Exclusive Excerpt from Just A Year

by Jena Wade

“I want—” He started, then broke off. He moved away from me on the bed until we weren’t touching anymore. I missed him immediately. Felt empty without him close to me. “I wish you had talked with me about the job. I understand how important it is, but I didn’t realize we were going to be so far apart again.”

Damn it. “I know. I’m sorry. I had to make a decision and the company in Pittsburgh will look better on my resume. It’s only a four-hour drive. That’s nothing compared to the seven hours it takes to get here from home.” As if that helped.

Maddox sighed, his face reflecting a sadness I felt down to my core. “It’s only a year.” I took a deep breath. “You could always come there with me you know.”

His gaze shot to my face, and he narrowed his eyes. “No. I can’t. I like Milton. It’s my home. And, honestly, I don’t think your dad can run the store without me anymore.”

I startled at that. “What?”

“I’ve been taking over more and more of the responsibilities lately, and he’s been slowing down quite a bit. I think he might want to retire soon. We’ve talked about me buying into the store as a partner.”

Now my mind spun out of control, the conversation turn giving me whiplash. “He can’t retire. He—You—. Do you even want to own the store? I mean, you don’t seem like—” I stopped myself. If there was one thing I’d learned from Maddox in the past year, it’s that you don’t judge a book by its cover.

He shrugged. “Maybe. I like the hardware. I like helping people and being a part of the community. I’m good at the bookwork.”

I yawned. The day’s events finally catching up with me. I tried to stifle the yawn, so Maddox didn’t see. I failed. We needed to discuss this, but I wasn’t even sure how to begin. The information about my dad threw me for a loop, and I hadn’t quite landed yet.

About Just a Year

Just a year is too much time to spend apart from the man you love, but Seth has a carefully crafted plan for how to make it work. Taking an internship four hours away from Maddox may not have been the smartest choice Seth has ever made, but he is determined to make it work. Until life throws a wrench in his plans and turns his and Maddox’s world upside down.

Available at: Amazon

About Jena Wade

Jena began writing in January of 2013 as a New Year’s Resolution–and so far she has stuck to it!

She lives in Michigan. By day she works as a web developer, and at night she writes. Born and raised on a farm, she spends most of her free time outdoors, playing in the garden, or riding her horses. She also helps run the family dairy farm.

Find out more about Jena on her Blog/Website and Twitter.