Page 20 of Trust

“Women who make trouble are the best kind,” Asher commented. “And I, for one, am more than happy to get to know the Bennett women.”

“And why’s that?” Lucy asked as she gave him a slow once over. “You run out of hearts to break and need new victims?”

“Baby, I’m betting you have me beat by a wide mile when it comes to the heart-breaking business.”

“Two peas in a pod,” Grams commented. “It’ll never work, and you’ll bore one another in a week.”

Olivia rolled her eyes and moved to Zane’s side. “Well, now that we’ve got that worked out, would you two like to come in and leave these men in peace?”

“No,” Lucy replied. “I want to know who’s been feeding this man gossip.”

Asher lifted Lucy’s hand and grinned wickedly. “I don’t need to hear tall tales to know that you’ve got all the men within a hundred-mile radius at your beck and call.”

Leaning into Zane, Olivia watched Asher press a small kiss to her sister’s hand and knew her grandmother was right. They were two sides of the same coin and would never work.

“Yeah, yeah,” Lucy commented. “I’ve heard it all before.”

“I think you boys should attend the park’s annual Haven Spring Fair tomorrow. It’s time to do your part to raise funds for the community center,” Grams declared loudly. “Now that you’re residents of our fine community, it’s only right.”

“I’m only visiting,” Asher proclaimed before letting Lucy’s hand go. “But I can write a check if I have to.”

“Didn’t Nan leave the home to all the Hawker boys?” Grams asked.

“Yes,” Zane confirmed. We all own an equal share.”

“Then that settles it,” Lucy said firmly. “You two will come tomorrow and help out.”

“Again,” Asher said, “Can’t a check be written?”

“No,” Lucy replied with a sly smile. “And come to think of it, you’d be perfect for the kissing booth.”

Asher dropped an arm around Lucy’s shoulder. “Baby, if you wanted a kiss, all you had to do was ask.”

“Eeeeew,” Lucy pushed his arm off. “Get over yourself. I’ve done the pretty-boy thing one too many times. I’m going for substance and shared values on the next round.”

“And if that doesn’t sound like the most boring thing on the planet, then I don’t know what does,” Asher murmured.

“He’ll do it,” Zane stated firmly. “But have some crowd control handy in case a feeding frenzy erupts.”

“Thanks, brother.”

“Consider it payback,” Zane answered with a smile. “You’re due for some hazardous duty.”

Grams clapped her hands. “Excellent. We will surely meet our fundraising goal for the new playground equipment with such a handsome boy.”

Olivia took Zane’s hand and swung it back and forth. “Do you want to do the dunk tank or come and help me with the face painting?”

“Neither.”

“You have to pick one.”

“Not a fan of crowds.”

“Do the face painting,” Lucy advised. “The water in the dunk tank is sketchy after the first ten minutes.”

“Perfect, you can be my assistant.”

“Really not a fan of crowds,” Zane reiterated.

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