the first week after he’d moved to Hidden Creek. He’d made it a weekly habit to stop by the Coffee Corner for coffee and muffins, and he’d asked her out less than a month later.
They had hit it off, something that had shocked them both. He’d had several relationships in the past, but nothing that felt as right as this one had. Jess had even commented on how crazy things had felt between them.
Then, two months later, it all fell apart. He wasn’t quite sure what had happened between them, but the night he’d made plans to finally sleep with her, something changed.
Of course, they hadn’t felt the change until after he’d unbuttoned her blouse and had a handful of those soft breasts of hers.
She had stiffened first, her eyes going wide, then he’d felt it. Her gray eyes had dimmed as she looked up at him. In his mind, they had morphed into something darker, something… greener. Her sandy colored hair had darkened to an almost jet black.
Jess had gasped, shaking them both out of the trance. Ever since that night, he’d avoided going into the Coffee Corner when he knew she was working.
His mind snapped to the fact that Xtina fit the description of his vision almost perfectly. Feeling a shiver up his spine, he quickened his pace, trying to shake the thought from his mind.
By the time he made it to the driveway, there was a sheen of sweat trickling down his back. The cold would be coming in the next month or so. The heat was actually something he loved about the south. Most people complained about the mugginess, but he actually lived for it. He loved the hot summer nights, the sultry mornings, and the cool evenings when the wind kicked up. He enjoyed the cooler winters too, just not as much.
When his little house came into sight, he smiled. The place was coming along. He still had the outside to paint, along with a long list of things to finish on the inside, but it looked a million times better than it had when he’d moved in. The yard was clear of debris, and the grass was starting to fill in where it had been bald. He’d spent a hefty chuck to lay down seed and fertilizer after clearing a lot of brush. By next spring, he had no doubt that his yard would look as nice as the big house next door.
Turning his eyes towards the giant home, he frowned. He’d never really given the massive house a second thought. The older couple had pretty much stuck to themselves. He’d never heard them screaming at one another, like his neighbors had in Atlanta.
They had a service that took care of the yardwork and maintenance around the massive yard so he never really saw Christina’s father outside much.
In fact, the only time he’d actually talked to Christiana’s parents was the day he’d moved in. He’d walked over and knocked on their door to collect a package of his that had been delivered to them by accident.
He’d briefly spoken to her father and had returned home less than ten minutes later. Their conversation had been short and friendly enough.
As he walked up the long driveway towards his place, he wondered how long Christina planned on staying. Or if she was thinking of moving into the house permanently.
He’d stopped himself before from looking into her background, but now that something nagged at him about her parents’ deaths, and more important, the vision he’d seen, he had no qualms about punching her name into his system. He wanted to spend several hours learning all about Christina Warren or Xtina, as she liked to be called.
Chapter Three
A fter one of the worse night’s sleep in years, Xtina decided to break her no caffeine rule and run into town for a strong cup of joe at the Coffee Corner. She needed the extra kick if she was going to make it through the day.
The small town of Hidden Creek hadn’t changed that much except several new chain stores and restaurants had moved in. Coffee Corner was the only private business that still thrived, since it was easily the most