Excerpt

Something in him stirred. In that moment a feeling of wanting to protect her lodged in his chest. A need to look over Charlie Kennedy, get to know her became strong. At the same time, he knew it wouldn’t come easy. Not good timing, either. Whatever had happened in her past, made her distrustful and aloof. “Will you be joining us for dinner tonight, Misses Kennedy? Or continue to avoid our company?”
She straightened and frowned. “Why do you ask such a thing? Surely it’s my choice when and who to eat with.”
“So you prefer to eat alone then?” he prodded, finding amusement when she bristled, scowling at him.
“Mr. Preston, is the wood not getting heavy in your arms?” Once again she returned to her sewing and pulled the needle through the fabric with deft smooth motions.
When Rafe put the wood on the edge of the porch, she looked up with a questioning expression, then frowned.
“Why do you mistrust me?” Rafe pulled his handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped the perspiration from his face. “Have I given you reason to?”
Charlie let out a huff. “I don’t know you, Mr. Preston. Of course, I don’t trust you. Around here it’s best to sit back, give people time to show who they really are. You’d best learn that if you plan to stay. Not everyone is trustworthy.”
“I understand that. But I rather give people the benefit of a doubt. Like you said, time will tell, but I trust that most people are good. And there is a difference between trusting fully and giving people the benefit of a doubt.”
She looked out into the distance, it was obvious her mind went elsewhere for a few moments. “I tried that, Mr. Preston, and paid a high price for it.”