Page 47 of Extreme Romancing in Idaho

Angie

Twenty-sevendays.I’dmanagedto keep my cool with Remi constantly in my way for almost a month. On top of working my shifts at the hospital, in the two weeks since axe throwing, I’d spent my time coming up with chores Remi deemed appropriate. And a lot of what he did, I had to go back over and redo anyway.

I’d also gone on three more dates with Dan—dinner and a movie, mini-golf, and an escape room. We didn’t escape. He’d seemed disappointed in my non-extreme date night choices, so I’d promised him more adventurous options in the future, buying time for more lessons with Remi. Things were progressing just as I’d planned. Maybe a little too fast for what I’d normally prefer. Dan was already dropping hints about weddings and babies and such. Where I’d normally put on the breaks, I was on a timeline, and it was full steam ahead.

I tugged my Chevy baseball hat over my forehead until the brim touched my large sunglasses and ducked lower in the passenger seat of Lili’s made-over Audi. The sun had set a half hour ago, leaving the car to be sheltered by darkness.

Remi had begun to act funny, started being nicer to me. His happy-go-lucky personality reminded me of hot Chris number three, Chris Pratt, especially in his role as Starlord. Hence, I was subjected to a man who constantly joked, fought to make every chore fun or turning it into a challenge, an extreme sport. If he sank the four-wheeler in the creek one more time …

It was weird having someone else in the cracks of my life, aware of what I was doing minute by minute. I took care of myself. Remi turned out to be one observant little puppy dog. Like the other day, he’d brought lunch to me in the field, so I didn’t skip it. He was an irritating trip hazard at times but also loyal, shadowing my every move and getting me what I needed before I even knew I needed it.

His behavior sent warning bells off in my head. And his phone conversation I’d overheard wouldn’t leave me alone.

That was why Lili and I were here, in her car, waiting for him to leave my house. We’d both come prepared with snacks and sweatshirts. I’d insisted the car remain off, the chill outside making its way in. Although I’d wanted to keep Lili out of this, her involvement was necessary since Remi would recognize all my cars.

It was bros’ night out at Tractor’s Bar and Grille, providing me with the opportunity I’d been waiting for. I tipped my head back against my headrest, agitated with myself that I knew Remi’s schedule.

Even Dan had made a special trip to Clear Springs for this guys’ night. He wanted to get to know my friends and be a part of my life. Dan spared only a brief kiss and hello to me before he was off to the bar. Which was all fine and good, with the exception of Remi. If it weren’t for our agreement, I was certain he’d do something to sabotage my relationship with Dan.

“What are we doing here, staring at your house again?” Lili whispered through her bite of peanut butter and sauerkraut sandwich.

Her large, pregnant belly brushed the base of the steering wheel. The rank smell of her choice of food hung in the air. I gagged and stared at my front door, tempted to give up and walk into my house.

But I didn’t. I needed answers.

“A stake out. I’m telling you, there’s something off about him.” I’d plied Remi with questions, and the only other information I got out of him was that he lived in Dallas and loved extreme sports.

The cog in the corporate machine comment did nothing to give me a clue as to why he was here. Why my farm? Why this small town?

His knowledge of the inner workings of a man’s mind and all things extreme had come in handy with Dan. Handsome, sweet, not boring Dan hadn’t ghosted me yet like all other potential Mr. Angelina Johnsons. Dan had gone over several ideas for another extreme-sporting date, ranging from skydiving to cliff jumping. I’d done my best to talk him into a sport where I was at least tethered a secure surface. Dirt Biking. With my basic knowledge of riding a bicycle and a four-wheeler, surely Remi could handle teaching me the rest.

And I’d have to get over my acrophobia. Exposure therapy helped with paralyzing fears, and I was ready to be different, to let go of everything that’d been holding me back from being a part of a true relationship.

Lifting the binoculars, I aimed them at the front porch light and examined the front door. Mama’s windchimes swayed and even with the car windows closed, their tinny sounds still made their way to my ears.

What was taking him so long?

My parents adored Remi, and they missed Jared. Papa’s dream had been to pass down the farm to his only son. To work the land together. Jared had never been interested in farming, not like in the way I had. We’d lost Jared to the dream of becoming a world-famous musician back in high school. The last time I’d received a postcard from him, he’d been in Nashville.

Sure, we texted off and on. He’d tell me about his gigs. One day, I might even be able to travel and watch him play. Despite how my parents hated his choice, Jared possessed a true talent for guitar. His voice was one of the best I’d ever heard. And as his Irish twin, I had been his first fan.

My parents played house with Remi now, sending him off to the grocery store, inviting him to dinner, and running sandwiches out to the field for his lunch. It was sickening. Maddening, really.

They couldn’t replace their biological child with a man who’d been a stranger to them less than a month and a half ago. But they ate up the flattery he laid out for them, buffet style, every day.

Lili shoved the last bite of her sandwich in her mouth. “Ooh. Ooh,” she managed around the food in her mouth and tapped my shoulder. “The door.”

I dropped the binoculars to my chest. Mr. GQ walked onto the porch, my mother hot on his heels. She waved, and he turned and responded to something she said and hopped into his truck. I suspected he’d bought his 1990s white F150 solely to bolster his role as the farmer, which was a strike against him.

We only drove Dodges in this family.

“Follow him.” I nudged Lili into action. “But don’t let him see you.”

“That’s kind of hard since we’re the only two cars on the road.” She shifted into gear and pulled onto the street.

We meandered to the back entrance of the Mountain Meadows neighborhood, my personal hell on Earth. He turned into the driveway of the model home and turned off his truck.

“What is he doing here?”

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