, staring at the jungle that used to be a lawn. The weeds were u

of clippers at the hardware store. She was determin

ze of a welcome mat. Her back was screaming. Her hands w

tered, wiping sweat from her

pickup truck rolled down the dirt road

men go

like they had been carved out of the mountain

vous grin, spotted her first. He whistled low. "Hey,

bowed the younger one hard. "Shut up, Col

s dark, his jaw was sharp, and his eyes were a pale, piercing bl

n her face and the sweat soaking her shirt. She strai

ge. Jarrett noticed there was activity over here for the first time in

didn't want to owe anyone. But she looked back at t

ad bought in the city, wrapped in gold paper. Artisanal chocolates. She

take charity," she said, holding

at the dark chocolate stuff? F

yard, this is you

miled.

rd and pulled out a heavy-duty weed whacker and a machete. He started the engine, the

htered them. His movements were p

ppers. They worked fast, like a well-oiled m

are. You could see the dirt a

ade. "Thank you," she said, handing

ooked at Adeline, then at his older brother, and waggled his

n Adeline. "Your gutters are clogged," he said. His voice was deep, a low rumble that

ep up her neck. "Oh. I'l

said, stepping in. "This is Co

she said. "Adel

"So, Adeline, you living out here a

the back of the head.

slap. She touched her left hand, feeling the tan lin

is blue eyes lingered on her face for a second

!" Colby called out as th

dust settling behind the tires. She

yard, then at the empty sp

e only thing she was goin