Page 95 of All My Heart

“Charlotte? What are you doing here?” My voice was incredulous, the irritation climbing my spine.

Her eyes wide, she said, “Moving in. What does it look like I'm doing?”

“Moving in?” I glanced from her car to the cottage. “You're moving into the cottage?”

“Uh-huh.” Her voice was amused as she moved around to the trunk and tugged on a piece of luggage. It was way too big for her and didn't budge.

Without a thought for what I was doing, I moved to assist her. Once the hard case was on the gravel between us, I stepped back. I was supposed to be encouraging her to leave, not helping her unpack.

Drawing myself up to my full height, I crossed my arms over my chest. “Who said you could move in?”

“Al—” Her lips twitched.

I couldn't see how any of this was funny. “My dad said you could move into Daphne's cottage?”

“He said Daphne's been living with Cole for a while, and this place is sitting here empty. It was in the contract for my employment.”

I remembered telling my dad not to include that in the contract. I used to help out more with the farm, but Dad had slowly been taking back control, and I didn't like it. It was his decision, but it meant I'd be running into Charlotte on the farm.

“I live in the apartment above the garage.”

“That's right. I heard that your house flooded. How is everything?” Her expression morphed into concern for me.

“Fine.”

“Let me know if you need any help.”

She was offering me help? What could she do to renovate my house? I had a feeling she was just one of those people who offered even if she didn't have a specific skill set. It was just who she was.

She continued to pull luggage out of her trunk, setting it side by side on the driveway.

I was locked in place, my mind spinning with all the things I should be doing. Telling her to leave. Putting the luggage back into the truck.

When it was empty, she smiled at me. “Looks like we're going to be neighbors.”

“Yeah, that's not going to work for me.” The words came out slowly measured.

Her brow furrowed. “How so?”

My gut tightened. I couldn't have this woman living so close to me. Her sunny demeanor drove me crazy. I couldn't understand how anyone could be so happy all the time. I was happy with my life. Content.

I didn't need anyone stirring up trouble, and I had a feeling this woman had the power to do that. But what could I say? I don't want to live next to you. I wasn't even that much of an asshole.

The sound of a pickup truck rambling down the lane reached us.

“That must be Al.”

We were the only ones living on the property at this point. She wasn't living here yet.

Dad's truck ambled to a stop behind us, and he opened his door and stepped out. “Oh, good. You're here to help her move in.”

Charlotte moved to Dad and hugged him. “Thank you so much for letting me live here. It's absolutely delightful.”

Seriously. Who said words like delightful?

“We're happy to have you.”

I ground my teeth together. There was no we about it.

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