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“You’re pretty soft for such a tough guy.”
“Tough guy, huh? And handsome too . . . I’d better get your number quick.”
“Isn’t it already on that accident report? Besides, as I tried to tell you before—”
The sharp, piercing wail of a siren interrupted her. His gaze locked with hers. “Hear that?”
Her features eased as she released a soul-deep sigh. “Thank You, Jesus.”
“What’d I tell you, huh? Done deal.”
Her pretty lips turned up at the corners. “This isn’t quite over yet, Deputy.”
And then he smiled back. Because that was exactly what Cooper Robinson was hoping.
4
Cooper was late. But that happened all the time with his job. He still had to stop at his apartment for a quick shower. He was sweaty and grungy from the ordeal, and he had minor scratches on his arms and neck from the thicket.
When he arrived at his place, he found five texts on his phone. One from Gavin, one from his sister, Avery, and two from his mom—all asking where he was.
He texted Avery that he’d been delayed, knowing she’d spread the word. Amber Clarke, a hairstylist from the Beauty Barn whom he’d gone out with twice, had also texted him. She couldn’t be further from his mind right now.
He could think only of wide blue eyes and a sprinkle of freckles across a pert little nose.
That and the letter she’d written to her foster parents. Man. Sometimes he forgot how blessed he was. Maybe his dad was a loser, but he had a great mom. And his stepdad, Jeff, had turned out to be a lot cooler than Cooper had thought at the age of ten when hismom married him. Plus, Cooper had gotten a decent stepsister out of the deal.
He whipped his belt from his jeans as he walked into his bedroom. That’s when he realized he still had it—Katelyn’s phone. He pulled it from his pocket, a dopey grin tugging his lips at the thought of her. He hadn’t felt like this in...
Yeah. He’d never felt like this.
He went through the motions in the shower, reliving the rescue in detail. Rick Rodriguez, the deputy on duty, had arrived on scene first. The fire truck came next, followed by an ambulance and a tow truck. From there the scene had gotten hectic. He left Katelyn in the paramedics’ capable hands while he helped Rodriguez with the accident report. Cooper stayed until the vehicle was secured and Katelyn was safely removed. She checked out fine. Pictures were taken, and at that point he realized he was over an hour late for dinner at his parents’. He couldn’t hang around any longer, and Rodriguez had offered to give Katelyn a ride.
Cooper turned off the water and dried off. When he spied Katelyn’s phone on the bathroom counter, he smiled again. In his rush to get to his folks’ house, there’d barely been time for a quick good-bye. But Katelyn’s address would be on the accident report, and now he had the perfect excuse to contact her.
Ten minutes later Cooper started his Silverado and pulled from the apartment lot. He hated being late for this, especially since they were waiting supper on him. And because this event seemed important to Gavin. His brother had just begun to climb out of his depression, and Cooper wanted him to feel supported. Wanted him to find some happiness. Maybe Gavin would quit pretending to be a campground manager and go back to being a highly sought-after contractor.
It appeared Cooper had come full circle—his thoughts were right back where they’d been when he found Katelyn on the cliff. Katelyn. There was that grin again.
He was off duty tomorrow. He’d drive to Asheville and return her phone—then he’d ask her to dinner. Normally he started with a coffee date, but they were way past lattes and Americanos. Maybe he’d take her on a picnic at Riverview Park. Picnics made a great second-date activity. Most women found them romantic, and there was ample opportunity for conversation—and enough privacy to make out if the occasion arose.
But no, not Riverview Park. He wanted to take Katelyn someplace new. Someplace he’d never taken anyone else. Maybe they could drive down to Max Patch, have a picnic on the summit, and catch the sunset. All of this was contingent upon her agreement, of course. But—not to be arrogant—he couldn’t remember the last time a woman had turned him down. And he’d gotten certain vibes on that cliffside.
It took only five minutes to reach his folks’ place. He pulled up to the white clapboard farmhouse situated on three and a half acres—basically, Gavin’s and his childhood playground. His mom and Jeff had bought the property shortly after they’d married. A fresh start, they said.
Cooper wasn’t sure of anything at that point, much less his new stepfather and stepsister. Up till then it had been Cooper and Gavin against the world, united by their love for their mother and disdain for their father, Craig Burton—otherwise known as the town drunk.
Cooper pulled up to Avery’s blue Jeep and shut off the ignition. Everyone was present and accounted for, car wise. He exited the truck, the familiar sounds of cooing doves and rippling river taking him right back to childhood.
Gravel crunched under his feet as he headed toward the frontdoor. He tried to get into the right frame of mind. He would have to work at this tonight. He’d used an entire day’s worth of words back on the cliff. Who was he kidding—an entire week’s worth.
He mounted the porch and, as was his habit, walked right into the house. From the entryway he had an open view of the first floor. His mom, wearing jeans and a red shirt, stirred something on the stovetop. At the island Jeff poured a drink, the pendant lights glaring off his high forehead. Avery and Gavin were seated at the dining room table. Conversation hummed and a Luke Bryan song played softly. The savory smells of homemade cooking made his bachelor’s stomach rumble.
“Sorry I’m late,” he called. “There was an accident on 70.”
“Hi, honey.” Mom’s greeting mingled with the others. “Can you grab that extra chair from your bedroom closet?”
“Sure.” He headed upstairs. His old room looked pretty much the same these days except cleaner and with the bed made. The Corvette Z06 poster was gone, as were his Braves memorabilia and basketball-hoop hamper.
