Page 1 of Fire in My Heart

CHAPTER 1

TEDDY

I'd made it a habit to drink my coffee on the small balcony of my new apartment. Ever since my house flooded, I'd had no choice but to move into my brother Jameson's place above the garage on my family's Christmas tree farm. The one bedroom was small compared to the five-bedroom house I'd built a few years ago when I realized the odds were against me finding someone who could love me for me.

I was grouchy on the best of days. Most women didn't stick around longer than it took me to get them off. To be fair, I probably said something that made me sound like an asshole. I couldn't help myself.

Ever since my mother died, my life was different. I took care of my siblings, helped my grieving dad, and pursued my dream of being a cop. I protected others. That was my job.

I heard the rumble of a vehicle traveling way too fast down the lane. Nothing else was down here except for Daphne's cottage, which had been left empty since she moved in with Cole.

I set my coffee down and hopped into my cruiser. I probablyshould have taken the truck, but whoever this was needed the extra authority my badge carried.

The small, red car pulled up to the cottage. The trunk was propped open, and the back seat was filled with boxes. If I were on duty, I'd give her a citation for blocking her rearview and speeding. But I wasn't on duty, and this was technically private property.

I got out of my cruiser, reaching for the gun in the holster I wasn't wearing. I felt naked as I approached the driver's side door. Whoever this was trespassed on private property.

Right when I decided to go back to my cruiser and call it in, the door opened, and a woman stepped out.

“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 thecontract. 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.”

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 car.

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?”

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