Page 3 of Trust

“So, tell me, neighbor, what brings you to our little corner of the world? Did you retire from the military and decide the old family homestead was the perfect place to hide out?”

Tapping her finger against her lip, she gave him a slow up and down. “Or are you a super-spy that needs to stay below the radar?” She held up her hand. “No, wait, are you a tech genius that needs a dark basement from which to operate?”

Zane leaned against the banister. “You don’t get out much, do you?”

“Why would you say that?” she asked with a laugh, doing her best to ignore his arm porn and thickly columned neck.

“Because you talk a lot.” He moved the foil package from one hand to the other. “And ask a lot of personal questions.”

She took two steps closer and rested her hand on his massive forearm. “I haven’t even gotten started. Before too long, I’ll be pulling on all your loose threads and unraveling your story one clue at a time.”

Expecting the audacious statement to be refuted, she was surprised when he remained silent and the air around them thickened. She closed her eyes briefly and decided that the Hawker family ghosts couldn’t be responsible. Because it tasted a little forbidden, unnamable, and quite unexpected.

A stream of anticipation whipped through her veins, and she knew it was a sign that something was going to happen.

Would it be friendship, a truce, or a thing so delicious that it couldn’t be spoken about in polite company?

Clearing her throat, she lifted her hand from his warm skin and decided the answer wasn’t important. “Anyway, to answer your earlier question, I do get out and am related to more than half the town. So, I have loads of people to chat with but have decided we should at least know the basics about one another.”

“Why?” he asked curiously.

“We’re the only two out here, and it would be weird if we didn’t.”

“Agree to disagree,” he mumbled as he stepped back.

She took the bread out of his hand and ignored his lack of enthusiasm. “Is the kitchen still in the back of the house, or have you changed the layout?”

“I’m not going to get rid of you anytime soon, am I?”

“No way.” Leaning into his massive shoulder, she grinned. “The way you’re acting tells me this could be my only chance to hang out with your ghosts, so I’d be a fool not to make the most of it.”

“You picked up on that, did you?”

“Ha-ha! I’m not obtuse.” Stepping away, she turned toward the long hall. “I’m just ignoring your sad attempts to get rid of me.”

“I don’t think they can be characterized as sad.”

“Agree to disagree,” she replied, taking another step back. “I know you’re going to avoid me like a bad rash from here on out, so I’m going to get acquainted while I can.”

“I think this one visit will be more than enough to satisfy any curiosity burning in your belly.”

She gave him an enigmatic smile. “We’ll see.”

“Has anyone ever compared you to a dog with a bone?”

“Perhaps, once or twice.” She hitched her thumb over her shoulder. “Should I make the coffee, or do you want to?”

“I’ll make it,” he sighed. “Follow me, and let’s get this neighbor thing over with.”

“Perfect.” She trailed behind him and admired his broad back and exceptionally fine behind, knowing the work to break through his walls would be worth it. “I just want you to know that when you change your mind and want to become friends, I won’t consider it a sign of weakness. In fact, I’ll accept all friendly gestures graciously.”

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he called over his shoulder.

Laughing at the disgruntled tone, she walked into the kitchen and sighed happily. “Oh, my. This is kitchen porn in the making.” Sliding her hand over the island's warm wood, she felt a sharp pang of envy. “No wonder your dead relatives want to hang out. This is going to be so lovely.”

She tore her eyes away from the massive Wolf stove and noticed something flicker in Zane’s expression. “Are you okay?”

“Of course,” he said gruffly before striding over to a counter on the opposite wall. “I’ll just get the coffee started.”

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