Page 5 of Carson

“Mushrooms?”

“Fuck no.”

He smirks and pulls away. It’s a running joke between the two of us, because neither of us can stand them.

I go over to her bicycle and lift it from the ground, resting it against the kickstand. The chain is loose on the damn thing and the tires are low.

After sending my brother a text to remind him to grab the air compressor, I grab the tools out of my saddlebag and get to work on the van, removing the old part.

When I take my hat off to wipe my brow, I notice a man fishing down by the lake. I recognize him from the pizza place. He waves to me, and I make the mistake of waving back.

Fuck, he’s heading my way.

It’s not that I’m not social. I am. Can be. Well, mostly because my brother is, and I’ll do anything for him. Even if that means I’m uncomfortable once in a while.

“Carson, I’m surprised to see you here. When I left work, you were still at the pizza shop,” he says as he approaches, his gaze sliding over Luna’s camping space.

“I was. Robin told us your co-worker broke down. Cole and I thought we’d come over and offer her a hand.”

“That’s nice,” he says. “I wish I knew more about vehicles. If I had, I’d sure have helped her out. She’s saved my ass a few times. Sweet girl.”

“So I’ve heard.”

“Oh, you haven’t talked to her?”

I shake my head. “She must not be around. I thought I’d just get started. My brother went to town for parts.”

“She’s not here?” His gaze rests on her bicycle.

My hunch was right. “Maybe she went for a walk,” I suggest.

“Yeah, there’s lots of trails around here.”

“I know.”

He laughs nervously and taps his fishing pole on the ground. “Well, I got to go. Robin called me back in to work. I guess a big order came in a bit ago and she needs my help.”

“That sucks.”

“It does. I’ve been looking forward to fishing all day.”

He gives Luna’s van one last glance before walking away. I watch him until he slips around the bend in the road. Then I walk around the van and open the door.

All is quiet. I step inside as stealthily as I can, and then slide the door shut behind me. I wait several minutes to see if she’s going to reveal herself.

Now that I’m alone in her space, I can feel her. I know she’s here somewhere.

I make my way toward the back and lower myself onto her bed. Something draws my attention to the small closet separating the sleeping quarters from the rest of the van. I press my hand against it and close my eyes.

A protective spark ignites, rushing through my system like wildfire on an open prairie.

Chapter Three

Luna

Ipress my hand against the wood of the door and lean close to listen. I’m sure someone’s inside. Thank goodness I heard voices when I did. I was just about to leave my hiding spot, confident that the men had left.

A puff of air leaves my lungs when something presses against the other side of the door. I don’t know how, but I can feel the man on the other side. Slowly I pull my hand away.