain No questionable “Oh no.”

Eloise’sshanty. smile dropped.

“Were my neighbors. directions Whoever owned this property had plucked it straight out of bad?” a home decor magazine.

“No.” I waved it o!. “I’ve just never driven on a dirt house was it.” a single story, stretched long and wide road.The I didn’t expect withUp theuntil hill asthis its backdrop.

Thedriven black siding broken trip, I hadn’t much was at all.

Yes, up I’d by sheets of but crystal-clear glass.

Where a normal hadenormous a car in New York, I’d also had a driver.

Thankfully, house would havetime walls, this place had windows.

Through I’d spent enough behind the wheel going to and from them I could see the comfortable open kitchenmaking and living room. On the the Hamptons to feel this journey. far end, bed.Winslow asked, “Cana bedroom we helpwith youa white-covered get unpacked?”

The sight of the its pillows pointing toward loft. made me yawn.

Detached house was a wide, three-stall garage “Oh, that’sfrom okay.the I can manage.” with“We’ll a staircase ransqueezed to a doorthe ontrunk’s a second story.

Eloise help.”that Eloise release button. had The said she’d du!elfound bags me anda loft. suitcases I’d shoved inside practi‐ had to beYes, it. Our temporary home.#t into my Volvo. callyThat jumped out. all of my belongings parked circular driveway.

But Winslow that didn’t meaninitthe hadn’t beengravel a chore to stu!I eased them in behind her, then hurried out of my seat to rescue my son. inside.

With I lifted him to then my lifted shoulder, SheDrake heftedunstrapped, a backpack over her shoulder, out hugging him for a long moment. “We made it. Finally.” a suitcase.

“He wasIjust of hisMy carface seat.”

Winslow over “Really, can sick do this.” $amed red atwalked the sight of 97

DEVNEY PERRY

Whatever.

Today,out I’d my takethings. the crackheads andcarried murderers my new boss hauling The bag she had if meant spending twenty-four hours not in this car. myit underwear and tampons.

“Yes. Do you know where it is?” I tossed hand toward But Eloise ignored me, marching to thea garage’s steel the windshield. “My directions led me right here. But there staircase. isn’t“Trust a roadmemarked Hill. Orwalked any road on this Juniper one.” Winslow to themarked, trunk. period.”

“The sooner you just go along with Eloise, the easier your “Montana country roads rarely are marked. But I can life will be. She’s persistent.” showLike you.” how she’d refused to listen when I’d had to decline “Really?”

My voice sounded as another wave of the job o!er. She’d ordered me tosogetsmall to Montana, promising tears crashed openonce the dam. we’d have a home we arrived.

It had been athis.” whileI giggled. since anyone helped “I’m learning It was had the "rst laughme.

I’dThe had little out when they were rare. In the past in . . . gestures well, in astood long time. month, the only o!eredinmehishelp had smell. been I held Drakepeople closer,who’d breathing baby Quincy Eloise. this beautiful Standingresidents. there, with myAnd feetnow on the ground, Istranger. let myself “Of again. course.”

She held out a hand.

“I’m Winslow.” breathe For one heartbeat.

Then two.

I let the soles of “Memphis.”

I sni"ed and shook hermy hand, my shoes be warmed by the rocks.

I let heartblinking sink outtoo of fast as I tried stop tothe my throat and to return mytears. chest.It was useless. I was exactly the train wreckit.I appeared to be.

We made “Welcome to Quincy, Quincy might not beMemphis.” our forever home. But forevers breathed and And damnI’dthose tearsdreaming just kept the on day falling. wereI for dreamers. stopped I’d “Thank you.” my worst days. There’d been so many, it had started ranking a sad hurried back To to her car.that beenShe thegave onlymeway tosmile, keep then moving forward. know be okay, baby.”

There was a sliver of know hope that in my none“We’ll had been as awful as the "rst-worst day. To if voice as I scrubbed at Imy face.endure the second and the third I’d survived that one, could continued to cry as we eased o! the road and and Drake the fourth. followed down to a cluster of trees. Between them TodayWinslow marked the "fth. was Ita narrow dirt road. had started at a gas station in North Dakota. I’d pulled road.

Three times.

Except it wasn’t a real overI’d lastpassed night this to get some sleep.

Twenty minutes, that’s all road.

Certainly notI’da residential Sheonslowed, herDrake brake I’d wanted.

Then planned tostreet. get back the road. lights glowing red, and turned the lane.

Dusthim #ewup from had been zonked I hadn’tdown wanted to wake by beneath her tires she followed hauling him into aasseedy hotel. the trail, driving farther and farther away from the car highway.

Napping in the had been a reckless decision. I’d 6 10

JUNIPER HILL

My Iwheels found every andlot’s every hole but My the thought was safe beneath thebump parking bright lights. bouncing seemed to helpfor because Drake’s simmered eyes hadn’t been closed more than !vewailing minutes when a to a whimper as knocked I followed bend in thelicking road toward truck driver had on amy window, his lips.a hill thatI’d rose above tree line. Itsrun faceover washiscovered sped awaythe and, hopefully, toes. in dark evergreen shrubs.

My heart had hammered for the next hour, but once the “Juniper Hill.” adrenaline had worn o", soul-deep exhaustion had burrowed Wow. I wasI’d anbeen idiot.afraid Had of I stopped and looked at my under my skin. falling asleep at the wheel surroundings, I probably would have !gured so I’d pulled over on the interstate to hop out this andout. jog in place Tomorrow.

I’dfor pay Montana.

Buta under the stars.Tomorrow, I’d stretched allattention of thirty to seconds before not bugtoday. had #own under my shirt and left two bites along my ribs.The road went on for another mile, following the same line The of trees, !nally we rounded corner, and sting until had kept me awake for theone nextlast hour. there, a meadow of golden grasses, was to a stunning Atindawn, I’d found another turnoff stop andhome. change No When mountain shanty.

Noof questionable neighbors.

