I held her in my arms.

I’m not sure how to feel since I only just met her, but there’s an unmistakable spark between Constance and me.

I kissed her on the forehead.

I felt her silky-soft hair.

My brain won’t turn off.

I stare at the ceiling with my mind on the woman in the room next door. All I want is to protect her. I’ll be damned if Ash Harris ever has his hands on her again.

For the first time in my life, I’m truly stumped over what to do.

My path has been clear since I became an adult. I have a job I love, my own property, and I can just be myself. I can’t imagine what it’s like for those women next door who have their husbands selected for them. I can’t imagine not being able to choose a woman for myself.

The only time I’ve ever thought about settling down was when I invited Lily and Max to live with me. I’ve had women in my life, but I can take or leave sex. I’m not usually one for one-night stands, but I’m also not one for a long-term relationship.

It’s been months since I was last with a woman. Or was nearly with a woman.

The memory still makes me laugh.

This gorgeous, leggy blonde threw herself at me during Drew’s wedding. I wasn’t about to say no to that. But right when I thought I might score, she fell asleep. That motel couch is the most uncomfortable thing I think I’ve ever slept on.

We didn’t keep in touch.

When I was a kid, I ran with the wrong crowd. And I’m so glad that I did because that led me to the life I have now. The life I love.

And now, Constance.

I roll over. She’s not here permanently. She needs to get back on her feet and work out where she fits in this world.

And I need to tell Graham the truth. If she didn’t look at me with so much fear over what was going to happen, I would have told him she was with me.

Maybe she just needs a little time.

All I know is that I need to protect her.

I get up in the morning to what looks like a different house.

It’s usually clean because I don’t have a huge amount of stuff. I like living pretty basic. But today my living room is spotless.

I’ve clearly slept through the vacuuming, and where the living room carpet meets the dining room, the polished wooden floor is freshly mopped. I washed the dishes last night and stacked them to dry, but the benches are clear of them.

Constance sits at the table, the aroma of her coffee reaching me. She looks up and smiles. “Morning.”

“You had an early start.”

She nods. “I didn’t sleep that well. It’ll take a while to get used to being somewhere else.”

“With a bed that’s not that comfy.”

Shrugging, she takes a sip of coffee. “I can live with it. Sorry for being cranky last night. The last couple of days have been really tiring.”

“I bet. I’ll grab a coffee and join you.”

As the jug boils, I close my eyes. I could get used to this. While I don’t expect her to do anything, it’s sweet that she’s done so much.

“I wasn’t sure where everything went, but I think I worked it out.” Her voice shakes me out of my thoughts, and I turn and smile at her.

“It doesn’t matter. Wherever you’ve put things is probably better than my efforts.”

She laughs. “I just hope you can find it all.”

“I’m sure I’ll be fine.” Wherever she’s put things it’s probably better than my haphazard system of sticking things in the cupboard where there’s a space.

Presuming she stays, I can always ask her.

Although, after the way she reacted when I was dismissive of that cult, maybe she doesn’t want to stick around. Maybe staying with me is at the bottom of her list.

I mix the coffee with hot water. Giving it a quick stir, I head to the table. “I think I need to tell you why I feel the way I do about next door.”

She nods.

Sitting opposite her, I take a sip of coffee and sigh. “Ash tried to hurt someone I care about. My sister-in-law, Hayley.”

Her eyes widen. “I’m so sorry.”

“He didn’t get away with it thanks to some help she got within his little group, but I’m doing what I can to bring him down.”

Her face is so full of emotion, but I am betting that’s for her parents and not for Ash.

“When I was growing up, it was just a group of people who wanted to get away from the stresses of life. People came and went, and things were good.” She sighs. “Things started going downhill not long before Ash’s father died. He was sick, and my parents and I talked about leaving at that point. We should have, but we had nowhere to go.”

I nod. “I understand that. It must be a big change being here.”

“It is, and I haven’t even left your house yet.”

Taking a sip of coffee, I smile at her. “We’ll have to fix that.”

The colour drains from her face. “Do we have to? Can’t I just stay here for a little while?”

“Of course.” I nod. “I’m not expecting miracles. You have to feel ready.”

“Thank you.”

“You’re not under Ash’s control anymore. You can do what you want.”

Her expression is so distant, but a smile slowly crosses her lips. “I like that.”

A few seconds pass and we sip our coffee in silence.

“Let me guess: you’re going to read today.”

“I should work out what to do next. There was no real time to think things out before I left, and I was told that someone would take care of me.”

I grin. “I don’t think they were talking about me, but I still think that you need to take a few days at least to get steady and decide your next move.”

She laughs. “So far my next move has been cleaning the house.”

I chuckle. “It looks good. I might just have to keep you on.”

“I’d like that.” Her eyes widen as if she’s just realised what she’s said. “I mean, thank you for giving me somewhere to stay.”

“You’re welcome. Treat my house like it’s yours.” I lean over. “Besides, it’ll be good to have someone take care of the place while I’m working.”

“You have to work. Of course you do.” Her tone is almost disappointed.

I nod. “I have my own business doing pest control. Of the possum, deer, and stoat variety.”

Constance frowns. “We had someone who used to do that for us occasionally. We went through a period of chicken eggs being stolen.”

“That’s what I take care of.” I take a deep breath. “Unfortunately, it usually means I’m away at night.”

Fear crosses her face, but she sits up straight. “I can handle that.”

“I know you can. You’re braver than most. And if you feel uncomfortable, I’ve got brothers in town and I’m sure you could stay with one of them.”

She smiles, and I’m hit once again with just how pretty she is.

I’m going to enjoy having her around.