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Wariness still blankets her features. As I crouch down to rub the little goat’s head, he butts against me, bleating out a little greeting. I scratch under his chin and her stiff shoulders relax, dropping down a bit as she steps a little closer. My body is completely tuned in to hers; I sense each breath she takes and wish I could kiss her, or even just reach out to hold her like I was moments ago. I doubt she would take it well…
She reaches forward to grab Chaos’ leash, which is trailing across the floor; bending down and giving me a spectacular view of her supple breasts; my mouth waters, dying to taste her—everywhere.
“Well, thank you for catching me. Chaos and I need to be going,” she breathes out, firmly pulling him to her side. “The chicken feed is two aisles to the right.”
Then she is off, pushing her heavy cart up the aisle. Her hips sway seductively, but it’s clear that’s just her natural gate. Her pert ass taunts me, and as they round the corner the baby goat glances back, and, for a second, I could swear that he winks…
I want to offer to help. I want to ask for her number. I want to follow her out and lift all the heavy containers into her car so that she doesn’t have to. But I’m not in the business of scaring women, and she sure seemed skittish. And I need to find out why.
Something tugs in my gut.
This town loves to believe in fate, and I’ve never put much stock in it. But, right now, I know—she’s my Destiny.
Even if I still don’t know her name…
Chapter Four
Penelope
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I bang my head against the steering wheel. Today has been an epic clusterfuck, and now I’m waiting by the side of a deserted road for a tow truck to show up. I haven’t seen a single car the entire time I’ve been here and, as I peer out of the windows, the nearby trees look like nothing more than shadows.
“Chaos, settle down,” I grumble. Although I had him harnessed in the back, it seems I underestimated my little troublemaker’s knack for chewing. Or his desire to meet the new little pig in my passenger seat.
The poor little girl is severely malnourished and shaking. I’ve already wrapped her in blankets, but she needs to get to the rescue so that we can settle her in. The piglet whimpers and Chaos scrambles to climb into the front seat to see what the noise is. His tiny hoof kicks me in the ribs and I can’t fight the tears any longer.
You’re useless Penny. You can’t do anything right. You ruin everything you touch.
My sister’s voice fills my head and the tears slide down my face in rivers. I don’t even bother to wipe them as hopelessness fills my gut. Sobs wrack my body until I turn my head to see two adorable faces staring at me, heads tilted.
“I’m so sorry guys,” I whisper, trying to catch my breath, reaching out to them. Chaos wiggles his nose over my fingers, gently nibbling on them. “I thought I could open an animal rescue, but so far I’ve almost lost you on the mountain and now my car is completely broken.”
The little pig squeals and dives under the thick blanket, afraid to be touched. I had just picked the miniature pig up when my car started rattling, then steam poured out of the engine. Thankfully, it stopped the second that I turned it off, but those had been a scary few minutes.
“What should we name you?” I croon at her.
White lights illuminate the faded interior of my car as a truck pulls off the road behind us. My heart rate quickens and I grip my phone so tightly that my knuckles turn white.Please don’t be a serial killer. Please don’t be a serial killer.
Ding. The screen on my phone flashes.
Unknown: This is Andersen Towing. I just pulled up behind you.
Whew. Willing myself to calm down, I take a few deep breaths before unlocking my car door and climbing out. I peer into the darkness, jumping slightly when an enormous figure appears in front of the light. He is a gigantic blur; I can’t make out a single one of his features other than his size.
“What seems to be the problem?” his rough voice washes over me, sending prickles of awareness over my skin.Wait…I know that baritone.It can’t be…
But my suspicions are confirmed when Chaos gives a little hop of excitement and bounds straight at the man who, once again, catches him with ease, before giving his head a rub and placing him back in the car. His presence and musky scent overwhelm me and the urge to fly away overtakes me again. But I can’t run this time.
“Are you fucking stalking me?” The question spews from my lips as hysteria sets in. “How the hell did you know I would be here? Haven’t you made me feel stupid enough for one day?”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa,” he calls, holding up his hands and backing away in surrender. “You remember you called ME right? For help? Car trouble?”
I stop and blink, then a frenetic laugh takes over my body; my shoulders shake and trembles seem to take over my limbs.What the hell is wrong with me?
“Are you okay?” he asks, concern deepening his voice.
This man who yelled at me, made me feel insecure, and had me worrying all day is now here to rescue me? And he cares if I’m all right?