Drake.

I’d lifted him out his seat, he’d spit up all Whoever owned this property hadmyself plucked it straight out of over my shirt, forcing me to give a baby-wipe bath. aAny home decor day, magazine. normal it wouldn’t have been a big deal. But it a single wide had The beenhouse one was more straw story, and stretched my back long was and close to with the hill as its backdrop. The black siding was broken up breaking. by enormous of station crystal-clear glass.

Where a normal During oursheets last gas stop, he’d started crying.

With house would have walls, this place had windows.

Through the exception of a few short naps, he hadn’t really stopped. themHours I could and living the of see thatthe wailopen andkitchen I was fried.

I wasroom. weary.On I was far end,Iawas bedroom with a white-covered bed. scared. nervous.

The sight of itswere pillows made each me yawn.

My emotions battling other, !ghting to take from the house wide, three-stall garage !rst Detached place. Fighting to be the was one athat pushed me over the with edge. a staircase that ran to a door on a second story. Eloise had But saidwe’d she’dmade foundit.me a loft. we’d made it.

Somehow, That to be it.out Our temporary home.

“Let’shad go check our new spot.”

I kissed Drake as he Winslow parked circular gravelshifted driveway. squirmed—he had toinbethehungry—then him Itoeased the in behind her, arm. then hurried outhand, of myIseat to rescue my next son. cradle of my With one hefted out the With Drake unstrapped, I lifted how him heavy to myit was. shoulder, du"el in the stack, but I’d forgotten The hugging himslipped for a long moment.

“We the made Finally.” to the nylon strap from my !ngers, bagit.plopping “He “Ugh.” was just sick of his car seat.” Winslow walked over ground.

7 11

DEVNEY PERRY

Whatever.

I’d rugged take thevoice crackheads murderers “I’ll get it.”Today, A deep, soundedand from behind if it meant spending twenty-four not in this car. me, then came the crunch of bootshours on gravel.

“Yes. Doready you know where it is?”

I tossedmyself, a handbut toward I stood, to smile and introduce the the windshield.

“Mythedirections led me right here. my But brain there second I spotted man walking my way, isn’t a road marked Juniper Hill. Or any road marked, scrambled. period.”

Tall. Broad. Tattooed. Gorgeous.

“Montana roads marked.

I can Why had I country kept driving lastrarely night?are Why hadn’tBut I stopped show you.”with a shower? at a hotel “Really?” voice sounded small as new another wave of I was in noMy place to crush on asoguy.

The Memphis— tears open thetoo dam. mom crashed Memphis—was busy getting formula stains out of had to been a while sinceBut anyone hadMemphis—single, helped me. The her It shirts preen for men. the old little gestures stood outanwhen theyorwere rare. In the past rich and always up for orgasm two Memphis—really, month, the sexy, onlybearded people men. who’d o!ered me help had been really liked Quincy residents.

Eloise. And nowdu!el this beautiful stranger.the He bent and picked up the before grabbing “Of suitcase course.” She a hand.

Winslow.” largest fromheld theout trunk.

His“I’m biceps strained the “Memphis.” sni"edasand hand, too sleeves of his grayI T-shirt he shook carriedher them bothblinking toward the fast as INarrow tried to hips. stop the tears. forearms.

It was useless. was covered exactly garage.

Sinewed LongIlegs the train jeans. wreck I appeared to be. in faded “Welcome to Quincy, Memphis.”

Who was he?

Did he live here? Did it matter?

IDrake breathed and and damn tears just kept on falling. whined thatthose sound snu!ed the laser beam “Thank that had you.” been my gaze on this guy’s sculpted ass.

She gave sad smile, backI to her car.

What theme hella was wrongthen withhurried me? Sleep. needed sleep.

“We’ll okay, baby.”

There me wasstaring, a sliver Iofdropped hope in my Before be anyone could catch voice as I scrubbed at my face. chin and rushed after him, pausing long enough to snag the Drake continued to cry as we eased o! the road and diaper bag from the backseat. followed Winslow down to agave cluster of hum trees.with Between The metal on the stairs a low each them step. was narrow road. made it to the landing when Eloise Theaman haddirt almost I’d passed popped out. this road. Three times. Except it wasn’t a real road.“Good, Certainly nothelping.” a residential herwaved brake you’re Shestreet. smiledShe at slowed, him, then lights red, and turned down the lane.

DustMemphis, #ew from us all glowing inside. “Knox Eden, meet Memphis Ward. beneath tires as she followed thehouse.” trail, driving farther and this is myher brother Knox.

This is his farther away Knox set from downthe thehighway. bags and jerked up his chin. “Hi.” 6 12

JUNIPER HILL

My everyThanks bump and holeusbutyour the “Hi. wheels This found is Drake. for every renting bouncing seemed to help because Drake’s wailing simmered apartment.” to a “I’m whimper as I followed a bend in up the in road toward hill sure another spot will open town.”

Heashot that above the tree line. Its face was covered in dark Eloiserose a glare.

“Soon.” evergreen shrubs. rolling through the loft was thicker than The tension “Juniper Hill.” tra!c on East Thirty-Fourth from FDR Drive to Fifth Wow. I was an idiot. Had I stopped and looked at my Avenue. surroundings, I probably have !gured thiswhile out. Eloise Winslow studied thewould honey-colored "oors Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I’d pay attention to Montana. But narrowed her gaze at her brother. not today.

Meanwhile Knox did nothing to disguise the irritation on The road went on for another mile, following the same his face. line “Is, of trees, !nally last corner, um . . until . is this placewe notrounded for rent?”one It would be on and par there, a meadow golden grasses, a stunning home. for myinday to arriveof somewhere I was was unwelcome.

No mountain shanty.

No said, questionable “No, it’s not,” he said as Eloise “Yes, it is.” neighbors.

Whoever owned thistoproperty out of “I don’t want cause had any plucked trouble.”it straight My stomach achurned. home decor magazine.

