Page 20 of Bridge to Safety

“Why are you paying for a security system when one was already on order?”

“Well, not just me. I overheard you and Susan talking one day about Duke. I suspect my sister was once a victim of that foul man. Anyway, we pooled together some money. Deputy Reynolds returned your ordered items and put that plus some, I suspect, toward this system.”

“Why?” Tears sprang to her eyes. Why would these people want to help her so much?

“Because this man has to be stopped. There aren’t many of us not blinded by his charm. We have to stick together.”

“Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say. People she’d just met or hadn’t seen in years believed her and wanted to help prevent anything from happening again.

“Have a good weekend, Shiloh. See you Monday.”

She slipped her phone back into her pocket and wiped her eyes with the collar of her tee-shirt. Maybe this place really could be home. She retrieved a shovel from the shed and propped it against the house as she started setting plants where she wanted them. The place needed more trees, bushes, color. She also needed to go to the cellar under the shed and see what needed to be cleaned out down there. It was mostly a tornado shelter, but her father had also used it to store things.

Once the outside of the house was painted, she’d fill the flowerbeds with vibrant colors. While she worked, the painters arrived.

Shiloh returned the coffee pot and cups to the kitchen, informing anyone that wanted a cup or a cookie to help themselves inside the house.

Her yard hummed, workers bustling about like ants. The sound of nails being pounded, a nail gun thumping, and the squeal of a drill combined into a lively melody that made her heart rejoice. There wasn’t one part of her house that wasn’t being worked on.

Shiloh glanced up the road to see another van parked in front of one of her neighbors’ houses. They were neighbors in the sense she could see the house, but too far away for a friendly chat over the backyard fence. Was there someone in the van? No one got in or out of it. No one came out of the house.

She shrugged. It was none of her business. She picked up the shovel and thrust it into the rich clay. A willow oak would grow and shade her bedroom. Over there, a snowball bush would protect the air conditioner. Her mind filled with all the ways she could make the place beautiful.

~

The woman was insane. Duke scowled. He’d made it very clear not only to Shiloh, but also to Deacon. He was supposed to be the only one fixing Shiloh’s house. The only one!

Yeah, it would take longer, but that’s what he needed. Time. Time for Shiloh to realize the two of them were destined to be together. He thrust the van into drive. It was time to do some convincing. He parked behind a van with the logo of a security company, then shoved his door open. Shoulders up, he marched to where Shiloh was planting a tree.

Her eyes widened, and she stepped back when she saw him. Good. He liked surprising people. “Why aren’t you listening to me?”

“What do you mean?” She clutched the shovel.

“How much more clear can I be about being the only one to help you with your house?”

“Think about it. This will finish my home much quicker.” She reached for a sapling.

“Let me.” He took the tree from her and put it in the hole she’d dug. That should prove to her what a nice guy he could be.

“So, you’re not really needed, Duke. Thank you for the offer.”

He stiffened. “We’ll see about that. If there’s no one else to do the work, you’ll have to let me.” Duke stormed to where Deacon was studying plans on the hood of his truck. “Don’t you take a warning, old man?”

“You don’t have the authority to make me quit a job you want.” The man’s face darkened. “Now get out of here.”

“Obviously, you don’t know who I am. You’re too new to this town, but you’re about to find out.” He curled his fist and drew back.

The short honk of a hand stopped him midair.

He turned and stared through the window at Deputy Reynolds.

~

Rowan shoved his door open and approached the two men. “What’s going on here, gentlemen?”

“Larson seems to think he can tell me what job to take or not.” Deacon shoved past Duke, knocking into his shoulder.

“Want to start something?” Duke grabbed his arm.

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