Page 141 of Worth the Trip

His smile deepened.

Mama Brooks cleared her throat from the sofa. “I don’t have to document what everybody already saw.”

I covered my face.

Landon laughed and took my hand. “Come on before my family destroys what remains of your composure.”

“Your family?”

“Yes.”

“Interesting allocation of blame.”

He kissed his mother, clasped his father’s hand, and promised to call when we reached the cabin. Mama Brooks sent us away with a flashlight, water, and enough weather instructions to suggest Landon had never encountered rain without parental supervision.

Outside, he stopped beneath the porch overhang. “Stay here. I’ll bring the truck around.”

“I can walk through rain.”

“I know.” He kissed me before the argument grew legs. “Let me take care of you anyway.”

Then he ran through the downpour.

Seconds later, the SUV pulled beneath the porch. Landon came around with an umbrella, opened my door, and held it over me.

“You got wet bringing the truck ten feet closer.”

“And you didn’t.”

“Poor resource allocation.”

“My preference.”

“A strong one?”

He looked at me. “I’m becoming attached to several things.”

The answer stayed with me after he closed the door. Rain hammered the roof while we pulled away, and his hand settled on my thigh within the first block.

I looked down at it. “Are you conducting research again?”

“Passive observation.”

“Your hand is on my thigh.”

“Exactly.”

“That is not passive.”

“Depends on the methodology.”

“You abuse higher education.”

“I apply it.”

His fingers moved slightly higher. I crossed my legs and trapped his hand.

Landon glanced down. “That an objection?”