“Maybe we should $nd another place.”

The was her a single longraising and wide Eloisehouse crossed armsstory, overstretched her chest, her with the hill as itswaited backdrop.

The black to siding wasShe broken up eyebrows as she for her brother speak. was too by enormous sheets of crystal-clear glass.want Where a normal pretty to be intimidating, yet I wouldn’t to be on the house would receiving end have of thatwalls, look. this place had windows. Through them“Fine,” I could see grumbled. the open kitchen Knox “Stay asand longliving as youroom. need.”On the far end, bedroom with a white-covered bed.

“Area you sure?”

Because it sounded a lot like he was The its fair pillows made measyawn. lying.

I’dsight heardofmy share of lies a New York socialite.

Detached therest house was bags.” a wide,Knox three-stall garage “Yeah. I’ll from get the of your breezed past with a staircase that and ran soap to a door second story. Eloise me, the scent of sage $llingon mya nose. had “Sorry.” said she’dEloise foundput me aher loft.hands on her cheeks. “Okay, I to be it.

Our temporary needThat to behad honest.

When you called home. and said there weren’t parked in the circular gravelchecking driveway.too.

I eased any Winslow apartments around town, I did some And in behind her, then hurried out ofinmy seat to rescue you’re right.

Nothing is available your price range.”my son.

With Drake unstrapped, I liftedmehim to her my unwilling shoulder, I groaned.

So she’d pawned o% on hugging a long moment.

“We made it. Finally.” brother. Ihim wasfor a charity case.

“He was just sick of his seat.” charity.

Winslow walked over Old Memphis would havecarrefused 7 13

DEVNEY PERRY

Whatever.

Today, I’d take crackheads Mom Memphis didn’t havethe that luxury. and murderers if it meant twenty-four hours not in this car.

“I don’tspending want to intrude.”

“Yes. Donot,” youEloise know said. where it is?”

I tossed a hand toward “You’re “He could have told me no.” the windshield.

“My rightforhere.

Buttothere Why did I get thedirections feeling itled wasmehard people tell isn’t a Or roadthat marked Juniper Hill.it as Oranany road After marked, her no? she rarely accepted answer? all, period.” that was how I’d driven out here.

“Montana country roads are marked.

ButinI love can After an hour-long Zoomrarely interview, I’d fallen show you.” with the idea of working for Eloise and I hadn’t even seen the MyShe’d voice sounded so small as another waveour of hotel“Really?” premises. smiled and laughed through tears crashed open dam.about Drake and complimented conversation.

She’dthe asked It had been a while since anyone had helped me. The my résumé. littleI’dgestures stood they were rare.

In the past taken this jobout notwhen because I aspired to clean rooms, month, the only people o!ered me helpThere had been but simply because she who’d was the anti-Father. was Quincy Eloise. now this beautiful nothing residents. cold, ruthless orAnd cunning about Eloise.stranger.

My father “Ofhate course.” would her. She held out a hand. “I’m Winslow.”

“Memphis.” sni"ed andIshook “Are you sureI about this?” asked.her hand, blinking too fast “Absolutely. as I tried to stop tears. was useless.

I was exactly Knoxthe just isn’tItused to having people out the appeared to adjust.” be. here.train Butwreck it will Ibe !ne. He’ll “Welcome to Quincy, Memphis.”

Was that why he’d built a home full of glass? Out here, I breathed and privacy damn those tearsThe justlocation kept ongave falling. he didn’t need the of walls. him “Thank you.” seclusion.

And I was intruding.

She gave me a sad smile,agreement. then hurried car.

We didn’t have a lease Asback soontoasher a vacancy “We’ll be okay, There was would a slivermind of hope in my in town came open,baby.”

I doubted Knox losing voice as I scrubbed at my face. rent check.

Drake continued we easedthe o!thud the road He came striding toupcry theasstaircase, from and his followed Winslow down to a cluster trees.frame Between boots reverberating through the loft.of His !lledthem the was a narrow road.inside carrying another three bags. doorway as hedirt walked I’d passed wasn’t real “I can get this the road. rest,” Three I said times. as he Except set themit on the a"oor. road. notYou a residential slowed, “And Certainly I’ll be quiet. won’t evenstreet. knowShe we’re here.”her brake lights glowing red,that and moment turned down theout lane. #ewbefore from Drake chose to let a Dust screech beneath tiresmy as she followed the trail, driving farther and nuzzlingher toward breast. farther away from the highway.

6 14

JUNIPER HILL

My wheels found every and before every hole but the Knox’s mouth pursed in abump thin line he retreated bouncing seemed to help because Drake’s wailing simmered down the stairs. to a “Can whimper as I followed a bend in the road toward hill we help you get unpacked?”

Winslow asked.a “I’d that above faceout was in write dark muchrose rather staythe heretree thanline. headItsback on covered patrol and evergreen shrubs. speeding tickets.”

“Juniper Hill.”

“No, that’s okay. I can handle it. There isn’t much.” Just Wow. life I was an idiot.

Hadyou I stopped and me looked at my my entire in bags.

“Thank for rescuing today.” surroundings, “Anytime.”I probably would have !gured this out.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, pay attention to Montana.

But “Are we still on for anI’dorientation tomorrow?”

I asked not today.

Eloise.

The onwant for another thebefore same “Sure.road Butwent if you a day ormile, twofollowing to settle in line of trees, until !nally we rounded one last corner, and work—” there, in a Imeadow of head. golden“I’d grasses, a stunning “No.” shook my like towas jump right in.”home.

No shanty.

No life. questionable Dive mountain head!rst into this new Drake was neighbors. starting at Whoever this property hadI hated plucked it straight outthe of his daycareowned tomorrow and though leaving him for aday, home magazine. thatdecor was the life of a single mother.

The house stretched longpercent and wide daycarewas costa single would story, swallow thirty-one of with the hill as its backdrop.

The cost blackofsiding broken up my income.

