Hearts in Harmony

The moving truck rumbled away down Maple Street, leaving behind a cloud of diesel exhaust and the overwhelming reality that I was truly on my own for the first time in my twenty-four years. I stood on the front porch of my new rental house, keys dangling from my fingers, and took a deep breath of the crisp autumn air. Millbrook was supposed to be my fresh start. After the spectacular implosion of my engagement to Derek—caught him with his secretary in our bed, because apparently clichés exist for a reason—I’d decided to leave the city behind and try small-town life. My savings account could stretch further here, and I’d landed a job at the local veterinary clinic that started Monday. “Need any help with those boxes?” I turned to find a man approaching from the house next door, and my breath caught. He was tall and lean, with dark hair that looked like he’d been running his fingers through it and warm brown eyes that crinkled at the corners when he smiled. He wore a flannel shirt rolled up to his elbows, revealing surprisingly muscular forearms. “I’m Ethan,” he said, extending a hand. “I live next door. Welcome to the neighborhood.” “Maya,” I replied, shaking his hand and trying not to notice how his fingers lingered against mine. “And I think I can manage, but thank you.” “Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be around. I work from home, so I’m usually available if you need anything.” His smile was genuine, with none of the practiced charm I’d grown accustomed to in the city. “What brings you to our little corner of nowhere?” Before I could answer, a motorcycle roared up the street, its engine cutting off in front of my house. The rider swung off the bike with fluid grace, pulling off his helmet to reveal tousled blond hair and striking blue eyes. He was the complete opposite of Ethan—all leather jacket and dangerous smiles. “Well, well,” the newcomer said, his voice carrying just a hint of a Southern drawl. “Looks like Millbrook just got a whole lot more interesting.” Ethan’s expression cooled slightly. “Jax.” “Ethan.” Jax’s grin widened as he looked between us. “Don’t tell me you’re already trying to monopolize the new neighbor’s time.” “I was just being neighborly,” Ethan said evenly. “I’m sure you were.” Jax turned his attention to me, and I felt like I was being evaluated by a predator—not in a threatening way, but in a way that made my pulse quicken. “I’m Jax Morrison. I run the auto shop on Main Street. And you are?” “Maya Chen,” I said, finding my voice. “I just moved in.” “From the city, I’m guessing.” His eyes swept over me, taking in my designer jeans and carefully styled hair. “What’s a sophisticated woman like you doing in a place like this?” “Starting over,” I said simply. Something in my tone must have warned him off the teasing, because his expression softened. “Well, you picked a good place for it. Millbrook’s got its charms.” “Speaking of which,” Ethan interjected, “I should let you get settled. Like I said, I’m right next door if you need anything.” “And I’m just a phone call away,” Jax added, pulling a business card from his jacket pocket. “For anything automotive-related. Or otherwise.” I watched them go—Ethan with his steady, measured steps back to his house, and Jax with his swagger as he climbed back onto his motorcycle. Two very different men, both undeniably attractive, both clearly interested. Maybe starting over wouldn’t be so bad after all.