Page 21 of One More Secret

“I know the house you’re talking about. The place needs major renovations.”Are you sure you want to be stuck with that kind of expense?

“If you’re looking for a skilled and reliable contractor,” Zara says, “you’re sitting next him. Troy’s so good at what he does, he’s big in demand.”

Damn, what do I do now? Try and talk her out of buying the house? I’ve done that a few times when prospective homeowners were facing major renovation expenses for a house they wanted to buy.

The reason I chose Iris’s house was because there isn’t another house on the market that meets my requirements and would be available at such a low asking price.

“That’s okay. I’ve…I’ve got it covered.” Jessica stands. “I should go now. Thank you for the hot chocolate and for fixing up my hand.”

I close the lid on the first aid box. “I’ll drop you and your bike off at your house. I’m guessing you biked here. You’re the mysterious woman who’s staying there, right?” That’s why her bike looked vaguely familiar the other night. Iris used to ride it around town. I remember it from when I was a kid.

“I can bike home,” she says, avoiding my question.

I push to my feet. “That’s not a good idea with your cut hand.”

“Thanks, but I’m sure I’ll survive.” She edges away from the couch. “It was nice meeting you, Zara.” She disappears out the door, not giving Zara a chance to respond.

I make a move to go after her, but Zara puts her hand on my arm. “Leave her for now, Troy. Something’s made her jumpy. And if you’re right about her having PTSD—yes, I did overhear the part where you asked her if she has it—you chasing her won’t help.”

“You might be right.” I settle back on the couch.

Zara gasps, whips her phone from her pants pocket, and points the camera at me. “Can you repeat that, so I have it recorded for posterity? I don’t remember you ever telling me I’m right about something.”

“You’re a brat. Has anyone ever told you that?”

She grins, lowering her arm. “Sure, my brothers have.” The smile disappears from her face. “Garrett told me your plans for Iris’s house. Whatcha gonna do now?”

“I have no idea. It was the perfect place for what I had planned. I wanted a challenging project to showcase my team’s abilities, with the freedom to do what we want instead of doing what the homeowners are after. And the proceeds would be going to help out Olivia and Nova. But I didn’t realize Anne was actually planning to put the house on the market. She wasn’t sure of her plans last year when I talked to her…before I realized what a great opportunity it would be if I bought it. I was just waiting for final approval from the bank before I approached her with my offer.”

“They’re the reason you want to do the fundraiser, aren’t they? Olivia and Nova?”

“It would be partly for them, but not only them. PTSD has impacted a number of families in the region. Not all of them get the help they need when they need it. I want to make sure no family is left behind.” It’s why I phoned Zara the other evening on the beach, after bumping into Jessica there. I told Zara I was thinking about organizing a fundraiser, something I have zero experience with.

“Olivia likes you, you know?” Zara stands and walks to the sideboard cabinet she painted white after buying the unit at a garage sale last year.

“I like her, too. And Nova.”

She picks up a magazine. “That’s not what I mean, Troy.”

“Then what are you talking about?”

“God, you guys can be so dense at times.”

“Are you talking about guys in general, or me and my brothers?” The corners of my mouth twitch, and I fight back a laugh.

She parks her fists on her hips, shaking her head like a disappointed mother. “I was going for you and your brothers. But I’m rethinking that and including everyone who associates with being a male. But that’s beside the point. Do you like Olivia?”

“Of course I do. You know Colton, Olivia, and I were The Three Musketeers growing up. The three of us were tight.” Maybe a little less so once Colt and Olivia became a couple during our junior year of high school. But I was also busy with other interests and friends.

“Right. But do you like her in the same way Olivia likes you? I’ve seen the way she looks at you, Troy.”

“How’s that?”

“Like she sees you as Colton’s replacement.”

My amusement at the earlier part of our conversation fades, and I scowl. “You’re hallucinating, Zara. Olivia’s still grieving her husband’s death.”

“I don’t doubt that. But you’ve been there for her since he was found unconscious and they tried to resuscitate him. More so than before his death. You’ve stepped in to help whenever Colton would’ve been the one by her side.”

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