PROLOGUE
Irun to the back, down the staircase, and outside just to come to a screeching stop. There’s a ghost in my yard! No, not a ghost. A woman with long, red hair covering her completely bare back, but not long enough to cover her naked ass, is standing in my yard.
She places the sheet she had wrapped around her body on the ground. Her pale skin glows nearly translucent under the bright moonlight.
As I’m preparing to scold whoever she is, the woman bends over to spread something that looks like a blanket on the ground, fixing the corners.Whileshe’s naked.
What is happening?
I stride toward the intruder who is inmybackyard—my backyard with a six-foot fence around the perimeter. By the time I’m out my door and running toward her, she’s already sitting on the ground with legs crossed. Her arms are raised in the air, her head thrown back.
“What are you doing here?” I bark when I’m about twenty feet away from her.
She shrieks, jumping in the air and pulling her long hair over her chest. “Who are you?” she cries out.
1
Jericho
Now this is something I can call ‘home,’I think, admiring the Victorian house I just purchased.
A two-story beige building with a steep black roof and original millwork on solid bay windows, including a quaint porch with a wooden swing at the front, all working in favor of a homey vibe. Exactly what I’ve been looking for.
The place is almost falling apart, but it’s mine. It’ll need a little patience and a lot of TLC, but I’d never buy something for myself that doesn’t need fixing. It sort of comes with the territory. I’ve built so many homes for others that I wouldn’t want someone else to build one for me.
I came here directly from the lawyer’s office after signing the purchase papers. All my stuff is in the bed of my truck as always, so I’m planning to stay here for the night. Living on the road has its perks—one doesn’t possess much, so it’s easier to be mobile.
The house is located at the end of a quiet street, with onlyone other house sharing a tall, wooden fence. I haven’t met the neighbors yet, never saw anyone or heard a peep during the times I came here for any walkthroughs. But the real estate agent swears by the serenity of the place.
The next nearest house is far down the road and separated by a line of thick evergreen trees, giving my house the solitude I need.
This is exactly what motivated me to purchase it—the lack of neighbors and noise. I want my peace and quiet. I’ve earned it.
The sound of a sports car moving my way tells me that my realtor is approaching. And rather fast. A yellow Mustang parks behind my truck, and Jonah climbs out, fixing his bright purple three-piece suit. I’d never be caught dead wearing anything so flashy, preferring simple and versatile plaid, especially around here where I want to blend in without drawing unnecessary attention, but to each their own. Jonah seems like a person who loves attention wherever he goes.
“Here are your keys. The deed is recorded, so you are good to go,” he calls out as he heads my way. “Congratulations!” He offers his hand for a handshake, and I accept it—after I take the keys.
“Thanks, Jonah. For that,” I shake the keys in the air, “and for the help with the deal.”
“No problem.” He smiles. “Not much going on in Little Hope recently real estate-wise, so I’m glad I got out of there to expand a little.” Sighing wistfully, he places his hands on his hips and looks around. “I just might get something for myself here too. The area is so nice. Little Hope has gossipy chickens.” He widens his eyes at me. “Don’t get me wrong, I like juicy gossip just like the next guy, but this town seems to have it all figured out. Hallmark style, if you know what I mean.”
I don’t. I’ve never seen a Hallmark movie, and I don’tbelieve in stories with happy endings, but I hope for one for myself here.
Little Hope is a neighboring small town. At first, I considered staying there, but there’re a few people from the town who know me and my story a little too well, especially the sheriff. That alone deterred me from settling in Little Hope. Instead, I decided to settleinBig Love. Ironic.
For the tenth time—today only—I wonder who named the places around here and if they could make it any cheesier. Hallmark indeed.
“You think Big Love doesn’t have gossip?” I ask in a surprised tone. If a person has ever been in one small town, they’ve been in them all—the rumor mill is the power source of a place like this.
“Nah.” He waves his hand in the air dismissively. “It’s the sweetest place on earth, you’ll see.”
I nod with slight hesitation. “That’s what I was looking for, but I’m not sure such a place exists.” Especially in a small town.
“You’re from a small town yourself?” Jonah asks, carefully side-eyeing me.
“Yes.” That’s all I offer because the less everyone knows, the better. Though I wonder why he hasn’t asked around about me—people do it all the time in small towns. Hopefully, I’m just not that interesting. That’s the best I can hope for.
Jonah’s face stretches with a big smile despite my short answer. “Yes,” he confirms something known only to him. “Small towns have their charms. You ever been to Little Hope? It’s not far from here.”
