Page 8 of Hero Mine

“You know, everyone’s been really worried about you,” he said, picking his words carefully as they walked. “We just want to help however we can, Bug.Iwant to help.”

“I know.” She kicked at a rock, sending it skittering across the asphalt. She didn’t look at him. “I appreciate it. I think I just need a little time. I’m definitely getting better every day.”

Everything in him wanted to believe that, but he was pretty positive he couldn’t.

Searching for a safe topic, he cleared his throat. “How’s the food truck coming along? Last time I saw it, you’d just finished the fryer install.”

Joy blinked, seemingly startled by the question. “Oh. Um, it’s… I haven’t really worked on it much lately. Been busy with…with stuff.”

“Yeah? What sort of stuff?”

She shrugged. “The usual.”

“Just seems like a waste to let your dream sit there unused when it’s so close to fruition. You’ve worked so hard to get the truck. I’ve been looking forward to Tex-Mex for months.”

“Oh man, I didn’t tell you, did I?” She stopped and smacked his arm, her green eyes getting wide. “Actually, I’ve decided to go in a different direction rather than Tex-Mex.”

She sounded so much like her old self that his heart damn near leaped out of his chest. “Really? Tell me. I fucking hate tacos anyway.”

A ghost of a smile crossed her lips since they both knew he’d never met a taco he didn’t like. “A new idea hit me a while ago, but it’s a little outside of the box.”

“Go on.”

“Well, I know this is going to sound a little weird, but—” She cut off as two cats bounded across the sidewalk right in front of them.

She didn’t shriek. Didn’t jump. But the sudden movement of the animals effectively shut off whatever bit of old Joy had been trying to break through. She stopped talking.

“Wait.” He was damned near desperate to get the moment back. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

She shrugged one small shoulder—the one that hadn’t been dislocated a month ago. “Never mind. I’m not sure any of it will work out anyway.”

Damn it. The moment was gone for good. He still tried to get her to talk.

“Tex-Mex or not, you’re still doing it, right? Oak Creek needs a good food truck.” While he was pretty sure that was true, Bear knewheneeded a Joy food truck.

“I don’t know,” she admitted, her voice quieter now. “I just… It’s been hard to think about it.”

“I could come by next week, help you knock out some of those fixes. Bet we could get that thing road-ready in no time.” He kept his tone light, but his eyes traced her face intently.

She bit her lip. “Maybe. I don’t know. I’ve got a lot going on.”

She’d always been the social butterfly, involved with anything happening in the town. Hell, she was usually the one who planned half of those social events. Sitting at home had never been her style.

But despite her busy calendar, she’d always made time to work on the truck before, because it was her future. Ignoring the truck now, especially when he knew it wasn’t because she was busy, concerned him more than he was willing to admit.

“Just a few hours,” he coaxed, bumping his elbow gently against hers. “I’ll even throw in lunch. Wherever you want, my treat.”

Her brow furrowed and she glanced away. “I appreciate the offer, Bear, really. I just… I can’t make any promises right now.”

He wanted to push, to find the magic words that would break through her hesitation. But he made himself nod. “No worries. Offer’s always open, though. Whenever you’re ready.”

A ghost of a smile flickered across her face, there and gone in a heartbeat. “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“Speaking of showing up,” Bear said as they turned onto Maple Street, “you are coming to the Polar Plunge tomorrow at Pike’s Peak, right? Whole town’ll be there.”

Joy’s steps faltered. “Is that tomorrow already? I don’t know. I wasn’t planning on it.”

“Come on, Bug. It’s tradition. You’re practically the guest of honor.”

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