Wrapped in You Read Online Free

new.”
    â€œSoph—”
    â€œNo.” She came to her feet, sending Flynn to the floor. “It’s fine. I mean, it’s not fine, but it is what it is. Zach has problems he needs to work out on his own. Apparently he’s perfectly content to live inside that shell.”
    â€œI wish someone would knock some sense into him,” Braxton muttered. “I’ll call you in a couple days. Gotta run.”
    Placing her cell on the arm of the couch, Sophie couldn’t help but wonder what it would take to get Zach to see that life hadn’t ended that night. Yes, mistakes were made, lives were altered. Why did he feel it was okay to hate the world, to push away those who only wanted to help him?
    She had hoped the one silver lining to come from Chelsea’s death would be Zach waking up and seeing that life was fleeting and he still had people here who cared what happened to him.
    Chelsea passed away four months ago, and the man was just as introverted and closed up as ever. How long could one person keep so much locked inside? Not to mention his past, before he ever came to live with the Monroes. Zach was a walking bundle of angst when he’d arrived in Haven, Georgia. Then life happened and added even more.
    One of these days his emotions were going to explode. Sophie found herself wondering who would be there to catch him when he broke.

Chapter Two
    Easing his truck up by the curb near the hardware store, Zach pulled out his phone to call Nathan, his right-hand man. They were nearing the end of an outdoor patio and gazebo area at the Community Center. He fully trusted his guys whenever he had to leave the site, but he was itching to get back after that little family reunion. Pounding away with power tools was the best kind of tension reliever.
    Okay, sex was the best tension reliever, but that wasn’t an option right at this minute.
    Before he headed back to the site, he needed a few more materials from Knobs & Knockers, the only hardware store in town. The place had been around for decades and was now run by the third generation.
    Zach had just reached the door to the store as he dialed, but before he could hit Send, he spotted Rand Stevens strutting down the sidewalk in a three-piece suit. Who the hell still wore that shit? Especially when the temperatures were flirting with summerlike highs lately. The man probably didn’t even sweat.
    â€œZach.” Rand nodded, offering a toothy smile. “I figured you’d be at the site, finishing up.”
    Zach let the veiled jab roll off his shoulders. “Picking up a few more parts and heading back.”
    Rand stepped in front of Zach, cutting him off before he could reach for the antique handle to the store. “I heard you spoke with Sophie yesterday.”
    Obviously this was going to be a game. Zach merely crossed his arms and waited to make his move. Rand prided himself on keeping this town polished and perfectly maintained, all while keeping up appearances. No way would this man cause a scene if Zach opted to tell him what he could do with the offer on the Sunset Lake house.
    Zach had more patience than most people, so he’d keep his decision to himself. Rand didn’t need to know what went through the minds of Zach and his brothers.
    â€œOur offer was generous,” Rand went on. “Selling would benefit the city and help you guys all at the same time.”
    Zach glanced through the window of the hardware store, then back to the nuisance in the gray suit. He highly doubted Rand was extending any sort of helping hand, but Zach was smart enough to keep his mouth shut.
    Just a game, he reminded himself. Zach was fine playing it, considering he was a professional with a good reputation his father had helped him build. Even after the accident and the sentencing, Zach had gotten out of prison. His father had paved the way in the community by not making excuses on Zach’s behalf. Zach had paid the price