Page 19 of The Rogue

Levi’s front door pulls open and Jackson runs out. Levi is behind him, holding a duffle bag.

The man squints at me through my windshield then focuses on something behind me.

Through my rearview mirror, I see a car pulling up, stopping inches from my bumper. Levi follows Jackson toward it, making small talk with the driver and thanking him as the kid hops in. I tune out the muffled voices behind me and try the engine a third time.

Come on, girl, work. Just this once. Just get me out of here.

I squeeze my eyes shut as it dies and hit my forehead against the steering wheel. I keep my head down even as I feel his presence at my open window.

“Trouble?”

My head feels heavy as I lift it. “Iswearto you, I’mnotdoing this on purpose.”

“No, no. The author of your life just seems to hate us both. Pop the hood.”

“Hood,” I repeat and blink down, pulling on a small latch. Before I do, I instantly know that’s not the right one.

“That’s the trunk, Tess.”

I don’t bother telling him I know cars probably as well as he does—because actions speak louder than words.

And I’m just all out of sorts this morning.

“Thanks,” Levi mutters into his cell phone before hanging up.

We’re standing outside his house in the driveway after he’s concluded that my car—which, I’ll be honest, I’m just as shocked as the next guy that it got me here—needs a new alternator.

And it’s going to cost…oh, roughly my plan B money, so there’s that.

“My buddy Beau has an auto shop not too far from here. He’ll tow ‘er over there today. Should have it ready for you in two days.”

“Two days?”

“Yep. You’re in luck, I’m going to save you an Uber ride this morning and drive you to the Inn myself.”

“I can’t go back there,” I snap.

He grins, but there’s no humor. “Oh, you’re going back. Because you’re not staying here.” He lifts my trunk and pulls out my suitcase, tossing it into the bed of his truck. “While you’re there, maybe you can apologize to my father for screwing him during a busy season. Get in.”

I open my mouth again to protest, but he cuts me off.

“The man prides himself on helping people, and you made him feel like a fool. So I’d make it good if I were you.” He pulls open the passenger door for me.

I inhale a sharp breath. “You’re right. I’ll apologize and... ask for a room for a night or two.”

“At full price,” he states.

“And not a penny less, got it.” Maybe Bessie will lend me some cash since my car just blew all of mine.

“Good.”

We drive out of the ranch in silence, and I roll down my window. A habit I don’t allow myself when I’m in Summer Hill. Or hell, anytime I’m in my car alone.

No one will be looking for me here. But just in case, I slide on my sunglasses.

Levi glances at me. “You didn’t have to do that, you know?”

“What?” I call over the wind against my face. “Tamper with my own vehicle just so I could stay close to you a little longer? Sorry, Indie, couldn’t help myself, you’re justsoirresistible.”

---