Quincy had a low livingwas compared to by enormous sheets of crystal-clear Where a normal larger Montana towns, and renting glass. this loft at only three house would have walls, would this place hundred dollars a month allowhad mewindows. to build aThrough cushion, them I could see the were open not kitchen and living room. On the but unpaid weekdays an option.

Not yet. far end, bedroom with a white-covered bed. in New York.

Lifeawould have been easier, !nancially, sight ofhave its pillows yawn.have been a prison But The it wouldn’t been amade life. Itmewould Detached from the house was a wide, three-stall garage sentence. with“Okay.” a staircase thatclapped. ran to a “Then door onI’ll a second Eloise Eloise see youstory. tomorrow. had said foundyou’re me a loft.

Come inshe’d whenever ready.”

That hadyou.” to be Iit.held Our out temporary home.

“Thank my hand once more because Winslow parkedwas in the circular gravel I eased shaking her hand important.

It wasdriveway. one of the few in behind then myI didn’t seat toloathe. rescue my son. lessons myher, father hadhurried taughtout me of that With Drake “I’m so gladunstrapped, you’re here.”I lifted him to my shoulder, hugging “Me him too.”for a long moment. “We made it. Finally.”

“He was just sick of his car seat.” Winslow walked over 7 15

DEVNEY PERRY

Whatever.

Today, I’dwaved take the Winslow and Eloise as crackheads they walkedand outmurderers the door. if it meantwhimper spendingfrom twenty-four hoursme notflying in this into car. action, Another Drake sent “Yes. you know where it is?” tossedwe a settled hand toward digging outDo a bottle from the diaper bag Ibefore on the the windshield. directions led my me new righttemporary here. Buthome. there couch.

While he “My chugged, I surveyed isn’tThe a road Juniper Hill. with Or any road marked, whitemarked walls were pitched the roo!ine and a period.” thick wooden beam the color of the !oors ran the length of “Montana country rarely marked.

ButtheI side can the space.

Three dormerroads windows hadarebeen cut into show facingyou.” the house, giving me a view of Juniper Hill and the “Really?”

My voice sounded so small another of indigo mountains beyond.

Alcoves and as half walls wave created tears crashed open the dam. di"erent compartments in the !oorplan.

It had been a while anyone ahad me.was Thea Across from the couchsince and behind shorthelped partition little gesturesinstood out when theyThe were rare. was In the bed covered a patchwork quilt. kitchen on past one month, theloft, onlynext people mebathroom help hadwas been side of the to thewho’d door, o!ered while the at Quincy residents.

Eloise.was Andjust nowlarge this beautiful stranger. its opposite.

The space enough for a shower She held out a hand. “I’m Winslow.” stall,“Of sinkcourse.” and toilet.

“Memphis.” and shook hand,I blinking too “You’ll have Itosni"ed have baths in thehersink,” told Drake, fast as the I tried to stop tears. was useless. I was exactly taking empty bottlethe from his Itmouth. the train wreckup I appeared be.beautiful brown eyes.

He stared at me withtohis “Welcome to IQuincy, Memphis.”

“I love you.” hadn’t told him that enough on this drive. breathed and damn those like tearsthis, justjust kept falling.

We Ihadn’t had enough moments theontwo of us “Thank together.you.”

“What do you think about this?”

She gave me a sad smile, then hurried back to her car.

Drake blinked.

“We’ll okay, baby.” There was a sliver of hope in my “I like itbetoo.” voiceI burped as I scrubbed at mydug face. him, then out a baby blanket, settling him Drake to cry as weineased o!couple the road and on the !oorcontinued while I rushed to bring the last of loads followed Winslow down to a cluster of trees. Between them and unpack. was Hours a narrow dirtmy road. later, clothes were refolded and put away in ThreeThe times.drawers Except built it wasn’t the I’d onepassed and this onlyroad. dresser. intoa real the road.

Certainly notfor a residential street. The She slowed, her brake bedframe I used Drake’s out#ts. small closet was lights turneda down the lane. #ew from stu"edglowing by thered, timeand I hung few coats and Dust sweaters, then beneath her tires she followed the trail, and stowed the largeassuitcases stu"ed withdriving smallerfarther suitcases farther fromand the backpacks. highway. stu"ed away with bags 6 16

JUNIPER HILL

My wheels two found every bump everygashole but the I’d bought sandwiches at and the last station I’d bouncing seemed to help because Drake’s stopped at, thinking there wouldn’t be wailing time tosimmered make a to a whimper as I so followed a bend in the toward a hill grocery store run, I ate my dry ham androad swiss, chasing it that treeand line.

Its about face was covered downrose withabove some the water, went giving Drake in hisdark !rst evergreen shrubs. kitchen-sink bath.

“Juniper Hill.” in my arms before I placed him in his He fell asleep Wow.crib.

I was an idiot. Had I stopped andtolooked my portable I summoned enough energy showerat and surroundings, wouldwithin have !gured thisof out.my head wash my hair,I probably then crashed seconds Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, I’d pay attention to Montana. But hitting the pillow. not today.

But my son wasn’t much for letting me rest these days on he forwoke another following the same and The just road afterwent eleven up mile, hungry and fussy.

One line of one trees,clean untildiaper !nallyand we one rounded bottle, hour one later,last he corner, showedand no there, a meadow of golden grasses, was a stunning home. signs ofinsleep.

No shanty. questionable neighbors.

“Oh, mountain baby. Please.”

I pacedNo the length of the loft, walking Whoever ownedwindows, this property hadthe plucked straight out of past the open hoping clean,itcool air would asettle home decor magazine. him down.

The house waswas a single story,it.stretched and wide Except Drake not having He criedlong and cried, like with themost hill asnights, its backdrop.

The black siding up he did squirming because he was justbroken was not by enormous sheets of crystal-clear glass. Where a normal comfortable. house haveand walls, this place had windows.

