Page 37 of Found By You

“And you walked,” he growls in frustration. “Dammit, angel. It’s below freezing out. There’s ice on the sidewalks, you could’ve—”

“Duke,” I snap. “Will you stop. I got sick this morning before I could reply to you. I was going to text you when I got here, but I got distracted.”

I lift my gaze to Cassidy and Alison sharing a look, beaming at each other. My brow furrows at the strangeness of it. Then Alison swats her friend in the arm, pointing out the window.

We all stare as Duke whips into the parking lot. He throws the truck in park and glares at me through the windshield. He hangs up the phone, kicks open his truck door, and stalks through the front door without taking his eyes off me.

“Hey, Duke,” Cassidy beams.

Alison stands. “Coffee? Two cream, one sugar, right?”

He doesn’t respond, his dark eyes locked on me as he growls, “I told you to call me if you needed anything. You shouldn’t be out walking in this cold, Maci.”

Alison giggles, scurrying behind the counter. “Get him an extra-large,” Cassidy sings, gesturing beside me. “Sit, Duke. Maci’s only been here for like ten minutes. She’s barely touched her muffins.”

Duke rubs his face, sitting beside me. Visibly upset I didn’t tell him where I was. What’s the big deal? I’m a grown-ass woman. If I want to leave my motel room and walk down the street to get a damn muffin, I will.

Is this about last night?

“I’m sorry,” I try again.

“It’s fine. Just…text me next time, okay?” His voice is strained, and his gaze flies over me from head to toe as if to inspect me for damage. “You all right? You got sick this morning?”

I shrug. “Just a little nausea. I’m okay now.”

“Oh, that reminds me,” Cassidy chimes in, pulling out her phone. “I better text Butch and let him know I’m feeling better. Maci is a lifesaver, Duke. She told me about this peppermint thing that helps with nausea. The smell alone is helping.”

Duke throws his arm around the back of my chair and abruptly yanks me to him until my side is pressed against him. “Glad to hear it, Cass.”

Alison returns with Duke’s coffee. “Did you want anything else?”

He hands her cash. “I’m set right now, Alison. Thanks.”

She scurries away as a family of four strolls in the door dressed in heavy snow gear.

Duke lifts his chin to my laptop. “The Wi-Fi down at the motel?”

“No, um,” I hesitate, then sigh. No point in hiding it, I suppose. “I was going to start working out a plan. You know, figure out what I want to do with my car and…everything else.”

“Are you still going to Alaska?” Cassidy asks.

Duke’s gaze stays on me even as a heated scowl morphs his features. He turns to aim it in her direction. I don’t take long to study this odd change in his demeanor. He’s clearly bothered by his future sister-in-law asking me this. But why?

“I’m not sure,” I admit, watching for Duke’s reaction out of the corner of my eye. “I’ve got a few options, or ideas rather. I’m just waiting to find out how much the repair on my car might cost me.”

Duke sips his coffee. “I’ll have a quote ready for you first thing tomorrow morning.”

“What are your options?” Cassidy asks curiously.

I take in a deep breath. “Well, I’ve worked out a few… I can stay just long enough to fix my car, then hit the road. Or I can trade my car in and get something else, then go—and that’s assuming I still have a job waiting for me when I get there. Or…I ditch my original plan for a new one and go with fate deciding this is home.”

Cassidy gasps, her hands flying out around her. “Fate all the way.” She smiles brightly, glancing between Duke and me.

Duke snaps his head to me, brow furrowed, jaw tight. But his eyes are soft, filled with emotion. His strong neck works as he swallows thickly. “You…think you might stay?”

My eyes never leave his even as my heart begins to pick up a rapid beat. “I might. I mean, it’d all depend if I could find a job and apartment here.”

“Where were you going to live in Alaska?” Cassidy presses further.

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