Zeke showered and quickly changed, choosing his clothes carefully. Being color-blind made matching his wardrobe difficult, so he’d pinned simple tags inside. He carefully matched the tags, then dragged on fresh army green slacks and a cream shirt. By the time the sitter, a teen from down the block, had arrived, he had minutes before the meeting was to start. He strode next door, wondering if he would have a few minutes alone with Paige before the neighbors descended.
PAIGE OPENED THE door and tried not to react to the sight of Zeke’s handsome face grinning at her. Then she noticed his dark gray slacks and brown shirt, and a frown wrinkled her brow. And his socks—one navy, the other brown. The poor man, someone needed to dress him!
“Is something wrong? You’re frowning.”
“No,” Paige said, quickly recovering. “Come on in. You’re the first one here.” Even with mismatched clothes, you look sexy as hell. Darn it.
Zeke entered, sweeping the comfy room with his dark gaze. “Nice house. A little neater than mine.”
“I live alone. That makes all the difference.”
“Yeah.” He jammed his hands in his pockets. “I guess it does.”
She ignored his adorable dimple and offered him a soda as they worked their way into her den. Thankfully the doorbell rang again and Paige hurried to answer it, grateful not to be alone with Zeke.
Within minutes, neighbors filled the room, chatting easily. Zeke smiled politely to the guests as Mrs. Spivy introduced him. A slender, plain woman with short brown hair sat on his left and Dannika, a tall, leggy divorced brunette, maneuvered her chair close to his right. Paige caught Zeke’s panicked look and almost felt sorry for him. Then Derrick came in and swooped her into a hug.
She threw her arms around him. “I’m so happy for you and Amelia,” she whispered. “I just knew the two of you were perfect for each other.”
Derrick kissed her cheek. “I love you, you know that! You are the greatest, Paige.”
Paige laughed, but the two of them pulled apart when she heard Mrs. Spivy clucking. “Can you two put your love life on hold while we get this meeting under way?”
“CAN YOU TWO put your love life on hold while we get this meeting under way?” Mrs. Spivy’s words reverberated in Zeke’s mind like a yelping cocker spaniel. The macho guy who held Paige simply grinned and pulled her onto the couch beside him, slinging an arm around her in a too-cozy move that rattled Zeke’s teeth. The guy loved her—he’d said so right in front of the whole neighborhood.
So much for wondering if Paige had a boyfriend. And he’d thought they’d had chemistry between them. She’d probably been suffering from shock over his messy house and sloppy appearance. And that flier—he was mortified.
“Let’s get started,” Paige said in her silky voice. “We’re all aware there’ve been some break-ins recently.”
Heads nodded in agreement. Zeke’s attention strayed as he studied Paige’s den. A comfortable leather couch, beige and red plaid recliner, pine tables. Everything neat and orderly. Paige’s voice broke into his reverie.
“And the police are doing all they can.” Paige folded her hands together. “But we’ve always been a close neighborhood, so Mrs. Spivy suggested we start this neighborhood watch program.”
“I still can’t get the ketchup out of my white sofa,” Myrtle Simmons said with a sigh.
“They took my car, drove it around and left it dead on empty,” Bert Collins added.
“One of ’em left a pair of unmentionables on my floor,” June Bailey said, patting her neatly coiffured hair.
“The police are investigating each incident. But as citizens, we can help prevent crime. We want to keep our kids safe.”
A hushed chorus of agreement filled the room. The woman beside Zeke offered him a shy smile. “I want my Daryl to be safe. Especially since his father’s not around.”
He nodded, wondering if he’d been pegged as potential father material.
Paige cleared her throat. “We have a large neighborhood so we’ve decided to pair off and run regular checks on each other’s homes. Derrick assures me that posting a sign announcing our watch program will deter some crimes.”
A hearty discussion followed, including who worked and who stayed home, how Genie Atkins would watch anyone’s house when she was bedridden, who to call if someone saw something suspicious, and how old Mr. Pirkle could dial the phone on a bad day with his arthritis. Mrs. Spivy silenced the room with her hand. “I’ve already made a list to pair people up.” She stood and handed out the papers. Zeke glanced at his and saw he’d been paired with Paige. He felt as if he’d won a small lottery.
“In setting this up, I took into account homes with working parents, elderly people at home who might need help, the proximity of neighbors.” The leggy brunette beside him had been paired with Derrick. Good.
“I’m the new vet in town,” Zeke announced. “Watchdogs help in deterring break-ins. If anyone wants a dog or pet, let me know and I’ll match you with an appropriate animal.”
“That’s a great idea,” the woman beside him whispered. “I want one of those little terriers.”
“I’ll see what I can do,” he said, avoiding her come-hither look.
“I own a security consulting business,” Derrick added. “I’ll be happy to install new dead bolts on doors and windows. If anyone wants a security system, we’ll work out a special deal.”
“That would be wonderful.” Mrs. Spivy pressed her hands to her cheeks and tittered. “We feel so much safer with you around, dear.”
Zeke ground his teeth. He was going to provide dogs to people and help teach the animals how to pee outside while Derrick installed security systems.
An hour later, the crowd dispersed and Zeke couldn’t think of a reason to stay any longer, especially when Derrick cornered Paige in a private conversation.
It was better Paige had a boyfriend, he told himself as he left via the back door. She wanted a career, he wanted a wife and mother for his girls. And Renee had already taught him about the heartbreak involved when you tried to combine the two.
“I’D LOVE TO help you find a house for Amelia,” Paige said, grinning at Derrick.
“I thought you might help me choose a bracelet as an engagement gift, too.”
Paige winced, hoping Amelia wasn’t already banking on another failed altar attempt, but she smiled and patted Derrick’s arm. “I’d love to, Derrick.”
Derrick’s smile grew wider. “Great. Now what about you, Paige? Are you interested in anyone?”
Paige shook her head emphatically, pretending nonchalance as she scanned the room for Zeke. “I’m concentrating on finishing my degree.”
“How about that guy who moved in next door?” Derrick raised a dark eyebrow. “He was giving you the eye during the meeting.”
Paige brushed at a piece of lint on her shirt. “You’re imagining things. He wasn’t looking at me any certain way.”
Derrick’s warm laughter boomed. “Look, Paige. I know that predatory gleam when I see it.”
Paige rolled her eyes. “He’s a neighbor, that’s all. Besides,” she said, trying to hide her disappointment over Zeke leaving without saying goodbye. “He has kids.”
Derrick nodded knowingly. “You think it’ll be a repeat of Eric?”
Paige shrugged. “I can’t take any chances.”