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The man in front of me cleared his throat. “My name is Lucas Everett.” His voice was low and smooth like dark whiskey. The kind of voice meant for intimate nights spent next to a fire. “I’m who you asked for. What can I help you with?”

I was still so taken with his voice that it took me a second to process the question. Right. The reason I was here. I pulled the faded piece of paper from the pocket of my sweatshirt. It had been tacked up on a community bulletin board in one of the local coffee shops.

“I found this,” I said, clearing my throat in an attempt to make the words firmer. “I was wondering if the job is still available.”

The paper outlined a job at the Resting Warrior Ranch. A person to cook meals and clean the guest houses and communal areas, housing included.

Leaning forward, Lucas took the paper from my hand. I made sure that our hands didn’t touch. He glanced at the paper with a frown. His eyes flicked up to mine and back down. “Where did you find this?”

“A community board.”

His lips pressed together in a line. “This listing is more than a year old. It shouldn’t have been up on any bulletin board.”

Shit. My stomach twisted. I knew it was too good to be true. Standing, I brushed invisible dirt off my clothes. “I’m sorry for the inconvenience. I’ll go.”

He held up a hand. “You don’t have to leave. Just because this position is filled doesn’t mean I can’t help you. Would you like some tea?”

I eased back down as he rose. He went the long way to the small kitchen to avoid walking past me. So he had noticed my nerves. “Sure,” I managed.

“What work experience do you have?” he asked, pouring water into an electric kettle and flipping the switch. But my thoughts were swirling. He wanted to help? How? Why?

In my experience, people didn’t want to help without an ulterior motive, and that had my senses reaching for what was wrong.

Stop it. Hear the man out. Listening is not a commitment.

“What’s your name?”

“Evelyn.” The word flew out of my mouth before I could stop it, and I closed my eyes. Crap. He was throwing me off so much I’d given him my real name. That alone was a bad thing. I had planned to be Elizabeth for this run. Guess that was out the window now.

“And your work history?”

I took a breath. “Most recently, I was a barista. And one of the managers for the coffee shop. I’ve done some office work—admin stuff.” There’d been so many places and jobs over the past few years, it was honestly hard to narrow it down. “I’ve been working consistently, but it’s kind of... an eclectic collection. If you want, I can put together a full list.”

The tiny clatter of porcelain to my right made me jump. Lucas was standing right there. Inches away. Holding out a teacup. There hadn’t been any sound to tell me that he was approaching. Everything in my body was telling me to jump and run. Create distance now.

I was vaguely aware that my body had turned to stone, so stiff that if I fell over I would crack and break. But I managed to stay in my seat, and even though there was almost no chance, I prayed that Lucas hadn’t noticed the reaction.

“Thank you.” I forced the words out and took the cup from him.

“You’re welcome.”

Why did his voice have to be so distracting?

I shook off the stillness in my body, feigning nonchalance. The look on his face told me that he didn’t buy it, but as long as he didn’t call me on it, I could live with that.

Lucas returned to the seat across from me and leaned forward, elbows on his knees. The pose was engaged and his eyes roamed over me with a sharp interest that I didn’t understand. “So,” he said. “What brings you to Garnet Bend?”

I took a sip of tea. “I’m sorry?”

A small smile and his eyes danced with amusement. “You’re new to the area, right?”

“Yes.”

“And that’s why you’re looking for work?”

I nodded.

Lucas’s head tilted to the side as he looked at me. What did he see? I hadn’t tried to project any particular image, except making myself seem not particularly feminine. I never did that until I knew I was around people I could trust.