Mel snorts. "Yeah, right. That man could have set your clothes on fire with the heat in his gaze. And I saw the way you were drooling."
"I wasn't drooling."
"Uh-huh." Mel's tone drips with disbelief. "And I suppose you weren't using your own x-ray vision to see what was under that flannel and them denims?"
"No! I was not!" I sputter, mortified that I got caught.
Mel just raises an eyebrow, her lips twitching with barely suppressed amusement.
I slump in my seat, crossing my arms. "Fine. I guess you know how to shut down that discussion."
"Damn straight," Mel says, a hint of smugness in her voice.
We lapse into silence, the only sound the rumble of the truck's engine. I stare out the window, watching the mountains roll by. But try as I might, I can't stop seeing Everett.
Lord help me, but that man does things to me.
Things I have no business feeling, especially not after the disaster with Ian. The last thing I need right now is to get entangled with another man, no matter how sexy he might be.
As we round the bend, the sprawling farmhouse comes into view. It's a bit weather-worn, but there's something undeniably charming about it, even for a shelter.
Flower boxes hang from every window, bursting with colorful blooms, and a wrap-around porch beckons invitingly.
"Thanks for the ride."
"You're welcome. Want to ride in together in the morning?"
"You don't have to. I can walk."
"Girl, please. Be ready at eight."
Gratitude wells up, threatening to choke me. "Mel, I... I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to say anything," she says firmly. "That's what friends are for."
Friends. The word settles warm in my chest. It's been a long time since I've had a real friend.
“Thanks, and good night.”
I walk to the door and turn to wave goodbye as Mel makes the rest of her drive up the road to the ranch.
I take a deep breath, steeling myself. Not bad for an honest day's work.
As I reach for the door handle, a flicker of movement catches my eye. I turn, squinting at the tree line at the edge of the property.
For a split second, I could swear I saw a familiar silhouette watching from the shadows. My heart leaps into my throat.
It can't be...
But when I blink, the figure is gone, leaving me to wonder if it was ever there at all.
5
SPARKS AND SUSPICIONS
EVERETT
Crash!
