But it was a few days shy of Valentine’s Day which meant spring was right around the corner. At least until Mother Nature proved us wrong. Lake effect storms always kept us on our toes.
I stopped by Dotty, my truck, and pulled out my broom to brush off the snow that had accumulated.
Destiny Street was still asleep when I pulled out, but the distant scrape of the plow was already making its way down themain drag of town. I left the radio off, enjoying the sound of snow under my tires and the quiet that only snow created.
The sky was starting to lighten with the iridescent orange of a good, long storm.
The closer I got to my turnoff, the heavier the flakes grew. The blue sign for Providence Road was half hidden in thick, wet snow. I skidded on the winding road that led to Providence Lake, pumping my brakes like the seasoned winter driver I was. I’d inherited a patch of land right on the lake from my great-aunt Gert. I’d been one of the few people in the family who hadn’t been scared off by her acid tongue. Secretly, I’d loved finding a way around her mean to make her laugh.
When she died, I’d been shocked to learn she left me the wide expanse of lakefront property.
It had been worth a mint, and I was tempted to sell it when I was scraping by, living in a crappy apartment above Pete’s Pizza. But…my breath caught as I came around the bend. That view was exactly why I’d hung onto it.
It was a rocky cove with a ribbon of beach that disappeared beyond the trees. My little house started as a boxy modular home, but I’d slowly built it out over the last two years with a porch, solarium, and outdoor space until it looked like it had always been part of the lake.
I frowned at the ugly orange of a U-Haul truck blocking the road. Not even a pretty illustrations on the side. Just muddy streaks and rust.
Curiosity won out over annoyance as I got closer to my home.
I had a new neighbor.
He’d certainly picked a good day to move. My tire dipped into a groove in the road and rattled my teeth. “Shit,” I muttered as I wrenched the wheel to keep myself from slipping off the gravel road.
I parked under my portico that linked my house to my studio. Instead of going inside, I headed across the gravel road to the craggy Y that branched off to the stone cottage.
The Hendersons, an old couple who lived there for as long as I could remember, hadn’t been able to hack the winters on the lake any longer. I expected someone to snap up the house. Providence Lake properties were prime real estate these days, even in our sleepy town.
But there’d been no For Sale signs after they moved out and I’d been all alone on this part of the lake for nearly two years.
The annoyed grumble of male voices floated my way, the closer I got.
“What the hell is in this box?”
“Books.”
The voice was flat and deep, instantly urging me closer. Not wanting to be obvious I was nosy, I followed the path down to the beach. The sand shifted under my boots, crunching from the cold temperatures and mixture of snow. I couldn’t get a good look at my new neighbor over the stone wall.
I squeaked as water lapped over my boot.
A tall man turned and the wind off the water ruffled messy curls that stuck out from a winter cap. He wore a gray SFSU hoodie streaked with white and black paint with the sleeves pushed up showing off strong forearms speckled with paint. Our gazes locked.
My breath caught at the interesting angles of his face. Even from down the beach, I could tell his eyes were light. He squinted at me, annoyance settled on him like a cloak. His shoulders were broad, but stiff with…pain?
Silly thought.
But I picked up random vibes off people, so it didn’t surprise me.
He flexed his fingers, using his other hand to pop his knuckles.
I waved, but he turned away without acknowledging me.
Great first impression, Phoebe.
I tipped my head back, letting a few snowflakes dance across my face. I snorted as I did a little twirl. He probably thought I was a creeper.
I sighed and trudged up the path to my house. A shower and some sleep was in order.
Maybe the mystery man would be in a better mood after he got his stuff moved in. I knew firsthand what a pain in the butt it was to move.
