Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

She closed her eyes, and longing swept over her.

When Maja came back to the Martin house, no one was happier than Mr. and Mrs. Martin-both their daughters finally home under one roof.

She moved into her old childhood bedroom. Stepping inside, it felt as if a whole world had passed by, as though she was a thirty-year-old trying to fit into clothes she'd worn at thirteen.

Maja sat at her old vanity, peeling off her gloves and revealing the twisted scar along her arm. She turned and let her eyes wander to the bright moon hanging outside her window.

"At last, I can spend the holidays peacefully at home."

She visited Newtown, stopping by to check on Emmery's former crew. Most of them had settled down, their wild days behind them, now running small shops and businesses under Conner's watchful eye, without a hint of their old ambitions.

Maja watched from across the street, not wanting to disturb them. Maybe it was better this way-quiet, ordinary lives.

Later, she wandered into the old rough part of town and sat alone deep into the night.

Annie eventually found her, waddling over with a blanket and settling it on Maja's shoulders. "It's chilly. You'll catch cold if you sit here too long." Heavily pregnant, Annie eased herself down beside her sister. "The place feels different now, huh?"

aren't you in

up craving wontons and couldn't sleep. Conner brought me over." When she saw Maja, Conner stayed in the car and let Annie go on

tried to hand the blanket back, but Annie refused. "No idea why, but

there's this little food stand nearby. Their wontons

dinner, Maja

watched Annie walk back to Conner's car, shawl

from one end of

street

the other, staying out until almost dawn before finally

night, terrified their eldest daughter

this time. I'm not going

Maja at home, Annie's doctor visits became her

a little jealous, but he didn't dare complain-he

from his injuries. She wondered how he was doing now. Hopefully, the warm- hearted folks in the