But He's My Grumpy Neighbor (But He's a Carter Brother #1)

by Annah Conwell

Water flows from the kettle and the scent of steeping tea permeates the air. After a morning run around the lake, I’m going to soak up the tranquility and solitude of my new neighborhood while drinking my favorite Earl Grey. I moved to Peach Hollow because of the peace it emanated when I found it. After living in apartments in major cities for the majority of my adult life, this small cottage is a welcome reprieve. My eyes catch on basil leaves in the morning light while I wait on my tea and I scowl at the plant perched on my windowsill. If only looks could make a plant wither. Every time I see it, it’s a reminder of the weakness I indulged. I planned on sending Juliette back to her home, plant in hand, but she just kept talking. It was as if she was unaffected by the leave me alone message I was sending her. It’s no good to have her thinking I’m anything more than a quiet neighbor who keeps to myself. There is something different about her, though. Something about the combination of those innocent green eyes blinking up at me and how soft she looked with her fuzzy navy sweater. Probably more than all of that, was the secretive smile she wore as she took me in. As if she wasn’t concerned with my flat look or lack of conversation skills. She seemed to find me entertaining. My breath creates a white fog as I walk out onto my back deck. Maybe the below thirty winds will give the memory of her smile frostbite, so I never have to think of it again. That secret smile has plagued...