Page 5 of Fire in My Heart

“I know he does.” I didn’t know why, unless he was enraptured with this woman’s exuberance. She was impossibly happy. I didn’t understand how she walked around in that state all day long. “But I don’t have to like it.”

Charlotte sighed and stepped back, her hand falling away from my arm. I immediately missed the contact.

“Thanks for helping me carry everything in and unpack the kitchen. It was nice of you.”

I didn’t do nice. I did my job; I fulfilled my responsibilities. That was it. I think I grunted in response before I opened the door and walked out.

I walked past her small red car that was so her. I was starving, and I had questions for my dad.

I turned back at the last second, finding her on the porch. She waved, and I shook my head before getting into my cruiser and getting out of there.

As much as I hoped I wouldn’t be running into Charlotte onthe farm, I knew it would be impossible with her living down the road from me.

Dad had said she wasn’t safe. Did he want me to protect her? I usually reserved that for family members. I didn’t let others in easily, if at all, because family came first.

Anyone who came on the property would need to pass my place first, but I wasn’t here all the time.

The unknown was driving me crazy. What was she hiding from?

CHAPTER 2

TEDDY

Idrove a little too fast up the lane, kicking stones up as I headed to the main house. I slowed so it didn’t nick the paint on my cruiser. I should have been driving my truck around the farm, but I didn’t want to stop at home first to switch out vehicles. I had questions for my father.

I parked next to Dad’s old truck and crossed the distance to the front door in seconds. I knocked briefly before walking inside. “Dad. I’m here.”

“In the kitchen.”

I followed the sound of his voice.

Dad raised a brow. “You’re not getting dressed today?”

I looked down at my sweats and bit off a curse. I never went out unless I was put together. Charlotte got to me and not in a good way. “I was drinking my coffee on the porch when Susie Sunshine pulled down the lane. I had to see what she was up to.”

Dad raised a brow at me as he moved around the kitchen, gathering ingredients for a sandwich. “What she was up to? I told her she could move in.”

A muscle spasmed in my jaw. “Why now?”

“I told you; she has some personal things going on.” I opened my mouth to ask what, and he held up a hand to silence me. “I’m not at liberty to talk about it.”

“If she’s in danger, I need to know about it.” There was something about Charlotte Monroe being in danger that bothered me. It was hard to imagine that anyone would want to give her a hard time. Except me of course. Her positivity drove me crazy. I didn’t trust it.

Dad gave me a pointed look. “She doesn’t want you to know about it.”

“She said that?” That irked me more than her sunny disposition.

He nodded as he placed slices of salami on his roll. “She wants to handle it on her own.”

I braced my hands on the counter. “Is she putting you in danger?”

Dad’s gaze lifted to meet mine. “If I thought that was an issue, I’d tell you. She just wanted a place to hide out for a while. She’s off the grid here.”

Why does she need to hide? Was it a family member or an ex? My mind raced with the possibilities.

“She’s a sweet girl. I wanted to help her.”

“What if she’s in over her head?” I frowned. Maybe she was one of those people who stirred up drama everywhere they went.

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