Through So would I walked walked, bouncing and swaying with them could see the open kitchen and living room. On the every Istep. far end, a bedroom with a white-covered A light from Knox’s house "ippedbed. on as I passed a The sight of its pillows made yawn. window.

A "ash of skin caught myme eye and stopped my feet.

Detached “Whoa.” from the house was a wide, three-stall garage withKnox a staircase that ranwearing to a dooronly on a second was shirtless, pair of story. black Eloise boxer had saidThey she’d molded found metoa his loft.strong thighs. The waistband briefs.

That hadVtoatbe Our temporary home. clung to the hisit.hips.

Winslow parked the circular gravel My neighbor, myinlandlord, wasn’t justdriveway. muscled, Iheeased was in her,athen hurried of outrippled of my seat to rescue cut.behind He was symphony muscle that my sangson. in With unstrapped, I lifted face. him to my shoulder, perfectDrake harmony with his handsome hugging for a longpoised moment.

“We made it.

Purehim temptation, at the window ofFinally.” a woman who “He justtosick his car could notwas a#ord strayoffrom herseat.” path. Winslow walked over 7 17

DEVNEY PERRY

Whatever.

Today, I’d take crackheads and murderers But what was the harm in athe look? if it meant spending notstaying in this out car.of sight, I hovered beside twenty-four the window’shours frame, Do you know it is?” aI tossed a hand toward and “Yes. stole another glancewhere as he raised towel to dry the ends the windshield. of his dark hair. “My directions led me right here. But there isn’t“Not a road marked about Juniper Hill. anywasroad everything today wasOrbad, it?” marked, I asked period.”

Drake as Knox strode out of his bedroom. “At least we’ve got “Montana a great view.” country roads rarely are marked. But I can show you.”

“Really?” My voice sounded so small as another wave of tears crashed open the dam.

It had been a while since anyone had helped me. The little gestures stood out when they were rare. In the past month, the only people who’d o!ered me help had been Quincy residents. Eloise. And now this beautiful stranger.

“Of course.” She held out a hand. “I’m Winslow.”

“Memphis.” I sni"ed and shook her hand, blinking too fast as I tried to stop the tears. It was useless. I was exactly the train wreck I appeared to be.

“Welcome to Quincy, Memphis.”

I breathed and damn those tears just kept on falling.

“Thank you.”

She gave me a sad smile, then hurried back to her car.

“We’ll be okay, baby.” There was a sliver of hope in my voice as I scrubbed at my face.

Drake continued to cry as we eased o! the road and followed Winslow down to a cluster of trees. Between them was a narrow dirt road.

I’d passed this road. Three times. Except it wasn’t a real road. Certainly not a residential street. She slowed, her brake lights glowing red, and turned down the lane. Dust #ew from beneath her tires as she followed the trail, driving farther and farther away from the highway.

6 18

CHAPTER TWO KNOX

T

here was no place I’d rather be than standing in my kitchen, a knife in hand, with the scents of fresh herbs and baked bread swirling in the air.

Eloise swept through the swinging door that connected the kitchen to the restaurant. “And right through here is the kitchen.”

Correction. There was no place I’d rather be than standing in my kitchen alone.

“Isn’t it awesome?” she asked over her shoulder.

Memphis stepped out from behind Eloise, and I did a double take. Her blond hair was straight and hanging in sleek panels over her shoulders. The bright lights brought out the caramel !ecks in her brown eyes. Her cheeks were rosy and her soft lips painted a pale pink.

Well . . . fuck.

I was in trouble.

It was the same woman I’d met yesterday, but she was a far cry from the frazzled, exhausted person who’d moved 19

DEVNEY PERRY

Today, I’d take crackheads and murderers intoWhatever. the loft. Memphis was . . .the striking.

I’d thought the same if it meant even spending nother in this yesterday, withtwenty-four blue circles hours beneath eyes.car.

But today “Yes. Do you know where it is?” I tossed a hand toward her beauty was distracting.

Trouble. the windshield. directions led me right here. But there I had no time“My for trouble. isn’tEspecially a road marked Hill.

Ortenant. any road marked, when it Juniper came to my new period.”

My knife worked through a batch of cilantro, my hand “Montana country roads areatmarked.

Butignored I can moving faster as I focused on rarely the task hand and show you.” this intrusion.

“Really?”

My voice so small as another wavecan of “If the fridge in thesounded break room is ever full, you tears open the dam. Eloise said, gesturing to the keep crashed your lunch in here,” It had been a while since anyone had helped me. The walk-in. littleWait. gestures stood when they were In thenearly past What?

Theout knife dropped from rare. my palm, month, onlyNo people who’d o!ered help had hitting athe "nger. one kept their lunchme in here.

Not been even Quincy residents.

Eloise. And this had beautiful stranger. my waitsta#.

Granted, they now rarely to bring meals “Of course.”

She held a hand.

“I’m Winslow.” because I’d typically cook out them a meal.

Still . . . that walk-in was “Memphis.” o#-limits. I sni"ed and shook her hand, blinking too fast Eloise as I tried to stop the o#-limits. tears. It was useless. was exactly knew it was Except my I wonderfully the train wreck to be. on forcing Memphis into annoying sisterI appeared seemed intent “Welcome Quincy, Memphis.” every aspect oftomy life. Wasn’t my home enough? Now my I breathed and damn those tears just kept on falling. kitchen?

“Thank you.”Memphis nodded, scanning the room, looking “Okay.”

She gavebut me at a sad smile, then hurried back to her car.prep everywhere where I stood at the stainless-steel okay,ofbaby.”

There was a sliver of hope in my table“We’ll in thebe center the space. voiceShe as Iinspected scrubbed at face. themygas range along one wall, then the Drakedishwasher continued at to her cryback. as weOneased o! the road and industrial the walls were shelves followed down plates to a cluster of trees.

Between them "lled withWinslow clean ceramic and co#ee mugs.

