Free Sample
Preview from chapter one
The sun had dipped below the horizon, casting the backyard into a serene blue twilight. The only sound that pierced the silence was the occasional croak of a distant frog and the faint hum of the highway that lay beyond the line of tall, evergreen trees that separated their property from the outside world. Adam, in his mid-forties, pulled his dusty pick-up truck into the driveway, feeling the weight of the week's long hauls in every muscle. He stepped out, stretching his tall frame, and took a deep breath of the cool, crisp air that seemed to whisper sweet nothings of rest and solitude. His thoughts lingered on the woman who had once filled this quiet space with her laughter and warmth before leaving for another's arms over a year ago. The hot tub beckoned him from the corner of the yard, its warm glow a promise of relief from the ache of the road and the ache of his heart.
As he stepped into the house, the scent of Chloe's favorite lavender candles greeted him, a gentle reminder that even though his wife was gone, he wasn't truly alone. His eyes scanned the living room, noticing the faint glow from the kitchen where a solitary light bulb fought the encroaching shadows. A flicker of concern danced in his thoughts—it wasn't like Chloe to leave the lights on—but he shrugged it off, chalking it up to her youthful carelessness. His boots thudded heavily on the worn wooden floorboards as he made his way to the bathroom. The warm water washed away the grime and fatigue, the steam curling around him like a comforting embrace.
With the towel barely clinging to his waist, Adam's footsteps echo through the house as he heads back outside, the cool evening breeze kissing his skin. His eyes adjust to the dim light, and he makes his way to the hot tub, flicking the switch with a sense of relief. "Ah, that's more like it," he murmurs to himself, the jets bubbling to life as the water heats up.
He unties the towel with a sigh, letting it fall to the wooden deck with a soft thud. He steps into the warm embrace of the hot tub, feeling the tension in his muscles melt away as he submerges himself up to his neck. "This is the life," he says with a quiet chuckle, his eyes closing briefly as he leans his head back against the cushioned edge.