I swallow. This is the part I hate. “If it’s okay, would you mind not putting my photo on your social media for the shop yet? And if anyone calls to ask if I’m working here, or shows up asking questions when I’m not around, could you…not answer them?”
Daisy’s sunny expression turns serious. “Do you mind me asking why?”
I shake my head. “I came back to Snowflake Falls because I had a stalker in the city who got a little weird. I’m trying to lay low because he can send me DMs and threatening stuff if I post online. It’s been going on for months now.”
“I understand. I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”
“Thanks. I’m hoping Lenny will get bored eventually. He went quiet for a while.”
“Was it a long-term relationship? Not that it makes any difference, he shouldn’t be treating you like this.”
I sigh. “That’s the strange part. Lenny was a client who used to come into the salon where I worked in the city. I stupidly agreed to go on a date with him, and we saw each other for like two more dates. But when I ended it, he got mad. And…”
“Turned into a hell beast?”
I laugh. “You got it. Bruised ego, I guess. Anyway, I’m sorry to have to tell you about all this. It’s more than a little heavy. If you don’t want to employ me…”
“I do. And I also want you to feel secure in your workplace. My brother’s best friend is the sheriff, can I let him know?”
“Sure. I told the old sheriff when I moved back here, but he didn’t seem too concerned, since Lenny’s in the city. I hadn’t thought of speaking to the new sheriff.”
Daisy squeezes my shoulder. “This can be a fresh start. Things are going to get better for you, Hailey. And Rion, the new sheriff, will take you seriously. He’s a grump but he’s damn good at his job.”
Driving back home through a heavy rain shower, I can’t help smiling. Maybe things have turned around for me. As much as I enjoy dog walking, I can’t say the same for the ironing and data entry jobs I do to make up the rent. Doing hair is my dream and I’ll finally be back on track. As I park, a flash of pink catches my eye.
It’s my neighbor’s dog, running past with my shirt streaming behind her like a banner. I grit my teeth. That shirt’s one of the few nice pieces of clothing I have left and it sure as heck isn’t a dog toy.
I jump out of the car and run after her, following her to the backyard next door. Ember thinks it’s a game, running slow enough for me to almost catch up with her and then speeding up when I’m within reach. I manage to grab the shirt but thentrip over a watering can, landing like a sprawling starfish in the muddy flower bed. I lay there for a second, the breath knocked out of me.
A deep voice from above sounds like it’s coming from the sky.
“Need a hand?”
I roll onto my back and my worst fears are confirmed. Tall, with a muscled physique perfect enough to resemble the gods in Mount Olympus, with piercing blue eyes and a bemused expression; it’s my neighbor. The hero of Snowflake Falls in all his glory. I can’t speak.
Atlas King gazes down at me. I have to resist the urge to reach up to poke his leg and check if he’s real. Spying at him from a distance over the past few months gives this whole up-close-and-personal experience a dream-like quality.
I’ve heard so many different stories about this guy that it’s almost like he doesn’t exist in the everyday world. He’s meant to have saved three generations of the same family single-handed from a burning building, stopped an entire street from going up in flames when the old barn caught fire, and, most importantly, he’s always December in the Snowflake Falls Annual Firefighter calendar.
A flush rises in my cheeks. Not only does he have to be so darn perfect, he’s the one at an advantage here.
I cross my arms and wait for him to speak.
Chapter Two
ATLAS
My gorgeous little neighbor stares up at me, her eyes wide. Despite being covered in mud, she’s not apologizing for ruining my rose bushes or invading my yard. In fact, she looks pissed.
I clear my throat. “I said, can I help you up?”
“No, I’m fine.” Hailey leans on her elbow to sit up, then rises to her knees. The mud makes her shirt stick to her soft curves and my dick twitches. Entranced by her, I’m slow to notice that her knee is sliding on the muddy ground and she’s not going to make it to her feet.
I step forward and pick her up before she can topple over. Close up, she smells of rain and earth, mixed with vanilla. Her skin is warm and I have to make myself let go and not draw her closer. There are little freckles on her nose and cheeks, while rain drops glisten on her dark plaited hair.
Her cheeks are bright red. “Thanks. But I had it in hand.”
I grin at her. “It’s what us firefighters live for. The rescue moment.”
