Twenty-one year-old Scarlett Strohman has had to walk a difficult path thus far in her young life. Raised by a neglectful mother and an alcoholic grandmother before entering the foster care system, she’s never met the father who abandoned her before birth. Scarlett is tough, embittered, and has a chip on her shoulder that’s nearly as big as her goal to make something meaningful out of her life. She works three jobs to put herself through college, frequently goes to bed hungry, and is wary around most people, having been betrayed and let down far too many times to trust easily.
Jackson Gilmore has, by contrast, lived a life of privilege and comfort, the youngest child of a wealthy, prestigious family. He’s always felt like something of an oddball in his family, though, the only one with enough guts to frequently stand up to and defy his controlling, dictatorial father. His desire to leave town and make a life of his own had to be put on hold, however, when his beloved niece fell seriously ill with a life threatening disease. And it is his overwhelming sense of obligation to do anything to help his niece that brings Jackson into Scarlett’s life once he realizes the connection between the two girls.
Sparks instantly ignite when Scarlett and Jackson meet for the first time, and as they gradually come to know each other – reluctantly so on her part – he feels both admiration for what she’s made of her life, compassion for all that she’s suffered, and an emotional and physical attraction that is both powerful and entirely forbidden.
As long held secrets are revealed, and Scarlett comes face to face with unpleasant reminders of her past, will she be able to rely on Jackson to stand by her? Or will he be just one more in a long line of all those who have failed her?
Scarlett is a very lucky lady…
Keep reading to see the full Love Note!
Scarlett closed the door behind her wearily, letting her backpack and laptop case slide to the entryway floor of the apartment. The day had been a long one, starting with an earlier than usual lecture with a guest professor on campus, followed by a full day of classes, and culminating with a three hour shift at the coffeehouse. She was both physically and mentally exhausted, and wanted nothing more than to take a long, hot shower, drink a well deserved glass of wine, and rummage though her fridge to find some comfort food for dinner.
But as she walked inside her cozy apartment she stopped short at the unexpected sight of the beautiful bouquet of flowers that had been carefully placed on the coffee table – a mixed arrangement of blue iris and both white and lavender long stemmed roses. She knew without having to read the note that had been propped up by the exquisite crystal vase exactly who had sent the flowers.
Still, she slit open the envelope and drew out the sheet of plain white parchment and began to read over the familiar handwriting.
Scarlett,
Sorry again that I couldn’t be there in person today to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but I’ll be there day after tomorrow so we can have a belated celebration. And since I guessed correctly the last time I sent you flowers that you weren’t a red rose type of woman (in spite of your name – hah hah!) I know you’ll like these a lot better.
I’m not much for writing letters, and definitely not love letters, but I wanted to tell you again how happy I’ve been these last months since we got together. For two people who were seemingly the total opposite of each other, who on paper were all wrong together, I think we’ve proven that first impressions can be deceiving. I’m not sure I would ever be able to find someone who’s better suited to me, or who makes me happier. I know you’re also not the sort who likes sappy, romantic movies or letters like this one, but indulge me just this once, okay?
I love you, Scarlett, and I’m grateful every single day for the twist of fate that brought us together. I can’t imagine a life without you in it.
With much love,
Jackson
PS – once you wipe away the tears I know are there even though you’ll deny it, give me a call
Scarlett carefully placed the note down on the table, scowling as she did, in fact, wipe away just a single tear from the corner of her eye before pulling her phone from her jacket pocket.
“You’re such a smartass, Jackson Gilmore,” she whispered, even as she hit speed dial for his number. “But that’s one of the reasons I love you, isn’t it?”
Janet is a lifelong resident of the San Francisco Bay Area, and currently resides on the northern California coast with her husband Steve and Golden Retriever Max. She worked for more than two decades in the financial services industry before turning her focus to producing running events. She is a former long-distance runner, current avid yoga practitioner, is addicted to Pinterest, likes to travel and read. She has been writing for more than three decades but Serendipity is her first official published work. There will be a total of six full-length books in the Inevitable series, plus one novella. Up next is the release of book one in the new Splendor trilogy!
