Page 28 of Red Hunt

It was all too much. How could this woman go from mean to vulnerable in seconds and why did she affect me way more than any woman had? At least in recent years. Maybe ever.

“The groceries will go bad if we don’t sell them, and there’s people in this town depending on us.”

I nodded. What else could I do, when I absolutely understood where she was coming from? Not that I thought she was in any shape to work. At least not today.

“Tell you what. Why don’t you take today off? Only today,” I added before she could tell me off. “I’ll prepare us some lunch and drive you to your appointment afterward. And tomorrow, you can tend to the store again. I’ll even help.”

It was mesmerizing to watch her emotions flitting over her face. Refusal. Gratitude. Denial. I knew she would tell me off before she opened her mouth. Not that I would let her. I turned around so my back was to her and moved up until I was sitting on the stair right below her. “Hop up.”

“Excuse me?” I couldn’t see her face, but the incredulity in her voice made me smile. I’d thrown her off balance. Exactly what I’d set out to do. “Hop up. Piggyback. Leave your crutches; I’ll get them later.”

I heard her snicker but didn’t turn around. Though, when I felt her hand on my shoulder, I wanted to look into her face. Wanted to press her against my chest and tell her everything would be alright. Instead, I held still until I could feel her pressed against my back and then stood up, carefully circling her thighs and balancing the both of us.

Not that it was much of a challenge. She weighed nothing, and the way she pressed herself against my body made keeping my balance easy.

We made our way upstairs, where I gently let her down on the sofa.

“Why are you doing this?”

I turned around. “This?”

She fumbled with her hand, encompassing me and herself. “This.”

“You know there are some cultures where me saving you yesterday would mean you’re my responsibility now.”

She cocked an eyebrow, which made a cute little crease appear on her forehead. I wanted to touch her there. Smooth it out. Trace it down to her cute nose. But then she snorted.

And I loved that sound even more.

“If anything, I owe you for saving me. Not the other way around.”

“So then, humor me a little, will you?”

She shook her head and chuckled.

“I like taking care of you. So, what do you want for lunch?”

But instead of answering my question, she countered it with her own. “Who are you?”

Who was I? Good question. Sometimes I knew exactly who I was. At least back when I was in the military, I knew exactly who I was. Since I left the service, I had slowly found my footing. Carter had played a big role in that. Goofy and Peaches had become family. Our fight to save innocent kids and women had given me the purpose I’d lost after getting out. But who was I really? A warrior? Someone who was searching for peace and quiet and not finding it? Someone who had the desire to help others running through his veins? A loner?

“I’m the newest resident of Moon Lake. I’m happy you ran into me and smeared cake all over my T-shirt.”

“You recognized me?” She grabbed my arm—the first time she had touched me voluntarily, without hesitation…or fear in her eyes.

“Yes, I did. But there were more important things to do.”

“Like rescuing me?”

“Like helping you out of a tough spot.”

“Thank you.”

“You thanked me already. Now lunch.” I got up and walked into the kitchen. Her fridge was as empty as yesterday. Why hadn’t Milli’s sister stocked it for her? I closed the door and marched back into the living room. “Change of plans. Tell me whatever you need to pack for your hospital visit. We’re driving out to Whitebrook early. Have lunch there.”

She shook her head. She would say no if I didn’t tell her a believable reason…fast.

“I have a couple of errands to run in Whitebrook. House stuff. It would be more efficient if you’d come with me right away. But if you say no, I’ll just have to drive back here, pick you up later. Your choice, but think about the environment before you say no.”

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