Fragile Sanctuary (Sparrow Falls Book 1)

I hoisted the bag of soil out of the Gator and onto the pile for sale. My back, thighs, and arms burned with the strain, but it was a good burn, the kind that reminded you what your body was capable of. And for me, it meant that I was still alive to feel the strain.

I lost myself in the repetition of it all. The back and forth, up and down. But a single face played in my mind as I did. The dark blond hair, the thick scruff. Those haunting blue-gray eyes. And I heard Anson’s words over and over in my head. “Reminds me of what I lost.”

A sharp ache carved itself into my chest. I was familiar with the sensation. It created a hole so deep nothing could ever fill it. You just walked around the world with this gaping wound that left you with a permanent grasping sensation at your very core. Because you were missing something fundamental to who you were.

What was Anson missing?

Some variation of the question had been playing in my mind since yesterday. When I left for work this morning, I’d seen the king of anti-color’s black truck, but no sign of the man. Sometimes, I thought he was part ghost. Or maybe he was just an expert at avoiding me.

Because we’d had a…moment. And I got the sense that Anson didn’t allow himself to have those with anyone. He didn’t even really seem to let his guard down around Shep, and my brother was his best friend. It made me sad for Anson because that had to be one lonely existence.

A beep sounded, bringing me out of my Anson-obsessed thoughts. I looked up to see Thea backing up another Gator stacked high with bags of soil.

“This is the last load,” she called over the sound.

“Thank the plant gods,” I said, raising my hands to the sky.

Thea laughed as she climbed out of the vehicle. “I feel like Duncan might owe us hazard pay for this one.”

“He at least owes us a beer,” I muttered.

The work at Bloom was always physical, but today had been on another level. A delayed delivery had finally shown up on top of another that had come early, and that was all in addition to the two deliveries we’d been expecting.

I sent Thea a smile. “Have I told you lately how glad I am that you started working here?”

She snorted as she hoisted a bag of soil onto her shoulder. “I definitely don’t need any fancy gym membership.”

I arched a brow. “Did you have one?”

Thea tossed the bag onto our growing pile. “Definitely not. Although I wouldn’t mind sitting in a hot tub after a day like today.”

“Same,” I said with a groan. “I think I need to talk to my brother about what it would take to put one in at my place.”

Thea moved back to the Gator for another bag of soil. “Does he sell them or something?”

I shook my head. “He’s a contractor. Runs Colson Construction.”

Her eyes widened a fraction. “I’ve seen some of his builds. They’re incredible.”

I beamed with pride. Shep had worked hard to grow his business. And while he didn’t have an architecture degree, his designs were incredible. He often drew up his own plans, complete with an infinite number of high-tech gadgets, and had an architect friend look them over and sign off. It was incredible to see people appreciate everything he did.

“Shep is pretty amazing. He’s doing a restoration project for me right now on a historic home, but I’m thinking I might need some updates when it comes to the backyard.”

Thea tossed the next bag of soil onto our pile. “If that includes a hot tub, I think you’re a genius.”

I chuckled. “I promise to invite you over if it happens.”

A little of Thea’s smile slipped then, as if the idea of coming over wasn’t something she was all that comfortable with. She didn’t have any close friends, at least as far as I could tell, and that had to be hard.

“Rho,” a voice called out.

I turned and fought a groan as I saw Davis heading toward me. He looked so out of place in his slacks and Gucci loafers. I was sure he’d be madly cleaning the dirt off the expensive shoes the moment he got back into his car.

It was so opposite of the boy I’d known in high school. That one had favored hiking boots and Carhartts. Now, all he seemed to care about was computers, money, and status.

Why I’d said yes to that date a couple of months ago was beyond me. I should’ve seen the changes in him and run as fast as my legs could take me. But Nora had kept asking me those carefully couched questions about whether I was interested in anyone. And suggested I should sign up for one of those online dating services. She didn’t mean to be pushy, but she wanted all her kids to be happy and taken care of. And I’d felt the weight.

“Hey, Davis,” I greeted, trying to keep things cordial. “Looking for some plants?”

He scowled as if flowers were somehow offensive to him. “No, but I need to talk to you. Away from that brute.”

Brute? Since when did Davis use words like that? “You mean Anson?”

I had to admit, seeing Anson put Davis in his place had been more than a little amusing.

Davis’s eyes narrowed. “Who is he anyway? I’ve never seen him before. I hope Shepard didn’t hire some random off the street. He should let me run a background check.”

Annoyance stirred. That was something else Davis had started doing in the last couple of years. Calling everyone by their full name, even if they clearly preferred their nickname. “Anson is Shep’s best friend from college. So, I hardly think a background check is necessary.”

Davis visibly stiffened at the revelation. “Then why haven’t I met him before? I asked around about him, and it seems like no one knows much about him.”

My annoyance began bubbling over into anger. “Why do you care? He has nothing to do with you.”

“He’s around you. That matters to me,” Davis gritted out.

Oh, hell. This was the last thing I needed. Some sort of pissing contest between Davis—a man I wanted nothing to do with—and Anson, a man who wanted nothing to do with me.

I felt heat at my side and glanced to my left to see Thea moving in a bit closer. Her face had gone pale, and she’d fisted her hands at her sides. “Do you want me to find Duncan?”

Shit.

More of the pieces of the Thea puzzle fell into place, and I wanted to junk-punch Davis for triggering her.

“Excuse me,” Davis bit out. “This is a private conversation.”

