After the Storm (Cottonwood Cove, #5)

by Laura Pavlov

I’d always been a survivor. Even when my world had fallen apart, I’d been able to pivot. To come up with a new plan. To hold my head high. To keep moving forward.

I squinted up at the sliver of sunshine trying to peek through the dreary clouds. It was the way that I felt. Like I was being sucked up by the darkness, and I was desperately trying to find the light. To find my way out of this.

It made me feel like the luckiest girl in the world, having this man’s light shine so brightly on me.

They say most people’s strengths are also their weaknesses.

I’m done with the rat race. I want to start living.”

Gracie’s hands flew to her mouth. “Oh. Daddy’s not happy about you telling me that horses are your first love. That must be a secret, too. Daddy said it’s a secret that he loves you and me and that we are in his heart. You can’t talk about that at work, Presley.”

Did you not know that they got snowed in on their little road trip? And what are the chances that there was only one motel… with one room… and one bed? Cue the dramatic music.

And I’d learned that it was easy to be annoyed by people with money who weren’t overflowing with joy. But the truth is, money didn’t buy happiness.

Money only bought stuff, and sure, that was wonderful not to ever have to stress about finances. But it certainly didn’t mean that life was without hardships or sadness.

That I’d never been this happy, and I feared I never would be again.

Sometimes life throws you a curveball, and it’s the one you need to go for.

God damn. The way I loved this woman. It shouldn’t even be possible to love someone this much.