Not the Jodi Bentley she was now.
Shaking that off, she walked out with the delivery guys. Misunderstanding, they promised her that they’d already been generously tipped—which wasn’t something she knew to do, so good thing Parrish had covered it. No, she’d just wanted to ensure their complete departure, so she stood there watching as they drove away.
Hunter joined her. “Should you tell your friends that it’s all done?”
“Why bother? I guarantee you, they already know.” She looked around, didn’t see the dog and asked, “Where’s Turbo?”
With a half smile, he said, “The excitement of visitors wore him out. Sorry, but he’s already in your bed.”
The laugh surprised her. “Good. I’m glad it’s getting some use.”
Hunter lifted a brow.
Shock froze her to the spot. “I didn’t mean... I wasn’t saying...”
Now he grinned.
Jodi gave him a shove to his shoulder that barely budged him. “I only meant that I liked my cot just fine.”
“I understand.” Still wearing a grin, he gestured toward the house. “I’ll get Turbo if you want to lock up. You can join us for dinner.”
Already overwhelmed, she shook her head. “I’ve taken up enough of your evening.”
“I enjoyed it. Besides, I came down here to invite you.” As enticement, he said, “I made beef stew in the Crock-Pot, enough for both of us, and I picked up fresh bread from the bakery.”
Damn. She’d forgotten to eat again, and now her stomach rumbled.
“You’re hungry,” Hunter reasoned. “I’m hungry. And there’s plenty. What do you say?”
Good sense told her to refuse. He’d definitely use the time to grill her, to get her to expound on the info she’d shared.
He already knew too much about her.
She needed to stay guarded, but... Everyday life for the everyday woman. That wasn’t her yet. Still...
“I promise not to interrogate you.” He waited, then added, “When you want to tell me more, you can.”
So beguiling. Damn it, she couldn’t refuse. “All right, sure. Let’s get the dog.” And she could take one more look at her totally altered house...that was starting to look like a home.
CHAPTER FOUR
JODI DIDN’T TRUST him at all. Oh, Worth Linlow stood there with his slick smile pinned in place, and he sounded sincere enough, but she didn’t buy it. “You want me to cut your area after all?”
“Yes.”
Though Jodi could tell he tried to hide it, a bad mood hung around him like the lingering stench of skunk spray. “Why?”
“Everyone speaks highly of you. And to be honest, there really isn’t anyone else.”
Through narrowed eyes, she took his measure, but she couldn’t guess his angle. “Pay me up front.”
Visibly struggling to keep his smile from wavering, he said through his teeth, “Of course,” and peeled off several bills.
As Jodi made a point of counting them, another voice said, “Hey, Worth, who’s your friend?”
Jodi glanced up, saw a handsome guy several inches taller than Worth, fit instead of bloated and with blond hair shades lighter than her own. She folded the money, stuck it in her pocket, then held out her hand. “Jodi Bentley, landscaper.”
“Remmy Gardner. You’re new around here?”
“Moved in a week ago.” Putting her sunglasses back in place, she dismissed both men with a casual, “Enjoy your day,” and started away.
A large hand closed on her upper arm. “Hold up.”
So many reactions jumped to the forefront. Swing. Toss. Punch.
Maybe shoot?
Everyday life for the everyday woman.
Still, she couldn’t help glaring at that large, work-rough hand until Remmy carefully opened his fingers and drew his hand away.
He did so with an exaggerated step back. “Sorry. Didn’t mean to startle you.”
Up went her sunglasses again. “I don’t startle, but I’m not keen on getting grabbed either.”
“My bad. Seriously. I just wanted a moment.”
She glanced at Worth, who watched them with banked anticipation. So this was a setup? Fat chance. Transferring her gaze back to the younger man, Jodi gave him her most lethal stare.
Instead of retreating, he breathed a little deeper. Like...with interest?
Screw that. “A moment for what?”
“To get to know you?”
“Why?”
He smiled. “Why not?”
“Because I’m busy? Because I don’t socialize much and I’m not interested in starting with you? Take your pick.” Okay, so that was rude, but what did she care? “Look, I can see you and Worth have something cooked up, right? But I’m not playing, so I suggest you find a new game.”
“Fascinating.”
Damn it, he sounded fascinated! With a huff, Jodi stalked off. Behind her sunglasses, she scoped out the area. Nothing seemed off, except that she felt Worth staring hateful daggers at her back and Remmy watching her with keen awareness. Not good. Not good at all.
During her first meeting with Hunter, she’d only been interested in the things they had in common. There’d been a nice vibe coming off him. Tones of protectiveness mixed with wary caution. Those were things she could relate to.
Now, with Remmy, sure, she sensed some relatable stuff there, too, but none of it was good. Her instincts put her on alert, and by God, she never ignored her instincts.
Once on her mower, she glanced at the new guy...and found him talking on his phone. She didn’t much like that either.
So who had he called? Before she left the area, she’d try to find out. If that meant being a little less hostile to him, well, she could fake it, right?
She finished up all the other businesses before moving to Worth’s lot. He’d long since gone into his showroom of cars, but Remmy stood outside in the heat, arms folded over a solid chest, making no bones about watching her intently.
Good. That’d make it easier for her to get some clues.
Pretending to ignore him, she went about her work, cutting the sparse amount of grass around the lot, trimming weeds along the edges of concrete and then shaping a few bushes. Finally, she cleaned up the mess. She was on foot behind the building, where inventory both new and used filled the lot, when Remmy joined her.