I expected Thea to cower or retreat, but she surprised me. Her cheeks pinked, and she squared her shoulders. “Then maybe you shouldn’t be having it in public, at Rho’s place of work. Or maybe you shouldn’t be having it at all because it sounds like none of this is your business.”

Davis’s jaw went slack as he stared at her for a moment. Then his gaze cut to me. “This is who you’re choosing to spend time with? She clearly has boundary issues and is prone to inappropriate outbursts.”

Thea’s fists clenched at her sides again. “Looks to me like you’re the one with boundary issues, buddy.”

“How dare⁠—?”

“Davis,” I cut him off. “We aren’t dating anymore. We were never serious or exclusive. I don’t need you poking into my life or questioning who I spend time with. I think it’s best for both of us if we keep our distance for a while. I hope you find the person who will make you happy.”

“Spend time with?” he gritted out.

God, was that all he heard?

“You need to leave,” I said. My voice was calm and firm, but a trickle of unease slid through me at Davis’s persistence. It felt completely out of proportion given the time we’d spent together.

His eyes narrowed. “You’ll be begging to make this up to me in a few weeks.”

Thankfully, he turned on his heel and stomped off, just like a toddler throwing a tantrum.

I sighed, my shoulders slumping as I collapsed onto our soil display. “I’m so sorry. I swear I’m not usually a drama magnet.”

Thea’s gaze was still locked on Davis’s retreating form. Finally, she forced her focus away from him and toward me. “You need to be careful.”

“He’s annoying but harmless,” I assured her. “He’s just used to women in our town falling at his feet.”

She shook her head, her hair spilling over her shoulders. “You don’t know that. Just promise me you’ll be careful.”

The panic in her eyes had me hurrying to agree. “I will. If he keeps bothering me, I’ll talk to my brother.”

Thea’s brow furrowed. “The contractor?”

I chuckled. “No. But Shep would put the fear of God into him if I asked. I have three other brothers. The oldest, Trace, is the sheriff. He’d be more than happy to give Davis a little warning.”

Thea’s entire body stiffened at the word sheriff, but she turned to grab another bag of soil, fighting through her reaction. “That’s a lot of siblings.”

I could tell she didn’t want to stay on the subject. Something about it had stirred up demons for her, and I knew how that was. I pushed off our pile and grabbed another bag. “Four brothers and two sisters. Since I was thirteen, anyway.”

Thea stilled, a bag halfway to our pile. Her eyes asked countless questions, but she didn’t voice them.

I appreciated that she didn’t want to push. I didn’t especially like dwelling on that time in my life. But maybe if I opened up to Thea, she’d eventually feel comfortable enough to tell me what she was running from. “My family passed away in a fire when I was thirteen. I didn’t really have any remaining relatives—not any that wanted me anyway. My best friend’s family took me in. They were already fostering others.”

Empathy washed over Thea’s expression as she dropped the bag of soil onto our pile. “I’m so sorry, Rho. I can’t imagine how hard that must’ve been.”

“It was. But I am incredibly lucky that I landed with the Colsons. They gave me a family when I needed it the most, and that has never stopped. A lot of foster kids aren’t nearly as lucky.”

Her lips rolled over her teeth as she nodded. “I’m glad you had that.”

Thea jerked, her eyes going wide as someone grabbed me from behind, pinching my side.

I shrieked, whirling to find Shep’s lopsided grin peeking out from below his ballcap. “You were in another world,” he said with a chuckle.

I smacked his chest. “It’s rude to sneak up on people.”

“Just keeping you on your toes.” Shep’s gaze moved from me to Thea, who had taken a few steps back. His eyes roamed over her face, stilling on her mouth for a beat longer than necessary. “Hi. I’m Shep.”

Thea swallowed hard, her throat working with the action. “Hi.”

There was no warmth or welcome in her tone. Her voice might as well have been a stone wall.

Shep frowned in confusion. “I’m Rho’s brother.”

Thea nodded, turning back to her work without another word, completely ignoring him.

Awkward.

I had to fight a chuckle. Shep was so used to the women of Sparrow Falls clamoring for his attention. Or at the very least, being receptive to his golden retriever personality. Not the case this time.

“Thea’s our newest hire, and I’m thanking my lucky stars Dunc brought her on.”

Shep didn’t look away from her as I spoke. “That’s great. Where’d you move from?”

There was the slightest hitch in Thea’s movements at the question. “The Midwest,” she mumbled.

Shep’s frown only deepened. He opened his mouth to ask another question, but I grabbed his arm, distracting him.

“What are you here for?” I asked, trying to rescue Thea.

He finally looked my way. “Decided to fill in more of the backyard up on Hillhurst.”

“The back fence line?”

He nodded. “You were right, we need more shrubs and grasses.”

I laughed. “Hold on, let me get my phone. I want to record that you’re-right part.”

“Shut up,” Shep grumbled, giving me a little shove. “Duncan’s having everything pulled right now, but I thought I’d come say hi.”

I threw my arms around him and squeezed hard. “I’m glad you did.”

He ruffled my hair. “Have to make sure you’re not getting into too much trouble.”

I ducked out of his grasp. “Good luck with that.”

He chuckled. “I’d better go move the truck around. I’ll be at the Victorian later.”

“Sounds good.”

Shep glanced in Thea’s direction. “It was nice to meet you.”

She made a humming noise and gave him a brief nod but didn’t say a word.

Shep’s frown was back, and I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep from laughing. Someone was throwing his whole world off-kilter.