Your Echo

—A Gatlin Brothers Novel— By Vi Summers Copyright —YOUR ECHO— This novel is entirely a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are the products of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Copyright © Vi Summers, 2022. All rights reserved. Published by Vi Summers, 2023. Kindle ISBN-13: 978-1-9911913-1-1 POD ISBN-13: 978-1-9911913-0-4 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any other information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except for brief quotations in a review. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author. Cover design by: Vi Summers Cover image photographer: Emina at TGTRN Photo Cover models: Lizzy Hofweber and Luke Matthews Edited by: Owl Eyes Proofs & Edits Proofread by: Emma Kynaston This novel is intended for those 18 years and over. It contains content not suitable for a younger audience. Contains TWs of self-harm and organ (heart) recipient. Contents Copyright Contents To the reader Dedication Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Epilogue Acknowledgments About the Author To the reader Your Echo is a steamy, small-town romance. It contains situations and content that some may find triggering. Topics of note are self-harm and organ (heart) recipient. Dedication To Brenda and Tim. Thank you for entrusting me with the smallest snippet of your personal journey. Vi xx Chapter 1 —Simone— Tears rolled down my cheeks as I drove out of Denver, nothing but a shade of my former self and so lost without Reagan. I couldn’t take the devastation anymore and chose to leave the city for a quieter life. Away from the noise, the people who knew my past, and away from the memories that held my heart hostage. As the miles ticked up behind me, my tears dried, and I breathed easier. I settled into the road, car loaded with the possessions I couldn’t live without, and drove toward the Copper Valley, heading for a pretty little town called Gatlin Falls. According to the internet, it was nestled at the top of the lakes district and surrounded by rugged wilderness. It promised adventure, anonymity, and most of all, a fresh start where I could reinvent myself. Shed my outgrown skin and live a new life. I couldn’t bring Reagan back—Lord knows I tried—but I know he’d want me to at least try to move forward. Nine hours after leaving Denver, I rolled into the last town along the Copper Valley highway, exhausted, hungry, and bursting for the bathroom. I pulled in at the curb at the first diner I came to and prayed a silent thank you when the sign read “open”. A bell above the door tinkled as I pushed through it, and a woman behind the counter smiled widely. “Hi, darlin’. What can I get you?” I approached, all but crossing my legs. “Coffee and something to eat, but first is there a bathroom I can use, please?” She motioned toward the rear of the building. “Down the hallway on the right, and I’ve already got a pot brewin’ for you when you’re ready.” “Thank you,” I breathed out before putting my head down and hastening past the patrons seated at their little tables. A cute guy came out of the men’s room and broke into a wide smile when he saw me, looking as if he intended to start a conversation. Rudely, I brushed past him without slowing. “Shit, sorry, excuse me.” His laughter carried on my slipstream and followed me into the women’s bathroom, quietening slowly as the heavy door drifted closed. After relieving myself and all but panting to catch my breath, I studied my reflection while washing my hands. Tendrils of my dark-blonde hair had escaped my ponytail during the day and hung in wisps around my face. My mascara had slipped and marked the bags under my eyes with black smudges. I dug around in my handbag for Q-tips and deodorant, then fixed my hair by taking out the tie and ruffling the waves to create volume. When ready to emerge, I peeked out the bathroom door to ensure the corridor was clear, then made my departure. Behind the counter, the friendly woman’s face lit up as soon as she saw me again. She motioned me over and set a mug of steaming black coffee on the counter. “On the house, darlin’. You look as if you could use it. Milk or sugar?” A tired laugh left my mouth. “You have no idea. It’s been a long day. And no thanks, black’s perfect.” Her eyebrows rose. “Where’re you from? I’m assuming a pretty little thing like you is catching an early vacation before the summer rush. I haven’t seen you ’round here before.” She leaned close on one chubby elbow, blue eyes twinkling with mischief. “I notice everything.” I smiled and paused to take a sip of coffee. “Actually, I’ve just moved here. As of five minutes ago.” “Well, welcome to town, darlin’. Everyone calls me Miss Angie, and you can too.” “Thanks, Miss Angie. I’m Simone.” “Pretty name. So, where you from, girly?” “Denver.” “Oof!” she exclaimed. “You’re a long way from home.” “Yep…” That was entirely the point. We openly studied each other while I took another sip, then I toyed with the handle of my mug. “What’s it like living here?” Miss Angie’s expression re-lit. “It’s