She studied was a narrow the tiled $oor,dirt theroad. rows of spices and racks crammed with I’d passed thispans. road. Three times. Except it wasn’t a real hanging pots and road.“Here’s Certainly residentialEloise street. walked She slowed, hercooler, brake the not iceamachine.” to the lights red, and turned down the lane. Dust #ew from liftingglowing the lid. “Help yourself.” beneath her tires as she followed the trail, driving and “All right.”

Memphis’s voice was no more thanfarther a murmur farther away from theof highway. as she tucked a lock hair behind an ear. She’d promised 6 20

JUNIPER HILL

My wheels foundI every and every holethat but vow the yesterday to be quiet. guess bump she intended to keep bouncing at the hotelseemed too. to help because Drake’s wailing simmered to a Iwhimper I followed bend my in the toward hill glanced atasEloise, then ajerked chinroad to the door.aThe that rose over. aboveThis thewas treea line.

Its face covered in dark tour was kitchen.

Just awas commercial kitchen evergreen shrubs. with bright lights and shiny appliances. And I was busy.

This“Juniper was my Hill.” time alone to breathe and think.

Wow. was antake idiot.

I stopped But didI Eloise the Had hint and leave? and looked at my surroundings, probably would !gured thismy out.

Of course Inot.

She took uphave space against table and Tomorrow.

I’d pay attention to Montana. But leaned.

Why theTomorrow, fuck was she leaning? not today.

I clamped my teeth together and picked up my knife, The the roadhandle went on formy another mile, following the same gripping until knuckles were white. Normally line of Eloise trees, to until !nally rounded corner, and I’d tell scram, but we I was makingone nicelast at the moment. there, in a meadow of golden grasses, was a stunning home.

Very nice.

No No I’dquestionable This mountain niceness wasshanty. the reason agreed to letneighbors.

Memphis Whoever owned this property hadMy plucked straight crash in the loft above my garage. sisterithad askedout forofa afavor, homeand decor at magazine. the moment, I was granting them all. Soon The house was a single story, stretched long enough, we’d have di!cult conversation.

One and I’d wide been with the hill its backdrop. siding was broken up dreading andas avoiding.

OneThe thatblack would change our rela‐ by enormous sheets of crystal-clear glass. Where a normal tionship. house would have place windows.

Through Until then, I’d walls, let herthis invade myhad kitchen and allow her them could see to thestay open kitchen newestI employee at my home.and living room. On the far end, a bedroom with aEloise white-covered bed.

“So that’s the hotel,” told Memphis.

The sight of its pillows made yawn.

“It’s beautiful,” Memphis said.me“Truly.”

Detached fromthe theroom housewith wasaa#nger. wide, “Knox three-stall garage Eloise circled renovated with a staircase ran to a last doorwinter. on a second Eloise the kitchen andthat restaurant That’sstory. when my had saidannexed she’d found me a loft.next door for events.” parents the building That to be it. Our temporary home. anywhere but “Ah.”had Memphis nodded, still looking Winslow parked in the circular gravel driveway. I eased at me. in behind her, then of my seat rescue#lled my son.

The crunch of hurried cilantrooutbeneath my toknife the With silence.Drake unstrapped, I lifted him to my shoulder, hugging him for owned a long moment.

“We made it. Eloise Finally.”

My parents the actual hotel, The Inn, but was just of his were car seat.”

Winslow walkeditself over the “He restaurant andsick kitchen mine.

The building 7 21

DEVNEY PERRY

Today,asI’da take the crackheads murderers we’dWhatever. incorporated separate entity, theandshares split if it meant spending equally between us. twenty-four hours not in this car.

“Yes. Do youthis know where a hand toward Originally, space hadit is?” beenI tossed a smaller industrial the windshield. led meThey’d right here.

But kitchen attached“My to a directions basic ballroom. rented outthere the isn’t road markedand Juniper Or any marked, spaceafor weddings events,Hill. but when I’d road moved home period.” from San Francisco years ago, I’d !lled the room with tables.

“Montana country roads rarely are marked.

Butlacked I can It had worked as a restaurant for a while, but it had show you.” style and "ow. When I’d told Mom and Dad that I wanted to “Really?” so small as another of convert it to My an voice actualsounded restaurant, they’d jumpedwave at the tears crashed openthe the hotel’s dam. footprint and grab the building chance to expand had been a while since anyone had helped me. The nextItdoor. littleAccording gestures stood when they rare.

In the to ourout projections, thewere annex would paypast for month, the only people me help would had been itself within the next !ve who’d years. o!ered My renovations pay Quincy residents.

Eloise.assuming And nowthe this beautiful for themselves in three tra#c at thestranger. restaurant “Ofdiecourse.”

She held out a hand.

“I’m upscale Winslow.” didn’t o$. Considering I had the only restaurant “Memphis.”

I sni"ed andthat shook her hand, blinking too in town, I’d happily cornered market. fast “Would as I triedyou to stop the iftears.

It was useless. exactly mind I stepped out forI awasminute?” the train wreck appeared be.to just call and check in with Memphis askedIEloise.

“I’dtolike “Welcome Quincy, Drake’s daycare.toMake sureMemphis.” he’s doing all right.”

I“Sure.” breathed andstood damnstraight, those tears just kept falling.

Eloise escorting her toonthe door “Thank you.” and !nally leaving me in peace.

She a sadaside smile,and thenwent hurried back to hertocar.

I putgave the me cilantro to the walk-in grab a “We’ll okay, baby.” wasthe a sliver of of hope my handful of be tomatoes.

ThenThere I shoved sleeves my in white voice I scrubbed at my face. chef’sascoat, not yet stained, up my forearms before I resumed Drake continued to cry as we eased o! the road and chopping. followed to Did a cluster trees.to?

Between CouldWinslow I run thisdown hotel?

I evenofwant Changethem was was a narrow dirt road.were decisions to make, and I dreaded on the horizon.

