Page 9 of Burly and Honorable

I glance at Jordan from the corner of my eye, catching the way his jaw tightens, the flicker of something unreadable in his expression.

For a second, our hands brush, and neither of us pulls away.

CHAPTER 6

JORDAN

We pull into a small gas station, and I get out to fill up the truck. The morning is quiet, but the sun is already warm. I look around and smile because this little place makes me remember going on road trips with my parents when I was little. A faded sign sits above the cashier’s booth, and an ancient soda machine stands next to the door for the garage.

The pump groans as I feed the nozzle into the truck, breaking the quiet of the late morning. Hanna stays in the passenger seat. I’m learning that she’s quiet in the mornings.

We had a moment last night, but she once again tensed, and nothing happened. I can’t force myself on her—I have to let her sort out her feelings.

The pump clicks when the tank is full, and I replace the nozzle. I pull my wallet out as I walk across the lot to the cashier.

“You two stopping on by for the festival?”

I look up at the older man sitting behind the counter, his hands lightly grasping the shoulder straps of his overalls.

“Festival?” I ask, putting a couple of twenties on the counter. “We’re just passing through.”

The man rings me up slowly, a slow smile spreading on his face. He looks out the window, and his smile broadens when he sees Hanna. “Oh, you two lovebirds have to stop by!”

I don’t say anything to correct the man. It seems unnecessary to explain anything to him.

“What’s the festival for?” I ask, pocketing my change.

“Well,” the man says, his eyes lighting up. “It’s the Prospect Hills Founder’s Day Festival. Some games, some pies, prizes to be won for pretty ladies.” He winks, nodding in Hanna’s direction. “I’ll be there with my wife later on. She insists on dancing at every festival. I can’t say no to her.”

I hesitate, then realize that a break wouldn’t be the worst thing. We damn sure need a little levity right now, and we’re not in a rush.

“Sure, why not? I’ll ask Hanna, but I don’t see why she wouldn’t say yes.” Turning to the man, I ask. “Which way do we go?”

I repeat and memorize the directions he gives me, then thank him for the tip.

When I pull out of the gas station and make a U-turn in the road, Hanna cocks her head and gives me a long look. “Where are we going?”

“I have a surprise for you.”

We wander through the booths,the string lights overhead bright even in the midday sun.

Hanna pauses at a ring toss, her smile turning mischievous as she points to a massive stuffed bear hanging at the top. “You think you can win me that?”

“Is that really a question?” I laugh, reaching for my wallet and handing the attendant a bill. “Easy.”

The first ring clinks against the edge of a bottle and bounces off. The second doesn’t even get that far. By the third, Hanna’s doubled over laughing, one hand braced on my arm.

“You’re terrible at this,” she says between giggles, her breath warm against my sleeve.

“It’s rigged,” I shoot back, glaring at the bottles like there’s a forcefield blocking my throws. “That’s my story, and I’m sticking to it.”

She straightens, brushing a hand over her face as she tries to hide how much she’s laughing. “Sure it is. What happened to ‘easy,’ Jordan?”

I glance at her, the lights catching in her brown hair. She’s still smiling, her cheeks flushed, and the sound of her laughter lingers in the air. My name on her lips is now my favorite sound in the world. The only thing better would be her lips on mine, moaning as I made love to her.

“Think you could do better?”

“Sure can,” Hanna says confidently, still laughing. “What do I get if I win?”

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