Gideon’s POV

She looked up from the flower bed, hands dirty from tending the soil, and our eyes met.

She didn’t run. Didn’t yell.

But she didn’t smile either.

I took that as progress.

I slowed my pace as I stepped into the garden. The scent of damp earth and lavender clung to the air. Evelyn wiped her palms on her jeans and stood, arms crossed over her chest. Guarded. So guarded it hurt to look at ...