Wrapped in You Read Online Free Page A

for his crime and once he was freed, it was time to move on. People made mistakes, people deserved second chances.
    Zach wasn’t about to tarnish his or his father’s hard work by mouthing off, no matter how much he wanted to.
    â€œMy sister loved that property,” Zach said, stepping aside as a patron headed toward the door. He waited until the person stepped inside before going on. “My brothers and I will decide what’s best for our family and you’ll hear something by Friday. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a project I need to get back to.”
    He didn’t wait to hear if Rand had more to say. Zach was done listening. He jerked the door open on the old hardware store—or as he referred to it, his home away from home. He actually spent more time here and on job sites than at his house, which was fine. When he was home and alone, that’s when memories started flooding up to the surface and strangling him; one of the main reasons he’d opted to take on the renovations at his house. Being home alone was pure hell, and he needed to stay busy all his waking hours.
    Which was why he was so damn good at his job; he lived and breathed work. For the past decade he’d thrown himself into every single project, no matter how small. Letting anything else into his world wasn’t an option.
    Ed Monroe had nestled the will to work so deep when Zach was a cocky punk. Ed could’ve, and probably should’ve, kicked Zach to the curb more than once, but the Monroes had taken Zach in, bad attitude and all.
    The scent of freshly mixed paint, metal, and wood hit him as Zach stepped into Knobs & Knockers. Behind the counter, Macy was ringing up a customer. She glanced up and smiled before turning her attention back to the elderly man.
    Macy Hayward was the current owner of the bustling little store. She might be young and petite with long, dark hair and wide, expressive eyes, but this woman knew everything from PVC pipe to power tools, and she was actually one person he considered a true friend. Not like someone he’d confide in—he didn’t bare his soul to anyone—but he was comfortable around her and they could talk shop.
    â€œThanks.” Macy handed the customer his receipt and a small brown paper bag. “Just call if you need more of those drywall screws. I can always bring them to you after I close to save you another trip out.”
    Once the man thanked her and left, Zach crossed to the counter and rested his forearms on the scratched, scarred wood surface that had been there from the start of the store.
    â€œSaw you chatting with one of your favorite people.”
    Zach narrowed his eyes at her smirk. “Funny.”
    Macy rested her arms on the counter. “Apparently you played nice or you wouldn’t be in such a mood now.”
    â€œI’m always in a mood.”
    Her grin widened. “Yes, but now even your eyebrows are drawn in. You must really be pissed.” Macy patted his hands and looked him in the eyes. “I promise not to tease you anymore. Now, what can I get ya? I assume you’re still working on the Community Center. Or are you picking up something for your house?”
    Zach pushed off the counter. “The Community Center. Should be done by next week.”
    The city council had paid him a nice chunk to add a picturesque patio area that they could rent for receptions or other summer events. His job, to build a large gazebo with curved benches, outdoor seating, and a stone-wall perimeter, was nearly complete. Another reason he wasn’t telling the mayor and his cohorts where to shove their offer.
    Between the mayor stealing Braxton’s fiancée a few years ago and Sophie dating one of the city council members, there was no way in hell Zach would willingly negotiate away a piece of property his sister loved. A piece of property she’d invested her life savings into.
    â€œI’ll go find what I