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CHAPTER ONE
EDEN
Istep over the hole in the floor and skirt around the sagging spot in the wood on my way to the front door. This place, my new house, might not look like much, but I’m going to make it into something great.
I’ve watched more than my fair share of home improvement shows, and while I have yet to actually pick up a hammer and nails for myself, I think I know a thing or two about how to give a sad house a pretty facelift. At least, I hope so.
I tuck my phone into my hoodie pocket and smile as I head outside and down the front porch steps. The second to last one is broken and I jump down, almost tripping over my own feet.
“Should be an easy fix,” I say, even though I’m realizing more and more I actually have no real experience with said home improvement projects. Fake it ‘til you make it, right? I’m not sure if that saying applies here, but I’m bound and determined to make my new life work.
This place needs a lot of TLC, which is the only reason why I was able to buy it in the first place. I had a little nest egg saved from working throughout high school, but most of the money came from my grandmother. She left it for me when she passed.
I absentmindedly rub the heel of my hand over the ache in my chest. Grandma was my closest family and even now, three years later, I still mourn her passing. The pain is dull on most days, but every once in a while, the grief sharpens itself to a fine point and pierces my heart. I guess today is one of those days.
If anyone back in Kansas knew I bought a broken-down house to live in, they would roll their eyes and call me a fool. That's why I haven't told them. Now that I've left town, I'm determined to never go back. I want to cut all of those people out of my life. The only friend I need is right here in Twisted Oak.
My best friend, Phoenix, was on the run for a bit, but she recently settled in this little town. She convinced me to join her - not that she had to twist my arm that much. My bestie knew I hated our hometown. I was looking for an excuse to leave it all behind, and she gave me the perfect reason - come hang out with her.
Phoenix and I have been best friends forever. She's always had my back, even when others gave up on me. I can be a bit accident-prone, but Phoenix has never made me feel bad about it. She doesn't think I'm stupid or thoughtless, she loves me just for me. I can't say I've ever had that before or since.
Back in Kansas, I was a joke. A punch line to all of my classmates and an embarrassment to my family. It made growing up pretty lonely. I learned to stop going to my parents with my problems or injuries. They would only berate me for bothering them or making them look bad.
Shaking my head of those past thoughts and traumas, I turn and head into town. This is a new day in my new life, and I’m feeling good for the first time in a long damn time.
The plan for today is to go meet Phoenix at the bookstore, and then I'll head over to the hardware store for some supplies. I'll need wood and nails for the porch step, something for the holes in the drywall, and definitely new light fixtures and outletcoverings. Of course, there's some deeper, structural damage as well, but I can't do everything right now. I'm thinking if I start with some easier, superficial projects, the rest will come in time.
I’m debating which project to get started on first when I stumble forward, pitching to the side as I start to fall. Gasping, I hold my arms out in front of me to protect my face, then close my eyes and myself for the impact of the ground smacking me in the head. It never comes.
Instead, a pair of strong hands wrap around me and I’m lifted back onto my feet.
“Careful,” comes a deep voice. The sound resonates deep in my bones, reverberating in my chest and making my skin prickle with awareness. I blink my eyes open, staring directly into a pair of bright, piercing blue eyes.
My breath lodges in my throat as I stare up at the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. He’s staring down at me, looking a little worried, and I blink, forcing myself to think of something to say.
“Thanks,” I choke out. “Sorry for almost running you over.”
“No harm done.”
Butterflies take flight in my stomach and I fidget on my feet. I'm painfully aware of how awkward I am, but I don't know how to fix it. Being the loser in my class and in my own family meant that no one cared much to talk to me. Especially handsome strangers with dark hair and ice-blue eyes.
To say I have limited experience with the opposite sex would be the understatement of the century. It never really mattered before because none of the guys from school interested me. This guy, however…
He’s tall, at least a foot taller than me, with brown hair and those amazing blue eyes. Shivers race down my spine as he frowns at me.
“See you around, neighbor,” he says and I blink, watching as he starts to walk away.
“A-are you headed into town?” I stutter out, hurrying to catch up with him.
“Yeah.”
“I’ll join you. If that’s okay. I, um, I’m headed to a few stores myself.”
I can't be sure, but I could swear that I heard him mumblegreatunder his breath.
CHAPTER TWO
RYKER
