“I’m trying to build a wind turbine.” The words are out before I even think. I'm too excited to see it all moving as it should.
“Wind turbine?” he asks with a tilt of his head.
I internally cringe. I’m getting way too comfortable around him, but I relent.
“I’m passionate about sustainability. I wanted to see if I could put something together, using the junk I found around our place.”
“Looks like it works?” Sutton’s eyes are wide as he takes in the turning turbine. “What’s it going to charge?”
“I’m thinking a battery. I just need to find one and connect it.”
“That’s cool, Tinker Bell.” He looks down at me before we start to move a little, and he winces as we walk toward the cottage. I see his jeans are a little ripped, and there’s blood on one leg. Thank God I have a first aid kit, so at least I might be able to help.
“Let’s get you inside.” I duck under his arm to assist him, and he laughs.
“This is cute, you helping me.”
“Someone has to. You clearly can’t walk.” Unfortunately, I provide next to no support, our height difference comical.
“Want to give me a piggyback?” he teases. At least he hasn’t lost his sense of humor.
We hop up the steps together and push through the door.
“James, can you get me some towels and the first aid kit?” I call out to my brother.
“Sutton!” James pops out from around the corner, looking worried as soon as he sees us.
Sutton smiles to reassure him. “Hey, buddy. I’m fine. Just took a little tumble.”
James runs to the cupboard, grabbing the things I need as I get Sutton to the armchair.
With a sigh, he slumps into the chair, tired but happy to be off his leg. I pull up a small stool and lift his leg gently, placing it on the cushion.
“What’s it look like? Am I going to lose my leg? Do we have to amputate?”
I can’t help my smile, snorting a quiet laugh. His ankle is a little blue, so that ice pack from Rochelle will help. The cut on his leg? I’ve seen James with bigger grazes from school.
“I think you’ll survive,” I tell him, my eyes meeting his. He’s already looking at me with a grin quirking his lips.
“What were you doing walking in the woods anyway?” I step over to the kitchen, grabbing the ice pack from the freezer as James passes him a towel to dry off.
“Went for a quick hike to clear my mind. I was walking on my plot, working on the building plan.”
My eyebrows rise. I haven’t traveled around Whispers much. Here to the diner and library and back mostly. But I’ve heard the locals all talk about different places. Billionaire Boulevard is the road that leads up the mountains. That’s where all the large, luxurious ranches are, the homes that would ordinarily house people like my dad and his friends if small-town living was his thing.
“I had no idea it was that close.” I shimmy up his jeans to give me access to his shin.
“Maybe I should build a path…” he says almost mindlessly, like he’s deep in thought, as I get to work cleaning his leg.
But I’m curious. “Path?”
“Yeah, a path leading me here, so next time I come for a visit, I won't fall.”
My heart beats a little faster. I pause what I’m doing and look at him.
“Visit?” I ask on a breath.
“Yeah, since we’re neighbors and all.” His grin is wicked.
