Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

The neighbor, Mrs. Carter, dropped by again, this time carrying two steaming bowls of noodle soup. She set them on the table with a warm smile.

Maja looked at the food, her heart giving a little squeeze. Dean still remembered her, always thinking ahead.

She smiled softly, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating. “Thank you, Mrs. Carter."

"Oh, don't mention it. We're neighbors, after all. Dean's always helping us out," Mrs. Carter replied, sitting down to chat while Maja ate.

That evening, Dean came home with several shopping bags in his arms.

"Maja, look what I brought for you!" he called out as he came inside.

He saw her waiting, and noticed their patient had had another bad spell that afternoon, so Maja had to give him more medicine. As the man slept, Maja quietly explained his condition and the medicines to Dean. Dean checked on the patient, then grinned at her. "You know, you could probably run your own clinic by now."

He handed her another three days' worth of medicine, passed instructions to Mrs. Carter, and saw the neighbors out.

Once the house was quiet, Dean turned to Maja with an eager smile. "Come here, I want to show you something."

He pulled out new clothes and a pair of shoes. Maja unfolded the dress-bright, colorful, and surprisingly pretty.

Dean looked pleased. "I wanted to get this for you last time, but my ankle was still messed up."

It had been ages since Maja wore anything new, let alone a dress. She stared at the dress, her eyes bright. "I'm not really a dress person."

Dean just chuckled. "Oh, come on. Try it on. Dresses look great on you."

Maja shrugged. "I used to have a bunch of dresses, got tired of them."

Sensing her reluctance, Dean quickly offered the shoes instead. "Well, at least try these. You've been wearing the same shoes forever. Didn't you say you had to wear them damp this morning because they wouldn't dry overnight?"

He gently put his hands on her shoulders and nudged her to sit. "Let's see if these fit. If not, I'll swap them for another pair tomorrow."

He knelt down, opened the box, and reached for her foot. Maja instinctively pulled back.noveldrama

Dean caught her ankle, slipping the shoe on anyway. "Hey, when you twisted your ankle, I put ointment on for you. You didn't complain then."

"People will talk," she said, a little embarrassed.

Dean grinned. "People already think we're married."

Maja fell silent. A single man and woman sharing a house for this long-of course people would gossip.

Not that she cared about rumors; she hardly knew anyone in this town. She'd leave soon enough, but Dean

still had to live here. She didn't want

to ruin his reputation.

As if picking up on her thoughts, Dean joked, "Old Mr. Thomas asked when we're

having that wedding. So, Maja, what do you think—”

"I have a husband," she cut in quickly, stopping him cold.

Dean froze, hands still on the shoe, looking up at her.

Maja gently pulled her foot away and slipped the other shoe on herself They fit perfectly. She had no idea how Dean knew her size, but the shoes were soft and comfortable.

"You're married?" Dean asked, quietly.

"Almost. The wedding was supposed to be soon."

He sat beside her, the excitement gone from his face. "He must be worried, not knowing where you are."

Maja looked out the window, where the little town was peaceful and the crickets were singing. "He would've been, once. Now, I think he's ust tryin to keep me safe."