Page 9 of Found By You

I offer her the half-drank bottle of water sitting between us and grin when she makes a face at it. “Sorry, it’s all I got.”

She tentatively takes the water and opens it, giving it a sniff and shake while eyeing the contents. “It’s from earlier today.” I chuckle. “I’m not diseased and I didn’t drug it.”

Maci rolls her eyes with a small smile. “I didn’t say anything,” she mutters, pouring a little into her mouth and swishing it around before lowering the window and spitting it out.

Satisfied, I start us back down the road for town. “You feelin’ better over there?” I ask after a few minutes.

She rubs her stomach. “Yes. I’m sorry for the, uh, jump scare.” She laughs lightly. “Must have been that gas station food from a few hours ago.”

I eye her skeptically. Is she lying to me?

And why does the thought bother me so fuckin’ much?

“Thank you for holding my hair, though.”

“No problem,” I grunt, turning down the main street that leads to my shop. I point ahead. “That’s the shop,” I say as she follows the cue with those pretty eyes. “Wanted you to at least see where it is so you’ll know where your car will be. The motel is right up the way here,” I add. “There’s a diner down the street and a coffee shop that’s pretty good.”

I turn into the motel parking lot right out front of the office door. “I’ll wait here for you.”

“Okay.” She smiles, grabs her purse, and slides out. She scurries into the main office of The Whitetail Motel, the wind whipping as the snow starts to fall in fat, heavy flakes.

I keep my eyes on her even as my phone rings. “Hey,” I answer, not paying any mind to who’s calling.

“What’s goin’ on?” Butch asks. “You home?”

“Not yet,” I huff, failing to keep the irritation out of my voice. It’s been a week since he and Cassidy made their little announcement to the family, and I’m not proud to say, I’ve been avoiding my brother like he’s carrying the plague. “Came across a car dead on the side of the road.”

“Everything good there?”

I take in a deep breath, my focus remaining on Maci as she signs off for her room and takes the old-fashioned, brass key from the attendant. “Yeah, I’m taking care of it.”

“Well, I’ll make this quick,” he starts. “Cass wants to do a night out tomorrow. Dinner at Red’s, then over to Tavern Nine. They’re doing country night, and since her birthday is mid-week, she wants to celebrate early.”

“I’ll be there,” I say, and I mean it. Regardless of whatever inner bullshit turmoil I’ve got swimming around in my head, I’m not that big of an asshole.

Butch is quiet for a long moment.

“Is that all?”

“I haven’t heard from you since Sunday,” he grumbles.

“Yeah, well, I’ve been busy.”

“Duke,” he bites out. “I’m your goddamn brother. You can’t avoid the inevitable, man.”

Maci pushes open the glass office door, jumping as the wind takes it from her and slams into the building. My body tenses at the urge to leap out and help her.

I tighten my hold on the steering wheel in front of me. What the hell is wrong with me tonight? I need to stop this—whatever it is I’m doing. She can walk the twenty feet by herself.

I huff as Maci waves an apology to the attendant before battling the wind to close the door and get to the truck.

“I’m not avoiding shit, all right?” It’s a blatant lie I don’t plan on admitting anytime soon. “I’ve gotta go. I’ll see y’all tomorrow.”

As I hang up, Maci opens the door, hoisting herself up to hop into the truck. “They had one room left,” she beams, brushing hair out of her flushed, wind-whipped face with a smile. “They said it’s on the end. Room sixteen.”

I drive to the end of the lot and park in front of the motel room door. I get out and make my way to her side. She slides out as I open the back door and gather her coat and bag.

She reaches for the bag. “I can take—”

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