Maia froze, her mouth turning dry as shock pummeled her.The first day.Why did it have to be her very first day in Middlemarch?
London introduced the other man.Henry Anderson.She’d already known his name and where he lived but stupidly hadn’t connected the dots.She heard the introduction through an echo chamber and stood like a ninny, with her mouth wide enough to entice intrepid bugs.
Even as shock pummeled her, she cataloged his appearance.He was still big and muscular—solid—but he’d seemed a giant when she was a kid.Now, his dark blond hair was long enough to pull into a ponytail and expose his face’s hard angles.His chocolate-brown eyes flared with the same shock that struck her like a fist.
He paled and shoved away from the table.Without a word, he strode from the cafe and disappeared, leaving her gaping.That answered one question: He wanted nothing to do with her, and she’d made a colossal mistake in purchasing a Middlemarch property.
Chapter 2
No!No,thiswasnot happening.
Once Henry’s brain had added two and two, he’d had a few moments to take in the face that haunted his dreams.The mature version was attractive, with glossy chocolate brown hair and the same bright blue eyes that pierced his soul.She’d grown into a tall woman with big bones, but not overweight.Her body appeared toned and muscled, reminiscent of a soldier.
What was she doing in Middlemarch?Wait, London had said she’d brought Beatrice Ramsey’s place.Beatrice had been her aunt.
Outside, Henry broke into a run, his heart pounding, his body trembling.Where was his—crap!He’d driven to town with Gerard.His shoulders slumped as he slowed his steps and his brain came online again.Why the hell had he run?Now Gerard and London would ask nosy questions.Why hadn’t he done the polite thing, smiled, and pretended he was meeting her for the first time?
Henry snorted.Yeah.Because that was too easy, and he liked to do things the hard way.London would tease him, and she’d tell his stepdad and stepmum.He reached Gerard’s truck and leaned against the passenger door.
“Crap.”He swept his hands across his face.
He’d panicked like this when he’d first met Maia.She’d been an intense kid, and she’d wanted a dog.The same dog he’d retained even when he’d had several people interested in purchasing her.He’d almost sold the dog, and at the last moment, he’d told the prospective buyer he’d decided to keep Juno.
“Henry.”Gerard’s voice had his head jerking.
He said nothing, remaining silent.Hell, what could he say when he’d acted so rudely?She’d think he was a nutcase.He was a nutcase.
“You haven’t had a panic attack for years.”Gerard’s gaze was watchful.“What triggered it?We have to work out what starts these so we can help you.”
Henry swallowed hard.Oh, he knew the cause of his panic, and it was more outright fear.Back then, during the school visit, his reaction had made sense because Maia—her name was Maia—had been a kid.Twelve years old, which made her… He did the mental math and came up with twenty-ish.Still too young for him to act on his instincts.
“No idea,” Henry said, lying through his teeth.“The walls were closing in on me, and I had to get outside.”
His wolf released a mournful howl that ripped through his mind and had him swallowing again.They were both fucked.He shuddered, still smelling her honey scent.
Gerard’s gaze was shrewd and assessing, and Henry hoped his friend hadn’t put the clues together.It was the girl—the impossible woman who was way too young for him.
“I’ll go for a walk.That should calm my wolf.”Liar, liar.It had nothing to do with his wolf.It was him as a whole.
“I’ll call you when I’m ready to leave.”Gerard returned to the cafe.
Henry stared after his friend and grimaced when his belly released a protesting grumble.He’d intended to grab a sandwich or pie.Looked like he was heading home—once Gerard finished—and from memory, there wasn’t much in the fridge.There’d be time to shop at the supermarket.Focusing on that might shift his thoughts from the woman.
The store was empty of customers, and Ambar was stacking goods in the far aisle.He grabbed a basket and filled it with bread and sandwich makings.After pondering the pantry contents, he added a packet of pasta, a pack of bacon, and a bottle of cream.A sandwich would satisfy his immediate hunger, and he’d cook pasta later.He’d learned to cook during his teen years and found the activity relaxing.Yeah, he’d offer to cook dinner for Gerard and London.That might get him out of prying questions.
He didn’t want to talk about this.Couldn’t talk about it.
Middlemarch was a small town, and he’d run into her.Maia.A shudder jolted him, and every muscle tensed.Every muscle.He panted, trying to control his wayward body.
Ambar popped her head around the corner, a box of cornflakes in hand.
“Something wrong?”she asked.
“No.Work problem,” he amended when she appeared doubtful.Henry focused on putting one foot in front of the other and his grip on his shopping basket at a reasonable tension.His gaze lighted on beer cans, and he scooped up a six-pack as he walked past.A little alcohol would relax him.Or not.
Henry stopped at the checkout counter and stacked his items on top.“I’ll grab a bottle of wine.”He snatched a bottle of sauvignon blanc from a display and returned.
Ambar scanned the items, and Henry packed them into a box—one of the many Ambar and her brother Rohan kept for their customers’ use.
