“Just trust me, okay? It’ll get better once this shit with my father is handled.”
“I won’t hold my breath.”
“Complain to whoever you want.” I jerk my chin at her phone that’s still mounted on the dash.
“How generous.” Her scoff is thick with sarcasm. “Won’t do me any good.”
“How about if I try to give you some space?” Just spitting that out is a challenge.
Bianca eyes me suspiciously. “Starting when?”
“You’ll just have to wait and see.”
“Stay put.” Colton’s gruff command pushes my brattiest buttons.
I pop open the passenger door, swinging my legs over the bench seat. My boots hit the dirt and I breathe a sigh of relief. The drop from the truck is no joke, especially for lil’ ol’ me. It’s like sliding off a very tall horse.
My jailer’s grunt reaches me on the ground. “Can’t listen, huh?”
“Just following the trend.” And with that free fall out of the way, I get a good look at the scenery. “This isn’t a barrel race.”
Unless the property owner has an arena hidden behind the quaint little farmhouse or equally charming barn. There isn’t any noise either. It’s quiet and peaceful. I can hear birds in the largeoak trees to the right. A rope swing hangs down from a thick branch. The wooden seat sways in the breeze as if beckoning me.
I get a similar vibe from the oversized windmill, squeaking slightly as the blades pick up speed. Ripe apples perfume the autumn season. The cluster of trees is on the left near a pasture gate. Rows of lilac bushes are planted along the fence, ready to perfume the air in spring. Flower gardens frame stone paths that cut across the lawn. Upon closer inspection, these colorful blooms are a variety of daisies. They’re my favorite—Mom’s too—and I’m struck by the sight.
The whole package is endearing. I find myself being pulled in as if I’m home. It’s a natural comfort welcoming me, like I’ve been here before. This is the type of place where a young couple plants roots and watches their love expand over the years.
Colton appears at my side. Bandit and Luna flank him, their lead ropes looped in his hands. He must’ve unloaded them while I was admiring the view.
“Figured we’d unpack and get settled before you decide what to do,” he drawls.
I peek up at him, finding his gaze already on me. “Why would we do that?”
“You can stretch your back. Two hours in the same position can lock up even the most pliant muscles. I don’t want you to get sore.”
A furrow creases my forehead while I study his expression. That’s another thoughtful gesture. A dull ache had started brewing in my hips and lower back, but it wasn’t anything I couldn’t handle. That doesn’t mean the break isn’t appreciated.
Colton would make a considerate boyfriend—minus the light stalking and abduction.For days, I’ve been chewing on that heated comment he breathed across my lips at Camp Cloverleaf.They’re not you.The raw passion in his voice had curled my toes and spiked a fever. It’s almost like he’s caught feelings, whichsounds crazy to my own ears. I didn’t get a chance to pry before he backed off. Now we’re at odds again.
Do I think the grumpy jerk is attractive? Sure. Did I suggest we sleep together on more than one occasion? Shamelessly guilty. Does that mean I forgive him for his many offenses against me? Not a chance and I’m getting off track.
I rip my gaze from his backward baseball cap, shifting my sights to the large shed in front of us. “Where are we?”
He took us west rather than south. I stopped paying attention to the map after we blew past New Ulm. It was all unrecognizable country fields beyond that.
His gaze roams over the grassy land that extends in every direction. “Middle of nowhere.”
“Care to be more specific?”
“Morgan is the closest town, if you can even call it that.”
“And we just stopped for a quick reprieve or…?” I lift my brows, willing him to chat me up for a change.
“There are several competitions in this part of the state until mid-November. The Redwood Rodeo starts tomorrow if you’re interested. Or you can relax until next weekend.” That’s a decent string of sentences for the man of few words, but it doesn’t make sense.
“You’re planning on us staying here?” I gesture to the rustic paradise surrounding us to avoid confusion.
“Would you prefer camping in the trailer? I thought you wanted space.”
