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“You bought a house?” Cindy’s voice nearly deafened Eden.
“Yeah, you went off to find yourself in Spain; I bought a house.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
Eden looked up at the house, struggling to explain how it had all happened, and not for the first time. The day before she’d decided to call her younger brother and get it over with. She could practically hear his jaw hitting the floor. Aside from her belief that essential oils and apple cider vinegar could cure just about anything, which he thought was ridiculous, he considered her the sensible one.
What could she say? One second she’d been almost certain she’d stumbled into some kind of suburban cult, and was ready to jump in her car and never look back. Then Dotty had convinced her to come inside.
If Eden had thought the house called to her from the outside, it sang to her when she walked in the door, not that she let on to Dotty. A fireplace and light wood floors greeted her in the living room, which opened to a dining room with two large windows. The kitchen was just off to the side, and it was more spacious than a single girl who rarely cooked would know what to do with. That didn’t make her any less in love with it, with its red-painted island and pendants like glass and metal stars.
Dotty was sugar-sweet and a little strange, but she was definitely good at her job. She’d explained to Eden how the seller was motivated, and that interest rates were low. Then she’d pulled out all the stops, taking a black and white photograph from her purse. Eden had stared at the image of a young girl with long, curly hair. She was laughing. Eden didn’t have to ask to know that it was her grandma Clementina.
“That’s me, pulling on her skirt,” Dotty had said, covering a shy smile with her fingers.
When Eden had thought about going back to her life in Omaha, her stomach had turned like she’d had a roll of truck stop sushi. In Pleasant View she could have a fresh start. As long as she learned to set boundaries. The people in the neighborhood were obviously very involved in each other’s lives, judging from the scene outside, and she couldn’t have a repeat of her situation in Omaha. The woman across the street seemed to have pulled it off. She obviously did things her own way, and wasn’t too eager to please. Eden didn’t want to be unfriendly, but she could keep her distance.
Eden had lightly touched the smiling girl in the photo. At that moment, it didn’t matter that the woman next door was, well, a little dotty, or that some of the other residents were a little too involved, or that the neighborhood was too perfect. It didn’t matter that it was totally insane to move to another city and buy a house. Eden was a puzzle piece that had finally found the spot that fit her wonky shape.
“Eden, are you still there?” Cindy asked.
“I’m here,” Eden said, heading to the U-Haul. She’d been so caught up in the memory of it all that she’d forgotten Cindy was on the phone, waiting for her reply. “I don’t exactly know how it happened. It just felt right.”
“How can you even afford a house right now?”
Eden shrugged, hoping her tone conveyed an easiness she didn’t feel. “My mom left me a little something when she passed away last year. I used that for the down payment. And it’s not like I was living it up. I had some savings.”
“But what about your job?”
“I can sell insurance pretty much anywhere. My boss says we’ll see how it goes.”
“That doesn’t sound great.”
She picked up a large box, trying to keep her phone under her ear as she carried it into the house. “Maybe it’s not great. But even if it doesn’t work out, there are insurance companies in Lincoln.”
Eden didn’t mention that part of her hoped it wouldn’t work out. She’d never meant to get into the insurance business in the first place. She’d just kind of fallen into it. It was crazy to even think of changing your career choice after buying a house—even if you hated your job. But she had thought about it. In fact, ever since her first visit to Pleasant View Estates she’d been questioning things. Wondering what might be possible.
“Don’t worry,” Eden said. “I have to stop waiting for the right time to live my life. I’ll be okay. What about you?” she asked.
“I’m more than okay. I’m just sorry my stupid ex nearly broke down your door and chased you out of town.”
“He didn’t chase me out of town.” Eden practically threw the box she was carrying onto the living room floor. She winced, lifting it with her toe. Something made a rattling noise. “It was just the r—”
“The right thing. I know.” Cindy sighed. “I get it. You needed a new start, too.”
“Glad you understand.”
A black Jeep pulled up as Eden headed to the front door. An older man’s face stared at her house from the passengers’ seat with interest. A tall man, with a nice build, black hair, and a trimmed beard stepped out of the driver’s side. He was carrying a large basket.
“Uh, Cindy, I gotta go.”
“Me too, I spy a few hotties on the beach. It’s time for a swim.”
Eden laughed. “What about the new guy?”
“We have a date planned the day after I get back.”
“Good for you.” Eden said goodbye and slipped the phone in her pocket. She headed outside, pushing back a long, crazy lock of hair that had escaped the band and wiping her forehead with her wrist. Whoever was heading up her walk, couldn’t he have shown up when she wasn’t in the middle of hauling boxes?
