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A Heart Restored
Peacock Hill Romance book 2
Available in early 2018
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Chapter 1
ANNA HAMILTON PARKED her car under one of the shaggy cedars near the front of Peacock Hill and rubbed her hands together. Finally, a chance to be part of a project that mattered. Not that the historical landscape archives weren’t important, but who wanted to be stuck behind a desk helping researchers when she could get her hands in the dirt? She couldn’t really pinpoint how she’d ended up at the library, either. Which just made it worse. But now...maybe her life was back on track.
Gathering her laptop bag and her duffel, she stepped out of the car and breathed in the unpolluted air. It was lovely. Very little humidity and still cooler than Richmond, which was beginning to feel the first tendrils of Virginia summer weather. Even if it was barely May. She closed the car door and crossed the gravel drive, climbing the steps to the front of the house two at a time while she admired the columns and general grandeur of the place.
Anna knocked on the door. Would anyone hear if they weren’t close by? The house—there had to be a better word. Mansion? Estate?—was massive.
“Coming.” Footsteps clomped closer before the door swung open. The tiny blonde grinned and extended her hand. “Anna, right? I’m Deidre.”
“That’s me. Nice to meet you.” Anna took her hand and peered inside. Rich wood—on the floor and the walls—met her gaze. “Gosh, it’s even prettier in real life.”
“Come on in. Is that all you brought?”
“I have more out in the car—you said to be prepared to rough it, so there’s an air mattress and that kind of thing, too. I just wasn’t sure...”
Deidre grinned. “I’ve got an actual mattress for you. It’s on the floor, but it’s better than a blow up. We’re roughing it, but not quite at the camping level. You and I are on the second floor. I stuck my brother on the third.”
“Sounds good.”
Deidre paused and angled her head to the side.
Anna raised her brows. “What?”
“It’s just...I want to make sure you didn’t think you were in charge of the project?”
Anna worked to control the expression on her face. She had actually, but diplomacy was always a good idea. “Well, you have final say, of course.”
Deidre shook her head. “I was afraid of that. I’m so sorry. See, my brother’s a landscape architect and I asked him—practically as soon as I bought the place—to help out. I wasn’t sure he’d be able to get down here this spring though, which is why I started looking around for photos and such—to see if I could do a little cleanup while I waited for him to have time. But his work schedule cleared up and he got here yesterday.”
“I see.” Although she didn’t. Anna gripped the handle of her duffel. Three months of email and phone calls with Deidre had made her seem like a friend, of sort. Why had the woman never mentioned a brother? A landscaping brother at that. “So...you don’t actually need me?”
“I didn’t say that. I...it’s just...” Deidre broke off and turned at the noise on the staircase.
“Hey, Dee, I was thinking...oh.” A tall, sandy-haired man stopped on the steps, his features sliding into a blank mask. “Hello, Anna.”
“McIntyre. Of course.” Anna’s stomach twisted into an entire batch of pretzels as she realized just who Deidre’s brother was. She swallowed, willing some moisture into the desert of her mouth. “I should be going. Your project is in good hands.”
Deidre shot Duncan a meaningful look.
Anna turned and reached for the door.
“I never figured you for one who’d walk away from a challenge.”
Anna spun, scowling, as Duncan crossed the foyer. “You’d dare?”
“I’ll just leave the two of you to work this out.” Deidre patted Duncan’s arm and beat a hasty retreat up the stairs.
“It’s good to see you.” He tucked his hands into his pockets with a cocky smile. “What’s it been, ten years?”
Anna sucked a breath through her teeth. Up close it was clear none of her prayers had been answered since Duncan wasn’t balding, pockmarked, or obese. Preferably all three. He was even better looking than he’d been in college, if that was possible. The lanky young man had filled out—in all the right places—and what had been an attractive package was now deadly. “Something like that, yes. Look. I didn’t realize she was your sister or I never would’ve come. Obviously you’re more than capable of handling the gardens here after working at Marshall Brothers. I’m surprised they’d let you take the spring off.”
He shrugged. “It’s more of a leave of absence, to be honest.”
“What? You have too many awards to fit in your office, so they sent you away while they built you a new one?” Not that she’d been following his career. Much. He just happened to get written up in all the magazines she enjoyed reading. Needed to read for professional development.
“Not quite.” He sighed. “There’s been some turnover at the top and I’m not sure I like the new direction they’re heading. So, I took some time. Besides, this place? Who wouldn’t want to work on it?”
Anna grinned before she could stop it. That was her thought, exactly. “Yes, well. You won this one, too. I’ll let you get to it.”
“Anna.” His voice was quiet. Almost tender. A lot like it had been the last time she’d told him goodbye.
She blinked back the tears that filled her eyes. “What?”
“You’re welcome to stay. I could use the help.”
Her heart lifted, but she fought it. Trusting Duncan was as risky as planting in mid-January. “What’s the catch?”
“Nothing, really. Except that I’m in charge.”
