Page 58 of Saved By the Boss

At one point, I nearly drop an entire bundle of wood when a gust of wind catches me off guard, sending me stumbling into the side of the truck. Jade laughs softly from the porch but looks at me with sympathy. I don’t think she meant for me to hear her laughter, but I can’t help but rib her a little.

“Glad you’re enjoying this,” I mock, making sure to keep my tone as good-natured as possible.

I’m not mad in the slightest. Despite the absurdity of the situation, and the aching chill of the cold, I’m finding this all rather nice. This is the most time I’ve spent with anyone in years, and there’s an easiness between us, an unexpected comfort that’s developed since we’ve seen each other at our clumsiest.

“Hey, you’re the one who offered to help,” she says, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.

“Don’t remind me,” I mutter, though I can’t help the smirk that sneaks onto my face.

It’s a mess, the whole thing. And yet, I don’t hate it. As frustrating as this weather is, and as much as I know I should be on the road back to my own cabin by now, there’s something about being here with her that doesn’t feel like a chore. It feels natural, familiar even. Like this isn’t the first time we’ve worked side by side, even though I couldn’t have picked her out of a crowd before yesterday.

I catch myself watching her again as she carries another bundle of wood toward the cabin, her steps careful but determined. She’s tougher than she looks, but there’s a vulnerability there too, something she’s clearly trying to hide. She’s surprisingly independent, despite the fact that I’m helping her. She keeps acting like she’s put me out in some way, though I was the one who offered to do this.

I don’t think she’s used to kindness from anyone, especially strangers. Given my past, I can’t help but wonder what she’s been through, if she’s seen a similar darkness that I have. Hell, if someone offered me this same help, I would’ve turned themdown in an instant. I’ve prided myself on not needing anyone since I moved here.

I shouldn’t be noticing these things. I shouldn’t be noticing her at all. I shouldn’t be worrying about her riding out this storm all alone. But I am, and it’s messing with my head in a way I didn’t expect.

By the time we unload the last bundle of wood, I’m soaked through, freezing, and more than ready to get the hell out of here. I just want to get back to my place and unwind in front of the fire before the storm fully begins. As it is, I’m cutting it pretty close. Jade stands on the porch, brushing snow off her coat as she watches me close up the truck bed. Her breath fogs in the air, her cheeks red from the cold, and she looks so damn grateful that it makes my chest ache.

“Thanks for all the help,” she says, her voice quiet but sincere. “I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”

“You’d have figured it out,” I reply, though my voice comes out gruffer than I intended. I clear my throat, shoving my hands into my pockets. “Just make sure you keep the fire going.”

She nods, and for a moment, I think she’s going to say something else. But the moment stretches, and I can’t bring myself to fill the silence. I glance toward my truck, then back at her, the words I want to say sticking in my throat.

I should leave. I need to leave. But instead, I hear myself asking, “You got a phone number? Just in case. I promised Ron I’d check in on you.”

Her eyebrows lift slightly, but she doesn’t hesitate. She pulls her phone from her pocket, her fingers trembling slightly as I tell her my number so she can send me her information. My phonebuzzes a moment later, and I see her number on my screen.

“There,” she says, slipping her phone back into her pocket. “Now you can text me if you get stuck.”

“Or if you do,” I reply, the corner of my mouth lifting in a half-smile.

She smiles back, small but genuine, and for a moment, I forget about the storm entirely. But the wind picks up again, and reality crashes back in.

“I should get going,” I say, taking a step toward my truck. “Take care of yourself, Jade.”

“You too,” she says, her voice soft but steady. “Thanks again.”

I climb into the cab, the warmth of the heater hitting me as I start the engine. It’s a welcome reprieve from the freezing cold outside. The windshield wipers struggle to keep up with the falling snow, but the truck roars to life, ready to go. I take one last look at Jade, standing on the porch with her arms wrapped around herself, and then I put the truck in gear. I’m so distracted watching her, that I don’t immediately react when a loud, sharp crack echoes through the mountain.

My heart jumps, and I slam on the brakes, the truck skidding to a stop as I put it back in park. I’m moving completely on instinct, so panicked that I hardly notice as shards of glass rain down on me and the sound of scream cuts through the chaos. It’s her screaming, her visceral fear that I respond to most.

It’s happening again, it’s the only thing I can think. Whoever planted that car bomb has found me, and it’s finally come for its intended target. I see Cassidy’s face in my mind, smiling brightly just before she got into the car and turned on the engine, sounaware that it would be the last glance we would ever share.

My breath catches in my throat and I’m unable react. I don’t know what’s happening, I just know that Jade is screaming out, my name falling from her lips.

I turn my face to the window and see her standing there, horrified as she pulls on the door.

9

Jade

The sound is deafening, a crack so loud it seems to split the earth in half. Immediately following is the crash of glass crunching and a sickening twist of metal. My heart leaps into my throat, and I jump to my feet, spinning toward the direction of the noise. Through the blinding snow, I see the massive tree in my front yard dangling at an unnatural angle, the only thing keeping it upright is Declan’s truck.

The hood is crumpled under the weight, and the windshield has exploded into a glittering shower of glass. The truck rocks violently before settling, steam hissing from under the mangled hood.

“Declan!” I yell, my voice cracking. I don’t even think, I just bolt toward the car, heedless of the power of the storm. The wind tears at me, ice slicing against my face as I stumble through the snow toward the wreckage.

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