He looked up at her, one foot on the bottom step of her front porch, holding out the basket. Eden was already lost in pale grey eyes, lined with long black lashes that looked soft enough to touch.
“It’s a welcome basket.” His voice was deep and warm. She would have expected no less.
Eden blinked, her cheeks warming with embarrassment. How long had she stood there staring? Why hadn’t they sent him with the welcome basket when she’d come to see the house? She probably would have signed on the dotted line without a second thought. Eden gave herself a mental kick. Boundaries. Her fresh start did not include a relationship. She didn’t need that kind of frustration in the middle of all this.
“Thank you.” She took the basket, careful not to brush hands with him or any of that nonsense, and put it down on the porch. There was a paper package inside that smelled like fresh bread, and it was surrounded by little mason jars full of jam and a bag of cookies. She glanced at the man, who hadn’t come up after her, which was just as well. She was hoping for an explanation, though. He didn’t look like a man who baked bread, not that she knew what that kind of man should look like.
“It’s not from me,” he said abruptly.
“Okay.” This was the strangest welcome to the neighborhood ever. She walked past him down the stairs, pretending she didn’t notice the scent of his cologne—earthy, hint of sandalwood.
“It’s from the neighborhood. The ladies thought they may have already worn out their welcome a little.”
Eden kept walking towards the trailer and tugged out a large box. “They do come on a bit strong.”
“So my dad volunteered.” He motioned to the truck. The man in the passenger’s seat waved. “But he thought—”
She settled the box against her hip, catching her breath. “It would be extra welcoming coming from you?” She grinned, turning towards the house. “Tell them all I feel very welcomed.”
“Hey, let me help you with that.”
“I got it.”
His hand slid over hers as he took the box. Eden was too stunned by the rush of warmth accompanying his touch to argue. But he hadn’t gone two steps before he tripped. The box flew from his hands as he went down. It popped open, spilling its contents all over the lawn.
Heat crept into Eden’s cheeks as she stared, open-mouthed, at the array of bras and panties strewn out over the lawn. A pair of pink and black Hello Kitty underwear lay only a few feet from her handsome new neighbor. He hurried to his feet, and Eden was almost relieved when his hand reached out towards a bright purple bra instead.
He froze, realization dawning on his face. There was a guffaw of laughter from the Jeep as he turned to Eden, his olive skin a shade warmer. It didn’t make him any less handsome.
Eden had found herself rooted to the ground since the moment they’d brushed hands. She’d wanted to go over and see if he was okay, but as the box spilled her underwear all over the lawn, she’d found herself overwhelmed by the whole calamity.
“Move!”
Eden looked around, wondering where the voice had come from. If she didn’t know any better, she’d say it had come from her back pocket. Then again, it was probably the voice in her head telling her to stop standing there like an idiot.
Eden hurried towards him. “Are you okay?”
He pressed a palm against his forehead as a quiet laugh shook his broad chest. He took a deep breath and let it out. “I’d clean up my mess, but I never touch a woman’s underwear without permission.”
“That’s a good rule.”
“I’m Jack, by the way.” He stuck his hand out.
Eden took it. This time, she didn’t let her head get in the way of enjoying the warm tingle of his touch. A man that could screw up that big and joke about it was worth at least a moment of appreciation.
“I’m Eden, but you’ve probably heard.”
“They didn’t tell me you were pretty.” Jack snapped his jaw shut. His eyes widened as if he were surprised he’d said it out loud.
Before Eden could respond there was a sudden, sharp pain on her arm “Ouch.” She pulled her hand away, waving away a yellow jacket.
“Are you okay?” Jack moved closer. “Ouch!” He slapped the back of his neck.
“Hurry inside,” Eden said. “I’ve heard apple cider vinegar works wonders on stings.”
They’d gone about two steps when Eden heard a buzz again. It quickly turned into a hum as the yellow jackets multiplied. The two of them threw their arms in the air, dancing around the yard to avoid them as the laughter in the Jeep raised to a roar.
Jack glared at his father, who was watching from the Jeep as if he had front seats to the best show of the year. “Wait,” Jack said, his voice rising in alarm. “Is this—?”
The Jeep practically shook.
“You knew!” Jack yelled.
The amusement fell away from his father’s face. “Better get out of here quick,” he said, tipping his head towards the driver’s seat.
Eden ducked away from a yellow jacket. “Knew what? What’s going on here?” She stepped towards Jack, hoping he'd stick around long enough to tell her what was going on.
Jack backed towards the Jeep with a horrified look on his face, holding his hand out as if Eden had a gigantic stinger herself. “Get back.” He turned quickly and jumped into the Jeep, cussing at his father as they drove away.