My head snaps toward Jill. “What? Why?”
“Ellie and Miss Juniper were at Jim’s convenience store, and Levi was behind them in line. Ellie introduced herself to him, and he ignored her flat out.” Jill’s eyes are wide, her tone excited. “According to her, she touched his arm, and he shook her hand off as if he was disgusted by her. Can you believe that?” Jill gasps. “Anyway, when Miss Juniper laid into him, he set his basket down and left abruptly.” She lets out a sigh and gives me a knowing look. “Apparently, Miss Juniper went straight to the sheriff’s department and told Libby to send one of the men out to do a welfare check on you because she’s worried that you’re living next door to a ‘rude thug.’” She makes air quotes with her pointer fingers.
“That’s insane!” My words aren’t even cold when the doorbell rings.
My shoulders slump as I walk to the front door and open it.
Sheriff Williams smiles at me while tipping his hat. “Hi, Kelcie. I just wanted to check in on you and make sure you’re okay.”
“Hi, Sheriff.” Annoyed by everything Jill told me and being forced to interact with people before I’ve even had a chance to wake up properly, I get right down to business. “Thank you for coming by, but I’m okay. Don’t believe any of the rumors you hear about Levi.”
“He was pretty rude to Ellie and Juniper,” the sheriff informs me. “Tamara was working and backed their complaint.”
I’m sure she did. Tamara is one of the biggest gossips in town.
“Levi is an introvert who doesn’t like people touching him,” I explain. “You should tell Ellie to keep her hands to herself.”
Sheriff Williams seems to relax. “So he hasn’t given you any trouble?”
“Not at all.” My smile turns natural. “Levi has been very supportive and kind. I’m lucky to have him for a neighbor.”
“Well then, my job here is done.” Tipping his hat again, he begins to turn away from me. “You have a good day now.”
“You too. Thanks for stopping by.”
When I close the door, a scowl forms on my forehead, and I march through the house while muttering, “Just give me a minute, Jill.”
I stalk out the back and cross the lawn between the two houses. Before I reach Levi’s door, it opens, and Lick comes darting out. A few seconds later, Levi comes into view, and my eyebrows fly into my hairline.
Oh. My. God.
He’s only wearing sweatpants, and I can’t stop myself from drinking in the sight of his chest and the ink covering most of his skin. After getting a good look at the phoenix tattoo, my gaze lowers to his six perfectly carved abs and the V-shaped muscular grooves running alongside his hips.
“Kelcie?” Levi asks, sounding a little taken aback by my sudden appearance.
I blink like an idiot and quickly glance to where Lick is sniffing the grass. “I heard about what happened in town and wanted to check on you.” Turning my gaze back to Levi, I notice the grim lines on his face. “Are you okay?”
I haven’t seen him in the past few days and thought he just needed some space, but after learning about how he reacted to Ellie touching him, I wonder if I was too much when I had my panic attack.
“I’m fine,” he replies. When Lick comes toward me for pets, Levi pats against his thigh, and she quickly goes back into the house. “See you around.”
Levi shuts the door, and with a sinking feeling, I turn around and walk back to my place.
Crap, maybe I did upset him the other night with all the touching and asking him to stay for dinner, and he was just too overwhelmed to put me in my place.
The instant I step into the kitchen, Jill says, “What’s going on with you and our hot, grumpy neighbor?”
I shake my head. “Nothing is going on.” I finish making my tea and manage to take a couple of sips before my doorbell rings again. “What now?” I mutter, refusing to admit that I’m a little hurt by Levi being so brisk with me.
When I open the door and see Colby, my shoulders slump.
“I heard Sheriff Williams was here because of the bastard next door. I told you he was nothing but trouble.”
Completely overstimulated by all the activity, I can’t stop myself from snapping, “Levi isn’t a bastard! I wish everyone would mind their own business.” When Colby tries to come in, I don’t step out of his way. “Look, I just woke up from a nap, and Jill is here. Thanks for stopping by.”
I shut the door in his face and rest my forehead against it.
Dang, this afternoon is getting the better of me. I’m used to being alone ninety percent of the time and feel completely rattled.
