Protecting my Zinnia (Spring Heat #3)

Chapter 1

ZINNIA

Everything is coming together beautifully. I knew it would, with my older sisters being so organized, but still. It's a relief.

So many wonderful things have happened, but…they all happened at once.

Within the past month, Rose, Lily, and I decided that since Dad had relocated to England for work, for how long we didn't know, we would move south to Sandersville. Our Aunt Douglas said she would give us an apartment in the building she owns for a year – for free. Super sweet.

Not only that, Dad gave us the use of his credit card to pay for all of the renovations, the furniture, and housewares.

We thought we'd have it for the entire month after we got here, but it turns out the clock started ticking the day we made the decision, so we only have thirty-six hours left.

He does love teaching us lessons about paying attention to details.

But that's fine. We've gotten all the big stuff, plus we each have some savings, and are starting our own businesses as soon as we get settled.

The afternoon light is absolutely gorgeous as it spills in through the new windows of the dining room. Then I notice there's no handle on the final window that was installed last night. There's orange tape on it to prevent anyone from opening it.

Rose walks in from the kitchen and follows my stare. "Oh, yeah – Evan, the window guy, left a note that he was one short on the matching handles. He's picking one up and will drop by today."

"I can't wait," Lily calls from the kitchen. "No more workmen traipsing through the place."

My mouth drops open. "Are you kidding me?" I call back. "You're madly in love with the electrician, and Rose is already head over heels for the flooring guy."

Lily laughs. "You're right. We need one more for you."

I shake my head empathetically. "Oh no. No way. I just mean that the two of you aren't allowed to complain about workmen right now."

They laugh. "Fair enough," Rose grins.

"I'm going to pick up some picture-hanging kits for the workspace bulletin boards," I say. "Anything else we need from the hardware store?"

Rose hands me a list she already had stuck on the fridge, and Dad's credit card. "Back in a bit." I grab a sweater and a shopping bag from the hooks by the door and head down the street.

Walking slowly while looking in shop windows, I enjoy having some time alone. My sisters and I have always gotten along really well, but being stuck in a hotel room with them has been a bit much. Having separate rooms again is going to be a-maz-ing.

The hardware store is charmingly old-fashioned and I take my time filling a basket with things from Rose's list. Reaching the aisle with the picture-hanging supplies, I grab a couple of packages, then pause. Maybe I should get a few more. We'll use them eventually.

"You don't want that brand."

Spinning toward the deep voice behind me, I tilt my head way, way up, until I see deep brown eyes framed by a solid, masculine face with a slight beard.

Blinking, I step back, admiring his broad shoulders and the way he's filling out his navy blue t-shirt like a bodybuilder. For his part, he's staring at me as if he just saw a ghost.

"Sorry," he says quickly, backing up and running a hand through his short black hair.

"I don't mean to be that guy who thinks he knows better than a woman.

But I've used that brand. The metal hooks snap and break if you're hanging anything more than a postcard.

" He points to the right. "This one is a bit more, but totally worth it. "

"Oh. Okay, thanks."

He pauses, staring at me strangely as if he has something else to say. Then his phone rings. His eyes grow worried when he sees the name on the screen, and his voice is stressed as he marches away, saying, "Renee, tell me good news."

It takes a moment for my pulse to return to normal.

For a few seconds, I had been positive that the stranger was going to…I don't even know what. Ask me out? Talk to me more? Flirt? There was something in his eyes that said anything was possible.

Geez – is there something in the water in Sandersville that makes all of the men big beefy hunks? Maybe it's simply that the men around town are descended from lumberjacks or something.

It wasn't just his incredible body. Those eyes were hypnotic. I don't think he knows how unfathomably gorgeous he is. That makes him even more attractive.

I pay for my basket full of odds and ends then rush home. Home. Still a strange concept, since we've only spent one night there, and have only been in Sandersville for fourteen days.

But it's the first place I've lived without Dad hovering over me. I know that he means well, but he's definitely overprotective, especially with me because I'm the youngest. Plus, he's totally uptight. At least Rose is aware that she's a bit fussy, and deals with it appropriately. He's…not.

I unlock the apartment entrance and can hear my sisters talking to someone. Yet another delivery. Please let there be an end to Rose's list soon.

By the time I haul my shopping bag up the stairs, everything has gone quiet. I walk in to see Lily putting on another pot of coffee, Rose in her room organizing something, and a man on his knees in the dining room, installing the last window handle.

When he stands up, my breath catches.

"Hey, Hardware Girl." His hand extends slowly, as if he's afraid to make me jump again. "I'm so sorry I had to take that call before I introduced myself. Evan Harris, your window guy who clearly can't count the number of handles he needs."

The warm pressure of my hand in his sends fireworks up my spine. Now that we aren't surrounded by all of the plastic packaging in the hardware store, I'm aware of his slight woodsy, masculine scent.

"Zinnia."

He chuckles, his rich, deep voice strangely alluring. "Right. When Marty mentioned he needed me for a job for the flower girls, I wasn't sure what to think."

Think of something to say. Quick, before his eyes draw you in and paralyze you even more.

"You've done a great job." I pull my hand away before I get too accustomed to his heat. "Thanks for all of your hard work."

"I'm just sorry that I couldn't do it faster."

"Marty said you had an important job at the hospital. That definitely comes first."

"It was actually a bit personal."

I inadvertently take a step closer as he smiles. "Yeah?"

There's something in his eyes. An emotion I can't quite identify. "Yeah. I'd like to tell you all about it. Maybe over dinner tonight?"

My mouth falls open for several seconds. "Tonight? Um, you don't even know me."

"Exactly," he says, gently inching closer. "I'd like to get to know you better. There's a great place a few blocks away. We can walk, and you can leave at any time if you want to."

The fact that he's so careful to make me feel comfortable is a good sign. "Okay."

"May I pick you up here at seven?"

"Sure." We exchange numbers just in case he gets held up, then he pauses.

Evan looks around to make sure that my sisters aren't looking, then reaches out to drag his thumb softly across my cheekbone. Leaning in, he whispers, "You're incredibly beautiful, Zinnia. And I can already tell there's a lot more to you than that. I can't wait to get to know you."

His soft breath against my ear makes me shiver. "Same."

When he pulls his hand away, I instantly miss his touch. I also miss the opportunity to say something clever or witty. Instead, I simply stare at the unbelievably fine butt walking out the door in snug jeans.

Closing my eyes, I take a deep breath. In a minute, my sisters are going to descend on me, helping me figure out what to wear, and giving me a ton of advice. For a moment, I just need some silence.

Somehow I have a date with the most attractive man I've ever met.

We moved to Sandersville to get away from the cold. I was not expecting life-changing, libido-searing heat.

I've never been so excited for dinner in my life.