Page 11 of A Not So Merry Rescue
Which is probably what all the abductees say right before they’re kidnapped or murdered.
“Willa, much as I can’t make heads or tails of what’s goingon, you got yourself into this mess, and it’s on you to get yourself out. Be as safe as you can. I love you. Keep me updated.” Clem’s voice cuts off, the call ending.
“Rude.”
“Guess she figures there’s no real threat here.”
“Is there an actual threat here, Beckett Nicholas?” I narrow my eyes his way, but his composure doesn’t break. Neither does his sight on the road. Which I appreciate considering the weather.
“None that I can see, Willafred.”
“Ugh. You heard that, did ya?”
“Kinda hard to miss.” His lips form a smile, and my lady parts take notice without my permission.
I may be physically “safe,” but I get the sense I’m not leaving Winterberry Junction unscathed.
4
beckett
Why I decideto drop her car off at the shop before bringing Willa to the cabin is beyond me. I’m setting myself up for torture of my own doing. But there’s something about her.
Maybe it’s the way she seems so concerned with me being a serial killer, but then not.
Or maybe it’s because she can’t stand Christmas lights, and the desire to understand why burns brighter than all of Main Street. And with every building adorned with thousands of lights, the brilliance is off the charts.
“Stay here until I unload the car.” I leave the truck running, confident she won’t try anything stupid. How I know is another mystery yearning to be solved.
Ten minutes later, I’ve got the SUV off the flatbed and pulled into the garage. Sliding into the truck, I kill the engine. “Come on. Let’s get you to your home for the night.” She gathers her bags and climbs down, the snow swiftly clinging to her hair. “My truck’s over here.” I lead the way to my truck, wishing I had the SUV with me today instead. It’s a short ride to the cabin, but the heat takes forever to kick on and there aren’t seat warmers. It’s a bitter contrast to the warmth she’s been used to the past several hours. “It’s going to be cold.” I point to the truck.
“Uh, yeah. It’s snowing. In December. But thanks for the heads up.”
Don’t think my cock doesn’t take notice of the snark in her tone or the way her ass sashays from side to side. Definitely not on purpose or for my benefit, but that’s a guess.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” I mutter, keeping my voice low so she won’t hear.
I unlock the doors, opening the back door for her to unload her bags. Once stuffed in the back seat, she yanks her door open. I’d advise her not to pull so hard, but it’s kinda the only way to get the door open.
“Hey, any chance you know an auto body technician? ‘Cause this door needs some work.” She delivers the barb straight-laced and straight-faced. It’s not until she pulls her bottom lip into her mouth to try and hide her smile does she give herself away.
“You know what they say. Doctors make the worst patients. Same for auto body repair.”
Pondering my statement, she stops her entryinto the truck. “You’re not just the tow truck driver?”
I wave my hand behind me. “Proud co-owner and operator of Frostline Auto Garage for seven years.”
“Huh. When you said you’d take the car to the shop, I didn’t realize it wasyourshop.”
“Weird assumption to make.”
I turn the key, tapping the dash to encourage the engine to turn over, cursing myself again for not taking the SUV when I went out earlier. Then I’d have it instead of this old thing.
“Is this thing safe? Maybe you want to have it looked at. Fix it yourself, even. Seeing as that’s what you do. Fix cars and all. Or maybe not trucks?”
She’s rambling again, at my expense this time. But at least she’s let down some of her barriers and seems to have dropped the whole “serial killer” theory.
“I prefer the exterior of cars and trucks. I’m not so great under the hood.” At least, not yet.
