“Yeah.”I bite out the word, a little sharper than I intended.
Her gaze flicks to me, but she doesn’t let up.“Your patch says president?”
I grunt, my patience fraying.“Yeah.”
“How many members do you have?”
“You ask a lot of questions,” I mutter, more frustrated than I want to admit.I try to soften the tension with a slight chuckle, but it doesn’t quite reach my eyes.“Why did you move here?”
Her hand moves to her face, and I watch her fingers lightly trace the scar.“I got hurt,” she says, her voice soft, distant.“And this seemed like the place to heal.”
I glance at her, really seeing the scar for the first time.It runs down the side of her face, jagged and bold, but she clearly doesn’t want me to stare.I didn’t notice it before, but now I can’t look away.Something in my chest tightens as I realize she’s far more self-conscious about it than she should be.
We pull up in front of her home, the white picket fence standing out against the rugged landscape, a misplaced relic from another world.It seems so out of place here.
“Nice fence,” I say, nodding in its direction.
Hannah grins, a spark of pride in her eyes.“I did it myself.”
I take in the entire street—her house is the only one with a picket fence.Hell, it’s the only house with any kind of front fence at all.The contrast is jarring, but somehow, it works for her.
“Looks good,” I mutter, surprising myself.
It’s not something I’d usually say to anyone, but something about the way she’s sitting there, looking so damn proud of herself, makes me want to acknowledge it.Something deep inside me wants her to like me, even if it’s just a little.
“Thanks,” she says, giving me a small smile as she opens her door.
I get out of the truck and go to unhook her car, the sound of chains dragging over the dirt filling the space between us.
“It’s gonna need a wash,” I add, not sure why I feel the need to say it.“And if you’re intent on driving this thing, maybe get some better tires.”
Her eyes narrow, a scowl pulling at the corners of her lips.“I know how to drive, thank you,” she snaps, her tone sharp enough to make me pause.
I raise an eyebrow but keep my mouth shut.There’s no point in pushing her now.I finish unhooking her car, trying to focus on the task at hand, but my attention keeps drifting back to her.
She walks toward her house, hands tucked into her coat pockets, shoulders stiff.I don’t think she’s used to people telling her what to do, and I get the feeling my words rubbed her the wrong way.
Once the Mini is free, I stand up and dust my hands off, turning to look at her.“Need help getting inside?”I offer, my voice softer than before, trying to smooth things over.
Hannah stops in her tracks, eyes flicking to me, then down to the ground.She hesitates, her lips pressed together as if she’s weighing something before she finally meets my gaze.
“I’ll be fine,” she says, her voice still a little tight, but there’s no more fire in it.She sounds less defensive and more resigned.“Thanks for the tow.”
I nod, taking a step back toward my truck.“You’re welcome.Just be careful next time.”
Hannah pauses, then pulls something from her pocket, stepping toward me.She holds out crumpled bills, her eyes avoiding mine.“Here,” she says, her voice quieter than before.“For the trouble.”
I take a step back, shaking my head, almost amused at her insistence.“I’m not takin’ your money, Greer.”
She doesn’t pull the bills back right away, her expression softening with a mix of gratitude and frustration.“It’s the least I can do.You didn’t have to help me.”
“I know you’re new here, but that’s not how we do things in these parts,” I say, my voice firm but not unkind.“You don’t pay for help in the community, especially not from me.If you were passing through, that’s one thing, but you’re a local now.”
She sighs, a little smile tugging at her lips, but I can tell she’s still not entirely comfortable with it.“Well, I’m not used to this kind of help.”
I give her a half-smile, stepping back and pushing my hands into my pockets.“Consider it a welcome-to-Alaska gift.Just don’t go getting stuck again, or Iwillcharge you.”
She grins, finally tucking the bills back into her coat pocket with a soft huff.“I’ll try not to.”
