Free My Hope Next Door by Tammy L. Gray Page B

the pain. “Be careful what you offer. At this rate, I may end up moving in.”
    He pushed himself off the truck but didn’t argue with her exaggeration. It almost made her think he wouldn’t mind the idea so much. But that was crazy.
    “I guess I should get home. I’ll be working on the deck later if you still want to help.” He walked backward, keeping his gaze focused on her.
    “I guess it is different this time,” she said.
    “How so?”
    “Dr. Mills never knew when I used his power tools.”
    Asher’s face lit up with a smile so bright it warmed all the parts of her that had gone cold. “Not a chance. Sandpaper only.”
    “We’ll see about that. I told you. Be careful what you offer.”
    He threw his head back and laughed, then gave her a quick wave before starting the trek back to his place.
    Somehow, the whole world felt lighter as Katie walked up the steps.
    Friends with Asher Powell? Her?
    Yes, she could certainly get used to that idea.

CHAPTER 11
    G oose bumps covered Katie’s arms as she turned the corner for the deli case. She’d managed to avoid Fairfield’s only grocery store since arriving ten days ago, but after she’d tossed out three trash bags full of expired food from her parents’ kitchen, her mom demanded she go shopping. Whatever. She was done arguing, especially since her dad was still barely talking to her.
    She kept her focus on the shelves of turkey, ham, and salami, ignoring that prickling sense that someone was watching her. She was being stupid. It was midmorning on a Thursday. Half the town was at work.
    “Excuse me,” she called to the woman working behind the meat counter. Katie wanted to move, to get in and out of the store and back to the relatively safe haven her house had become, but the girl simply pointed to the phone she was chatting on and shifted her body so all Katie could see was her back.
    Fine. She’d get prepackaged meat today.
    Turning away in frustration, she shoved her cart forward, only to have it collide with another one and elicit her worst-case scenario.
    Cooper.
    Her former boyfriend studied her with dark eyes that seemed to soak in every inch, from her still-damp hair down to the flip-flops she’d thrown on in a rush to escape her mother’s fiery words.
    Within seconds, he had navigated around their locked carts and moved right into her personal space. “You never came by.” It wasn’t a statement but an accusation.
    His scruffy chin obviously hadn’t seen a razor in a few days, but as always, his faded blue uniform lacked even a wrinkle. The memory of his meticulous ironing brought a shiver to her spine.
    “I told you I wouldn’t.” She tried unsuccessfully to pull her cart free from his grip.
    “You’ve told me a lot of things—including that you loved me.”
    She couldn’t look at him. “That was a long time ago.”
    “Not for me, Firecracker.” The warning in his voice forced Katie’s attention back to him. “I deserve more than a casual hello. I put up with it at the Stop and Go because you surprised me, but I’ve been stewing on it for over a week.”
    Her mom had been right. The confrontation in the gas station was only the beginning. She’d been lying to herself, believing that he’d let her start over.
    His hand slid up the edge of the metal cart until it landed on hers. Her fingers trembled beneath his hold. “Why are you scared of me? I’ve never laid a hand on you.”
    No, but he had a temper. She’d seen it, had felt it rumble through her body. Had experienced the rippling effects of his vicious words.
    She tugged her hand free. “I’m not scared. I’m just finished.”
    He stepped forward until her retreat pinned her up against the meat display case, his arm resting casually beside her as if he were simply perusing the selection.
    A mom with two kids who were arguing over cereal pushed past them. Cooper nodded a hello and with his free hand pulled their carts out of the aisle. He still didn’t touch her,