Page 96 of On His Ranch

His mother, as much as it might gall him, was more right than she knew.

So I’ll find her. I’ll apologize.Chase’s feet were already moving before he was done with the thought. It wasn’t a long to get to the guest bedroom from his. He rapped on the closed door.

“Piper? Hey, can we talk?” He listened hard, but when he didn’t hear an answer, he knocked again. “Look, I know you’re mad at me, but let me in. Please,” he added for good measure. When he still didn’t hear anything, he turned the knob. “Okay, I’m comin’ in.”

But as soon as the door swung open he knew they wouldn’t be having that conversation after all. Piper was gone.

Chapter 19

Piper’s arms had started to ache an hour ago, but she forced herself to ignore the pain as she kept walking. It was her backpack, and it would feel a lot heavier before she managed to make it to her aunt’s house.

One foot in front of the other, just keep going, just keep going, she sang inside her head as she channeled Dory from ‘Finding Nemo.’I’m not gonna stop this time. No way. Not to eat, not to sleep, not if I get mauled by a bear! I’ll hobble along on a mangled leg if I have to!

Conjuring a bear in her mind’s eye made her pick the pace a bit, too. Piper was so lost in her own thoughts that it was a few minutes before she heard the low rumble of an engine behind her. She ignored it and kept moving, but when the vehicle didn’t pass her, she glanced to the side.

Almost as though he’d been waiting for just that, Chase called out the window, “Hey. Need a ride?”

Her brows drawing together, Piper turned away and kept right on walking.

“Piper? Did you hear me? I asked—”

“I heard you!” she shouted, a bit louder than she’d intended. “I’m not interested!”

“Come on, Piper, get in the truck.”

“No, thank you.”

“Where are you going? I could give you a ride.”

“Notinterested! Go away!”

The truck stopped and she heard the sound of the door opening.

She picked up the pace even more, inwardly cursing her aching arms and her short legs.

Chase, seeing as he didn’t have either of those problems, had no trouble catching up to her. “Piper—”

She’d known she was pissed. Of course she had. Her guilt, her anguish, her hurt feelings had all given way to anger greater than anything she’d ever known before. But she had never planned on unleashing it, particularly not on the person who deserved it. But when he said her name, something inside her went off. She whirled around and glared at him.

“What the hell is your problem? I told you togo awayand Imeantit!” If looks could kill, Piper’s glare would have sliced right through him.

“I know. I’m sorry. I know you don’t want to see me, but I thought… I mean, you look like you could use a ride.”

“No, thank you,” she snapped, glowering.

“So, what’s your plan? You’re gonna walk the next… what? Six miles or so?”

“Something like that.”

Much to her surprise, he didn’t insist or demand she do what he wanted. She was poised, waiting for it, ready to fight tooth and nail to defend her position. But he didn’t push.He looks… different, Piper thought, eyes searching his face.Where’s his signature cowboy bravado?

“Can I please give you a ride?”

Hmm. He’d asked almost… humbly. That was out of character, too. She hesitated, shifting the bag away from one aching shoulder to the other. When Chase reached for her, she flinched and backed away.

Surprise flickered across his handsome face. “I… I just wanna help you with your bag.”

“I don’t need your help,” she snapped.Get out of here, Piper. Get out, before he sweet talks you into that truck and makes you forget what a jerk he is…

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