AllFreeNovel
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I raise my shoulders. “Well, who doesn’t want to hear about a hot man?”
Her brows lift. “I never said he was hot.”
My cheeks warm with a blush. “Those girls wouldn’t be talking about him if he wasn’t.” I wink at her and she scrunches her face. I laugh.
“Well, he’s hot,” she finally admits. “As tall as a tower. Broad shoulders, and a face I think was carved by God himself. He’s totally your type.”
I remember Brandon looked exactly like that. “I think he is too, but I can’t say for sure unless I see him.” Holding Kira in one hand, I walk to my cousin and poke her ribs. “Mind if we go for a little stroll by the Jackson house later?”
She gives me a knowing smile. “So you can take a peek and judge for yourself?”
I nod shamelessly. Honestly, I think I’m the biggest gossip around here. “What do you say?”
Without hesitation, she replies, "I'm all in. I haven't laid eyes on that handsome face of his in two years."
Her cheeks turn a shade of pink and I tease, "Do you have a crush on him?"
"Just a bit," she admits with a hint of shyness. "What if we both have an intense crush on him?"
I let out a carefree laugh and quip, "May the best woman win."
We both share a lighthearted moment, joined by Kira's sweet giggle. In that moment, my heart is filled with warmth from this precious little human. She has me wrapped around her tiny fingers, and I wouldn't have it any other way.
A gentle knock reverberates in the room. We both spin our heads to the door. Gianna is back to putting things in the cabinet.
“Are you getting that?”
“Yeah.” I put Kira down and walk to the door.
When I open it, Mr. White and a woman I haven’t seen before are staring back at me with a smile. She’s beautiful, with brown eyes and light brown hair. Even the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes and mouth are gorgeous. She must’ve been a stunner when she was around my age. My first guess is that she’s his wife.
I smile back at both of them.
“Hello, new neighbor,” Mr. White says. He glances past my shoulders. “I see you’re still settling in.”
I palm my forehead and sigh to show my exhaustion. “There’s so much to do, and I have to start work tomorrow.”
“You can take an extra day off,” he says. “I understand how stressful this is for you.”
“Can I?” I don’t try to be humble and contradict him. I can’t give him a chance to change his mind. “Thank you so much, Mr. White.”
I look at the lady beside him and wait for an introduction. That is when I notice she’s holding a pie. My stomach immediately rumbles. I’ve only had a slice of cake and some orange juice since morning.
“This is Mrs. Jackson. Her family owns the only ranch in town,” Mr. White says to me, and then he drags his attention to Mrs. Jackson. “This is Anya, my ex- student and now my employee.”
Mrs. Jackson’s smile widens as she holds out a hand to me. “Nice to meet you, Anya. Welcome to Meadowvale.”
“Nice to meet you too, Mrs. Jackson.” It’s hard to take my eyes off the pie she’s holding. I nearly jump on my toes when she holds it out. “It’s yours.”
As she hands me the pie, I can't help but feel grateful and nearly send her a kiss. "Thank you," I say with appreciation. "I was famished. "
"I figured as much. Moving takes its toll." Her lips stretch into a smile. "On another note, I'm having a small dinner gathering at my house tonight and I wanted to invite you. I know you must be too busy to cook, and I'd love for you to meet some of my family."
My initial thoughts are to just put Kira to bed and fall asleep myself, but I can't pass up the opportunity to socialize and possibly see that handsome navy guy. "I would love to join."
"It's settled then. See you later."
"Thank you." I wave goodbye as they leave before closing the door behind them.
