Page 34 of Trust

She dropped her sunglasses. “You’ve had visitors all week, so I doubt you need any more human contact.”

When he didn’t make a rebuttal, she pushed her glasses up. “See you around.” Not waiting for a response, she headed up the trail and told herself that it wasn’t regret coloring Zane’s features but relief. From here on out, she planned on giving Zane precisely what he asked for. And if he happened to choke on it…all the better.

TEN

Zane walked toward his neighbor’s porch and told himself there was no way he could eat all the fish he’d caught, and sharing his bounty with Olivia was the right thing to do.

The gesture had everything to do with not being wasteful and nothing to do with how hard his heart had beat the moment they stood close. Hearing what he thought was the low timbre of a man’s voice, he quickened his pace and saw Olivia standing beside her Ferris wheel with a man crouched next to the motor box.

“I don’t think so,” he muttered, moving in the couple’s direction. “What kind of person messes with another man’s project?”

“If you feel like giving it a shot, Hoyt, please do.”

“No need for that,” Zane said sharply.

Olivia whipped her head around. “What in the world are you doing here?”

He held up the small cooler in his hand. “I brought you some fish.” He stomped over to the ride and dropped it next to his feet. “I’m going to finish the rehab on the engine, Olivia.”

“That’s not necessary.” She waved her hand. “Hoyt has volunteered to have a go at it.”

The man stood and put his hand out. “We haven’t met yet. I’m Hoyt Doherty, and I run the service station in town.”

“Zane Hawker.” He took the man’s outstretched hand and shook it firmly. “You don’t need to dig into the engine. I’ve got it well in hand.”

“Not anymore,” Olivia said firmly. “I’ve decided to hire Hoyt for the job.”

He watched the man’s gaze bounce between them. “I told you that I was happy to take on the project.”

“I don’t think the word happy was ever used.”

Hating that Olivia was treating him like someone she had no interest in, he moved closer. “You told me that I could make your dream come true.”

“I’m fairly confident that’s not true.”

“It sure as hell is, and…”

“I’ll head out,” Hoyt said quietly. “It seems you two have some stuff to work out.”

“We don’t have stuff,” Olivia replied sharply. “I have my stuff, and Zane has his stuff. But we’ll never have stuff together.”

Hoyt took a few steps back. “Alrighty, just give me a call when you’re ready.”

“I will,” Olivia called out. “Believe me.”

“That was ridiculous,” Zane said before closing the door on the box that covered the engine. “My stuff, your stuff…jeez.”

“Don’t you dare mock me.” She pinched her mouth together. “Please take your fish and ego home.”

“My ego?”

“Yes, your big fat ego that’s telling your small male brain that even though you don’t want me, no other man can.” Lifting her hands, she waved them around. “It’s so obvious.”

Frustration built in his chest. “If I start a project, then I finish it. Full stop. My,” he pushed his finger toward the decrepit ride, “big or small, whatever has nothing to do with it.”

“Oh, puh-leeze.” Fisting her hands, she leaned in. “I don’t want you touching my ride.”

Taking a step closer, he put his face within millimeters of hers. “Are you sure about that?” With his heart beating at the same rate it did in combat, he found his focus sharpened. Olivia’s lemony scent pervaded his nose as the sound of her quickened breaths filled the space between them.

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