Page 39 of Pretty Relentless

He looks my way and cracks up laughing. “I’m joking. I called Norman earlier in the week, and he agreed to let us come out here.” Sobering, he adds, “I’d never risk you like that, okay? Some rules are meant to be broken, but I draw the line at trespassing.”

“Oh,” I reply, feeling a little silly by my response. “Of course,” I add.

Is it hot in here?

Gavin turns off the truck and shifts to face me. “Norman turned over the day-to-day side of the business to his granddaughter, August. She runs the farm, but he still lives here and works in the payment hut. Annabelle and I came out to get our tree last month, and he’s still handing out candy canes to the kids, just as he did when I was a kid. Hell, he’s done it well before I was born. He’s a cool ol’ bird.

“Anyway, he’s always offered to let me bring Annabelle back here and take her on the trails, so when I called him up to ask about coming out here tonight, he said yes. In fact, he offered to let us use the tractor.”

I feel my eyes widen. “A tractor?”

“Yep,” he replies, taking his keys out of the ignition. “We could take my truck, but we’re going down into the pasture by the creek. You up for it?” There’s a hint of challenge in his hazel eyes as he gazes at me from across the truck cab.

A wave of excitement rushes through my veins. I’ve never been one to take risks, but something warm and caring in his eyes brings me comfort. I know I’m in good hands.

And speaking of his hands…

Pushing all thoughts of what it could possibly feel like with his big, strong hands on me, I decide to keep taking small steps outside my comfort zone. They might be tiny little baby steps, but movement, nonetheless. I’m not saying I’m always going to be a risk-taker, but these little strides with Gavin might be just what I need.

My life is good, content, but being around him makes me want to take chances.

Good or bad, for the first time in my life, I want more.

And that scares the ever-loving hell out of me too.

I’m already here, sitting in his truck and preparing to go see the northern lights, so why not take another risk. Climbing on a tractor in the middle of winter doesn’t exactly sound like a good time, but I’ll trust him that to take this next step, we need to experience the tractor ride. What could it hurt?

Well, you could fall off and break your leg.

Or worse, your entire body.

Someone needs to put her big girl panties on and give it a whirl.

Looking over, I find Gavin watching me. He’s not rushing me or making me feel bad for considering my options. He’s patiently waiting for me to decide, and I’m certain he’d be fine with whatever decision I came up with. He seems completely at ease, and frankly, a little gorgeous in his winterwear. Heavy coat, thick flannel shirt, and a Carhartt stocking cap on his head,he’s incredibly handsome in a rugged, lumberjack way. He even smells like the outdoors. Woodsy, clean, and fresh. Exactly how I would expect a man like him to smell.

Again, a jolt of anticipation races through me.

Reaching for the door handle, I take a deep breath and give him a big smile.

“All right, let’s do it.”

Chapter Twelve

Gavin

I hop out of the truck like my ass is on fire and do it with a huge grin on my face.

The first thing I do is meet her around at the passenger door and make sure she gets through the snow with ease. I guide her to the back of the barn and push open the sliding door. It’s unlocked, just as Norman said it would be, so as soon as she’s inside, I turn to grab the rest of the supplies from the truck.

Slipping both blankets under my arm and her bag over my shoulder, I retrieve the picnic basket I packed and join her in the barn. “What’s all of that?” There’s a bit of appreciation reflecting back at me in the depths of her brown eyes.

“This is a surprise,” I tell her, setting the basket and bag on the fender of the tractor, along with the blankets. “Come on, Ava. Up you go.” Extending my hand, I wait anxiously for her to place hers within mine. The moment she does, I swear I feel the spark. Yes, she’s wearing gloves, but it’s there, alive and bright like the moon shining brilliantly in the midnight sky.

She climbs up on the step. “Where do I sit?” she asks, glancing around.

“Hold up,” I inform her, moving around to the other side and hoisting myself up. The moment I have a seat on the only chair, I position my leg so it’s sticking out and gently slap the top of my knee.

“Seriously?” Her eyes are big and filled with worry.

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