Page 6 of Devastate Me

“This is an out-of-the-way place. Young kids like you don’t come here, not without a reason.”

“I’m not young,” she protested. “How old are you?”

“Old enough, sweetheart. I’ve lived a decade longer than you. I retired from the navy two years ago at age thirty-two. Feels like a lifetime.”

So he was thirty-four? That wasn’t old.

“How do you know my age?” she asked. “Or was that a guess?”

“No guess. I like to know who I live next to. I do a background check on everyone who moves to this neighborhood.”

“Well, that doesn’t sound suspicious or paranoid at all.”

“It’s not what you think. I work in security, remember? I’m sort of the neighborhood watch in these parts. We don’t get a lot of crime, but there have been some nasty break-ins, and the police haven’t caught whoever’s been doing it. A couple of the homeowners were home, and one ended up in the hospital. So I try to keep tabs on those who are most vulnerable, to help make sure they stay safe.”

“Oh, that makes sense.”

“So, why Havensport?” he asked.

“I just wanted to get away,” she replied. “There’s nothing wrong with that.” She ate another piece of steak.

“Well ... Whatever reason you ran away, don’t let life force you to hide.”

“I’m not running,” she protested.

Colt acted like he didn’t hear her. “And for God’s sake, don’t make friends with the housewives in the neighborhood. Miranda and her husband are nice, but the rest ...” He scowled as he trailed off.

“I heard you have quite the fan club.”

“Fan club.” He grimaced. “They need a goddamn hobby or better yet, jobs.”

Ophelia smirked. “I think you’re it.”

“I wish they would just leave me the hell alone.”

“Sorry. You’re too handsome for that, so you might as well get used to it. Or maybe work it to your advantage.”

Colt’s brow furrowed. He obviously was not following her.

“You know, offer gardening services? Strip club rules, look but don’t touch? You could make a mint.”

She couldn’t resist teasing him. She wanted to see him smile.

“Or maybe I’ll mow my damn yard naked and charge admission for the show.” He grinned darkly, as though the idea brought him a little too much joy.

Ophelia shook her head. “The logistics wouldn’t work. Too many people could watch from their windows for free. Maybe if you did it as a fundraiser. If they raise X amount of money, you do the yard work naked.”

“I’m sure the HOA would have something to say about that.”

“Yeah, but who do you think isonthe HOA?” she said, chuckling. “But yeah, you’re probably right. Besides, you might cause a car wreck, and I’m sure that would end up in the HOA newsletter.”

He almost smiled again. “You have a point.”

After a moment, he collected the plates and headed inside. Ophelia stayed on the back patio, admiring the beds of flowers and the hardy maple trees that sheltered his decent-sized yard.

A squirrel scampered down one of the trees. In a burst of speed, Noah chased it right back up the trunk. Ophelia giggled and tucked her feet up in the large chair, feeling content for the first time in a long while. Right now there was nowhere she’d rather be. Her bruised heart felt healed in some small way, for the first time since her breakup. And she had a bearded Navy SEAL who didn’t like people to thank for it. What a strange thing life was.

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