Page 59 of Combust
Then she spotted Cade’s old pickup truck parked by the side of the road. As she passed it, she saw that its hood was up and Cade was bent over the engine. Her chest squeezed painfully at the sight of him.
He didn’t look up as her Subie swept past him.
For a moment, she was tempted to just keep driving, but her inborn sense of decency protested.After all, Cade stopped for me when he didn’t need to, so I’m simply returning the favor.
She braked cautiously on the wet asphalt, then pulled to the shoulder and reversed slowly to where his pickup stood.
She turned off the engine, but lingered behind the wheel of her car for a few more seconds as her heart raced and her stomach churned with dread.
Breathe, she ordered herself.You can get through this. You’re a Swanson.
He had straightened up as soon as she pulled over. Now, he spun around. Arms crossed over his broad chest, he watched her approach. His head was lowered slightly, and the brim of his cowboy hat concealed his eyes.
A breeze brought his beloved scent, spiked with a touch of motor oil, to her nose. Despite his fierce glower, he didn’t smell angry.
A tiny bud of hope blossomed in her heart. She lifted her chin and lengthened her stride. “Trouble in paradise?” she asked, striving for normal banter instead of lovelorn desperation.
“I think my alternator’s dead as buzzard bait,” he reported, sounding glum. “Or somethin’s gone haywire in the electrical system. Not even my warning flashers are working.”
Maggie took a deep breath. “I can give you a lift to the ranch. It’s on my way back to town.”
He appeared to consider her offer. Tensely, she waited for his reply. She wasn’t sure she was ready to have The Talk with him, but alone together in her car would be as good a time as any.
“I already phoned and left a message for the tow truck,” he said, finally.
But she smelled the surge of strong emotion flooding his scent, and a second bit of hope flowered.
“It won’t be here before dark,” she informed him. “Bearpaw Ridge only has one tow truck, and right now, it’s busy pulling an RV out of a bog at North Fork. That’s on theotherend of the valley,” she added.
Cade’s thick brows shot up.
“I heard all about it over the fire department radio,” she explained, happy for the excuse to talk to him about a safe topic. “An out-of-town fisherman camping in a big Winnebago decided to shorten the hike between his campsite and the river. He tried driving his RV across what looks like a meadow but is actually boggy flatland. I estimate that it’ll take at least another two or three hours before Robinson’s Roadside Assistance and Tow eventhinksabout heading this way. It’ll be dark by then.”
And Cade wasn’t dressed for the kind of cold that came with December nights in Bearpaw Ridge. He scowled.
“Look, why don’t you hide your truck keys, call Mike Robinson again, and let him know where they are, and that you caught a lift with—with a friend.”
Cade’s scowl deepened. “Afriend?” he repeated slowly.
Maggie gulped and began babbling. “Then he can tow your car over to his shop when he’s finished dealing with that Winnebago. Believe me, he’s not going to expect you to hang around here if you have to. He’s a good guy, and he’ll give you a fair estimate for fixing whatever’s wrong.”
“And how am I gonna do my job in the meanwhile?” he asked. “Horses and the four-wheelers are only gonna take me so far.”
She blinked at this. “You know you can borrow one of the ranch’s pickups while yours is being repaired, right?”
His eyes widened. “…no?” His bearded cheeks flushed. “Your papa’s been sore as a boil lately. Hell if I’m gonna ask him for any favors.”
“It’s not a favor,” she protested, feeling a surge of guilt at the thought that she might be responsible for Cade being treated poorly. “It’s something you need to do your job! And Dad won’t say no.”
“You sure about that?” Cade challenged her.
She crossed her arms, matching his defensive posture, and clamped down on her first, snarky retort.That’s how I messed things up. I have to do better.
Picking her words carefully, she said, “Absolutely. And in case you’re wondering, I haven’t told anyone about what happened at the firehouse. Even though everyone’s been asking why we’re not dating anymore.”
His grunt sounded skeptical.
“I—I wanted to talk to you about it first. Clear things up.” She inhaled shakily, and added hopefully, “Maybe while I’m driving you back to the ranch?”
