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She tries to pull her arm back, but I retain my grip. The explanation is a clue. One I want more than I’m willing to admit.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but yes, I have a brother and a sister-in-law.”
“That doesn’t explain what you’re doing here.” A strong desire to pull her close has me reacting the opposite, and I let her go.
She rolls the shoulder of the now free arm and continues to her car. Between ducking in and out for Ghost’s food items, she prattles an answer.
“They live in Germany. I didn’t want to uproot my life and move overseas.”
“So you uproot your life to live in your car?”
She sets Ghost’s food bowl down with a slap and does the same with the water dish, sloshing some over the side. “Dammit!”
When she ducks back in for a third time, I cup her bicep and halt her movements. The scowl she wears as she turns to me is damn cute. But my intention wasn’t to rile her, even if I do enjoy her feisty attitude.
I peel my shades off my eyes and slip them to rest in my hair. Free from barriers, I implore her to listen.
“I’m not judging you or your situation. If anything, I want to help. To do that, I need to understand. What brought you to Arrow Creek?”
“What difference does it make?” She signals Ghost to eat and then straightens, returning her gaze to mine. Uncertainty and distrust swirl there, along with a tiny flame of heat.
I can’t help but brush my thumb over the apple of her soft cheek. “We’re not so different, you and I.”
I snag her hand and lean into the open car to grab our meal. Ignoring her sounds of protest, I lead us to the front of the car and start unpacking. The weather holds an evening breeze that cools but isn’t too intense to remain outside. She watches intently as I peel back the aluminum lid from the pan of lasagna. I dig a fork in the immediate center, pulling a long string of melted mozzarella as I raise it in the air. The billow of curling steam indicates the food is still hot. Perfect for the cool evening.
I stare into her hazel eyes with a dare to refuse. “Open.”
Those puffy pink lips curl between her teeth for half a second before releasing with a smack. Her tongue touches the lower one, leaving behind a glistening dew. She finally acquiesces with an eyebrow raised in challenge.
The second the warm Italian flavors touch her tongue, her entire face melts, and she closes her eyes. Her groan of appreciation is one I file away for later.
“Oh, God. It’s wonderful.”
I move in for another bite, this time keeping it for myself. “Dig in, babe. I can’t eat all of this alone.”
I’m pleased when she follows my lead and sinks the other fork into the middle too. Nothing wrong with splitting a meal a little unconventionally.
She breaks the silence a few bites later. “My parents died here.”
My brows dip over my eyes as I snap my gaze to hers. She holds a hand to cover her mouth as she chews and waves her fork around.
“Not here, as in Arrow Creek. Here, as in the United States. I grew up near Denver, Colorado. We lost them both in a car accident when I was only fourteen. The reason I didn’t move to Germany is because I don’t want to leave them behind.”
“It’s impossible to leave them behind. You carry them everywhere inside you, babe.”
Her head bobs sharply. “Right. I know that, but leaving the country makes it more permanent. At least this way, I can always drive back for a visit. Not spend fourteen hours on an airplane to cross oceans.”
I hand her a slice of the fresh garlic bread. The aroma of garlic filters between us, and we both take a minute to savor that first bite.
“Wouldn’t have to be permanent. You could move to get back on your feet and get a little cash.”
Her glance beyond my shoulder reveals more than I think she intends. “It’s going to take more than a little while to find stability again.”
“Tell me.” I reach out and run my index finger along her exposed arm. “Please.”
She shakes her head, not ready to reveal her secrets. The challenge to wear her down becomes even more enticing. “I can’t. This cleaning job is going to
make a big dent in getting what I need, so if you can send some good vibes my way, I’d appreciate it.”
