He jerks his chin toward my car, now half-buried in snow. “That toy won’t make it another mile up this road. You’re lucky I found you, city girl.”
“Lucky,” I repeat, my tone dripping with sarcasm.
He crosses his arms, the corners of his mouth twitching. “Got a name, or should I just keep calling you city girl?”
“Indie,” I say, meeting his gaze head-on.
“Well, Indie, I’m King Steele. And you’re about one bad decision away from freezing out here.”
Chapter Two
King
“Even a city girl like you should know better than to trust a tiny car on these roads. What is that, an Audi? Not even all-wheel drive, much less four-wheel. Practically asking for trouble.”
Her eyes flash, her cheeks flushing red. “I’m not a city girl, and I can handle myself, thank you very much.”
I can’t help but grin at her fire. “Sure looks like it.”
She glares at me, shoving her hands onto her hips. “You always this charming, or is today special?”
“Only when I stumble across someone dumb enough to take this road in a tin can.” I nod toward the car. “You’re lucky it’s me and not a bear.”
“Bears,” she mutters, her eyes darting to the treeline. “Don’t remind me.”
I glance at my horse, then back at her. “You headed somewhere, or was freezing in a snowbank the plan for the day?”
She lifts her chin, defiant. “I’m a midwife. I was on my way to deliver a baby.”
“Of course you were.”
Her jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think she might take a swing at me. But instead, she exhales hard, brushing snow off her coat.
“Look,” she says, her tone clipped, “I just need to get to the top of the mountain. Can you help or not?”
I hold her gaze for a beat longer than necessary, enjoying the way she fidgets under my scrutiny. Finally, I nod. “Hop on.”
Her brow furrows. “On what?”
I jerk my thumb toward my horse, Copper, standing calm and steady a few feet away.
She hesitates, glancing at the animal like it might bite. “I’ve never been on a horse before.”
“No time like the present,” I say, stepping toward her.
She doesn’t move, her lips pressing into a thin line.
With a sigh, I close the distance, placing my hands firmly on her waist. “You’ll be fine. Just hold on.”
Her breath catches, her body tensing under my grip as I lift her into the saddle. She grabs the horn, white-knuckled, as the horse shifts beneath her.
I swing up behind her, my hands brushing her hips as I take the reins. Her back stiffens, and I bite back a grin.
“Relax,” I murmur, leaning close enough that my breath brushes her ear. “I’ve got you.”
She doesn’t reply, but I feel her exhale, her body softening slightly against mine.
The ride is quiet, save for the crunch of snow under the horse’s hooves. She shifts every so often, like she’s trying to put more space between us, but there’s nowhere to go.
