Then a tractor roars to life, the engine’s vibrations shudder the old widows of my house, pulling me out of the last threads of fog clouding my mind. I bolt up, heart pounding a little too fast. I’m not sure if I want to strangle the guy with the damn tractor or thank him for getting me out of bed.
Another groan, I pull myself out of the sheets and shuffle to the window. I peer behind my curtains. A whole damn crew is working in my yard, their various tools orchestratinga mechanical symphony nobody wants to hear on a Sunday morning.
One man’s down on his knees by my flower beds, picking at weeds with meticulous care. I wince as I see another man running the hedge trimmers over my once-beautiful bushes, now long overdue for a makeover.
What the hell is going on?
I rub my eyes, willing the sleep away. Maybe I’m still dreaming. But no, the guys are real. The hum of the tractor is real. And the way they’re working is way too… much.
I grab my glasses off the nightstand, focusing on my reflection in the mirror.Damn it.I look like I’ve been dragged through a bush backward. It’s the only reasonable explanation for this level of disarray. Shaking my head, I throw a cardigan over my cotton shorts sleep set, head to the front door, and swing it open.
The morning air is a little too cool against my skin as I pad across the porch to the older man working on my flower beds. He looks up and grins, that easy kind of smile that says I’ve just made his day by showing up.
“Excuse me,” I say, trying to sound polite despite my confusion, “but can you tell me what you’re doing?”
He gives me a nod, his hands continuing to pluck weeds from the soil. “Well, ma’am, it’s important to weed these flower beds in Texas in the spring, especially with the heat coming in. These weeds’ll take over faster than you can blink if you don’t stay on top of ‘em.” He pauses for a moment, looking over to the hedges. “And these overgrown bushes need trimming. I’ll get ‘em cleaned up real nice, don’t worry.”
I feel my face flush with a little embarrassment. The weeds, the hedges… I’ve been putting it off for weeks, maybe longer. I try to get in as much yardwork as I can while Bash is with his dad. I could’ve sworn I touched those hedges last month, but life has a way of slipping past when you’re not looking.
I clear my throat. “Thank you for explaining all that…” I pause, looking for his name on his work shirt.
“Allen.”
“But what I’d really like to know, Allen, is… why are you here? I mean—what’s going on?” I ask.
His smile widens, and he wipes his hands on his knees. “Well, ma’am, Mr. Alvarez called us yesterday. Said to come by and take care of everything. You don’t have to worry about a thing. I owe Mr. Alvarez a favor. Real good guy. Shouldn’t take but a few hours to get it all looking right.”
Hex.
I don't know whether to be grateful or freaked out about this unexpected turn of events. But it’s definitely leaning toward the latter.
My phone buzzes, and I nearly jump out of my skin. I tug it from my cardigan pocket, heart stuttering as I glance at the screen, half expecting the stalker to be back with a new early morning shit storm for me.
But no. It’s not her. It’s not the blonde psycho.
[unknown number]:Mornin’ Legs.
I blink, reading the simple message again. This has to be Hex. My gaze flicks around the yard, nerves sparking with the sense that he’s already watching, just out of sight. I pull my cardigan tighter around myself, glue my thighs together, and smooth my hair down instinctively.
I respond, trying to keep my cool.
[Sable]:How did you get my number?
His reply is quick—almost too casual.
[unknown number]:It’s on the Thorne Revival website. Not so suspicious.
I can’t help but laugh a little, but I’m still a bit wary. He’s not exactly the by-the-book type, but there’s a strange comfort in how direct he is.
[unknown number]:Get yourself ready. Coffee or tea kind of girl?
I bite my lip and pull it inside my mouth, fingers hovering over the screen.
[Sable]:Definitely Coffee. Are we going to breakfast? What’s happening?
[unknown number]:I’m in charge. I’ll bring your caffeine fix, but you’ll need to get dressed. Long pants, thick jacket if you’ve got one. I won’t let you go hungry.
I freeze.
