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Slade paused to watch the young woman pounding nails into a loose fence board, wondering if anyone else was around. From the looks of it, the entire fence should be replaced instead of repaired, but that was her business. A happy mixed-breed dog ran around the field, chasing something only he could see, or maybe nothing at all. His shaggy black coat was the same color as his owner’s chin-length hair that she kept scooping out of her face as she bent over the rail. She was slender, the jeans and high-necked, long-sleeved black tee fitted but not restrictive. The sneakers wouldn’t last long if she planned to spend much time in these fields.
He strode forward to introduce himself and lend a hand since no one else had made an appearance. What he did notice was the work that needed to be done on the barn and house, signs the property had stood vacant for many months. She didn’t look up as he approached, not even when the dog barked and dashed to hide behind her.
“You’re trespassing, in case you didn’t notice,” she said, dropping a hand to give the dog a quick pet.
The soft voice and caring gesture didn’t match the unfriendly tone, and he found himself intrigued. “I’m Slade Kincaid, live right beyond the woods over there.” He jerked a thumb behind him.
She sighed and straightened, turning large, sky-blue eyes his way while scraping her hair back. The wispy bangs fell across her forehead again, her wide mouth tightening into a straight line, her face as arresting as her attitude.
“I didn’t ask, but I’m tired, so I’ll play nice. Nicole Wells, and I live here now.”
Amused, Slade decided to push her buttons, just for the heck of it. “I’ll help you finish up.”
“Why on earth would you do that?” she asked, her voice perplexed, as if she couldn’t believe her attitude didn’t turn him away.
“Because that’s what neighbors do.”
She let loose with a rude snort. “Not where I come from.”
He read the blue and white lettering on her shirt with the large dog paw print in between the lines. Dogs Make Me Happy – You Not So Much. She had a sense of humor to go with the prickly attitude. He liked that.
“You’re in our neighborhood now.” To get on her good side, if she had one, he squatted and held his hand out to Sam, who hadn’t budged from her legs.
Without taking his eyes off the cowering dog, Slade said, “I assume this is the Sam I heard you calling a few minutes ago.”
“Yes, and he doesn’t like intruders, either.” She whacked another nail with unnecessary force.
“I’m a visitor and friendly neighbor, a far cry from an intruder,” he returned. “You’ll need another dog if you want to deter intruders.”
Sam inched his head around her knee and stretched to sniff his hand. When his long tail thumped the ground, Nicole huffed and muttered, “Traitor.”
“Nah, just smart enough to realize I’m no threat.” He scratched under Sam’s chin then rose and tipped his hat. It was too dark now for her to do much more. “Nice to meet you, Nicole Wells.”
Slade barely made out her wry grin. “You too, Slade Kincaid.”