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Chapter One
“Well, I guess the third time’s a charm.”
Brooklyn hesitated before climbing out of her packed SUV. She was tired of moving, even though she knew it was the smartest thing she could do. It was still better than being anywhere near her ex. If she had to move around for the next fifty years to stay away from him then that would be her first and only choice. No brainier.
The driver’s door creaked as she climbed from the van. She hated the vehicle with a passion but, just like the moving part, she'd purchased it with cash to stay off the radar. It was cheap, she couldn't afford much but regardless it was a small price to pay for going into hiding.
Brooklyn dug the keys from the center console, which she'd picked up from the previous owner earlier that morning. The house was move-in ready including the furniture, she only needed to get groceries.
While she was waiting in line at the supermarket check-out, she'd overheard a women talking about her assistant leaving her to run off with a boyfriend so she desirably needed help. Brooklyn wasn't shy, she immediately got the women's attention and asked about the position.
The older woman, who had introduced herself as Lola Patterson, librarian, said if she knew how to type and file, then the job was hers because there wasn't time to do an extensive search, she needed the help. There was a book fair looming. Brooklyn now had a paying job. She didn't even really here how much was being offered because it didn't matter. She just needed to work. The older women agreed to let her have a day to get herself moved in though and to show up on Monday at ten o'clock.
Brooklyn continued to the back end of her van to start unloading boxes. She dreaded moving, not because she couldn't lift the boxes, just the mundane task of packing, loading, unloading and the worst part was unpacking all her stuff. Especially the kitchen. Took her days to remember where she'd put everything.
When she came out of the house after her first trip, there was a teenage boy standing by her vehicle.
"Hi there."
He looked friendly enough.
"My name is Grant."
He explained that he lives next door and offered his help with unloading the car.
"Thanks Grant, I actually would love some help with carrying these boxes. Are you sure you don't mind?"
"Nah, I just got home from school and have to do homework so I'll help you first."
"And it's okay with your mom?"
"She said it was the neighborly thing to do."
"That is really nice of her. Make sure you thank her for me."
Brooklyn grabbed a box and Grant did the same and followed her inside. From there, she stayed in to sort the boxes to the right places while the young man made the trips back and forth until the back of her van was empty.
The process took no time at all and she was grateful.
"Here's a little something for helping today. I really appreciate it."
She handed the young man a ten-dollar bill.
"Don't be a stranger, I might have more stuff around here to do if you're interested?"
"Yes ma'am, that would be great. Thank you so much."
He grabbed his backpack from her front yard and ran back to his house, hollering to share with his mom what he'd gotten
She had never seen a kid so excited to earn a little money and now that she would be working, she could afford to have him help when she had things for him.
When he was securely back in his home, Brooklyn collected her personal bags from the front seat of her car and locked things up.
When she turned back to her new house, she caught a glimpse of a vehicle sitting across the street, with a dark figure inside. She couldn't make out what the person looked like or why it should matter. She didn't know anybody in the new town and no one knew her. Not letting her fears take over, she let it go and went inside to start unpacking.
***
Wyatt sat across the street from the house he'd just recently finished setting up security for. He'd gotten done in the nick of time, and glad too. Might have been awkward to be working inside when she arrived. He'd heard she was single and a little skittish when the assignment came to him but upon further inspection, she was also beautiful, not that it should matter, he always did the job he was hired to do, no matter who it was for.
