Page 9 of When You Saved Me

Ranger’s expression softened before he stepped toward her and planted a kiss on her forehead. I looked away. “I wouldn’t dream of ganging up on you, sugar.”

“Good,” she responded chastely. Then I felt her attention shift back onto me.

Shit. I knew that look and it always meant trouble. Sarah had been the second person in Pebble Brook Falls to become my friend and by friend I meant she essentially forced me to enjoy her company until I actually started to like the idea of having her around.

Ever since I left Charlotte, and my entire life behind, I’d become somewhat of a lone wolf. I’d known Johnny from our time together in the military and when he’d told me about his hometown, it felt like the right move. I had needed to get away from the noise and prying eyes in the city. I had needed…spaceand clarity.

There was no part of me that thought moving to a small town would mean I would find my closest friends. Even if they were a giant pain in my ass sometimes.

“Speaking of ganging up on people, I met your new renter, Deacon.” The way her lips tilted upward, and her nose scrunched just a little, I knew I was about to be in trouble for something. But beyond that, my spine stiffened at the mere thought of Charlie.

Fuck.I couldn’t even think about the woman without my body reacting. I needed to get my shit together if I was going to survive her living on my property.

“Yeah?” It was the only word I could get out, but I regretted how suspicious it made me sound.

Ranger looked between us like he had no idea what we were talking about but knew I was in the hot seat for something. Like the smart man he was, he let Sarah be while he started to dish out our dinner onto plates.

What I would give to be in his shoes right now.

“Mmhmm.” Sarah nodded, crossing her arms. “Why are you torturing the poor girl?”

My mouth gaped and sweat started coating my palms. “What did she say to you?”

Sarah snorted. “Not much, just that you seemed pretty rough around the edges and barely said a word to her.”

I let out a quiet breath, hoping that was all Charlie had told Sarah and not that I’d been a complete ass who slammed a door in a woman’s face from utter shock.

Just play it off.

“I’d say that’s a fairly accurate depiction of how I am with everyone,” I said nonchalantly. “You know it’s difficult for me to be around new people.”

Her eyes narrowed. “It’s difficult for you to be around a beautiful redhead? Who I might add was a bright ray of sunshine when she stopped by my bakery earlier today.” The right edge of Sarah’s lip curled up. “That is the kind of new person you have a difficult time being around?”

Ranger started divvying out our plates in front of the stools around the kitchen island. “Take it easy on the guy, sugar. Maybe it’s been a while since Deacon has played ball and this woman makes him a little uneasy.”

Sarah turned her burning gaze on Ranger. “A little uneasy isn’t how she described her interactions with him, babe. From what she described; he was a total brute!” Completely exasperated with the two of us, Sarah shook her head and rolled her eyes.

“All I’m saying is maybe there’s a reason Deacon acted that way,” Ranger responded in my defense.

They both looked at me expectantly and I felt my blood heat under the weight of their observation. Discomfort ran through me. They were getting uncomfortably close to the one thing I’d kept hidden from everyone in my life. When I looked down at Asher by my side, even he had a look of curiosity in his eyes.

The truth was so close to the surface, and I wondered what it might be like to share the burden with someone else. To not have to carry its heaviness all alone anymore. But as memories of wild flames, billowing smoke and the screams of a beautiful young woman filled my mind, my throat clamped up with unspoken words.

No one else needed to experience the pain from that day. Certainly not the people I held closest to me. It was mine to shoulder. And I fully intended on keeping it that way.

“I’m just not used to having someone in my space. It’s been only me out there for a really long time and it’ll take some adjusting. But I’m fine.”

Sarah raised her brows at me. She didn’t have to say anything for me to know what she was thinking.

I groaned. “And I’ll make an effort not to scare her off.”

Sarah smiled and Ranger shook his head with a grin on his face. He knew the powers of influence his woman held. I’m sure she used her persuasiveness on him all the time given the pink apron he wore.

“Good,” she said with mock sternness. “Now, we can eat.”

We all took our places in front of the plates Ranger served. I didn’t waste any time digging in. With the day I’d had and Sarah’s pestering, my stomach had started eating away at itself.

The first bite of steak had me moaning in gratitude. It didn’t take me long to clear the plate and head back to the stovetop for seconds.

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