Staring out the window at the dark grey skies, thunder rumbles off in the distance.

“We don’t have enough home health nurses in this area, Sam. I’m sorry but you’re stuck.” My pulse spikes but instead of arguing, I turn around and grab the envelope my boss is holding.

“I’m a believer in everything happening for a reason. Maybe this is fate's’ way of giving you exactly what you need?”

A rush of anger has me glaring at the woman who signs my paychecks. “Fate is a bitch that’s never particularly liked me.”

Instead of being mad, Judy laughs. “Take this opportunity for what it’s worth then and finally close the door you two left open.”

Determined not to allow anyone, especially a man I don’t give a damn about get to me, I turn and race out of her office. I stop by my desk long enough to grab my purse then I dart out to my truck. Another loud clap of thunder rumbles seconds before rain pours from the sky, soaking through my clothes and into my skin. Pushing the button on my key fob, I blow out a frustrated breath before jumping into my truck, soaking wet.

Twelve years ago, the man I thought I would marry, broke my heart and left town without even saying goodbye. Our relationship wasn’t what I believed and when life dealt him an unexpected hand, he bailed on every promise he made and enrolled in the army. Now he’s back home and hurt and I’m the nurse stuck providing his home health care.

If I didn’t already know life could be cruel, then being assigned Luke Runyan’s case is all the proof I need.

My eyes naturally move to the diner door, when the bell rings. I nervously swallow while my blood pressure spikes as two boys, ones I’ve never seen before, step inside. They look like they might be brothers. One appears slightly older than the other. They’re both blond and extremely tall but it’s the older boy with unruly hair who’s verging on becoming a man who’s captured my attention. He hasn’t even looked my direction yet my heart is beating like a drum. Without pause, they walk to the counter and take a seat.

Mumbled conversations sing through the diner while my eyes remain glued to a boy who’s laughing at something the guy next to him said.

Go introduce yourself… I chant those words over and over in my head but I make no attempt to get up.

When the bell on the door sounds again, both of their heads turn. This time it’s Val, my best friend, who walks in. My heart sinks to my stomach watching the way the older one studies every step Val takes until his eyes reach my table, and quickly my gaze darts away.

“Who are the hotties at the counter?” Val asks with a laugh, taking a seat across from me.

“I have no idea.”

She cocks her head to the side, boldly watching them. “Well, they’ve definitely noticed you, at least one of them has.”

“What?” I glance toward the counter where my eyes instantly connect with a set of whiskey colored eyes.

“Well damn. I didn’t even get the chance to introduce myself and it appears that Mr. Bad Boy himself is off the market.”

The older boy hops off the bar stool and jaunts toward our table, never once taking his eyes off mine. He’s wearing a tight black T-shirt that hugs his biceps paired with dark jeans and black boots. His wavy hair curls around his ears but it’s the turbulent glow in his dark eyes that won’t allow me to look away.

“Hello,” he greets once he’s standing next to our table. He could be talking to either of us, but he’s staring straight at me. I swallow several times, attempting to find my voice.

“This is Sam,” Val finally answers for me. “And you are?”

His focus never leaves mine when he answers, “I’m Luke.”

He slides into the booth next to me, grabs a fry and dips it in my milkshake. “So, Sam. What are you doing later?”

Growing up in a small rural town means everything is everyone’s business or at least people try to make it that way. I didn’t even make it out of the grocery store without a handful of sympathetic looks, which only fuels my anger because pity is the last thing I want.

“Are you picking up Margie’s usual order today, Ms. Harris?” My body stiffens. From the second I heard that Luke was back in town, I’ve momentarily forgotten my normal boring life. “Oh, umm, yes.”

“I figured as much.” The teenaged clerk smiles. “I’ll bill her account and have a boy run it out to your truck.”

“Thanks.”

Dodging the puddles in the parking lot, I take the few groceries I purchased out to my truck, allowing my mind to wander.

At the ripe age of fifteen, I met the man of my dreams and fell in love. Everyone—especially my father—told me that I was too young to fall in love, but I didn’t listen to anyone who disagreed with me.

Luke Runyan was only three months older than me and gorgeous by anyone’s standards. He had his pick of girls at our school but somehow I caught his eye and when that happened, nothing slowed us down.

Luke had a wild side. He enjoyed pushing every limit that was set for him but he was always easy going and composed around me. We were in love and I couldn’t imagine a life without him. I figured we’d go to college hopefully together, then afterward we’d get married and start a family. But Luke didn’t feel the same way and in the end, I was the one left behind to pick up the shattered pieces of our relationship.

Juggling the bags in my hands, I manage to get the back door open. My stomach grumbles from the sweet smell of warm cookies.

I place the bags on the counter, ready to swipe a cookie from a cooling rack when Margie walks into the kitchen.

“Oh, you came. I wasn’t sure if you’d bring my order this week.”

“I don’t bail on people; you should know that by now.”

I wince when her mouth turns down with a frown.

“I don’t know what I would do without you, Sam. I guess I was just worried things would change now.”

I force a smile, hoping it doesn’t look nearly as fake as it feels. “Nothing is going to change unless of course, you want it to.”

She limps in my direction and pulls me in for a hug. I lost my mother when I was five and over the years, Margie has filled the void I’ve felt. Losing her isn’t an option, at least not one I can live with.

“I would understand if you didn’t want to come by.”

I open my mouth, ready to reply when he walks into the kitchen. The second Luke spots me he freezes, both of our bodies going stiff.

Margie’s eyes follow mine until they stop on her son. “Oh, I thought you were taking a nap.” Her voice shakes, probably expecting all hell to break loose, but I’m not about to act like a crazy ex-girlfriend.

“I couldn’t sleep.” Luke’s deep voice rumbles through me. He looks the same, just bigger, harder, tougher compared to the eighteen-year-old I remember.

I clear my throat and my wandering thoughts. “I didn’t check your order before bringing it to you. If you’re missing anything, let me know.” I lean forward, giving Margie a quick kiss on the cheek. “Have a great day.” Without looking at either of them, I swiftly walk out the back door.

My entire life has been one messy situation after another. I shouldn’t be surprised that Luke of all people would return home and somehow magically become my patient, but damn if I don’t hate my new reality.