Chasing Fireflies

CHASING FIREFLIES This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. Copyright © 2023 by Addison Clarke. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or used in any manner without written permission of the copyright owner except for the use of quotations in a book review. Cover Design by Lucy Bexley. Also Available by Addison Clarke State of Grace: A Moonflower Cove Romance Someday, Maybe: A Moonflower Cove Romance Champagne Problems: A Moonflower Cove Romance Begin Again…Again: A Moonflower Cove Novella Twice Upon a Christmas Time: A Moonflower Cove Romance The Christmas Inheritance: A Tis the Season Collection Novella Acknowledgements A huge thank you to Erica, Regis, Miranda, and Natalie for listening to my hours of talking about writing this story. Your constant support has meant the world to me. This book wouldn’t be possible without you. And to my readers, thank you for welcoming the people of Moonflower Cove into your life. You’re simply the best. If you keep reading, I’ll keep writing. Chasing Fireflies A Moonflower Cove Romance Chapter 1 Mason M ason Mackenzie methodically clicked the ink pen as she tried to focus on the paperwork in front of her. Thanks to the new financial advisor, Mason’s nonprofit service dog training organization had stayed out of the red for the last three months. Their budget boost had been thanks to holiday donations and the publicity they were already getting from the documentary that had recently wrapped up filming at the organization. Although Mason had been skeptical about the documentary when the idea was first proposed, she had to admit it had turned out better than she’d expected. Jones Garner, the new marketing director for Paws on a Mission, had set the whole thing up. Along with Mason’s Hollywood actress sister, Blake Calloway-Holland, and a small film crew, the entire filming process only took a couple of weeks. There was a small premiere happening soon, but Mason didn’t know any details. As long as word got out about the work she and her coworkers strived to do every day, that would be enough. And she didn’t dare let the thought of the documentary being featured on a streaming service enter her mind. It was such a pie-in-the-sky dream that Mason didn’t want to get her hopes up. For now, YouTube, TikTok, and other social media that Mason knew little about would be their primary platforms. In all honesty, everything had been insanely overwhelming for Mason. She’d started Paws on a Mission nearly a decade ago with her friend, Mallory Garner, Jones’s twin sister. While Mason knew more about the business side of things, Mallory knew more about actually training the dogs to become service dogs. Together they worked hard to transform Paws on a Mission into the marginally successful business it was now. People from all over the United States traveled to Moonflower Cove, Maine, in order to be matched with a service dog. Most people even received their dogs for free, thanks to generous donations and sponsorships. There were also others that paid for a dog to be trained in specific areas to meet their needs. Overall, Paws on a Mission had been a success. Even if it came at the price of Mason’s sanity most days. The last few years had been more of a whirlwind of ups and downs than Mason ever expected. She’d completed her Master’s program and purchased a house, which were both great. She was closer to her moms than ever and was actually getting along with all her younger siblings. And not to mention the fact her long-lost older sister Blake came back into her life unexpectedly. But all the good things seemed to be counteracted with not so good things as well. For starters, her best friend had nearly died in a shootout at work with the Moonflower Cove Police Department. Then Blake fell in love with Mason’s friend Alexis, and, yes, that is good news, but it also felt like she lost her sister again, and this time, she took a close friend away with her. All of that piled onto her already full plate of responsibilities that came along with owning her own company. And don’t even get her started on her love life. Or rather, a general lack thereof. It wasn’t a secret that Mason was a bit of a Casanova with the women in and around the Cove. She’d had a reputation for years and had finally accepted it as her fate. Mason was the one who slept around, and then it never failed that the person she slept with found their forever partner shortly after. And each time, Mason was left alone to pick up the pieces of her heart that she swore wouldn’t get involved. It was all too much sometimes. Although she fancied herself someone who was happy alone, Mason, more often than she cared to admit, wished she had someone to share her life with. She craved more than one-night stands and quick hookups. Mason wanted a lasting connection with someone she could build a life with. Hell, build a family with. She just wasn’t sure that person existed. “You look deep in thought.” Chase Monroe walked into Mason’s office holding two cups of coffee. She sat one down in front of Mason before taking a seat on a nearby chair. Mason noticed the slight wince as she sat down, which happened almost every time she sat down after her injury. “What’s on your mind?” “Do you think I’m crazy?” Chase snorted a laugh. “As your best friend, I feel I should say no. But also, as your best friend, I feel I should say yes. So, which answer are you wanting?” “I dunno,” Mason grumbled and tossed the pen onto the desk. She picked up the coffee and savored the smell of the dark