Page 11 of Protective

“Okay… well,” I’m trying to stay respectful, but I don’t care for his attitude,“I can’t wait three hours.”

“Don’t know what to tell ya, ma’am. You can call around, but I’m sure you’ve noticed we’re the tow company with the most trucks. Three hours for me will be days for anyone else.”

This is small-town life. The only difference between this and Kansas, is that I’d have known someone with a tow truck who could help me. Here, I know no one.

I sigh. “Okay. Thanks.”

“Sure thing.” The line disconnects as I hear other folks chattering in the background.

I’m going to murder Bryan. I’m going to kill him, and then I’m still going to get the restraining order to keep his ghost fromhaunting me because I guarantee he’d do anything to make my life miserable, even in the afterlife.

“Knock, knock. Me again.” The man from the truck is back. His hands are tucked into the pockets of his vest as heavy snow falls around him.

Dear God! I can’t catch a break!

I crack my window again. “Hi.” I’m not sure why I feel an urge to fake a smile even with strangers who are clearly bothering me, but I do.

“Couldn’t help but notice your tow hasn’t come yet. Did he get stuck in the storm?”

“I’m sorry, but do you work for the ranch?”

The man shakes his head and strokes his large, square hand down over his beard. “No. I, ugh, I was just taking off, and I didn’t want to leave you stranded with the storm coming in. The radio is already calling on some road closures. They’re expecting a foot an hour, starting in about thirty minutes. Do you have a friend you can call?”

Sir, if I had a friend I could call, I’d have called them.

“I do, but I wouldn’t ask anyone to come out in this weather.”

The man nods again and narrows his gaze as though he wants to say something, but ultimately doesn’t. I can’t tell if this is a red flag or not.

“Look, I’m sure you’re just trying to help, but I’d really like it if you left me alone. Thanks.”

“Got it.” He holds up his hands as though he’s showing his cards. “Sorry if I scared you.” He turns his giant frame away from the car and paces back toward his truck without another word.

I sort of wish I had Chevy’s number right now.

Chapter Six

Chevy

“So, you’re just sitting in the parking lot staring at her?” my buddy Ryder says with a chuckle. “Dude, just tell her who you are. I’m sure she’d take a ride from you if she knew you were the guy she’s been talking to.”

I’ve never thought of myself as an insecure guy, but right now, I’m feeling like a thirteen-year-old at a high school prom. Maybe it’s because I haven’t dated in so long, or maybe it’s because Heather is so beautiful. I don’t know how she’s single. “She wasn’t into me, man. I could tell.”

“What? She wasn’t into you or you weren’t into her?” Saws draw in the background as Ryder talks. He’s down at the sawmill in the valley.

“No, I’m really into her. She’s gorgeous. She’s just… young. When she saw me, she looked like she was talking to an old man.”

“How young?”

“Mid-thirties, maybe.”

“Okay,” Ryder groans. “That’s younger than you, but it’s not too young. Dude, you’re in your head. You said her tires are flat, so I’m sure she didn’t recognize your voice because she’s stressed. Go introduce yourself. You’re a great guy. She’d be lucky to know you.”

“Thanks, Mom.”I stare out the window like a creep from the other side of the treeline. I figured sitting in the lot any longer would make me look like a stalker, though I think this would fall under the category of stalking as well. That said, there’s no way I’m leaving her here alone with the incoming snowstorm and all four tires deflated. That doesn’t just happen. Someone caused that. Someone who’s going to get their ass kicked.

“You’ve got this, so I gotta run. I’ve gotta grab thirty more boards before this storm puts us out.”

I turn down the heater. “Good luck, man. I’ll call you for a beer when the weather clears.”

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