Page 12 of Trust

Grams looked over the rim of her cup. “And if that doesn’t work, we’ll simply will it into existence.”

Before she could pretend like she was shocked by the statement, a group of women walked into the store, and she watched her mother push away from the counter.

“We’ll discuss this more in-depth later,” Elaine remarked.

Olivia blew a kiss to her mother and then turned back to her grandmother. “What’s with the beady-eyed stare?”

“I want to meet this man and take his measure.”

“That might require an act of God since he seems dead set on the whole hermit thing. It’s not like you can accidentally-on-purpose run into him in town.”

“Dee, over at the post office, said he gets packages several times a week; doesn’t he have to come in to pick them up?”

“I have no idea, but as the town spy and head gossip, you should have the info at your fingertips.”

“I’m not a gossip. I merely pass on information that people willingly share with me so that other people can make wise decisions.”

“Way to reframe it, Grams.”

“Thanks, honey. I’ve been honing the skill for years.”

“Anyway, the chance encounter with Zane will not likely happen anytime soon.”

“Guess we’ll have to wait and see.”

Seeing the glimmer of a devious plan forming in her grandmother’s eye was never comfortable, but she welcomed it since it might net some valuable information.

FOUR

“What in the world is she doing?” Zane asked as he turned down the road he shared with Olivia.

“Looks like she’s hacking away at the ivy surrounding the Ferris wheel,” Asher replied, leaning forward. “And doing a piss poor job of it.”

“We’re going to have to stop, aren’t we?”

“Only if you don’t want to visit the emergency room this afternoon.”

“Yeah, the weed whacker looks like it’s got the upper hand.” Letting out a frustrated groan, he pulled in. “Do you ever feel like the world is pushing in the opposite direction of where you want to go?”

Asher let out a snort and then levered himself out of the truck. “All the time, man.”

“Should we start paying attention to it or keep a death grip on our illusion of control?”

“I blew my professional life to smithereens, so a new approach may not be a bad idea.”

He climbed out of the truck, hitched his jeans up, and studied Olivia, knowing that letting go of his idea of how things would play out might be best.

Especially since the sight of her in jean shorts was messing with his ability to hold onto a rational thought.

“I can’t wait to hear the story behind the Ferris wheel,” Asher commented as he smoothed out his T-shirt and ran his hand through his hair.

“You know she’s not interested, right?”

“Of course, but maybe she’s got a friend or sister that might think I’m the answer.”

“To what?” he asked as he headed toward Olivia and the out-of-control garden tool

“Whatever they need.”

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