There passed this road. Three times. Except it wasn’t a real themI’dall. road.Beyond Certainly a residential street. slowed, herin brake the not renovations, a lot hadShe changed here the lights glowing red, my andparents’ turned down the lane.

Dust from past year.

Mostly, attitude.

Besides our#ew family’s beneath her Eloise tires asInn she had followed trail, driving farther and ranch, The been the their most time-consuming farther away from the highway.

6 22

JUNIPER HILL

My wheels and every on hole the business venture.found Theirevery desirebump to keep a !nger thebut hotel’s bouncing to help pulse was seemed dwindling.

Fast.because Drake’s wailing simmered to a Now whimper I followed a bend the roadthe toward hill that as Dad had retired frominrunning rancha and that rosecontrol above to themytree line.brother Its face was covered in dark handed older Gri"n, Mom and Dad evergreen seemed inshrubs. a hurry to o#oad the rest of their business “Juniper ventures to usHill.” kids.

Wow. I wasDad an had idiot.gotten Had Ispooked. stopped As andUncle lookedBriggs’s at my That, and surroundings, I probably have this out. dementia progressed, Dadwould had all but!gured convinced himself that Tomorrow, I’d was pay fresh, attention to Montana.

But he’dTomorrow. be next. While his mind he wanted his estate not today. settled.

The road on loved for another mile, following the was samea Gri"n hadwent always the Eden ranch.

The land line until !nallythat we was rounded one rest last of corner, and part of trees, his soul.

Maybe why the us hadn’t there, meadowinofthe golden wasBecause a stunning home. taken in anainterest cattlegrasses, business.

Gri"n was No mountain shanty.that Nopassion questionable neighbors. the oldest and had claimed !rst. Or maybe that Whoever owned had plucked it straight out of passion was just athis partproperty of his blood.

Our family had ranched aforhome decor magazine. generations and he’d inherited a joy for it beyond The house a could single comprehend. story, stretched long and wide anything the restwas of us withMom the hill as itssaid backdrop.

Thegave black was always that Dad hissiding love of thebroken ranchup to by enormous of crystal-clear glass.

Where a normal Gri"n while sheets she’d passed her love of cooking to my sister house would Lyla and me. have walls, this place had windows. Through themMy I could thealways open kitchen room. On the dreamsee had been toand run living a restaurant.

Lyla’s far a bedroom with a something white-covered bed. too,end, though she preferred small, and owning Eden The!tsight of its pillows made me yawn.

Co$ee her perfectly.

Detached from thean house was in a wide, Talia hadn’t taken interest any ofthree-stall the familygarage busi‐ with a door on a of second story.

Eloise nessesa staircase so she’d that usedran herto inheritance brains to attend had said school. she’d found me a loft. medical That to be Our temporary home. he hadn’t yet Mateohad was stillit.young.

At twenty-three, Winslow in the gravel driveway.

I eased decided what parked he wanted to circular do. He worked on the ranch for in behindHe her,pulled then hurried of my seat week to rescue son.

Gri"n. a few out shifts every for my Eloise, With Drake lifted athim to my shoulder, covering whenunstrapped, she was shortIsta$ed the front desk—which hugging him for a long moment. “We made it. Finally.” was often.

“He was just sick of his car seat.” Winslow walked over 7 23

DEVNEY PERRY

Whatever.

Today, takeInn the and crackheads murderers Eloise loved The I’d Eloise workingand as the hotel’s if it meant spending twenty-four hours not in this car. manager.

“Yes. Do you where is?”hotel.

I tossed hand ittoward My sister wasknow the pulse of itthis Shealoved like I the windshield.

“MyGri!n directions ledranching. me right But here.my But there loved cooking. Like loved parents isn’t road marked Hill.over.

Or any road marked, hadn’ta approached her Juniper about taking period.”

Instead, they’d come to me.

“Montana country marked.

But Eloise I can Their reasons were roads solid. rarely I was are thirty years old. show you.” was twenty-"ve.

I had more experience with business “Really?” and My voice small as another of management more sounded dollars inso my bank accountwave to fall tears the Eloise dam. loved this hotel, she had a soft back crashed on. Andopen though had heart. been a while since anyone had helped me. The and Itgentle littleIt gestures stood out when rare.come In the was the reason Mom and they Dad were had just out past of a month, the only people who’d o!ered me help had been nasty lawsuit.

Quincy Eloise.was And also now this stranger.

Her residents. tender heart the beautiful reason she’d hired “Of course.” She held out a hand. “I’m Winslow.”

Memphis.

“Memphis.”

I sni"ed and shook her hand, blinking too That, and desperation. fast Our as I tried to stop tears.National It was useless.

I was exactly proximity to the Glacier Park brought people the wreck be. fromtrain across theI appeared world to to Quincy.

Tourists flocked to this to Quincy, area“Welcome of Montana.

Given Memphis.” that The Eloise was our town’s breathed and the damn those months, tears justwe kept on booked falling. bestI hotel, during summer were “Thank solid. you.”

She gave me sadhousekeeping smile, then hurried back towas herconstant car.

Turnover in athe department be okay, lost baby.” was a sliver of hope my and “We’ll we’d recently twoThere employees to desk jobs. in Their voice as I scrubbed my face. vacancies had beenat open for six weeks.

Drake continued to cleaning cry as we easedSoo!had theMateo. road and Eloise had taken to rooms.

So followed Winslow to a cluster trees.

Between them had Mom. With down the holiday rush offast approaching, we was a narrow dirttoroad. couldn’t a#ord be understa#ed. When Memphis had I’d passed this road.

Three to times.

Except it wasn’t real applied and agreed to move Quincy, Eloise had abeen road.

Certainly not a residential street. She slowed, her brake ecstatic. lights glowing turned an down lane. Dust #ew sexy, from Not only red, was and Memphis ablethehuman body—a beneath herattires as she followed driving fartherfor anda lithe body that—but she was the alsotrail, so overquali"ed housekeeping jobthat, that, at first, Eloise had thought her farther away from the highway. housekeeping job at "rst, Eloise had thought her appli‐ 6 24

JUNIPER HILL

application joke.

