Page 14 of Howling Night

I paused at the door. “I suppose that’s true, but what do you mean by other predators?”

Courtney stared at me for a long moment, something flickering behind her eyes. “Oh, bears, I guess.” Her hesitation made me wonder if she’d been about to say something else. She shook her head slightly and waved her hand as her bright smile returned. “Thanks so much for stopping by. It’s so nice having another woman in the neighborhood. Please come back again whenever. My aunt babysits for my son a lot while I work, so he’s over there sometimes while I bake. I don’t know why I told you that. Say goodbye to our new friend, Mason.”

“Goodbye, lady,” Mason called without turning from the screen.

“I don’t let him watch TV all day,” Courtney said, noticing he’d turned into a little zombie. “Just while we eat, so I can get a little cleaning done.”

“Perfectly understandable,” I said, drawing in a breath. “I’d do the same. Have a good rest of your day.”

Courtney stepped up to the door and held it for me. “You too. Really, it was great of you to stop by.”

I waved and headed back out onto the road, the sun overhead burning down mercilessly on the top of my head. I was about halfway home when a truck came barreling down the narrow road, forcing me to jump toward the ditch. It roared past, kicking up a cloud of dust that hit me right in the face. I coughed, squinting through watery eyes at the receding vehicle.

Black Construction. Of course.

I raised my middle finger. “Asshole!”

Good thing I threw away that application because now there was no way in hell I’d get that job. His loss. Bastard should look where he’s going.

ChapterSeven

I flinched as the truck’s tires skidded to a halt, dust swirling in the air as the engine revved in reverse. My heart was still stuck in my throat when he parked and hopped out of the cab, his boots hitting the gravel with a crunch.

“Hey,” he called out, walking toward me. “Are you okay?”

He hesitated when he realized it was me standing there, staring at him. My mouth dropped open, but I couldn’t think of what I wanted to say. Did I want to yell at him? Did I want to tell him I was fine? Did I want to tell him to get the fuck away from me?

He shook his head, pushing his hand through his thick hair. “I didn’t see you there… my mind is on other shit. I am so sorry about that. I didn’t mean to?—”

“Attempt to murder me?”

“Oh, for Christ’s sake,” he said, glancing back at his truck. “I wasn’t that close.”

I crossed my arms over my chest, trying to look more composed than I felt. “You nearly turned me into roadkill, Mr. Black.” My voice came out steadier than I expected, considering my knees were still wobbly from the near-miss.

“That’s a bit of an exaggeration, don’t you think?” he asked, looking genuinely apologetic. It was just too bad the big ass rubbed me the wrong way.

“It’s… whatever,” I said, shaking my head as I started away from him toward my house.

“Let me give you a ride home. It’s the least I can do,” he offered as he followed a few steps behind me.

I let out a short laugh. “No offense, but I feel safer walking than getting in a big truck with someone who doesn’t pay attention to where he’s going. Kids live out here, you know.”

“To be fair, people aren’t usually out walking on country roads,” he said, his eyebrows drawing together. “Adults or children.”

“That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch where you’re going,” I fired back. “There could be animals, other vehicles... or whatever. Apparently, there is a lot of wildlife out here.”

“You’re right,” Ryder said, shoulders slumping a bit. “I’m sorry. Really, I am.”

For a moment, I almost believed him.

“Look,” I said, letting out a breath. “Just go. You’re a busy man and all that. I’m covered in dust, and I swallowed a pebble, but I’m fine.”

“You did not,” he said, stepping in front of me. He looked me up and down, as if making sure I was still in one piece.

“You don’t know if I did or not,” I said, cocking my head and staring him right in his sparkling blue eyes.

I tensed as Ryder reached out, his calloused fingers lightly touching my cheek. He brushed a bit of dirt away, his touch unexpectedly gentle for hands that looked as rough as his.

---