Page 32 of Hearts at War

Did she know him?

Was she canvassing the cabins for an easy break-in?

What would he do about it?

And why did he have security set up in the first place?

All week, we noticed each other out and about, but I kept to my business and ignored him the best I could. Over that same time, all week long, I failed to spot that teenager who’d been a petulant brat and lousy person to expect me to take the brunt of her almost crime.

I wouldn’t have actually helped her break in. But still, I was peeved. And curious.

She’d come from nowhere, and now she was gone? Just like that?

“Heather.”

I flinched, worrying that Eric had caught me staring down Roarke from across the street. I had sworn off men, but it felt like I was failing that goal by keeping up this stare-down.

“Heather,” Eric called out again from behind me.

Whirling around, I caught sight of my cousin hurrying to catch up to me on the path. “Hey, Eric.”

“Need a hand?”

Those three words were so innocuous, particularly coming from him. Yet, I ground my teeth at the reminder when David shared them with me.

Need a hand?

Accepting help should never be a binding obligation, yet he’d used his supposedly good deed as a means to control me.

“No, I’ve got it. Thanks.”

He nodded, catching his breath from that slight jog. “I wanted to check on you.”

“Oh?” I said as I reached my car. Hoisting one bag to my hip, I stretched my arms to fit so I could hold them both and open the door. He beat me to it, grasping the handle and opening it.

“Just wanted to see how you’ve been settling in and all.”

“Ah. Well, I’m still here, right?”

“And working at the bank, I hear.”

“Yep,” I replied. “It’s not bad.”

He rubbed the back of his head, awkward as ever. I had to give him credit for trying to strike up a conversation though. Social anxiety was weird like that.

“Nance is nice,” I said.

“Just don’t get her going on—”

“Star Wars?” I guessed.

He chuckled, nodding again. “Do you need anything, though?”

I frowned, wondering what he was referencing. Did he hear about that teen who showed up? Eric and Roarke both worked at the ranch, but I couldn’t see my antisocial cousin chatting with Roarke.

“No, I’m fine. Thanks for asking.”

“You don’t need anything?” he asked again. “I know you wanted your space. And privacy and all.”