Page 1 of Trust

ONE

Zane stood on the stone steps of his semi-haunted home and watched the neighbor’s dog tear through the grove of trees.

It has to be one of the family ghosts hot on its tail.

Crossing his arms, he felt a shiver skitter down his spine and wished he could determine if something fortuitous was on the horizon or something that was going to smash his carefully constructed solitude to smithereens.

The fact his mind hadn’t produced a neutral option, unfortunately wasn’t all that surprising. Too many years in the Army had cemented his glass-half-empty mentality, and though a change was due, he didn’t think it was imminent.

A damn shame considering he was about to go mano a mano with Suzy freaking sunshine.

At least, that’s what he assumed his overly friendly neighbor was since she waved like a maniac whenever he’d passed her in his truck.

Running his hand over his neck, he wondered if the creator found it amusing to ensure he lived within walking distance of someone who saw the good in everything.

Like he’s got time to worry about you.

He dismissed the idea immediately and silently calculated the chances of the woman being slightly horrified when she saw him up close.

The moment the number hit the double digits, he allowed a satisfied smile to form. Most folks weren’t comfortable with the physical scars he’d brought home from his last deployment, and the neighbor who lived at the end of the lane probably wouldn’t be either.

An attitude the head shrinker from the Army would term unhelpful, unproductive, and unhealthy. He scratched his head and knew several more un-words applied but couldn’t muster the enthusiasm to remember them.

Lifting his gaze to the tall trees surrounding the property, he silently thanked his paternal grandmother for leaving him and his brothers the worn-down family homestead. Not only because it was a beautiful broken-down piece of history but because it allowed him the luxury of living in relative solitude.

Would his neighbor respect his wishes to be left in peace?

The sound of a jangly bike bell filled the air, and he let the question go as a mutt that resembled a miniature horse skidded to a stop at the bottom of the steps. “Poor you,” he murmured, studying the animal that was nearly as unattractive as him.

Not that the dog’s looks seemed to matter to the woman who doted on him regularly. Every time he’d seen the two together, there was nothing but mutual admiration and matching silk bows.

A thing he thought ridiculous but also not nauseating.

He shook his head at the absurd thought, studied the dog’s mottled gray hair and paws the size of dinner plates, and decided the red bow tied to its collar wasn’t a bad touch.

“Bella, you were supposed to stay close, not run ahead,” a light, airy voice called out.

Narrowing his eyes, he studied the woman as she got closer and told himself the small bite of physical attraction he experienced every time he caught sight of her was not that big of a deal.

“Hello, neighbor.”

He lifted his chin in greeting as the woman glided to a stop at the bottom of the stairs. Was she going to react like everyone else? They’d never been closer than a half dozen feet, and he expected that once she got a good look at his face, she’d make some polite conversation and then be gone quickly. “Morning.”

“I can’t believe it’s taken me a month to catch you at home, and won’t blame you for thinking me the worst neighbor in the world.” She ran her finger over the bell on her bike. “I’ve made you at least four loaves of chocolate chip banana bread and sadly have to report that Bella and I ate every single one of them when our delivery attempts failed.”

“That wasn’t…”

“Necessary,” she finished. “I know, but I wanted to. After all, we’re the only two this far out of town and should stick together.” Jumping off the bike, she offered a wide smile. “We’ve not been properly introduced, but I assume you know I’m Olivia.”

“Yes, I saw it on the mailbox, and…”

“You’re Zane Hawker.” She adjusted the red bow in her hair and then grabbed a wrapped package out of the bike’s basket. “I made it this morning and want you to know that my dog and I did not take one nibble.”

“Really…”

“It goes best with tea, but,” she hesitated and tilted her head.

Here comes the disgust, he thought as her eyes crawled over his face. Waiting for the imperceptible flinch, he was surprised when nothing but kindness showed in her expression.

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