AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chelsea passed away four months ago, and the man was just as introverted and closed up as ever. How long could one person keep so much locked inside? Not to mention his past, before he ever came to live with the Monroes. Zach was a walking bundle of angst when he’d arrived in Haven, Georgia. Then life happened and added even more.
One of these days his emotions were going to explode. Sophie found herself wondering who would be there to catch him when he broke.
Chapter Two
Easing his truck up by the curb near the hardware store, Zach pulled out his phone to call Nathan, his right-hand man. They were nearing the end of an outdoor patio and gazebo area at the Community Center. He fully trusted his guys whenever he had to leave the site, but he was itching to get back after that little family reunion. Pounding away with power tools was the best kind of tension reliever.
Okay, sex was the best tension reliever, but that wasn’t an option right at this minute.
Before he headed back to the site, he needed a few more materials from Knobs & Knockers, the only hardware store in town. The place had been around for decades and was now run by the third generation.
Zach had just reached the door to the store as he dialed, but before he could hit Send, he spotted Rand Stevens strutting down the sidewalk in a three-piece suit. Who the hell still wore that shit? Especially when the temperatures were flirting with summerlike highs lately. The man probably didn’t even sweat.
“Zach.” Rand nodded, offering a toothy smile. “I figured you’d be at the site, finishing up.”
Zach let the veiled jab roll off his shoulders. “Picking up a few more parts and heading back.”
Rand stepped in front of Zach, cutting him off before he could reach for the antique handle to the store. “I heard you spoke with Sophie yesterday.”
Obviously this was going to be a game. Zach merely crossed his arms and waited to make his move. Rand prided himself on keeping this town polished and perfectly maintained, all while keeping up appearances. No way would this man cause a scene if Zach opted to tell him what he could do with the offer on the Sunset Lake house.
Zach had more patience than most people, so he’d keep his decision to himself. Rand didn’t need to know what went through the minds of Zach and his brothers.
“Our offer was generous,” Rand went on. “Selling would benefit the city and help you guys all at the same time.”
Zach glanced through the window of the hardware store, then back to the nuisance in the gray suit. He highly doubted Rand was extending any sort of helping hand, but Zach was smart enough to keep his mouth shut.
Just a game, he reminded himself. Zach was fine playing it, considering he was a professional with a good reputation his father had helped him build. Even after the accident and the sentencing, Zach had gotten out of prison. His father had paved th
e way in the community by not making excuses on Zach’s behalf. Zach had paid the price for his crime and once he was freed, it was time to move on. People made mistakes, people deserved second chances.
Zach wasn’t about to tarnish his or his father’s hard work by mouthing off, no matter how much he wanted to.
“My sister loved that property,” Zach said, stepping aside as a patron headed toward the door. He waited until the person stepped inside before going on. “My brothers and I will decide what’s best for our family and you’ll hear something by Friday. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a project I need to get back to.”
He didn’t wait to hear if Rand had more to say. Zach was done listening. He jerked the door open on the old hardware store—or as he referred to it, his home away from home. He actually spent more time here and on job sites than at his house, which was fine. When he was home and alone, that’s when memories started flooding up to the surface and strangling him; one of the main reasons he’d opted to take on the renovations at his house. Being home alone was pure hell, and he needed to stay busy all his waking hours.
Which was why he was so damn good at his job; he lived and breathed work. For the past decade he’d thrown himself into every single project, no matter how small. Letting anything else into his world wasn’t an option.
Ed Monroe had nestled the will to work so deep when Zach was a cocky punk. Ed could’ve, and probably should’ve, kicked Zach to the curb more than once, but the Monroes had taken Zach in, bad attitude and all.
The scent of freshly mixed paint, metal, and wood hit him as Zach stepped into Knobs & Knockers. Behind the counter, Macy was ringing up a customer. She glanced up and smiled before turning her attention back to the elderly man.
Macy Hayward was the current owner of the bustling little store. She might be young and petite with long, dark hair and wide, expressive eyes, but this woman knew everything from PVC pipe to power tools, and she was actually one person he considered a true friend. Not like someone he’d confide in—he didn’t bare his soul to anyone—but he was comfortable around her and they could talk shop.
“Thanks.” Macy handed the customer his receipt and a small brown paper bag. “Just call if you need more of those drywall screws. I can always bring them to you after I close to save you another trip out.”
Once the man thanked her and left, Zach crossed to the counter and rested his forearms on the scratched, scarred wood surface that had been there from the start of the store.
“Saw you chatting with one of your favorite people.”
Zach narrowed his eyes at her smirk. “Funny.”
Macy rested her arms on the counter. “Apparently you played nice or you wouldn’t be in such a mood now.”
“I’m always in a mood.”
Her grin widened. “Yes, but now even your eyebrows are drawn in. You must really be pissed.” Macy patted his hands and looked him in the eyes. “I promise not to tease you anymore. Now, what can I get ya? I assume you’re still working on the Community Center. Or are you picking up something for your house?”