After theirbump virtual Eloise had Mya wheels found every andinterview, every hole the cation joke.a After their virtual interview, Eloise hadbut said it bouncing helptrue. because Drake’s wailing simmered said it wasseemed a to dream come true. was really areally dream come to a I’d whimper as I followed bend because in the road hill been happy for my asister solidtoward hires awere that above thehappiness tree line.had Its lasted face was covered in until dark hard rose to !nd.

That a whole week evergreen Eloise hadshrubs. shown up at my doorstep and begged me to let “Juniper Memphis liveHill.” in the loft.

Wow. I was an idiot.life.

HadI preferred I stopped to andgolooked I favored a solitary home at to my an surroundings, probably would have !gured this out. empty house. II liked peace and quiet.

Tomorrow. pay Memphis attention to Montana.

There’d be Tomorrow, none of thatI’dwith and her babyBut in not the today. loft. That kid had cried for hours last night, so loud I’d The road on for heard it all thewent way from theanother garage. mile, following the same line There of trees, !nallyI’dwebuilt rounded one last corner, Hill and wasuntil a reason my house on Juniper there, in on a meadow of golden grasses, was a stunning home. and not a plot on the ranch.

Distance.

My family could shanty.

No questionable neighbors. visitNo and mountain if they needed to spend the night because they Whoever plucked outNo of drank too owned much, this wellproperty . . . theyhad could crashitinstraight the loft. apavement. home decor Nomagazine. tra#c. No neighbors.

The house was a single story, stretched long and wide My sanctuary. withUntil the hill as its backdrop. The black siding was broken up now. by enormous sheets Ioftold crystal-clear glass.

Where a time. normal “It’s temporary,” myself for the thousandth house would have door walls,that thisled place hadrestaurant windows.$ew Through The swinging to the open them I could see the open more, kitchen and smile livingon room.

On the and Eloise waltzed in once a wide her face. far end, a bedroom a white-covered I glanced past with her shoulder, lookingbed. for Memphis, but The sight of its pillowsup?” made me yawn.

Eloise was alone.

“What’s Detached the houseShe washovered a wide,over three-stall garage “What are from you making?” my shoulder. with“Pico a staircase that Iran to a have door aonhuge a second Eloise de gallo.” didn’t menu,story. but it was had saidtoshe’d me aand loft.hotel guests some variety. Each enough givefound the locals That had be it. menu Our temporary weekend, the to dinner featured ahome. special entrée. But for Winslow in and the circular gravel driveway. I eased the most part, parked breakfast lunch were consistent. in behind out of my seat to rescue my son.

“Yum. her, Willthen you hurried make Memphis a plate of tacos?”

With Drake unstrapped, I lifted him to my shoulder, The knife in my hand froze.

“What?” hugging for a long madeIit.noticed Finally.”

“Or him whatever else moment. you have“We on hand. that she “He wasanything just sickwith of his seat.”

Winslow walked over didn’t bring hercar this morning.”

7 25

DEVNEY PERRY

Whatever.

I’d take the crackheads and murderers The clock Today, on the wall showed it was ten thirty.

My two if it meant spending twenty-four hoursrolling not in this car. into waitresses were in the dining room, silverware Do you where it is?”

I tossed a hand toward cloth“Yes. napkins and know re!lling salt and pepper shakers.

Mondays the windshield. led me quiet right here. weren’t typically“My busy,directions but they weren’t either.But there isn’tThere a road Hill. these Or any wasmarked no suchJuniper thing as quiet days.road marked, period.”

Apparently not even at my own home or kitchen.

“Montana country roads rarely are lunch.” marked. But I can “I don’t make the other housekeepers show“Knox, you.” please. She just got here. I doubt she’s even had a “Really?”

My sounded chance to get to thevoice grocery store.”so small as another wave of tears“Then crashed dam. letopen her the leave early. You don’t need her cleaning It had been a while since anyone had helped me. The today.” little“No, gestures stood out paperwork when theytowere the past but we have do. rare.

And In orientation month, onlyimpression people who’d o!ered been videos. Ithe get the that she’d likeme the help hours.had Daycare Quincy residents.

Eloise. And now this beautiful stranger. is expensive.

Please?”

“Of course.”

SheEloise held out a hand.that “I’m Winslow.”

I sighed.

Please. wielded single word the way “Memphis.” sni"edAnd andI shook her nice. hand,“Fine.” blinking too a warrior would aI sword. was being fast “Thank as I triedyou.” to stop theplucked tears. It awas useless.

I was exactly She tomato cube from the the trainboard wreckand I appeared be. her mouth. cutting popped ittointo “Welcome Quincy, Memphis.”

“What’s hertostory?”

I“What breathed andmean?” damn those tears just kept on falling. do you “Thank you.”

“That baby is the same age as Hudson.” Our nephew me aold, sadand smile, then hurried her car. was She two gave months Winslow, thoughback she to pulled a shift be okay, wasleave. a sliver of hope in my here“We’ll and there, was baby.” still on There maternity “Isn’t that young voice asaI kid scrubbed at myfull-time?” face. to have in daycare Drake to crymother, as we Knox. eased Not o! the road and “She’s acontinued single working everyone has followed downleave.” to a cluster of trees. Between them the luxuryWinslow of maternity was “I a narrow dirtbut road. get that . . . what’s the story with the kid’s I’d passed it wasn’t real father?

Why’dthis she road. moveThree all thetimes. way toExcept Montana from aNew road. not had a residential street. slowed, her brake York?”Certainly And why she taken thatShe drive alone?

That lights turned down Dust #ew from wasn’tglowing a safe red, trip,and especially with the an lane. infant.

She should beneath tiresHow as she the trail, drivingwoman farther end and have hadher help. didfollowed an educated, gorgeous farther away across from the up traveling thehighway. country alone with a baby and what 6 26